As the first rays of sunlight gently illuminated the village, the heartbreaking news of Craig and his wife's untimely demise quickly spread like wildfire among the villagers. The lifeless bodies of the couple were discovered in their home, while their daughter remained missing, casting a shadow of sorrow and mystery over the community.
Speculations and rumors ran rampant as the villagers tried to make sense of the tragic events. However, as the days passed, the initial shock and curiosity surrounding the deaths gradually waned, giving way to the routines of daily life once again.
Meanwhile, in a secluded and distant area far removed from the village, Yvonne found herself standing before a pair of massive pillars that seemed to touch the very heavens. Flanking each pillar were two formidable, stoic men, their muscular frames a testament to strength and vigilance. They stood guard, each holding a gleaming spear and crossing them between the pillars, blocking passage to all who dared to approach.
Yvonne met the piercing gaze of the guards before reaching into her bag and withdrawing a modest stash of coins. She handed it to one of the men, who, after weighing the meager offering in his hand, arched a skeptical eyebrow and remarked, "Too little."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Yvonne's face, but determination gleamed in her eyes as she delved back into her bag, producing a handful of shimmering silver coins. With a subtle smirk, she extended her hand once more, offering the coins to the guard. His expression softened slightly as he observed the glint of silver,
A flicker of annoyance passed over Yvonne's features as she locked eyes with the guards, determination etched in her features. Without hesitation, she delved into her bag and withdrew a handful of gleaming silver coins, offering them to the guard with a steely resolve. the man's lips curved into a reluctant smirk, and after a moment's hesitation, he relented, retracting his spear and allowing Yvonne to pass between the towering pillars.
In an instant, a frown etched itself onto Yvonne's face, her eyes narrowing as she directed a piercing glare at both men. Without hesitation, she reached into her bag and retrieved a handful of glistening silver coins, offering them to the man. His lips twisted inwardly as he reluctantly retracted his spear.
As the other man followed suit, Yvonne seized the opportunity to move past them swiftly.
"Smash or pass?" one of the men crudely remarked as Yvonne strode by.
"Definitely smash! Did you see how plump her ass looked?" the other responded with a lewd chuckle. "I'd drill her soul out of her body."
Their coarse laughter echoed behind her as Yvonne clenched her fist, hearing their disrespectful comments. With a determined expression, she lowered her head and pressed on through the bustling crowd.
After traversing a short distance, she reached the heart of the city, where the vibrant energy was palpable. People of various races bustled around her, their diverse attire and languages creating a symphony of movement and sound. As Yvonne observed the bustling scene, her lips parted slightly in awe.
In front of a shop stood an imposing orc, towering over the surrounding humans with his dark green skin and formidable physique. His presence commanded attention, drawing curious glances from passersby, including Yvonne.
Lost in her fascination, Yvonne was abruptly jolted as a body collided with hers. Before she could react, she realized her bag was gone, whisked away in an instant. Whipping around, she searched frantically, but the thief and her belongings had vanished into the throng of people.
Confusion and shock immediately washed over Yvonne as she processed the events that had just unfolded. Her mouth hung agape as she struggled to comprehend the situation. To compound her shock, a booming voice echoed in her mind:
"As he sat upon the throne of hell, his sovereignty shook his head in disappointment at the host's carelessness. The six arms of hells mock you and deem you unworthy of the system. Find the thief and restore the very morsel of uncertainty they have cast upon you," the haunting system voice reverberated.
Taking a deep breath, Yvonne placed her hand on her waist, her mind swirling with confusion. Amidst the chaos, she wondered where to even begin the search.
[58:20]
As the timer mercilessly ticked down, she hurriedly sprang into action.
Meanwhile, within a nearby building, a slender man observed Yvonne's frantic quest with great interest. A sly smile crept across his lips as he watched her approach various individuals, questioning them about her missing bag.
Having witnessed the entire scene unfold, he found the situation oddly amusing. The three heavily armored guards standing behind him wore expressions of astonishment as they observed his reaction. They exchanged bewildered glances before casting their eyes downward.
"Find the girl who stole the bag for me," he commanded abruptly.
"Your highness?" the guards uttered, visibly dumbfounded.
Had the order come from anyone else, the guards might not have been so taken aback. However, when it was issued by the man known as Volfir Hofstader, their astonishment knew no bounds.
This was a man I nown for his unparalleled nonchalance and indifference, He could witness the world ablaze before him and not bat an eye. The guards, taken aback by his sudden interest in aiding a woman, stood with mouths agape, disbelief etched on their faces.
"Yes, you heard me," Volfir's voice cut through the stillness, his lips curling inwardly. "And you have twenty minutes to comply."
As the guard vanished from the rooftop, Volfir rested his hand against his chin, a slow smile spreading across his face as he observed Yvonne frantically scouring the area for the elusive bag.
Eighteen minutes later...
Gasping for breath, a mask of rage contorting her features, Yvonne's gaze swept over the surrounding crowd with disdain. Whether it was the fascinating orcs or the other races present, she found each individual deeply displeasing.
At 32:57, a sudden touch on her shoulder sent shivers down Yvonne's spine, causing her hair to stand on end. Reacting on instinct, she seized the hand and swiftly flipped the individual over.
A resounding 'bang' echoed through the air as the figure hit the ground hard, a pained expression crossing his features. Before he could muster a response, Yvonne's firm foot pressed against his chest, thwarting his attempts to rise. Their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills, his glare met with her unwavering gaze.
"You..." his voice faltered, a mixture of surprise and defiance lacing his words.
As the man's hand reached out towards Yvonne, she reacted swiftly, seizing his wrist and twisting it with all her might. The sickening sound of bones breaking reverberated in her ears, but she persisted, delivering a forceful blow to the man's chest.
Stumbling back, the man's retreat was halted by a firm hand on his shoulder. With a reverent tone, he muttered, "Your Highness," bowing his head in deference.
Locked in a tense gaze, Volfir and Yvonne shared a moment suspended in time, their eyes conveying unspoken depths of intrigue and defiance. The spark of curiosity in Volfir's eyes contrasted with Yvonne's unwavering glare, each silently challenging the other.
"Here is your bag. Could you release him?" Volfir's voice cut through the charged atmosphere as he gently tossed the bag towards Yvonne.
Catching the bag with a measured calmness, Yvonne withdrew her foot, allowing the guard to scramble to his feet. Anger etched into his features, he shot a venomous glare at Yvonne before turning his attention to Volfir.
As the countdown timer loomed before Yvonne's eyes, she gritted her teeth, mustering her composure before speaking. "Thank you," she began, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. "Could you perhaps reveal the thief who took the bag?" A subtle undercurrent of worry colored her words.
Despite her efforts to conceal it, a glimmer of hope shone in Yvonne's eyes as she awaited Volfir's response. She had tirelessly searched every nook and cranny to no avail, while these strangers had somehow being able to locate the bag.
Upon Yvonne's unresponsiveness, Volfir shifted his gaze to a twelve-year-old girl standing nearby. Following his line of sight, Yvonne's eyes settled on the young girl, prompting a deep, involuntary sigh to escape her lips.
As the timer continued its relentless countdown, beads of sweat began to form on Yvonne's brow despite having located the girl. "System, I've found the girl. Why does the timer persist?" she urgently queried, her anxiety mounting with each passing moment.
Silence greeted her plea, intensifying the sheen of perspiration on her forehead. With the timer ticking away before her eyes, Yvonne felt her heart quicken its pace, a sense of urgency gripping her.
"Are you alright?" Volfir's voice cut through the tension, his expression a mix of concern and confusion at her visibly distressed state.
Unfazed by his inquiry, Yvonne remained fixated on her communication with the elusive system. "System, where are you?" she implored once more, her voice tinged with desperation.
[0:48]
[0:47]
[0:46]
[0:45]
With mere seconds left on the timer, a sudden voice echoed in Yvonne's mind, delivered by the system. "Despite the adage 'Work smart, not hard,' His Sovereignty is deeply disappointed with your handling of the quest. Your recklessness, incompetence, and naivety disgust him, and requiring external aid to complete the mission is a source of absolute shame."
"The arms of hell demand your expulsion from the damnation system, sentencing your soul to eternal suffering in the fiery depths."
The ominous words reverberated in Yvonne's mind, casting a chilling shadow over the unfolding events as the countdown neared its conclusion.
Her heart raced as the system's voice reverberated in her mind, the growing intensity of the countdown timer looming over her like a specter.
"What happens now? I go to hell?" she managed to speak, her voice tinged with a mixture of apprehension and defiance.
"To soothe arms of hell restless spirit, a sacrifice of their choosing must be made," the system intoned with an air of finality.
Yvonne couldn't help but flinch at the weight of those words, her inner turmoil palpable to those around her who observed her increasingly agitated state. "What does he desire?" she inquired, her voice barely above a whisper.
Yvonne lifted her gaze to meet the eyes of the girl standing before her, a faint tremor coursing through her. Overwhelmed by the weight of the demand placed upon her, memories of her own past struggles resurfaced, reminding her of a time when she too had been on the brink of despair.
The girl, her body cloaked in dirt and weariness evident in every line of her being, stood before Yvonne as a haunting reflection of a path once narrowly avoided.
With the countdown ticking mercilessly:
[0:06]
[0:05]
[0.04]
As the timer inexorably ticked down to a mere three seconds and In a moment of visceral clarity, Yvonne raised her trembling index finger. A beam of brilliant light erupted from her fingertip, piercing through the girl's forehead with a blinding intensity.