"We’re not members of the Ross family, so stop slandering innocent people. We just happen to have a grudge against them."

"That’s right. Enough nonsense. We pay, you do the job."

Jamie’s sudden remark made the two cloaked men break out in cold sweat.

There was no way they would dare admit to something that terrifying.

"I honestly can’t think of anyone else who’d be bored enough to kill a harmless old good guy with no value whatsoever. It has to be about inheritance rights, doesn’t it?" Jamie tilted her head, studying the pair before her. "How about inviting your master to join the Shadow World Sect? Murdering your own relatives fits our style perfectly."

"Cut the nonsense. I just have a personal grudge against him."

The cloaked man sounded guilty.

Just as Jamie suspected, it was Phield’s elder brother who had arranged for assassins to eliminate his own younger brother.

Privately, they couldn’t help cursing.

Damn it. Hiring cultists as assassins instead of trusted retainers was absurdly careless.

"Fine by me. As long as shiny gold coins are flowing into my pockets, I can’t be bothered to ask questions." Jamie rolled her eyes. "For the sake of the church’s finances, I’ve really worked myself to death."

"Don’t worry. One hundred and fifty thousand gold coins and three portions of Divine Chosen elf blood essence. Not a single drop will be missing. The payment is stored somewhere safe. Once you complete the mission, we’ll hand everything over."

The two subordinates of Owen Ross sounded increasingly impatient.

"Deal. I’ll go inform Miss Broken Wing first. She’s the one who decides whether we leave now." Hearing about the elf blood essence, Jamie’s lips curled into a sweet smile. "As expected of the Ross family, who have fought elves for centuries. To think you even possess treasures this rare."

Leading the two men out of the city gates, Jamie soon found the Corrupted Huntress approaching them with icy indifference.

As a Divine Chosen, she possessed a flawless figure and eyes as clear as a tranquil lake.

But Broken Wing had no lower jaw.

In its place were insect-like mandibles, while twitching feelers writhed constantly within.

"My God, it’s a monster!"

The two men nearly died of fright.

"Relax. This is Miss Broken Wing, a powerful Corrupted Divine Chosen."

"A Corrupted creature can become a Divine Chosen too? Holy Light, please protect this world."

Jamie raised an eyebrow.

"Heh. Holy Light? That’s hilarious."

"Feed me. I need food. A breeding nest."

Broken Wing’s neck twitched continuously, as though some enormous insect was about to burst out of her body. She emitted a hoarse, insect-like screech as she demanded food.

"Can you put it on their tab this time?" Jamie gestured while explaining. "Next time I’ll bring you more villagers. Let these two leave. They’re allies."

"Allies. Tasty. Taste like chicken."

Broken Wing shook her head firmly but still made a concession.

"Three of you. I only eat one."

"You heard her." Jamie turned around. "Gentlemen, make your choice."

"Huh?"

The two exchanged glances, each seeing the same confusion in the other’s eyes.

"Are you kidding? We paid you to kill someone, not to stand here chatting with some damned insect monster wearing human skin."

"We’re leaving. After you kill Phield, bring us his head."

Furious, the two turned to leave.

"Wait. Corrupted creatures aren’t very flexible mentally. As long as you don’t attract her interest, she usually won’t do anything. But now that she’s singled someone out, one of you has to stay."

Jamie had no intention of offending a terrifying monster over an ordinary human.

A powerful surge of Third-Tier divine power erupted from her body.

Layer upon layer of black energy rippled outward, creating a horrifying sight.

"Damn it! Your Shadow World Sect has no honor! I’ll report this to my lord. The Ross family will abandon neutrality and immediately join the campaign to exterminate you!"

The cloaked man showed no fear whatsoever as he pointed at Jamie and shouted.

When it came to the Empire’s internal conflicts, the Ross family had always embraced a completely indifferent attitude.

Whether rebels, rioters, or rival nobles, they maintained a consistently moderate stance.

Their philosophy was simple.

Anyone could be Emperor.

Just don’t interfere with them killing elves.

"If you want to die, don’t drag me down with you, idiot!"

Before the sentence even finished, his silent companion suddenly seized him by the throat and hurled him toward Broken Wing.

"Catch! He’s yours!"

What a joke.

Shouting at a Third-Tier Divine Chosen like that was practically begging for death.

The family certainly wouldn’t alter its diplomatic stance over one or two insignificant servants.

"Chitter chitter. Fresh food."

Broken Wing released a delighted insect-like chirp.

Her seemingly slender arm snapped out like an iron vise, locking firmly around the cloaked man.

Accompanied by the sound of tearing fabric, twisted tendrils slowly extended from her mouth.

She even tore apart her own clothing.

"AAAAAH! Help! Let me go!"

"Don’t touch that! That’s where people go to the bathroom!"

No matter how desperately the man screamed, not a single person paid him any attention.

"Damn it. Drag him somewhere hidden. Otherwise we’ll have to clean up the mess here."

Jamie turned away in disgust.

"Well, now that the toll has been paid, let’s get moving and deal with Phield. I still have plenty of things to do, like finding more unlucky victims for these disgusting monsters."

"Uh... my former partner. Is he really going to be eaten? It doesn’t exactly look that way."

"If he survives, then I’ll be the one in trouble."

The remaining cloaked man couldn’t help glancing back.

He only saw his companion being dragged into a secluded corner by Broken Wing.

Moments later, sounds that made his face flush echoed through the air.

"Of course he’ll be eaten. Broken Wing and her children will eat him together. She’s currently breeding and laying eggs. Corruption likes stitching humans together with all kinds of grotesque monsters. My guess is that she’s fused with a Chaurus Queen, one of those disgusting insect demons that live in damp environments."

The cloaked man shuddered.

"Oh. I’ve heard of them. Male or female, Chaurus have an unusually strong... interest in humans."

"Enough talking. We’re leaving."

"Luckily, I’d met Phield before. Back at that underground ball, I even invited him."

Jamie smiled faintly.

"Third-Tier Divine Skill, Death’s Banquet!"

One crimson specter after another crawled out from her shadow.

Every single one had once been an innocent victim tortured to death by her.

Driven forward by her will, the specters shrieked as they charged into the gray mist.

"We only need to wait a moment before finding Phield’s location."

Before Jamie could even finish speaking, she already sensed where Phield was.

A puzzled expression immediately appeared on her face, as though an old man were staring at a smartphone on the subway.

"What are the odds? He’s that close."

"Whatever. He’s just a baron with no real backing. Killing him will be as easy as crushing a rat."

Jamie drew her whip and casually snapped it through the air.

A terrifying sonic boom exploded outward.

"Hehe. I need to make up for last time. This time, I’ll take my time torturing him properly."

Meanwhile, Phield was observing the city gate through a telescope.

Just as he was becoming engrossed in what he was seeing, a crimson specter suddenly slammed directly into his face.

The sudden shock nearly scared him to death.