Chapter 1: Opportunities in Danger

Just as some lies are easily exposed, certain truths are equally easy to identify. Vladimir, the deputy leader of the West Wind Battle Corps and known as the “Beautiful Beast,” determined through just a few words of conversation that Neo was not a “rebel” or “degenerate.” Yet, Vladimir had no intention of letting Neo go so easily.

“Young man, you’ve given a passable answer to my first important question,” Vladimir said, waving the heavily melted black iron sword in front of Neo. “The Daknis clan is clever, but that doesn’t give you the right to deceive us and use us to fend off the demons, even though fighting them is our duty.”

By this point, Neo clearly understood what Vladimir wanted. “There’s nothing to hide,” Neo said. He recounted everything—how he had been cursed by a demonic spirit and remained alive, how he was pursued relentlessly, how he hid in a tomb and discovered a secret passage, and how he met Bishop Thelos and Karonper. The only lie he told was claiming he had killed Karonper using Thelos’s sacred emblem.

“Tsk tsk, the Chapter of Sengoras! So that’s what the demons want,” Vladimir said, staring at Neo with deep meaning.

Suppressing his anger, Neo said, “Information that the Holy Church hasn’t managed to obtain in hundreds of years, a third-level werewolf can get quickly. Is such arrogance and greed the most reasonable thought of a so-called smart person? I truly bring shame to the Daknis clan!”

Vladimir obviously heard that Neo was mocking him. With a sarcastic tone, he said, “You’re quite bold.”

“Do you know what I’m thinking right now?” Neo glared at Vladimir. “Even your temperament is as weak as a human’s. From a werewolf’s perspective, such a change is truly shameful!”

Bang!

Neo was flung backward, crashing through the tent and flying several meters before landing heavily.

Pfft! Neo spat out a mouthful of blood, his internal organs burning in pain—yet this was merely the effect of Vladimir’s energy.

Stumbling to his feet, Neo wiped his mouth with his sleeve and staggered back into the tent. With a stubborn attitude, he said to Vladimir, “Thank you, sir, for allowing me to speak my mind.”

Vladimir chuckled. “What are you thinking now? Cursing me? Swearing? Killing me?”

“No, sir. Strength itself is a glorious honor. Since you are strong, you have the right to life and death. I’m afraid of death, but I’m even more afraid of becoming a dog that can only whine.”

“Hahaha…” Vladimir let out a series of deafening laughs. “Well, you’re a real wolf cub! How does it feel to be taken in by the West Wind Battle Corps against all odds?”

Neo bowed again. “Thank you for your kindness, sir. I want to reach Thelos Manor as soon as possible.”

Vladimir stepped forward, staring intently at Neo as if trying to see through his heart. “I don’t believe you still don’t know who sent you to the execution block.”

These words were like a bitter cold wind, piercing deep into Neo’s heart. Of course he knew what was going on; it wasn’t hard to guess. “But there’s someone I need to protect. Unless she refuses outright, I will never back down!” Neo shouted, speaking to Vladimir as much as to himself.

Vladimir continued to stare at Neo for a moment before sneering, “Love—something that makes people weak and crazy.”

Neo bowed again. “My lord, I was wondering if you have any news about Tures. Are there any combat units or scouts investigating the manors to the south? Could I join them?”

“You truly understand the art of ‘taking advantage of circumstances.’ Go now! I’ll inform you if there’s good news.” Vladimir gave no concrete answer.

Gritting his teeth, Neo said, “My lord, could I borrow a wolf…?”

“Didn’t you hear me? Get out!” Vladimir waved his hand lightly, and with a surge of hidden energy, Neo tumbled backward once more.

Getting up after scrambling, Neo said nothing more. He bowed and staggered out.

Watching Neo’s retreating figure, a strange, indescribable darkness flickered in Vladimir’s eyes.

The curtain of the side door was lifted, and a burly man wrapped only in a bear pelt shawl entered. He bowed to Vladimir. “My lord, shall we deal with this brat…?” The man made a cutting gesture.

Vladimir waved his hand. “That’s the final step. First, keep an eye on him without him noticing. Go do it.”

“Yes, my lord!” The burly man left.

“Oleg!”

At Vladimir’s call, a guard from the main entrance of the tent stepped forward and saluted. “My lord!”

“Pass my message to Vasily and Igor. Have them prepare their troops. In 3 minutes, I’ll lead them into the city myself.” Vladimir’s strong, resounding voice echoed through the tent.

“Yes!” The burly werewolf guard stepped back, turned, and rushed off.

Meanwhile, Neo was engaged in a fierce internal struggle, debating whether to flee or wait for news. He knew that even if he had pretended half-truthfully, it only bought him temporary peace—Vladimir’s suspicion hadn’t vanished. It was only natural for anyone in such a situation to hesitate and not trust easily.

So, surely someone was watching him secretly. In this camp, with his abilities, escaping would be extremely difficult. And fleeing would reveal his guilt, so in theory, he should wait for news.

But the problem was, Neo didn’t know how much the other party already knew about him. Earlier in the tent, when the handsome man revealed that he was being hunted by a Fiery Puppet, Neo thought he had completely exposed himself. But after analyzing the situation, he took a gamble—hoping the handsome man didn’t know or believe that a Level 3 warrior like him could defeat a peak Level 5 Fiery Puppet.

Judging from the results, Neo guessed that he had won his bet for now, which pointed out one thing: the handsome man knew he was being chased by the Evil Fire Puppet not from Vini, Matt, or Eric. Yet those three remained his weak points. Or, given the handsome man’s shrewdness, if he were allowed to see what was going on at the Arcane Tower, he might also figure out how Neo had gotten rid of the Evil Fire Puppet.
In any case, once the handsome man confirmed that Neo had killed the Evil Fire Puppet, it would be over. The thought crystal could hold a person’s soul—Neo could imagine that the handsome man would surely figure it out as well. So now might be his last chance to escape.
“Neo, where have you been? Hm? Why do you look so disheveled and injured?” A clear and pleasant voice rang out.
Neo followed the sound and immediately understood how the handsome man knew he was being chased by the Evil Fire Puppet. Kala! It was the somewhat foolishly busty Kala he had met in the southern fire zone.
“You also managed to escape safely. Not bad!” Neo said indifferently.
Kala, on the other hand, was full of enthusiasm. Nodding, she said, “Yeah, I escaped with my parents. Shortly after arriving at the camp, we accidentally saw you being carried in, unconscious. I heard you helped the warriors of the West Wind Battle Guild kill a level-6 werewolf—how amazing! I’m far from that level…”
Kala chattered on, while Neo, in a low mood, walked toward the tent, responding half-heartedly. When Kala asked about his injuries, he claimed he had been injured by the handsome man and also suffered from shock during the battle with the werewolf, adding that he had accidentally fallen earlier. Kala didn’t doubt him and even complained about Gorton and his men for not checking carefully—after all, he was clearly injured, yet they said he was just unconscious and fine…
“By the way, Brother Adrian is at the camp right now. Let him take a look at you. You rest inside the tent first; I’ll go find him right away.”
Hearing Kala’s matter-of-fact tone, Neo felt a stir in his heart. “On this day of disaster, there must be many injured people in the city. Having a priest around might just save a life. My injuries aren’t serious; I have a natural ability to heal, so I can endure it.”
In reality, Neo wasn’t that noble. He didn’t want to see Adrian because he feared more trouble—first, there was the issue of the darkness within him. The people of the West Wind Battle Guild could ignore such ‘trivial matters,’ but the Holy Church would never tolerate such things. Moreover, he carried Thales’ sacred emblem, and close contact could easily reveal his holy power. He might end up being summoned for a talk, and before he knew it, he’d be in the Holy Inquisition. Even if he wasn’t capable, the Church’s experts could make him suffer like Karonper while still keeping him alive for centuries.
“Hmm, I knew you were a kind-hearted person who seems cold on the outside but warm inside. I heard you also saved the lives of two young men from the city guard reserve under the swords of the Dark Cultists. What city guard? They don’t even have the ability to surround the city! It’s easy to cause misunderstandings. They should learn from the Holy Order of Od—call it the Security Department, patrol officers…” With his parents safe and this ‘nice new friend’ Neo also having escaped, Kala was in high spirits and kept chattering nonstop.

“I’m more concerned about the situation in the southern manor areas. I heard that the mines in the north have been severely damaged and may not be able to resume production for 2 or 3 years. The devils are truly malicious!”
Hearing this fromNeo,Kala was surprised and replied, “Huh? You also know that the mines have been badly damaged? My father only received news from the front lines not long ago!”
Neo thought to himself, “I guessed it. It would be foolish if the devils didn’t do such a thing.” But he said aloud, “I was called to the main tent for questioning just now and happened to overhear the adults discussing this.”
“Oh! The southern manors are important economic crop areas in Erdrit’s domain. My father and several other lords are also worried. However, the West Wind Warband and the Eastern Camp’s Eagle Knights have agreed to send some troops to investigate. If there are only a few of those dark minions, they’ll be eliminated along the way. I heard they’re setting off after breakfast.”
Neo was secretly pleased. “Whether we can escape this trap depends on him!”