The First Move: Tracing the Conspiracy Beginning (76)

"Hey, were we expecting other guests?" I raised an eyebrow, looking at the cheekily smiling beast who had squatted down in front of the beaten creature.

Drawing a white handkerchief from my pocket, I unfurled the velvet cloth with a single fluid motion. I began to wipe my gloves with deliberate slowness. The handkerchief absorbed the accumulating moisture, growing heavier in my hand. In a matter of seconds, the magic within it worked, and the cloth was pristine white again. I cast a glance towards the assembled throng of creatures, their expectant gazes fixed upon me.

"Shall we indulge in a game?" I inquired with an air of casualnes.

[The mission to Survive at the Redemption Plaza is automatically accepted.

Conditions:

Kill 53 enemies.

Time:

18 minutes.]

Why had I found myself at the Redemption Plazas instead of the Survival Crossroads?

Seizing the opportunity, I caught an onslaught of magic projectiles—exploding spheres—and deflected them with my palm. In rapid succession, I dispatched scores of Poisonous Arrows toward the oncoming swarm of creatures.

[Killed 9 out of 53 enemies.]

Amid the chaos, one of the exploding balls detonated in a shower of lightning, casting dazzling arcs of electric energy. But the unexpected phenomenon did little to unsettle me.

From the shadows, a black silhouette lunged, aiming to clutch my throat. Employing Shadow Steps, I slipped adeptly into the crowd, my summoned Spiritual Weapons slicing methodically through the creatures.

[Killed 11 enemies out of 53.]

[Killed 29 enemies out of 53.]

With every swing of my sharp sword, the ranks of the creatures in the chamber significantly dwindled. As the death toll surpassed 40, those who remained alive seemed to be overcome with a realization of the overwhelming threat before them. Driven by desperation, they fell to their knees, their voices pleading for mercy.

"Oh, how could we mistake you for a mere newcomer instead of the great general Kai Teran himself?!"

"Spare us, please!"

"My mind was clouded, and I foolishly opposed the great general! I humbly apologize." A rat-faced creature stole a furtive glance at me, its trembling hands clutching a vial of stored poison.

My patience waned.

Lifting my sword high above my head, I severed the hand holding the vial of black liquid.

"What a pity, indeed." My voice remained calm, almost detached, as I spoke. "Dark Threads," I intoned, and the binds of shadows ensnared them all.

"What? Why do you possess the Abyss skill? Are you not Kai Teran?"

Thin threads of darkness pierced flesh, slicing through muscle and reaching bone.

Shouts of varying intensity echoed for a time before the 605th confirmed the first casualties.

[43 enemies killed out of 53.]

Having ceased the torment of the captives, I bent down and retrieved the broken vial.

"Should I... test it?" My gaze turned to the rat-faced one, and with a flick of my fingers, I tore off his lower jaw. The vial shattered, and its contents poured down his throat.

[The poison has been identified, all negative properties have been canceled.]

The limp form convulsed sporadically, beady eyes locked onto an abyss of torment, a tongue turned black and slowly degraded into a soft, gruesome paste.

"Well? How do you enjoy your own medicine? Does it aid in clearing your clouded mind? I looked up at him, studying his torment." I met his gaze, observing his torment.

Through sharp, anguished sobs, he transformed into a dark, putrid mass.

Turning away from the sight, I removed my helmet and addressed the remaining creatures:

"Why were you so certain of my vulnerability? Did you receive false information?"

"Cough-cough." A creature with a bare skull and shattered limbs gazed at me, its pupils dimmed by helplessness. "Ple... why haven't you... killed us?"

"Don't you understand? I hate it when my plans are disrupted... mm." Igniting the skull to ashes with Fiery Threads, I concluded, "Well, in any case, adjustments are required due to unforeseen circumstances."

[Killed 45 enemies out of 53.]

I meticulously tortured the prisoners one by one, my mind a sea of desolation as I pondered my current predicament.

How much damage had I inflicted on that beast during the brutal battle on the battlefield? Did I do more damage than him?

But that couldn't be right, as I was the one who had been transferred first.

Moreover, the Alliances never really had the upper hand in influencing public (human) decisions. No one possessed the power to falsify the results.

I had suffered two defeats, meaning I was inevitably headed to the Survival Crossroads.

But...

Yet... something had gone awry.

"Please," a voice wavered before me, mingling with the repugnant sight of purple blood staining my armor.

Utterly revolting.

[The remaining time is 3 minutes. You have eliminated 51 out of 53 enemies.]

"E... If you kill me right now, I... I'll reveal... who sent us!" The creature, muscles developed to their peak but half its body stripped of skin, trembled as I flayed it.

I paused, a flicker of surprise crossing my face.

"Isn't that Mark?"

"..." The creature's pupils contracted to pinpricks, their expression one of bewildered shock, as if someone had doused them with cold water on a scorching July day.

[53 enemies killed out of 53. Mission successfully completed.

A reward of 29,000 points has been received.]

[Oh, do you recall the substance that mimicked apparent poisoning with fabricated external symptoms?]

[Are you referring to the Distorted Face?

If so, its value is 215 points.

Duration: 6 hours.]

[Two, please.]

[Oh, you're making me blush~

Purchased and added to inventory.

Do you wish to explore other elixir varieties?]

[Not at this time.]

Within my inventory, brimming with nearly a hundred compartments, a rounded flask emitted wisps of steam.

Gathering a handful of Spiritual Stones, I retreated to a secluded corner, anticipating teleportation to the Earth chamber.

Compiling the carcasses into a pile, I summoned hundreds of Poisonous Arrows ten times over, attempting to dispel my mounting ennui.

Eventually, weariness caught up with me. Yawning, I shut my eyes and immersed myself in the realm of Shadowed Familiars.

[Endurance:

31,600.]

[Intelligence:

30,120.]

A vivid yellow thread extended from my forehead, branching into three separate strands.

Hmm, are they dispersed across different locations?

Observing the actions of a member from the Winged Alliance was challenging; I typically avoided focusing on his activities for too long. He was stationed at the Survival Crossroads, seemingly engaged in a struggle with an unidentified figure.

Frustration welled up within me. Everyone else seemed to have their part, except for me.

The second Familiar was positioned on the Fifth Level, entrenched in combat on the Battlefield.

The third resided within the Redemption Plaza, much like my current location, but confined to a separate cell.

The execution of the plan had commenced.

Balling my fist, I struck the unyielding steel surface with a surge of resentment, my fury directed at Mark.

---

Two days later, I found myself back in the comforting embrace of the earthen chamber. Imbibing the elixir with measured deliberation, I crumbled to the ground upon entry.

My body was drenched in perspiration. Lifting my chin, I took in the sight of my wounded comrades.

Sweat streamed down my forehead as I lifted my chin, my gaze drawn to the sight of my wounded comrades.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" Drak cradled a mangled tail, its broken form hanging from his jagged claws, dripping blood in torrents.

"Master..." Yuna's voice wavered with pain. She clutched her abdomen, her palms pressed against deep wounds that oozed a mixture of blood and viscera.

Even Sam, with his broken leg and battered head, bore the marks of the fierce battle.

"I was dispatched to the Redemption Plaza." Dragging my fatigued limbs, I lowered myself beside Yuna. Employing a thick cloth, I began binding it around the tigress's waist, while coaxing her to drink a much-needed restorative elixir. Two more vials, containing their own healing power, I directed toward the other wounded companions.

"Whom were you contending against?"

"The devil knows, but not only did they not escape the traps, they deliberately pushed us into the abyss!" Drak seized one of the vials, the shattering of glass accompanied by his tale.

For two grueling days, the trio had been locked in fierce combat against hundreds of bloodthirsty creatures, all seasoned warriors themselves. To exacerbate matters, their battleground had been the desolate surface of an abandoned star.

No sanctuary to shelter within, no respite to be had; they endured an unceasing struggle.

"And you?" Drak inquired, scrutinizing my feverish countenance.

"I suffered two defeats, yet found myself delivered to the Redemption Plaza..." The memory of their anguished cries resurfaced, furrowing my brow. I continued, "Fortunately, I managed to recuperate fully."

"You require rest," Yuna declared gently, cradling my head upon her lap. Her touch a soothing balm against my fevered skin.