CHAPTER 224: BAD NEWS (2)

"A man named Judas Venn," Seraphine said. "Level 108 as per the last time we saw him, but given the new information, I can say with certainty that the guy is a higher level now."

It made sense. If the lower-level members were having a surge in strength, there was no reason their leader wasn’t having the same.

The problem was, was this guy the source of it all, or was it the church?

"Anything else?" Reidar asked.

"Yes. He was a former prison guard. He runs the War Hounds with an iron fist."

Level 108. That’s high for someone who started at the same time as everyone else.

But he was also the leader of a faction and was almost as strong as Seraphine had been a week earlier. Whatever. To be this strong this fast, it was clear this man must have had a trait.

"Do we know his goal? His real one, I mean. Why does he act like this?"

Seraphine’s expression darkened. "All I know is that he was a prison guard at the state facility just outside Creamont. When the world changed, he founded the War Hounds with the very inmates he used to watch over."

She paused. "Based on what I know of him, he’d always been cruel and authoritarian. So, his goal is precisely what it looks like: power, Control. He wants to dominate Creamont and turn it into his personal kingdom. I’ll admit I don’t know him as he was before since I arrived here not too long ago; I can only tell you what I learned by asking around since coming here. I was in one meeting with all the faction leaders when we were still trying to cooperate. Venn was a pain in the ass the entire time. He’s not interested in building anything. He just wants to rule the rubble."

Reidar studied the map. The red pins formed a pattern. The War Hounds controlled the southern district. Their influence spread outward from there. They were expanding toward the areas where the number of groups multiplied, and the influence of the larger groups waned.

"There’s something else," Seraphine said. Her voice dropped. "Venn knows about you."

"Me?"

"Word travels fast. A level 260 survivor arriving in Creamont? That kind of information spreads even if I told people not to talk about you. And Venn has informants everywhere, even among us."

Of course he does.

"What does he want from me?"

Seraphine met his eyes. "I think he wants you to join him or something like that. Of course, whether or not you are willing doesn’t make a difference. The problem is that someone told him about your father and mother. I think it was one of the healers. How he did it that fast is beyond me, but having narrowed down the spy to a restricted group, it won’t take much to figure out who he or she is."

That’s if the church is not involved... If it is... then he likely wants my head...

"If you know this, it means you have spies too."

"Of course I have," Seraphine said. "Who do you think I am? Plus, my fighters focus on stealth; getting this kind of information is not hard at all for us. At least it wasn’t... I don’t know how things will turn out given this sudden surge of strength."

Reidar nodded.

"Right, but this doesn’t answer my question. It’s true that I’m level 260, but going against me would be suicide for someone supposed to be in the early hundreds. Even if he leveled up, the best he might have reached would be... I don’t know, level 170? Why does he think I’m going to join him? I don’t need the power he can offer, and for sure I’m not going to join him because of fear."

"That’s the problem, Reidar," Seraphine said. "He might have leverage. Your father is a precious asset for multiple reasons. A powerful healer whom he can easily force to cooperate if he takes his wife. By taking either one or both of them, he would be able to ensure you join him. Venn will see them as tools to control you."

Reidar’s hands curled into fists. The surrounding air grew cold.

"He’d threaten my parents?"

"Yes, he’s done it before with other high-level survivors. Family members disappeared. Loved ones got taken. Then Venn makes his demands."

"Then I think you will act appropriately, no?"

"Of course," Seraphine said. "I will move your mother to a private room. Lena will be moved there too. I got told that your father is going to operate on her in the upcoming days. This means that Jake is going to stay with both of them, and once Lena wakes up, it will be even harder for anyone to do something to her."

"I would suggest Matthias staying inside the base for the time being, at least until we solve the situation. I don’t honestly want to take chances of having to fight Reidar."

"Actually, that would be a problem," Reidar said.

"Why?"

"Because I’m planning on leveling Dad up. I’m not going to leave him at level 103 while level 300 monsters roam the city. I want to make sure he is strong enough to take care of himself when I leave, and being around level 100, surrounded by even weaker people, is not exactly my idea of being safe."

"Ouch! That stings!" Seraphine said.

"But it is the truth."

The thought consolidated in Reidar’s mind. There was no negotiating with someone like Venn. No peaceful resolution, especially if he was part of the church. The man had shown his nature through the actions he took against other people.

"So, we need to deal with Venn," Reidar said.

"I agree," Seraphine said. "Can’t you take care of them?"

"I certainly will," Reidar said, to everyone’s relief. If Reidar took charge of the situation, the matter was going to be solved quickly. "But there’s a problem," he said.

He paused. "Multiple ones, actually. First, if the church is involved, I doubt I will be able to simply storm there and kill everyone. The church will never allow it. As I said, Silas, one of them, was level 80 when I was around level 50, so I assume he is at least around level 400. Second, even if I somehow can do it. If I storm there and kill everyone, what do you think will be the other group’s reaction?"

"Ah, shit..." Seraphine couldn’t help but swear.

"What?" John asked. Seraphine’s face became grim. "If Reidar attacks, people will start to wonder why he did that. Everyone will quickly know about him and his level, or worse, his relationship with us. Since Reidar would attack apparently for no other reason than me having asked, those who fear him will want to band together to kill him to get revenge, at least in theory."

"Yes," Reidar said. "The problem is, my actions will spread hate and fear. They will be directed at me only until I’m here. But what about when I leave?"