Knock Knock

Inside the grand castle that was now under the possession of Niko, the silence was all around. Small rats could be heard moving about the floor, and entering little pockets on the wall. This miniature information network was something that Niko greatly valued.

The day has been uneventful thus far, as they had some minor success exploring around the area the day prior. Light passed through the grand windows showering the wooden floors with light particles, and everyone within the castle seemed to be doing their own thing, until suddenly.

"Knock! Knock!" a loud knock could be heard from the front door which was almost more like a gate by the sheer size. The closest person to the front door was Fumito who stood up from the sofa and made his way to the door to open it.

"Creeak!"

The huge doors made a sound as it was opened.

Fumito's facial reaction made a full one-eighty as he noticed the person behind the door. His eyes were full of hatred and anger as he couldn't believe the shamelessness of the person behind the door to show up here in front of them now.

"What the hell do you want?" Fumito said in a deep tone, doing no work in attempting to mask the hatred in his voice as he said this.

The feminine voice behind the door echoed within the castle as it left the person's mouth, "Chill out grandpa, I'm not here for you… Unless your old bones somehow managed to conquer this dungeon…"

There was almost a mocking tone in her voice as it came out slowly. Anyone who was there the day Niko and his group conquered the castle would be able to tell that this woman was none other than Veronica.

Fumito's heart was beating at an extremely fast pace as his hatred and killing intent towards this woman was unfathomably large. If she had stayed in the castle and fought against the calamity that had hit them when trying to escape the strange pigmen and the ratmen in the castle, they would have probably had a higher chance of survival, and the people Fumito cared about could've lived.

"Hello? Old man step aside, you're getting red, are you flustered? Has being in this world for so long made you incapable of standing next to a woman? Who conquered this place? That voiceless monk?" Veronica once more took a few jabs.

Before Fumito could respond a voice appeared behind him, "Fumito don't fall for such lousy provocation, let me handle this."

Niko was very well aware of the fact that Veronica had made her way up the mountain and to his castle. He allowed his spirits to let her make her way as he was intrigued by her purpose. He already had negative feelings towards her, therefore he wasn't afraid of taking a life.

Going through so much in this new world has slowly shaped him to be almost fearless and unbothered by the sight of blood and death.

Walking up to the door, Fumito nodded as he was slightly embarrassed for even letting his anger get the best of him. Moving to the side, Fumito allowed Niko to approach the door and meet face to face with Veronica. He wasn't stupid as he had placed several spirits around who were ready to strike at any moment.

Veronica, the cold-looking woman with her black clothing and hair, looked towards Niko with surprise.

"Wow, who would've thought it would be you." She noted.

Without a change of expression and with some seriousness Niko asks, "What do you want?"

"Well, you know why I'm here cutie. I want my part." Veronica spoke as she was very calculative with he body and facial movement.

Nikos's face changed as there was a strange look on his face. It was as if he had seen something comical yet disturbing.

"Your part?" Niko chuckled slightly

"Yes! Without my help we wouldn't have been able to complete the conquering of this caste, I have killed on our way up as well. And seeing how you've benefited from this, I would like some compensation… Think of it like how people hire mercenaries to do their work, I was just there to assist." Veronica said.

Fumito, who was still fuming on the side, blurted out something, "You're talking so much out of your ass that your breath smells like shit."

Veronica, who had a slight pleasant look on her face, completely changed in a matter of seconds, "Old man shut your mouth! You are lucky to be alive and not dead like the rest of your dead friends."

Fumito was ready to take out the [Longsword of Rust] and decapitate this woman right here.

Extending his hand to stop Fumito, Niko looked towards Veronica with killing intent, "If you don't leave this mountain in five seconds ill make sure this is the last place you step."

Veronica seemed taken aback as if surprised Niko would even say such things, "You can't be serious?"

"Five," Niko began the countdown.

"I killed over ten of those stupid ratmen which aided you all!" Veronica yelled.

"Four." Niko proceeded to count.

"You bastard, ill make sure you pay for this!" Veronica spoke as black smoke surrounded her legs and she disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Closing the door, Niko turned around to face Fumito who wasn't pleased by how Niko handled the situation, "Why did you let her go? She might go and team up with the other territories."

"I have spirits all around this mountain, if she moves in the wrong direction she will be killed. Besides I doubt she will survive long enough outside, she already had some bruises and dirt on her which seems like she has been struggling ever since she escaped the castle that day. She doesn't pose too much of a threat to the current us and we must also never lose the humanity in us. If we scooped down to her level we are no different than her with her schemes and shamelessness. You are angry and full of remorse towards that woman because you have a heart. Don't lose it…" Niko said as he continued, "Besides, ill give you the chance of taking her out in the future if she ever crosses our paths again."

Fumito looked determined as he now had something to work towards, and for the first time in his life, he couldn't wait for violence to commence.