The Young Master in the Shadows

“Thank you, Viki!” Emira said, happily grabbing the candied apple Victor gave her as they toured the local market doing some shopping.

“Just! Call me Big Brother…” Victor said as he just casually ruffled her hair. He had no idea when she started calling him that, but she seemed to find the name Victor a little too hard to pronounce!

“Um…” Emira nodded.

He could only sigh as he continued their journey. He appeared completely normal, but in fact, he was keeping one eye on the road while using the blood slave connection to watch how Nyanra was arranging her kin.

Although he told her that he was going to call her, he didn’t do so last night.

Yesterday he was in a hurry to get things done before hurting back, but after thinking things through, it occurred to him that it couldn’t be a coincidence that the spot the storm lord chose for him was just north of that secret demon’s base!

It was just too convenient to be a coincidence so he decided to not do a thing for now and just watch. He might be overthinking things, but he did promise himself to be careful. 

So, for now, he was just going to watch. That pussy was not going to escape his grasp anytime soon!

He expected Nyanra to stumble a little without his guidance, but to his surprise, she didn’t. She didn’t need his help at all! She sneaked into that company building by herself, found the manager seal she left for her and using it she forged all kinds of documents transferring the company’s management to herself!

This reminded him that he didn’t really check her background. This girl was hiding more secrets than he expected.

Maybe he should really leave her to her own devices for now…

“You seem absentminded…” someone called for Victor, making him turn to the side and then smile.

“Aerith! I didn’t expect to see you here!” he said in surprise, looking at his horny wife who wore her signature armor and face mask that she used in public. The pedestrians all moved in awe as they noticed her, giving way to her as she walked toward Victor.

“Sorry I couldn’t come home last night, I've been busy transferring things to my lieutenant who will take my place!” she said, looking to the side where a familiar female knight stood glaring at Victor. This was the same one that offered him a hand job before. Though he didn't get the chance to take her up on her offer.

“It’s ok… Finished with all that?” he asked. He did expect her to be busy. In fact, he was counting on that to move freely.

“Not really, just a few final things are left!” Aerith sighed. “It is just that lass, Lyra, who knows where she went dumping all the work onto me…”

“She might be saying goodbye to her boyfriend or something…” Victor said.

“Like she would have one!” Aerith sighed.

“One can’t really tell… young girls grow too fast!”

“You sound like an old man…”

“Hehe….” he chuckled.” Anyways, shall I prepare the bed in the mansion tonight for your return?” he asked with a smirk, looking at the female knight.

“Idiot…” Aerith said, punching his shoulder. “I will not be back until morning… You can go sample a few more ‘local goods!” she spat as she remembered something before grabbing the female knights and walking away.

“Ok!” Victor chuckled, watching her leave. Sini did an amazing job last night. In fact, it was so amazing that he became the talk of the town. That female elf really worked hard not to shame him. A bit too hard actually. Many of the prostitutes who she slept with kept praising both his ‘Strap-on’ size and his stamina!

Well, it was his fault for leaving her there for 5 straight hours!

“Her scent is wrong…” Emira, who was holding his hand suddenly said, alerting Victor.

“What… Who?” He asked.

“Big Sis Aeri…  It is like her smell is wrong… She always had a strange smell, but… this is somehow wrong…” she said, leaning her head to the side as if she couldn’t describe it.

“What…” Victor was taken aback. Still, he didn’t doubt Emira, El back then also had this thing with smells, so he turned to look at Aerith and activated his appraisal skill.

“Hsssssssssssssssssssssssss….” then almost gasped. There were two new entries.

Victor squinted his eyes, utilizing his Akashic Schooler class.

That’s nasty, especially that last fact! 

Although this parasite didn’t have any bad effects, for Aerith, it would be disastrous, it might cause her to go berserk due to her demonic bloodline!

It was easy for Victor to tell who was behind this. It was clearly the Storm lord who had exactly 32277 Authority points. Disguise skills and effects usually copy their host’s Authority as a requirement for disabling them.

The storm lord was under the contract not to harm Aerith and the others, but by using this worm, she would not be the one doing any harm.

Victor had difficulty hiding his own angry expression as he read the info. 

“Viki…” Emira pulled his hand.

“Ah… Sorry, I was just distracted….” he said ruffling her hair. “You really saved me there…” he said. Although he was sure he would have realized this parasite sooner or later even without Emira’s help. Knowing about it early did give him an edge.

“Um…” Emira nodded as she bit into her apple.

“Let’s go buy a few more things…” he said. “I have a lot of young girls working hard at my mansion, do you have any idea what they might like?” he asked, ignoring the random passerby who heard him and turned to look at what kind of pervert he was.

“...” Emira tilted her head, before shaking it. “Apples?”

“We have a lot of those there… Let’s have a look around!” he said, continuing their shopping. He acted as if nothing had happened, but deep in his mind, he was already planning things up for his escape from this world!

The moment he left; the Storm lord would no longer be bound by their contract!

***

PAM!

The thundering sound of the stick reverberated within the cavern lit by strange green gems. At the same time, a poor three-headed wolf fell dead with just one kick to its private parts. It couldn’t take the shock of having them turn into mush.

“Kuu… Can’t you aim for some other part!” Zoe, who also finished killing two Hell Wolves, complained with disgust.

“I would have if it was a female, but it wasn’t, so this way is faster!” Kuu replied as she used a cloth to whip away the metallic pointy end of her boot.

“...” Zoe didn’t know how to refute that. If Kuu had met Lily before, she would have thought she learned it from her. But she didn’t get to meet any of Victor’s wives.

“I think Miss Kuu’s opinion has more than an aspect of truth to it! To survive this treacherous world, one should always aim for the most efficient method!” a young man who was fighting beside them said. “That’s only when facing monsters, though… Fights among humans should be honorable in my humble opinion!”

“Young master Iliad, for the 10th time, please stop following us!” Zoe complained, not caring about his mumblings.

“I am not… In fact, by how many times we bumped into each other, I am beginning to suspect you are the ones doing me the honor by following me!” Iliad Queen replied, flashing them a bright smile. “Are you?”

“... We are not!” Zoe replied flusteredly, looking away. Maybe it was really all a coincidence as she already tried to check for anyone following many times and failed. 

“Maybe fate has something to do with it!” Iliad chuckled. “Why don’t we just hunt together!"

“No need, you seem to be doing just fine on your own!” Zoe spat.

“Lady Zoe, why are you so persistent in shunning me… May I know whether I did anything to your displeasure?” Iliad asked as if he was feeling a little offended.

“No... It is not your fault…” Zoe quickly took a step back. True, Iliad, since they met him until now, was nothing less than a gentleman. “I just don’t enjoy the company of men…”

“Ah… I had no idea… I am very sorry… WATCH OUT!” he suddenly yelled, jumping forward.

Zoe who was taken aback had no chance to react as he stood between her and a giant two-headed Python that was disguising itself as a rock under her own feet.

Hssssssssssss….

BAM!

Kuu acted fast and grabbed the Python’s two necks with her fists, striking its head with the ground, but it was not fast enough as a third head that was hidden in the tail zipped right past her. 

PAM! 

She pulled it hard and struck the third head between her knee and the ground, squishing it before looking back.

Iliad was standing there, looking at his forearm. On it, he had two strange-looking black dots that began to expand at a visible rate in the form of black veins that began to fill his arm, clearly reaching for his chest.

“It’s poisonous!” Zoe yelled

Iliad, hearing her, quickly came to his senses and took a dispelling pill, but it didn’t seem to work at all as in a matter of seconds the black veins became visible on his neck.

“Oops… I messed up…” he said before his eyes rolled back and he fell to the ground. He didn’t get to hit it though as Zoe quickly hugged him with a complex look in her eyes.

“Young master Iliad…” She called for him but he didn’t respond. “We should hurry back!” she turned to Kuu and spoke.

Kuu, who was looking at the python in her hand, frowned. “Sis Zoe… Why did Young Master Iliad not use his sword? If I were in his place, I would have placed my sword in between myself and it!”

“Kuu… Sometimes in fights, people make wrong choices… especially when they are flustered…” Zoe bit her lip and blushed, looking at the fainted Iliad. “Come on help me with him, we must move…”

“Affirmative…” Kuu, who was not convinced, nodded. She felt something was wrong, but she couldn't put her finger on it. And after spending much time with Zoe, she tended to trust her completely!

“I will use a hastening Talisman, so we should be able to reach the entrance in 23 hours if we move nonstop…” She paused as she hugged Iliad with one hand and drew her sword with another while looking back.

At the same time, Kuu took a defensive position, pointing her brass knuckles toward the newcomer.

There on the far exit of the cavern they were, a heroic girl was standing in a flashy White Armor!

“I have to say this… I didn’t expect to meet an acquaintance here at all, let alone two of them… Fate really works in strange ways!” she said with a sweet smile. “It must be Master’s grace!” she added to herself.

“Mana! Or are you Mina?!” Zoe asked with a frown as she recognized the girl in front of her as one of Victor’s wives.

“Ah… We never met before, not in this continuum anyway…” the girl, who didn’t even care to brandish the large sword she was holding on her back, said. “My name is Mona; I am Mana’s and Mina’s sister… Their triplet!”

“Their sister? Triplet?” Zoe asked, keeping her vigilance. 

“Yup!” Mona nodded with a smile; she was clearly in a good mood. “Wait… Is that guy your boyfriend or something?" she asked as she looked at the fainted Iliad in Zoe’s embrace.

“Just an acquaintance! He just risked his life to save me!” Zoe replied, keeping her vigilance. For all she knew, Mona could be some demon or monster that used deception. Kuu, who was moving to surround Mona from the back, felt the same.

“Why is he faking fainting?” Mona asked. Not caring about Kuu. “Is it some kind of roleplay that you guys do?”

“He is not fainting… He was poisoned…” Zoe quickly explained.

“No, he is not…  In fact, he is perfectly healthy!” Mona said, her expression growing solemn as she looked at him. “Listen, pal, you better stop acting or I will make you regret it!” she said as she brandished her sword.

PAM!

Out of nowhere, Kuu, who was already in position attacked her, aiming her kick at Mona’s Hand to disarm her.

This might have worked on someone else, but sadly for her, Mona simply moved at the last moment and simply grabbed her leg in midair. “Kuul, you should keep out of this, your level is still too low!” she said as an electric shock spread from her hand electrocuting Kuu who didn’t even get to say anything before she collapsed to the ground. Completely paralyzed.

“You…” Zoe swallowed.

“It’s been ages since we fought…” Mona turned to Zoe and said as she tilted her neck, cracking it. “My body has been advancing very fast, a little warm-up will be a good thing…” she said before vanishing.

PAM! Fssssssssssssssssssssssssyyy 

Two swords, one slim and one broad slid against each other as Zoe defended against Mona who appeared behind her.

“Despite your low level, you are as observant as ever!” Mona smiled as she struck with her large sword again and again. It was as if it was completely weightless.

“How do you know me…” Zoe asked as she took Mona’s hits one by one. Her hand was getting numb.

“How can't I, we are sisters after all.... ” Mona said. It was clear she was having fun “Still... I almost got carried away... Sorry about that but I am on a tight schedule!” 

PAM!

Zoe felt her stomach cave in as Mona used her knee to hit her there. It was an impossible move that she didn’t see coming.

Fzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….

An electrical current passed through her body and the next moment she felt her head hit the ground, her body fully paralyzed.

“You still need a lot of work to get back into shape… Your basics are passable, but your techniques are rubbish…  Master would have left something in the Tower for you though…” she mumbled as she walked toward the collapsed Iliad. His entire face had already turned blue with poison.

She reached for him and pulled him up from his neck, then began to move her other hand around his body, finally fishing a golden token out of one of his inner pockets.

“The Heavenly Sect?” she frowned looking at Iliad. “Why are you after Zoe?” she asked.

“...” Iliad, who was naturally unconscious, didn't answer.

“This is getting boring you know… Should I start with your fingers or go straight for your penis?”

“...” Iliad was unmoved.

Fsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst

With two moves of a small dagger that appeared in her hand, Iliad lost his pants first, then his little brother!

It fell to the floor just like that in a pool of blood as the paralyzed Zoe and Kuu looked in shock. They wanted to scream for her to stop this madness, but their mouths didn’t move.

“...You are fine with that?” she asked in shock.

“......................................” Iliad held to his unconsciousness with pure sheer will.

“Ah right… You guys should have the glass sarcophagus. So, you can grow it back!” Mona said as she remembered something. “You are really something!”

“....”

“Should I kill you?”

“....”

“Like that would work… The moment your soul leaves your body, it would be captured by the Heavenly curse and brought back to the sect… Constructing your body would be a hassle, but since you have a golden token, you should be fine…” she said. “You guys are really the most troublesome… No wonder Master always cursed at you…”

“.................”

“You must be surprised how I know all this…” she asked as Zoe and Kuu watched her crazy performance.

“....”

“Listen… I am getting bored here, so this is your last chance… Why are you after Zoe, going as far as withstanding all this humiliation?”

“........”

“Suit yourself….” she said as she grabbed the dead python from the ground and then forcefully shoved it into his mouth followed by a black pill that appeared in her hand.

Finishing with that, she threw Iliad to the ground.

“One… Two…. Three…. Not bad!... Four… Five…. It must be really rampaging now… Six… Don’t worry, it will not kill you… Seven… Eight… Now I am really impressed… Nine… Ten… Are you going to beat the record?” she asked as she counted like a mad woman. “Eleven… twelve… And…. The grand prize goes to…”

“NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PLEASE STOP IT…. PLEASE….” Iliad, who couldn’t keep his act, finally broke down, grabbing his head in pain.

Zoe and Kuu were in shock.

“Answer my question… Why are you after Zoe?” Mona said, making a sigil with her left hand, almost immediately it was as if Iliad calmed down a bit.

“I just fell in love with her at first… AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH….”

“I can tell if you lie, you know!” Mona said nonchalantly as if she was used to men suffering under her feet. 

“STOP…….”

“This torture technique is called The Lost in Procedure; it uses the corpse of the vanquished monster to try and fuse with Victim’s body! But since it is considered dead by the system, the victim’s body would start to be erased, at the same time the system would try to preserve it since it is not to be removed… In the end, nothing would happen but the pain would be unimaginable… Especially as it grows to fill the entire body… As your nerves keep getting repaired by the system, they never grow dull… The pain is always fresh… Even if you have a technique for disabling pain… With the erasure and rebuilding, all effects are reset!” Mona explained ignoring Iliad’s screams. “It was created by Master to make demons confess… Those guys are very tight-lipped, but even them can’t withstand it!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

“Speak….” she said, making a sigil with her hand to slow down the corpse she controlled inside Iliad and lessen the pain.

“My master …He wants me to make her fall in love with me, I need to impregnate her also... AHhhhh....” 

“Your master's name?” Mona interrupted.

“The fa.......”

PAAM BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

In a split second, Mona threw 5 talismans and stepped back, just as Iliad’s head puffed up then exploded into a fiery ball. Thankfully it was contained in time!

“Shit… That was close…” she said as she watched Iliad’s body get completely eroded by the system. “Never expected him to have that kind of curse… Well… I guess I will have to ask him if we meet again!” she said as she looked back toward the shocked Zoe. 

“...”

“We need to talk… You must have a lot of questions, and rightly so… “Mona said as she walked toward her. “And as I explain things to you, you two will help me hunt a little piece of shit!”