Yeeee-ahh!
As if it were nothing more than a game, the man in red cuts through the Hetero-Creatures with effortless precision.
During the battle, he also displays masterful gunmanship.
Running away already? Not so fast!
When the few remaining Hetero-Creatures turn to flee, the man in red immediately gives chase without a second thought.
In just a moment, he runs off into the distance.
Looks like he's quite eager to help...
Wait for me...
A young person's voice echoes from another direction.
Huh, [player name]?!
You once carried out a mission with Noctis in New Oakley—that's where you first met the mayor's son.
Looks like you've already met Dante.
Yeah, he's currently staying in New Oakley.
We came here following a distress signal from this conservation area.
Fann surveys the ruins around and lets out a sigh.
We still got here too late, huh.
Yeah, we've been under attack by those bat monsters since two weeks ago.
We defeated the first wave of Hetero-Creatures, but then more kept coming...
Thankfully, Dante showed up just in time and helped us repel them.
Without him, New Oakley would've fallen too.
These Hetero-Creatures seem different from the ones we've faced before.
Yeah... I can't shake the feeling there's something else to them...
According to Dante, they're...
Demons.
At this moment, Dante, having defeated the fleeing Hetero-Creatures, strides back toward you.
His words are utterly shocking. For most people, demons are little more than relics of myth, whispers from forgotten tales.
In this era where technology reigns supreme, neither gods nor demons have ever been discovered. And yet... if such an entity does exist, the people of this land know it by another name—
The Punishing Virus.
Yeah, they're demons, no mistake.
Can smell the stink of those freaks a mile off.
Me?
A wide grin spreads across his face as crimson particles swirl into his palm, summoning that devil sword from thin air—visual proof to back his claim.
I'm Dante. I'm a devil hunter.
New Oakley
New Oakley
The transport vehicle grinds to a halt at New Oakley, marking your second visit to this place.
Yet the town feels starkly different this time, with a palpable tension hanging in the air.
Walls now encircle the place, guarded by Constructs perched in watchtowers. Residents move in hurried clusters, hauling crates of supplies.
Despite the unease, life stubbornly persists. Makeshift stalls line the roadside, their owners hawking wares.
Hey, Dante! Try one of my apples!
Dante effortlessly catches the apple tossed his way.
Hah, thanks.
Dante, wanna grab a drink later?
See you there.
An old cowboy tips his hat to Dante from his seat by the doorway, and Dante returns the gesture with a grin.
Dante seems quite popular around here.
Yes.
Fann smiles gently at Liv's words.
He's helped us fend off Hetero-Creatures more times than I can count. To New Oakley, he's family now.
As he speaks, Fann glances subtly in your direction, watching for your reaction.
You understand his implication perfectly but say nothing.
It seems he still harbors some hostility toward Babylonia.
As your group arrives at the tavern, Dante pushes the door open and turns to face everyone.
Welcome to the finest establishment in New Oakley.
Despite the turmoil outside, the tavern hums with boisterous chatter.
Perhaps most here have long since grown used to the uncertainty—to not knowing whether they would live to see dusk. For them, this is simply another day on the surface.
Look who's back—Dante!
Another round, and one for my friend Dante here!
Cheers!
Dante accepts the full glass of golden liquid and leads the group to a quieter corner.
Dante, try my new pizza. I tweaked the recipe based on your suggestions. Should be much better this time.
Perfect timing.
Oh? [player name], you're here too?
Well, about time someone from Babylonia showed up.
I'll let you guys talk.
The tavern owner, sensing the situation, walks away to leave you to your conversation.
Leaning back into the sofa, Dante adjusts himself with casual ease, his eyes fixed on you in silent appraisal.
So... let's talk about payment for mopping up your demon problem. You're from... where was it again? Oh right, "Commandant of Babylonia"?
Mhm.
He takes a bite of pizza, his face betraying nothing.
Alright, we'll start there.
So, in my world, there's the Human World and the Demon World...
?!
What is it?
Literally "my world." Got a problem with that?
From what I've figured out these past two weeks? Yeah.
Forcing down the shock rising in your chest, you gesture for Dante to continue.
In my world, there's the Human World and the Demon World. The Demon World is where demons live.
Sometimes, demons slip into the Human World and start causing trouble. And my job is to take contracts and hunt them down.
What do you mean?
Hmm.
He smiles and shrugs, but his voice sharpens with sudden seriousness.
Because half of me is demon blood.
After a prolonged silence, Dante speaks up again.
Whoops, did I scare you?
Heh, I like that look in your eyes.
Wish I had an answer for you, but I'm just as clueless.
I was busy cleaning up demons in the Demon World with someone when some crazy suction yanked me right into this place.
I don't.
But I've got the gist of your world's situation. Maybe this "Babylonia" of yours can send me back home.
So here's the deal: I'll help you clean up these demons, and in return, you help me get back to my world.
Countless thoughts flood your mind. Demons... a devil hunter...
Now we're talking.
Dante doesn't mind waiting a bit longer, his demeanor remaining relaxed.
I'll be waiting for your call.
...
...
Asimov, is this actually possible?
Scientifically speaking, the existence of other worlds hasn't been confirmed, though theories about them have been around over the past few centuries.
Plus...
Asimov rubs his temple, trying to ease the ache that doesn't truly exist.
It is what it is.
...
I see.
I think we can collaborate with him.
If demons do exist, then this Dante will be key to solving our problem. If they don't...
He pauses for a moment.
He's only one person, after all.
Agents, Ascendants, even an entity like Cradle... We've handled worse. One more strange existence doesn't concern me.
I'll leave the specifics of the frontline situation to your judgment.
So, what do you say?
Smart choice.
You replay the video on the terminal, and once again, the figure who delivered the slash flashes across the screen.
Beside you, Dante's expression visibly darkens.
A crushing aura erupts from him.
That's...
It's Vergil.
He's... my brother...
The air turns to ice.
Lucia takes a small step forward, while Lee's right hand already rests on the grip of his gun.
Dante catches the tension coiling between them but pays them no mind, simply walking back to the couch and sitting down again.
I've fought him plenty of times.
Don't think he'd do something like this... but if...
If this mess is tied to him, I'll handle him myself.
Beep beep—
Just as you are about to speak, your terminal's communication line rings.
