The scales on Savidtria's body stood up as she quietly swam across the lake, letting herself get lost in the water, her tail propelling her forward. It was the only way she could pretend that she wasn't afraid. You'd think after being his handler for almost five years, she would be able to stand being in the presence of her charge, but he still terrified her. However, she could only bite her lip and do her job as the guildmaster ordered.

Once out of the water, she transformed her tail into legs and stepped onto the small floating island. It was eerily quiet, and all the trees around her turned pitch black, with no leaves, just dead branches. There was no sound of birds and no squirrels running around here, in fact, there seemed to be no life on the whole island. It was unnerving.

The sudden emergence of a powerful repulsive bout of karma pushed Savidtria back and her scales stood on end and she desperately wanted to run away.

Liberty.

She tried to maintain her composure as a curvy, beautiful woman in a bright red bodysuit materialised in front of her out of nowhere. That tight-fitting bodysuit may have left very little to the imagination, but Savidtria knew that it was made from the skin of one of the 19th Floor's maestril rift bosses, Iylia the Aegh-Splitter. Damnit, she hadn't known that Liberty would be here today. How had she managed to free herself from the guildmaster's escorts?

Liberty sauntered towards her leisurely, her intense gaze forcing her to look down. "Sssavi," she said, amusement in her voice at the fear in Savidtria's face. "It's been a while. Did you miss me, pet?"

Goosebumps travelled up the scales on Savidtria's skin as fear crept in. She could only pray that Liberty did not touch her, she could be very... familiar with people. "Hello, ma'am, I have a message for the deputy guildmaster and I also came to finalise the issue of the token applications," she said neutrally, as the tigersnakekin's slitted eyes bore into her.

"Is that...?" Liberty looked behind Savidtria with a frown, then shrugged, turning back to her. "You're shaking like a leaf. How boring," she said in disappointment. "I would have thought you'd grow a spine from spending so much time with GM Nocnitsa. Fine, follow me. He's this way."

She raised a finger pointing towards her left, and they both walked in that direction. Savidtria was grateful that fear was a turn-off for Liberty.

The air was chilly, and Savidtria shivered as she walked along the hard ground. The further into the forest they went, the more the once bright trees were now twisted and dead, even their leaves had withered and turned brown. The ground was littered with bones and decay, and the air was filled with the scent of death.

She could hear the groans and moans of the undead creatures that roamed the forest, their hollow eyes fixed on her as she made her way through the trees behind Liberty. The darkness seemed to close in on her from all sides, but she steeled herself against the terror that threatened to overwhelm her and forced herself to continue forward.

This whole island was dead, and she hated what he did to the environment to make it habitable for his creations, but there was no way she would ever voice her opinion.

"There's a special guest here for you, sir," Liberty announced in a singsong voice once they found him.

He was sitting on top of a rock, writing something in his Handbook, surrounded by three of his zombies. At least his demilich wasn't here, that thing always made her skin crawl with how real it seemed, as if it were a living, breathing mortal. The zombies were huddled around the corpse of a large boar maestril, which looked to be a mini-boss at the very least. They screeched as their long, dirty claws ripped out the maestril's flesh, their disgusting mouths feasting on it.

"Make sure your creations don't eat the karma core," Liberty said, lying down on the dead grass below the rock. She transformed her lower body into that of a tigersnake and coiled around herself, closing her eyes. "I'd hate for my venom to seep into their poor, undead little bodies, accidentally, of course."

It took Savidtria a moment to realise that the maestril was still alive as the zombies devoured its flesh, but it was currently unconscious. She gagged, too disgusted to control her emotions. Smelling the flesh of another living being, the zombies all turned to look at her, hunger in their eyes.

"Come now, boys, let's not let the hunger get the better of us, hmm?" a soft, sickeningly sweet voice said, and Savidtria lowered her eyes to show him respect. "And of course, Liberty, I did promise you the karma core. Believe me, I am nothing if not a person of my word."

Anarchist's bright blue eyes turned to look at Savidtria. He wore a pure white robe with red occultic symbols adorning it. He was pristine, with not a single stain on his garb. On his face, a black mask with the symbol of The Hallow Reaper Cult covered his mouth and nose, disappearing into the cowl that covered his head. His two short horns protruded out of the cowl, white against the dark purple skin that marked him as unique, even from others of his race.

"Hello, Savidtria. What does Nocnitsa want?" he asked quietly, putting away his Handbook.

As always, besides omitting the guildmaster's title, Anarchist's tone was nothing but polite, and yet the sound of his voice, the aura surrounding him, and the massive amount of karma he carried that was more than ten times the average of his level, sent shivers down her spine. The fear Liberty incited in her was raw and repulsive, but it paled by margins compared to the fear that stemmed from the deputy guildmaster's understated but uncompromising aura of dominance.

"Good day, sir, the guildmaster wanted me to let you know that there will be a meeting on the 19th Floor in two weeks to decide who will be participating in The Demon Reaper's war against the Moon of Set. He requests that you bring your...em.. team as well," she said. She tried to put it delicately and not call the seven Insurgents of Anarchy delusional fanatics, as the guildmaster had called them. "Besides Amalgam, of course."

"The Insurgents and I are busy. Nocnitsa knows very well that we are in the middle of overturning the 21st Floor. The Demon Reaper will always be at war with The Ter Netjer Pantheon, there is no need to bother us with his petty disputations," Anarchist told her without a shred of emotion in his voice. "Once we are done with what we are doing, which is earning karma for ourselves, the guild, and The Demon Reaper, then we will be free to go to war. Provided, of course, that we will be fighting for something we believe in."

Savidtria dreaded that she would have to bring the news to the guildmaster, knowing how angry he would be. She gritted her teeth, she would buy him a Quasilucent Modiaki to cheer him up first. Damn it, there went the Available Karma she had been saving for an elixir. Gods, she was annoyed. Why did the guildmaster and the deputy guildmaster refuse to just exchange mana signatures and communicate directly? How was she supposed to tell Abchanchu Nocnitsa that five of the guild’s strongest players would not be participating in the war?

This reminded her of how wounded his pride had been when five out of twelve of the guild's main raid party, comprised of talented players from tutorial batches 1 and 2, had chosen to follow Anarchist, a prodigy from tutorial batch 3, instead of him. It was most likely because of how much more freedom Anarchist afforded his followers. Although Savidtria would never tell the guildmaster this, clearing Floors with Anarchist had helped her grow in strength far more than when he helped her. If he found out, it would sour the relationship between the two of them more than necessary.

All she wanted was for everyone to get along for the sake of the guild, however, that was unlikely to happen. It wasn't like anyone doubted Anarchist's strength, the problem was that while Abchanchu Nocnitsa was the guildmaster and ultimate leader of the guild, he and the demonkin were of equal rank in faith, both being Avatars of The Demon Reaper. They served him in drastically different ways, and the god seemed to enjoy fuelling their rivalry as it provided him with karma. Although since Anarchist rejected authority, she was not sure if his method of faith was considered serving the god.

She voiced none of her thoughts, only saying, "Yes, sir. I will let him know."

"Good. While you're at it, tell him that instead of giving useless orders, he should focus on clearing the 30th Floor before I reach it and do it for him. How long does he intend to allow Menika Shin to occupy first place?" Anarchist asked. "If Merreddyd and Alfsol overtake him, that will be the ultimate test of my supporters' faith in him."

Savidtria was not passing on that message. From anyone else, it would just be useless boasting, since Anarchist was only just climbing the 21st Floor and it would take years to reach the 30th, however, he was capable of miracles. He was someone who had cleared Floors 1 to 20 in five years, when even The Pioneer took seven years. Granted, it was easier for Anarchist considering that information on how best to clear the Floors was publicly available by the time he cleared them, unlike Hucielbicon, who had been climbing blindly as the pioneer.

Anarchist's achievement was still valid because most players from tutorial batch 2 were still on the First Storey and many of batch 3 were stuck between the 5th and 10th Floors thanks to Anarchist's actions. It made Savidtria wonder what he was doing while relaxing on the 10th Floor today if overturning the 21st Floor was so important. His presence here was especially daunting considering that he was banned from entering the Ground Storey's first nine floors.

"Certainly, sir," she said hastily. "About the matter of the trials, I still wish you would reconsider. Proceeding with further testing the applicants without having the guild token in hand could be risky to your reputation." She knew she probably shouldn't speak so freely to him, but this was something she felt strongly about. If Anarchist's actions caused the Hallow Reaper Cult's reputation to fall, the guildmaster would look to her for an explanation, not him.

"Don't worry about it, Savidtria. After all, you brought the guild token with you... I hope," he said.

Savidtria frowned. "I don't understand, sir-"

"He means that you should work on your observational skills. You're what, four levels higher than me? And yet this whole time, you didn't sense me following you," a voice behind her said.

Savidtria jumped, releasing her karma pressure just as she tapped into her mana core, ready to cast a spell at the newcomer.

"Whoa, easy there, I'm a harmless lover, not a fighter." The demonkin cast away his stealth and emerged in front of her, and only upon recognising him did she relax. "Thank you, my dear, I almost died the other week, so I'm not looking for another near-death experience."

"Housci," she said through gritted teeth.

Perinda Housci's eyes raked over her body, and he nodded in satisfaction. She did not like the slimly bastard, but he was important to Anarchist and was probably the only person who knew what he looked like under the mask as well as his true name. He was also his go-to rogue whenever he needed assassinations done, since Anarchist rarely ever got his own hands dirty, especially when it came to doing things that would turn his alignment black.

Perinda winked at her as he strolled towards Anarchist. "You're no fun, fravhn. I was having a blast admiring Savidtria's backside when you called me out."

Now it made sense why Anarchist had come to the 10th Floor since Perinda could not currently go higher than the 11th Floor. The contrast between the two demonkin was stark, not just in appearance and personality, but also in levels and skills. Perinda was strong, talented, and undoubtedly one of the most gifted players from tutorial batch 3. He occupied spots in multiple of batch 3's leaderboards, and if he were not a voident, he would have been more popular, yet there was over half a Tier difference between him and Anarchist even though they entered the Tower together.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

It didn't matter who he was being compared to, Anarchist was a real monster.

"I'm doing you a favour, you fool, unless you are ready to die. She belongs to Nocnitsa, as you know. Even I couldn't protect you from him," Anarchist said. "So, did you get it?"

The offhand comment made Savidtria stiffen. Oh, she belonged to the guildmaster alright, but he didn't have to put it that way. That was why Nocnitsa trusted her more than anyone else to handle his greatest internal rival.

"You're right. One look into Nocnitsa's Eye and I'd be dead," Perinda said with a lazy smile. He looked at the tigersnakekin lying lazily on the ground. "Hey, Liberty, you're looking good as always. I love the new armour," he added, the grin never leaving his face.

Liberty's eyes twitched open, and she gave Perinda an appraising look as she sat up, transforming again, and leaned against Anarchist's rock. "Hello, Housci. Your attribute is impressive, I sensed something behind Savi, but it was so faint I thought I imagined it," she said. "Why didn't you come out and say hello to me?"

Perinda snorted, "Are you kidding? You scare the shit out of me, woman." Even as he said this, Savidtria did not miss the greedy way his eyes roamed over Liberty's body in appreciation. "Hot, but crazy and deadly, that's for sure."

"Fuck you," Liberty said, rolling her eyes.

"Anytime, honey," he said with a devious smile. "Make sure to bring those guards Nocnitsa always has following you, now that'll be a party. You know I'm down for anything but if your venom's on the table, you might have to tie me up first because, as much as I enjoy the pain, I might lash out and r-"

"Perinda!" Anarchist said sternly. His voice was still quiet, but there was a tone of warning in it. "Please do not subject us to your perversions any further. As for you, Liberty, stand down. You know how he is; you shouldn't let him get under your skin."

Savidtria barely saw the flash of a needle as Liberty put it back inside her inventory. She shuddered. Perinda was provoking someone who was a higher Tier than he was, he had no regard for his life.

"Now, I asked you a question, fravhn. Did you get the token or not?" Anarchist's tone made it clear that this was the only time he would repeat himself.

"Of course, I got it." Perinda pulled out a coin the size of a fist from his inventory, and Savidtria gasped.

"B-rank? How long did it take you to defeat the 10th Floor Boss to get a guild token of that rank?" she asked before she could help herself.

Anarchist laughed. It was a hollow, sour laugh that chilled her to the core.

"Sweet little Savi, that halfwit is a voident, what makes you think he got this token lawfully?" Liberty said with a snarl.

"Hey, I was about to spin some story about how I solo killed a Floor Boss and gained a rare achievement. Who knows, maybe she would have thought I was cool enough for her to leave Nocnitsa for me," Perinda said with a pout. "But yes, you're as right as you are beautiful, Liberty. The ability to create a pseudo-void territory doesn't hurt when you're dealing with a strong team of level 20 players who just slayed the 10th Floor Boss."

She should have known, of course, and she, like Liberty, chose to ignore his other comments. This was a serious issue, and she required some clarification. "Even though the trials have been underway for a few days, we've put out the public call for applications already. Your illicit activities can't be tied to The Hallow Reapers," Savidtria said.

It was one thing for people to suspect the guild of making underground deals with voidents, but it was something else entirely to prove it.

"What do you take me for? I'm a professional assassin, of course, this won't be connected to either of our guilds. I made sure all the players' respawns were used up. Their souls can weep to their deities for all I care," Perinda snapped, glaring at her. Gods, he had a terrible temper that just flared from 0 to 100 and back instantly. It was a wonder that he was related to the calm and collected Anarchist.

"That's enough, both of you. Take the token, Savidtria," Anarchist said, and the two of them stopped glaring at each other.

True to form, Perinda's anger dissipated a second later. "Are there any promising candidates among your applicants?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but from the material I have, I've shortlisted ten out of the 62 000 who applied," Savidtria said, checking her comcer interface. "Should I send you the updated list, sir?"

This was her other reason for coming to see the deputy guildmaster. The last step in the trial process had gone well enough. One candidate, in particular, had made her shudder with his actions and decisions within the Gate, especially considering he was a Tier 1 rookie.

"There is no need. I have seen footage of the last trial. You can proceed with the rest of the trials just for formality's sake, but I've already made my choice. If he can make it through the final stage of the trial, Pranav Chandra is the candidate I want you to reward with the token," Anarchist said.

"Sir! He's only Tier 1, he's been in the Tower for less than a month! I don't even know how he found out about the applications," Savidtria protested. Maybe he thought that this player would be easier to manipulate since he was new, but she was sure he was wrong. "Pranav Chandra is not a good fit, sir. He is too unpredictable and too headstrong. We won't be able to control him like Amalgam."

"That's the point. I'm not looking for a puppet or a subordinate, gods know I have enough of those. I want something different this time. I'm looking for someone who can lead a guild independently of us. His results show that he is a good leader. He does not get his hands dirty, and doesn't tolerate disrespect. As one of our junior guilds, loyalty to The Hallow Reaper Cult will be forced in the contract, he can take it or leave it, but I will not force subservience. For him to grow his guild and become a powerful ally for us in the future, he must owe us, but have his freedom," he told her.

Savidtria wanted to disagree because she did not trust humans. However, even the guildmaster reluctantly left the management of some of the subordinate guilds to Anarchist because he had an eye for these things. Still, she said her piece. “There are others who can do that. I think we should keep our options open, and-”

“Savidtria.” Anarchist's tone was monotone, yet the karma he emitted was prickling. “I believe that Pranav Chandra is the best choice.”

That was the end of the discussion. Everyone knew, after all, that if Anarchist believed something, that made it true.

"Yes, sir," she said, swallowing her complaints.

"Pranav Chandra," Liberty said, a thoughtful look in her eye. "Isn't he the one who sacrificed his partner without hesitation? His callousness made even me uncomfortable. Amalgam even threw up in disgust from all the blood."

Perinda raised his eyebrows. "He must be a nasty piece of work if he got even a mutant like you agitated."

"What the fuck did you just call me, you cowardly bontelag?" she snapped.

Perinda was about to retort when Anarchist spoke over him. "Speaking of Amalgam and his incompetence, I know he hired you to find the key and some skill book, so don't lie to me, fravhn. Did you find his key?" Anarchist asked him.

Perinda grinned. "Nope."

Anarchist frowned. "What? Did you leave it with Mbakulini? Or did you take the key for yourself? Because even if it's you, fravhn, I won't hesitate to kill you for a transgression that great."

The zombies looked up from their meal, hungry eyes fixated on Perinda, even as Anarchist's aura remained unchanged, calm as always. It unnerved Savidtria how he could threaten even his own blood like this, without changing his demeanour one bit.

"I would be hurt if I thought you trusted me, but I swear, I did not take it," Perinda said, sounding honest. "Amalgam lost the key a few weeks ago when he went to the 1st Floor and the person who had it was arrested by the Guardians a couple of weeks ago. You and I both know there is no way they would have passed up the opportunity to take the key and either purify it or give it to someone they trust for safekeeping."

The zombies' hunger dissipated, and they returned to their meal. Savidtria heaved a sigh of relief. Liberty looked disappointed.

"Who stole the key?" Anarchist asked. "There is no way some Tier 1 NPC was able to rob Amalgam. He may be incompetent, but he's not weak. There is a reason why I made him the guildmaster of the Accari Crows."

"Even if I knew, which I don't, integrity is key in my line of work," Perinda said with a shrug, casually patting one of the docile zombies on the head.

"Why do you do this when you know I can always tell? Why do you not even pretend to believe your own lies?" Anarchist asked softly.

“I don't believe in anything, fravhn,” Perinda said. "You know this." He remained casual, but his smile was thin.

“We both know that's not true,” Anarchist said calmly. "Stop lying to me. You know how much Liberty loves her poisons and hates you. I could have her melt your brain and put you back together to find out what else you're keeping from me."

As if eager for the opportunity, Liberty looked hungrily at Perinda and licked her lips.

"Don't you ever get tired of making the same threats, fravhn? We both know there is nothing in my brain," Perinda said, laughing at his own joke, but Savidtria was sure that Anarchist wasn't just making a threat. "You're right, I am lying, but I'm still not going to tell you. You should have just given the key to me instead of Amalgam," he grumbled.

Anarchist regarded him coolly. "If you wanted it, then you should have joined our guild."

"The Hallow Reapers are a respectable neutral guild. They don't accept voidents into their ranks, remember?" Perinda said it sarcastically, but Savidtria knew that it was a sore spot for him.

"Then you should have learned how to keep your hands clean," Anarchist said stoically.

Perinda snorted. "Then who would do your dirty work, fravhn?"

"I pay you handsomely for your services. Anyway, on the subject of things happening on the 1st Floor, that player who has been taking out the Accari Crows, has he joined the Guardians yet?" Anarchist asked Savidtria, but Perinda raised his eyebrows in interest.

"You mean the one they call Blitzhunter? No, he's still not joined any guild. The guildmaster was planning to send Octavius to recruit him or permakill him if he refuses to join," she said. "Discreetly, of course."

"Don't," Perinda said sharply, and all three of them turned to look at him. "I've had the pleasure of meeting that player. Langa Zulu is... an interesting guy, and I like him. When I met him, I threatened him, but he wasn't scared of me in the least. I might be making an assumption here, but when I karma pressured him a little, he injured himself."

Savidtria did not understand what was so special about that, but Anarchist stood up from his rock sharply, his white robe flowing in the wind, nearly displacing Liberty. She didn't seem to mind as she levelled Perinda with a sharp gaze.

"You think he's one of us?" Liberty asked.

"No," Perinda said hastily. "Sorry. I checked, but he's not, so don't get your hopes up."

Anarchist released a breath and watched the assassin intensely, "But you believe he has also been touched?"

"It's just an assumption, but yeah, I think he's branded. I could be wrong, though. I still think you should send Liberty to recruit him instead of Octavius. He's the type who wants a person of significance in the guild to recruit him. I don't think he'll want to join The Hallow Reapers but if he does, you should have him on your side instead of Nocnitsa's," Perinda said with a nod. "Besides, I think he and Liberty will get along great."

Savidtria hated that they didn't even try to conceal their intentions from her. Anarchist wasn't supposed to recruit players for his side without the guildmaster's permission. If she told the guildmaster about this, he would want her to spend even more time with Anarchist to watch him and report his movements. That wouldn't do, she did not like to stay in his presence longer than necessary. Therefore, she pretended not to hear their plans.

"Why would I get along great with a Tier 1 player?" Liberty asked sceptically. Her earlier excitement was gone now.

"Because he will not be afraid of you," Perinda whispered.

That statement seemed to strike Liberty. One moment she was leaning against the rock, and the next she was behind Perinda, her sharp needle pressed against his neck. "Don't play with me, Housci. Besides my kind, everyone is afraid of me...even the Branded," she said with a slight crack to her voice.

Savidtria didn't know about Perinda, but she was terrified of the karma flowing in dangerous waves from the tigersnakekin. She made the mistake of catching Liberty's eyes, and her whole body froze up, going rigid like stone, and she couldn't move a muscle.

"See how Savi is easy prey for me? I can also feel your fear, Housci, so don't you dare lie to me," Liberty whispered. She blew a short breath onto Perinda’s neck and the demonkin’s skin greyed as his whole body recoiled.

"He will not be afraid of you, Liberty," Perinda repeated. She hitched a breath as if she was desperate to believe him. “I promise, you'll like him.” If he was afraid, he was powering through it as he opened his comcer interface and showed Liberty a video of the player they were talking about.

"At least he's cute. You better be right, Housci," she said, licking her lips. "I might be mildly interested."

"If that human is branded, I wonder which of The Quartenity is watching his progress," Anarchist spoke as if Perinda didn't just nearly get killed and then paused, reading a prompt. "Oh, The Dark Void seems interested in him too. Very well, Liberty, you can go and recruit him for me. Try not to scare him off, okay?"

"Of course, sir. I'm always on my best behaviour." Liberty smiled, stepping away from the demonkin. "If he says no, can I kill him?"

If this was her best behaviour, Savidtria wanted no part of her worst, as the fear evaporated and she could move again.

“Use your discretion, dear. I trust your judgement. Branded, huh?” Anarchist murmured, a flash of interest in his eye. “I wonder what he believes in.”

“Would you like me to find out for you?” Liberty asked.

“No, it's best not to test people’s faith without just cause,” he said. "A man's convictions are what keep him alive, and faith is the lifeblood of every player."

This was Savidtria’s cue to leave. When Anarchist got philosophical and started his lectures on faith and authority, he could go on for hours. "Besides finishing up the trials for the applicants, is there anything else you'd like me to do, Sir?" she asked, not wanting to be in the presence of these three monsters any longer.

"That will be all, you may go," Anarchist dismissed her, and she bowed, stepping away. "Fravhn, there is something I would like to discuss with you."

She couldn't wait to return to the water. Before she could escape, however, an arm snaked around her shoulders. "Let's go together, Savi. If I'm going in my capacity as an administrator, I need an impressive entourage from GM Nocnitsa, right?" Liberty said.

Savidtria shuddered. Fear was inevitable with a living, breathing poison so close to her. She grimaced at the sheer proximity of Liberty unbalancing her. She knew that a single touch, a single breath from the tigersnakekin could destroy her, leave her helpless and stripped of both freedom and life so she stood still, knowing that Liberty could feel her every emotion.

Liberty ignored her fear and smiled. "I hope meeting him will be fun."

Savidtria could only feel sorry for the poor soul targeted by this insane woman.