Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 92: Unfinished Business & the Cusp of Revenge

"You!" Daisuke hissed in a dangerously low tone as he slowly encroached upon a familiar woman. "You've been following me ever since I got into town! You've got some nerve! Do you have any idea what I went through because of you people?!"

Quivering like a leaf, the woman cautiously backed away, her movements hesitant and fearful. Then she promptly prostrated herself before him as Daisuke stalked toward her imposingly, a murderous aura rolling off his body.

Passersby slowed to a stop, drawn to the unfolding drama with gasps and whispered comments. But the woman who had pretended to be Reeza's mother didn't care, nor could Daisuke recognize anything outside of his absolute disdain for the deceitful medusa before him.

In his rage, he palmed his face, his expression distorted, golden eyes peeking out from between his fingers. "Choose your next words very carefully," he warned.

The woman's nervous gulp was audible, tiny beads of sweat glistening on her forehead. "I-I'm sorry," she pleaded, cautiously keeping her gaze down.

"Sorry?" Daisuke replied mockingly, the word dripping in venom. "Do you honestly believe that words are enough to erase what you've done?!"

"Please! I really need your help!"

Daisuke's eyes widened in outrage, then his scowl deepened, fingers curling into tight fists as he drew closer.

"M-My husband's being held prisoner," she whispered urgently, her voice trembling with fear. "I have no choice but to comply with their demands, or they'll kill him. I never meant to hurt you," she cried, "I never meant to hurt anyone. I'm truly sorry. I don't know what to do anymore."

Daisuke stilled, his fingers slowly uncurling as the storm of emotions within him began to calm. Yet, the unyielding lines etched into his face remained unchanged.

"You didn't bat an eye when I was being beaten half to death, or when my friend was killed," he said, his voice tinged with icy resentment. "So tell me, why should I care about you?"

As Daisuke's bitter words echoed in her mind, a memory resurfaced—a conversation between two guards that she had fortuitously overheard:

"Have you heard? Reeza's been pushing the boundaries lately."

"Too bad it's all going to come crashing down soon," the other guard remarked nonchalantly.

"What do you mean?"

The man flicked his half-smoked cigar to the ground and crushed it beneath his boot, his demeanor indifferent. "Besides getting dangerously close to her goal, her recent activities have been attracting a bit too much attention. If we want to keep the lord's support, we need to put a stop to it."

The young guard's eyes widened in alarm. "And so?"

"That's above our pay grade," the other man replied sharply. "We're not paid to think; just stick to your duties and guard the door. It's not our place to pry into matters beyond our station."

Finally, the woman hesitantly raised her head, meeting Daisuke's cold gaze with nervous determination. "Something dreadful is unfolding in that place right now," she admitted softly, her words a whisper meant only for his ears. "I desperately need assistance to escape with my husband."

Daisuke frowned, the glint of the Evil Eye stirring within his pupils as he weighed the truth of her words.

"This is our best chance to act," she uttered, her voice urgent. "The longer we wait, the harder it will become to escape. Their operation will only grow more entrenched, and their numbers will swell. If you agree to help, I'll assist you in recovering the gold you lost. I'll lead you to the hideout and show you how to bypass the traps."