Chapter 2381

Just then, a loud bang pierced through the air, drowning out the sound of the rain and bringing a brief moment of silence to the world.

Astin's forehead was struck directly by Immanuel's shot, and his legs gave out as he collapsed to his knees before the three of them.

Zenon trembled all over. Astin was dead, just like that?

As Astin lay motionless on the ground, Immanuel stepped forward and used his umbrella to shield Astin from the rain.

Immanuel knew Astin had made a tremendous decision, and he also knew Zenon could not bring himself to do it. If that were the case, he would bear this burden himself.

"Rue, notify the organization to come and take Astin's body," Immanuel instructed.

Rue did not say anything. She simply stepped aside and made the call. However, just then, Astin's body began to change.

Immanuel quickly pulled the others back. Astin's body started to emit demonic power, spreading rapidly. Immanuel instantly realized it was the demon within Astin fighting back.

However, they were already well-versed in the countermeasures. Astin's father, Astorus, had left behind a method to absorb the demonic power into a specific container. The containers the three were issued were their umbrellas.

The three opened their umbrellas, attempting to collect the demonic energy escaping from Astin's body.

However, as soon as the demonic power began to separate from Astin, the demon suddenly reabsorbed it.

At that moment, they knew the worst had happened. Astin's body had been fully taken over. He was now a complete demon.

"Damn it!" Zenon drew his dagger, trying to stop the demon's resurgence, but he was instantly knocked back by the force.

Astin's face twisted into a sinister expression as he looked at the three in front of him.

"Good morning, everyone."

"You..." Zenon charged at Astin again.

"Is this a welcome ceremony? Well then, I suppose I should properly introduce myself. I'm the demon, Five."

The ground shook violently. In an instant, countless demons surged up from beneath the earth, leaving the three hunters at a loss for what to do. Just then, the Calhoun siblings appeared and rescued the hunters.

Charlotte looked at Astin, whose body had been taken over, and felt a deep pain in her heart.

Chuck asked, "What do we do now?"

"Defeat him," Immanuel replied.

Rue pointed out, "His situation is very different. The other fragments of Five were easily defeated because the possession hadn't lasted long, so they could be expelled easily.

"But the demonic power in Astin has been there for over a decade. Conventional methods won't work.

"Also, he's incredibly strong. We're just not capable enough..."

"We still have to fight!" Zenon charged forward again but was immediately surrounded by a swarm of demons. He fought his way out of the horde with great effort.

"These things are nothing! You bastard! Stay still and die already!"

Zenon threw his dagger, but Five deflected it effortlessly. At that moment, Immanuel fired another round at Five, but he pulled two demons in front of him to take the hit.

"I told you, it's all pointless. The world will inevitably enter the era of demons!"

A violent explosion followed, and everyone sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Rue quickly began to heal the wounded.

Just then, Charlotte emerged from the rubble.

"Astin! Come back, please!"

Five looked at the weakened group and laughed mockingly.

"You humans really are amusing. Not bad, not bad. Considering the show you're putting on for my resurrection, this is quite entertaining."

All of a sudden, his right hand started to twitch.