23. Thinking and making plan

[ Ding! the host has been respawned...]

[ Ding! Random quest triggered.]

[ Quest - Survive the slaughter of the Tomb of

Acropash.

Reward - 600 exp! ]

[ Character. Skills. Inventory.

- Character

Name - Noah Stone

Level - 3 ( 130 / 2000)

Age -14

Race - Human

Perk point - 0 ]

Notifications popped up again, this time I took the time to observe and read it all over again.

I need to do what I did not do last time and that is commences with critical thinking.

First of all the Shadow strike has failed, the attack that I thought would be game-changing for me had failed miserably.

The reason I think was because of our level difference. He was at the level... Shoot I never saw his stats just like I did with others anyway let's assume he is near level fifty like Amalia and I am at level three. Having this much gap downplayed my skill and messed up my advantage over the battle.

Yes, that must be, the gap was too wide and that was why it failed and that is also explained why it worked against Celia who's at Level Seven.

Speaking about levels, I guess in battles the experience also plays a major role other than a level cap. If I have to compare the old man he is nearly at level twelve but if he ever fights against Celia I doubt he will win even if he has a level advantage.

I still have no idea how others level up besides myself. Do they also have to do tasks or do they gain experience and then level up? Do they feel if they level up like me? Or do they just have no idea about their levels?

That topic aside, at the hand, I need to focus on everything I know.

My Shadow skill worked against Celia but did not against Scott. There might be another alternative in the play, one is level cap and the other is their cautiousness. Celia was always reckless, unlike Scott who even chose his words carefully.

I will not know unless I do it again but for that, I have to play along and this time play it smart.

I will have to follow everything up until Scott reveals himself and when he offers to spare one life, I would have to convince Rena to stay and fight with us. We will outnumber them and our chances of victory will be high.

Yes! This time I will carefully execute my plan.

"Noah!" Amalia called. "You listening? Let's go"

I nodded following her into the dark tunnel.

At the main location, Amalia joined Rex while they observed the stone grave and the carcass of Acropash.

I would have preferred to fight him instead of this Scott guy. I mean he seemed more human than Scott if I ignored his ghostly appearance.

Dark-colored skull with embedded crown and whole body covered in tattered and ancient dark cloths. His whole skeleton was darkish as if kind of cursed by something.

While I was watching over the carcass of great Acropash staying feet away due to private motives Scott had revealed his plans. How shocking!

Everyone was frightened and shocked.

"..."

Just fucking get over it asshole. I don't wanna hear about your incredible plans and what you did to reach here.

"To be its master I have to slaughter ten of my companions right here as a tribute, this thing craves trustworthy blood" He smiled again. "but the good news is I have already killed eight of them. I only require two more so I am planning to spare one of you."

The group stood silent.

"What are you waiting for? If you side with me now, I promise to spare your life. Remember there is only one spot" He stepped forward. "Time is running"

I wanted to do a standing ovation for him but my mouth was bitter. He finally finished speaking for the sake of Acropash.

"That is very generous of you, mr beast Slayer, or I say, Mr. Friend Killer," I said shaking my head.

The smile on his face faded.

Ah, Shit! Here we go again.

"Did I perhaps say something strange? No right, you did kill your friends and now even expecting them to believe your words that you will spare them is quite unthinkable even for someone like me." I laughed.

They were silent but heard my words loud and clear.

"Only an idiot will believe, you will spare them if they side with you,"

The rest of the adventurers said nothing but glanced back at Scott in bitterness.

My, my this is quite fun. Killing your hopes with words. I never would have expected that I would feel this blessed.

Scott hesitated. "Don't listen to him. I will keep my word"

"Just like you kept that sword from your friend" I pointed. "Why should I believe it chose you? If it did then how can the sword give you tasks to test your worth."

"shut the fuck up before I slice you right here and right now " He shouted from the top of his lungs. "The sword chose me and only I will sit above the rest"

"..."

What a strange motive!

He spread his hands as he began to laugh hysterically.

That's what I was talking about, the laugh dud.

"You... You all don't understand. I am meant to be the king of this world and if you stand against me you will die"

For the first time in a while, I wanted to laugh out loud. This dude truly believed he can rule this world with the help of a mere sword, even the dead guy couldn't be able to do it Then, who the fuck is he?

A mere stepping stone in the first few chapters... Cough..cough...

"Don't listen to him and join me. I promise I will not harm you if you step up now... I am not going to wait any longer because King stops for no one"

Oye Oye stops with the king and bullshit already, it wasn't in the previous script.

"Just like I said only idiots will believe-" I swallowed my words.

Rena walked to them, hesitating and keeping her head lowered as if saying I came to surrender.

"..."

The fucking bitch!

"My god Rena. You made the right choice" Scott stepped forward to receive her but she flinched as if having an issue trusting him fully. "Dont fear me, I will not harm you"

"Rena, come back here he is a monster" called out Rex but She did not even bother to look back.

Amalia followed Rex's suit and tried to call her back and I stood there watching my plan getting ruined because of that bitch.

"Are you fucking stupid" I shouted. "Don't you understand what's going on here? Or are you just too eager to kiss your death?"

She stopped, and her trembling gaze landed back on me. Amalia and Rex watched me getting all riled up but did not stop me from cursing, it seemed to work, she stopped in her tracks.

"He will kill you right away and then kill us by outnumbering us" I made my point. Yes, there was still a chance. Maybe she was an idiot but even an idiot knows what's better for them right?

Scott dug his blood sword into the ground and then took her face in his hand, gently.

"You have to trust me, Rena," He said Loud and clear, glaring at me at the same time. "If you want to be my queen and reign by my side then you have to stand up to the likes of him"

"..."

Am I the villain here?

"I never said it before but I always loved you, Rena"

Holy mother of scapegoats!

I want to puke.

"Don't believe that bullshit" I let out.

She hugged him as he tilted his head at me. There was a smile on his face.

Amalia and Rex gave me worried looks, At least they understood what I meant to tell her.

It was all my mistake, even considering she could side with us in the first place, it was my mistake. She deserves to die, a horrible death if you ask me.

I am going to laugh my ass off when she will die by his hand right here and right now even if Amalia and Rex did not like my action.

Hurry up and make a hole in her abdomen. I am waiting...

"See, that was not hard. I told you I am not going to hurt you" Scott took back his Sword. "now my love we have a job to do"

Rena glared back at us along with all those villains... Wait what? This isn't right. He was supposed to kill her and then fight with us but... Now they are all united?

Five against three and all thanks to my awesome plan.

I altered my future for the worst. Good going, Dear Noah. Good going.