Under the night sky without the moon and stars, ten crows flew in the air.
Amon had already injected his blood into all of their bodies. He was practicing controlling their movements by manipulating their brains.
This was a technique Amon had successfully created after two weeks, called the Red Parasite Technique.
However, while he was too focused on the crows, a red-eyed creature approached him from behind.
With a soft but trembling voice, its mouth whispered right next to Amon's ear, "Hello..."
"Aaaaarrggh!"
Amon jumped, and so did his heart. He was so startled that he reflexively drew Karyuken before swinging it behind him.
"Relax."
Amon's flaming sword was caught barehanded by the culprit, none other than Emillia, grinning mischievously as her prank succeeded.
"What are you doing in my garden? Couldn't you come in through the front door?! You almost killed me!"
"You have no right to say that. Don't you remember sneaking into my house a few weeks ago?"
"At least I didn't scare you."
"Okay, I apologize, my dear."
"Who are you calling 'my dear'? You're making my skin crawl."
"Hahahahaha." She laughed as she sat on a nearby chair. "Come here, let's talk."
Amon sat on another chair, "What do you want?"
"I heard you're going on a mission, and alone at that. Are you alright?"
"I think I'll be fine."
The Red Parasite Technique wasn't perfected yet. It could control animals but not humans. However, Amon was confident it would be complete before he left.
"I have a gift for you before you go. This is the latest phone developed by the clan. Take good care of it."
Amon took the phone and examined it.
'This world already has advanced technology that people on Earth can't even develop, like teleportation. But why isn't the phone touchscreen yet? Whatever, if it's free, I'll take it.'
Amon's poor man's mindset hadn't left him, even though he was now part of a conglomerate.
"Thank you."
"If there's any trouble, just call me. My number is in there."
"Stop it, who do you think I am? I already told you to forget about that bet."
"Do you know, this is called flirting?" Emillia said while winking.
"Don't expect me to join your harem." Amon spat in disgust at her feigned cuteness.
But Emillia just laughed as if she was watching an arrogant but adorable kitten.
"Besides, how could you help me? Arcilla is so far away. Are you willing to pay for teleportation?"
"Of course not, I'll run there."
"Run?"
"Your technique was just published yesterday, and all Starheirs are allowed to cultivate it."
"I didn't know that."
Lately, Amon had been focused on his preparations, including creating the Red Parasite Technique.
"Did you know? I heard Death God and Arcanor are trembling with fear upon hearing that we can run as fast as light."
"Isn't that obvious? With the Flash Dance Technique, we can easily conduct guerrilla warfare."
"The changes you've brought are positive for us, but not for our enemies. They'll definitely target you because of your dangerous talents," Emillia said seriously.
"I'm aware of that."
That's why Amon took the Demon God Sword, capable of destroying anything.
"By the way, about those crows up there," Emillia said, pointing at the sky, "you're controlling them without a spell, right? But with a technique."
'As expected of the Sage, she can skillfully distinguish between techniques and spells.'
"What are you thinking?"
"Teach me this technique? I'll give you a kiss in return."
"Do you think I'm a fool?"
The Red Parasite Technique was vastly different from the Flash Dance Technique. The latter wasn't too deadly; Amon could counter it with the same technique.
But not the Red Parasite Technique. Once an enemy's blood entered their body, they were finished. It was a highly dangerous technique.
Even if he were offered access to the treasure room again, he still wouldn't hand it over to the clan.
"This is such an innovative technique, you know? Even the great Saints of the past would be astonished by what you've created. You're truly a genius."
"Even if you praise me a thousand times, I won't change my mind."
"Such a miser," Emillia stood from her chair. "It's late, I'll be going."
"Yes, thanks for the phone."
Emillia then flew into the sky before speaking to Amon again. "Get some sleep and dream of me."
"Not happening."
She flew off, laughing, leaving Amon alone in the garden.
As Amon watched her go, he also looked up at the sky filled with dark clouds.
"Tonight is so dark. It's giving me the chills."
Amon decided to head to bed. He didn't like this atmosphere.
As he opened the door with his right hand to enter the palace, he felt something strange, using only four fingers.
'This is the price I pay for forcing myself to cultivate a technique I wasn't supposed to, due to using the Almighty Titan Art.'
He could only sigh because this was the risk he had accepted in his desperation for power.
'Before sleeping, I better use the Sacred Meditation Technique to regenerate my pinky finger.'
As Amon was healing himself in his room, a maid was carrying out her nightly routine.
Humming cheerfully, she began turning off the lights in the palace one by one.
Someone hidden in the shadows silently approached her from behind.
Before the maid realized it, her mouth was covered. She was terrified, but it was too late. She couldn't scream, only wriggle, trying to escape.
Ironically, her efforts were in vain.
A sword pierced through her back, penetrating her heart, ending her life in that instant.
At the end of her life, she could only shed sad tears.
"This is the perfect night," said the perpetrator.