Absolute Cheater

Asher narrowed his eyes. "So they're infiltrating the kingdom from the inside?"

"Looks that way," Ronan muttered. "And if that's true, then this place won't be safe for long."

Serena folded her arms. "If the king and Volfang don't want them here, why not just wipe them out?"

Ronan scoffed. "Because you don't fight shadows with a sword. They don't operate openly. If Volfang's forces struck at them, they'd just disappear and resurface somewhere else."

Asher tapped his fingers on his knee. "Then what's their end goal?"

Ronan hesitated, then muttered, "War."

Serena blinked. "War?"

Ronan nodded. "The Blood Cross isn't just a cult, kid. They're a religious army. And Malfus? He's a god of slaughter. You think they're just gonna stop at one kingdom? No. They want to turn the entire continent into a battlefield."

Asher and Serena exchanged glances.

Serena sighed. "You were right. We really did get ourselves into a mess."

Asher smirked. "Told you."

Ronan took another drink before eyeing them. "So, what's your deal? Why are you asking about this?"

Asher didn't answer immediately. He could tell Ronan was sharp—too sharp for an ordinary drunk.

Instead, he smiled. "Let's just say… we don't like the Blood Cross either."

Ronan studied him for a moment before chuckling. "Alright, fine. I'll help you."

Serena raised an eyebrow. "Just like that?"

Ronan grinned. "You paid me, didn't you? Besides, I hate those bastards too. I'll take you where you need to go, but I hope you're ready for a fight—because if you plan on messing with the Blood Cross, they won't let you walk away alive."

Asher smirked. "They can try."

Ronan laughed, shaking his head. "Alright then, kid. Let's get to work."

Asher, of course, never trusted anyone without first activating his Absolute Appraisal, which he did the moment he met Ronan. And just as he suspected, this man had a deep personal grudge against the Blood Cross. In a way, Ronan was merely using Asher to fuel his own revenge.

Not that Asher minded.

While Ronan was weaker compared to the high-ranking members of the Blood Cross, he had collected enough information over the years to expose their hidden operations. Of course, exposing them was easier said than done—most people lacked the courage or the power to do anything about it.

But now, seeing Asher's confidence and strength, Ronan was starting to reconsider.

Perhaps, with Asher's help, he could eliminate some of the weaker Blood Cross members before they could spread their influence further into Myid City. He had originally only planned to guide Asher and watch from the shadows, but now?

Now he was thinking of taking action himself.

After all, if they didn't deal with the Blood Cross now, there was no guarantee the cult wouldn't come knocking on their doors in the middle of the night when they least expected it.

Ronan needs might while Asher need their location, so in a way they are both using each other.

Asher walked through the bustling streets of Myid City, his crimson eyes scanning the surroundings while Serena kept pace beside him. The city was lively, filled with merchants, adventurers, and civilians going about their daily routines. Yet, beneath the surface, there was an uneasy tension—as if people were aware of something lurking in the shadows but chose to ignore it.

Ronan, walking slightly ahead, glanced over his shoulder. "This city might look normal, but the Blood Cross has their claws deep in it. There are entire districts under their control, and the city guards? Half of them turn a blind eye, while the other half are too afraid to act."

Serena frowned. "Then why hasn't the ruling power of this kingdom done anything?"

Ronan scoffed. "You think the Obsidian Kingdom cares? Volfang might not support Malfus, but he's still a god. The people here follow his will. As long as the Blood Cross doesn't threaten his authority, he won't intervene."

Asher hummed in thought. "Then that means we have free rein."

Ronan blinked. "Huh?"

Asher smirked. "If the kingdom won't stop us, and the Blood Cross doesn't have full control, then we can move however we want. That means we can start hunting their members one by one without worrying about interference."

Ronan exhaled, shaking his head. "You're either insanely confident or completely insane."

Serena smirked. "Both, actually."

They stopped near a small tavern, one of the few neutral places in the city. Ronan gestured for them to enter. "This place is safe. No Blood Cross influence here."

Asher and Serena followed him inside, taking a seat at a dimly lit corner table.

Ronan leaned forward. "Listen, I've identified a few key members in Myid City. If we take them down, we can cripple their local operations. But be warned—some of them aren't just regular cultists. They're enhanced, and some even possess forbidden abilities granted by Malfus."

Asher smirked. "Doesn't matter." He tapped the table, his fingers drumming against the wood. "Give me names. Locations. We'll handle the rest."

Ronan hesitated, then sighed. "Alright. The first target is Drevian Kael, a Blood Cross inquisitor. He operates from the lower district, running a conversion camp where people who oppose the Blood Cross… disappear."

" so he is our first target" Asher said as Ronan nodded.

The dim glow of lanterns barely illuminated the backstreets of Myid City's Lower District. The air was thick with the stench of blood, sweat, and decay, a telltale sign that this part of the city belonged to the Blood Cross. Explore more stories at My Virtual Library Empire

Asher, Serena, and Ronan moved like shadows, navigating the alleys toward their target's domain. Drevian Kael, the Blood Cross inquisitor, was notorious for his cruel methods of conversion—methods that left few alive to tell the tale.

"His base is an old warehouse at the edge of the district," Ronan whispered, his hand resting on his weapon. "Most people who enter never come out. He's got guards, traps, and likely some fanatic enforcers inside."

Asher cracked his knuckles, a dark glint in his eyes. "Then we kill them all."

Serena smirked. "For once, I agree with your brutal methods."

They reached the outskirts of the warehouse, its rusted metal doors shut tight. Two guards stood at the entrance, both wearing red robes marked with the sigil of Malfus. Their weapons gleamed under the flickering streetlight.