Chapter 239 239: Discovered
Caleb, in his infiltrator mode, slipped into the 6th District undetected, his footsteps swallowed by the shadows that clung to him like loyal allies. He scanned the opulent surroundings with his blood-red eyes, taking in the grandeur of the district he had only heard of in whispers and rumors.
In the heart of the district stood a castle, its towering spires reaching for the heavens. The moonlight cascaded down its majestic façade, revealing intricate carvings and elaborate designs that spoke of centuries-old decadence. Caleb's eyes narrowed, and a twisted smirk played on his lips.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
"Look at this place," he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with disdain. "A castle built on the suffering of the masses. Classic nobility."
As he strolled through the shadows, he marveled at the luxurious manors that adorned the district like gaudy ornaments. Each building seemed to vie for attention, boasting extravagance in every detail. Caleb's enhanced hearing caught snippets of hedonistic revelry, the laughter of nobles echoing through the night like a mocking music.
The three-story structures surrounding the castle were no less impressive. Bathed in the soft glow of ornate lanterns, they stood as monuments to the excesses of the ruling class. Caleb couldn't help but imagine the treasures hidden within those walls – artifacts, secrets, and perhaps the very source of the energy he sought.
As he moved deeper into the district, the debauchery of the nobles became more apparent. He witnessed scenes of excess and indulgence – the clinking of goblets, the murmur of whispered conspiracies, and the laughter of those who believed themselves untouchable. Caleb's eyes glinted with a predatory gleam. His disdain for the nobility increased.
The shadows embraced him as he continued his exploration.
"The higher they are, the harder they fall," he mused. 'Its time for a disguise.'
...
Caleb, lurked in the shadows of the 6th District, waiting for the perfect opportunity to exploit the vanity of the nobles that paraded down the opulent streets. His black-hearted intentions pulsated with each heartbeat as he eyed a lone noble approaching the alley.
As the unsuspecting noble drew near, Caleb emerged from the shadows with a swift, silent grace. With a well-aimed blow, he knocked the noble unconscious, his limp body crumpling to the cobblestone ground. A wicked grin stretched across Caleb's face as he rifled through the noble's pockets, liberating a handful of glittering coins and a set of extravagant clothes. Well, he stripped him until only underwear was left.
"Now, let's see if these nobles really know how to enjoy the finer things in life," he muttered to himself with an air of nonchalance.
Donning the "borrowed" clothes, Caleb emerged from the alley, his silhouette transformed into that of a nobleman. The vibrant colors of the stolen attire accentuated his devil-may-care smirk. He manipulated the limited color spectrum around him, enhancing his appearance, making him look even more dashing and majestic than the original owner of the clothes. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and fairer skin. A starter pack appearance for aristocrats.
As he strolled down the bustling street, Caleb felt stupid with the attention he garnered from passerby nobles. Whispers of admiration and envy followed him like an invisible entourage. His enhanced senses allowed him to catch fragments of conversations as the nobles exchanged hushed remarks about the newfound noble in their midst.
"Have you seen him? He must be from a distinguished house."
"I don't know. It's the first time I saw such a handsome guy. Look at those beautiful eyes. They look unreal."
Caleb's grin widened with each admiring glance and speculative murmur. His casual demeanor belied the cunning mind that orchestrated this charade. He basked in the irony of it all – a shameless imposter parading among the nobility, a wolf in sheep's clothing waiting to devour them.
As he continued down the lavish thoroughfare, Caleb couldn't help but wonder about the success of his impromptu plan. The stolen clothes not only masked his true identity but elevated him to a position of fleeting nobility, where appearances were paramount. The casual sway of his borrowed noble garments accentuated the appearance made by his limited color manipulation.
...
The king reclined on his ornate throne, draped in regal attire that shimmered like the night sky. His fingers drummed lazily on the armrest as he surveyed the grand hall, adorned with tapestries depicting the kingdom's triumphs and chandeliers casting a warm glow.
"Fetch me my favorite wine," the king commanded, his voice echoing through the vast chamber.
A servant promptly scurried away, returning with a bottle of deep red wine, its hue reminiscent of freshly spilled blood. The king's eyes gleamed with approval as he accepted the goblet, the intoxicating aroma wafting around him.
"Ah, the nectar of indulgence," he mused, savoring the rich flavor with each sip.
As the king relished in the relaxation of his surroundings, an uninvited guest slipped through the shadows of the royal castle. Caleb, navigated his way through the opulent corridors with practiced ease. His investigation led him to the heart of the kingdom, the royal palace itself.
The king, lost in his own reverie, sensed a subtle disturbance in the air. His keen perception, honed by years, alerted him to an unfamiliar presence. Unperturbed, he regarded it as no more than a mere nuisance, a minor distraction in the grand scheme of his kingly affairs.
Amused by the sudden intrusion, the king shifted his focus to a more mundane matter – the kingdom's persistent rodent problem. "Summon the castle guards. We seem to have unwelcome guests of a smaller stature," he ordered, a hint of indifference in his tone.
As the guards mobilized to address the rodent predicament, Caleb lingered in the shadows, a smirk playing on his lips. Little did the king know that the true intruder was not of the vermin variety, but a cunning infiltrator with a penchant for mischief.
However, the king's perceptive gaze swept across the hall, pausing on Caleb, who was attempting to blend in with the nobles present. The king's suspicion grew as he felt the peculiar aura emanating from this seemingly misplaced noble. It was an aura he was very familiar with!
"Lost your way, noble?" the king inquired, his voice carrying a touch of curiosity.
Caught off guard, Caleb's eyes widened imperceptibly. He had not anticipated the king to notice him! For a moment, his shameless façade wavered, replaced by a subtle tension. The king, still lounging on his throne, observed Caleb with a discerning gaze, waiting for an explanation. 'M*therfucker! How!?'
'Hmmm... This kid. Whose family is this kid? A Tier 8 Shadow Path user at that.' The king stood up with a gleam of excitement in his eyes.