Chapter 333: Meeting of the Soul Collector Executives

In the room, four figures sat on a long bench covered in luxurious black fabric. The floor beneath them was cold yet clean, as if the place was frequently maintained. Behind them stood several people, silent and motionless, like shadows waiting for orders.

Arde sat on the far left. His black cloak draped down to the floor, creased at the elbows, and the hood covered his entire head.

Arde's face was hidden behind the dull black fabric, leaving only two glowing red eyes visible, sharp and hungry. The gaze of Arde was like embers in ash, lurking, harboring anger. His breath was slow and heavy, each exhale felt like a restrained threat.

Next to Arde, Lucius sat calmly. His black suit was dust-free and unwrinkled—as if the world around Lucius could not touch him. Lucius's dark blue hair was neatly cut, styled with a precision that was almost militaristic.

Lucius's face was expressionless, but that coldness pierced deeper than any anger. His hands were clasped in his lap, and only Lucius's eyes—those deep black eyes—occasionally moved, analyzing everything around them as if plotting death.

In the center, Theana sat gracefully like a noblewoman lost in a place full of blood. Her long black dress with soft lace wrapped around her body with an elegance that concealed poison.

Theana's blood-red hair was braided with small black ornaments, and her black eyes, along with a black fan in her hand, swayed gently, hiding a thin smile that never reached her eyes. The sound of footsteps seemed to fall silent in Theana's presence.

And at the end, Vicilia. The little girl sat casually, her feet dangling from the bench, occasionally swinging gently. Vicilia's oversized black shirt covered her small body, which was too quiet for her age.

Her short skirt swayed softly, and Vicilia's long black hair brushed the floor, resembling a blanket of darkness. Vicilia looked around with a small, unnatural smile—a child's smile that knew how to kill with a snap of her fingers.

They were the Executives. Four shadow leaders of the Soul Collector— a secret organization that had spread its roots into the system for years, planting poison within society, all for one goal: to resurrect the God they worshipped.

But today, the aura of power was mixed with unease. One of their four groups—Arde's group—had been discovered and destroyed. A disgrace. A weakness.

"Damn it..." Vicilia said softly, her tone sharp and teasing. "This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't been careless, Arde."

Arde turned. The movement was slow, filled with pressure. His red eyes glared at Vicilia like embers ready to burn flesh. "You talk too much, little girl. Repeat that, and I will blow your mouth off your face."

Vicilia let out a small, amused laugh, as if hearing a joke in a playground. "Go ahead and try."

Theana waved her fan once, a thin breeze flowing from her movement. "You two are like children. Lucius, say something. Before they really kill each other."

Lucius did not respond immediately. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them slowly. "Calm down. We haven't lost yet. We can still attack the City Academy. But we need to distract them... in a bigger way."

Arde narrowed his eyes, his tone cold. "Tell me your plan."

Lucius leaned back, his fingers interlaced in front of his chest. "We will unleash a monster from the west side of Fortress City 085. Attack the outer gate, create mass chaos. While all the forces are drawn there, we will stage a false attack on the Government Council office. Two points of attack. Two fires. Then—when they are divided, we infiltrate the City Academy. Take the girl. The Holy Woman. The Vessel of the God."