Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 543: Captured

"Good evening, Mr. Adventurer, what would you love today?" an attendant at the counter spoke with a courteous smile as Asher walked in, the rumors of an adventurer’s arrival having already spread to every inn within the Sand Village, and those seated inside cast various gazes toward him, some filled with admiration, others with curiosity, and a few with subtle calculation.

"I will only need a room for the night. I will be checking out in the middle of the night, so if you do not see me tomorrow morning, there is no need to panic or be surprised," Asher spoke calmly, maintaining a pleasant smile upon his face as though his words carried no hidden implications.

"Perfect. Our best room costs ten copper coins, and the room also comes with a complimentary dish that is on the house," the attendant replied cheerfully.

Hearing the price, Asher could not help but stare blankly for a brief moment. The cost of their finest room here was equivalent to the price of a single basket of fruit within various noble territories. Even the inn he had stayed at in the capital during the Royal Twins’ Birthday Party had cost several gold coins for a single night. However, Asher did not voice his thoughts aloud; he was merely selecting a location suitable for his planned disappearance, nothing more and nothing less.

Asher paid the ten copper coins without hesitation. Upon receiving the payment, the attendant spoke again, "Please take a seat, Mr. Adventurer. I will order your food now and bring it to you shortly," the attendant stated before turning and walking toward the back.

Asher quietly found a seat without uttering another word. Although he was not hungry in the slightest, he was curious to see what kind of dish this modest inn would present to him, not that he intended to truly consume it. Within a few minutes, another person emerged from behind the counter with a warm smile and a tray of food in hand. "Welcome, Mr. Adventurer, your dish is ready," she stated as she gently placed the food before him.

"Thank you," Asher replied with a polite smile. The woman nodded gracefully before turning away. Asher watched her retreating figure for a brief moment before withdrawing his gaze. She might have been capable of deceiving others, but certainly not Asher. Through his Omni Perception, he had clearly witnessed her discreetly knocking out the original attendant and seamlessly taking their place; he had observed every subtle movement without missing a single detail.

His eyes shifted toward the dish before him. He was certain that something had been mixed within the food, though he could not immediately determine what it was. Nevertheless, Asher did not dare to genuinely taste it, for he had no knowledge of the precise effects of whatever drug or poison had been added. He did not possess immunity to such substances. Furthermore, Asher was certain that the kidnappers were watching him closely to ensure that he consumed the meal.

Asher calmly lifted a spoonful of food and placed it into his mouth. The moment his lips closed, he transferred the food directly into his system inventory, leaving the spoon empty before withdrawing it. He repeated the action several times until the plate appeared completely finished.

"Here is your room key," the woman stated pleasantly as she collected Asher’s empty plate and placed the key upon the table. Asher tipped her a copper coin for her convincing acting skills, took the key, and proceeded toward his room. After entering, he lay upon the bed and feigned sleep, patiently waiting for them to make their move.

The sun dipped below the horizon as night descended upon the Sand Village, and the moment the clock struck ten p.m., they acted. Asher heard his door creak open softly as it was unlocked with another key.

’What kind of kidnappers enters through the door?’ Asher mused inwardly while continuing to feign sleep. Typically, individuals of such professions preferred windows and silent infiltration, not the front door like ordinary guests.

"Alright, the drug is working. Take him," one of the kidnappers stated quietly; there were three of them present. As one stepped forward, Asher suddenly moved, drawing his blade in a swift motion and slashing toward the approaching figure. The kidnapper reacted instantly, stepping aside with fluid precision and dodging the strike smoothly.

"I thought you said you used the drug," the one who had just evaded the attack said sharply, addressing his female teammate, the same one who had served Asher earlier.

"I did," the woman replied with a frown, confusion flickering within her voice. This method had always worked on their previous victims, including several adventurers.

"No need to doubt her," Asher interjected calmly. "She did use it, but my awakened ability grants me high resistance to such substances," he stated with a confident smile, pointing his blade toward the trio. "Lay down your heads now, and I might consider sparing you," he added dramatically.

’Urgh... even I am cringing from this. How do all those self-engrossed characters say such lines with a straight face?’ Asher thought inwardly, barely maintaining his composure as he continued his act.

The three assailants stared at him as though he were a complete fool. They were releasing their presence at the Blazestar Life Rank, and yet he was audaciously demanding that they surrender. Each of them stood an entire Major Life Rank above his supposed level.

"This is your fault. Deal with this fool," one of them muttered irritably, gesturing toward the woman. She nodded and vanished in a blur of motion, moving at a speed someone of Asher’s displayed rank should not have been able to follow.

She appeared behind him in an instant and delivered a sharp chop to the back of his neck. However, for someone like Asher, whose physical body was absurdly resilient and durable, such an attack, even from a Blazestar Life Ranker, was entirely ineffective. Nonetheless, Asher allowed himself to collapse convincingly, falling to the ground with a heavy thud as his weapon clattered away to the side.

This time, Asher did not merely intend to feign unconsciousness, he decided to genuinely sleep. After all, if the true leader of their operation possessed exceptionally keen perception, they might easily discern his excellent facade. Those with extraordinary senses could detect subtle irregularities in breathing and muscle tension.

So Asher simply drifted into a real slumber right then and there.

Without another word, the woman waved her hand, and a large golden box materialized out of thin air. She lifted Asher effortlessly and tossed him into the box before waving her hand once more, causing it to vanish entirely. She turned toward her two companions; they nodded in silent understanding and exited through the door as though they were ordinary guests who had simply concluded their stay.

There was no evidence to erase, as they had left none behind, no signs of struggle, no traces of abilities being used, nothing whatsoever. The room remained precisely as it had been, undisturbed and deceptively peaceful.

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AUTHOR’S NOTE: Have I told you all how much I love you? If not, then I love you. And also, please, I need your golden tickets. We’ve dropped another rank within the past day. Thanks for reading.