The Devil’s Cage

Kieran held [Crossing Silver Coin] in his hand, and Gluttony reacted very lively to it.

Even without Kieran’s guidance, Gluttony started to consume [Crossing Silver Coin]’s power.

[Spirit broke through a layer of seal, increased from C- → C]

[Spirit broke through a layer of seal, increased from C → C+]

[Spirit broke through a layer of seal, increased from C+ → B-]

[Spirit broke through a layer of seal, increased from B- → B]

…

The first three broken seals were similar to the previous ones; they were successfully achieved after consuming two pieces of [Crossing Silver Coin].

The only thing that surprised Kieran was the fourth time: Spirit grew from B- → B and consumed two pieces of [Crossing Silver Coin] just for a single rank; it was ratherly costly compared to the first three times.

“B rank, eh?”

Kieran frowned at the sudden increase in cost.

One [Crossing Silver Coin] was equivalent to 30 [Crossing Copper Coin].

Calculating from there, the first three times, which consumed only two [Crossing Silver Coin], in total, was equivalent to 20 [Crossing Copper Coin] each time. Plus the two times earlier, every rank below B- required only 20 pieces of [Crossing Copper Coin] to break through the seal.

However, above B- rank, the requirements of [Crossing Copper Coin] surged drastically!

It required 60 pieces of [Crossing Copper Coin] for each rank!

Kieran had expected changes above B rank, but not by this much, and it wasn’t good news to him.

Based on his knowledge, B rank was just the first threshold of many, as there were the Advanced Rank and rank V.

If B rank already required 60 pieces of [Crossing Copper Coin] for one minor rank break-through, what about Advanced Rank? What about rank V?

Although Kieran still didn’t have a clear understanding of this dungeon world, he understood the value of [Crossing Copper Coin].

The coins would be more valuable than gold itself even if they weighed the same.

Those who could get a hold of the coins wouldn’t have a lot though.

“It’s more troublesome than I thought.”

Kieran raised his right index finger, wanting to tap on the handle of the sofa, but after the slightest movement, he realized Starbeck was still sleeping. He switched his usual habit into a chin touch.

He had to form a better plan to quickly recover his strength and without affecting Starbeck.

…

The sun flew across the sky from east to west.

At 3 p.m. sharp, Amy knocked on the door.

Amy couldn’t help but heave a breath of relief when she saw Kieran answer the door; she was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to see him today.

She wasn’t concerned about Kieran, but she knew that as long as he was alive, she would be safe, especially after that supernatural encounter last night.

“It’s nice to see you. Here, have a look at the documents I gathered. Just as you thought, that bastard wasn’t doing this for the first time.”

Amy passed Kieran a document envelope, went into the restaurant, sat down at the counter, and poured herself a glass of water.

After draining the water in one gulp, Amy laid down on the counter.

Even though she was considered a workaholic, she really needed to rest for some time.

Kieran locked the door and returned to the counter. He then reviewed the contents of the document envelope.

The documents inside were neatly organized, the details very precise too.

Zhao Xiong, male, 30 years old, fitness coach; died of a heart attack (21/1/09).

Lee Cheng, male, 29 years old, martial arts coach; died of a heart attack (20/3/09)

Leonard, male, 25, outdoor survival coach; died of a heart attack (22/5/09]

Aike, male, 26, diving coach; died of a heart attack (25/7/09)

Xanxus, male, 25, famous weightlifter; died of a heart attack (30/9/09)

All the victims of heart attack died in front of their tv, with a horrible look.

All the victims had strong bodies and were healthy males.

The police opened a case but were without results.

This is what I can get on the suspicious points, it may not be complete.

The incidents only happened in the East Section.

…

The first page was a brief introduction, and photos were arranged behind it with a general description. The last page was filled with detailed information about the victims.

Kieran read through the documents carefully.

He wasn’t surprised that Amy could get her hands on this kind of information; what he was surprised about was the last victim, Xanxus.

Compared to the others, this weightlifter was much stronger and more buff, and even though the photos only showed a portrait of him and some of his daily life, his looks alone were impactful to look at; his arms were thicker than an average man’s thigh. One of the photos in particular showed him raising two grown men with each of his arms over his head. He would definitely turn heads.

However, Kieran was very concerned about the time of death: the 30th of September 09.

The date was last night, or more accurately, ‘today’, when the encounter happened.

‘Not only was this not the first case, but it could also attack multiple targets at once?’ Kieran thought deeply.

This kind of opponent was definitely cumbersome, and no one would wish to face an opponent that had the ability to split up.

Tap, tap tap tap.

While in deep thought, Kieran’s finger tapped on the counter, the noise awakening a frowning Amy, who only had an hour of sleep.

Her lazy eyes were looking at Kieran.

“What the hell? Do you know I have had less than three hours of sleep since yesterday?” Amy whined like a sleep-deprived girl.

“There’s only four,” Kieran corrected her mistake and put the documents back into the envelope.

“What, you found something?” Amy was captivated by Kieran’s action.

When she was researching and investigating the cases last night, chills constantly ran down her back.

Her research alone showed five casualties this year, and what about earlier than that? What about the other places outside of East Sector?

Amy dared not even think about it, and for once, she did not scold the police for being useless.

She knew the police really had their hands tied this time because the opponent was not a regular one.

The opponent this time was very special, and average people couldn’t do anything about it. Only the special professionals could deal with this kind of stuff.

Amy showed the utmost anticipation in her lazy eyes, and Kieran did not let her down.

“Yep.” Kieran nodded.

“What did you find?” Amy asked eagerly.

“Three points, to be exact. First, this thing, or whatever it is, doesn’t know me well. Second, it seems like the fifth victim, Xanxus, is important. Third, after acquiring this Xanxus, this thing will surely come for me.”

Kieran did not hide the details from his temporary assistant.

“It wants revenge?” Amy widened her eyes.

“What else? Causing one of its men or clones to vanish out of carelessness and then grow stronger all of a sudden, if it isn’t here for revenge, that would be really weird,” Kieran replied.

“The dead can grow stronger? With suitable targets?” Amy quickly realized the situation.

“Yep.” Kieran nodded.

“Are you confident enough to go up against it?” Amy asked.

Kieran showed a smile.

Tired and nervous, Amy fell in a daze when she saw his smile, because at this moment, she suddenly realized that although Kieran’s looks were nothing stellar, his smile was something else.

It was not only reliable, but it also felt warm, at least it calmed Amy when she saw it.

“You…”

Amy wanted to say something, but Kieran stood up and looked toward the stairs.

“Good morning.”

Just like the smile on his face, Kieran was very soft in his tone as he greeted Starbeck at the stairs.

“Good morning. Lunch will be ready soon,” Starbeck also replied to Kieran with a warm and soft smile.

However, when Starbeck’s smile shifted to Amy, it felt a little reserved and pressured.

Amy skipped a breath. It wasn’t the first time she felt pressured, but she still couldn’t bear it frankly.

She felt like she was a shiba inu that walked into a lion’s den; as dangerous as it was, she could end up in the lion’s plate. However, being the strong and stubborn person she was, she wouldn’t show it on her face.

“Morning!” Amy held herself together and greeted Starbeck.

Starbeck nodded without reply, and the pressure got tenser.

Amy felt like there was a lioness behind Starbeck, roaring at her, telling her to get off her territory or she would be eaten.

Amy knew she was seeing things because of working overtime and her tense mental state.

It was just some visions, nothing real. The next moment, the visions went away and Amy was sure she was exhausted, mentally and physically.

She did not realize Starbeck went into the kitchen because she then saw the documents on the counter.

“You and your little brother are really different.” Amy heaved a sigh of relief after Starbeck went into the kitchen.

“In terms of looks?” Kieran asked.

“No, in terms of the feeling. Don’t you think your little brother is always watching people from high above? Like a king looking down at his subjects.” Amy shook her head.

“That is because you don’t know Roye well enough. If you come to understand him, you will realize your hunch or feeling is correct.” Kieran said.

“Har?” Amy widened her eyes in surprise. She thought she was hearing things now.

“We learned to be cautious against strangers from the mountains, and this kind of cautiousness isn’t going away after a day or two since meeting.”

Kieran then put away the documents and continued, “You should go home, take a bath, and sleep.”

“No meal this time?” Amy smelled something cooking in the kitchen, and she was already salivating.

“No.” Kieran said decisively.

“I’m your assistant!” Amy widened her eyes even more.

“So you should listen to me, right?” Kieran looked at Amy with a dull stare.

When the grumpy Amy caught the stare, it wasn’t just chills that ran down her spine anymore. Her body froze entirely, and she thought she was seeing things again.

It wasn’t the lioness anymore, but the devil!

The devil with wings, who clouded the sun and sky, it was looking down at her with a domineering pressure.

She felt like she would be torn to shreds if any word escaped her mouth. Her instinct told her to leave immediately.

Amy grabbed her bag and began heading out. When she was at the exit, the vision vanished, hence she mustered up enough courage to say, “You’ll lose a good assistant if you continue to be like this!”

Amy then strode away without waiting for a reply from Kieran.

After Amy left, Starbeck brought out food from the kitchen, and he couldn’t help but shake his head at Amy’s back.

“Loser.” Starbeck commented on Amy in his heart, all the while still showing the usual sincere smile to Kieran.

“Black Pepper Steak and borscht soup; I’ve added some cornbread and broccoli. Also… chocolate ice-cream!”

Starbeck brought out the little plate he was hiding behind him as if showing off a treasure.

There were three scoops of chocolate ice-cream on the white plate. The faint cocoa smell had entered Kierans nose a while ago, but he still played along with Starbeck’s smile, saying, “Is this even a surprise?”

“Yes! Surprise! Have a taste.”

Starbeck eagerly put the plate of ice-cream in front of Kieran.

Back in Ro Street, Starbeck had noticed that Kieran was exceptionally fond of ice-cream, always buying a lot for himself.

After that, Starbeck tried making ice-cream. Originally, he thought of inviting Kieran for a tasting back in his own room in the big city, but the sudden forced entry caused him to delay his plan.

Fortunately, he was able to make some here too.

Kieran picked up the spoon and scooped the ice-cream into his mouth. Starbeck watched with a smile.

He loved to watch Kieran eat what he cooked.

Kieran quickly gobbled down two of the three scoops, but when he was going for the third, he thought for a while then scooped it and fed Starbeck.

Starbeck was stunned but obliged and opened his mouth, biting on the spoon.

When the sweetness spread on his tongue, happiness spread in his heart.

“Your mouth is covered with it, don’t waste it.”

While Starbeck was soaking in his own happiness, Kieran raised his finger, wiped away the ice-cream beside Starbeck’s mouth, and licked it.

The unknown dizziness and burning sensation rushed into Starbeck’s brain. He had to hold himself together by leaning on the counter with his hand.

“What’s wrong?

Kieran continued eating the rest of the ice-cream and then subconsciously looked at the other food. He did not notice Starbeck’s unusual reaction.

“N-N-Nothing. I’ll go make you more!” Starbeck said loudly and ran into the kitchen.

Kieran looked at Starbeck with a confused gaze. He then picked up the chopsticks—the steak was served as a whole but was actually cubed beforehand.

Starbeck realized Kieran preferred using chopsticks when eating, so he tended to go the extra mile to serve the convenience.

“With this little mimosa around me, it’s really great.”

Kieran exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, for he appreciated the convenience.

His exclaims also raised Starbeck’s safety priority to a higher level.

Likewise, he also needed to be more careful about the possible attack tonight.

Not just tonight, but every other night in the foreseeable future!

Kieran stopped thinking and snapped his finger.

Bloody Mary the Superior Demon appeared right away.

“At your service, boss.”

“I want…”