Earth's Greatest Magus

Chapter 2747: Slums

The group of five was led through across Dawnstar City, their guide taking them deeper into its neglected underbelly until they emerged into an open field nestled between sagging residential blocks.

Waiting there were about two dozen figures—each one emanating the aura of a Magus Realm expert. Among them stood two whose presence pressed heavier than the rest: Grand Magus Realms, both emanating the distinct pressure of One-Cosmos experts.

As the group’s boots met the dusty ground, they instinctively began probing their surroundings. The flow of energy across the field was oddly stagnant—no ley lines, no artifacts, no signs of a base or hidden structure.

Annara’s intelligence had been limited. Though she knew the Midnight Brotherhood’s main base was somewhere in Dawnstar, she hadn’t known the precise location. The additional intelligence had been extracted from the captive Kadeth the Violet Miasma, but like most beast masters, Kadeth possessed strong mental defenses. Emery didn’t have days to waste—not with Nyx’s life hanging in the balance.

The code phrase ”dark ale” was used within the Brotherhood’s circle, passed only to trusted or potential clients to initiate a meeting. Unfortunately, with a single glance, they could tell this place was not their base. An open field surrounded by too many watchful eyes—something was definitely wrong.

The two Grand Magus stepped forward, their gazes sharp and calculating.

The first, a slender figure dressed in elaborate crimson robes, carried themselves with the mannerisms of a woman though their face was unmistakably male. This one was Salen the Crimson Widow, Fifth Brother of the Midnight Brotherhood.

Beside them stood a broad, bald man whose muscled arms were etched with blackened tattoos that pulsed faintly with dark energy—Borran the Iron Maw, the Eighth Brother.

Both were infamous, making their identity quickly recognized.

Borran was the first to speak, his tone gruff and dismissive.

”You don’t look like you’re from this sector,” he said, squinting at them. ”Who are you supposed to be?”

Emery’s dark avatar shifted subtly, ready to intervene, but Shinta raised a hand, stopping him. Adopting the commanding tone of her disguise, she replied coldly,

”Is this how the Midnight Brotherhood greets a paying client? Hmph. If we wanted to reveal who we are, we wouldn’t have come to a bunch of savages like you.”

Borran’s jaw tightened, his aura flaring slightly, but before he could bark back, Salen’s slender hand rose, halting him. A soft smile curved on the Crimson Widow’s lips.

”Please forgive my associate’s lack of manners,” Salen said in a lilting voice. ”It’s true—some of our clients prefer to remain anonymous. But that courtesy... is not one we extend to your kind... if you understand what I mean”

Though the halfblood prejudice stung, Shinta didn’t let it show. With measured calm, she replied,

”I thought money spoke louder than race. I’m willing to pay—a great deal, in fact.”

That caught Salen’s attention. The Grand Magus’ smile returned, faint and venomous.

”Oh, I agree. Money transcends many things. But you see...” Salen’s eyes began to glow faintly crimson, shimmering with spiritual power, ”...you are not one of our usual clients.”

The probing aura swept over Shinta like a wave, sharp as a blade seeking to pierce her mind. Kaelyin immediately stepped forward, nature energy flickering faintly around her fingers, ready to intervene. But Shinta gave a slight shake of her head, keeping her composure.

She could feel the invasive touch pressing against her spirit—probing, searching—but she resisted it, her will holding firm.

After a few tense seconds, Salen’s glow dimmed. Their smile deepened, equal parts admiration and intrigue.

”Impressive.. But even if I can’t pierce your thought, I can still tell...” Salen tilted their head ”you didn’t come here to hire us. So tell me—what is your real intention?”

Shinta’s mind raced. Their true objective was to create as large a distraction as possible, buying time for Emery to locate the Brotherhood’s hidden base. The mission would be even more successful if she could lure some of their Grand Magus members away—perhaps by convincing them of a lucrative offer that might earn her an invitation inside, or at least draw more of the higher realm members out. That would clear a path for Nyx’s rescue.

But the Midnight Brotherhood was no group of fools. As veteran assassins, they were experts at reading deceit, their instincts sharp enough to catch the smallest hint of falsehood.

Emery’s dark avatar, watching from the sidelines, could already see that the plan was faltering. His impatience grew; he was ready to strike and turn the situation into the distraction they needed. Yet Shinta wasn’t finished.

”I didn’t come to hire your services,” her voice steady despite the tension. ”But I didn’t lie—I came to pay a great deal of money.”

Her words immediately drew interest. The feminine Grand Magus tilted his head, his painted lips curling into a smile. ”Oh? Then please... do tell.”

”I came to pay for one of your kidnapped prisoners.”

The grand magus brows arched with intrigue. ”Interesting. And which prisoner would that be?”

”Her name is Nyx,” Shinta declared boldly. ”A succubus.”

”Ah... that one.” The Grand Magus’s expression shifted into mild amusement. He exchanged a subtle glance with the bald companion—clearly communicating through mental transmission—before replying, ”Yes... that’s possible. Her price is five hundred million!”

The number was absurd, enough to shock anyone, yet Shinta didn’t flinch. ”Deal,” she said at once. ”Now bring her out.”

Despite the outrageous sum, she knew that once Nyx appeared, her father could intervene and protect her. That was all she needed.

However, the Grand Magus only shook her head, her smile turning sly. ”No, no. You give us the money first, and we’ll deliver her later.”

Shinta’s composure cracked slightly as she rolled her eyes. ”What kind of deal is that? How do I know she’s even still alive? I won’t give you a single stone unless I can see her myself.”

The Grand Magus’s eyes glimmered with amusement. ”Of course, there’s another option,” she purred. ”You can come with us and see her yourself... but none of your companions may follow.”

Before Shinta could respond, Vic stepped forward anxiously. ”No! It’s too dangerous—you can’t go alone!”

Shinta gave him a faint smile, touched by his protective attitude. Then she turned back to the woman-like Grand Magus and said evenly, ”Do you take me for a fool? Without them to protect me, I’d simply become another one of your ransoms.”

The Grand Magus chuckled softly, clearly entertained. ”I suppose you’re not one of those naïve nobles after all... In that case, we have no deal. You may leave.”

Shinta drew in a deep breath. It was clear now—the Brotherhood was far more cautious than she had anticipated. Still, she wasn’t ready to give up.

”If money doesn’t interest you.. then perhaps... a trade. The succubus, in exchange for one of your own.”

Surprisingly, Shinta’s words were met with indifference. There was even a hint of disdain in the Grand Magus’s voice.

”We have more than enough members,” he sneered. ”We don’t need—”

His words cut off mid-sentence. His eyes widened in sudden shock as Shinta extended her hand—and from the void emerged a long, thrashing creature wreathed in faint violet light.

The Violet Centipede.

”You...!!” the Grand Magus gasped,