Curse the Mainframe! 463 The End

The Cookie Sect appeared as an exact replica. Even the furnishing was the same. Alec was mildly surprised, even as he was impressed.

The people that Hong Jun found to take care of the expansion did their work well indeed.

However, he wasn't here to check out how the Cookie Sect was doing. He was here to find out if they had any information about the Evans Sect.

The two of them sat near the back and activated the silencing seal in the middle.

"What's the information you're looking for that can't be said in public?"

"The Evans Sect."

Mason nodded. That wasn't anything hard. There was a lot of information about the Evans Sect that was available to the public.

"I want information about how the current sect master took over the Evans Sect from the previous sect master, as well as everything relevant that she's done ever since. Also, what sort of people she's 'disposed' of."

Mason's eyes widened minutely. He stared at Alec��s face, but despite the gentle smile on the man's face, he could tell that he meant every word. It surprised him. His image of Alec in his mind was someone who hated injustice… but it seemed like this person's guts were bigger than he thought.

He was impressed.

"Are you sure?" Mason said seriously. Alec hadn't even blinked before he asked.

Alec nodded.

Mason frowned as he unconsciously tapped on the table. "Okay. But I need some time. Our sources aren't as deep as it is back in the other realm."

"How long?"

"About three days."

Alec was mildly surprised. "So fast?"

Mason snorted. "There's many means of obtaining information. Rest assured, we will complete the task before the time is up."

Alec nodded, standing up. "Then, I will see you three days later. I presume you know where to find me."

Mason smiled faintly, leaning back in his seat, his eyes flashing. "Of course. I'll send you a message."

The two nodded at each other, then Alec left the shop, leaving behind the sound of a door chiming.

Mason looked deeply at Alec's back, then moved his attention away. He strode into the manager's section before starting to give out orders.

This was going to push them pretty hard, but this was also a good opportunity to test the newest admittances into the Cookie Sect. It would decide whether or not the Cookie Sect would keep them later on.

Mason smiled faintly, and his subordinate felt a chill go up and down his spine. Mason only ever did something like that when he was going to do something crazy.

And they were all going to suffer.

The poor subordinate could already feel his hands cramping. Thinking about the information that he had to write down the last time Mason smile like this…

He shivered.

-Author only posts on w.e.b.n.o.v.e.l.-

Jess Evans smiled gently at this disciples that were staring up at her were with reverence and awe. The feeling of it gave her a strong rush, and she felt satisfied despite the anger that she felt inside.

The anger was slowly abating the more worshipful gazes she received. It allowed her to forget about the sting of betrayal.

"Go back and practice well," Jess said gently, smiling at them.

Though her eyes were cold, somehow none of the disciples seemed to feel that anything was off about her at all.

Her acting skills had long since reached perfection, and she was charismatic enough that she could draw in disciples from all walks of life. They were all her willing slaves, and for that, she was very happy.

Still, the happy glow faded a bit when they all left, and she felt a strange emptiness inside her.

She wondered why.

Jess' brows furrowed a little before they smoothened out again. What did she have to be unhappy about? She was already at the peak of her life and her career. Cultivation wise, she was already near the top, and she had the admiration of the disciples as well as the elders.

Honestly, she had nothing to complain about.

So, why did she get betrayed?

Just for a Klyse Evans?

Charuru had been by her side for so long, yet her loyalty had never been with Jess the entire time?

She couldn't accept it!

She really couldn't accept it. There had to be something that she was missing. The other woman's loyalty… she didn't believe that she hadn't at least obtained some of it from her.

Suddenly, the happiness that filled her before was gone, leaving her with only gloom.

The sect master's face was a carefully painted smile, and she nodded in greeting to the people that she met along the way.

"Sect master, can you give me some pointers?" A mature-looking woman hesitated a long time before she blurted out these words, her face bowed slightly. It seemed like she regretted asking the sect master immediately after saying those words.

Jess smiled gently, but with regret clear in her eyes. "Ah, Miss Riis, right? Unfortunately, I have something to do today… I'll make it up to you next time."

Luna Riis flushed in embarrassment. She ducked her head, murmuring, "Thank you. I'm sorry to trouble you!" As she spoke, she ran off shyly. The way she acted so shy didn't fit in with her mature and busty look at all, but somehow it didn't seem out of place for her to act like that.

Jess' words didn't allow people to feel bad about their question, and she was gentle enough that they all admired her instead.

It was clear that Jess' people skills were well-managed and thought out. She didn't incur hatred for whatever reason and left herself a way out each time.

She walked slowly, but with purpose, for once not setting aside time to talk to the disciples as she made her way to the secret dungeon where all the traitors were kept.

As she walked down the stone stairs, her high heels clicked as usual down the spiralling stairs.

There were a few jeers that echoed inside the dungeon, but they weren't any sounds that leaked out to above.

This place was just an abandoned weapon storage in the eyes of the others.

Jess quickly made her way in front of Charuru, not taking the time to play with any of the other prisoners.

Her eyes were filled with Charuru's form, and her eyes flashed.

There was a part of her that was uncomfortable seeing Charuru like this, and so dispirited, but a larger part of her burned with indignation and hurt pride. She couldn't fathom why.

She just could not understand her decision at all.

Jess had always treated Charuru well, but the loyalty in the other person's heart remained steadfast without wavering.

Why?

Why?!

Without saying a single word, she picked up a blade and cut at her ex-best friend.

Charuru groaned, then woke up blearily. She just blinked seeing Jess' familiar face, before closing her eyes again.

This made Jess bite her lips, and her eyes narrowed.

She cut.

She cut, slice by slice, as if she were possessed.

She cut endlessly without stopping, and the blood flowed like a river without any signs of stopping.

"Why?" Jess murmured, not even noticing that she was saying anything.

"Why… why… why…"

Jess' murmurs continued to echo in the cell, and her eyes were wide and crazed. She had long since lost any form of reasoning as she continued to cut into Charuru's blood and flesh.

She didn't even notice that Charuru's wounds had stopped healing after the magic that was stored in her body was all used up.

Charuru had already woken up a long time ago, and she continued to stare at Jess' crazed expression.

There was a hint of softness and a bit of heartache in her eyes that was not seen by Jess at all.

Slowly, the blood that was in her body seemed to dry up, and Charuru was dizzy, but she continued to hold her eyes wide open, not wanting to… close her eyes and sleep forever.

Charuru smiled faintly just before all her consciousness slipped away, her eyes losing all signs of life. Despite that, she didn't feel much heartache as she left the world quietly. She only regretted that she would never be able to see the end to their story.

Chapter end

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