“I’m really curious, where do you keep your clothes?”
Someone, clearly oblivious to the intricacies of a woman’s wardrobe, blurted out, “On a chair, of course.”
That was precisely how Fire Finch stored hers: two outfits rotated, and one kept in reserve. Sometimes, she would simply gather them from the balcony before showering.
There was no need for a wardrobe, honestly.
“…” Fire Finch admitted she had never been so speechless in her life. She’d forgotten that this fellow was a complete imbecile.
She glared fiercely at Aya Tone.
Then, she strode directly into the meticulously prepared bedroom, the door shutting with a decisive ‘snap.’ Lingering any longer, she felt, would sour her good mood from leaving work early.
Yet.
“Huh? Are you angry?”
The clueless culprit tilted his head, utterly bewildered by Fire Finch’s pique.
‘I didn’t do anything, did I?’
‘It must be that time of the month for the President. I’ve heard that when women’s ‘relatives’ visit, their emotions can be quite unstable.’
‘For the next few days, it’s best not to provoke the President if there’s no urgent matter…’
“President, please rest well.”
“Wait a moment!”
The door reopened.
“Uncle Ao asked me to tell you that the matter has been settled.”
“Also, if you encounter any groups promoting cults, don’t hesitate. Eliminate them directly.”
With that, the door closed once more, leaving Aya Tone outside, deep in thought.
‘What Uncle Ao said must be about the unauthorized destruction of the副本.’
‘No one has contacted her, which means it wasn’t a major issue.’
‘As for… cults?’
‘She’d only ever heard of such things. What were they actually like…’
‘She’d never seen one…’
‘Never mind. When the time comes, she’d simply wipe them out.’
Having made up his mind, he glanced at the tightly shut door, a secret joy bubbling within him.
‘It seems the President is quite satisfied.’
‘Half-price rent, plus a commission.’
‘This is truly…’
‘Fantastic!’
As someone revelled in his secret delight, he remained unaware that he would soon encounter the very cult Fire Finch had mentioned.
****
A dilapidated building in Yan’an City.
As prosperous as it once was, it was now equally desolate.
Broken.
Traces of destruction were everywhere.
Rubbish lay wantonly strewn across the ground, utterly transforming the place into a haven for various dark creatures.
In the shadows untouched by sunlight, the elusive figures of rats flickered.
A makeshift set of steps served as a podium.
A middle-aged man, veins bulging on his face, his eyes filled with fury and impatience, surveyed the ‘crowd’ below.
His voice was laced with discontent.
“The Imperial Capital has already begun its operations. What about us?”
“We haven’t gained many followers! We need to act immediately!”
“Don’t forget! Our Great God is watching our every move!”
Having been lectured so harshly, the people below were not about to tolerate it.
Someone immediately stepped forward. “This is the territory of the Vermilion Bird Guild headquarters; essentially, all dungeons are under their jurisdiction.”
“Our people can’t penetrate it at all! Was choosing this place too rash?!”
“Exactly!” another person chimed in, stepping forward.
“Choosing this place, the territory of that Witch, was a mistake!”
The others, too, buzzed with discussion, all expressing dissatisfaction with the man on the stage.
The dungeons in Yan’an City had been swept clean by the Witch, with a vast amount of magic stones falling into the hands of the Vermilion Bird Guild. Some high-level dungeons were simply impossible for them to infiltrate.
The middle-aged man’s face darkened, surprised that these individuals dared to resist.
An icy aura erupted in an instant, a massive shockwave sending everyone below tumbling and staggering.
“How long has the Witch you fear not appeared?! Do you fear someone whose very existence is uncertain?!”
His words carried undisguised mockery.
Scrambling to their feet, they glared furiously at the stage, having never expected the man to resort to violence!
Someone bared their teeth and retorted, “Just a few days ago, photos of her were circulating!”
“Those are merely imitators,” the man said impatiently.
“I don’t care what excuses you have! I only want to see results!”
“If you fail, then you will be of little value.”
Instantly!
A chilling aura of death enveloped everyone’s hearts; even the most defiant among them fell silent.
They had failed ten years ago.
For this operation, they had lain dormant for a decade.
They had collected magic cores for ten years, all for this very day!
He would not allow their efforts to be thwarted again by the foolishness of certain individuals!
Everyone felt their scalps tingle under the gaze of those inhuman, blood-red eyes.
“Get out!”
As the oppressive aura lifted, the rats below scattered in a frantic surge.
The blood-red pupils stared intently at the distant light.
Their power, decimated by the encirclement ten years ago, was a mere shadow of its former self.
There was little time or resources left to squander; they had to crush the Four Pillars within a short period!
To awe the entirety of Country Z!
After that, their God would descend upon the world, resetting all errors!
Hahaha.
A malevolent grin spread across the man’s face, as if he could already see victory.
****
It was another afternoon.
“I say, President, you leave early every day. Aren’t you really worried about getting fired?”
“I’m the boss. Who would dare?” Fire Finch retorted, arrogantly crossing her legs.
‘Alright, you’re the boss, you call the shots…’
Aya Tone checked his phone. “It’s about time. I’m heading out.”
With that, he rose and left the apartment.
“Don’t get yourself into trouble!” Fire Finch called out loudly from the living room.
“Got it.”
As the door clicked shut, a crescent smile involuntarily curved Fire Finch’s lips.
She had to admit, those ‘rats’ were truly geniuses.
In a city of several million like Yan’an, they had managed to find the one person they absolutely shouldn’t have.
Now, it was up to Aya Tone to follow the clues and see what kind of big fish he could net.
A roadside convenience store.
Aya Tone looked left and right, confirming he wasn’t being followed, then stepped inside.
“Old Hu! I’m here.”
“What’s your big money-making scheme for today? Spill the details!”
Old Hu, a short old man, was the owner of this convenience store.
He was also a member of the cult.
As for how Aya Tone came to know him…
It was rather amusing.
Two days prior, he had gone downstairs to collect a package and happened to see someone distributing part-time job flyers. Curious, he took one. It advertised this very convenience store, offering a thousand per hour.
It looked like a scam.
So, he came.
“Didn’t I tell you yesterday? Today we have a meeting, which is also a test.”
The voice, rough and hoarse like the dry rasp of an old bellows, made Aya Tone’s scalp prickle. Still, he patiently asked, “What kind of test?”
“Hmph!” Seeing Aya Tone’s apparent ignorance, Old Hu grew visibly impatient. “Do you really think money is that easy to earn? If you don’t pass, you can expect to be fired.”
This was a lie.
If one failed to pass, the only outcome was death.
Outwardly,
They disguised themselves as an ordinary pyramid scheme, using it to attract those driven by greed.
After all, who doesn’t love money?
Indeed.
Upon hearing about being fired, Aya Tone feigned panic. “Don’t say that, Old Hu! You have to help me!”
‘A thousand an hour—such a good deal couldn’t be lost.’
‘Pah!’
‘This was all for the sake of successfully going undercover!’
‘It was a sacrifice for the greater good, absolutely not for money.’
‘Money was just a convenient bonus, nothing more.’
Good thing.its.not a real pyramid scheme