In a narrow alley,
Charles, clad in a white robe, walked forward leisurely.
Now that he had this skin, no old bastard would sneak out from a corner to shout "Demacia" at him.
Turning a corner, Charles' ears caught a low conversation ahead.
"Those righteous bitches seem to be coming to kill us. Should we go help them?"
"Forget it. Our mission is to guard. Unlike those idiots who attract attention, we must be careful not to get reprimanded by Lord Varetta."
"But if we just stay here, how will we devote our lives to Lord Thanatos?"
"Don't worry. When the adults need you, you'll have your chance to shine."
Charles blinked. A bold idea took root. He slowed his steps deliberately to draw their attention.
"Who's there?"
Two men in white robes drew swords and stared fiercely down the dark passage.
Charles stepped forward slowly. When they saw his matching white robe, they relaxed slightly.
"Why are you here with us instead of at your post?"
Noticing the superior tone, Charles stood at attention, pounding his chest with his fist, and offered, "Lord Rudra's orders: the plan changed. Everyone supports the front line. Go teach those righteous bitches a lesson."
One man's eyes gleamed. "Great! I can finally serve you faithfully!"
Charles recognized him—a believer in the god of death. Thinking of the suicidals in the faction, he decided to target him first.
The other frowned. This didn't fit their original plan. But since Rudra himself gave the order, it was impossible for the man not to obey.
He asked cautiously, "Where are your companions?"
"Going to inform the others."
"Have you completed all the tasks?"
"I don't know. I'm just delivering orders."
Seeing the man hesitate, Charles urged, "Hurry up and leave. I have other tasks."
"Let's go, big brother!"
"Okay…"
The two men set off hesitantly.
As soon as they turned, Charles pulled out the cursed dagger and stabbed the believer in the back.
Blood oozed from his mouth. He stared at his chest in disbelief, reaching for his waist—but Charles grabbed his hand.
Phew.
Before Charles could savor his success, a long sword pierced through the believer's chest, through his body like a skewer, and stabbed Charles in the chest.
Cough—
Blood spilled from Charles' mouth. The cautious faction member had attacked his companion too?
"How… did you figure that out?"
"The order is to work in pairs. You can't act alone."
"Is that so? Thank you."
Charles grabbed the sword suddenly, pulling out a dagger with his other hand and slashing forward.
Red light cut the air and vanished.
The man dropped his sword hilt and leapt back.
"Tsk, I don't want to trade lives with a dead man."
"…"
Charles drew his sword, pushed the cold believer aside, and staggered, clutching his abdomen.
This simple fight revealed the vast gap between them.
Forget it, no point fighting—I'll give you this head!
Before Charles could think further, he gave in. Blood poured freely…
"Heh, don't waste your time. This cursed weapon won't heal without an antidote."
Charles looked up, astonished. "How… is that possible?"
The Dark Faction member sneered, "You're smart, but you only fool the fools on the ground. Give up—you're already dead."
"Who… are you?"
"Me? Call me Hyena."
Title?
Charles feigned serious injury, collapsing with wide, empty eyes.
"Yes, I'm different from you, but I completed sublimation level 2!"
Hyena eyed Charles with cruel interest, licking his lips.
"Don't worry. When you die, I'll enjoy your corpse."
Charles shivered. As expected, few sane people lurked in secret factions.
He reconsidered whether to join them per his original plan.
The ground soaked with blood, Charles stared blankly ahead.
Hyena made no move to approach.
After a moment, he drew a magic sword from his arms.
"Don't pretend. With injuries like this, you won't die soon. Adventurers are tougher than you think."
He swung the sword with a grim smile. Countless spikes erupted from the ground, piercing Charles.
"Uh…"
Suspended in the air like a rag doll, a blooming cactus of spikes,
Charles glared at Hyena with resentment…
No, you used your magic sword on a dying minion of mine?
Are you so rich?
"He's still alive…"
Hyena swung again. The sword shattered, and spikes pierced Charles once more.
"Ingredients must be consumed fresh." Hyena stretched out a hand and whispered, "Sins infect, the fire of karma cooks, I devour my fellows to savor their sins."
—[Foel Vistraat]
A torrent of fireballs erupted from Hyena's palm, igniting Charles.
Crackling filled the air as hundreds of gold coins spilled onto the ground, burning with the cloth.
Hyena's eyes widened.
"Is that… a holy gold coin?"
Greed clouded Hyena's mind, breaking his last defenses.
Judging by his cooking experience… dressed like that, he wouldn't survive a round of grilling.
But compared to the delicious medium-rare dish before him, the gold coins were more tempting.
He took two steps, pulled out a new pouch, and bent down to gather the scattered coins.
"One, two… 489 pieces…"
Picking up the last one, excitement overtook him.
Five hundred holy gold coins—five million valis!
"Ha… haha! All mine! All mine!"
As he lifted his head, a dagger with strange red light slashed his aorta.
He clutched the bleeding wound, staring at Charles in disbelief.
"How… how… cough!"
He could barely speak, pressing the wound desperately.
"Thanks for helping me pack up the money."
Charles staggered off the spikes, grinning devilishly, and snatched the purse.
Despite reluctance, the blood loss forced Hyena to submit.
Charles continued stripping him, searching for items.
"Hey, a magic sword, three bottles of high-grade elixir—not spare parts, right? This armor isn't bad either—third-level adventurer's gear? Great!"
Charles sighed as he ruthlessly looted.
Truly, the gold belt for murder and arson! This cautious Dark Faction leader was rich indeed.
After searching a dead believer's body, Charles looked at Hyena—still staring blankly.
"He's not dead yet. As expected from a high-level adventurer, really hard to kill."
"It's not that hard to kill you…"
Hyena, blackened and full of holes, couldn't understand how Charles was still alive.
"Monster..."
"I like that name!" Charles stood over Hyena, looking down with disdain.
He raised the cursed dagger and stabbed—one knife… two knives… three…
Just as he aimed for the fourth stab to the head—
Whoosh—
A sudden rush of wind sounded from the corridor ahead.