“Have you forgotten, Albert? We are in the same boat… If you slay me, you, too, will cease to exist.” The youth’s words brought the raging Albert to an abrupt clarity.
Albert recalled that the youth had hinted at this from the very beginning.
—— “Are you so afraid of conversing with me? Are you scared you’ll lose? Hmph, let me be frank with you. You stand no chance of victory, for we are destined to die together.”
At that time, Albert dismissed the youth’s words as mere bluffs.
However, now, he had to seriously contemplate the possibility.
Seeing Albert had regained his composure, the youth continued.
“You remember what I told you, right? We are in the same boat. Either we both triumph, or we both fail. The choice is yours.”
After declaring his stance, the youth even sat down right there, appearing completely at ease, as if he had no intention of battling Albert anymore.
The youth honestly told Albert that his true combat profession was “Witch Swordsman,” and his Tier 2 skill was “Hell’s Companion.”
During the skill’s active period, as long as an opponent’s tier was not more than two tiers higher than his, if the opponent killed him, the opponent would die simultaneously with the youth.
“My combat class is Tier 2, Albert. You’re not Tier 5, are you? If you are, then I have nothing more to say, just do it.” The youth spread his hands, exuding confidence that Albert could not possibly be Tier 5.
Albert fell silent. He understood why the youth was confident.
Even his skill “Twin Doom” was known to the youth, so how could he possibly keep his own Tier 3 occupation a secret?
Moreover, Albert was now overcome by a strong sense of frustration. His “Twin Doom”, also a Tier 2 skill, was even inferior to the youth’s “Hell’s Companion”!
Albert’s “Twin Doom” had stricter restrictions.
First, the target could only be the last one who had hurt him. Hence, Albert had to endure a hit without dying before he could activate the skill.
Secondly, “Twin Doom” had a range limit of five meters. If the enemy managed to escape the range before the skill was initiated, Albert would be helpless.
Finally, “Twin Doom” could only affect those one tier above Albert at most, while the youth’s “Hell’s Companion” could affect those three tiers higher? This was simply outrageous!
Compared to “Hell’s Companion,” “Twin Doom” seemed worthless!
— (Wait… Albert, don’t jump to conclusions so hastily…)
— (This brat may be exaggerating the effect of his skill just to save his life…)
Albert’s rationality and experience pulled him out of his frustration. However, by now, he had basically believed what the youth had said, only suspecting exaggeration rather than lies.
Albert thought to himself that indeed, if they sent a Tier 3 or Tier 4 to kill him, a life for a life would be a significant loss for the Scarlet Family. And if they mobilized a Tier 5, it would surely draw the attention of other forces.
In this view, it was indeed a good deal to exchange him for a Tier 2 of the same type.
“If we both lose by your death… Then how do we both win?”
At this point in the conversation, Albert spoke for the first time, his words tantamount to acknowledging everything the youth had just said as the truth.
The youth laughed, presenting Albert with a proposal.
“It’s simple. After tonight, we both vanish into obscurity, and the Scarlet Family will presume us dead… If you have the means, bring in two corpses similar to our builds, dress them in our garb and gear, and lure some wildlife to gnaw on them. Thus, the deception will be seamless.”
Albert could tell that the youth’s plan was meticulously thought out, impossible to be conjured on the spur of the moment.
Albert speculated that even before accepting this assignment, the youth had probably anticipated this outcome. However… he harbored one doubt.
“Knowing death was certain, why accept this assignment?”
If the youth failed to answer, Albert would revoke all trust he had in him.
At that question, the youth’s smile turned bitter. He lowered his gaze, shook his head, and offered his response.
“Sigh… For money, of course. I had three sisters once, and now there’s only one left, awaiting expensive medical treatment… I suppose God granted me this skill as a sign to trade my life for money, ha ha.”
Though the youth was laughing, Albert felt as if he was weeping.
In that moment, Albert’s heart was moved by the youth.
He had never imagined that he would empathize with a pariah, but just then, the youth’s figure overlapped with that of Albert’s past self.
“Hmph, a scum will always be a scum… Go. I don’t want to see you again. I’ll handle the bodies.”
Albert agreed to the youth’s plan, as it only served to benefit him.
The youth nodded, kicked the long bow on the ground towards Albert, and turned to leave.
Watching the youth depart, Albert was left with mixed feelings.
He had been prepared to dedicate his life to the Scarlet Family, to repay the gratitude he owed the Scarlet Lord. But now, he was at a loss for direction.
— (How many more have to die to protect the secret of the Divine Heir… Haha…)
— (Scarlet Lord, Cardinal and Obsidian Elders, since you showed me no kindness, I can only repay you with injustice…)
Albert closed his eyes and heaved a sigh to the heavens.
To take revenge on the Scarlet Family, with nothing but his own strength, was no easy task.
Just then, Albert vaguely sensed a presence behind him, but before he could react, a searing pain abruptly severed his neck.
The agony was fleeting, followed by a sudden sensation of his body vanishing. Then, he felt his body return, except it was continuously falling.
Albert struggled desperately, but he couldn’t control his limbs. In his daze, he saw his own body standing in the distance, headless with a bizarre blue flame burning on the severed neck. 𝑜𝑽ℯ𝐿xt.𝗇𝓔t
Next, Albert hit the ground hard and rolled over twice.
In Albert’s final vision, he saw the youth sprinting away, already seven or eight meters distant.
It was then that Albert understood; the youth had decapitated him from behind. He had been deceiving him all along!!
However, Albert couldn’t comprehend. He had watched the youth leave, eight or nine meters away. How did he appear behind him in an instant?
Even if he had let his guard down when he closed his eyes, he should’ve sensed something. Unless… unless the youth could… teleport…
In the moment his life extinguished, his thoughts abruptly ceased.
Albert had never imagined that he would be so “easily” killed.