The Hidden Monster of House Vale

— Few Hours Ago: Afternoon —

The cave was cool and dim, the only light coming from the entrance where the afternoon sun filtered through the foliage. Lucien and Rosra had searched for the demonic faction for hours, but their efforts had been fruitless. Now they rested, sitting on a smooth rock formation that jutted from the cave floor.

Lucien leaned back, his golden eyes studying Rosra with an intensity that made her shift uncomfortably—though not from fear. "Why don't you like Ashdan?" he asked, his voice casual. "I feel like he has a thing for you. I saw how he was looking at you."

Rosra sighed, rolling her eyes. "He's boring. Like, always depressed, trying to act cool and mysterious. But for me, he's just... weird. And boring." She held up her wrist, showing a simple charm bracelet. "He gave me this. Said it would protect me."

Lucien examined it with a flicker of interest. "Seems like a good luck charm. It boosts your physical strength a little."

"Yeah, but it's not that effective." Rosra shrugged. "It's kinda useless, honestly."

"Then maybe I should give you something," Lucien said, his voice dropping to a smooth, intimate tone. "Something better than a charm."

He reached into empty space, his hand disappearing into a void that only he could see. From the system, he purchased a Star Core Fruit and five Astral Marrow Pills. He held them out to Rosra, their surfaces gleaming with concentrated energy.

"Here," he said. "This Star Core Fruit will increase your astral energy capacity permanently—unlike that stupid charm. And five Astral Marrow Pills to recover your energy in battle."

Rosra's eyes widened. "Oh my god—is that a Star Core Fruit? And Astral Marrow Pills? Five of them?" She looked at him, disbelief written across her face. "Even Halfred can't afford that much. And didn't your leader give Halfred seven of them? Won't she get mad if you give these to me?"

Lucien laughed, a warm, genuine sound. "Just take them. I saw you fighting earlier—you used a lot of astral energy. You need to recover. And as for my leader..." His smile turned sharp. "Trust me, no one can control Lucien Vale. A few Astral Marrow Pills are nothing to me."

This guy is giving away Astral Marrow Pills and Star Core Fruit like they're nothing, Rosra thought, her heart racing. He must be a very big shot. And he's so fearless. His face is handsome too... I can't stop myself from falling for him.

"I'll accept it, but—" She didn't finish her sentence. Instead, she surged forward, wrapping her arms around Lucien's neck and pressing her lips to his.

Lucien responded immediately, his hands finding her waist, pulling her closer. The kiss deepened, passionate and consuming. Before either of them knew what was happening, they were removing each other's clothes, their movements frantic with desire.

They moved deeper into the cave, finding a small chamber that had been carved out by years of water flow. A bed appeared—conjured by Lucien's magic—and they collapsed onto it, their bodies intertwining, their souls connecting in the most intimate way possible.

Hours later, Rosra lay sleeping beside Lucien, her crimson hair spread across the pillow, her breathing soft and peaceful. Lucien's eyes opened, sharp and alert. He smiled—a cold, calculating smile that had nothing to do with the warmth of the moment they had shared.

He rose from the bed, his movements silent. He dressed quickly and walked to the cave entrance. Space tore open before him, He used Void Tear that shimmered with dark energy. He stepped through, and the tear closed behind him.

Marian and Perie had been searching for the demonic faction for hours. They had encountered several monsters along the way, but nothing they couldn't handle. Peak Spirit Forge realm masters didn't fear mere beasts.

Now they stood beside a waterfall, its mist cooling their skin. A cave entrance was visible behind the cascading water, and they decided to investigate.

"You're really strong," Perie said, his voice admiring. "I never expected you to be so powerful. I thought you were only here because of your brother, but I underestimated you."

Marian smiled, pleased by the compliment. "Thank you. I also thought you were just a frail boy who got help from your leader."

Perie laughed. "I'm twenty-seven. I may not look it, but I'm older than you."

"Well, I'm twenty-one," Marian said. "I'm actually the youngest in my whole group."

"So are you missing your group?" Perie asked, his tone teasing. "Or are you scared because I'm from a different faction?"

"Why would I be scared of a boy?" Marian shot back, laughing.

Perie's expression shifted, becoming more serious. "Do you want me to show you what kind of man I am?"

"Oh, someone's becoming manly," Marian teased. "Well, except you, everyone in your group is quite manly."

Perie laughed, but there was a warmth in his eyes. They clearly enjoyed each other's company. They began preparing the cave as a base for the night, gathering materials and setting up a small fire.

Then a voice came from behind them.

"Seems like you two are having too much fun."

Both of them spun around. Space had torn open, and Lucien stepped through the Void Tear, his golden eyes gleaming with cold amusement.

"Lucien!" Perie exclaimed, relief flooding his features. "My friend, what are you doing here?"

Without warning, Lucien's foot connected with Perie's side, sending him flying across the cave. Perie grabbed the edge of a cliff inside the cave, his fingers digging into the rock as he dangled over the abyss below.

"What are you doing?!" Perie shouted, his voice filled with shock and betrayal. "Aren't we on the same team? I thought we were friends!"

Marian was already moving, her sword drawn. "Heaven Splitting Slash!" she cried, her attack aimed directly at Lucien.

But Lucien was faster. He melted into the shadows, becoming one with the darkness, and reappeared behind her. Bloody veins erupted from the ground, wrapping around her limbs and piercing her soul. She screamed, her body convulsing as the veins drained her astral energy and damaged her very essence.

He didn't kill her. He knew that if he did, her soul would merge with the red gate of the Heart of the Death Pit. Instead, he left her broken but alive.

At first glance, we all appear to be peak Spirit Forge realm masters, Lucien thought, watching Marian writhe in agony. But the difference between them and me is vast. I use ancient weapons and techniques—skills from ancient inheritances. They're not even close to my level.

He had acted weak in front of them, making them believe he was equal. If they had known his true power, they would have formed a single faction just to kill him. So his plan was simple: divide and conquer.

Marian's screams echoed through the cave, but Perie could do nothing to help. He was a trap master, a strategist—not a fighter. He could never defeat Lucien in direct combat.

Lucien walked toward him, his steps unhurried. He grabbed Perie by the hair, pulling him up so their eyes met. Perie's feet dangled over the abyss.

"Why?" Perie asked, his voice cracked. "Why are you doing this to us?"

Lucien sighed, a sound of genuine regret. "I'm just reducing the competition."

Before Perie could respond, Lucien drew a simple sword and severed his head. It was a slow, painful death—deliberately so. But before the final cut, Lucien activated Soul Void, extracting Perie's soul and converting it into soul points.

He had learned the trick: if he broke their minds first and used Soul Void immediately, he could extract their souls before they merged with the red gate. But if they died first, the gate would claim them.

Now, Lucien thought, looking at Perie's headless body as it fell into the darkness. How do I set this up so it looks like the demonic faction did it?

Marian was still alive, her body broken but her spirit defiant. "Lucien Vale," she spat, her voice weak but filled with venom. "My brother will find you. He'll kill you. I promise you that."

Lucien smiled, cold and cruel. "Well, I'm doing this because of your brother. I know he has the Abyssal Body Core physique. I want it. And I can't take it while he's sane." He knelt beside her, his voice dropping to a whisper. "So I'm going to make him lose his mind. And you—you're the reason he's going to die."

"What about Perie?" Marian asked, her voice trembling. "He was your friend. He trusted you."

"Perie was a good friend," Lucien admitted, his voice almost wistful. "For two days, at least. But no loose ends."

He cut off her head while using soulvoid, then used his World Root Executioner Halberd to mangle her body—making sure the wounds didn't match the marks of his bloody veins. He mounted her head on the wall, her eyes still open, her expression frozen in a scream of terror. Her body lay on the ground, brutally mutilated.

He tied Perie's head to the ceiling with a rope, positioning it so that every gust of wind would swing it against the wall.

Then he opened another Void Tear and stepped through, returning to the cave where Rosra slept. He slipped into bed beside her, his body warm, his expression serene.

When Rosra woke, they made love again. And when Ashdan entered the cave, he found them together—his witness, his proof that Lucien had been there all along.

— Present Time —

Gwenra stood frozen, her face pale but composed. She had seen death before—had witnessed comrades fall, had felt the sting of loss. But this... this was different. This was brutal, deliberate, cruel.

Halfred collapsed to his knees, a sound of pure agony tearing from his throat. "MARIAN! NO! NO, NO, NO!"

His scream echoed through the cavern, raw and broken. His only family, his sister, had been taken from him in the most brutal way imaginable. He was blaming himself—if only he had been stronger, faster, more ruthless. If only he had killed those demonic bastards when he had the chance.

The others arrived quickly, drawn by Halfred's scream. Lucien, Rosra, Ashdan, and Ollyn appeared at the cave entrance, their eyes widening at the horrific scene.

Halfred's group was devastated. Quindic and Lucien approached Perie's head, which still swung from the ceiling, bashing against the wall with every movement.

Quindic fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Perie... my friend... you were the kindest among us. You never hurt a single soul. Why? Why would they do this?"

Lucien stood beside him, his expression filled with sorrow. He placed a hand on Quindic's shoulder, offering comfort. His own eyes were glistening, and he hid them with his hand, as if overcome with grief.

Rosra came to him, wrapping her arms around him in a gesture of comfort. Even Ashdan, despite his jealousy, couldn't ignore the devastation he felt. Marian had been like a little sister to him.

"Those demonic bastards!" Quindic roared. "I'm going to kill them all! How dare they—how dare they take Perie from us!"

Halfred forced himself to his feet, his face pale but his eyes burning with cold fury. "We will find them. We will make them pay."

Gwenra remained quiet, her mind working furiously. Why are their bodies here? she wondered. I know that any realm master who dies here merges with the red gate. That's what happened when I came here last time. So how...?

She studied the wounds, her eyes narrowing. The only answer I can think of is that someone sucked their souls before killing them. Once the soul is drained, they die, and their bodies become useless to the red gate. But according to our information, the demonic faction leader uses mind manipulation to control his team—not soul manipulation. Could it be that he also has the ability to manipulate souls? That would be terrifying.

She looked around the cave, her paranoia growing. And if he isn't the one who did this, then who did? Could there be another demonic faction? The chances are low, but not zero.

"Is everyone here?" Gwenra asked, her voice cutting through the grief.

Samley stepped forward, his masked face unreadable. "No. Two groups are still missing. Isalyn and Fayie. And Katelle and Kelie."

Quindic's fist clenched. "They might have already encountered those bastards. If they're alone and the demonic faction attacks with all six of them... we need to move now!"

"We're going to take revenge for Perie and Marian," Lucien said, his voice firm. "And we're going to make sure those bastards never hurt anyone again."

"No." Halfred's voice was cold, absolute. "I'll kill Morbert myself. I'll make his death as painful as possible." He turned to face the others, his eyes burning with grief and rage. "Please. Give me this chance."

Quindic nodded. "Don't worry. We won't get in your way. But you'll be taking revenge for Perie too."

"Move!" Ollyn commanded. "It's time we end this!"

They surged out of the cave, their grief transformed into a burning need for vengeance.

Deep in the forest, Katelle and Kelie were fighting for their lives. They had been ambushed by three peak Spirit Forge realm masters from the demonic faction: Osric, Lorey, and Alton.

Katelle was bleeding from a head wound, his vision swimming. Kelie was almost out of astral energy, her movements growing slower with each passing moment. They were losing—badly.

We're going to die here, Katelle thought, his mind racing. Unless I do something drastic.

He drew on his remaining astral energy, channeling it into one final attack. "Dragon Suppression Fist!"

The technique was powerful, drawing energy from nature itself. It shot toward Lorey, who immediately vanished—turning invisible and making the attack worthless.

Katelle stumbled, his strength gone. Lorey reappeared above him, a blade aimed directly at his heart.

Suddenly, roots and vines erupted from the ground, forming a wall of living wood that blocked the attack. The vines wrapped around Katelle and Kelie, pulling them to safety.

Lucien emerged from the shadows, his golden eyes gleaming with cold fire. Behind him stood the rest of their group— united in their thirst for vengeance.

"Three against two is so unfair," a voice said, smooth and cold. "How about six against three? Now that sounds fair."

Author Note:

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