My Skills Can Evolve Infinitely in a Game-Like World

Chapter 25: Meeting Selene & Haunted Mansion

Under the other party’s guidance, Aurelius entered the abandoned building.

The interior was small, with only a single room surrounded by mottled walls.

A wooden table stood at its center, surrounded by several run-down chairs.

Aurelius did not choose to sit.

He looked at the brunette woman standing on the other side of the room, his pupils beneath the mask dilating subtly.

[Selene Novaltis. Level 13 Assassin]

Selene’s state already showed that she had recovered from the previous injuries.

The interface, however, displayed that she had also managed to Level Up.

It was rumored that Awakeners could unleash their potential after experiencing a life-and-death situation, making it easier for them to advance. Now, it had essentially been confirmed.

Aurelius noted this down before dismissing the interface.

Glancing at Selene, who was staring back at him, he opened his mouth and spoke:

"Why did you leave a sign asking that we meet? Could it be that you’ve discovered anything new about the Sunless Sect?"

Selene immediately nodded.

Aurelius didn’t know if it was his illusion, but the other party appeared far less guarded than the last time they had met.

Selene did not know his thoughts. She spoke as though nothing had happened.

"Indeed."

"I’ve doubled my efforts since our last encounter. With my increased surveillance and by analyzing the clues the man you killed had left behind, I was able to uncover some important information."

As she spoke, Selene approached Aurelius and walked past him, stopping in front of the wooden table.

Then, reaching into her pocket, she retrieved a map, unfolded it, and placed it on top of the wooden surface.

When Aurelius stopped beside her, he immediately recognized what it depicted.

Blood Sun City.

Or more precisely, the western side of the city, where most of the nobles and wealthy merchants resided.

Selene didn’t elaborate further, guessing he could already identify it.

She merely reached out with her hand, brushing her fingers against the paper as she traced along its surface.

"Following my investigation, I followed the clues and discovered the Sunless Sect’s stronghold. Save for it being a distraction, this is it."

Her slender fingers landed on a certain mansion.

It was located at the edge of the westernmost side of the city, close to one of its four central entrances.

"This estate used to belong to Baron Herway."

"But only a few years ago, rumors about it being haunted suddenly appeared. Though an Awakener, it’s said that Baron Herway was terrified by their spread."

"Not long after the rumors first appeared, he chose to take his family and move out."

"Since then, several other noble families and merchants have purchased the property. Unfortunately, they all make the same decision sooner or later and move out in a hurry."

"For the past few months, the mansion has remained unpurchased. No one has dared to try living in it."

Aurelius looked thoughtful. Selene’s explanation was plausible and perfectly sound.

"Do you mean that the Sunless Sect has taken advantage of the haunting rumors and established their stronghold in Baron Herway’s mansion?"

To his surprise, Selene did not nod.

She smiled faintly and brought her finger before her lips, before she shook it in denial.

"No."

"What I’m saying is that the sightings of ghosts and ghouls may have indeed been real."

"...And the Sunless Sect happened to be behind them. You know how their members are."

"Although they say that they yearn for the light, in fact, their methods are as ruthless as those of ordinary cultists. Ghosts, evil spirits, blood sacrifices."

"They are familiar with them all."

Aurelius raised his eyebrows, having never expected such a response.

But upon further thought, he felt it made sense.

Since the Sunless Sect’s members could control ghosts and other evil creatures, creating the illusion of a haunted mansion was easy.

Even so, the history of the building itself was none of his business for the time being.

After a brief pause, he asked a barrage of questions:

"What else have you discovered? How many cultists are currently in the city? What’s their goal? What’s their approximate strength? When will they take action?" Aurelius didn’t hold back at all, asking every question he had in one breath.

Selene didn’t ridicule him.

As straightforward as he was, she responded just as a well-trained assassin would.

"I’ve yet to learn their exact purpose..."

"All I know is that the cultists have gathered here as part of a far greater conspiracy. Their arrival here is perhaps only the first part of their grand plan."

"As for their strength..."

Selene pondered. She reached into her pockets and took a small piece of paper out.

As she unfolded it, lines of text were revealed, which had been scribbled in a hurry.

"There are a few dozen Sunless Sect cultists in the city. Conservatively, they are about fifteen; at most thirty."

"Most of them are either Rank 1 Awakeners or even ordinary people. However..." Selene circled the name written at the top.

"Their leader is suspected of being Priest Mayin. He has long been at Rank 1."

"Three years ago, he slaughtered an entire Guard of the Sun Church before disappearing without a trace."

"According to my estimation, there is a ninety percent chance that this man has already advanced to Rank 2."

Having said that, Selene didn’t stop there, but followed up with a more in-depth analysis.

Throughout the process, Aurelius remained silent, only nodding from time to time and motioning for her to continue.

By the end, he had gained a rough understanding not only regarding the Sunless Sect’s stronghold, but also about the organization as a whole.

He had previously been oblivious to the cultists’ methods, skills, and abilities.

Now, under Selene’s guidance, he had become a little expert about them.

’This woman is worthy of being someone who has investigated the Sunless Sect for so long.’

’Had I not known any better, I would have believed she was a Sunless Sect cultist rather than a Blood Temple assassin.’

Aurelius organized his thoughts.

Only when Selene spoke once more did his attention shift back to reality.

"In fact, you don’t have to worry about the cultists too much. I’ve already informed the Temple’s Elders."

"Reinforcements will arrive within the next few weeks. At that point, even if we don’t do anything, the Sunless Sect will be defeated."

Seeing how confident Selene looked, a sense of unease stirred within Aurelius.

Sure enough, only a split second later, his worries were confirmed.

Everything he had learned so far appeared to have triggered an opportunity.

A notification flashed before his eyes.

Not of an Experience gain or a Level Up, but regarding the Mission he had once received.

"Mission—Sunless Sect (1) has been completed."

"Rewards: 1000 EXP. Skill: Light Strike. 5 Skill Points."

"Ding!"

"Second part of the Chain Mission has been triggered."

"Mission—Sunless Sect (2): ..."