honi

Chapter 828: Gunshot

Translator: Dess Editor: EbonyFrost

The Blood Hand Society, a killer organization hidden in the shadows of the city.

More than one-third of the unsolved murders were related to this organization.

As for the remaining two-thirds, they more or less were connected as well.

Still, no one was able to catch traces or clues about this mysterious organization.

Whether was it Director Patrick or the current chief officer, John, none of them apprehended any of them.

It felt like the members of the organizations were invisible, each time they committed a murder, they would come and go without a trace, let alone finding the leader.

Even the most detailed information about the leader didn't even state the gender of this mysterious figure. In simple words, there was nothing known about the person.

However, Herles was very pleased about that because no one would ever think the leader of such an organization would be a night watcher.

Every evening, he would push his cart loaded with oil and a ladder around the streets and alleys, refilling street lamp oil and reigniting the lamp filament and in the morning, he would go around and put them out again.

More than half of the citizens in the city knew Herles the night watcher, after all, he had been in this line of work for 20 years.

Now, this night will be his last to walk the night because after tonight he will have enough gold for retirement. He would find a beautiful place, settle down and live the rest of his life with an abundance of wealth.

When he thought about the great life waiting for him ahead, the downpour of rain before him looked more pleasant.

Herles was a person who liked rainy days, not only because it would affect people's sight and hearing but also because it was able to cover up the smell of blood, allowing him as a killer to have enough time to arrange the crime scene perfectly, just like tonight!

No one would have thought St. Paolo School would be hit by a murder, just like no one would have thought St. Paolo had hidden a part of the treasures from the Church of Dawn.

Even Herles who proclaimed himself as the killer leader that controlled the night accidentally heard the news from one of his members.

After some investigation, the news was confirmed but the things he discovered together didn't make him move out recklessly, instead, he chose to deal with St. Paolo School with more secretive means. The effect was quite decent.

Although it might result in losing a part of the gold, the remains would still be enough for this murderer.

At least he didn't have to fight that scary old man that didn't look like one… no, that didn't look like a normal person!

Whenever Herles thought about that abnormal old man's strength, his proud attitude couldn't help but shiver. However, once he thought about how the old man had left the place in order to send away a portion of the gold, Herles heaved a long sigh of relief.

However, the old man would be back! But when he did return, Herles would be long gone with the remaining gold and no matter how powerful the old man was, it would be useless at that time.

Herles couldn't hold back his smile when he thought about how smart his plan was.

Right after his smile, the explosion from far away and the blazing light that shined through the dark sky made Herles' heart skip a beat. The unknown anxiety made him send out the signal prematurely.

Herles lit up the street oil lamp beside him, he pulled the filament up and filled the lamp with sufficient oil, making that one lamp shine brighter than the others in the rainy night.

While standing on the ladder, Herles looked towards the direction of St. Paolo School, he was anticipating a perfect ambush but…

Nothing happened.

Nothing changed within St. Paolo School under the heavy rain.

The leader of the Blood Hand Society stared straight at the illuminated small chapel beside the school field, he hoped to find his men's figures but he couldn't even locate their shadows.

The nervousness and anxiety in his heart grew stronger.

At the same time, a faint bloody stench that normal people would ignore instinctively entered his nose.

Without further hesitation, Herles jumped down from the ladder and ran towards the escape route that he had planned beforehand.

Herles who hadn't been caught for so many years didn't just rely on his disguise and exceptional abilities but also because he had vigilance that no one else had.

No matter how high the success rate was, Herles would definitely think about what he would do should he fail.

A wagon was waiting for him at the end of the street. Inside the wagon was a sufficient amount of rations, food, and essential currencies but before Herles could get to the wagon, he was forced to a stop with an ugly look.

The closer he got to the wagon, the heavier the bloody stench was.

It was obvious what it meant.

"Who is it? Show yourself? Herles yelled, looking like he was ready to go all out.

However the moment the words escaped his mouth, the leader of the Blood Hand Society swiftly backed up, not turning around to run, but maintaining his forward posture and tip-toeing backward.

Despite his posture looking strange, he wasn't slow at all, especially when he drew out the dual guns that packed threatening firepower.

Then, a huge force appeared behind Herles! Herles who kept backing away felt like he crashed into a speeding truck and was sent flying forward a dozen meters, falling before the wagon and unable climb back up again.

Kieran who controlled his strength didn't really kick the man to death.

Kieran had gotten a clear understanding of the situation from the Wayne family member's confession. Herles in front of him had more insider information than the Wayne family member and even though he was the guy who leaked the news about the treasure of the Church of Dawn to Herles, in the follow-up investigation, the Wayne family member wasn't involved.

Even the plan that happened tonight, the Wayne family member only knew about it after dark.

Based on his confession, he was just an outer ring member of the Blood Hand Society initially and through some kind of coincidence, the Wayne family member had gotten the news from a certain direct heir to the dukeship. It was after that he was promoted to core member as an exception.

Kieran didn't make any decisive judgments regarding the matter he believed the Wayne family member's promotion was an exception and also believed the man had gotten the news from a certain direct heir to the dukeship.

However, none of them mattered anymore. Even if the matters were intentionally concealed, it wouldn't matter to Kieran anymore.

But, Kieran didn't believe that the certain direct heir to the dukeship died in such a timely manner, which was shortly after the old Duke Wayne went missing, thus ultimately allowing a useless straw bag to inherit the position of the duke.

So, Kieran planned to get more information from Herles. He went up to Herles and picked him up.

Herles whose spine was broken was like a puppet off its strings, allowing Kieran to pick him up without the slightest struggle.

"Release me! I…"

BANG!

A thin gunshot interrupted Herles's words and with Kieran's intentional controls, the bullet only grazed Herles's shoulder and landed on the carriage of the wagon beside them.

When he saw the bullet mark on the carriage, Herles who didn't have the ability to struggle anymore started to scream out of panic.

"Take me! Take me away quickly! I'll tell you what you wanted to know! I'll give you what you seek as well! Everything! Just take me away!"

Amid his begging, Herles didn't sound like a ruthless leader of a killer organization but a normal night watcher.

It wasn't an act but authentic emotions from the man. It might seem like a pretentious act at first but after a while it became authentic.

Human habits were exactly the same as human desire, they were all scary.

Listening to Herles's begging, Kieran turned a deaf ear and his eyes turned towards the source of the gunshot.

Chapter 829: Specifically Targeted Arrangement

Translator: Dess Editor: EbonyFrost

The downpour in the night obstructed common people's sight and hearing but for Kieran, it was nothing at all.

SS+ Intuition didn't just allow Kieran to be extremely sensitive against killer or malicious intent, it was also enough for him to locate where the person was after the shot was fired.

However, before Kieran could even give chase, a faint sense of danger came from Herles who he grabbed.

His battle instinct that formed through countless battles made Kieran toss Herles away without a second thought.

Herles who was tossed out inflated out of control immediately, then…

KABOOM!

His body exploded just like that when it reached the limit.

A wave of green flame burst out in all directions as Kieran took a step back.

Bang!

Muzzle flash shined from the gun again, the iron pellet was fired at its target fiercely.

Kieran accelerated his body which was moving backward, he easily dodged the gunshot and the green flames that burst everywhere.

He didn't even bat an eye at the green flames that corroded the ground and walls as he dove into the shadows, swiftly dashing towards the rooftop where the shooter was.

But when Kieran reached the scene, other than a pitch black extended cavalry flintlock rifle, there was only a body of a person that killed himself with poison on the rooftop.

Kieran picked up the uncommon flintlock rifle with a cold smile and swiftly retreated.

2 to 3 seconds later…

KABOOM!

A huge explosion went off and blasted the rooftop into the sky.

The bright flames were spitting out dancing flames that burned even the air. The image was imprinted in Kieran's mind who was in deep thought.

Compared to the leader of the Blood Hand Society, the mastermind behind the scene felt more like a real killer.

From the first shot from the prearranged shooter to the trap laid down by the uncommon flintlock rifle, all of the mastermind's plans were interconnected one after another.

Kieran was very sure if it was another person who activated in the trap, he would get more than he bargained for, even for Guntherson, he would walk away with heavy injuries!

Besides, Kieran was quite sure that the mastermind was after Guntherson

What was Guntherson strongest point?

Melee combat! Though he didn't conceal his love for weapons and all these traps were obviously specifically targeted at him.

Think about it, after Guntherson dodged the two shots from the black rifle and went up to the rooftop, he would see that the shooter died of poison and find an uncommon flintlock rifle, what would he do?

He would have picked it up and inspected it. What if the rifle was enough to astonish Guntherson?

Guntherson would stay joyous for a few seconds on the spot, it wouldn't be long but…

The mastermind's plan would have succeeded!

Huu!

Kieran took in a breath that looked hot under the blazing flame, Kieran looked down and inspected what he got.

[Name: Algary's Second Shot]

[Type: Firearm]

[Rarity: Magic]

[Attack: Strong]

[Attribute: Super Range Fire Lvl 1, Armor Penetration Lvl 1, Extremespeed Lvl 1, Precision Fire Lvl 1]

[Effect: None]

[Prerequisite: Firearm Weapon, Special Arms (Master)]

[Able to bring out of dungeon: Yes]

[Remark: This is an early craft from the firearm master, Algary. The firearm master had played quite a role during the war with the churches.]

…

[Super Range Fire Lvl 1: 500-meter effective range]

[Armor Penetration Lvl 1: Able to easily penetrate light armor, (Weak to Average defense)]

Extremespeed Lvl 1: Increase 10% in speed of bullets fired]

[Precision Fire Lvl 1: The gun barrel went through special tuning, it allows the bullets to fire with more precision (Locked on target, harmful effect +5%)]

…

Although Kieran already knew that the rifle was uncommon, when he saw the 4 attributes, he was still in awe, especially the remark!

"Combination of firearms and mystical knowledge?" Kieran sighed in his heart.

He wasn't surprised by this outcome though, in each world that he had been through, there were no lacking of people who tried to innovate technology.

Likewise, Kieran also solidified his guesses.

Kieran who was used to seeing Rare and Legendary equipment was still shocked over the flintlock rifle's attributes, let alone how Guntherson would react.

"Herles let the news out, hoping there was someone that could help him in dealing with St. Paolo School. He thought he is so smart but in fact, he was used by some intentional individuals as a pawn against Guntherson! Yet…"

Kieran's mind was recalling the conversation with Sister Moni.

Guntherson has left the city secretly 3 weeks ago in order to protect the treasure of the Church of Dawn, he even took Altily and Jimmy with him.

Kieran believed that Sister Moni wouldn't lie to him because of her devoted character towards her religion, she wouldn't lie to a God's Child.

So, who was the one who made up the fact that Guntherson was still in the city even though he wasn't?

Could it be that the attacker was misinformed? If that was the case, Kieran would really be relieved.

It would be really easy to deal with such a reckless opponent but what was that true?

The attackers moved secretly and did things in a strange way, no matter how he looked at it, they didn't strike Kieran as reckless.

"An extra participant?"

Kieran went back into the shadows with mutters in his heart.

The police's whistles already sounded from afar.

John was already busy enough and as for the wagon filled with bodies, it would be best that Kieran dealt with it himself.

…

After burying all the bodies beside his "gravestone" and taking care of the wagon, Kieran went back to the small chapel.

Now, the whole chapel was empty of people except for the elderly sister. The others who prayed for Reed had left.

"Oh, merciful Bernadette…"

Prayers were uttered ceaselessly.

Kieran didn't interrupt the elderly sister but he picked a corner, settled down, and waited for her to finish her prayers.

It wasn't short though, more than an hour later, the elderly sister finally stood up.

Kieran appeared beside the elderly sister in a flash, helping her up.

It seemed like Sister Moni had devoted her entire self into her prayers, she didn't just show a sorrowful look but tired as well.

"My condolences," Kieran said.

"Reed was a good man, now he will rest in peace in her Majesty Bernadette's kingdom," Sister Moni said slowly.

Her tone sounded like she was talking to Kieran and herself.

Kieran didn't utter anything further, he wasn't good at comforting people.

Likewise, the elderly sister with enough of age didn't need any comforting either.

Of course, Kieran didn't mind diverting away from the sorrowful topic.

"Sister Moni, just now…"

"Do you have anyone in mind that has similar means?"

Kieran briefly told Sister Moni what happened just now and he hoped to get more information from the sister's mouth.

The elderly sister indeed didn't disappoint Kieran.

"The sorcerers! Whether it was the body in the station's morgue or detonating a human's body with green flames, they were all the means of sorcerers based on what I know!" The elderly sister said as she looked up at Kieran, looking at him heavily.

"2567, we need your help."

Kieran looked sternly at the request though.

"Of course! As the God's Child of Church of Dawn, I am happy to offer my strength!" He said sternly.

Chapter 830: Resonating

Translator: Dess Editor: EbonyFrost

At dawn, the rain started to ease up.

Many wagons had gathered in front of the police box outside the street of St. Paolo School.

Torti and Reed's death spread like wildfire across the city before the day even got bright. It made the parents who sent their children to St. Paolo worried sick.

Especially when an explosion went off near St. Paolo at night, the parents couldn't sit back anymore.

They rode their wagons to the school and hoped to take their children back home, even though Sister Moni repeatedly emphasized and guaranteed that the school was safe, it was useless.

The elderly sister couldn't dissuade the persistent parents.

"You're not helping?"

Standing in front of the small chapel, John saw the parents covering their kids as they went off in a hurry and he asked Kieran who was drawing something on the muddy ground beside him.

"Don't ever try to dissuade a person that has their mind set on something, and this is a lot of people that have made up their minds, not a single person." Kieran said without turning back to John.

Last night when the elderly sister voiced her request, wanting him to protect the students of the school, Kieran agreed to it without a second thought.

It was a convenient thing to do for Kieran, so there was nothing much to reject but the scene that bloomed in front of his eyes forced him to the back.

First, he didn't have a corresponding identity.

Second, he was "dead".

Third, and the most important point, he hoped the attackers could treat him as Guntherson!

The imbalanced information between both sides was enough to spare him quite the benefits by utilizing the element of surprise.

The thoughts that gushed out from his heart made his hand shake.

The circle that should have been round had bulged out instantly.

He failed again without question.

Before dawn, Kieran has learned the [Seal of Dawn] from Sister Moni.

However, the thing that surprised Kieran was at first when he saw the simple drawing that Sister Moni drew back at the morgue, the rising sun shining through the fields, river and mountains, it was actually part of the [Seal of Dawn], or more precisely the [Outer Seal].

Compared to the [Inner Seal] which required body control and looked like an ancient salutation, the [Outer Seal] was much harder.

Kieran mastered the former in single session but the latter, it would require him to work hard and practice.

After all, one couldn't expect a guy to be all rounded, no matter how Kieran loved to read, it was just the understanding of words and a test of memory, none of those could aid him in becoming a good drawer.

"You are drawing a dog?" John who stood beside Kieran asked when he saw what Kieran was trying to draw with his finger on the muddy ground.

"It's the rising sun!" Kieran emphasized.

"Why does it look like a dog opening its mouth?" John was baffled.

"You can shut up now since you don't know anything about art! Or I don't mind helping you!"

Kieran was upset at John's obvious ridiculing words after a dozen consecutive failed drawings.

He knew why John was here: the incident at Wayne Manor and the explosion case that happened at the street nearby.

In order to make John leave sooner, Kieran briefly told him about what happened and John's facial expression couldn't help but turn heavy.

"You are saying the new Duke Wayne sent out killers before? And factions are gathering here because of the treasure of the Church of Dawn? And what, these so-called sorcerers? What the hell? Why are all these crazy things appearing left, right, and center?" The chief officer grunted angrily.

Uncontrollably, the chief officer hated what he heard yet helplessness rose from the bottom of his heart. However, he hadn't lost his cool.

"What are we going to do?" John asked. He wasn't stingy with his questions since he deeply knew the importance of the professionals.

again, Kieran finally completed the [Seal of Dawn, Outer Seal] after failing almost 200 times.

Wuuung!

The moment the drawing on the ground was completed, it resonated with the Dawn Force inside Kieran's body.

The faint light that appeared on the drawing expelled the darkness around it, even the drizzling couldn't help but alter direction but what concerned Kieran most was the small chapel behind him.