Chapter 515: The Truth, Greed

Just by looking at the details of the Demon God’s Vengeance mission, Seraphina Sullivan could figure some things out.

She then recalled the pained tones Kyle Kane and the others had used when speaking with them.

Their earnest, heartfelt expressions had once led Seraphina to believe they were victims, too.

But now, it was clear that was all just an act.

The claims of being “forced,” of having “no choice,” of “human greed”—it was all lies!

They themselves were the truly greedy ones!

“Seraphina!” Crystal Lynn leaned over excitedly.

She lowered her voice, but it couldn’t hide the shock in her tone. “The system has a new mission! It’s about killing Awakeners. Who are these Awakeners, these Demonized Superpower Users?”

Halfway through her sentence, Seraphina Sullivan clapped a hand over her mouth.

Crystal Lynn’s eyes widened as she looked at Seraphina.

Seraphina didn’t speak, only flicking her gaze slightly in the direction of Kyle Kane and his people.

That single glance was enough for Crystal Lynn to understand everything.

Some things didn’t need to be said to be understood.

The color drained from Crystal Lynn’s face in an instant.

She stared at Kyle Kane’s back, at the Native People who had just been “hospitably” entertaining them, and at the gaunt man in the strange glasses. At that moment, she felt a chill shoot up her spine to the top of her head.

‘These people… are the Awakeners?’

‘The “traitors” mentioned in the mission?’

‘All this time, we’ve been with a group of God Slayers?’

[DING! Your friend “Sean Chandler” has sent you a message!]

Seraphina’s heart stirred, and she immediately opened her Friend Communication List.

Sean Chandler’s message was concise and powerful, just his style:

[I learned the truth from an old woman. The Demon God was killed by a group of Awakeners. They ate the Demon God’s flesh and blood to gain Power. Be careful over there. The Awakeners might be in Disguise. I’ve triggered a mission on my end. You probably have too.]

After reading it, Seraphina let out a long breath.

‘So that’s how it is.’

‘So Sean Chandler was the Player who triggered the world’s truth.’

She closed her eyes for a moment, and all the clues in her mind instantly connected to form a clear picture.

Kyle Kane’s brief explanation.

The Special Abilities of those Awakeners.

Their attitude toward Players, a mix of desire and vigilance.

And that strange Ability of the man with glasses, who could tell their “Demonization level was low” at a single glance…

It all made sense now.

‘No wonder Kyle Kane and the others gave me a “bad vibe”.’

‘No wonder they were so indifferent, refusing to save those ordinary people despite having Awakened Abilities.’

‘No wonder when they mentioned that “Players had come here before,” the look in their eyes wasn’t nostalgia, but some kind of complex emotion—an emotion Seraphina could finally decipher.’

It was guilt.

It was vigilance.

It was envy.

It was the fear of the truth being exposed.

Seraphina opened her eyes, a cold smile slowly forming on her lips.

“Heh heh…”

Her voice was soft, so soft only she could hear it.

“Traitors?”

“It seems I don’t need to hold back anymore.”

…

Hearing Seraphina’s whisper, Crystal Lynn swallowed nervously.

She quietly tightened her grip on the short blade at her waist.

“Seraphina, what do we do?” she asked in a breathy whisper.

Seraphina didn’t answer directly, instead signaling with her eyes for Crystal to remain calm.

‘Now is not the time to make a move.’

‘Kyle Kane’s group has the advantage in numbers, and every one of them possesses an Awakened Ability.’

‘Although those Abilities aren’t as comprehensive as a Player’s Skill System, they’re empowered by this world’s Demonization Energy and won’t necessarily be easy to deal with.’

‘More importantly, they still didn’t know how many people Kyle Kane had backing him up.’

‘Acting rashly might alert the enemy.’

Seraphina’s gaze swept over the ordinary Native People huddled in the depths of the cave.

The old, the women, the children.

Their fear was real, and their fear of Kyle Kane and his group was also real.

‘These ordinary people could be the breakthrough we need.’

Seraphina lowered her gaze, her mind racing as she formulated a plan.

Just then, Kyle Kane turned around and walked toward them, his face plastered with that same gentle smile.

“Ladies, the Demonic Tide has passed. It’s safe now.”

He said with a chuckle, “We’ve prepared some food. It’s simple, but at least it’ll fill your stomachs. Come, let’s eat together.”

As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Seraphina’s face for a moment.

Seraphina looked back at him, an equally faint smile on her face.

“Alright,” she said. “We happen to be hungry, too.”

Their eyes met mid-air.

One’s smile hid a dagger.

The other’s was a feigned compliance.

But only Seraphina knew that this act was about to reach its final scene.

Kyle Kane’s gaze roamed over Seraphina, like a vulture that had caught the scent of blood.

He had been observing her from the very beginning.

The woman was spotless, her clothes so clean they looked like they had just been taken from a store. In a world overrun with Demonic Creatures, a world filled with filth and decay, only one thing could make that possible.

Space Equipment.

Only a Player with Space Equipment could change into clean clothes at any time, carry enough supplies, and maintain a decent appearance while surviving in the wild.

Kyle Kane’s gaze fell on Seraphina’s hands.

On the ring finger of her left hand, she wore two simple rings.

‘Perhaps one of them has a Space Wrapping Ability.’

‘Is it one of the rings on her hand?’ Kyle Kane thought greedily. ‘Or is it something else…’

He had seen Space Equipment before.

A long time ago, some of the Players who came to this world had carried such things.

They could pull out food, water, weapons, and even enough supplies to fill an entire vehicle. Back then, he had been mad with envy, desperate to snatch it for himself.

Unfortunately, those Players were too strong, and he hadn’t dared to make a move.

But things were different now.

Of the three women before him, one seemed cold and distant, another looked a bit foolish, and the last one, despite her strange aura, was just a Plant Ability User.

‘What kind of trouble could three women possibly cause?’

‘Once the trade is complete and they let their guard down, we’ll offer them to that entity.’

‘Maybe, if that entity is pleased, it will grant us even more Awakening Power.’

‘Maybe even… allow our ordinary kin to become Awakeners as well.’

The corners of Kyle Kane’s mouth turned up slightly, the smile looking particularly sinister on his face.

But he quickly schooled his expression, putting on a gentle facade as he walked toward Seraphina.

…

“Miss Sullivan.” He sat down across from Seraphina, rubbing his hands together and flashing what looked like an honest, simple-minded smile. “About that trade we discussed earlier… Do you think you could bring it out now?”

Seraphina looked at him, a faint smile also gracing her lips.

“You want food, and I can provide it,” she said, her voice calm. “But can you provide what I want?”

Kyle Kane’s eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly. “Of course! Of course!”

He turned and waved to someone behind him. “Bring up our treasure!”