The Deceitful One

After Bryan became a Transcendent, the refinement process for the mask, Deceit, had quickened exponentially. Moreover, he had been refining it for quite a long time, hence, just today he was able to completely refine this God-Level artifact!

Earlier today morning, when Bryan put on the mask, much to his astonishment, he realized that the mask had completely melded into his skin and had become one with him!

The God-Level artifact was completely bound to him. After having refined the artifact, he also got to know an additional crucial piece of information through it.

If he were to ever lose any of his body parts, the mask, Deceit, would be able to help him regrow it. However, the catch was that he had to use an equally tremendous amount of spiritual force in one go and not in different segments.

This would only be possible for him when he advanced to at least Rank 5 or Rank 6 Transcendent.

Other than that, he had already known beforehand that the mask would allow him to become anyone he wished. Not only could it change his appearance, but it could also change his body structure, voice, and most importantly, soul fluctuation!

And that was exactly what he had done right now! He had changed into the appearance of Lara's deceased younger brother, Logan!

And how did he come to know about Logan? By reading Lara's memories inside her dream, of course!

Bryan now knew everything about Lara, even her weaknesses which even she might not be aware of.

He stroked Lara's head as he looked at her pitifully, "You couldn't save your younger brother from dying, could you?"

Lara stared at Bryan in disbelief as she stuttered, "H-how is this p-possible! N-No, wait! How do you know about L-Logan!?"

Bryan's lips curled up into a cold smile, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, poor girl."

He then raised his right hand and wiped his face. When he lowered his hand again, his face had already turned into that of a middle-aged man's.

He now had brown hair and blue eyes and looked very similar to Logan. He looked at Lara with contempt, "You couldn't save your brother. And you even caused your mother to die."

Lara's body began to tremble as her eyes widened, "F-Father! No, no, no, I t-tried my best. Please believe me!"

Bryan shook his head as he walked around Lara who was firmly bound by the Shadow Tendrils. By the time, he came back in front of her, his face had changed once again!

This time, he had long black hair and a face that looked similar to Lara's, only slightly matured. Bryan looked into Lara's eyes with utter disgust, "I wish I had never given birth to you!"

Lara's eyes reddened as tears began to stream down her face, "M-Mother, please don't say that! I did my best to try and save L-Logan. I tried to be a g-good daughter all my life."

Bryan snapped his fingers, as his face twisted and contorted. His long black hair shortened, and his face changed back to his usual self.

He looked into Lara's eyes and smiled mischievously, "Looks like you've had some family issues."

Lara looked at the person before him whose face changed every minute. And every time the face changed, it reminded her of the deepest emotional trauma that she had buried deep within her.

Her body began to tremble in fear as she looked at Bryan in horror, "W-Who are you!? Leave me alone! J-Just leave me alone!"

Towards the end, Lara began to scream in terror as she tried to free herself from the Shadow Tendrils.

Looking at Lara's horrified expression, Bryan grinned from ear to ear as he wiped his face again. His face changed back to Logan's as he looked at Lara innocently, "Big sis, do you really want me to leave?"

Lara saw Logan's teary eyes as she muttered, "No! Logan, that's not what I meant. You can st-"

However, before she could finish her sentence, her body trembled even more as she screamed in fear, "No! No! It's not you! It's not you! Just kill me! I beg you, just kill me!"

Logan's lips curled up into a mischievous smile, "With pleasure, big sis!"

He stabbed his right hand at lightning speed as it penetrated Lara's chest. He then grabbed her heart and pulled it out.

Lara saw her still beating heart in the hand of her dear younger brother whom she loved the most in her life. She couldn't help but begin to sob in pain and melancholy.

The last thing she saw before she forever lost consciousness was her own younger brother holding her heart and staring at her with an amusing smile.

Bryan squished the bloody heart in his hand as it exploded into flesh and blood. He then took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hand.

His face had already turned back to normal. He looked at Lara who was lying naked on the floor. A gaping hole could be seen on her chest. And her lifeless eyes contained a mixture of emotions like terror, grief, and anguish.

Bryan narrowed his eyes as he coldly stared at the drop of tear rolling down Lara's cheek. He then raised his right foot and viciously stamped on her face.

He did it over and over again until her head turned into a mangled mixture of blood, flesh, and brain matter. Seeing the state of her head, he nodded.

Bryan then entered Lara's bedroom again as he whistled a melodic tune. Hands in his pocket, he walked behind the bed with great familiarity and pressed a certain brick on the wall.

Following that, a secret passageway opened up. Bryan entered it and came in front of the black safe that was as big as him.

He recalled Lara's memories and confirmed that this was indeed the safe where all her wealth was stored. He stretched his hand out and touched the safe's surface. The next moment, the safe disappeared!

Bryan had put it inside his silver pocket watch!