The Deceitful One

Monday, 2nd May 1581.

Bryan exited Detective Watson's house on 22 Augustus Street. He was wearing his usual black suit and white shirt. Benny followed after him and looked at him from time to time, almost unable to hold his laughter.

As he exited the main gate of the compound, he took off his black fedora hat and covered his face with it as he cursed inwardly, 'Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!'

Just around half an hour back, Bryan had been severely scolded by Detective Watson for attempting to advance without his guidance. This was the first time Bryan had seen him be so upset.

However, that wasn't even the worst thing. When Detective Watson asked Bryan what Path he had embarked on, he had said Shadow Path without an ounce of hesitation.

But when Bryan was asked to talk more about his innate abilities, that's where he fucked up! He had replied that his innate abilities were Physical Boost, Night Vision, and slipping into the shadows between tight spaces.

And that's when Detective Watson knew that Bryan had lied to him. Because the innate abilities that came with the Shadow Path were Physical Boost, Night Vision, Shadow Stealth, and Critical Blow!

Bryan tried to get out of this situation but in front of a Rank 3 Transcendent from the Wisdom Path, he just couldn't.

Detective Watson scolded him for a good few minutes for lying to him on top of attempting to advance to a Transcendent alone without his help.

In the end, Bryan was able to convince him that he didn't embark on any of the evil Paths. But when asked which Path he had actually embarked on, Bryan decided to awkwardly remain silent and not answer.

After that, Detective Watson simply asked him to leave and come back the next weekend when it was time for him to attend private classes with him.

As Bryan thought about what had happened earlier back at Detective Watson's house, he couldn't help but sigh as he shook his head, "I really fucked up! And now teacher is so mad at me."

Benny climbed atop Bryan's shoulder and replied mentally, 'He's not mad at you.'

Bryan looked at Benny and raised his eyebrows, 'Benny, you could read his mind or something?'

'Well, not his mind.' Benny replied as he licked his paw, 'I could only read a few of his peripheral thoughts.'

Bryan thought that this made sense. If Benny had the ability to enter someone's dream and glean their entire life history. It wouldn't be too far-fetched for him to read someone's thoughts while still in the Waking World.

'So, he's not mad at me?' Bryan inquired mentally.

Benny shook his head, 'Not mad. Disappointed.'

Bryan's elbows slouched as he displayed a grieving expression, "T-That's even worse!"

Benny patted Bryan's head lightly and giggled, 'It's okay. Just come up with a better excuse by next weekend.'

Bryan couldn't help but sigh as he thought, 'Should I just tell him that I embarked on the Theft Path?'

But he then immediately shook his head, 'No, I can't! Mother had specifically warned me in the letter not to divulge this information to anyone.'

Bryan continued walking under the shade of the parasol trees that were planted along the footpath of Augustus Street as he thought deeply, 'Fuck it, I'll just come up with an excuse to tell teacher.'

He threw this matter to the back of his head. He had more important problems to deal with, after all. For tonight, he was going to hunt down the Rank 1 Transcendent of the Blood Path, Lara!

…

Rose & Thorn was a well-known bar that was located at 69 Laurent Avenue. This bar catered only to the rich and wealthy people living in Damascus City. Moreover, this place also had a strict dress code. That was the first barrier to entry.

If the entry manager, the one who decided whether people were to be given entry, deemed that the guest wasn't fit to enter, the bodyguards of the bar would escort that person away from the premise.

Hence, people tried to dress in their most lavish clothes and come to Rose & Thorn to have a drink. Getting entry to this bar also spoke volumes about their status in society. That's how reputable this bar was!

A black carriage parked right in front of the bar as Bryan alighted from it. He was wearing his most expensive black three-piece suit, and he looked quite handsome in it.

After paying the driver the money, he walked toward the entrance of Rose & Thorn. The entry manager, who was standing behind a tall desk, first looked at Bryan's clothes and inwardly nodded in approval.

However, when he noticed that Bryan had come here in a public carriage, he instantly decided to not give him entry to the bar.

After all, the customers that frequented this bar, all had private carriages and steam cars. If someone came to their bar in a public carriage, it would be easy to estimate how much they would be spending inside the bar.

The entry manager was a bald middle-aged man who had a thin mustache. He was wearing a black tuxedo and two bulky bodyguards were standing behind him, dressed in black.

He was just about to deny Bryan entry, however, the latter quickly brought his hand forward to shake hands.

The entry manager acutely noticed a 20-pound note in Bryan's hand. He smiled faintly as he stretched out his hand as well.

"Long time no see, sir." He spoke with great familiarity.

'Son of a bitch! I flash a 20-pound note and all of a sudden we're buddies, huh?' Bryan cursed in his heart.

However, on the outside, he smiled warmly as he whispered into the entry manager's ears, "10 for you and the rest for the boys behind."

The entry manager nodded his head ever so slightly, "Welcome to Rose & Thorn! May you have a splendid evening, sir."

The bodyguards behind him opened the red leather surfaced door and made way for Bryan.

Bryan nodded at them and entered the best bar in the city. Ready to woo and subsequently murder Lara!