Please support me on Patreon, where you can read a bunch of extra chapters, not just for this novel, but for all the novels I'm working on. I upload at least 2 times daily for each novel.
Patreon.com/ThatGreatStuff
******
A series of agonized screams echoed through the alleyway, and within minutes, the ground was littered with fallen bodies.
Some unlucky individuals landed in pools of filthy water, making their plight even more grotesque.
Those still capable crawled hastily away, while most remained collapsed, wailing in pain.
These minor henchmen were no match for Bochang's group; they were effortlessly taken down.
"Spare me... Spare my life, Lord! I was wrong! I admit my mistake!" A middle-aged man knelt on the ground, desperately pleading as Dan Heng pressed his spear against his chin.
This fellow must have possessed some strength to exert power here, having already awakened his fate path. However, against Dan Heng, he couldn't withstand long and was swiftly brought to the ground, now reduced to begging for mercy.
"Speak up, how do we reach the Underworld?"
The long spear in Dan Heng's hand edged slightly forward, piercing a small hole in the middle-aged man's neck. Fresh red blood began to flow, and his facial features contorted as he hastily pleaded, "My lord... I truly don't know... I have no idea how to reach the Underworld. The entrance has been sealed for many years, and to this day, I've never heard of anyone being able to descend there..."
"I'm really not lying," the middle-aged man rapidly exclaimed.
March 7th felt somewhat helpless.
"So we encountered both a fraudster and a robber?"
"Seems that way."
Dan Heng withdrew his spear, allowing the middle-aged man to finally exhale with relief. He then sensed a sudden warmth spreading down his pants, realizing only after touching it that he had wet himself from fear.
Bochang shook his head, "What a wasted trip..."
"Not entirely wasted though," March 7th said with a friendly smile. "Since this guy was operating here with over a dozen henchmen, he must have acquired quite a few Shields. We can't leave empty-handed now, can we?"
Bochang and Stelle's expressions brightened, understanding her intent to exploit the situation.
Just then...
A sudden sound of footsteps echoed nearby.
Dan Heng's gaze sharpened as he noticed a blue-haired girl clad in black stockings approaching from the direction they had come.
It was none other than Pela.
"Who are you all? Why do you wish to enter the Underworld? Are you unaware that the Great Guardian has sealed off the passage?" Pela asked sternly, wearing her round-framed glasses.
She had been investigating their backgrounds since yesterday and discovered that they lacked official residency records.
This issue could be seen as neither major nor insignificant.
In Belobog, many individuals avoided taxes by not registering themselves officially.
Bochang was startled, unsure why this individual would appear here.
"Could it be Sampo?"
"This shouldn't concern you," Dan Heng replied dismissively, showing no regard for Pela.
"I am an intelligence officer of the Silvermane Guards," Pela stated firmly. "Naturally, I cannot turn a blind eye to such matters... You peculiar group, please cooperate with my investigation. Otherwise... I won't hold back."
[Dating Options Activated.]
[Option 1: Loudly rebuke her: "Since you claim to be an intelligence officer of the Silvermane Guards, why didn't you help when the raiders attacked us? Instead, you hid and watched." - Completion Reward: Obtain a three-star Destruction Light Cone, Tianqing (Heaven's Collapse). Note: This type of item will...]
[Option Two: Relying on numerical advantage to defeat Pela: "She's alone; let's confront her together." — Completion Reward: Being captured by the Silvermane Guards."]
[Option Three: This place is not safe for lingering; fleeing could be a viable choice: "Engaging the Silvermane Guards head-on is unwise; it's best if we leave now." — Completion Reward: Obtain a random item, ranging from small as a matchstick to large as a starship destroyer. Note: Such items will..."]
The world once again froze into stasis.
Upon seeing Option Two, Bochang immediately realized that Pela was likely not alone. She may have already deployed numerous Silvermane Guards nearby.
Engaging in combat with them would be an incredibly irrational decision.
Bochang still had only two choices left:
Either flee.
Or negotiate with the opponent.
After a moment of hesitation, Bochang chose to negotiate. If he attempted to escape now, he would undoubtedly be pursued and wanted by the Silvermane Guards afterward.
This trajectory seemed to align with the original plotline, likely what Sampo intended.
Option one's reward might be somewhat lacking, but... Option three's randomness was too unpredictable for comfort.
"Option one!" Bochang firmly demanded, "Since you claim to be an intelligence officer of the Silvermane Guards, why didn't you assist us when the raiders attacked? Instead, you hid and watched?"
[Reward being granted - Congratulations! You have received a Three-Star Destruction Light Cone: Tianqing. Note: This item has been stored in the System space.]
Taken aback, Pela did not expect such a response from Bochang.
March 7th chimed in, "That's right, if we were ordinary people, they would've robbed us easily, and who knows, we might even have suffered more..."
"This is impossible! With me observing nearby, they wouldn't stand a chance," Pela immediately countered.
Taken aback, Pela quickly countered.
Bochang pointed at the men on the ground. "Are you certain? Miss Pela, please take a closer look—these individuals had knives. During our confrontation, if you hadn't intervened immediately, as ordinary citizens, we could have been killed."
"But did you truly have enough time to stop it?"
"As a Silvermane Guard sworn to protect civilians, do you feel adequately responsible?"
Bochang's two questions plunged Pela into deep thought.
To be honest, in that situation, she indeed couldn't have prevented it. After all, she was only one person, not a deity.
"Not adequate... Did I make a mistake?" Her emotions suddenly became conflicted.
However, after a moment...
Pela shook her head, her gaze once again becoming composed. She said, "Your points hold some truth, but the real issue isn't about my actions. Instead, why do you wish to go to the Underworld? Don't try to divert the topic."
"May I ask, is wanting to go to the Underworld... illegal?" Dan Heng spread his hands, posing the most crucial question.
Pela murmured, "No, it's not illegal."
"Then there you have it. Instead of interrogating us, you should focus on apprehending these raiders." Having received the answer he sought, Dan Heng had no intention of engaging further with Pela. "We're leaving now."
With Dan Heng leading the way, Bochang and March 7th followed closely behind.
As they reached the end of the alley, several Silvermane Guards emerged, blocking their path.
Dan Heng turned back for a glance.
"Even if you haven't broken any laws, during my investigation, I couldn't find records of your residency here," Pela said, her tone softening slightly. "So... you still need to accompany me. Don't worry, I'll just help register your residency status."