Absolute Cheater-Chapter 173: Corruputed V

Serena frowned. "You think they know something about us that we don’t?"

Asher didn’t answer immediately. "Possibly. Or they just see us as tools to be used. Either way, I intend to find out."

They reached the inn and slipped inside quietly. The main hall was nearly empty, save for a few drunk adventurers slumped over their drinks. The innkeeper gave them a glance but said nothing as they made their way upstairs to their rented room.

Once inside, Serena locked the door and leaned against it. "Alright. What’s the first step?"

Asher sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers tapping against his knee. "We start with Evelyn. She’s working for the Guild, but she’s also clearly in contact with the Red Fate Organization. If she’s testing us, that means she has direct connections to them." He met Serena’s gaze. "We need to find out how deep those connections go."

Serena exhaled sharply. "You want to follow her."

Asher nodded. "She won’t reveal anything to us directly. But if we track her movements, we might uncover where she’s reporting to—or who else she’s working with."

Serena smirked. "Finally, something I’m good at."

Despite everything, Asher felt the corner of his lips twitch in amusement. "I’ll handle anything that requires force. You handle the stealth."

Serena stretched her arms. "Fine by me. But if we get caught, I’m blaming you."

Asher rolled his eyes. "Noted."

The Next Night

Evelyn didn’t make it easy.

She moved through the city like a shadow, taking indirect routes, pausing to check for tails, and occasionally doubling back. She was no amateur—but neither were they.

Serena led the way, keeping them hidden as they followed Evelyn through the lower districts. Eventually, she arrived at a seemingly ordinary building—a small shop with a faded sign.

Evelyn slipped inside without hesitation.

Serena crouched beside Asher on a nearby rooftop. "A shop? Doesn’t look like much."

Asher narrowed his eyes. "That’s what makes it a perfect meeting spot."

Serena huffed. "So, what now? We wait?"

Asher shook his head. "We find a way inside."

Serena grinned. "Now you’re speaking my language."

Serena and Asher moved swiftly and silently, navigating across the rooftops to find a vantage point. The shop had no visible guards, but they both knew better than to assume it was unprotected.

Serena peered over the edge, studying the building’s structure. "Windows are sealed. No easy way in from the top. What’s the plan?"

Asher’s crimson eyes flickered as he activated his Blood Sense. He could detect several life signatures inside—Evelyn’s was unmistakable, but there were at least three others. None of them seemed on high alert, which meant they weren’t expecting an intrusion.

"We go in through the side," he murmured. "There’s an alley entrance. I don’t sense any guards posted there."

Serena grinned. "Then let’s not waste time."

Moving like shadows, they descended from the rooftop, slipping into the narrow alley beside the shop. Asher tested the door—it was locked, but a simple matter for Serena, who pulled out a set of tools and got to work. Within seconds, there was a soft click.

She smirked. "Too easy."

Asher pushed the door open, and they stepped inside.

Inside the Shop

The interior was dimly lit, shelves lined with trinkets and scrolls that made the place seem like an ordinary antique shop. But Asher’s senses told him otherwise—there was something beneath them.

Serena nudged him. "They’re below us."

He nodded. "There must be a hidden entrance."

They moved cautiously, searching for any hidden mechanisms. It didn’t take long—behind the counter, Serena found a small rune-etched tile that shifted slightly under her touch.

A faint click echoed through the shop, and part of the floor behind the counter slid open, revealing a stone staircase leading downward.

Serena arched a brow. "Cliché, but effective."

Asher motioned for her to stay close, and together, they descended into the unknown. Read latest stories on novelbuddy

The Hidden Chamber

The underground room was larger than expected, lined with stone walls covered in strange symbols. At the center stood a large wooden table where Evelyn sat, speaking with three hooded figures.

Asher and Serena crouched behind a stack of crates, listening.

"…Their potential is undeniable," Evelyn was saying. "If they join us, it will be a great asset."

One of the hooded figures scoffed. "And if they refuse?"

Evelyn’s eyes gleamed. "Then we make sure they never interfere again."

Serena tensed beside Asher, but he held up a hand, signaling her to stay put.

The second hooded figure leaned forward. "The higher-ups want an answer soon. They believe Asher, in particular, could be useful in reshaping fate."

Serena shot Asher a glance, but he remained still, absorbing every word.

Evelyn smirked. "Give me time. I’ll make them see reason."

The first figure exhaled sharply. "See that you do. Otherwise, we’ll handle it our way."

The conversation ended, and Asher knew they had heard enough. He grabbed Serena’s wrist, and they silently retreated back up the stairs before they could be noticed.

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Once they were safely outside, Serena whispered, "They really think they can manipulate you."

Asher’s expression was unreadable. "Let them try."

Serena crossed her arms. "So what now? We expose Evelyn?"

Asher shook his head. "No. We let her believe she still has a chance. If we play this right, she might just lead us straight to the Red Fate Organization’s higher-ups."

Serena smirked. "You want to play the long game?"

Asher’s crimson eyes glowed faintly. "We’ll make them think they’re in control—until it’s too late for them to stop us."

Serena chuckled. "Now that sounds like a plan."

The Next Day – The Guild

Asher and Serena returned to the Guild as if nothing had happened. They moved with practiced ease, their expressions unreadable. If Evelyn had any suspicion that they had been listening to her secret meeting, she didn’t show it.

She greeted them with her usual calm demeanor, her golden eyes studying them carefully.

"I assume you’ve had time to think about our last conversation," Evelyn said, folding her hands on the counter.

Asher nodded. "We have."

Serena played along, her expression skeptical but open. "You made it sound like the Guild wasn’t doing enough. If that’s the case, what are you offering?"

Evelyn’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Something better. The chance to be on the right side of history."

Asher tilted his head slightly. "You’re saying the Guild is on the wrong side?"

Evelyn’s expression didn’t waver. "I’m saying the Guild is limited. It reacts to problems rather than preventing them. The Red Fate Organization sees beyond that—we shape the future rather than chase after it."

Serena crossed her arms, playing her role perfectly. "And you think we belong in this… organization?"

Evelyn leaned forward slightly. "I know you do. You’ve already proven yourselves. You’re strong, resourceful, and capable of things most adventurers can’t even comprehend." Her gaze flicked to Asher. "And you, in particular, are special. The higher-ups believe you could help achieve something greater than even the Guild understands."

Asher met her gaze, his expression giving nothing away. "And if we refuse?"

Evelyn’s smile didn’t fade. "Then we’ll part ways peacefully—for now. But I don’t think you’ll refuse." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small black emblem with a crimson spiral etched into its surface. "This is an invitation. If you want to know more, come to the location inscribed on the back. You’ll meet someone who can explain everything."

Asher took the emblem, his fingers brushing over the intricate design.

Serena glanced at him, feigning uncertainty. "And if we go, but decide we don’t like what we see?"

Evelyn chuckled softly. "Then you walk away. No strings attached."

It was a lie. They all knew it.

But Asher only nodded. "We’ll consider it."

Evelyn’s eyes glimmered with satisfaction. "Good. I hope to see you both there."

Later – Back at the Inn

Asher and Serena sat in their room, staring at the emblem Evelyn had given them.

Serena scowled. "This is obviously a trap."

Asher nodded. "Of course. But we need to spring it on our terms."

Serena leaned forward. "So what’s the play?"

Asher turned the emblem over, reading the inscribed location. "We go. But not as recruits." His crimson eyes darkened. "We go as hunters."

Serena smirked. "Now that sounds like fun."

With their decision made, they prepared for their next move—stepping straight into the lion’s den.

The Invitation – Entering the Lion’s Den

The meeting location was deep within the city, far from the bustling adventurer districts and well-lit streets. It was an abandoned estate, once a noble’s manor, now reduced to crumbling stone walls and overgrown ivy. The perfect place for secret dealings.

Asher and Serena approached cautiously, blending into the shadows. The two of them had already scouted the area earlier in the day, memorizing possible escape routes and noting hidden guards stationed at the perimeter.

At the entrance, a hooded figure stood waiting. The moment they stepped forward, the figure held up a hand.

"The emblem," he said, his voice gruff.

Asher held up the black emblem Evelyn had given them. The figure examined it for a moment before stepping aside. "Go inside. Don’t keep them waiting."

Serena shot Asher a glance before the two of them entered.