Following the lead of the horned figure, I descended deeper into the underground cave system.
Of course, the book did not describe the headquarters of a villainous organization, so I curiously surveyed my surroundings while maintaining my calm facade.
Looking at my comrades, I realized I was out of place in displaying a calm appearance as the rest were trembling with fear and nervousness.
They had failed their mission and would likely be demoted or reprimanded harshly.
In the original story, these kidnappers were captured by the officials and subjected to torture until they revealed the measly information they had, so I have no idea why they're nervous instead of relieved.
If only they knew how lucky they were to have me!
The punishment didn't matter to me as long as I was not removed from the Gemstone Order.
The worrisome part was what came after, as I would have to complete countless missions to receive contribution points and eventually buy a dagger art.
The cave walls were adorned with countless gemstones, including sapphire, ruby, emerald, and gold. Each gemstone lit up a little portion of the dark cave, creating a somewhat eerie mood as some parts of the cave were lit up while others were pitch-black.
As the path's width decreased, our group was forced to huddle together, further adding to the awkward mood.
After what seemed an entirety, a large set of double wooden doors came into vision.
Paying careful attention to the robot-like assassins, I imitated their actions perfectly to ensure that the horned figure didn't notice anything.
After the set of doors was within 10 feet of us, the horned figure turned around and addressed us.
" *sigh* Wait here, I'll report to the superiors..."
Like the others, I stood to the side and watched the horned figure open the wooden doors, hoping to catch a glance inside; however, the doors shut before I could see anything.
As I patiently waited for the horned figure to reemerge, I realized that everything had actually gone according to plan.
I had successfully dealt with all the variables!
I wonder how Lily is feeling right now... The kidnappers still injured Irene and a couple of guards during their search for Alya, so she had failed.
For me to succeed, she must fail, so there's no point in worrying.
My survival matters most, and she's risking that by altering the plot.
She'll continue causing problems for the remainder of the plot, so... what if I take care of her now?
Ah, no, her role as Lily is too vital in the plot to be killed off.
So, then, what? Am I forced to keep intervening in the incidents and ensuring everything goes according to the plot?
Can I reach an agreement with her? After all, we are both from Earth.
Snapping me out of my thoughts, I heard the doors opening again, so I readjusted my gaze to the sullen-horned figure walking out.
Even I was somewhat anxious as all of this was new to me as the kidnappers were originally captured.
Seeing our attitudes, the horned figure cleared his throat before saying.
"Good News and Bad News..."
For the first time, I saw one of the kidnappers get verbally angry.
"SO? GET ON IT WITH IT; YOU'VE LEFT US TREMBLING HERE FOR 10 MINUTES ALREADY."
"... Alright, for the good, we won't be demoted or kicked out."
A sigh of relief was released from everyone there, including me.
"For the bad, we'll lose 25 contribution points each..."
That reminds me, how many contribution points did this guy have?
After raising my hand and tapping on the Iron badge attached to my shirt, a digital menu appeared before me.
[User: Zen / Rank: Iron / Points: 15]
... Is it possible to get into point debt?
Looking up from my pathetic points menu, I noticed the horned figure standing in front of me. A peculiar grin was spread across his face, and his tone seemed happy rather than anxious or sad.
"heyyy, the superiors want to speak to you personally."
"..."
This guy put all the blame on me, didn't he? ... I am so screwed.
Accepting my fate, I headed towards the double doors and pulled them open without any hesitation.
The first thing in the room that caught my eye was a gigantic diamond crystal sitting in the center of the room, lighting up the entire area.
Surrounding the diamond were other smaller gemstones, and there was a seat on each of those gemstones.
All of the seats were empty except one; the ruby crystal had a figure sitting on it with jet-black hair and blood-red eyes.
The same as me.
Her hair was tied into a ponytail, and she was wearing a simple yet elegant black dress that stretched all the way down to her knees.
One of the 7 main bosses of the Gemstone Order, Ruby.
Despite her elegant and formal appearance, Ruby was actually the same age as Liam, Alya, and me.
Not knowing what exactly to do, I walked a couple of steps forward before bowing my head.
"Raise your head."
Following her directions, I lifted my gaze and patiently waited for her further instructions. This person was an end-game boss, not someone like me could handle right now.
For a moment, there was pure silence in the room as Ruby simply stared at me, but it felt weird, as if her gaze was infiltrating my body and looking deep down to find my darkest secrets.
However, I didn't dare move or act out.
Was she still calculating my punishment? Was I even getting punished? What did that idiot say to her that made her want to speak to me personally?
After a moment, Ruby spoke once again.
"I heard you personally captured the princess. Was there anything of value on her?"
... Do I lie or not? The diamond ring isn't necessarily that special as it simply increases mana capacity, but then again, with my meager amount of money, it would take me a year of saving to get another.
Deciding that my life was worth more than a mana ring, I pulled out the diamond ring from my pocket and said.
"Yes, I planned on reporting it to the leader before I was called."
Gesturing for me to come closer, Ruby said.
"Give it to me."
Not wasting any time, I moved forward and placed the ring into Ruby's hands.
Instead of simply taking the ring and backing away, Ruby moved the hand containing the ring and threw it.
*CLACK*
The sound of the ring hitting the floor only a meter away from me echoed throughout the room.
Paralyzed by fear, I stood still and let my thoughts run wild.
Did she know I was planning to keep it? What is she going to do to me for almost lying...?
Snapping me out of my thoughts, I felt a cold sensation on my chin that then rapidly spread throughout my body.
Ruby's hand, previously holding the mana ring, was now right below my chin, holding it in place.
Looking down at me from the seat, she raised my head until my eyes directly met hers.
Our blood-red eyes were in sync as we stared at each other, each of us blinking at the same exact time.
"Using my eyes, I can peer into the souls of others and read their deepest and darkest desires. What do you think I see when I look at you?"
It was an easy question. There was only one thing I desired.
However, considering the circumstances of her holding my chin up and us directly making eye contact, only a small stutter came out of my mouth.
"T-the d-desire to live. "
A smile formed on Ruby's face, causing me to lose my focus, as her beauty was simply blinding.
Raising her other hand, Ruby placed it on my cheek and began to caress it.
"You're just like me..."
For a moment, the world seemed to stop as Ruby continued to stroke my cheek while looking directly into my eyes.
"One simple desire is all you have, yet in your soul, it shines brighter than any other desire I've ever seen. Disgusting, lustful, vengeful, pure, and happy desires, I've seen it all, but all of them are insignificant embers when compared to your inferno flame."
"Though I cannot see my own soul's desires, I imagine it perfectly matches your souls..."
Being at a loss for words, I simply kept silent.
What was I supposed to say?
I wasn't surprised. I was already willing to watch half of the people in this world die so that a happy ending could be achieved, ensuring my survival.
But, did that mean she was also willing to...? Well, I guess that's an end-game villain for you.
Putting her hands down, Ruby dropped her serious tone and began speaking more playfully.
"Well, the original reason I called you here was to reward you. The horned guy told me that you captured the princess when the mission initially went wrong, and although the mission was ultimately a failure, we must reward you."
All my worries instantly disappeared.
That horned guy really was an idiot!
He could have taken all the credit for initially capturing the princess and received a reward, yet he decided to hand it to me.
Wasn't this guy a criminal and a djinn? Where the hell is his criminal spirit!?
"You know, I have also taken an interest in you."
... You say that now after you caressed my cheeks and told me I'm just like you? Even that stupid horned guy could figure that out!
Choosing my next words very cautiously, I spoke.
"I am honored to receive such recognition."
"haha, speak to me informally, don't worry."
"Yes... but about the reward."
"Quick to get down to business, are you? Only a moment ago, you were completely silent while I rubbed your cheeks."
"..."
Of course, what am I supposed to say when an end-game villain boss starts rubbing your cheeks and calls you special?
"Hmm, since you're interesting, you can choose one item from the catalogue below 800 contribution points."
I currently had a balance of -10 contributions points, and now, suddenly, I could buy anything below 800!
It was free money! I had hit the lottery!
Patting my chest, I internally thanked whatever flame was ignited in my soul for interesting Ruby so much.
Next, I received the catalog from Ruby and headed to the doors, but I suddenly recalled something.
"... about the mana ring."
" *PFFT* you really are something else. You can take it if you so please."
After grabbing the mana ring, I headed back to the double doors, but as I opened them, Ruby's soft voice spoke once again.
"Ren... we'll see each other much more often now!"
As I turned around to face Ruby bewildered, she winked at me, but before I could say anything else, the door was suddenly shut, pushing me out of the room.
... They always say free things cost the most.
How did she know I was Ren...? What did she mean by "we'll see each other?
Various worries flooded my head, but those worries ceased when I opened the first page of the catalog.
No matter what cost would be extracted later, currently, I WAS RICH!
Flipping immediately to the dagger art section, I spotted two daggers arts.
[Whispering Tempest / Stars: 3/5 / Cost: 500P]
[Eclipse Blade / Stars: 4/5 / Cost 750P]
While I had aimed for "Whispering Tempest" at first, through my training as an assassin, I realized that darkness and shadows were my greatest strength.
What would a wind dagger art do in the shadows?
Thus, I ultimately decided to pick Eclipse Blade, a dagger art based on darkness, shadows, and the absence of light.
Not only that, but the dagger art was already 4 stars!
All dagger arts involving natural elements such as fire, water, light, ground, rock, and dark were upgradable to 5 stars, so Eclipse Blade was also upgradable.
Unlike "Whispering Tempest," I didn't know how to upgrade the Eclipse Blade, but that was a problem for later.
After I selected Eclipse Blade, an employee wearing a tiger mask walked out of the double doors and handed me a box.
Was I receiving special treatment from Ruby? Delivery in less than a minute...?
Wasting no time, I opened the box and immediately absorbed the dagger art.
Instantly, I felt the first movement of Eclipse Blade planted into my head.
It was an elemental slash of pure darkness.
Also, as I checked my system menu, my rating had increased to D rank.
===Menu===
User : Ren Montclair
[Class: Rookie Assassin: (Level 2: 10%) ]
-> Stealth : D-
-> Intermediate Dagger Mastery : 42%
-> Arts: Eclipse Blade [1/5]
[Stats]
-> Rating : D- {Dream not yet completed}
-> Strength : E
-> Agility : E+
-> Stamina : E+
-> Magic Power : D+
-> Luck: G-S {Conditional}
-> Intelligence : E
-> Charm : G+
[Traits]
-> Passive: Dragon's Will [1 / ?]
---> Dragon Eyes : Your eyesight is enhanced.
[Skills]
-> [[E] Dash] : Not requiring any mana usage, the skill allows the user to move 10 meters from their current location in any direction with a cooldown period of 7 seconds. The skill does not instantly move the user but temporarily increases the user's speed until they move 10 meters.
=======