I Know the Secret to Surpass Level 100

Elliot wondered how Barabara was stronger than Dante. But Apparently, even when Barbara was still Barbos, the raw physical strength that they have was overwhelming, so overwhelming that she was eyed on from the deepest level of the Abyss, the Den.

The Forsaken wanted to approach Barbos before the curse happened. It would've been the first ever Behemoth sighting for the Demons. Not one Behemoth has entered Hell publicly before, but Barbos could have been the reason for the first time that it would happen.

The disappointment on Malice was beyond everything after the curse happened. Although Barbara maintained the power that she had when she was still a man, the Forsaken dropped the communications between the two regions.

"But that's what everyone thought happened," Dante suddenly added. "Right before the messenger could leave the Den, the Shift happened. Magic in the Den became unstable and disoriented that the Forsaken's power was unfortunately sealed away."

"So I'm still a candidate to become a Guard?" Barbara asked. "Is that what you meant to say? Why didn't you tell me before?"

"Because unlike before, this war that we have now will not guarantee your safety in the Den," Dante replied. "You will be sent on a mission, or worse sacrificed for the so-called greater good."

Suddenly, the mood went sour. Elliot could surely taste the bitter taste that was left on his tongue after what Dante's said. They started to raise their voices and it became a concern for the group. They didn't want any fighting to happen right at the studio.

"And that I wouldn't want," Barbara suddenly laughed. "Good thing you withheld that information. Gosh, I wondered what would've happened to me if I got elected. I could be dead."

"As are all the Guards," Dante said. "And all the other candidates. The Forsaken had consumed them all in an effort to revert his powers back. It's a shame that he has to resort to such situation. The Guards are his protectors, without them where will he be?"

Elliot could only gulp after hearing Dante. The Forsaken killed his people and consumed their power so he can get stronger. That is the worst way to die and completely unnecessary. The war that the Forsaken had been fighting for was a complete utter farce as Elliot would put it. It was all useless.

"So, then come to me after you're finished with your tasks here," Barabara told them with a wide grin on her face. "I would look for suitable materials for you to create your own lightbulb. That way, you'll get brighter lights and clearer nights."

"Thank you so much, Barbara," Lance shook her hand. "We're going to owe you a lot."

"Yes, but I'm sorry I can't stop him," Barbara suddenly spoke. She dropped Lance's hand and held the handle of her sword. "What do you want?"

They all turned around to face a tall man with dark brown skin and pale blue hair. He walked forward and suddenly, his appearance changed. From the handsome man before, he became a shorter but fat man with a dark green coat. He had an umbrella in his hand and a monocle in one eye.

"Hello, Terrans, my name is–"

"Trick," Barbara said and suddenly launched herself from where she stood. She raised her sword and it suddenly turned into a large two-handed great sword. "Why are you here, Vassal?"

"Vassal?" Elliot brandished his sword and raised his guard, and so did his friends. There was a Vassal in their midst. She could report to Malice any time soon.

"Chill down," Trick laughed. "I am not an enemy here. In fact, I am saving your asses because Malice could sense you right now. I spun an illusion around Black Castle so it would hide your presence and trail."

"What is it that you need, Trick?" Barbara asked. "I know you're not the most honorable man, but to think that you came here without ambushing us must be because you want to tell us something?"

"I'm here to discuss your stay here," Trick said. He walked past Barbara and shifted forms again, this time back to the tall dark man that he wore earlier.

Dante walked forward and stood in front of Trick. Even when the Behemoth was already tall, Trick towered over him. "Let me get one thing straight here, you want to talk to us? Like, negotiate?"

"Yes, why not?" Trick smirked. "I know things that even you don't know, Dante. And even when I could try to trick you, I know it wouldn't work. You're too strong for that."

"Then what deal do you want us to make?" Dante narrowed his eyes. "I assume it's about the queen?"

"I have to be honest," Trick sighed. "The Queen Malice hasn't been well lately. She's still at the middle of protecting the princess and protecting her people that she forgot to protect herself."

"And what is it that you want us to do?" Irus asked this time. "We're here to talk to her, but I don't think that is on the table for her."

"I want you to defeat her," Trick said. "Maybe if she gets defeated, she would be open to talk to. But if she's not, then we have no other choice but to rebel and cut Queen Malice's bloodline off the royal family. She will be replaced by Bruno."

"Bruno?" Elliot asked. "Wait, isn't that another Vassal? I could vaguely remember him."

"Bruno is the most powerful Vassal and is the one closest to Queen Malice," Trick said. "If there's anyone worthy enough for the throne, it is him."

"How can we be sure that this isn't just some sort of ploy?" Irus walked in front of Elliot to hide the short boy behind him.

"You get to do whatever you want," Trick said. "But if Malice finds out about this, then I will kill all of you."

"Wait–" Elliot tried to ask more questions but Trick vanished before he could even utter a word. He glanced around and sure enough, Trick was out of sight.

"That Vassal was another candidate to become a Guard," Barbara said. "After I was rejected, or thought to be rejected, Trick was also rejected. I tried to train him, but it was all useless. Now he's the deliveryman for the queen."

"Was Trick really strong?" Connor couldn't help but ask. "You think he could keep up with us at the same time like our other enemies?"

"I think that he has great tricks up his sleeve," Elliot said. "And if he tries to use them against us, then we have the two Behemoths at our disposal."

"Disposal?!" Dante and Irus chorused.

The group erupted in a series of laughter. Elliot watched his friends laugh at each other. Just when he thought that it was peaceful.

What he didn't know was that right next to Barabara's building, two figures sat at a dark corner of a cafe. The two figures looked at each other and waited for the other to speak first.

"Does she need to know?" a man said to another man. He wore a black coat over his dark blue eyes. "She couldn't even lift an arm because he wants you. You made the deal with us, Vassals."

The red-haired man placed down his teacup and sighed. "Elliot should know sooner or later."