The Deceiver's Path - Chapter 99 - Chaos in the Street (Rewrite) (Patreon)

Author's Note: After a lot of great feedback yesterday, I realized there were a lot of problems with the chapter. So I spent last night rewriting it. I've improved the tone, removed the cult story (as it wasn't going anywhere until around chapter 112), and added a sense of urgency. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to comment and point out the flaws. And I believe I've improved the chapter quite a bit now. But I do apologize that you have to read it a second time. If you don't want to read it again, just comment at the bottom and I'll give you the new synopsis. Once again, thank you all for your support.

A thunderclap shook the packed street, and the crowd surged forward as people screamed in panic. Piper found herself caught up in the wave of bodies as they poured away from the detonation. She twisted around and grabbed Wisp’s hand before the young woman was swept away by the press of bodies.

Fighting through the stampeding mob, she ducked into a narrow space between two buildings and pulled Wisp in behind her. She searched the crowd for Eleni, finally spotting the woman pushing against the mass of people.

Thankfully, Eleni’s rare class gave her far superior attributes to an average person, and she managed to wade through the press of bodies to them. When she reached their side, she slumped against the wall, breathing hard.

Eleni licked her lips. “It’s insane out there!”

Piper waited as the panicked horde rushed past, leaving wagons and goods abandoned in the street. As she did, her frustration continued to mount at their slow progress toward Ares’s manor.

Every street in the city was either packed with refugees or with armed gangs searching for the demoness. They’d had to make numerous diversions, and now they were stopped again as they waited for the crowd to disperse.

Piper had to reach Ophelia before something terrible happened to her friend. She already felt guilt gnawing at her soul for leaving Ophelia alone while she’d traveled to the Infernal Realm. Why hadn’t she found someone to watch over her friend while she was gone?

But as soon as the thought entered her head, she realized almost no one in the city could have stopped three powerful adventurers. Still, she couldn’t stop blaming herself for what had happened.

The emergence of a group of masked men made her duck back into cover. They slunk out of a building across the street, peering in all directions. Then they grabbed whatever they could carry before retreating back inside.

Frowning, she realized what had happened: a group of thieves had used a noisy spell to scare the crowd before stealing from them. Normally, she’d consider stopping them. But all that mattered right now was reaching the manor and freeing Ophelia.

As soon as the thieves had disappeared, she stepped out of the alleyway. Not a single soul remained on the street.

After glancing around to make sure it was safe, she continued in the direction they’d been travelling, scooting around a wagon laden with furniture. The hitched oxen at the front regarded her with bored expressions as she passed.

Piper turned back and scowled as she watched Wisp gathering up items from the street. “Are you seriously stealing from families trying to flee the city? We don’t have time for this!”

The young thief shrugged. “If they wanted their stuff, they shouldn’t have left it just sitting here.”

“Put it down,” she said, her voice hardening. “We’re not stopping so you can steal a few trinkets.”

“I’ll just be a minute.” The thief pulled something out of a crate. “Oh, this is nice…”

“I won’t ask you again,” Piper felt her blood boiling as the thief continued to ignore her. “We need to get moving right now.”

Piper watched Wisp continue to pick through the scattered belongings and took a deep breath. Before she snapped, she decided to try another tack. “It’s too bad you’re going to fill your pouches with all this junk when we’re going to a first-citizen’s manor. Think of all the amazing things you won’t be able to carry.”

Wisp’s mouth dropped open, and she surged to her feet. “You’re totally right. Why take a doll when I could be stealing a golden candlestick?” She pulled out a stuffed doll wearing a black dress from her pouch and placed it reverently back on the ground.

“You stole a child’s doll!” Piper exclaimed. “What’s wrong with you?”

Wisp recoiled and crossed her arms dourly. “Nothing is wrong with me. Someone stole mine recently, and they want six silvers to give Maria back. But if I could find a replacement, then I wouldn’t have to pay the ransom.”

Piper softened slightly. They may be around the same age, but Wisp had clearly had a harder life. “I’m sorry you lost your doll. But right now, I really need to get to the Ares family manor. We’re not stopping for anything else, understood?”

Eleni shook her head. “I told you we shouldn’t have enlisted a thief to help us.”

“I swear we’ll help you get your doll back if you just pick up the pace,” Piper said, ignoring her companion’s comments.

Eleni let out a long sigh. “Now we’re planning to rescue dolls as well? What’s next: hunting down missing socks?” Throwing up her hands, Eleni stalked further down the street.

“You don’t need to help me,” Wisp said. “I’ll have more than enough gold to buy her back when this is over. On second thought, I’ll use the money to hire a few thugs and have them beat up the boy who stole my doll. Yup, I like that idea much better…”

“I really need you to hurry,” Piper said, gesturing impatiently at Wisp. “Do you remember Ophelia?” When the thief nodded, she continued, “My friend was taken by the sons of Ares. Every moment we delay, she could be enduring terrible torture.”

Wisp looked at Piper with wide eyes. “Wait. She’s being held by the Ares family? Wow, she’s going to be having a bad time. They’re crazy.”

“Which is why we need to hurry,” she said sharply. “Do you think you can stop stealing for five seconds until we reach the manor?”

Wisp’s description of the Ares family had triggered another surge of guilt in Piper. She’d desperately wanted to try to free her friend yesterday, but the nuns had continued to scour the streets well into the night. At some point, she’d simply passed out from exhaustion.

I should have found a way past the nuns, she mentally berated herself. How could I rest while Ophelia was in trouble?

All she could do was pray they weren’t treating her friend too badly. Because she feared she would do terrible things to everyone in the manner if anything had happened to Ophelia. And that thought scared her more than a little. It felt like every day her thoughts became slightly more demonic.

Piper did her best to dispel her dark urges and then jogged down the empty street. When she reached the corner of a boarded-up shop, a group of three adventurers stepped out to block their path.

They all wore silver badges on their chest. The two women in front were clad in plate mail, and wielded swords and shields. Meanwhile, the man in the back wore long robes and held a staff with a crystal mounted on the end.

The lead woman, with dark hair tied up in a ponytail, pointed at Piper. “That might be the demoness, Georgia.”

The woman she referred to as Georgia shook her head, a few loose strands of golden hair falling over her face. “No, they said she had blond hair, Nicole.”

“Well, it’s sort of reddish blond.”

Piper held up her hand. “My hair is clearly red. Now, please, let us pass.”

“Or what?” Georgia chuckled. “You’ll stop me with your amazing aspirant spells?”

Piper glanced down at her chest and remembered she’d switched out her gold badge with the wood one. She’d hoped it would allow her to pass unnoticed, but all it seemed to have done was mark her as an easy target.

The man, who had remained silent until now, pointed his staff at Piper. “Just kill her and see if she turns into a demoness. I’m not going to pass up 40 gold pieces because you think she might have red hair.”

“Are you sure, Kostas?” Nicole asked, frowning. “It really does look more red.”

“Don’t you know the difference between blond hair and red hair?” Piper asked, her brow rising. “And are you really going to try to murder me because you’re all stupid?”

Eleni drew her sword with a hiss, stepping protectively in front of Piper as the wind began to whip around them. “I am a member of the Silver Hippogriffs. If you leave now, I won’t report this to the town watch.”

“Oh, so scary,” Georgia said, giggling. “Watch out or she’s going to blow us away with her magic.”

Piper scanned the street, relieved to see that they were alone, aside from the adventurers. After being scared by the thunderclap, none of the citizens had dared to return yet. Which meant she could deal with the adventurers without any witnesses.

She placed a hand on Eleni’s shoulder and gently pushed her aside. She didn’t want to risk her getting hurt in a fight. “If you don’t move, I’m going to kill you. My friend is in trouble, and you’re standing in my way. But I’d rather not do that.”

Nicole’s face tightened. “Kostas… I have a bad feeling about this. Why don’t we leave them alone? That girl is a member of the Silver Hippogriffs. They’re dangerous.”

“Are you stupid?” the man barked. “If we find the demoness, we’ll earn 40 gold coins. We can all retire with that kind of money. Or do you want to spend the rest of your days slaying giant rats and kissing nobles' asses?”

Piper used [Identify] on the adventurers, gaining a few levels for her troubles. All the results came back as ???. They weren’t going to be pushovers.

“Please move,” she said through gritted teeth. “This is the last time I’m going to ask.”

“Enough talk,” Kostas snapped. “Kill them all.”

Piper immediately used [Subjugator] and called upon the shadeling demoness. Nearly a quarter of her mana drained away as she activated the skill. More than likely she’d need to use the shadeling when they reached the manor, and she wanted to see how her demon summons would perform against adventurers.

During her battle against the Dawnward host, the imp she’d summoned had seemed far stronger than when she faced him in the Infernal Realm. The little creature had even managed to wound a high-level nun. Hopefully, the shadeling would have become more powerful as well.

As the demoness materialized behind the adventurers, her [Ambush Detection] blared a warning. She barely managed to duck as Georgia’s sword sailed over her head. The woman had blurred before appearing directly behind Piper.

Ding! Your skill, Ambush Detection has reached level 7.

Crap, what kind of class does she have?

Spinning around, Piper lashed out with her claws; they skipped across the woman’s metal breastplate, leaving deep gouges in their wake.

Georgia stumbled back, staring in shock at her damaged armor. “How the fuck did you dodge that? And how did you damage my armor?”

Before she could reply, the shadeling strolled forward, making everyone freeze. The demoness feigned a yawn. “You again? I suppose you want me to murder all these humans?”

Piper hesitated for a moment before nodding. There was no way to rehabilitate three adventurers who wanted to murder random strangers on the street. They deserved to die.

The shadeling grinned. “As you wish.”

“Demon!” Kostas shouted frantically, his eyes growing large. “Slay the demon!”

“My name is Sarnyxia,” the shadeling said, brandishing her dark claws. “And I am your doom, human.”

As the man raised his hand, Piper quickly cast [Void Silence]. An oppressive weight of power settled over the street, blocking any magic or skills from being used. Aside from her own, of course.

Ding! Your spell, Void Silence has reached Level 3.

Kostas continued to thrust his hand in the demoness’s direction, the shock growing on his face as nothing happened. When his spell casting failed, he turned and bolted away. Following closely on his heels was Nicole.

Only Georgia remained, her shield held high and her sword at the ready. She slashed out with her blade, driving the shadeling back.

The demoness retreated for a few steps before stopping at an opening. She leapt forward, her tail shooting out and grazing the woman’s cheek.

Georgia jerked back as she swung her sword in a wide arc. The tip carved a deep wound in the shadeling's stomach, making her gasp with pain. The two of them came together in another clash of steel and claws, this time the adventurer coming away with deep gashes on her scalp.

Turning to the fleeing adventurers, Piper rapidly cast [Umbral Terror] twice. Almost immediately, both of them began to scream. Nicole dropped to her knees and ripped at her hair, while Kosta ran screaming headlong into the nearest building.

The fear spell should temporarily prevent them from rejoining the fight. Not that they seemed inclined to help their group mate.

She returned her attention to Georgia, who was battling the shadeling. The woman might have lost access to her skills and spells, but her high attribute points still made her incredibly dangerous. She moved with the grace and fluidity of a predator.

Piper cast [Pit Chains] and the barbed restraints erupted from the dirt road. They shot toward Georgia and wrapped around her ankles. Stretching taut, they sent her tumbling forward before snaking around her limbs.

“I yield!” Georgia cried as the demoness sauntered in her direction. “Please, have mercy on me.”

Eleni sheathed her sword, her gaze fixated on the demoness. She gave the shadeling a wide berth as she walked over to the bound woman. “We should turn her over to the guard.”

Piper glanced over in the direction of where she’d last seen Nicole tearing at her hair. But the woman had disappeared. They were left alone in the street with Georgia. The woman’s group mates had abandoned her to her fate.

“What if she tells them about you accompanying the demoness? We may have to… deal with her.”

“Surely, you’re not considering murdering a prisoner.”

“I… don’t know.” As much as she hated to admit it, the levels she’d gain would go a long way toward helping her free Ophelia. But was it her human or demonic side considering that option? The fact that she didn’t know troubled her deeply.

“What if she tells the town watch about the demoness?” Piper continued. “We can’t risk bringing the Dawnward Host down on us.”

Eleni sheathed her sword. “I want no part in murdering a helpless prisoner.”

“Then tell me what to do,” Piper insisted. “You’ll be in trouble as well for hanging out with a demoness.”

Georgia jerked against the chains. “I swear I won’t—"

The adventurer’s words cut off sharply as the shadeling’s barbed tail burst out the front of her throat. Ripping it free in a spray of blood, the demoness gave a wicked grin, exposing her sharp canines.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Sarnyxia said, holding a hand up to her mouth in mock dismay. “Did you want me to take her alive?”

Congratulations! You have slain a human, Level 376.

A significant bonus to experience has been granted for slaying a higher-level creature.

Ding! Your race, Shadeling has reached Level 53.

…

Ding! Your race, Shadeling has reached Level 56.

Ding! Your class, Deceiver has reached Level 53.

…

Ding! Your class, Deceiver has reached Level 56.

Ding! Your class, Shadowflame Temptress has reached level 2.

…

Ding! Your class, Shadowflame Temptress has reached level 5.

“Sarnyxia!” Piper cried out, staring down at Georgia lying motionless on the ground. A pool of dark blood spread out around the woman’s body. “Why did you do that?”

The demoness's tail whipped around behind her, shaking off the blood. “As much as it galls me, my fate is intertwined with yours. I will do everything in my power to ensure you continue to survive and grow stronger.”

Piper took a deep breath. She wanted to be upset with the demoness. But the slain adventurer had given her a ton of levels. Levels that would help immensely in freeing Ophelia. No matter how much she tried, she couldn’t make herself feel bad for someone who’d wanted to murder her.

“We don’t have much time,” Piper finally said. “We need to keep moving.”

Eleni swallowed. “Is it safe for me to be around your summons?”

“Sarnyxia,” Piper called out. “Don’t attack Eleni unless she threatens my life.” After her experiences in the world, she wasn’t so naïve as to believe she would never be at odds with the Silver Hippogriffs.

The only true friends she had in this world were either dead or in captivity. And she was about to make someone pay for the latter.