Chapter Forty-Three: Humans and Demons Cannot Coexist

Indeed, the Disaster Association would never let any monster go. Take Liu Shiyu, for example—her attitude toward monsters was always the same: cut down one if she saw one, slay a pair if she encountered two. She never cared whether the monster was a good person or not.

“Manager, you hope that harmless monsters and humans can coexist peacefully? Such a thing is impossible.”

Steam curled from the coffee on the table, the surface reflecting Cheng Feng’s somewhat indifferent face. He spoke coolly, “Humans and monsters have always been locked in an irreconcilable struggle. The final fate of monsters is to be killed by humans. Nothing will ever change that.

Although you belong to the harmless kind, the shadow monsters have cast over humanity is immense and ancient. The rift was established long ago; even you are not exempt.”

The old manager fell silent.

He had lived for centuries, once a high and mighty Abyssal Calamity of the Fourth Rank. He had witnessed the greed and gluttony of monsters, the ugliness and cruelty of humanity, and all manners of warmth and sorrow in the world.

How could he not know how naive the notion of coexistence truly was?

“You’re right. That is precisely why I wanted to speak with you,” the manager finally said. Having weathered so many storms, he had grown indifferent to all but this café, his only remaining attachment. “You, with your vampiric constitution, are both human and monster. Standing at the intersection of both worlds, do you also believe my ideal is wrong?

We only wish to live calmly within human society, to neither disturb nor harm anyone. Must even this most basic right be stripped from us?”

“It’s a pity… but yes.”

Cheng Feng sighed, voicing the truth from his soul: “I understand you, but as long as monsters continue to prey on humans, humanity will hate all of you indiscriminately. They will not make exceptions for a few outliers.”

The manager gave a soft sigh, saying nothing more.

Monsters in this world did not need to eat humans to survive; they could live on other creatures just as well. Yet from the moment they were born, it was as if fate itself had carved the instinct and gene for human flesh into them, making humanity their chosen prey.

Coupled with their inherently greedy nature, monsters could not suppress these predatory instincts, setting them in eternal opposition to humans. Only a rare few, like the manager or his cat-demon maids, could restrain themselves from harming humans.

The struggle between humans and monsters had raged for centuries, accumulating endless hatred and an unbridgeable chasm of prejudice and enmity. Even harmless monsters were targeted without exception.

In short, there was no safe haven for harmless monsters in this world.

“The manager only wants a peaceful life away from the world’s strife—why can’t you understand that!”

Suddenly, a flustered, delicate voice sounded beside Cheng Feng.

He turned to find the cat-girl Orange standing there, tray clasped to her chest, staring at him with wide, round eyes. Though she was angry, her exquisite, adorable face only made her look fiercely cute.

She spoke loudly, unfazed by the curious glances of nearby customers. Earlier, while serving dishes, her feline hearing had picked up the conversation between Cheng Feng and the manager.

Hearing Cheng Feng side with humanity, disregarding the survival of harmless monsters, she assumed he intended to report the café to the Disaster Association.

Cheng Feng recognized her at once. “You’re that adorable maid from last time.”

Hmph! Complimenting me won’t work!

Orange was not the least bit cheered. Bristling, she declared, “Don’t think the manager fears you. He used to be formidable! Even Liu Shiyu might not be a match for him!”

Cheng Feng looked at her as if she’d lost her mind, convinced she was just lashing out in embarrassment. Besides, since when did someone like Liu Shiyu become a standard unit of combat strength?

“You never saw how powerful the manager used to be—he simply chose to retire,” Orange huffed, pouting in indignation. “In the past, not even an Ace-ranked Hunter could scare him. The manager once had the power to paralyze an entire city, if not for the Great Cataclysm ten years ago…

Anyway, the manager genuinely wishes to live peacefully in human society now…”

“Orange, how have I always taught you? No matter what happens, never lose your temper with humans.”

The manager’s aged face grew solemn, halting Orange’s words before turning to Cheng Feng. “I apologize for her rudeness.”

Orange swallowed her retort. Hearing another customer call for service, she hurried away.

“Retired?”

Cheng Feng looked at the manager, sensing a depth beyond the ordinary. “Manager, I am not one of those rigid monster hunters. If you truly mean no harm to humans, I can choose not to report you. I hope you’ll hold to that line as well.”

“Very well. I hope you’ll visit often,” the manager replied with a genial smile. “It seems your girlfriend is coming back, so I’ll leave you two alone.”

Mistaken for being involved with the class president, Cheng Feng didn’t bother to correct him. Instead, he mused that the manager’s true identity must be far from simple…

Barely a minute after the manager left, Xia Qingyao returned from the restroom, her expression a little off.

Cheng Feng teased, “Class president, what took you so long? Did you break the paper in the bathroom?”

“…,” she glared, very much wanting to hit him.

Somehow, the rain had stopped, the clouds drifted apart, and the sun shone brightly once more.

…

Meanwhile, at Cheng Feng’s home, the wardrobe in his bedroom creaked open. Out walked a dainty white cat, eyes clear and delicate, pacing elegantly across the floor—she had slept here since chapter thirty-one.

She possessed a demon art that allowed her to heal through sleep.

Yawning and stretching languidly on the floor, she found her injuries had healed by thirty or forty percent, her demonic power restored by a fifth.

A glance at the clear sky outside the window told her it was no use—her power wasn’t fully recovered, and she couldn’t yet leave this house.

There had been a coup in Red Moon City, the demon capital. She had narrowly escaped with her life, arriving at the human city still shouldering an unfinished mission.

To leave now would be dangerous; if she ran into hidden pursuers from Red Moon City, she’d be done for.

She must not let war break out between Red Moon City and the humans, or only devastation would follow.

After some thought, the white cat hopped onto the soft bed, burrowed into the warm covers, and went back to sleep.

Just one more day of rest and her power would return, allowing her to take on human form once more.

…

After parting with the class president, Cheng Feng returned home that night. Using his social app, he messaged Liu Shiyu about Lin Xiaoqin’s illness and her dual personality.

Liu Shiyu agreed to investigate, finding the whole situation suspicious—it might even lead to a major discovery.

She also reminded Cheng Feng that the promotion tournament was about to begin, urging him to train more at the sword hall.

Cheng Feng replied with an “ok,” then jumped into bed and turned off the lights.

Late at night, half-asleep, he seemed to reach out and touch something soft and furry. Instinctively, he hugged it like a pillow and slept soundly through the night.

Until the next morning…