Zeke was thirty one years old.
He had been in this world for a decade.
Ten years was more than enough time to carve a name into history.
Once a transmigrator like many others, Zeke had risen through battle, blood, and achievement to become something far more than a wandering hero. He was now a Guild Master, commander of one of the most influential organizations in the kingdom, and a figure even the royal family treated with measured caution.
Power respected power.
Zeke stood inside his office, arms crossed, staring at a detailed map of the city laid across a heavy wooden table. Arcane markers hovered above it, highlighting zones of recent destruction.
"Guild Master," a messenger said, kneeling. "Squad Seventeen has been wiped out. Survivors confirm a high class demon was responsible."
Zeke's expression did not change.
"We are sending out scouting parties as we speak," the messenger continued. "The damage suggests multiple lava based summons. Entire sections of the lower district were compromised."
A high class demon.
That was not something that appeared by accident.
"Demons," Zeke said calmly. "Contact the Church. Make it an emergency request. They will respond faster if they hear something like this."
"Yes, Guild Master."
As the messenger rose and left, Zeke exhaled slowly.
Squad Seventeen was not weak.
They were veterans. Monster hunters who had fought demonkin before and lived to tell the tale. Several of them had personal reasons to hate demons. Old scars. Lost families. Failed hunts that still burned in their memories.
And now they were gone.
Zeke's gaze shifted to another report. The tavern collapse. The fires. The bodies pulled from the rubble.
"There were civilian casualties," one of his lieutenants said quietly from the side. "Witnesses say the demon's summons tore through the building during the escape. Anyone inside would not have survived."
Zeke nodded.
"Then the summoner is likely dead," he said. "No human could survive that level of collateral damage at the center of a demon outbreak."
A high class demon acting without restraint would leave nothing behind.
What remained was the real threat.
"The demon escaped the city," Zeke continued. "That makes it a priority target. If it remains unchecked, it will attract more of its kind."
His lieutenant clenched his fist.
"Squad Seventeen had members who lost family to demon raids," he said. "They will want revenge."
"They will get it," Zeke replied.
Zeke turned toward the window. In the distance, smoke still rose above the city, twisting into the sky like a wound that refused to close.
A high class demon had entered his territory, slaughtered his people, and escaped.
That could not be allowed.
"I will handle this personally once I return," Zeke said. "Until then, increase patrols, coordinate with the Church, and prepare specialized anti demon equipment."
"Yes, Guild Master."
As the room emptied, Zeke's hand tightened slowly.
Ranked fourth among the top ten Heroes of the kingdom. Backed by the Church. Leader of a powerful guild.
This demon made a mistake and Zeke would make sure it paid for it