CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54 - A DAUGHTER’S VENGEANCE

Right now, there’s something far more important than just satisfying my fucking desires, or even going back to the academy to start the long-awaited revenge I’ve been harboring. Everything else can wait.

My focus is fixed on one thing only: completing the Quest the System gave me. There are only a few days left. Failure is not an option.

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[WEEKLY QUEST]

OBJECTIVE:

Kill 50 Rank D or higher monsters.

TIME LIMIT: 3 Days

REWARD: 200 EXP

FAILURE: The System and all acquired abilities will be permanently lost.

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Not funny, is it? Just imagine, I could lose everything. The System that’s the backbone of my power, every ability I’ve worked so hard to acquire... all gone, just for failing this stupid quest.

I use the [Faceless Mask] to alter my appearance. I recalled the face of some random person I passed on the street and carved that image into my mind, letting my form shift to match it.

I changed into a man in his early thirties—broad-shouldered, tan skin, and a sharp, clean-cut look. My eyes narrowed into a deep brown, and my black hair was neatly styled. Handsome enough, but not flashy or suspicious. Just the kind of forgettable charm I needed.

Now I sit across from Ruth Anvilhart in her lavish office. Cold and cynical, as always. She holds a paper containing our agreement. Before either of us reads it or signs, a few nagging questions run through my mind.

"Before we proceed any further, there are some things I need to know," I say, breaking the silence. "What exactly caused the Iron Knight’s death?"

Ruth, expressionless, answers curtly, "He died while exploring an A-rank Dungeon."

But that answer doesn’t satisfy me. From the start, something about this woman has unsettled me.

"I’ve been curious since the first time we met," I say, staring at her sharply. "You’re an S-rank Hunter, aren’t you?"

Ruth’s eyes widen for a moment, surprised. "How did you know?"

"That’s a secret."

Of course I won’t reveal my [Eye of Desire] skill. Though with her intellect, Ruth likely suspected I had some kind of scouting ability.

My next question cuts deeper. "Why hide your real rank? It’s strange. You said you needed me to impersonate the Iron Knight so other guilds wouldn’t attack you. But Iron Knight was only Rank A. If you revealed you were Rank S, the problem would vanish, nobody would dare challenge you. What’s the point of this charade?"

Ruth sneers, matching my tone with her own cynicism. "That... is a secret."

Hearing that, I stand up. "Then there’s nothing more to discuss. The deal’s off."

As I turn to leave, Ruth quickly stops me. "Wait!"

She takes a deep breath, as if struggling with herself. "Fine. The reason I hid my rank... is closely tied to the Iron Knight’s death."

I sit back down, urging her to continue.

"I reached Rank S almost at the same time he died." She pauses, her eyes flashing with restrained emotion.

"And... I lied earlier. The Iron Knight didn’t die in the dungeon. He was murdered. I hid my rank and needed you to pose as him to lure the killer out of hiding. I want to catch him myself and make him pay."

Oh. Now things start to make sense. But anger immediately wells in my chest. I’ve been lied to.

"This is a death trap for me!" I protest. "You forced me into your scheme without telling me the real risks!"

"Of course I lied," Ruth replies without remorse. "If I’d told you the truth from the start, you would have refused."

Silence settles. I try to process everything. Ruth watches me, her gaze calculating. I can sense her mind turning—if I refuse, she might use threats or other methods to coerce me.

"Back then," I say slowly, breaking the quiet, "you said only you and one other person knew about his death. Do you mean... you and me?"

Ruth is silent for a moment, her eyes widening as she grasps the implication of my words.

"What? You think... I... killed him?"

I nod slowly.

Suddenly, the corner of Ruth’s mouth lifts into a strange smile, then explodes into loud laughter, as if I’d just told the funniest joke in the world. I remain silent until her laughter subsides.

When she’s satisfied, she dabs at the corner of her eye. "Why would you think that?"

"You could have engineered the whole thing," I say evenly. "You needed someone to impersonate the victim so the official investigation would stall and you’d be free from scrutiny."

Ruth shakes her head, the smile turning bitter. From her pocket she draws a silver locket and opens it. Inside is an old photograph of a girl about ten, standing next to a tall, handsome man. At a glance you can tell they are father and daughter. Studying them longer, their faces resemble Ruth and the Iron Knight.

"Iron Knight was my father," she says, her voice suddenly soft but filled with vengeance. "The reason I concealed his death and didn’t report it to the authorities is because I wanted to find his killer... and kill them with my own hands."

A murderous aura radiates from her, chilling the air in the room.

Ah. That’s why.

This information would never appear online and understandably so. Most Hunters guard their private lives fiercely.

Seeing genuine grief and rage in her eyes, I believe she’s speaking the truth. Still, I need to be certain.

"Is there anything else you’re hiding?" I ask flatly.

"No. That’s everything," she replies.

"Very well," I say, this time with a threatening edge. "But know this: this is the last time you hide anything that concerns me. If you do again, I will teach you a lesson you’ll never forget."

Others would find the scene amusing: a student not yet graduated, daring to threaten an S-rank Hunter feared by many.

Ruth doesn’t pull back in anger; instead she looks amused. Her lips curve, challenging. "Oh? What kind of lesson could you possibly teach me?"

Inside, I seriously consider activating [Time Stop] or [Mind Control], then taking her right there on her desk to wipe that arrogant look off her face. But before I decide, Ruth gives a small laugh.

"I’m kidding, don’t take me too seriously," she says, though her eyes stay probing. "But there’s something different about you. Why have you become so sharp all of a sudden? It’s like you’re a completely different person. Did something happen?"

I exhale. "I just feel... my mind is much clearer now." It’s a large understatement; I don’t want to share more.

Ruth doesn’t press. She nods, though her curiosity is still obvious.

"So, what about our deal? Will you go through with it?"

I fall silent again, weighing my options. On one hand, it’s a deadly trap. On the other, it’s a golden opportunity: access to her guild, information, resources, and—most importantly—the Dungeon. Passing it up would be foolish.

After careful thought, I decide.

"All right, I’ll take it," I say firmly.

Ruth’s face brightens immediately, a flash of hope and satisfaction showing. I quickly dampen her enthusiasm by raising a finger.

"But on one condition."