The Sect Lord's golden hand hung in the air, his aura pressing down like a mountain.
"Join my personal guard. Tonight."
The arena went silent. Elders leaned forward. The concubine's fan froze mid-motion.
[B-Rank Offer: Analyze]
Accept: +Sect Status, Safe Power Grind.
Decline: +150 Malice, Betrayal Arc Unlocked.
Risk: Execution (90%). Reward: Massive.
Safe route or villain glow-up?
I grinned slowly and took his hand. "My pleasure, Sect Lord."
The crowd gasped. Elders scowled.
Choice: Accept (Strategic).
Malice: 428 → 435 (Hidden Resentment Detected).
Play the long game. Stab later.
Three Hours Later – Sect Lord's Private Tower
Black marble halls gleamed. Jade carvings snarled from the walls. The guard captain—a Level 22 brute—sized me up.
"New meat. Crimson Guard uniform." He tossed blood-red armor. Heavy. Enchanted.
I changed quickly. The armor hummed—stats ticked up 10%.
System loves free gear.
Captain grunted. "Shift starts. Protect the Lord's chamber. No talking. No slacking."
I nodded. Followed through gilded doors.
Ten Crimson Guards stood statue-still around the Sect Lord's throne room. Level 18-25. Qi Condensation peak. All glaring daggers at me.
Hostile work environment unlocked.
[GUARD SQUAD SCAN]
10x Rivals. Average Malice Potential: B-Rank.
Taunt Master +20% active.
First shift hour—boring. Sect Lord meditated cross-legged, golden lotus blooming beneath him.
Guard #1 whispered: "Cripple thinks Forge luck makes him elite?"
#2 snorted. "Huo Kai's ghost p**ses on him."
Hate Meter: 435 → 442
Free stats for standing around? Sign me up.
I grinned over my shoulder. "Ghosts pay rent now? Tell Huo Kai rent's due."
SNORT. #1 choked on a laugh. Others growled.
CRITICAL TAUNT: +12 → 454
Captain barked: "Silence!"
Shift dragged. Hour 3—door creaked open.
Concubine entered. Silk clinging to her curves. Fan gone. Eyes locked on mine.
Sect Lord opened one eye. "Report."
"Outer sect whispers rebellion," she purred. "Huo Kai's death... unrest."
Plot bait.
Sect Lord nodded. "Handle it."
She bowed deep—cleavage flashed. Guards shifted uncomfortably.
Her gaze flicked to me—lips twitched in a smirk.
[HIDDEN INTENT: Malice Potential Rising]
Trouble.
Hour 5—ALERT.
Tower shook. Alarms blared.
"INTRUDERS! East Wing breach!"
Captain roared: "Crimson Guard—MOVE!"
[EMERGENCY QUEST]
Defend Tower. Reward: +40 Malice, Guard Rank Up.
We sprinted down corridors—armor clanking.
East wing: Chaos. Black-robed assassins (Level 15) vs outer sect rebels. 10v10 melee. Bodies piling up.
Captain pointed. "New meat—hold that door!"
Hold? Nah. Farm.
Doorway assassin lunged—dagger glowing with poison.
DESPAIR MIRAGE! Clone tanked the stab.
Real me flanked. "Poison? Huo Kai had better taste."
VENOM SLASH! Throat opened wide.
GURGLE.
+10 Malice → 464
Rebels cheered the wrong target.
Second assassin—dual daggers spinning tornado-style.
MALICE SPIKE! Black lance impaled her mid-spin.
CRUNCH.
Double: +15 → 479
Captain blinked. "Not bad, cripple."
First respect? Grind pays.
Wave 2—ELITE ASSASSIN. Level 20. Shadow-stepping ghost.
Dodged my spike. Dagger grazed my ribs.
HP -12%.S**t—fast.
"Shadow Sense!" Predicted next blink—0.5s precog.
Perfect parry. Counter with SPIKE BARRAGE!
Chest cratered. She dissolved into shadow.
ELITE CLEAR: +25 → 504
[LEVEL 8 UNLOCKED!]
Stats +40%. New Skill: Malice Chain (Link kills).
Bloodline: 60%.
Tower secured. Rebels routed.
Captain clapped my shoulder. "You're Guard now. Real Guard."
Status up. But...
Back to throne room. Sect Lord waited.
Concubine stood beside him—fingers brushing his arm.
"You performed," he rumbled. "Tomorrow: real test."
Her eyes met mine—predatory sparkle.
Malice Potential: Overflow Imminent.
The throne room just got interesting.
[TO BE CONTINUED]