Chapter 293: The Castle in the Ruins
"Boss, we still haven't asked where the Brotherhood Thieves Guild is!"
Amay's eyes flashed with a trace of regret.
The boss killed too fast, and she didn't have time to remind him.
"No need to ask, the biggest building is it!"
Hearing the boss say this, Amay and the others exchanged glances.
In the next moment, their figures flashed, rushing toward the houses on both sides.
With a few leaps, they jumped onto the rooftops.
"It really is, boss, such a big house... a castle!"
---
Southern Continent
Irisis Principality
Obenlo City
That night, at the Bard Earl's residence.
In Susan's room, a shadowy figure stood by the bed.
"How strange, hasn't the master always protected them? Why does he now want Miss Susan dead?"
Looking at the sleeping figure on the bed, Avinsa's eyes flashed with confusion.
"I can't disobey the master's orders, Miss Susan. This won't hurt."
Silver moonlight spilled in through the window, slightly dispersing the darkness.
Avinsa drew a war blade from her waist.
She grinned hideously, licking the blade with her tongue.
She climbed onto the bed, her graceful figure revealing seductive curves.
With a single strike, her blade descended toward the head on the bed.
---
Saint Biron Continent
Labyrinth City, Aukladeo
In an upstairs tavern, on the second floor, within a certain room.
Under the light of a magical lamp, two people on the bed were sweating profusely.
Sophia danced atop Li Meng with elegance.
Her pale, delicate body and ample curves were on full display.
"Is this... back?"
Li Meng's hand, wrapped around Sophia's waist, suddenly trembled.
The experiences before the time reversal felt like a dream.
Each reversal gave Li Meng a surreal feeling.
To end it quickly, Li Meng decided not to remain passive against Sophia's strength.
Instead of defending, he launched an active counterattack.
"Ah!"
Not long after, a scream echoed in the room.
The noises subsided, and the room fell into silence.
Pushing Sophia's limp body off him, Li Meng got out of bed.
Standing by the bed, he hastily donned his black robe.
Meanwhile, Sophia lay lazily on the bed, her posture relaxed.
"My lord, where are you going so late?"
"To the slums!"
With those words, Li Meng leapt from the window into the dark night.
Sophia's face froze in surprise.
She hurriedly sat up, staring at the darkness outside the window in bewilderment.
Moments ago, he seemed so leisurely with her, yet now he was rushing off as if something urgent had come up.
That night, in Labyrinth City, Aukladeo.
On the rooftops above the northern wall, a shadow flitted under the moonlight.
The figure moved with incredible speed, silent as a whisper.
In the blink of an eye, it came from afar, and in another, it disappeared into the distance.
"I hope I'm not too late!"
Dashing across the rooftops, Li Meng thought to himself.
The timing of Susan's death after each reversal was uncertain.
Sometimes the time reversal extended longer; other times, it was shorter.
This time, it had not even been a day.
Li Meng recalled the scene in the kitchen the next morning, where he teased Sophia.
Some things were truly pointless, even if repeated.
But if he managed to save Monica tonight, Li Meng had no intention of altering that morning's future.
After all, he intended to thoroughly bully Sophia.
---
Ten Minutes Later
The Slums
Not all buildings in the slums were in disrepair.
Within the slums stood a structure whose scale was among the largest in all of Aukladeo.
It was like a castle nestled amidst the ruins.
That night, the castle was brightly lit, starkly contrasting with the surrounding darkness.
Inside the castle, there was revelry; outside, it was equally lively.
A large group of vagabonds gathered outside the four gates of the castle.
Their eyes were dull and lifeless as they sat on the ground.
Only when they looked toward the gates did a glimmer of hope flash in their eyes.
They were waiting—for the dead of night.
At that time, scraps of food and waste would be cleared out of the castle.
Those scraps would provide the vagabonds with a meal.
"Truly a case of feasting behind gilded doors, while skeletons lie by the roadside!"
Emerging from the ruins near the southern gate of the castle, a figure stepped into the darkness.
His appearance caught the attention of the vagabonds.
However, they paid him no mind, assuming he was one of their own.
"Don't... don't come closer. It's... dangerous!"
As Li Meng approached the southern gate, a weak voice tried to stop him.
He halted, looking toward the source of the sound.
In a corner by the wall sat a frail woman.
She wore tattered clothes and was filthy from head to toe.
Despite her emaciated frame, her tall stature was apparent.
"What's your name?"
"Lo... Lolth."
"Good. After tonight, come find me at the castle."
Saying this, Li Meng continued forward.
---
A Plan for Change
On the way, Li Meng pondered an idea.
Although the adventurers living in the slums were crippled, they were experienced fighters.
If they could be healed, they would become a formidable force.
Magic crystals were valuable treasures.
In Labyrinth City, Aukladeo, many exploration teams operated under the backing of various kingdoms.
Their goal was to extract an endless supply of magic crystals from the labyrinths.
These crystals were immensely useful to him.
They could serve as snacks for his slimes, helping them regenerate magic power faster.
This would allow fewer slimes to power a floating ship.
Regrowing lost limbs was a challenge for any race.
Even the swamp lizardmen, capable of regenerating their tails, were unable to regrow severed limbs.
For Li Meng, however, this was not an issue.
---
At the Southern Gate
"Hey, who goes there? Stop!"
As Li Meng approached the southern gate, an adventurer guarding the entrance noticed him.
"Get lost! This isn't a place for cripples like you!"
The adventurer drew his sword as he spoke.
At that moment, a shadow in the darkness flashed.
In an instant, Li Meng, who had been more than ten meters away, appeared before the adventurer.
The adventurer felt a gust of wind rush at him.
Suddenly, a black-robed figure stood before him.
The next moment, the black-robed figure struck with a punch.
Bang!
The adventurer's head burst like a watermelon, spraying blood and flesh onto his companion.
"Ah!"
The other adventurer let out a scream.
That scream heralded the beginning of the massacre enveloping the castle.
Boom!
A loud explosion shattered the silence of the night.
The southern gate crumbled into ruins.
---
Chaos Reigns
"Who is it?"
"What's happening?"
"Someone's attacking the base!"
The commotion at the southern gate caught the attention of adventurers patrolling the castle walls.
The sound of whistling projectiles filled the darkness.
Adventurers on the walls fell like wheat under a scythe.