Adrian and Emily sprinted toward the mansion, the dense forest around them a blur. Trees loomed in their path, but they dodged and weaved through the obstacles with ease, their focus unshaken.
Meanwhile, in the Underground, King, Gil, and Sir Gallant’s men raided several hideouts, their frustration mounting with each dead end.
King’s patience wore thin. “This is pointless. We’re no closer to finding August Magnus.”
Gil placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. “Stay calm. We’ve reached Erica Web’s Pleasure Hall. If anyone knows something, it’s her.”
As if summoned, Erica emerged from the entrance, her human form as alluring as ever. She greeted them with a slow, knowing smile.
“Hello, gentlemen. How can I help you?”
“We’re looking for a criminal,” King stated. “August Magnus.”
At the mention of the name, Erica’s eyes flickered ever so slightly. “August Magnus, you said? Sorry, I don’t know anyone by that name.”
Gil caught the slight change in her expression and glanced at King. He already knew—Erica was lying. But before Gil could act, King’s patience snapped.
Without hesitation, he activated his Trinket. His long sword gleamed as he lunged forward, aiming straight for Erica’s heart.
And then—he stopped.
His body refused to move. No matter how hard he tried, he was frozen in place.
Erica chuckled, holding up a nearly invisible thread. “Thin, aren’t they?”
King’s jaw clenched. “What are you talking about?”
“These,” she said, tugging lightly, “are my webs. And you, my dear, are caught in them. Frustrating, isn’t it?”
King exhaled sharply. “Very. But you will not stop me from capturing August Magnus.”
His sword shimmered, shifting its form.
“Elfin King—Form Three.”
Before their eyes, the blade fractured into ten floating daggers, hovering like silent assassins. In a single motion, they sliced through the threads, severing his restraints.
Erica’s confident smirk faltered. This wasn’t ordinary Trinket Metamorphosis. Only one Trinket bore the name Elfin.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
“…Are you the king of the elves?” she asked cautiously.
King’s expression darkened. “I am no king. A king has subjects to rule. I have no such luxury.”
A sinking feeling settled in Erica’s stomach. This is worse than I thought.
With the daggers poised behind him, King seized the advantage. They shot forward with terrifying speed. Thinking quickly, Erica spun a wall of webbing to slow them down. But as she focused on defense, she lost sight of King.
Using her own web as cover, he darted behind her, his sword reforming in an instant. The blade cut through the air, aiming for her back. At the last moment, Erica swung her arm into its path, enlarging it in an attempt to absorb the impact.
The blade sliced through effortlessly.
Her severed limb hit the ground with a sickening thud, shrinking back to its human form.
King regarded her coolly. “So… you have to prepare that thread inside your body before releasing it. Meaning—this isn’t a Trinket ability.”
Erica clenched her teeth. Damn this kid… I just have to hope they got August out in time.
A voice rang out from the doorway.
“Yo, what’s going on here?”
Erica’s heart stopped.
August Magnus stood at the entrance, his customary, cheerful grin firmly plastered on his face.
“You idiot!” Erica snapped. “Why are you still here?”
August scratched his head. “I dunno. Your women were trying to move me somewhere, but—am I interrupting something?”
King’s body tensed. His eyes locked onto August, his fury igniting all over again. His sword dissolved back into daggers, which launched toward August at deadly speed.
August’s grin faded. His hand shot forward, activating his Trinket as he slammed his axe into the ground. The earth beneath them trembled, rising to form a thick stone wall that blocked the attack. The daggers clashed against it, falling uselessly to the ground.
The barrier crumbled as August lowered his hand. His gaze flickered to Erica, then to her severed arm. His expression shifted—from confusion to realization.
His attention snapped back to King.
“You did this?” His voice, usually lighthearted, was now laced with fury.
King smirked. “And if I did?”
The air grew thick with tension.
August’s grip tightened around his axe. With a single, powerful swing, he struck the ground. Spikes of stone erupted, surging toward King.
King barely reacted. “Elfin King—Form Two. Sun Shield.”
His daggers reformed into a radiant circular shield, a golden sun emblazoned on its surface. The stone spikes crashed into it, shattering on impact.
August whistled. “Neat trick.”
King smirked. “It absorbs momentum and nullifies force. If you want to hurt me, August Magnus, you’ll have to do better.”
As their battle escalated, Erica turned her gaze to Gil. Something was wrong.
He hadn’t moved.
Suspicious, she cast her web around him, ensnaring him with ease. But he didn’t resist.
“…Why aren’t you fighting back?” she demanded.
Gil chuckled. “Because clones like me don’t fight.”
Erica’s stomach dropped. “…What?”
“I can’t fight,” he said with a smirk.
Realization struck her like a thunderbolt.
They had been deceived.
Gil had created a clone to accompany King in the Underground while the real Gil remained at the mansion, waiting.
Which meant—
Adrian and Emily were walking straight into a trap.
Adrian and Emily strode through the dense woods, the mansion just ahead.
Suddenly, chains lashed out from the shadows, wrapping around the trees and sealing them inside.
Adrian’s instincts flared. Something’s wrong.
He stepped protectively in front of Emily, drawing his Pugio dagger and assuming a defensive stance.
From behind a tree, a figure emerged.
“It’s a good thing I trusted King’s hunch,” he mused, twirling his weapon—a long chain, its end adorned with a wickedly sharp scythe.
Adrian’s grip tightened around his dagger. “Who are you?”
The man grinned.
“Gil Hunter. World Federation soldier.”