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Chapter 38: The Faithful Double Agent
The Lex Dessert Shop was bustling with activity, though one corner remained quietly occupied by Viya. A bag of freshly baked goods sat on the table in front of her—a modest reward for enduring an eventful day.
After leaving the training grounds earlier, she had wandered aimlessly around campus. Perhaps it was due to whatever strange spectacle had unfolded at the training field, but every student who passed seemed to gawk at her as if she were some rare zoo animal that had escaped its enclosure. Eventually, Mr. Yog—her ever-watchful guardian—led her here, encouraging her to indulge in something sweet.
“This cake must be amazing,” Mr. Yog murmured in Viya’s mind, eyeing the dessert before her. “Just look at how detailed the modeling is compared to the others.”
“And that one over there looks fluffy too… soft and inviting.”
So you judge taste based on appearance, huh? Viya thought wryly, taking a small bite nonetheless.
It wasn’t bad. In fact, nothing served in the Central Plaza could truly disappoint. The only issue would be personal preference—and Viya wasn’t particularly picky.
“Finished exploring the training ground,” Lin Qi muttered under his breath as he opened the task menu on his interface. His fingers drummed absently against the tabletop, creases forming between his brows. “Three more zones left to explore, likely corresponding to three new abilities.”
The game map was vast, almost overwhelming. Every few steps brought something new to distract him from the main questline. Take this dessert shop, for instance—he’d initially come here just to fill his stomach. But once inside, he found himself marveling at the intricate designs of each pastry. Clearly, no expense had been spared on their visual appeal.
In this world, hunger mechanics existed, though they felt like an afterthought rather than a core survival feature. Hunger decreased steadily over time, regardless of physical exertion—a nod to realism without bogging down gameplay. Still, Lin Qi enjoyed these immersive moments: the interplay of light and shadow, the soothing background music, and the peaceful solitude of sitting alone in a quiet corner.
If only there was a photo mode…
“Excuse me, is my pre-ordered cake ready?”
A man entered the shop, bypassing the tantalizing displays of confections entirely and heading straight for the counter. He wore a dark coat, exuding a faint smell of smoke mixed with industrial fumes—enough to make nearby patrons wrinkle their noses in discomfort.
“Yes, here you go,” the shopkeeper replied, sliding a perfectly packaged cake across the counter. As the man took it, three gold coins slipped discreetly from his palm, nudged toward the cashier with calculated subtlety.
Three gold coins?! Good heavens…
Viya, blessed with sharp eyesight, caught the exchange out of the corner of her eye. She’d heard rumors about the exorbitant prices within the Inner Ring, but this was absurd.
Lin Qi, however, focused on something else entirely.
“Why does he have a health bar?”
Above the man’s head floated a vivid red status bar, pulsating slightly as if mocking Lin Qi’s curiosity. Beside it hovered his name:
“Well, even a trip to a dessert shop leads to side quests,” Lin Qi mused aloud, impressed yet again by the depth of exploration content. Unlike the restrictive main storyline—which often felt stifling due to its grand scope—the side missions offered freedom. Within these miniature theaters of narrative, players could decide the fate of minor characters without hesitation, making choices that truly aligned with their desires.
---
After paying, Lucian lifted the cake effortlessly and exited the shop. Viya watched silently as he disappeared around the corner. Only then did she rise calmly, gathering her things before following suit.
Down a narrow alleyway, Lucian quickened his pace, turning corners almost randomly. It became clear that he wasn’t familiar with the labyrinthine streets; his movements lacked purpose or direction.
“Who’s there? Show yourself!”
Unbeknownst to him, he’d wandered into a dead-end alley. Trash bins lined recessed alcoves, surrounded by walls painted a dull gray. His gaze darted back toward the entrance, paranoia creeping in.
Could it be the Tarnis Council? Or perhaps Judicature agents? But I’ve only been here a short while… Could there already be a mole in the church?
His thoughts spiraled as he braced himself, a laureate symbol glowing faintly on his forehead—a sign of readiness for the worst.
The sound of heels clicking against pavement grew louder, each step resonating like a hammer striking stone. Finally, a figure emerged from the shadows.
“A student?”
Lucian blinked in disbelief. His eyes fell upon the badge pinned to Viya’s lapel—the emblem of Rothesia Academy.
So all this anxiety was for nothing?
Relief washed over him. For a moment, he’d feared exposure and imminent pursuit. Instead, it was merely a curious young student stumbling upon him by chance.
“What does ‘Decree’ mean?”
Lin Qi’s cursor hovered over the NPC, revealing an unexpected addition to the interaction options. Initially, the choices had been simple: [Attack], [Talk], [Interact]. After unlocking the DLC, [Siren’s Requiem] joined the list. Now, a fifth option appeared: [Decree].
Curious, Lin Qi selected [Decree] and confirmed.
---
Viya studied the wary man before her, recalling everything she’d learned since coming under Mr. Yog’s watchful eye. Those marked by his attention always possessed peculiar traits.
Suddenly, a chilling sensation seared through her hand—a paradoxical mix of icy cold and burning heat. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a sinister black mark slowly materialize on her skin. Written in ancient Hemoric script, the symbol carried meanings of emptiness, tombstones, and sighs.
She remembered the blessings bestowed upon her during her last visit to the Void Domain. While those divine protections faded outside its borders, the marks remained dormant—until now. Something had awakened them.
The burning intensified, as if invisible thorns wrapped tightly around her wrist.
Lucian’s mind reeled. That pattern—that unmistakable aura—it bore the unmistakable imprint of a gift from the great kingdom.
He glanced down at his own hand, where a similar mark shimmered—but incomplete, reduced to only the outermost layer. Compared to Viya’s, his version looked cheap, almost counterfeit.
Trembling, he asked, “Do you bring new orders?”
“Holy One.”
Holy One… This was the second time Viya had encountered such religious reverence. At first, she assumed she’d crossed paths with followers of Mr. Yog. But then another thought struck her—the mark originated not from him, but from another deity of the Void Domain.
Her mind exploded with possibilities.
Mr. Yog… No… Surely he wouldn’t send me undercover, would he?!
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