Chapter 22: Welcome to the Blood Feast...

The next morning, Kaega and Lyne left the safe place. Afterwards, Kaega led Lyne to the forge in the Hunters' Guild territory.

-Hmph... it's you, little kid.

-Is the order complete?

The old blacksmith placed two guns on the table; one was the original sample Kaega had given him, the other was the one he had custom-ordered, along with a bag of small, round pellets that fit the gun's barrel.

-I should have charged you more, kid.... this thing is damn hard to make.

Kaega picked it up, looking at the detail and craftsmanship of the weapon.

-Hey old man, what's your name?

-Huh... want to build a business relationship?... Just call me Greed.

-Alright old man, I really like this work of yours. If we have a chance to meet again in the future...

-Just make sure you have enough money then, little kid.

-Get me a few throwing knives, good quality ones....

Kaega went outside. Lyne was already waiting. He tossed her a few knives and said.

-Store them and use them carefully, this is high-quality stuff.

-You know it's expensive too?

-That old man charges like a robber, but he's a truly skilled blacksmith.

-You admire his craftsmanship that much?

-He's very valuable, but it's a pity there's no way to get close to him.

Lyne looked at Kaega. His face showed a look of regret, but Lyne didn't know what his real thoughts were at this moment. The two of them headed towards the territory of the Silver Mask Guild. Along the way, they had to hide their faces and avoid being spotted by members of the Faith Guild and the Blood Wolf Guild. The roads were now filled with troops from the Faith Guild and Blood Wolves, gathering and marching.

-Hey, what do you think? When will they attack the Silver Masks?

-Of course, it will be tonight.

-But why only attack tonight and not on other days?

-It seems they received the news about the Head Measurer, probably a few days ago.

-But that still doesn't answer why they didn't attack sooner.

-Because they're not stupid either. They must have guessed that the Head Measurer would be resurrected today. What they need to do is disrupt the ritual while it's happening, at the moment when the Silver Masks need many people to maintain it.

At this point, Kaega lowered his voice and pulled Lyne into a dark corner to avoid being noticed.

-And of course, they don't know you're the most important ingredient, so don't get noticed or discovered. If you do, we'll die instantly.

-So why isn't the Hunters' Guild participating in this?

-They smell a conspiracy in it... they learned a lesson 6-7 years ago. They know someone is pulling the strings for this event, but they don't know who is behind it, so they don't dare to act rashly.

For the first time, Lyne laughed. Although it was just a small laugh and Kaega wasn't looking at her, he could still hear her mocking laughter.

-Hahahaha.... if they knew the puppet master was you, they'd probably just bang their heads against a wall, wondering why they were so paranoid...

Kaega didn't react, just said.

-To be honest, in my opinion, the Hunters' Guild did the right thing...

Lyne was confused.

-Why...? Can't the combined forces of the 3 major guilds defeat the Silver Masks?

-Of course, normally, just the Head Measurer alone would be impossible to defeat, let alone now that he's dead. But that Eye Watcher is the one presiding over this ritual... they won't be able to attack directly inside...

-So they can't disrupt the ritual...?

Lyne was now hesitant. If they couldn't disrupt the ritual this time, going there would be no different from suicide...

-No... on the contrary, thanks to the two major guilds drawing away all their forces for defense and leaving only the Eye Watcher as an observer, we have a chance to prevent the Head Measurer from being fully resurrected...

After talking for a while, the two reached the border of the Silver Mask territory. This place was now heavily guarded by many masked individuals. The number of smiling, crying, wrathful, and emotionless masks was countless. They were lined up, waiting for them. Not attacking, not capturing. Just standing there, creating a long path for the two of them to walk to the place where the Blood Feast would take place.

At the very end of the path, the two saw a group of 10 people standing and waiting. There were burly men, deformed individuals, some with darting eyes.... all sorts of people were standing there, waiting for them to arrive.

When Lyne and Kaega arrived, the Eye Watcher appeared high above.

-Welcome, esteemed guests who have excellently proven yourselves in the Bloodbath. Thank you for not hesitating to come to today's party.

With that, he snapped his fingers. Lyne quickly felt the tracking sigil disappear.

-Kaega, can you feel it?

Kaega said nothing, he was just observing the Eye Watcher. When Lyne looked at the Eye Watcher, his four eyes were also looking at Kaega.

-The sigil that hunted you every night has disappeared, and now you will have to participate in this party until there are two last survivors. That person will be given the Mask of Challenge to prove they are worthy of the other...

With that, he waved his hand. The space around Kaega and Lyne darkened, and the two could no longer see or hear anything from each other, only the echoing voice of the Eye Watcher.

-And now, let the Blood Feast begin. I wish you all success... ha... ha... ha...~

Kaega didn't know where he was falling to, but he noticed that he hadn't lost consciousness or was experiencing any illusions. After a while, he fell into a room. There was no one around. Lyne was not next to him either.

Nearby was a table with only a map and a compass pointing in some direction. Stepping outside, it was a vast city like a maze with various complex terrains.

"It seems the compass will point to the location of the nearest person."

Kaega took out the gun he had ordered and followed the compass's direction....

On Lyne's side, it was the same. She also picked up a compass and a map and quickly realized its purpose. She went outside, the Dorgan dagger in her hand...

Two people, two goals, but heading in the same direction.

"Lyne, don't disappoint me..."

"Kaega, don't you dare die before I do...."

In the darkness far away, the Eye Watcher was laughing and whispering.

-Head Measurer, you are truly unlucky because the one who came here is me... ha..ha..ha~

His calculating gaze looked straight down at Kaega's position, who was very close to someone else.....