Chapter 160: The Story

Claire gave a wry smile and asked, “Then what can you offer us? Why should we trust you?”

Lorell fell silent for a moment before replying, “You may employ any means you wish against me, but first, I would like you to hear a story.”

Before either of them could respond, Lorell began speaking on his own: “Once, in the southern reaches of the empire, there was a peaceful and quiet little town. It was quite ordinary, home to just over a hundred families, where the townsfolk lived by hunting and farming in harmony.”

“At first, everything was fine, but then a sudden incursion of undead creatures shattered the town’s peace and brought growing unease.”

“It was an ordinary afternoon when the townspeople working in the fields were unexpectedly attacked by undead. These were the lowest form of undead, and in small numbers, so the able-bodied youth of the town quickly dealt with them.”

“This was nothing unusual, yet it alerted the townsfolk. They feared that a new undead nest might be forming nearby, so they sought help to investigate.”

“They first reported the incident to the nearby city, only to be met with indifference. The city officials promised to send aid, but a month passed without any action. In the meantime, two more undead attacks occurred.”

“Left with no choice, the townspeople pooled their money to hire investigators. Fortunately, they soon employed a three-man mercenary team.”

“This mercenary team was quite professional. Every three to five days, they managed to hunt down several undead near the town. They also began educating the townsfolk about the terrifying power of the undead. According to them, this was to help the people better understand the threat, so that if they ever encountered undead they couldn’t fight, they would have a better chance of survival.”

“As time passed, things seemed to return to normal. If this continued, the town would regain its former tranquility. Unfortunately, an unexpected event plunged the town back into panic.”

“A hunter who had gone out failed to return on time. At first, the townsfolk were unconcerned, but moved by the desperate pleas of the hunter’s family, they all went out searching. Not far from the town, they discovered the hunter’s body.”

“The hunter’s death was grisly—his body was covered with countless tiny wounds, and he had died from blood loss. Around his body were strange symbols drawn in his blood. And that was only the beginning!”

“The next day, another resident was found dead with the same horrific injuries, then the third day, the fourth day…”

“Even if the townsfolk stayed indoors, one resident would go missing each day, only to be found dead nearby the following day, with the same dreadful wounds.”

“Those sent to the city for help never returned, and the hired three-man mercenary team also disappeared without a trace.”

“Attempts were made to gather a group to break through the dangerous areas by strength in numbers, but a dozen or so townsfolk vanished in a sudden blood-red mist that appeared just outside the town.”

“From that point on, the entire town descended from fear and despair into numbness. Under an inexplicable force, everyone went mad. The townspeople began to slaughter each other in frenzy. In the end, there were no survivors—everyone driven insane was found dead, their bodies dried into mummies by that strange power.”

“Afterward, the blood-red mist lifted outside the town, and the three-man mercenary team returned, digging up the evil artifacts they had buried in advance. Everything that happened in the town was orchestrated by them—from releasing the undead, infiltrating the town, spreading panic, to inciting the townsfolk to slaughter each other—all to complete a final ritual collecting sacrifices for their god.”

At this point, Lorell paused, seemingly lost in memory.

Claire, curious, asked, “I don’t recall hearing anything about your role in this story?”

Claire and Rando had naturally assumed Lorell was speaking about himself, yet he hadn’t ‘appeared’ by the end, which struck them as odd.

Lorell’s calm voice interrupted his reverie: “There was a boy in the town who witnessed everything, including the final conversation when the mercenary team retrieved their evil artifacts.”

“He was different from the other townsfolk. When the town was sealed off and everyone else went mad under that mysterious force, he remained sane. Instead, it awakened potential within his body.”

“Frightened, he hid—and saw his father brutally kill his mother. Soon after, his father was killed by other townsfolk. The boy could only cower in the shadows, trembling with fear.”

“Eventually, the boy left the town in a daze and ended up in the city as a beggar. He thought this would be his fate forever—starving to death, succumbing to illness or street fights.”

“Then, one day, a year later, he awakened…”

Though a tragic tale, Rando couldn’t help but feel a strong sense of déjà vu. This was a classic orphan’s origin story—one tied up in deep blood feuds with the world’s most powerful dark forces.

He thought to himself: If not for outsiders like him and Claire stirring things up, Lorell, who had already infiltrated the enemy’s ranks, might have never toppled the Dark Sect.

Suddenly inspired, Rando asked cautiously, “Two questions: Is the boy in your story you? And was that three-man mercenary team part of the Dark Sect?”

“Yes. I am the boy who survived until the end. After years of covert investigation, I have confirmed the identities of that mercenary team and even uncovered the ‘Bishop’ they served under.”

He was telling the truth.

Rando’s Mind Realm ability allowed him to sense the truthfulness of others’ hearts. Though he could not read thoughts or memories, he could detect lies—provided the person was not too strong. Someone like Claire could conceal her mind completely unless she chose to reveal it.

“What do you think?” Rando asked.

Claire considered for a moment and said, “It seems plausible. That way, your identity is safe for now.”

If Lorell had tried to betray them recklessly, his identity would have been compromised.

“Still, I don’t think this identity will last long,” Claire nodded thoughtfully.

They had gathered so much information this time, and their next target would surely be those ‘Bishop’-level elites. In such circumstances, their current identities would only help them remain hidden, with little else to offer.