The factory corridor was empty and silent. Crimson moonlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the two figures inside.
Silas's robe was even more scarlet than the moonlight, while Sharron's semi-transparent body let the moonlight pass straight through, leaving no shadow.
"Is what she said true?"
Silas suddenly spoke, asking the empty air beside him.
Who was he talking to?
Sharron's face maintained its doll-like calm, but inwardly she couldn't help feeling surprised.
Silas's behavior was strange, as if there were a third person in the corridor with them.
Then an even more astonishing scene unfolded.
"Mostly true, though she left out a few details."
She saw Silas suddenly change his tone, his expression becoming gentle and profound.
It was as if another soul hidden within this body had suddenly emerged to replace the original owner.
This person smiled as they looked Sharron up and down. "Understandable. After all, everyone has secrets."
"You..."
Sharron's semi-transparent body flickered like a faulty light bulb. The scrutinizing gaze made her feel somewhat uneasy.
Fortunately, the other party's bizarre state didn't last long. After saying this, he returned to his previous cold and crazed demeanor.
"How many people do you have on your side?"
As if nothing had just happened, Silas continued questioning.
"...I have one companion, a Sequence 6 'Zombie.'" Sharron adjusted her mindset and answered.
"If you give me some more time, I might be able to invite another Beyonder.
Though he's only Sequence 7, he has some unique qualities."
"Not enough time."
Silas shook his head.
"I just killed Tyll.
While they haven't discovered it yet and their guard isn't up, we should attack immediately. Do you know where they're hiding now?"
"Right at Count Andes's villa, on a street in Queens District..."
Sharron shared the address information with Silas.
She stared at him with her azure eyes and said seriously, "If you really intend to go, I can provide assistance."
After all, these people had been hunting her originally, and she'd been trying to eliminate them herself.
Now that she unexpectedly had a powerful Sequence 5 ally, there was no need for elaborate schemes.
They could just go directly and crush them with absolute strength!
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."
After M's verification, Silas trusted Sharron a bit more. He immediately chose to act without any delay.
By the time the two arrived at Count Andes's villa in Queens District, the night had grown very late.
The crimson moon was half-descended in the sky, and the empty streets were still brightly lit.
It truly was the district with the best security. Even at this hour, police still patrolled intermittently.
On the way over, Sharron had roughly briefed Silas about the "Rose School of Thought."
This sect originally belonged to the Southern Continent's orthodox traditions but had been corrupted by an evil god, splitting into the "Indulgence Faction" that worshipped the evil god and the "Temperance Faction" that resisted.
Sharron and her companion were the last remnants of the Temperance Faction.
After breaking free from control, they'd fled to Backlund, yet were still being hunted.
What a coincidence. I'm also [Temperance].
Silas thought to himself.
Actually, the word "temperance" reflected very well the situation of their "Prisoner" pathway.
The Nighthawks' internal documents vaguely recorded that the Rose School of Thought controlled the "Prisoner" pathway.
The so-called "the heart is the body's prisoner, the body is the world's prisoner."
Beyonders of this pathway were constantly struggling with their own desires, on the edge of losing control and madness.
Sequence 9 "Prisoner" had strong bodies and mastered many criminal abilities.
Sequence 8 "Lunatic" could exchange rationality for powerful strength. As for Sequence 7 werewolf...
"You've already seen the 'Werewolf's' abilities. Just like in legends, tough body, strong recovery."
Sharron's body was hidden in the void, only her ethereal voice echoing in Silas's ear.
"The two people in the villa are a 'Zombie' and a 'Wraith.' The Zombie Jason's body is as strong as steel.
Ordinary handgun bullets can't penetrate it. He also has the ability to manipulate corpses and create ice."
"Steve, like me, is a Sequence 5 Wraith.
He can transform himself into a true phantom, pass through walls, conceal himself, attack souls, jump between mirrors.
Additionally, he's mastered some death spells, such as evil spirit possession, controlling enemies, and so on..."
To ensure they could defeat the enemy, she shared her intelligence without omission.
I see...
Silas mulled this over thoughtfully.
"Wraiths" have no physical form, so physical attacks might not be very effective.
I should consider approaching from the soul level...
As he was thinking this, he saw Sharron finish speaking and look at him, as if waiting for him to share his own intelligence in return.
Fair enough. It's only polite to reciprocate.
Silas smiled and said concisely:
"Shepherd."
"!"
"Don't be afraid."
Seeing her expression change slightly as he'd anticipated, he added, "I'm not with the Aurora Order, and I certainly don't believe in that noisy True Creator."
"..."
Sharron took some time to accept this.
She looked somewhat shocked.
But the two of them had already arrived in front of the villa. It was too late to start doubting each other now. They could only continue as planned.
She spoke again:
"They're carrying a powerful Beyonder item called the 'Crimson Crown.' It greatly restrains our pathway."
"This Beyonder item can create a full moon effect within a certain range.
For them, who indulge themselves, it's a help that enhances their power.
But for us who maintain restraint, it's a curse that strips away our combat ability."
"If we successfully deal with them, I can give up all the other spoils, but I hope to obtain this item."
"Alright."
Silas nodded.
From her description, this was a specialized Beyonder item targeting her pathway specifically.
It wouldn't be very useful to him.
After killing these guys, he planned to graze the Wraith.
The only problem was that all seven slots in his body were already filled. He needed to consider which sheep's soul to release and replace.
But he could think about that after the battle...
Turning to nod at the empty space beside him, Silas activated psychological invisibility and infiltrated the villa.
The souls of two mid-sequence Beyonders were exceptionally conspicuous, pointing him in the right direction.
The further Silas walked, the graver his expression became.
He sensed heavy, extreme emotions.
The "Listener" ability let him hear many hidden sounds.
These were the unwilling resentments left behind by numerous torture victims before death, transformed into endless wails that assaulted Silas's eardrums.
Mixed in with the wailing was a peculiar voice.
It seemed to be a woman's.