"Why did you kill him? He was going to tell us something!" the four asked.
But Kyel was focused on something else.
DING! [Retrieval was successful]
Some memories flooded into Kyel's mind. Items were stored in his system's storage space, and his mind was in chaos. Memories of recent events, dagger techniques of the Malzar family, some skills, and spells – he could train with those skills, but they were incomplete since Redderen hadn't achieved anything great, only beginning cultivation about 12 years ago. He was young, talented, a bit crazy – yet now he was dead.
The scene in the room captured everyone's attention. The dismembered body of Redderen, especially his face, had undergone some changes. His features had transformed; it was no longer Hanzel's face. He had blood-red hair, looking quite young, probably around seventeen, with a hint of insanity in his expression. There was a crazed look that couldn't be denied – but the boy was dead.
"Impossible! He's the Malzar's heir! Redderen!" Simon exclaimed. The shock of this discovery would cause an uproar if word got out; the Malzar Family would go even crazier than they already were.
What a situation they were in!
The four of them surrounded Redderen's corpse, but Kyel was examining his system's storage space, where he noticed a magical item, [Clouded Mask].
[Clouded Mask: Classless Rank, crafted by the God's False Hand; it can change one's features. To use, one needs a drop of blood from a living human to take on their shape.]
Bingo. This was exactly what Kyel needed. The mask appeared in his hand. He drew his sword from Redderen's corpse and let the blood drip from its tip onto the mask.
He then put the mask on his face. Seconds later, those around him couldn't believe what they saw; they couldn't tell the difference.
Kyel now had Redderen's features – only the face, not the entire body, but that was enough. It would work very well, Kyel thought.
"What a feeling, to be the heir of the Malzar family!" Kyel faked a smile and looked at the four in front of him. They didn't understand at first, but after a moment, they said, "Oh! You're right! Being the heir of the Malzar family – what a thing!"
Redderen's identity would grant Kyel privileges and provide the perfect cover, allowing him to act as he pleased under his true identity, Kyel Everhart.
This mask would give him endless options, now and in the future. Kyel wondered, How could Redderen obtain such an artifact? Kyel hadn't found this information among the memories transferred to him about Redderen. Perhaps the Malzar family themselves didn't even know of its existence.
He wouldn't remain in this identity forever, so he needed to take precautions. He took three vials of Redderen's blood.
Kyel had to hide the corpse. If anyone found it, his plan with Redderen's identity would be jeopardized. He cast a meaningful glance at Simon, who understood immediately. Simon's eyes, hidden beneath his thick hair, lit up faintly.
After a while, the corpse disappeared, and Kyel sat on a chair, deep in thought. There were several things to address, things that couldn't be rushed, and matters that needed clarification.
Kyel spoke, "First of all, there was no meeting tonight. If this means anything, it means no one should reveal what happened here, especially about the mask. It's the five of us against the entire magical tower; losing anyone means an end to the path for the rest. Redderen was hunting the demons that infiltrated the magical tower. Fortunately, he told no one else."
Gilbert asked, "How are you sure of this?"
Kyel looked him dead in the eyes. "You're doubting my words again?"
Gilbert looked confused, hastily apologizing, "I'm sorry—I didn't mean to—"
Kyel cut him off, "If he had told anyone else about us infiltrating the magic tower, you, I, and the others wouldn't be here discussing it. Let us not forget the Malzar family's personality; they'd rather die than share their prey. They seek glory gained by their own hands, not anyone else's."
Gilbert nodded. "Oh, that's so—"
Kyel interrupted him again with a fake smile. "Well, he might have told someone," he thought.
He continued, "For now, the four of you – Azalt, Simon, Gilbert, Bentia – since you wanted to follow me, it's time to work. Before tonight, I had the problem of being constantly chased and suspected; it's less of an issue now. But the truth is, I'm still being sought. We have one hell of a mission ahead: to create chaos and grow stronger before graduation. Nothing more, nothing less. Our Demonic Form was stripped from us."
It is our pride and the reason we are here. They told us that if we completed the mission, our form would be returned to us. But do you really expect that? I can assure you, I have a way – but we need to become stronger.
"Let's kill and toy with humans as we please here; let's grow powerful. Follow my orders, and we'll make this earth our own hell.
The era of Hell and the Abyss has passed. For now, let's create a new hell on this earth."
Let us create meaning in this hellish life. Let us test whether we can find joy in this life.
Feelings in life.
Feelings we experience.
Real feelings.
Feelings that were not given to us.
Feelings we create ourselves.