"That is... very strange," I replied, struggling to keep my voice flat and relaxed. "But what really piques my curiosity is the timing. How is it that you ended up right next to me, the moment I was thrown out of the dungeon?"
Ruth didn't even blink. "A ridiculous coincidence, isn't it?" she said, her words dripping with sarcasm. Her tone was even, but her eyes were like daggers. "After that bizarre incident, I decided to wait until the dungeon's dimension completely collapsed, while also investigating what truly happened. And who do you think I found, Guild Master?"
She paused, her gaze intensifying, as if it could pierce right through my thoughts.
"But, Guild Master... shouldn't you be in the next city, attending the inter-guild meeting?"
A cold sweat instantly drenched my back. I took a deep breath, trying to project an aura of authority I didn't feel.
"An urgent matter forced me to return early," I answered, hoping it sounded convincing enough.
Ruth didn't respond immediately. She just kept staring, her sharp eyes scanning every inch of my face, analyzing every micro-expression I might let slip. I couldn't read anything behind that chilling gaze.
This conversation was getting too dangerous. I had to end it. Now.
"In that case, I must take my leave. Many matters await," I said curtly, pretending to turn away.
"I should also return to deliver my report," Ruth chimed in, her tone suddenly cheerful, yet palpably false. "See you later, Guild Master!"
I responded with a brief nod before quickly walking away. After a few steps, I glanced back out of the corner of my eye. Ruth had turned the corner at the end of the street and vanished from sight.
It felt as if a heavy iron weight had been lifted from my chest, and I finally let out the long-awaited sigh of relief. Moving hurriedly, I tore off my dirty shirt, which still carried the metallic stench of blood, and tossed it into a dark sewer drain. Underneath, I was left with a plain white t-shirt, also stained.
I couldn't afford to draw anyone's attention.
Without wasting a second, I touched the Faceless Mask still adhered to my face. Instantly, a familiar tingling sensation spread. My lanky frame shrunk, my muscles relaxed, and my once-tanned skin turned pale. The shape of my eyes shifted, my hair shortened and turned jet black. In an instant, I had transformed into some random young man I'd seen on the street earlier.
I didn't want people seeing me in a suspicious state.
Unbeknownst to me, however, a pair of eyes from a rooftop had been watching me the entire time. And now, that figure began to move, stepping calmly yet purposefully, following me from a distance.
Walking swiftly but trying not to look rushed, I finally returned to the alley where I'd previously transformed into the Iron Knight. I retrieved my backpack, hidden behind a garbage bin before I'd entered the dungeon.
I hurried home. Even though I'd discarded the blood-soaked shirt, the smell of iron and death still clung to me. Dried, blackened blood spatter remained on my arms and face, attracting unwanted attention.
The suspicious stares from people I passed felt like needles prickling my skin. A few even stopped in their tracks; I saw them pulling out their phones—whether to call the police or just to record—making my heart race. I kept my head down, quickened my pace, and turned onto quieter alternate routes, avoiding the busy main streets.
As my house came into view, a sense of relief began to creep in. But I couldn't go inside like this. I slipped into a narrow, dark passage between two buildings, making sure no one was around. Holding my breath, I pressed on my face. The Faceless Mask responded, melting away from my skin like invisible wax.
Instantly, my pale skin grew even paler. My eyes returned to their characteristic light purple hue, my hair whitened like stone ash. I was back to being myself—weak and insignificant.
I opened my front door and closed it behind me. Only then, for the first time since that terrifying encounter with the Hammer Maiden, did I finally release a deep, unrestrained sigh of true relief. It felt like all the weight on my shoulders had crumbled away.
I made it.
I survived.
.
.
.
After a hot shower that washed away the grime, blood, sweat, and the lingering horrific memories of the dungeon, I finally let my exhausted body collapse onto the bed. The old mattress creaked in protest. My room was a mess as usual—clothes strewn about, piles of books and comics, unwashed dirty dishes—but in this chaos, I felt safe. This was my real world.
Behind my eyelids, shadows of the dungeon events replayed like a film on loop. The moment I killed my first monster, the sensation of my dagger piercing the tough hide of the Goblin King, the warm spray of black blood, and my unexpected meeting with Ruth.
I still couldn't believe I'd escaped the Hammer Maiden's clutches like that. It was too easy, too smooth, and things that are too smooth often hide danger beneath.
But for now, I forced that anxiety aside. There was something more urgent, something that filled me with intense excitement. With a mental command, a translucent blue screen materialized before my eyes.
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NAME: Adam Socheron
CLASS:Depraved Time Lord
LEVEL:14
EXP:10/240
Available Stat Points: 25
SKILLS:
[Time Stop]
[Eye of Desire]
[Lustful Touch]
[Fertility Control]
[Mind Control]
ITEMS:
[Faceless Mask]
[Slave's Collar]
________________
"Four levels at once, and twenty-five stat points," I whispered to myself, a warm feeling of satisfaction spreading through my chest.
My mind immediately buzzed with strategic considerations. Where to allocate these precious points? Charisma was immediately ruled out. I needed a stronger, faster, more resilient body. Strength, Agility, and Vitality were the holy trinity that would keep me alive.
But there was one other stat calling to me. Libido. For my own pleasures, of course, I should boost that too.
"Alright," I murmured, my resolve firming. "Let's use them all."
With my will, the numbers on the screen began to change on their own.
[Strength: 12 → 17]
[Agility: 15 → 20]
[Vitality: 15 → 20]
[Libido: 20 → 30]
As the last point was allocated, a wave of energy immediately washed over me. My muscles felt denser and fuller, my breath came deeper, and all my senses felt sharper. But the most noticeable change was a rush of heat coursing through my veins, a tantalizing, almost intoxicating sensation.
I looked back at the status screen. My main focus now, however, was on the real prize—the new skills and items. I remembered that the Time Stop skill had been upgraded earlier. Curious, I focused my attention on its icon, and a detailed description unfolded.
[Time Stop
-> Allows the user to halt the flow of time in their vicinity for 10 minutes. During the stopped time, only the user can move and interact with the environment. This skill requires a 1-hour cooldown after use before it can be activated again.]
"Holy crap," I muttered in awe. Previously, it was only five minutes. Now, the duration had doubled! This was a significant upgrade. My heart pounded with anticipation.
Thrilled, I turned my attention to the new skill, whose name alone had piqued my curiosity.
[Mind Control
-> Allows the user to take complete control of a single target's mind and body for 10 minutes. The target will blindly obey the user's commands, as if the user's will were their own. You can choose whether the target remains conscious during control. This skill requires a six-hour cooldown after use before it can be activated again.]
"This skill is sick..." My breath catching. This skill far exceeded my expectations. Visions of various "fun scenarios" I could enact with this skill flooded my mind.
Just as I was about to inspect the
Knock! Knock! Knock!
A loud, impatient knocking echoed through my wooden bedroom door. A painfully familiar female voice, one that never failed to make my blood boil with frustration, rang out sharply. "Adam! You insect! Did you eat all the food?!"
Gwenneth.
I flinched, my body tensing instantly. Before I could even form a response, my unlocked door was shoved open roughly.
And there, standing with her usual arrogant posture, was my other stepsister, Gwenneth Socheron. Her pretty face was twisted into its characteristic sneer as she looked down at me with utter contempt.
But before a single word could leave her mouth, or I could unleash my own anger, a deep crimson notification window suddenly popped up, obstructing my view.
[Revenge Quest Generated]
________________
[REVENGE QUEST]
TARGET: Gwenneth Socheron
OBJECTIVE: Make her climax 5 times while she is fully conscious.
REWARD: 1500 EXP
NOTE: Use of skills [Time Stop] and [Mind Control] is forbidden. Violation will result in quest failure.
[Accept: y / n]
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