Livia’s gaze shifted slightly, and the corners of her lips curled into a calm yet dangerous smile. She lifted her chin, looking at the man before her—no longer a stranger—and said softly:“Can’t it be… for myself?”Her voice was unhurried, yet there was a hidden sharpness beneath it—like a dagger wrapped in silk, ready to strike at any moment.“Treasures have always belonged to those who have the power to claim them. Why can’t I be the one to take it?”There was no arrogance in her tone—only a trace of ironic confidence. The kind that comes from surviving countless lies and still daring to wager another chip.“Speaking of which—” she paused, tilting her body slightly, as if extending an invitation, though her gaze remained fixed on his every move. “Why don’t we form an alliance?”“You know Eryx,” she said offhandedly—though every word was a calculated probe. “He’s not the kind of man who plays fair. You’ve seen it by now, haven’t you? He’ll betray you in the end.”As she spoke, she pu
She propped herself up slowly from the ground, her movements deliberate and measured—whether due to lingering injuries or simply to avoid provoking the killing intent thick in the air, it was impossible to tell. The hem of her robe brushed the dust as it swayed lightly, and though a faint smile graced her lips, a glint of cold light flickered through her eyes.“This gentleman… I don’t believe we’ve met before, have we?” Her voice was soft and light, yet laced with sarcasm and subtle probing. “May I ask who you are? And why you’re roaming this area with such a large group—this land under the jurisdiction of General Eryx? Aren’t you afraid he might come for you himself?”She deliberately emphasized the name General Eryx, as if invoking its weight might intimidate him—or perhaps she was watching for some reaction in return.The man chuckled upon hearing that, the amusement in his voice tinged with mockery. “Trying to stall won’t help you. But—” He paused. “I suppose I can humor you. You
That face… not completely the same, yet almost identical.Livia’s pupils contracted sharply, as if some long-dormant memory had suddenly surged awake from the depths of her consciousness, rushing to the surface in a flash of lightning. In that instant, she understood everything. That twisted visage she had only ever seen after the use of the Bone Morphing Technique—the terrifying face she once glimpsed in a puddle on a rainy night but never dared speak of—had now appeared right before her eyes.It was him.The one who had never truly revealed his identity.The man who had taught her the art of disguise, stealth, and traps—yet had always remained outside the realm of trust: her master.The “third force” that she, Elias, and Marcellus had been tracking all this time—this deeply embedded, long-concealed puppet master who seemed to know everything—was not some unknown enemy.It was him.The name that had long echoed in her ears, the one he had deliberately adopted as a false identity: Ery
This was when Alia had only been following her master for a few months. He would often take her on missions, using his disguise and shape-shifting techniques to blend in seamlessly. His ability to change his appearance meant that Alia had never once caught sight of his true face. After every mission, he would quickly change into different clothes, wear a new mask, alter his voice, and even adjust his breathing to perfection. She had long since grown accustomed to this seemingly omnipotent master and had never once thought to question what secrets were hidden behind it all.But one time, her master used the “Bone Transformation Technique,” and it was the first time Alia saw his true face—though at the time, she had no idea that this was, in fact, his real form.That night, they infiltrated a luxurious noble’s estate, aiming to steal a priceless treasure. The mission went as usual, with her master moving swiftly and precisely, keeping everything under control. Suddenly, he stopped in th
As Marcellus and his team launched into urgent action toward the mountain cave, the atmosphere deep within the cave only grew more tense by the second.Outside, the mysterious man stood under dim light, the smile on his face gradually fading. He had been patient, trying to win the trust of the mysterious woman inside with a calm tone and steady demeanor. But as each minute ticked by, unease began to coil within him like black vines. He knew all too well—prolonging the standoff would only increase the number of variables. And if there was one thing he detested most, it was unpredictability.A flicker of coldness flashed in his eyes, but his voice remained gentle as he said, “Miss inside, how about I ask my friends to step away, and then we talk properly? Wouldn’t that make you feel safer? I really just want to talk.”His tone was still soft, laced with a hint of goodwill and even a touch of helplessness. As he spoke, he slowly raised a hand and made a subtle gesture to the people behin
Night was falling when Emma burst through the castle gates like a storm. Her body was slick with sweat, eyes sharp and scanning the crowd like blades. Without hesitation, she grabbed a passing servant.“Elias! Have you seen him?!” she asked in a low voice, but her tone was razor-sharp, urgency pouring from every word.A few familiar guards nearby paused. Though her appearance was unfamiliar and her clothes plain, they recognized her voice and exchanged surprised glances. One of them whispered, “Are you… the new Captain of the Guard?”Emma gave a quick nod, too rushed to explain further. “Where is he? I need to find him—it’s urgent. Livia is in danger!”The soldier shook his head. “Lord Elias hasn’t shown up today. We haven’t seen him.”Emma’s heart pounded like a drum. She had already tried calling Elias several times on the way here, but he never picked up. A sinking feeling formed in her chest. She hesitated, wondering if she should go straight to the hospital and find Marcellus ins