The Deceitful One

Bryan got off the public carriage as he paid the driver and thanked him for the ride. He was about to enter an alleyway and change into his black robe when out of the corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of a slightly dilapidated two-storied red house.

And Bryan recognized this house. This house on 98 West 10th Street belonged to Kenny Adams!

Thinking back to all those months ago when he had fought a gruesome battle with Kenny and almost lost his life in the process, he couldn't help but sigh, "Time flies so fast…"

Come to think of it, after killing Kenny Adams, he had saved Fiona Dyke who was tied up in the basement. And through Fiona, Bryan was able to get acquainted with her mother, Lily Dyke.

This house was also the place where he had met Robert and a few other members of the Strike Team for the very first time!

Unknowingly, this house had served as a nexus point for Bryan being able to meet many people, whom he had come to share a strong bond with. Well, perhaps not Lily Dyke.

Ever since the Silver Owls' investigation of the Inferno Order ad the Holy Blood Sect began, Bryan had completely stopped meeting her.

On a few occasions, Lily had even sent her butler to invite him to her vacation house. But Bryan had strictly refused since he was already so overwhelmed by his workload.

After a certain point, Lily also stopped her attempts at communicating with him.

Bryan shook his head as he thought inwardly, 'Perhaps when all of this dies down, I can visit her and give her a good pounding, kekk!'

He then turned around and entered the nearest alley, the darkness within completely engulfing him.

​ About fifteen minutes later, after taking multiple reroutes and ensuring he wasn't followed, Bryan approached the back entrance of a three-storied apartment building.

He knocked on the wooden door at specific sequences and patiently waited. A few moments later, a man wearing a gray robe and a full black mask opened the door as he looked at Bryan carefully, from head to toe.

The gray-robed man then asked flatly, "The demon has four arms and no eyes. What did he lose and what did he gain?"

Bryan instantly answered, "The lost demon had no eyes but was finally able to see. He lost sight but gained vision!"

The gray-robed man nodded and made way for Bryan to enter. Bryan nodded back at him and silently entered the apartment.

The question earlier was about the secret code that was set for this particular gathering. If a person got it wrong by any chance, they would be instantly killed without hesitation.

After all, the people behind the convention also didn't want to take any risks!

Bryan entered the last room on the floor. This was where the secret gathering was going to be held. He then took a seat and continued to wait patiently for the convention to start.

A little while later, the convener announced in a solemn voice, "You may begin!"

The secret gathering only had a little less than a dozen people attending. Bryan was silent throughout most of the gathering as people continued to buy and sell items.

He was only here for his main ingredient—Sea Kolag's Blood. If no one among the people present at the gathering had acquired it beforehand, he would silently leave and try his luck next time at other gatherings.

About twenty minutes later, when Bryan was beginning to think that he wouldn't be able to get his hands on the thing that he wanted, a short figure wearing a blue robe looked at Bryan.

After staring at Bryan's white smiley face mask and confirming that he was indeed the person who had placed the order, the blue-robed figure stated, "I have the item that you placed the order for."

Bryan's eyes lit up after hearing the person's words. He then looked at the short figure who had just spoken in a feminine voice and inquired, "How much?"

The blue-robed figure replied, "250 pounds!"

Bryan's eyebrows furrowed beneath the mask, "That's 50 pounds more than the usual market price."

"I sustained injuries while trying to acquire this item, so you have to compensate me for that. Take it or leave it! I have other potential buyers waiting as well." She replied, leaving no room for further negotiations.

"Fine, we have a deal!" Bryan replied instantaneously as he walked towards the convener and at the same time gestured for the blue-robed seller to come forth to get the item appraised.

The short blue-robed figure clenched her fists and gritted her teeth in annoyance as she thought inwardly, 'Fuck! I should have asked for more!'

She then grumpily walked towards the convener with a small black box in hand.

After Bryan and the seller approached the convener who was wearing a gray robe and a mask of the same color, the seller handed the small black box to the latter respectfully.

The convener took the box and opened it. Inside there was a transparent crystal vial that contained red blood with a tint of purple mixed in it.

He took out the crystal vial and then took out another white round crystal from his robe. He brought the crystal close to the vial, upon which the crystal began to emit a bright blue light.

The convener kept his round crystal back and then put the vial back inside the black box and handed it to Bryan as he nodded, "It is authentic."

Bryan nodded and kept the black box with him. He then took out a stack of cash from inside his robe, counted them meticulously, and then gave 250 pounds to the seller.

The seller snatched the money from Bryan and harrumphed as she walked away.

Bryan smirked inwardly and then went back to his respective seat. A few minutes later, the gathering had come to an end as everyone exited the room in fixed time intervals.

After exiting the apartment building, Bryan immediately cast Shadow Concealment. He then sprinted away from the place as he constantly changed directions in order to mislead anyone who might be following.

'Finally! All the main ingredients have been acquired!' Bryan thought gleefully as he ran at full speed through the dark of night.