*Chapter 54: Extreme Malice!*

Shira's "safe house" was located at No. 45 Under the Linden Street, officially the home of a traveler, but in reality, it was a hidden stronghold Shira had meticulously prepared. It was well-stocked with food, medicine, and a considerable arsenal of weapons.

However, Goethe's carriage came to a halt at the corner outside the Linden Street district.

"There are too many people around!"

"If we go directly into Under the Linden Street, the 'safe house' will lose its purpose."

Goethe's face darkened as he looked at the crowd occasionally rushing by.

Just as Goethe never doubted the bright side of human nature, he also never doubted the baseness within people's hearts.

Why are firefighters' gas masks tightly secured during a fire?

The answer is rather unfortunate.

But it's true enough.

Everyone wants to survive, and when survival seems impossible, the "evil" within many people will lead them to do extremely irrational things.

For example: dragging others down with them.

When the "Predator Squad" starts hunting people around, will these desperate people reveal where this carriage went?

Goethe didn’t dare to gamble on that.

So, he pulled the reins and steered the carriage deep into an alley.

"Morey, how are you holding up?"

Goethe knocked on the carriage and asked.

"I can't fight, but I can walk."

Morey replied as he pushed open the door and stepped out on his own.

Compared to earlier, the head of Lust's supernatural department had completely regained his composure.

"The appearance of the 'Flesh Gate' will definitely attract the attention of nearby 'Keepers', and given the level of the 'Flesh Gate', one of the 22 action squads will arrive in Lust within 12 hours at the latest."

Morey informed Goethe.

"Good news."

Goethe said, then looked at Shira.

"No problem."

"Due to being misled by that guy during our last cooperation, I owe you one."

"This time, I'll help you for free!"

Shira said this but wisely refrained from mentioning the 'Mad King's Treasure' in front of "outsiders."

"Okay."

Goethe nodded. After Morey carried Kyle out and Shira helped Mrs. Pence down, Goethe was ready to drive the carriage away from the area and then return to No. 45 Under the Linden Street alone.

But at that moment—

Buzz!

The flesh on the 'Flesh Gate' suddenly began to squirm.

Then, a blinding crimson light appeared, revealing a figure whose face was unclear.

It was like a holographic image, standing there.

"Residents of Lust, hello."

"I'm sorry to disturb you."

"But we have no choice because our partner, our brother, was brutally murdered, and we must find the killer!"

"Likewise, I hope you can assist us!"

"If you can find him and kill him, we'll leave Lust. Otherwise..."

"At the moment before dawn, you will be judged!"

"Remember this—"

"The killer's name is Goethe Wayne!"

As the voice fell, Goethe's image appeared on the light screen, like a photograph.

But this wasn't the worst part!

The worst part was—

"Among us, there is a brother with exceptional talent, and he is locking onto Goethe Wayne's location. In one hour, I will tell you exactly where Goethe Wayne is!"

"By then, I hope you can find and kill him before we do!"

After saying this, the light vanished.

The entire Lust fell into silence.

It was a suffocating silence.

Especially for Morey and Shira.

They could already imagine what Goethe would face in an hour.

The evil within humanity would be completely unleashed!

"Damn it!"

"Do these bastards think everyone is an idiot?"

Shira cursed angrily.

"Not everyone is an idiot."

"But many will choose to take a chance."

"And they will only believe what they want to believe."

Goethe's expression remained calm.

"Goethe..."

"Don't worry, Morey."

"I know what I have to do."

Goethe waved his hand, cutting off Morey, who was about to say something, and then flicked the reins in his hand.

In the next moment, the carriage sped out of the alley.

Goethe knew what Morey wanted to say.

It was nothing more than hiding for 12 hours, waiting for the support of the "Secret Keeper."

However, after his previous experience, Goethe was skeptical of such support.

Even though Morey had emphasized that the 22 action teams were different from ordinary "Secret Keepers," Goethe remained doubtful.

Moreover, the enemy clearly had extraordinary individuals with abilities similar to divination. Hiding for 12 hours would be extremely difficult.

Even if the diviner couldn't pinpoint his exact location, just giving a general direction would be enough for the people of Lust to swarm in, find him, and tear him apart—this was also why the enemy had put on that earlier "performance."

Goethe couldn't understand why he was worth such an elaborate effort from the enemy.

Maybe he was just an appetizer before the main course?

Did they want to make the sacrifice more entertaining?

Or was this itself a necessary part of the ritual?

But at this moment, none of that mattered.

When the crimson light appeared in the sky, everything was already predestined.

There was no escaping it.

The more he tried to escape, the closer he would come to death.

So, Goethe understood clearly that he had only one path left to take.

Goethe couldn't help but rub the copper ring on the index finger of his left hand.

Earlier, he had wanted to gather more information before acting.

But given the current situation?

He couldn't afford to wait any longer.

As for fighting head-on?

That was not a wise choice.

Even with his extraordinary-level [Unarmed Combat] and five uses of [Bloody Honor], Goethe had no confidence.

There were simply too many enemies!

Even a true master of combat can't fight off so many opponents alone!

Moreover, after reaching the extraordinary level in [Unarmed Combat], although it was still possible to level up, the amount of [Bloody Honor] required had doubled to two.

He didn't have a trump card strong enough to turn the tide!

And praying for others' mercy?

That was even less likely!

He didn't need to.

Because he wasn't stupid.

Hyah!

Goethe shook the reins again, urging the carriage to speed up.

He wasn't moving aimlessly; he was heading directly toward the Pine Hotel.

He needed more Gink right now!

And where in Lust could he find enough Gink?

Shops?

No!

In the absence of a real bank in Lust, the Pine Hotel was the best choice.

As the most expensive hotel in Lust, it had an unimaginable amount of cash flow.

Soon, Goethe approached the Pine District, and the eight-story building of the Pine Hotel came into view. Along with it, a "Preying Squad" appeared!

A "Preying Squad" consisting of one "Child of Flesh" and three "Flesh Believers" was cleaning up the battlefield.

The bodies of hotel guards were being tossed out of the hotel by the "Flesh Believers" and neatly piled up—facing ordinary people, the hotel guards who had been invincible before were now completely annihilated by the "Preying Squad."

"Gink! Jewelry!"

"Take everything valuable!"

The "Child of Flesh" in charge shouted loudly.

Immediately, the murderous "Flesh Believers" grinned savagely and rushed back into the hotel.

The "Child of Flesh" stood in front of the hotel, his greedy and hungry eyes scanning the Pine District, his restless blood urging him to go on a killing spree.

But he couldn't!

The priest had already instructed that each squad was responsible for different areas, and they had to clear out all possible resistance within an hour.

Then, it would be time for the "celebration!"

At the thought of the "celebration," the "Child of Flesh" could no longer contain himself. He grabbed a nearby hotel guard's corpse, bit into the shoulder, and tore off a chunk of flesh.

The "Child of Flesh" chewed the corpse's flesh hungrily, his restless blood beginning to calm.

"Our Lord will surely descend, and then... Ah!"

Just as the "Child of Flesh" was fantasizing about the future, he suddenly felt a massive impact between his legs. The intense pain that followed made him cry out in agony.

(End of the chapter)