Assassin at Range: The Sniper’s Lethal Power

If it were anyone else saying this, the players around would have definitely scoffed. Who do you think you are, claiming there's a hidden quest just like that?

But when it's Blackshade saying it, it's a different story.

Who is Blackshade, after all?

He's the player who's gotten first kills on major bosses, the one who soloed the Nightmare Difficulty Crimson Tomb, the fastest leveler and legendary player who keeps breaking records. Would someone like him make a joke about a hidden quest?

So, when Blackshade says there's a hidden quest, it's definitely real.

Thinking of this, some impatient players immediately asked, "Blackshade, where's the quest? Can we start it now?"

"What if we get there and find nothing? That would be a waste."

"It's not that we don't trust you, bro, but we're just curious about what this hidden quest is about."

"I don't mind. I've been grinding for a while anyway. Let's call it a sightseeing trip."

"By the way, Blackshade, after clearing Nightmare Difficulty's Crimson Tomb, do you have any good gear?"

"Blackshade, where did you get that cool mount? Could you share where you bought it?"

The players began chattering among themselves. When they were nearly done, Tristan raised his hand and said, "Too many questions. I can't answer them all now. I'm off to do the quest, anyone who wants to join is welcome."

He then made his way through the crowd and headed toward the village chief's house.

The players, unable to ask any more questions, followed him.

By the time they arrived, the village chief was already waiting at the door with the village's guard standing by, ready for action.

The moment the village chief saw Tristan, he smelled something. It was the lingering malice of his deceased master.

Instantly, the village chief knew that it was Tristan who had killed his master.

"This person reeks of dark energy! Capture him!" the village chief shouted, pointing at Tristan.

The guards, regardless of the player's identity, immediately raised their shields and weapons, advancing to surround Tristan.

The surrounding players were stunned.

So this was the hidden quest Blackshade had been talking about? Were they being led into a trap?

One of the players couldn't hold back and cursed, "Blackshade, you jerk! You're sending us to die!"

The comment caused a stir, and more players joined in, calling out Blackshade, recounting all the unlucky incidents they had suffered due to his actions.

"First, we met that giant wild rabbit. Took forever to get some damage in, and then Blackshade swoops in and steals the kill!"

"Then came the Silver Grade Giant Jerobi, and of course, Blackshade showed up and wiped him out."

"Five times I was killed by random mobs, and I still had to fight my way to the boss. And just when I thought I was getting close, Blackshade knocks me out with a stone."

"Why does this always happen because of Blackshade!?"

As more players expressed their frustrations, they saw the village guard get closer and step in front of Tristan, forcing him to stop.

Tristan remained calm, pulling out the vampire baron heart from his bag and showing it to the guards. He then said loudly, "This is the heart of a Vampire Lord. I've eliminated the biggest threat to this village. Is this how you treat a hero?"

The captain of the guards, after inspecting the heart for a moment, looked back at the village chief with shock in his eyes. "This is the heart of a Vampire Lord, and it's fresh, clearly from a recent kill."

The captain hesitated. "Where did you get this? We've never heard of vampires being near the village."

Tristan chuckled. "Ask your village chief."

Hearing this, the captain's confusion deepened.

"What does the village chief have to do with this?" he thought.

The village chief, seeing the situation unfolding, quickly snapped, "Giruva, stop wasting time, capture this dangerous person at once!"

Giruva, the captain, was caught in a dilemma.

If this young man had truly killed a Vampire Lord and brought the heart as proof, then he was a hero, not a threat. But the village chief's orders left him no choice.

After thinking for a while, Giruva finally spoke, "Village chief, I think we should get to the bottom of this."

The captain had a bad feeling about all this, but couldn't explain why.

Seeing the hesitation in Giruva, the village chief's eyes burned with fury. If it weren't for the outsiders around, he would've turned this disobedient guard into a ghost!

Noticing the guards had stopped advancing, Tristan moved forward, holding the heart of the Vampire Lord in front of the village chief. "I found the vampire base under the cliffs to the north, fought my way through, and killed the Vampire Baron. What reward do you think I deserve for this?"

The village chief's mind raced. You want a reward? I should be slapping you for what you did, but...

Outwardly, he feigned surprise and said, "What? A vampire base north of the village? That's shocking! Brave adventurer, please come inside and tell me all about it."

He then waved to the guards, "You all go back for now."

"I don't think so," Tristan replied with a smile. "Captain Giruva should also listen. If there's a possibility of more vampires, we should prepare for them."

Giruva, after some consideration, agreed, "You're right. I'll go with a few men to check out the cliffs."

The village chief didn't agree. He wanted to lure Tristan into the house to kill him. If Giruva followed him, their plans would be exposed.

The village chief quickly thought of something and said, "Giruva, why not go check the cliffs to the north? We need to ensure there aren't any remaining enemies. That way, we can prevent another attack on the village."

Giruva was persuaded. He patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, village chief. I've got this."

Tristan couldn't let Giruva leave. He wasn't interested in playing games with the village chief anymore. His eyes narrowed, and he scolded, "You vile demon, I can see right through you!"

Saying that, he tossed the Vampire Lord's heart toward the village chief.

Startled, the village chief lunged and barely caught it before it hit the ground. He stood up, glaring at Tristan, shouting, "Foolish human, how dare you desecrate the remains of my master!"

...

The atmosphere grew tense. Captain Giruva scratched his ear, unsure if he'd heard right. He turned to one of the guards behind him and asked, "Did the village chief just say 'master'?"

The guard, unable to process this, nodded blankly and muttered, "Yes…"

Giruva suddenly realized the gravity of the situation.

There was a traitor in the village!

And this traitor was colluding with the vampire enemy!

Shield raised, Giruva stood alert, looking at the village chief. "Village chief, what else do you have to say?"