'So this is your plan... Color me impressed,' Nyx said in his head. 'After that short torture session, I didn't expect you to do something that would match it.'

Leo looked down at the body of yet another Blessed Emissary and quickly stored it inside his soul. He did the same to a corpse a few feet away and sighed when the additional phantom weight settled over his shoulders.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures," he muttered, walking away from the crime scene. "Payne has to die, or we will never know a moment of peace. If I have to cross another line to pull him out of hiding, then so be it. Better me than someone else."

'Hard to disagree. I just wish you had told Lily what you are planning, or at least let me come with you. I get you are strong, but what you are doing is still risky.'

It always is. That's just how the world is nowadays. He chuckled, climbing onto a roof and starting toward his final destination. And we both know why you can't come with me. One of us must stay close to the group in case Payne targets them first.

'Yeah, yeah, I get it. Doesn't mean I have to like it,' Nyx grumbled. 'But what about Lily? What's the reason for leaving her in the dark?'

She simply doesn't need to know what I'm doing. That's all.

The feline's tired sigh filled their link. 'Really, Leo? That's the best you can come up with? It's not like she will look down on you for this. She was the one to start with the killing.'

That doesn't matter. The less she knows about what I do, the better.

'For who?' Nyx asked softly. 'You or her?'

Both of us. Leo answered and came to a stop. The Buckingham Palace appeared in the distance, surrounded by a gold dome glinting in the sunlight. It's time for me. Wish me luck. I might need it this time.

'You got this. And remember, I'm barely five minutes away from you. Call me if you need help.'

I will, he vowed. See you soon.

After Nyx's short farewell, Leo closed the link and stepped out of the corrupted woods and right onto the main street leading toward the palace. He dropped Stealth Shroud and began walking forward, not even trying to hurry.

Instantly, the lookouts at the border of the safe zone began to move. He smiled.

Good, you aren't blind.

As he came closer and closer, more and more people approached the golden barrier. Most of them belonged to the Blessed Emissary species, but there were also plenty of those who evolved into Ascended or the stage two of Awakened Human.

No Winged Emissaries or Payne. Leo narrowed his eyes as he passed the ruined Victoria Memorial. He stopped a fair distance away from the gate—or rather its remnants—to the Palace's main grounds and waited as murmurs exploded behind the barrier.

Some Emissaries tried to silence the growing crowd, but for the most part, they were ignored. He also took notice that almost no one among the normal people looked too scared of him.

That's a good sign. He noted and cleared his throat. "Nice day we have today, eh?"

His loud, demonic voice finally earned a reaction from everyone, even the Emissaries. They all took a few steps away from the gate and the semi-ruined fence. The whispers also fell silent.

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"There's no need to be scared," Leo spoke again, letting his voice fill the entire area. "Well... maybe that's not true for some of you—you all know who I'm talking about. Nonetheless, I didn't come here to fight any of you. My problem is only with Michael Payne and those who follow him without question."

The Blessed Emissaries shuffled nervously while everybody else looked on curiously. The fear was still there, but at least now he had their attention.

"My name is Leo Hale. I was once a reporter in the small city of Wolford. Now, I'm a member of another group, one where everybody can be who they want," he continued. "We have a simple goal: to survive, grow stronger, and help each other. We have leaders, but they aren't ruthless dictators. If you disagree with something, you are free to voice your opinion without any consequences. Of course, there are rules, but they aren't anything you wouldn’t hear before the Outbreak."

Leo stopped for a moment, giving the crowd a chance to process his words. He needed them to take everything he said here seriously.

"And thus, we arrive at the reason why I'm here. For all of you who don't feel safe under Payne's command or just want to break free from his shackles, I have an offer." He spread his arms wide. "Step out and join my side. I will personally keep you safe until we reach my group's safe zone and then vouch for you to the leaders. And if you fear Payne's followers next to you, don't. I have a warning for them too."

His soul came alive with a single nudge, releasing the cargo inside. In a flash, three bloody corpses appeared at his feet, earning gasps and yelps from most of the gathered crowd.

"Those are just a few of the Blessed Emissaries who tried to stand in my way and hurt those I want to protect," Leo declared, resorting to half-truths. "Two of your commanders also died at my hands. They stood no chance against me. Michael Payne is next on the list. Once he stops hiding, that is..."

This entire plan was a gamble, a big one at that—especially after showing the corpses. However, aside from jumping into the Supercluster and searching for Payne there, he didn't see any better way to bait the man in the open. Besides, maybe, just maybe, he could convince some people to abandon this place without any bloodshed.

He cleared his throat again. "There you have it! I said all I wanted. You can step out and join me or remain here under the leadership of a man who doesn't care about you, who will get rid of you the moment you stop being useful. The decision is yours."

Leo might have been laying it on a bit thick there, but it was necessary. He had spotted a few people here and there who just needed a push, and maybe this would be enough. They only had to take a few steps forward to earn their freedom.

And so they did.

At first, it was only a single man—an Ascended Human—who sprinted through the barrier before anyone could react. He stopped before Leo and offered him a bow. "Bob Wayne. Staying here means death or slavery anyway. I'd rather take my chances with you."

Leo nodded, holding back a smile. "Good man." He then looked up at the rest of the crowd. "Anyone else? As you can see, nothing has happened to your friend here."

It took another moment, but then two women sprinted out, followed by another man who just barely avoided getting caught by an Emissary. The trio joined Bob, their entire bodies shaking.

Four... Not bad, but I expected more. And Payne still hasn't shown himself. He sighed and addressed the crowd for the last time. "Very well... I will return tomorrow and give you the same offer. Think about it, and I wi—"

Leo stopped mid-word and whirled around, releasing the hold on his Essence. Shadows burst out in front of the four refugees, creating a thick and massive wall just in time to meet a giant spear of light head-on.

The projectile went halfway through the wall before stopping and fading into particles of golden light.

He turned sharply to his new followers and barked out, "Hide! Now!"

The four humans moved immediately, leaving the open field. As they ran, a streak of white shot toward them through the air. Leo shook his head and flashed himself between the falling comet and the people he vowed to protect.

The moment he appeared in the new spot, he folded the spikes on his tail, covered them in Kiss of Death, and spun around. The overly-long limb met the new attacker's charge, cutting right through them and spilling blood all around.

Winged Emissary (Light Barbarian LVL: 31) slain | Expirience awarded | 542 Ether absorbed

The two parts of the now-dead human tumbled to the ground, painting it in red the further they traveled. Leo flicked his tail, cleaning it of the remaining blood, and turned to face the new arrivals.

"That wasn't very nice, Payne." He grinned at the man and the final Winged Emissary that just landed a fair distance away from him. "Those were your people a moment ago. Already trying to kill them?"

Payne scoffed. "They betrayed humanity. Death is their punishment. Stand aside, Nikra's dog. I will deal with you in a moment."

Leo snorted, extending his crimson blades. "Yeah, I don't think so, weakling."

Inferior Serafin | LVL: 36