Chapter 24: The Saboteur.....

After leaving the waiting room, Lyne held the dagger in her hand, carefully following the compass's direction. Lyne hid among the buildings and observed where the compass was pointing. There, two small figures were allied and were stalking a lone individual.

-Hey Grogi, let's find a chance to coordinate and kill him!

-Good idea, let's wait for a good position...

The two of them closely followed the lone man, and Lyne also tailed them from behind. They reached a place with complex terrain, with many places to hide and jump. The two of them then made their move.

Whoosh!

One of them rushed forward to provoke the lone man. He swung his staff, which had a knife tightly attached, towards that person.

Swish!

The one named Grogi retreated. The other one closed in from behind, intending to stab him in the back, but the man jumped up to dodge.

-Hmph!

The man retreated to a wall where Lyne was hiding behind.

"Ha... this is too easy."

Lyne didn't hesitate to act right in front of the two hunters...

Stab!

The lone man didn't expect someone to be behind him. Lyne moved without a sound and got close to him.

-agh! Why...

Although stabbed in the neck, the man could still move. He intended to use his staff to hit her away, but Lyne swung her hand forcefully and sent his head flying.

Clatter...

The head fell to the ground just as Lyne confronted the two allied men.

Whoosh! Clang!

They threw knives at her, but Lyne slashed them away without dodging.

-Dammit, that little bitch stole our prey!

-Let's deal with her!

Lyne was not foolish enough to fight two on one. She immediately retreated and ran.

-That little bitch is running!

-After her!

The two of them quickly gave chase but soon lost her trail.

-That little bitch runs too fast, we just lost her, Grogi!... Grogi??

While running, the one called Grogi had disappeared without a trace.

-Dammit, not good...

He quickly discovered that Grogi had been killed at some point without him even noticing. He leaned his back against a wall and focused on his surroundings.

-Impossible, how could that little bitch kill him without me noticing.

Sweat rolled down his neck. He now felt very cold despite being on high alert. 5 minutes... 10 minutes... still nothing happened. He didn't dare to let his guard down.

-Where the hell is that brat... I can't sense anything... could she be gone...

From the void, a knife was thrown. He had anticipated it and parried.

-ha... finally revealed your position. Don't even think about escaping now.

Stab!

Somehow, the knife was already embedded in his neck.

-agh! How...

The light on the dagger in Lyne's hand faded. The battle was too easy for Lyne. This difference in skill level was not just because Lyne was a genius or too strong, but it was a process of harsh training and survival in missions. And the enemies they encountered in the Bloodbath were much stronger due to Kaega's disruption of the Head Measurer's plans.

-Alright, I should go kill a few more, maybe I can help him out.

Just as Lyne was about to go kill another one, a door suddenly appeared in front of her. And next to it was another Mask of Challenge. Lyne's heart skipped a beat...

"The Blood Feast is about to end again... but how can that be?"

Although the Blood Feast only had 12 participants, those were all people who had survived the chaotic Bloodbath that Kaega had arranged. All of them had to be strong or have some talent to survive...

"Is that guy still alive...?"

To be honest, Lyne didn't fully believe in Kaega's fighting ability. Although he had directly confronted the Head Measurer, his only direct attack on the Head Measurer had only left a very shallow scratch. And his weapons, though very powerful, all had weaknesses that were very easy to exploit.

Lyne swallowed hard. Then she had to put aside her worries, pick up the Mask of Challenge, and step through the door. Walking up the stairs, her mind was racing, and the Head Measurer's Consciousness began to torment her more intensely.

-"Do you know why your mother betrayed them...."

Lyne's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing that voice.

-"You've always wondered about that, haven't you.. You've spent three years of effort just to find out..."

-Are you trying to trick me?

-"No, the mask you're holding is made from the bones of my own son, haha~... it contains my memories...."

Lyne suddenly realized she had walked into the Head Measurer's plan, but it was too late.

-"Enjoy my memories, Lynette Rose....~"

The Head Measurer's voice gradually faded, and her vision began to change.

< From the moment Lyne revealed her genius, the Head Measurer had always been watching her. From the dark corners of the night that no one saw, from the alleys and lanes that no one knew. Every action she took, he observed it. Her talent, her gifts, and that body, he had always coveted them. He had been subtly placing his consciousness on the mission items she touched, from the documents of every person she assassinated. They all had his fingerprints on them, and at some point, his consciousness had fallen into a deep sleep within Lyne's body.

However, a crucial catalyst was still needed to make it stronger. But Marina Rose, she had realized something. She was preventing Lyne from going too far from their territory, but her mistake was underestimating her own daughter's desire to prove herself....

-HAHAHA! I can't believe she sneaked out here just to prove to her mother that she's grown up.

Before the Head Measurer's eyes was Lyne, standing still, her body not reacting to anything around her.

-Hey, you idiot... you better take good care of it if you don't want it to lose its developmental potential at this age!

The Eye Watcher emerged from the shadows, his face expressionless, but his mouth showed his annoyance. His 4 eyes didn't even bother to look at the Head Measurer.

-YOU BASTARD, WHO ARE YOU CALLING AN IDIOT...!

-Silence!

The Head Measurer was immediately silenced. His two eye sockets behind the mask contorted with anger, but his body couldn't move before the person in front of him.

-Remember! I'm doing this because the higher-ups want you to continue living, not out of charity. If you want this little girl's body, then obediently find a way to destroy her walls of will.

The Head Measurer could do nothing but nod. In the distance, outside the forest, a powerful surge of magic was approaching. It was Mrs. Marina Rose; she was frantically attacking into the forest. Her powerful magic stream transformed the entire surrounding space.

The masked soldiers were all crushed by her frenzy, but when it reached the Eye Watcher, it was blocked.

-Greetings, Mrs. Marina Rose, or should I say, Marina Blackrose of the Antares Empire....

-You bastards, what are you doing to my daughter...

The crazed energy from her sent even the Head Measurer flying. But the Eye Watcher only moved a little.

-Now, madam, I know you're very eager to save your daughter, but even if you wanted to, you can't save her now. Even if you're burning your soul to exchange for power equivalent to a supreme master-rank, facing a true near-supreme master-rank, at best we'll both die. Or let me make another offer.

Marina was aware of that. All she was doing was a bit of self-anger, but that couldn't help her save her daughter. Even if she was lucky enough to defeat him, she would be surrounded in a state of exhaustion.

-Our request is very simple.... betray the Assassins' Guild and sell information about the spies. In return, we won't harm your daughter. If you do well, we will release her....

-Why should I trust you?

-Because you have no choice. Either you do it and believe we won't harm her, or you both die.

Mrs. Marina gritted her teeth. She was angry but could do nothing....

-Then at least tell me what's wrong with my daughter....

-She's just caught in an illusion spell, and she won't be aware of anything until we release her.

Marina closed her eyes and bit her lip until it bled...

-I accept to betray...

The explosive magic energy was quickly extinguished, and Marina returned to her normal state. The Head Measurer, seeing this, immediately struck Marina to vent his anger, but before he could do anything, he was locked by the Eye Watcher's magic.

-ha... this guy is really too stupid...

Although the Eye Watcher was looking at Marina, his mouth curved down. His expressionless face also had to wrinkle in anger. He waved his hand, sending the Head Measurer flying backward.

-You bastard, why are you protecting a dog like her?

-If she gets hurt, when she returns, the Assassins will be suspicious.

The Head Measurer was angry, but hearing that it was truly logical, he held back.

-Now go back. When we contact you, you must meet us in this forest...

Marina had no choice but to leave, but her eyes never stopped looking at Lyne.

-Hey, you idiot... when she gives you the information about the spies, spread it outside. Wait until the Assassins' Guild is exposed, then let the little girl kill her. At that moment, her first wall of will will collapse. That will also be the necessary time to develop your consciousness on her, but you must remember...

At this point, the Eye Watcher looked with absolute contempt at the one who was sitting there laughing at the thought of Lyne killing her own mother. That look was as if he was really just a dog at his feet, not a fellow guild member.

-Let her find someone else to rely on as a second wall of will and destroy it. At that moment, her spirit will collapse, and her consciousness will be at its weakest. Let her step onto the proving ground, then you can take her body without any obstacles...

When it came to thinking and planning, the Head Measurer was truly a disaster, but if he wanted to manipulate emotions and make others despair, he had done it many times.

-This is too easy, I can do it.

The Eye Watcher looked at him without trust, but also... then followed the times Mrs. Marina came to deliver information until the Assassins' Guild was purged. The Head Measurer released Lyne from the illusion. To her, it was a year lost in the forest, but to the Head Measurer, it was a year of waiting, waiting for the scene where he could take revenge for Mrs. Marina hitting him back then.

And now.... He was forcing the very daughter she had worked so hard to save to kill her own mother.

"NOW DO IT... VESSEL... KILL THE ARROGANT BITCH WHO HIT ME... LET HER TASTE PAIN... STAB HER IN THE NECK SLOWLY... SO THE BLOOD CAN FLOW OUT.... THE MOST PAINFUL WAY"

Behind the cheers was Lyne's trembling face, Marina's tears looking at him, and THE SMILE OF THE PUPPET MASTER BEHIND IT ALL.....>

Lyne's vision returned. In front of her was Kaega, but she no longer had any feelings to think about him. Her shoulders trembled... her eyes looked behind her. There was the silhouette of the Head Measurer. The silhouette's mouth moved...

-"You have betrayed... her concern..... you have killed the person who did everything for you... you are also a traitor..."

-No... no... it's fake... it's all fake....

Subconsciously, she wanted to find someone to ask for help. She looked at Kaega, but the Head Measurer's voice was echoing...

-"Look at him.... he is also a.... traitor... he killed his temporary ally to... get in here.... and he will wear that mask and betray you."

Her eyes fell in despair. Kaega was motionless, his eyes soulless as he was immersed in the illusion.

-"He... is drowning in... ambition... and he will wear it to achieve them...."

-No... he... he...

Lyne couldn't be sure that Kaega wouldn't betray her for his ambition. From the first time she met him until now, perhaps everything he did for her was only for his own survival...

-"Look at that girl, he shot her after she was no longer of value... and if you are no longer of value... he will kill you."

The image of the woman being coldly shot by Kaega was being shown to her by the Head Measurer, which made her feel even more desperate. Her faith in Kaega was gradually collapsing. Her left hand holding the mask was getting closer and closer to her face.

-"That's right, put it on.... I will help you kill him.... and you will..."

Just as it seemed Lyne had given up, another familiar voice, warm but surprisingly resolute, appeared in the girl's head.

-"Lyne, don't give up... he's still trying... don't give up."

The mask stopped right in front of the girl's face. Her eyes now had light in them again. Lyne recognized this voice. It had been her spiritual support, preventing her from collapsing before difficulties. Her mouth stammered, unable to form words, but the Head Measurer's consciousness spoke first.

-"Marina...? How is her consciousness in the dagger? But.. it's too late... you can't save her... my consciousness has already taken deep root..."

Lyne realized the other voice in her head was her mother's. Lyne was surprised, not understanding why.

-Is... Mother?... is that you, Mother?

-"Although I can't... help the little girl escape from you, but don't forget... the little girl's wall of will has not yet collapsed..."

-"NO! IT'S CRUMBLING!"

Kaega suddenly moved. His eyes gradually regained their soul, but his eyes were now extremely angry and staring at Lyne.

-"HAHA... LOOK, LYNE.... HE WILL NOW WEAR THE MASK AND FULFILL HIS AMBITION."

-Haaa.....

Kaega sighed. The mask was still in his hand, his eyes looking at Lyne's trembling shoulders, then Kaega smiled again....

Clink...

The sound of the mask falling onto the stone floor. Lyne clutched her head at the Head Measurer's scream.

-"KAEGA! YOU'RE NOT.... WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO..."

Kaega's eyes were resolute and angry.

CRUNCH!

The Mask of Challenge shattered under Kaega's foot. Lyne's eyes widened. The Head Measurer was furious.

-"YOU BASTARD!!! YOU'RE AS ARROGANT AS THAT FOUR-EYED GUY. PEOPLE LIKE YOU..."

-"Here's the chance."

As soon as the Head Measurer's consciousness fluctuated violently, Marina's consciousness had a chance to attack the Head Measurer's consciousness and successfully entered Lyne's body. Lyne froze for a moment, and tears streamed down her face.

-Ah... mother....

Lyne didn't let the tears flow for too long and wiped them away. Lyne couldn't let her heart be weak at this moment. She held the mask tightly in her left hand, and somehow, Lyne was able to use mana. A stream of dark mana was being pushed back by a stream of red mana, and the Dorgan dagger in Lyne's hand faded in intensity with the red mana.

-"NO!!!! MY 8 YEARS OF WORK.... HOW CAN IT BE PUSHED BACK SO EASILY!!!"

The Head Measurer's consciousness roared. The stream of black mana pushed back the stream of red mana again, but before it could push far, a stream of blue mana also followed, pushing him back.

-"LYNE!! YOU HAVE MAGIC TOO???"

-Get lost, you bastard!

The Head Measurer's surprised voice was also his last before the stream of black mana, along with his consciousness, poured into the mask in her left hand.

BANG!

A gunshot rang out, a round metal bullet flew towards the mask, creating a piercing clang. The mask was sent flying, and Lyne looked at Kaega.

-"What's left... is up to you... the one I've always been looking for."

Marina's consciousness's voice disappeared, leaving Lyne alone, but now Lyne was no longer controlled by the Head Measurer.

-You knew this would happen...?

Kaega's face was cold, but his furious eyes had not yet subsided. Kaega didn't answer Lyne but took out three stamina potions from his person and drank them all...

Lyne's eyes widened in astonishment, and she shouted loudly.

-Hey, you madman, what are you doing?

Kaega replied.

-It's not over yet, Lyne. He has one last death throe. The chance to take his head is now...

Lyne was no longer dominated by the Head Measurer's consciousness, so her feelings towards him, though still negative, were no longer a crazed hatred but had become more rational.

-Aren't you afraid of the consequences of overdosing? Do you really need to risk your life like this for that promise?

Kaega's eyes were on the transforming mask on the ground as he replied.

-Lyne, this is no longer a promise between you and me, it's also a promise to myself....

-To yourself?

Lyne didn't have time to understand what Kaega was saying, but then, a stream of dark mana erupted. It surrounded the mask on the ground like a crazed whirlwind, and from within came insane screams.

-MARINA... LYNE.... NO, IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!!! KAEGA!!! FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, I'VE FELT LIKE KILLING YOU.... I SHOULD HAVE KILLED YOU FROM THE START....

The Head Measurer's voice screamed in the whirlwind, and an official battle with the Head Measurer, the most dangerous enemy, was approaching. From a distance, the Eye Watcher looked down with contempt.

-"Haha... what a fool.... I went to the trouble of preparing 9/10 of the meal for you, and you can't even serve it."

With that, he finished his words and went out because Crambell and the allied army had already entered the guild, and he needed to personally intervene.

-From the very beginning, I never believed you could be resurrected...

The Eye Watcher said his last words and disappeared into the night.... The moon had reached its peak, illuminating both Lyne and Kaega against the darkness, revealing two pairs of determined eyes....