The Devil's Cage

While looking at the light particles, the black figure that jumped out from the ground was stunned.

He couldn’t comprehend what was going on.

Isn’t he stopping me from killing this guy? What the…

Mixed thoughts flooded his mind but were interrupted the next moment.

Cold! Spine-chilling coldness!

When Kieran looked at him, the black figure trembled in fear. The figure’s eyes were already panic-stricken when he returned the gaze to Kieran.

He knew there was only one possibility that could result in such sheer coldness.

Immense power and… Countless killings!

Not just killing natives in dungeons but also players! Only then could the coldness strike fear in people’s heart.

How many players has this guy killed?

A killing machine? No, he is beyond a simple killing machine.

He is a butcher! From top to bottom!

The black figure was frozen by the cold and ruthless black eyes. When his body was shrouded with killing intent, he was literally ‘frozen’ alive, like he was a body in the morgue.

As a matter of fact, the figure did see countless bodies in his sight.

Layer after layer, bodies after bodies, the numbers were impossible to count!

The bodies were crying, screaming, some prayed softly, some begged for forgiveness, but all actions were useless.

These bodies, men and monsters, was facing a person not only relentless and ruthless, but he was also ferocious as well.

This person had no compassion or mercy.

All this person had was—slaughter!

Kill!

Kill! Kill!

Kill! Kill! Kill!

Deafening growls echoed in the figure’s ears. His frozen body was trembling relentlessly, his eyes, nose, ears, and mouth were bleeding as he shook.

“S-Spare me, I can tell you their secret!”

Stutters came out from the bloody mouth of the black figure, but his words became harder to hear because of the blood.

Despite the figure hoping to deliver a clear message, he still felt the presence of death like never before.

He didn’t want to die, he wanted to live, and he thought he could survive because he grasped a lot of secrets that other players didn’t know.

A small portion of the secrets could be exchanged for his petty life.

His thought was correct though, if it was someone else, it would be enough, but he was facing Kieran.

Bang!

The moment the figure’s words subsided, his head exploded.

…

The kill notification appeared, the black figure’s name was Gondar, and he contributed 20K Points and 5 Skill Points to Kieran, plus a key to his room.

“Gondar?”

A never before heard name.

Kieran frowned and turned back to the previous kill notification.

Or rather, he was very interested in ‘Sin-server’ because—

[Player Killed: Server I]

[Treated as self-defense through authentication]

[Categorized as an Honor Kill]

[You will receive all the Points and Skill Points of the player…]

[Total: 3000 Points and 1 Skill Point]

[Received the player’s house key]

[Granted the right to use the player’s house]

[All the player’s belongings are returned to their home]

[Honor Kill: 117]

…

Server I, not the real Sin-server.

Looking at the ‘I’ symbol, Kieran couldn’t help but squinted his eyes.

“Since there is I, will there be a II or III?”

“Sin-server isn’t just a person but an organization?”

Kieran pondered upon the thought and looked further away.

The two snipers were running away in panic.

They weren’t here for Kieran but for the Sin-server, but without a doubt, they wouldn’t care about other people’s lives either.

If Kieran were weak, he would be the one dead right here.

Being weak is a sin.

There was nothing wrong in the big city, even if it was extremely hard to accept the gore and cruelness at first, one would slowly get used to the situation.

When Kieran understood this, he had been risking his life in becoming stronger.

He didn’t want to be a fish caught in the fire, or get killed randomly in the street.

What he sought after were ‘choices,’ he wanted to have more choices in a situation like this.

For example—killing those bastards who dared to attack him!

He would not attack unless attacked, and once attacked, he would eradicate his enemies!

Kieran walked to the shadow beside him slowly.

When he walked past Borl, he didn’t even bat an eye at him.

Borl was still somehow useful. The secrets on him and the apparent feeling, both were the reasons why he wasn’t killed.

Kieran was looking forward to the real secrets Rachel could dig up on him.

So, he didn’t hide anything and told Rachel what just happened.

Rachel: Noted.

…

After the simple reply from Rachel, Kieran disappeared from the street.

When Kieran left, a big group of cyber enforcers slowly arrived from the end of the street.

Borl who limped on the ground quickly picked up his weapons and bags and ran aside.

He knew he had just had a brush with death, but…

It wasn’t because of Kieran’s mercy, but because he was interested in the secrets in Borl.

Borl clenched his teeth when he thought about the secret that could decide his life and death.

He ran towards Harvest Inn because he had no other choices left.

The longer it was, the harsher it would be for him, might as well seize the chance right now to gain more ground for himself.

…

The two escaped snipers weren’t fast, but not exactly slow either.

They split up halfway, changed their looks and contacted their respective supporters quickly.

Everything they did in the process was to increase the chances of their successful escape.

When a group of supporters appeared before them, the snipers slightly heaved a sigh of relief.

Whenever people gathered in groups, fear would gradually decrease.

Courage came back to the snipers.

The snipers rendezvous and headed towards their supporters, the supporters were actually their employers.

“Gondar is dead!”

“Why the hell was the Flaming Devil there?”

“He wasn’t part of the plan!” One of the snipers said.

His voice was shaky and his heart was grudgeful but a big part of him was questioning the unexpected appearance.

“Accidents always happens. Since you two had accepted the mission to kill Sin-server, you must know what to expect.”

The leader of the ‘supporters’ said with a cold smile.

He was mocking these ‘bounty hunters’ who got carried away by the high bounty and also imitating the teasing methods of the mastermind.

Too troublesome, it was so troublesome that it annoyed him.

He really wanted to use the most direct way to solve the problem before him.

Broker went quiet.

The Guardians also stayed low after showing up for a little.

Now, it was the best time for them.

“We need more payment for this!” the other sniper said coldly.

“Of course. According to the contract, this is what you two deserve—regardless of success or failure.”

The leader of the ‘supporter’ then initiated a trade.

The two snipers were slightly relieved when they saw the Points and Skill Points in the trade window.

Although they didn’t like the ‘leader’ in front of them, at least he kept his promise.

This particular point was better than most people and it was also the reason why other players were willing to work with him, it was a perk for people who kept their promises.

“If you have similar missions next time, we…UGH!”

The snipers fell to the ground as the spoke.

Their bodies were shaking and twitching, even with the system blur, one could see their face turning green rapidly, followed by a purplish-black.

Poison! A very lethal and cruel poison!

A slight touch of the poison could kill a player and the process of dying was very long. The victim would suffer unimaginable pain before they indeed died.

“Aaaaargh!”

“Didar, spare me!”

“I’ll give up on the payment!”

One of the snipers mentally collapsed after twitching for a few seconds on the ground, he started to beg for his life.

“Tsk tsk, how can I do that? The payment is what you deserved, I can’t take it back.”

“Of course…If you guys insist on giving it back, I don’t mind that either.”

The man named Didar prolonged his tone purposely.

“Yes! Yes! We will pay you back!”

The two hired snipers nodded repeatedly.

The trade was initiated again.

Then…

Didar stood there and watched the two snipers.

“We’ve given you back the payment, now give us the antidote!” they shouted.

“Hey now, you two gave me back the payment by yourself, but did I say I was giving you the antidote?”

Didar chuckled and widened his eyes at the two snipers. He wanted to take a good look at these two morons falling into despair.

As expected, the two snipers were stunned before cursing Didar loudly. But soon enough, their agonizing cries suppressed their cursing.

Their painful cry gradually grew weaker and eventually died off.

“Too soon.” Didar shook his head with regret.

He wasn’t satisfied. In his initial thoughts, the process should have lasted longer.

He turned around, looked at one of his men.

“This place is really great! With all the perfect rules, all you need is a contract, and you can deceive people perfectly. This is very enjoyable, I don’t want to go home now!”

“Am I right, my lord?” The men who Didar looked at replied quickly, his voice was hurried and shaking, because he was scared.

“Are you afraid?” Didar asked his man with a tilted head and hands in his pocket.

Even though the system blur covered Didar’s face, everyone else could feel the enjoyment of Didar.

Look at his shining eyes!

Didar was fond of cruelty, whether at enemy or at one of his own.

“N-No my l-lord, I… Aarrgh!”

The man shook his head repeatedly, he wanted to state his position but before he could, he fell and screamed in pain.

Similar to the two snipers before him, he was poisoned.

The others around him unconsciously took a step back, their eyes were filled with fear as they looked at their comrade who was suffering.

“Are you all scared?” Didar asked with a smile.

No one answered this time. They were terrified, but couldn’t say anything.

No one knew what kind of outcome would be waiting for them should they speak their minds.

Didar looked at his men, seconds then turned into minutes.

The impatient feeling rose in Didar’s heart again.

“Tell me the answer,” Didar demanded gloomily.

“Y-yes, I am scared.”

One of the men, who was really afraid, replied after he heard Didar’s question.

But after the words escaped his mouth, he covered his mouth with both his hands.

The others around him avoided him like the plague right away.

The man’s eyes showed instant despair, he didn’t want to die, let alone to die in such an excruciating way.

“I… ”

“Aargh!”

The man begged instinctively despite knowing it would be useless, he still did it. Then, painful screams sounded around this particular man.

Those who didn’t answer or avoided him fell to the ground right away, screaming in agony that could tremble one’s heart.

The man jolted, endless joy then rushed up to his head.

He survived?

Great! Thank goodness!

“I like honest men who answer my questions,” Didar said.

“T-Thank you, my lord.” the man tried to reply in a steady tone.

Then…

The man himself screamed in pain as well.

“But I like the moment when hope turns into despair even more—you will satisfy me just fine.”

Didar then bent down and carefully watched the dying man.

Unfortunately, with the system blur, Didar couldn’t see the face, only the eyes and the rest of the man’s body.

Didar widened his eyes and didn’t want to let go of a single moment. His body started to shiver followed by an unnatural breathing.

A few seconds later, he shouted loudly.

“Not enough! Still not enough!”

“This is too short!”

“I want it to be longer, more exciting!”

Didar screamed to himself before he turned his attention at a side.

A figure somehow appeared without his knowing.

“We are trying to find the spy hidden among us, not have you kill them all,” the figure said with a displeased tone.

“You are criticizing me now, Joyce?”

Didar laughed softly before he replied in a vicious tone.

“I don’t care about a crazy dog, just like how I don’t criticize one. You think too highly of yourself.”

The man named Joyce, donning a set of armor didn’t even care about Didar’s threats.

Quite the opposite, Joyce mocked Didar.

Didar stared at Joyce, two seconds later, he laughed.

“Hehehe, hahaha! You want me to attack you? Stop dreaming, I won’t fall for your little tricks.”

Didar then turned around, but an invisible blast of air assaulted Joyce.

Then…

The air-blast froze.

A dense layer of frost spread from Joyce, not only freezing the air-blast but also freezing Didar’s left hand.

Didar looked at his frozen left hand without changing his expression, he even touched it with his right hand.

Ding!

A clear noise later, Didar’s laugh was even louder.

“Frosty ice eh?”

“As expected, those guys really have some immeasurable ambitions.”

“Not only… Even the Flaming Devil is one of the targets.”

“This is too interesting!”

Didar said as he looked at Joyce with a captivating gaze as if he found his new toy.

His frantic gaze would drive one to feel fear.

His persistent gaze would cause one to tremble fiercely.

His gaze…was dull, ugly, and filled with the presence of death.