There were three men surrounding a bed, the Animus icon floating above their heads. Purple. Two of them seemed in their 30s, with the last being in his twenties. All three were Cubs. If they were that old with only that Danger Rank, then it was likely they didn’t have anything special. They were burly, with wide shoulders and straight backs.

A woman laid on the bed, her arms wrapped around her. She seemed like a noble, with a tightly worn blue dress that split at the chest, revealing a large gem resting in between her breasts. Her shoulders were covered with golden ornaments that went stretched behind her head, holding her a dark bun of hair. The dress slit off when it reached her hips, making Nilbog unsure of whether it was fashion or an attack cut that made such a large opening in her clothing.

Her mascara was smudged below her eyes, almost like a few tear marks, but it had the smoothness of a tattoo rather than makeup. Her eyes were bright, almost neon-like green. The fear on her face was seemed…comical, to a degree. More importantly, however, a red circlet glowed above her head.

Animus.

Her Danger Rank was supposed to be next to the circlet, but instead there were only three question marks.

Nilbog stepped back. It was a trap--it must have been. A defensiveness Animus follower roaming Anima controlled territory with her Danger Rank hidden? Ridiculous.

He turned his back, taking a step away, but paused momentarily. What if those were her guards, and they betrayed her? What if she was unfortunate enough to get caught? Not everyone who hid their Danger Rank was secretly strong--some did it for safety, to scare off hostiles.

They were purple, making them worth even more than normal Animus followers to take down. It would give him a large number of points to buy something decent with, but to fight three men, in his condition?

Nilbog shook the thought off. The risk was too large. There were too many unknown variables. Even if she was just a normal person, she was the enemy. Even if he did try to save her, for whatever reason, the chance of success was too low. They were distracted, letting Nilbog getting the first strike in, possibly killing one of them, but by then the rest will have enough time to cast their Life Force Armor.

Two had axes while the third had a spear.

Best case scenario, two versus one in such a closed area was a death sentence for him. His high Speed meant little if there was no place to maneuver. That lady didn’t appear to have any weapons either, so he wouldn’t know if he can count on her. If she really was just a poor girl, then she wouldn’t be able to help. If this was a trap, and her Disguise skill hid the fact that she was a Wolf or higher, then he would have foolishly wandered into her arms.

If he got himself involved in every single fight, Nilbog would never see the light of day. Every rational thought pointed him towards the other way. Besides, she was a human, too. She has probably also committed her own fair of atrocities. Let them equal each other out.

Sighing, Nilbog walked into the next room. He dropped his warm, but the cumbersome coat on the ground, laid his pile of food next to it, and took off his boots. He rubbed his soles, the calluses growing a red and purple puddle under his skin.

After a deep breath, he returned to the room. He crept forward, creaking the door inch by inch, his daggers reader in both hands.

Killing wasn’t always required them to receive contribution points. Stab one, throw the one dagger at the second at the second, and then book it. This was an investment for the future. It would make his life easier then

The risk was low that way, and at least he gave her a fighting chance, whatever it turned out. He had a personal vendate against those that betray others—The Game did, too, otherwise, it wouldn't have made them such rewarding targets. It was the only reason he was doing this.

Fortunately, the three men were too distracted to notice Nilbog tip-toeing in, and the woman herself did not unwittingly alarm them to his presence. Nilbog crept directly behind the man in front of the bed, hiding in his shadow. He took each step as quietly as he could.

“I think its time to pay us our free, Lady Viss," one in the center said.

“I believe we agreed to a silver a day for each of you,” she replied, looking out the window on her side. “I don't believe the day is over."

“You don't get it, do you?” he said, spitting to the side. “Spoiled brats like you, stuffing themselves as we starve. Then when the monsters come they finally decide to pay us somethin' for slaving away."

“Reeeeeeeeally?” she replied, slowly, placing one hand over her lips. “This rather sounds like jealousy rather than justice, purple doofus. Trying to wash away the guilt before you commit a wicked crime? This wench got it coming to her, I ain’t no bad man, harm no good lady?” she said, raising the pitch of her voice.

Why would she provoke them! Her personality made Nilbog question what he was doing. He didn’t disagree with her, but Nilbog wasn't in position yet. He needed a few more steps before he would be in range.

“We would have just killed you if you gave us your Inventory Ring” he said, stepping towards her. “But it looks like we'll have to chop your toes until you unequip it for us."

The two men at the side jumped forward, both swinging their weapons.

Stab this one with both knives and then boot it. Nilbog stepped forward as well, his two daggers prepared to strike at the neck. It was too late to back off now.

"4th Rank Life Force Charm Gush," she said. In mid-air, everyone froze in their spot.

Lady Viss: ???>Wolf

A pink Life Force wave resonated from Lady Viss, striking all of them still.

“What’s wrong?” Lady Viss said, glancing at them. “You look like you were struck by a Charm skill! Don’t tell me you've let your guard down. Only spoiled brats do that, you know.”

“Y-Y-Yo...B-B-”

“Yo? Yo?! How dare you address me with such boyish honorifics, young man!” Lady Viss said, clicking her tongue. One of her rings on her left hand began to shine. White particles gathered in front of it, transforming into a dagger. The hilt of the crystal was made entirely out of yellow crystal. “Considering you attacked, and insulted me, I really don’t mind if I defend myself,” she said, whistling. She reached over to the man on the side, held his cheeks with one hand, and split open half his neck with the other.

Muted sounds came struggled out of his throat. Blood began to drop in buckets, but the man did not budge an inch.

Before the blood touched the ground it turned into a yellow fog that flew towards Lady Viss, the hilt of her dagger, and body. She sighed, letting her shoulders drop as her skin glowed. “I expanded a lot of Life Force in the First Phase, you see,” she said, crawling to the man on the other side.

His eyes followed her, and though he couldn’t move a limb his face still crumbled. Sweat began to drop down his brows as he shivered. “P-P-P,” his mouth finally opened, but all he could utter was one letter.

“Pee? You want to pee?” She shook her head as the dagger made the cut. She shook in place as the yellow fog was absorbed into her. “Not bad. A man’s terrified Life Force, while not my favorite, mind you, does occasionally suit the mood."

She got off the bed this time, dusting off her clothes. A large grin appeared on her face as she walked towards the last one in front of Nilbog. She placed one hand over his cheeks. “Ah, the big mouth. You see, I usually send my last victim fan off with a kiss, maybe an extra treat,” she whispered, pressing a hand against his cheek, “but even monsters have their standards, sadly.”

This time, Nibog heard the dagger making the cut. It made him glad that he could not see the expression on his face.

All three men died on their feet. , and not even one of them dropped. Even in death, their muscles refused to budge from their position.

“Yum. Aroused Surprised terror. Now this is favorite!” She walked past, humming pleasantly, but then paused when she noticed Nilbog. “Oh right, you were caught in the skill radius, weren’t you?” she said, raising an eyebrow, and then looked down on her now bright red dress. Blood dripped down her neck and dress, making the smell of iron heavy in the air.

Nilbog stood was frozen, beads of sweat going down his eyebrows. She was much, much stronger than he took her for. Having guessed this might happen did not make Nilbog feel any better.

“I do apologize for the fright,” she said, nodding. “I don’t hunt little ones, and considering you haven’t attacked me, I would sure get a penalty for killing you, so...um...really sorry you had to see that." She ruffled his hair, smiling. “How very courageous of you, however, to try to save a maiden in distress. As a reward for your heroic efforts, you may loot whatever worthless valuables they had,” she said, and then walked past. “The charm should end in a minute or two, depending on-”

Her knees gave out. She dropped to the floor as her upper body fell backward, the back of her head hitting Nilbog’s chest. His hand pushed up her chin while the other pressed the knife dagger tightly against her neck.

“Oh my,” she said, eyes widening. “You can move.”

Just barely. The fear had his muscles moving like stiff rocks. After a pause, Lady Viss’s smile returned. “Game Born,” she said, her lips spreading further and further. “Sometimes we call you Dungeon born, but most of us natural monsters call you Game Born.”