Everything was a mystery and no one from the normal world could piece out any of the clues!

Most people didn't understand what was going on and were basically making up excuses. Like it must be the work of a group of bored intellectuals. However, the people from the top were panicking and mobilizing their henchmen to trace its source. Out of them all, C Empire's government higher-ups were the most alarmed.

"Sh*t! What should we do? That video only started twenty minutes ago, but the phones from all the departments kept ringing non-stop! It's really crazy!"

"Director!!! Another spokesperson called! It's from Country Y's White House, demanding our explanation!"

"Everyone's receiving the same type of call. They're saying their missing denizens appear on that video hosted somewhere in our empire. They said an explanation and compensation are needed!"

"Outrageous!!! B Empire is asking ten million for each kidnapped denizen! "

"Solution..."

"I think we must forward these all to the High Ministry. The pressure the diplomatic team is facing is so huge."

"Sh*t! What better solution will there be apart from denying all the accusations?! Are you f*cking kidding me?!!! If we say it's indeed our empire, even if we explain it's a terrorist c.u.m evil organization's work, all the other countries will still condemn us!!! They will say we're racist b.a.s.t.a.r.ds who allowed unparalleled evil to breed on our sacred grounds!"

"R-Right! That accursed video's setting is not our empire! We must stand firm and deny them..."

While all sorts of things happened behind the scene, the livestream never stopped. It only stopped showing Sofony who was in her disguise, instead showing how the evacuation by the triad men went. This worked against the empire more since with or without the beautiful and charismatic short-haired woman, as long as the video was running, they would have a hard time claiming everything there was not taking place in their territory.

"d.a.m.n, that chatroom is also a huge problem!!!"

The chatroom next to the video was a means for everyone from all over the world to express themselves and say their piece. That was the basic function. And it was now being hated just as much by all the concerned people from C Empire since it was also broadcasting more information against them.

'User111: F*ckery, this is insane!!!! I think I just saw someone so familiar in that video. It's my neighbor who suddenly disappeared a year ago!!!! I can't believe one day I will suddenly find him like this! Madness! Just so you folks know, I'm from Country Z!!!!'

'JustGiveMeAReason: My mooommmmmm!!!!! My missing mom is alive!!!! Department of Justice and Foreign Affairs, what's the meaning of this?!!! Give me back my mom!!!"

'Stfyysys: Look at those in the footage. All of them seemed to have suffered h.e.l.l. And if everyone's claim above is true, then it means they are abducted from different countries. Just in what in the world is that underground place? Which evil group did this?"

'Tyr3012: Must be followers of Cthultu...'

'Afia&&&&: Government, do something!!!'

'1235: My brother!!!'

Similar comments poured in, revealing the scariest point to all of the viewers globally.

But to C Empire this was not all the troubles and oddities they must face. They hadn't pinpointed the location of the broadcast yet now they discovered even if they learned of the place, they had so little number of armed people to send there. Why? Oh. Because an entire is actually missing!

Couple this with the internal and external debates and arguments from all the divisions and the government of different countries, it seemed the trouble and headaches for the mighty empire of the Eastern World were just endless.

Outside the village, for some inexplicable reasons the pathway Sofony opened up led to a deserted, open s.p.a.ce different from the original one. However, no one from the mercenary ranks nor the rescued slaves dared to ask anything. Hypnotism dictated what they should do for the next few hours.

About one thousand people of different ethnicities and races emerged from the pathway. The livestream caught all of it, rendering the viewers from the comfort of their homes or wherever they were to see the faces of those rescued out there.

"Separate into ten groups..." The guy made the leader gave instructions to everyone. The whole group showed confusion in their faces. But still under Sofony's control, they didn't protest but instead executed the orders smoothly.

Within the semi-destroyed underground building.

The leader was surprisingly staying at the first floor of the place which had become the final destination for Sofony and Gio after they scoured the rest of the lower floors. Blood littered the ground, dead bodies could be found everywhere. Some of the deceased wore normal clothing, the others in military uniform. Seeing the latter, Sofony pursed her lips and silently uttered a prayer in her heart.

She swept a glance at the hypnotized allies remaining. The fight was almost over. At least for this base, most of its inhabitants had already died or fled away. Faced with a devil that could actually 'bully' their leader to death, even the core members given the most preferential treatment within the organization ran away.

If they had the chance, why would they not use it to save their lives? Since the leader was occupying an out of this world non-host, they would of course gladly take that opportunity to flee.

Ignoring its taunting, she huffed and flashed towards the Leader with the blade looted from a dead Level 5. Sounds of wind being cut entered her ears as she grazed the arm of the old man dressed in traditional C Empire clothing.

"You again!" A hoa.r.s.e aged voice echoed with extreme irritation. The leader was annoyed again by her hara.s.sment. But there was a reason behind the painful expression on his wrinkled face.

With a shout, Leader Mao teleported again, dodging the explosive fist that almost blew him up into pieces of bones and flesh.

"Die!"

Sofony casted all her abilities at once on the enemy when he reappeared in a blasted corner. Annoyed that she couldn't personally teleport to ambush the Level 8 monster, she continued with her harra.s.sing tactics, raining skills and deadly weapons to wherever he was. Gio would then flickered to Leader Mao's side and deal the real deadly blows.

'The enemy is severely injured... And my stack of barriers plus Gio's would not allow him to go out. He's not Bathory with convenient access to the 'Layers'... It's very unbelievable but it should be a matter of time before he fell.'

Sofony wiped the beads of sweat on her face which had turned unreadable a few minutes after. In this whole fight, it was like she was a secondary fighter and a.s.sistant to Gio. While she was proud to know her man was this powerful, an uncomfortable feeling rose from her chest.

She looked at his back. By then he was expressionlessly stomping on the injured old man's spine. As cracking sounds reverberated in the place, he was sporting a bored look at the leader's b.l.o.o.d.y laughing face. The Mao fellow was laughing from helplessness, but Gio remained as indifferent as ever, set on killing the old man so he could bring his woman home.

Sofony's eyes turned glazed as she watched all of this. The devil in her head kept laughing and reminding how he was so different from how he used to be. She placed her trembling right hand on her chest.

'... If he becomes like me in the time we are separated... Just how much despair did he go through? Is it all because of me?'

The system in her head almost went into a 'huh?', in disbelief how its provocation elicited such an unexpected response. Like usual, it wanted to play the bad guy but it momentarily forgot one important thing.

Women in love thought differently from normal.

"Sofy, let's leave." Suddenly, Gio's voice rang, knocking her out of her stupor.

While catching her breath she nodded at him then gave the dead old man a casual glance. This seemingly mighty system user died like that after getting tied down by her and killed by Gio. It was quite a difficult battle and there were a few wounds left all over body. But for some reason, she felt like there was something wrong with the process.

Gio saw her looking a bit puzzled and then furrowed his brows. A few creases consequently appeared on his forehead.

He didn't say anything though. After watching her direct the remaining army personnels in the place. The invisible walls caging the people inside had finally tumbled down and so Gio led Sofony. However there was no relaxed expression on his face.

Gio asked, "Do you have other places to visit?"

Sofony glanced at his hand for a few seconds before deciding to hold it. The warmth from it made the troubled feeling in her heart disappear, a soft smile blossomed on her face. No matter what absurdities he showed her, what wouldn't change was that they were now officially engaged and that she loved him. Even if he turned out to be the detestable creator of the system, this fact wouldn't change. She loved him this much.

With that same contented smile on, she replied, "I plan to check on the other two. My secondary host Sofia and my friend Wendy's..." she stilled for a second, pondering. What was that strange guy again to Wendy? It didn't take long for her to continue. "... stalker, has come with me to help me raid the whole organization. This place seems too deserted. I'm afraid some of those who fled went after those two, if not, then the freed slaves."

They walked down the hallway leading to the official entrance and exit while holding hands. But before they completely exited the wrecked base, Sofony saw Gio tossing a coin in the air before his expression turned awful again.

A couple of seconds later, he met her worried eyes, "Sofy. It seems one of those two ran into a huge trouble. Anyway, I'm sure you won't be going back to Alina yet. If it's okay with you, bring me along. Teleport to Hyacinth City."

Sofony didn't hesitate. She prepared the transfer device so he could warp away with her. However, she didn't do so wordlessly.

"Hyacinth City should be where my clone Sofia went. What's the matter? Did something go wrong there?"

Looking at the black round item that materialized in her hand, he answered, "The old man we encountered is extremely inflexible and weak for someone of his caliber and status. Just now, I've confirmed the reason. His level is too high and has survived in this tricky world for more than a century. He shouldn't be that easy to kill."

With intelligence as one of her specialized stats, she immediately came to realize what he wanted to tell her. Sofony's heart froze a little. She was not an idiot, at least not anymore. Gio explained earlier that he was keeping a half-host ghost. She actually could somehow guess where it came from. But that's not the important part right now. If the ghostly half-host from the coin confirmed that the 'weak old man' was just a clone...

Her breathing became rough, opposite of her hand that quickly pressed on the b.u.t.ton. Brilliant white lights devoured the two of them, swiftly turning them into nothingness. In the brightness that flickered out of nowhere, inky black eyes came into being, swirling with anxiety and anger as they stared at a particular direction.

'... As expected, it's not advisable to become complacent before a Level 8 monster. They are nonetheless wiser and craftier... I don't know whether I should be amazed or fearful. Dammit!