The Deceitful One

Detective Watson along with Robert led a team of Transcendents from the Silver Owls as they now stood atop a building in the Augustus Street neighborhood.

In the distance, they could see a humongous black-scaled devil wreaking havoc as it continued to spew flames in all directions.

The people that had come to protest had mostly died. Only a few hundred were still alive, however, they were severely wounded as they tried to escape.

Detective Watson looked at the gruesome scene in front of him as his eyebrows furrowed.

"If we fight that devil, a lot of us will be sacrificed," Robert stated with a grim expression.

Detective Watson was silent for a few moments as he then asked, "Apart from you, how many Rank 2 Transcendents do we have?"

"There are only three more Rank 2s in the Silver Owls Division. However, they are all support type." Robert replied as he sighed.

"I see…" Detective Watson nodded his head. "I'll go ahead and stall for as much time as possible. Wait for Bishop Walls to arrive and then together with him, bring all the Rank 2s for support. Instruct all the Rank 1s to help evacuate the residents."

"Yes, Detective!" Robert replied respectfully. However, he then hesitated and asked, "But will you be able to hold out?"

Detective Watson's lips curled up into a smirk as he looked at Robert, "You seem to have forgotten my moniker."

With that said, he tapped his gems-studded cane twice on the floor. The next moment, the cane transformed into a staff about as tall as him.

Detective Watson leaped off the roof as he jumped from one rooftop to the other as he slowly approached the devil.

Robert looked at Detective Watson's back as he couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Weapons Master!"

He then began to rally all the Transcendents behind him as he instructed the Rank 1s to evacuate all the people in the neighborhood. Meanwhile, he and Old Larry waited for Bishop Walls and the other Transcendents of the Church to arrive.

The reason why these two didn't accompany Detective Watson was simple. In the face of a Rank 4 adversary, even Rank 3s were barely any match, let alone a couple of measly Rank 2s.

And as for why Detective Watson was confident enough to face a Rank 4 alone. The reason for that was also quite simple: He was just that damn good!

'It's been a while since I've stretched these muscles…' Detective Watson sighed inwardly as he ran through the deserted streets. The buildings around him had caught on fire and the surroundings were engulfed in black smoke.

He bent his knees as he jumped to the top of a building that hadn't been set aflame. The ground beneath him cracked into a cobweb shape. Detective Watson ran across the walls of the building as he jumped once again.

This way, he slowly made his way toward the Devil. Right when the latter was within a suitable distance, Detective Watson jumped high up in the air as he flew towards's the top of the Devil's head.

Abaddon felt something amiss as he looked up and saw a blond man holding a black staff with one hand while pointing his other hand toward him.

Furious that a mere human dared to fly above his head, Abaddon roared as he proceeded to take a swing at this human. However, right before he could even move his arm, he heard the human mutter coldly,

"Rank 3 Spell: Mind Frenzy!"

Duke Abaddon's eyes glazed over for a split second as he felt utter confusion invade his mind. However, that split second was all Detective Watson needed as he raised his black staff with both arms.

The veins on his forearms were almost on the verge of popping as he had used so much for his strength. He let out a primal war cry as he brought the staff down and slammed it against Abaddon's forehead.

BAM!!!

Abaddon's forehead slightly caved in as he fell face-first against the ground. Upon falling, the impact was so loud that the nearby buildings were all demolished in an instant!

The Transcendents standing in the distance could not believe their eyes as their jaws dropped.

Old Larry looked at the scene incredulously as he asked in shock, "Is Detective Watson really just a Rank 3!?"

Robert gulped involuntarily as he replied, "Yes, he's a Rank 3 Transcendent. But I've heard rumors that the cane he always carries around with him, is in fact a God-Level Artifact!"

"What!?" Old Larry turned to look at Robert and screamed, "Is that true!?"

He was an artisan and such behavior was very normal for him who had just witnessed the strength of a God-Level Artifact. After all, which Artisan Path Transcendent does not wish to have one? Or better yet, create one!

Robert nodded his head, "These are just rumors but it is very likely to be true. It is said that Detective Watson had come across this weapon in an ancient ruin while he was traveling when he was young.

"And the reason why the Church or anyone else hasn't taken this artifact from him is that the artifact had chosen him! In the hands of others, it would just be a regular cane. However, in the hands of Detective Watson, it would shine the most.

"The reason why Detective Watson is so feared in the Transcendent world despite only being a Low-String Transcendent is partly because of his skills and partly because of this God-Level Artifact."

Old Larry pondered deeply as he muttered, "If the weapon has the sentience to choose its wielder then it is very likely to be a God-Level Artifact!"

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Detective Watson's spiritual force was intensely triggered as it sent him severe warnings. Without hesitation, he distanced himself from Abaddon, however, he was still late.

A thick pillar of black flames rose from Abaddon's body as it threatened to tear the sky. Half of Detective Watson's body was instantly bathed in this fire as it charred his skin black.

"Aargghh!!" He grunted in pain as he knelt down on one knee. The left half of his torso along with the left side of his face was completely burnt to a crisp.

With great difficulty, he took out a healing potion from his suit's pocket and chugged it down as he thought, 'As expected, this body is too weak and too slow to be fighting a Rank 4 Devil.'