Chapter 88: Sorry, I’m the Traitor
Instead of questioning Qin Chu’s presence, Benson was consumed by a wave of disgust and loathing.
A Hero? You?
The Hero Squad members, unlike the other inhabitants of the Heavenly Continent, had a deep bond with the First Hero, Jie Luo. The common folk might welcome the Second Hero, the one who would bring them peace, but to them, there was only one true Hero: Jie Luo.
No one else was worthy.
Benson wanted to spit in his face.
He suppressed the urge, remembering Loseweisse’s instructions. They had to treat the Second Hero with respect, with warmth, like a brother, erasing any suspicion, concealing their true intentions.
It was a necessary charade, a painful performance.
Damn this… torture…
He forced a smile, his words strained, his tone overly enthusiastic. “Ah, the Second Hero, Qin Chu! What an honor to meet you! I’m… delighted.”
His voice was thick with insincerity.
The muscles in his face twitched, betraying his struggle to maintain the facade.
Then, a flicker of confusion crossed his eyes.
“Did you… drive away those Demons?”
It was impossible. The Hero had just arrived in this world. Loseweisse, in their last communication, had mentioned that he was still training with Ekaterina, that the Valkyrie, in a drunken stupor, had even… violated him.
That crazy woman… that drunkard.
Always causing trouble. How had she even become a member of the Hero Squad?
He held her in contempt. She was nothing but a brute, her only redeeming quality her combat prowess. If not for Jie Luo’s approval, he wouldn’t even consider her a comrade.
How could the Second Hero, after only a few days of training with that drunkard, possess the power to scare away Lomond?
Was his talent truly that exceptional? Loseweisse had mentioned his potential, but this was absurd.
Qin Chu scratched his head, forcing a laugh. “Benson, you flatter me. I could never defeat so many Demons. I scared them away.”
“Scared them away?” Benson frowned, his grip on his axe tightening. This man might claim to be the Hero, but he wasn’t letting his guard down.
“Yes, Ekaterina, Loseweisse, and Natia brought me here to rescue you,” Qin Chu explained, nodding earnestly.
“Natia came too?” Benson’s eyebrows shot up. Ekaterina and Loseweisse’s presence was expected, but Natia?
That Sage was notoriously aloof, indifferent to most things. And yet, she had come to his aid?
Could it be… that she liked him?
He preened inwardly. He had met her a few times. Perhaps he had made a good impression?
“But we were attacked by a horde of Minotaurs. Ekaterina, Loseweisse, and Natia fought them off, creating a path for me to escape.”
He continued weaving his elaborate lie, his words riddled with inconsistencies.
He knew that Benson, exhausted and shaken, wouldn’t have the mental clarity to analyze his story.
“When I arrived, I saw all those Demons. I knew I couldn’t defeat them, so I shouted, telling them to back off, that the Crimson Valkyrie and the Holy Maiden were on their way. They fled in terror. But they were making so much noise, you probably didn’t hear me.”
Benson, his skepticism evident, was indeed confused, his mind struggling to process the information. Something felt off, but he couldn’t pinpoint the discrepancy.
His wounds throbbed, his body aching, his strength fading. He had pushed himself to his limits, enduring the relentless assault of the Demons.
He stumbled, his legs almost giving way.
“Ah, look at you…” Qin Chu said, slapping his forehead. “You’re badly injured. I should heal you. I think I learned a healing spell. Let me see…”
He opened his status screen, its information carefully curated, its true nature hidden.
Benson glanced at it.
Qin Chu, Hero Class!
Super-tier Ability: Partner of Justice.
Super-tier Ability: Heaven Rewards Diligence.
The information matched what Loseweisse had told him. This man was indeed the Hero.
He relaxed.
They might harbor ill intentions, but the Hero was unaware of their plans.
And a Hero with the Partner of Justice Ability wouldn’t commit any unjust acts.
He loosened his grip on his axe.
“Ah, found it! Water Healing… I’m not very proficient in it, but it should help,” Qin Chu said, approaching him.
Benson, his initial resistance fading, felt a surge of gratitude.
But there was something more important. He stared at Qin Chu, his eyes wide with urgency. “No, I’m fine…”
“Do you know Information Magic? Contact Loseweisse and the others.”
“Someone betrayed me. They told Lomond about my movements.”
“We have to warn them. The others might be in danger.”
He lowered his voice, his tone grim. “There’s a traitor among us.”
This was his primary concern. His injuries, though severe, weren’t fatal. But the traitor, their actions… they could harm Loseweisse.
“A traitor?” Qin Chu asked, his voice a perfect blend of concern and disbelief.
He saw Benson stumble, his body swaying, and rushed forward, catching him before he could fall. “A traitor? That’s… impossible. How could…”
“No, it’s true…” Benson insisted, his voice weak.
And then…
A sharp pain ripped through his stomach, something cold and sharp piercing his flesh.
His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked down. An ice spike protruded from his stomach, its tip embedded in his intestines, blood gushing from the wound.
A gut-wrenching blow!
And at the other end of the spike… was the Second Hero’s hand!
Qin Chu’s smile, gentle yet menacing, sent chills down his spine.
“Sorry, Benson, but… I’m the traitor.”
…
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