"
The priest continued speaking, his calm smile never fading, as if what he said was the most natural thing in the world.
Priest (in a cold tone): There are many, many more like this.
Arthur (his face darkening, brows furrowed): Seriously... who came up with this horrid ideology?
Priest (tilting his head with a serious look): The great Savior. And for your information, we never force anyone down this path.
Arthur turned away, thinking, his face tense as if struggling against the urge to lash out.
"He wants me to believe this nonsense? But I can't dismiss it that easily. That poor soul didn't even cry for help. Even the blood he drinks… it seems different, as if it contains something else. And also… Xu Jian, you bastard. How did you even discover this place?"
The priest kept walking ahead while Arthur's expressions shifted between shock and anger with every step. The dark hallways were packed with humans marching toward an unknown fate, while the emotionless priests carried on their tasks like machines.
Arthur (eyes widening, face pale): What is this place?
They arrived at rooms full of sinister rituals, each containing a person either screaming or silently weeping as their skin peeled or burned. It felt like part of Arthur's soul was stripped away by the sight.
Arthur clutched his mouth, trying not to vomit.
"I need to get out of here. Now!"
As fast as he could, Arthur returned to the guild, breath heavy, his eyes filled with a blend of shock and disgust. As he entered, he found Li Wei waiting with a wide smile, hands folded behind his head like he was on a stroll.
Li Wei (raising his brows with a mocking smile): So? Did you figure it out? I knew you'd get it eventually. Also, everything they said—pure lies.
Arthur (narrowing his eyes, voice laced with anger): What proof do you have? And why do you seem so unfazed by all of this?
Li Wei laughed hysterically, tilting his head casually.
Li Wei: Because it's fun! (points at himself with pride) I just feel sorry for you—stuck between a bunch of lunatics. Anyway, I'm off to see the demons. Maybe I'll find out how Xu Jian's mission is going.
Arthur (gritting his teeth, snapping): You won't get any reward from the president. I doubt he'll approve of something like this.
Li Wei (waving casually with a light smile): Don't care. I've got enough money to take care of myself. Rewards aren't my concern.
Li Wei finished his sentence with an irritating grin and walked out of the guild confidently, as usual. Arthur remained standing, a mix of confusion and anger on his face, still trying to process what he had seen and heard.
To be continued…
---
Li Wei headed toward demon territory, smiling mysteriously.
Li Wei (softly, talking to himself): You're insane, Xu Jian. I can't deny how much I admire you. Your plans are always crazy—you see nothing but ruin.
---
In the demonic capital
Xu Jian (face grim, voice laced with sarcasm): You must be truly insane if you think I care about a dying family's issues. Why should I solve the vampire mess? They're just pests.
The Blind Man (quiet yet firm, with a faint smile): I told you—your job isn't to solve but to balance. Set their foundation, then return. I promise I won't give you such a rough task again. Trust me.
He handed Xu Jian a map and a list of directions leading to the targeted family's castle.
Xu Jian (grabbing the map with a groan): Fine... just this once.
The Blind Man (raising a brow with a pleased smile): By the way, I liked what you did in the Marata capital. I love people who embrace chaos as a way of life. You're insane... my best agent.
Xu Jian laughed maniacally, his face twisted with a mix of madness and confidence.
Xu Jian: You liked that? Chaos is fun, isn't it? Hahahaha!
He exited the temple and headed toward the castle he was tasked to protect. Within two hours, he arrived at the gates—where a hundred armed men stood, demanding the royal family surrender and face their death.
---
Xu Jian (stepping down slowly, calm expression, eyes burning with challenge): Hey… that's not your place.
He raised his hand, showing the family insignia on his shoulder, prompting whispers among the crowd—but no one dared move.
Xu Jian (in a loud, terrifying tone): From this point on… anyone who moves will die a gruesome death. You hear me? No one survives.
The crowd stared at Xu Jian, fearful and cautious, preparing for what would come next.
To be continued…
---
Inside the castle
Five members of the royal family peered through the window, their faces full of terror and disbelief as they watched the horror unfold.
White-haired girl (trembling voice): Wh-Who is that?
---
Outside the castle
One of the men boldly stepped toward Xu Jian.
Man: And who do you think you are to issue commands?
Xu Jian (raising a brow with a crazed smile): Who am I?
Suddenly, a shocking blast echoed—the man dropped dead, a hole in his head. The rest of the crowd trembled, eyes wide with terror.
Xu Jian (with a wicked grin): Anyone else…?
Xu Jian began slaughtering everyone, laughter echoing like madness. Each man fell gruesomely, as if the whole thing were just a game to him.
---
Inside the castle
The five watched in horror.
White-haired girl (trying to calm her siblings behind her): He's… not human.
After the massacre, only one man was left alive. Xu Jian looked up at the window where the family watched. Then suddenly, he stormed toward the castle and entered.
Xu Jian (in a calm yet terrifying tone): So… you're the ones left from the family, right?
White-haired girl, trying to stay composed, but backing away in fear:
Alice: But how can you save us if we can't even ask you?
Xu Jian (with a smug grin): And who saved you so far? I think the answer's pretty clear.
She couldn't respond—his words, though harsh, carried the truth.
---
Dinner Scene
Everyone sat around a table Xu Jian had prepared. The food looked delicious, but Alice and her younger brother Carl refused to eat.
Xu Jian (annoyed and surprised): What's wrong with you two? Why won't you eat? It's not just any meal… it's prepared by the finest chef in this castle—me, by the way.
Lowen and Easton, the other brothers, spoke in hushed voices.
Lowen: We're Lowen and Easton.
Xu Jian (smirking): Alright, good. Now what about you two?
Alice remained silent, staring at him defiantly.
Xu Jian (sighing deeply, scratching his head in frustration): Ugh, damn this mission. Stuck with a bunch of emotionally stunted kids. No one wants to talk?
Alice (finally speaking): My name is Alice. But give me one reason why I should trust you.
Xu Jian (calmly, seriously): A reason? Maybe you'll find it in time. Also, if I'm going to fight your enemies, I need to keep training constantly. I don't know who the next powerful monster is that might wipe you all out—so I better be ready.
Alice (sarcastically): Strong? I hope someone comes and finishes you off.
Xu Jian (with a cold smile): True. And after that, they'll kill all of you too. We'll all go to hell together. Anyway, if you don't want to talk to me, that's fine. If you need anything, just let me know.
Alice freezes in place, shocked by his words.
Alice (to her brother): Eat, Karl.
Karl (looking at her, confused): Why?
Alice (with a quiet but emotional tone): Because… because he's right. He's not lying.
---
Training Scene
Xu Jian returns to the training yard and begins his intense training.
He clones himself multiple times and orders the copies to attack him violently. The punches rain down mercilessly, pushing his body to the limits.
Xu Jian (to himself): I must become stronger… always stronger.
The aura leaking from his body was terrifying—dark and thick like a storm.
---
Inside the Mansion
Alice, who was watching from afar, begins trembling inexplicably. Memories rush back suddenly. That aura… the same aura she felt the day her mother was killed.
Alice (crying out): No… no… it's the same aura! The same one that killed everyone here… the same one that killed my mother!
Xu Jian hears her scream and appears before her in an instant. He looks at her tear-streaked face with caution and concern.
Xu Jian (calmly): Why are you crying?
Alice (shaking): It's… it's the same aura that killed everyone… and my mother…
She begins crying harder, clearly on the verge of a breakdown.
Xu Jian gently holds her shoulders and guides her outside.
Xu Jian: Come with me.
He takes her to the garden, trying to calm her down.
Xu Jian (seriously): I'm sorry for what I caused. I didn't know it would hurt you. But I promise you one thing—I will avenge you.
Alice (smiling faintly through her tears): Thank you.
That smile, despite the pain, almost threw Xu Jian off with its beauty and impact.
Xu Jian (firmly): Alright.
---
Scene: The Decision
Xu Jian (thinking): They're strange… but good enough. Maybe I'll find a cave nearby to train in. But they'll need supplies before I go. Alright, I'll head to the city—maybe one of them will come with me.
---
Inside the Mansion
Xu Jian checks their rooms one by one, but everyone refuses.
Xu Jian (annoyed): Seems like no one wants to join me.
He reaches Karl's room—his last option. Without giving him a chance to refuse, Xu Jian decides to take him along.
Xu Jian (quietly sarcastic): Alright, Karl. You're coming with me. Maybe it's unfair, but you don't have a choice.
Karl (quietly and angrily): Why me?
Xu Jian (grinning): Because you were the last room.
---
On the Road to the City
Xu Jian: What does falling feel like?
Karl (angrily): Awful… unbearable.
Xu Jian (coldly): But despair is much worse. I've seen despair with my own eyes.
Karl: What do you know? You talk like you understand everything. You only see yourself.
Xu Jian (stopping, looking sharply at him): You're the one who sees others with your shallow view. I've felt true despair. Every bone in my body was broken. Do you know what it's like to have music played on your bones? It's something you can't imagine. What disgusts me is that I still won—miserably.
Karl (shocked): That's… despair?
Xu Jian (harshly): That is despair. You're afraid of losing your life—I've lost much more. My history, dreams, and things that can never return. If you mock what I say… let me break your bones and see how long you last. Fair?
Karl (silent, unable to respond).
---
In the City
Xu Jian and Karl buy the supplies they need. Karl silently watches Xu Jian, unable to comprehend his strength or cruelty.
---
At the Mansion Gate
Alice: So… you're leaving?
Xu Jian (calmly): I'll be close—at the nearby mountain.
Alice (cautiously): You don't need to. We have a room underground. No energy leaks from it, and it's made from the strongest materials.
Xu Jian (surprised): Why didn't you tell me before?
Alice (hesitantly): Because… I didn't expect you to be this strong.
Xu Jian (smiling faintly): Well, I'll use it then.
---
Chapter Title: Gravity Training and an Unexpected Friend
---
Scene: The Training Room
Xu Jian (to himself): Training is going better than I expected… hahaha! Who can stop me now?
Xu Jian releases a powerful gravitational field, destroying the room completely.
Alice (furiously at the door): Xu Jian! Are you insane?! You destroyed the whole room!
Xu Jian (light laugh): Just testing something new.
Alice: Then train outside! This house isn't yours alone!
Xu Jian (raising his hands): Fine, fine.
---
Nearby Location
Li Wei (looking around): The blind man said the family house was near here… where is it?
Suddenly, Li Wei feels a massive pull dragging him toward Xu Jian.
Li Wei (struggling to balance): What is this?!
Xu Jian (confidently, releasing massive energy): Found you, Li Wei.
In a flash, Xu Jian pulls Li Wei toward him and lands a heavy, fast punch, making Li Wei stagger in pain.
Li Wei (holding his chest): How did you pull me from that far away?
Li Wei throws his sword toward Xu Jian with speed and strength, but a gravitational field surrounds Xu Jian, causing the sword to fall before it can touch him.
Li Wei (shocked): What is this absolute power you've gained?
---
Scene: The Confrontation
Xu Jian (brushing his hair back, revealing a dark, frightening eye): So, Li Wei… what do you want from me?
Li Wei (trying to remain calm): I don't know. I just wanted to be your partner, to spend some time with you… and your last riddle was interesting.
Xu Jian (laughing mockingly): Hahaha, you liked it, huh? Think anyone can solve it?
Li Wei (serious): Maybe… but you definitely enjoy making things harder for everyone.
Xu Jian (softly): That's what makes it fun.
---
Chapter Title: An Invitation to Challenge
---
Scene: The Mysterious Letter
Narration: In the middle of the night, Xu Jian awoke to a strange sound. Looking around, he found a sealed letter with a sword-shaped emblem. He opened it with his aura and read:
"Special Invitation: Blessing Ceremony of the 18th heir of the Cardinal Family. You are invited to attend the celebration and honor the heir with a special duel."
Xu Jian (thoughtfully): Hmm… sounds interesting. I'll tell the family in the morning.
---
Scene: Breakfast Table
Alice (noticing Xu Jian's expression): Something's on your mind. What is it?
Xu Jian: I got an invitation to a Cardinal family heir's coronation. I'm kind of obligated to attend. But the problem is… I can't leave you all unprotected. I might not get one mile away before someone ends up dead.
Lewin (nervously): So what do we do?
Xu Jian (grinning): I have an idea. There's a mountain about 15 miles from here. I can hide you all there. It'll be safe.
Alice (worried): Don't go.
Xu Jian (calmly): Why?
Alice (hesitantly): You might not come back… or maybe you'll leave us for good.
Xu Jian (reassuring smile): Impossible. I swore I'd take you all to the top—and I won't break that promise. You'll see it with your own eyes.
Alice (lowering her head): Alright… but be careful.
---
Scene: Preparing for the Ceremony
Narration: Xu Jian dressed in his finest clothes, carrying the scent of expensive cologne. He headed to the ceremony confidently, his eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and caution.
Narration: Upon arriving at the hall, it was nearly empty except for five girls wearing traditional Chinese dresses. All were beautiful, but one girl stood out. Her shining pink hair and the cold aura surrounding her made her seem different from the rest.
Xu Jian (grumbling): Damn… this is boring. Guess I'll talk to them.
Yuxin (one of the girls): Are you from the family?
Xu Jian: No, just like you… a guest.
Narration: For a moment, the girl with the pink hair glanced at Xu Jian, but said nothing.
Yuxin (breaking the silence): Which family are you from?
Xu Jian (calmly and confidently): Vincent.
Narration: Suddenly, shock appeared on the girls' faces—as if Xu Jian had just dropped a bomb in the room.
---
To Be Continued...