Entering the Sixth Floor

In a small building in Dock Borough, the two-meter-tall "Giant" listened to a report from a "Shadow Ascetic" concealed in the shadows beside him. A cruel smile spread across his face.

The Shadow Ascetic was relatively lucid at this time of day. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "The person asking around about Lanevus may be deliberately drawing attention to himself..."

"Hmph! So what? The detectives and gangsters who came snooping before—we killed them all, didn't we? Those vermin won't stop meddling for a little money until they learn what we can do!" The Giant, dressed in black clerical robes, snorted. He had slightly curled pale-yellow hair and beastlike dark-brown eyes.

Seeing that his superior had made up his mind, the Shadow Ascetic did not dare press him. Instead, he asked cautiously, "Should we tell Miss Aileen, so she can report it to the Oracle...?"

"No need! The Oracle oversees all affairs in Backlund. Why bother him with something so trivial? Besides, who does Aileen think she is? She indulges herself for pleasure. With so little devotion to the Lord, does she deserve a report from me?" the Giant said darkly, plainly displeased.

The Shadow Ascetic nodded. He looked down on Aileen too, but the Oracle seemed to value her, which was why he had asked. Since his superior objected, he said no more, apart from a sigh. "This is all Lanevus's fault. If not for him..."

Before he could finish, the Giant struck him with his right fist. He flew across the room, smashed through a wall, and fell to the floor.

Watching his subordinate cough up blood, the Giant rebuked him coldly. "That is the 'Lord'! Everything He does is a test for us! How dare you disrespect Him?"

Ignoring his severe injuries, the Shadow Ascetic struggled to