Prelude: February Fourteenth_3

The other encirclers also drew their weapons...

The Orc Shaman took a step back, slamming the heavy Wooden Totem from his back onto the ground.

Two human Rangers quickly scanned the surroundings. Once they made sure there were no ambushes or traps, they effortlessly climbed onto the low roofs on either side, blending seamlessly into the environment.

Lastly, two burly dwarf warriors carrying large shields slowly advanced towards Motan.

"Ah~" Motan rubbed his temple in frustration: "Why so hostile? This is the City of Freedom, a place teeming with eyes. Wouldn't it be inappropriate to shed blood here?"

"Don't overthink it..." Muse gently cut open the scroll wrapped around the hilt of his weapon with his fingernail. A strange elemental fluctuation spread, and darkness suddenly fell over the alley. His voice, filled with fury, exploded in Motan's ear, "Do you know how much trouble you've gotten into?"

"Which one do you mean?" Not turning his head, Motan lightly raised his hand and effortlessly caught the sharp blade that lunged at him from behind like a venomous snake. He chuckled, "The mass poisoning event at Cag Town?"

[Cunning Intuition]

Passive Cunning Ability

Requirements: Level 13 Cunning, 60 Agility, 30 Intelligence

Effects: When visibility is extremely low/blinded/eyes closed, can sense the lifeform with the strongest killing intent within a certain range.

Note: Only the prey that always manages to escape is considered a worthy battle.

"Or do you mean…"

Motan suddenly disappeared from the spot. In the blink of an eye, he appeared behind one of the human Rangers, who had just pulled his bowstring halfway. Before the others could capture his motion, they watched as a head soared into the sky, followed by the sound of blood splattering and mocking laughter echoing from all around.

"That I accidentally killed your quirky employer last time?"

[Blade Fan Cloak]

Active Cunning Ability

Prerequisites: Level 15 Cunning, 80 Agility

Cost/Limits: 200 Sharpness Points

Effect: Teleports the user to a designated location within 20 meters. Cooldown Time: Five Minutes.

Note: Although it's called Blade Fan Cloak, it doesn't require you to actually have a blade, a fan or a cloak. So please do not take it too literally.

"Stop him!" Muse roared, throwing two bloody shadows from his dagger. His elven night vision allowed him to locate Motan's position in an instant, reacting as fast as he could.

A howl reached their ears. It was from the Orc Shaman who had enchanted him with the power of the earth!

"Or did I...steal your Shadow Fang Dagger from the Black Tower Thief Guild?"

Motan transparently manifested behind the fallen Orc, holding a sleek black dagger. With a sly smile, he waved the dagger at Muse.

[Shadow Fang]

Weapon Type: Dagger

Quality: Unique Epic

Attack Power: Extremely Powerful

Properties: Cunning level +2, Curse +1, Agility +20

Special Traits: Bleeding, Ripping, Breathless, Additional Skill: Shadow Wolf Fang

Equip Requirements: Level 15 Cunning, Dual-Blade Mastery Level 15, 95 Agility, Faithless

Note: A dagger passed down from the God-extinguishing Cult of the initial age, represents the fang in the Five Beast Bodies of God Slaying. Only the faithless and God-disparagers can use it.

[Shadow Wolf Fang]

Equip Skill (Active)

Cost/Limit: 30% of maximum health

Effect: Instantly teleport behind the target (within range of sight), inflicting maximum theoretical damage (guaranteed critical hit, benefits from backstab). Cooldown Time: One Hour.

Note: A, B, C... Why is it ABC!?

"This is impossible!" The sight of the dagger in Motan's hand made Muse shriek in disbelief, "No one can wield the Shadow Fang!"

At that moment, the magic scroll he had activated also reached its time limit...

Thud!

The moment the darkness cleared, Muse saw a face close to his, streaked with wisps of sinister blood. His heart had been pierced.

"Thieves of the Thief Guild are usually either followers of the Night Queen Dilia, or the God of Lies Izanal. Of course you wouldn't be able to use it~" Motan whispered into Muse's ear, "By the way, when I said 'it's inappropriate to shed blood,' I never meant my blood..."

Muse was slowly losing consciousness. His dilated grey pupils stared at Motan as he shakily asked, "Why... would...you..."

"Ah~~" Motan scratched his head, "Yeah, why would I do all those things? Probably because I just enjoy doing whatever I want while I'm chasing after the answers~"

Muse didn't respond. The second-in-command of the Black Tower Thief Guild had stopped breathing.

...

"You have been forcibly disconnected. Do you wish to reconnect?"

"Yes."

"Reconnecting..."

Bang!

The door to Motan's game cabin was forcefully opened from the outside, revealing a strand of black hair.

"Come out!" the owner of the black hair calmly said, "Join me in dealing with some trouble..."

Prologue: End