Chapter 41: Felicity Faredawn's Struggle (Trigger Warning!)
{Triggering content ahead! You've been warned!}
"Sins are something we pass on from parent to child. It is not purposeful. It is not intentional. The world of mortals is that of chaos. You can't control chaos; you must only balance it with order. When I see a man condemn another for their actions. For their sins. They should not be condemned for such happenings. But the parents that taught them that sin."
-Keinreicher the Blind, Seer of Truth and Lies, Guide to Salvation Book I
~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~
~~~(Location: Faredawn Estate, Geonia, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Monday, April 15th, 10:12 PM PST)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 19 Years)~~~
There is no sound as I close the door behind me, leaving the window I had used to get in and the room it's attached to. My mind is focused on staying quiet. Doing my best to keep any potential problems where they are.
Now that I'm in the hallway, I look around the area, taking a second to see what's in my environment. What surprises me is the number of paintings on the walls. Each one is a different person, but all are noble-looking individuals.
I take a step toward one of the paintings, one of an almost obese man with a severely balding head. A smile is plastered on his face. One that subtly indicates their true identity. Wanting to know more, I used (EoC) on the painting.
---[Portrait of Aswolle Faredawn]---
[Age: 106 Years]
[Crafter: Allarsid Vela Moord]
[Owner: Faredawn Bloodline]
[Info: Aswolle was the third and youngest son of the Faredawn family. His father, Maseo Faredawn, left the estate to his eldest son. However, Aswolle's brothers mysteriously died. Leaving the Faredawn fortune and power to him. While lacking a noble title, their wealth and connections have garnered them great power and the ability to indulge in the darker things in life without interference.]
[EoC bonus Info: The Faredawn has a fierce and bloody rivalry with an actual noble family. The Rennex noble house has been pushing against the Faredawn family since the founder, Maseo, died.]
The system's screen hangs before me as I read the Lore given by (EoC.) Giving me information I didn't expect to find, but grateful for all the same.
"Maseo and Aswolle, huh... They're the ones to blame for the Faredawn's existence. Based on what this says, the family has been like this since its founding. Over 100 years ago, to be precise. How can a family not change after that much time..."
The passage of evil from one to another amazes me when I see it like this. The precursors to Garson are just as bad as he is.
The Rennex noble house interests me a great deal. When I complete the quest, Savior of Sisters, I'm immediately reminded of the Rep boost with an (Unknown) noble house. I can surmise it's the Rennex family.
Eliza saw this quest, and she knows more about nobles than I think I ever will. She's familiar with the Rennex family and their rivalry with the Faredawns.
"Enough skulking about... Felicity and Garson are somewhere in this mansion... The question is, how do I find them..."
I step away from the portrait and use (EoC) on every door on the top floor. Taking my time to stay silent. Interestingly, none of the doors were trapped with an (Alarm) spell or other such things.
Taking peeks inside doesn't take me long, and I find pieces of furniture that look hardly used in each room. Telling me a lot of time isn't spent on the top floor.
Also, eliminating this as the place where Felicity is kept. After a second, I start walking down the stairs with the lightest steps possible. The empty bag of Griffin food on my head with two eyeholes crudely cut out.
Not knowing how ridiculous I looked, I once looked at the bottom of the stairs and at the floor of the next level of the mansion. I stick my head out and look around the corner. This time, I see two guards standing on either side of a door.
Muffled sounds come from the direction down the hall...
Coming from the room itself...
The sounds are ones you never want to hear. The kinds that turn your stomach and make your blood boil. Describing it beyond that anymore is unnecessary to me. It'll only fuel the rage that's building in me.
"They're right there..."
As I say this, I'm referring to the guards at the door. Once I enter the hall, my stealth is blown. They'll see me and likely call for help or make noise enough to draw attention.
All I can do is lean back around the corner and try to think; I'm forced to silence the muffled sounds of struggles and screams from down the hall, closing off my mind as I form a plan. There are two ways I can do this.
Charge down the hall as fast as I can and butcher these guys with (Monument of Sin) or take off the hood and try to play the part of a guard patrolling. The second option is absolutely ludicrous, and I'd be shocked if it worked.
This means that my only real option is to cut those animals down and speed-blitz the room. Whatever is happening inside that room needs to stop, whether it's Felicity and Garson or not. I'm not standing by and watching something like this.
"The sick and twistedness of this world drives me crazy... I feel like I'm going to explode..."
It's the only way I can describe it. Growing up, you're isolated from such atrocities by the safety of your parents' arms. However, people like Garson are encouraged by their parents—at least, his father. Whoever that is.
I've seen and heard horrors in other VRMMORPGs. After all, I signed the consent form to expose myself to such sensitive content.
But here...
In AG...
It affects me way more than I've ever been anywhere else.
Which is why I'm not hiding behind this corner anymore. I turn the corner and instantly start running at full speed down that hall. Drawing (Monument of Sin) as I do. All the guards can do is look at me as I cut through both of them.
[5,175,000 Damage Inflicted on Faredawn Guard.]
[+100 EXP to Player Level.]
[+200 EXP to (Zophiels Eternal Edge.)]
[5,175,000 Damage Inflicted on Faredawn Guard.]
[+100 EXP to Player Level.]
[+200 EXP to (Zophiels Eternal Edge.)]
Two bodies are cut in half at the chest. Arms fall to the ground next to the spilling organs and pumping blood.
Not even time to scream.
It's my first time using (Monument of Sin) with (Zophiels Eternal Edge) since I leveled the (Mythical) grade skill to level two.
Their deaths were instant, leaving me with ample time to find out what was beyond the door. I twist the handle on the door, and as I push it open, my teeth grit. I feel my fists tighten and my body shake.
A 30-year-old man is struggling to pin down a woman. She's struggling and struggling. Fighting with everything she has, but it's only bringing enjoyment to the face of the man. Not wasting a second, I use (EoC) on them.
---[NPC Information]---
[Garson Faredawn] [Lvl. 78]
[HP: 8850] [STM: 4120] [MP: 1500]
[Class: Gilded Merchant] [Nobility: N/A]
[Tier: 0]
[Age: 33]
[Click here for stats and skill list.]
[Click here to see inventory and equipped items.]
[Info: Garson Faredawn is the last living male descendant of the Faredawn family. He's the one you've been sent here to kill or capture. He has complete control over everything the Faredawn family owns. He does have six sisters, but they're just as bad as he is.]
[EoC Bonus Info: Garson Faredawn is currently suffering from Helseena's Scorch. Every time he pees, there is extreme burning and pain. This is a sexually transmitted disease. If left untreated, can cause infertility and erectile dysfunction.]
My eyes glide over the man's information, and I have to hold back with all my willpower as he turns his head to look at the person who interrupted him.
Me.
But I quickly read the next (EoC) results.
---[NPC Information]---
[Felicity Faredawn (Formally Catherine] [Lvl. 28]
[HP: 1100] [STM: 745] [MP: 630]
[Class: N/A] [Nobility: N/A]
[Tier: 0]
[Age: 23]
[Click here for stats and skill list.]
[Click here to see inventory and equipped items.]
[Info: Felicity Faredawn is the sister of Celia Catherine and the person you've been sent here to rescue. She's suffered daily abuse of all kinds since after her marriage to Garson. She still fights him every day. Not losing hope that she'll be saved.]
[EoC Bonus Info: Felicity Faredawn is currently suffering from Helseena's Scorch. Every time she pees, there is extreme burning and pain. This is a sexually transmitted disease. If left untreated, can cause infertility and vaginal decay.]
Now that I have all the information I need, I burst forward with speed and grab the near-naked man from the woman he's trying to harm. Her, completely without cover. Without a word, I grip his neck to the point he's choking and gasping for air.
Felicity looks at me with confusion and fear. But I waste no time and smash his face into the marble floor. Instantly knocking him unconscious with the amount of strength I put in.
A deep satisfaction fills me as I do this, and another notification from the system appears.
[The power of Primeval Divinity surges within you!]
[+100 to Primeval Divinity Stat!]
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone