Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part Two]

CHAPTER 239: Unforeseen Betrayal

"Cadane!" Lefahne cried out, rushing toward him. "What happened?!"

Zurrel dropped to his knees beside the convulsing monk. "Hold him still—he's thrashing too hard!"

"Cadane, listen to me!" Lefahne pleaded, clutching his shoulders. "It's Lefahne! You're safe here!"

But the monk's body lurched violently. His eyes were glazed black and with a snarl, he lashed out. A monstrous backhand caught Zurrel in the chest and sent him flying across the room like a projectile launched from a ballista.

CRACK!

He slammed into the wooden shelves, his body crumpling under an avalanche of jars and vials. Glass detonated across the floor in a rainbow of sparks and fumes. He groaned, slumped against the wreckage, blood matting his hair.

"Zurrel!" Lefahne screamed, her voice splitting with panic.

She turned—only to freeze. A cold, unnatural shiver skittered up her spine. Something... wrong was in the air.

Time slowed.

Behind her, a pointed object came hurling toward her back, threatening to run her through.

FWUMP!

Vines burst from the floor courtesy of Zurrel's magic, even in his haze of pain. They coiled into a barrier just in time to block the blow, the impact cracking the wooden floor beneath.

Lefahne glanced at her associate in horror, recalling them recently working together to save a bank teller from the Adventurers' Guild who had overdosed on pixie crystals.

But Monk Cadane was gone.

What stood in his place was a twisted, humanoid abomination. His skin had calcified into a bone-like carapace. His right arm had transformed into a lance-like weapon, thick and deadly. His jaw hung open too wide, revealing elongated teeth and an expression of pure bloodlust.

Lefahne dove to Zurrel, her hands glowing with green-gold light as she began to heal him. "Cadane! What's happened to him?! What is this?!"

CHIME~

The door jingled gently as if nothing had happened. The sweet sound of the bell was a sheer contrast to the chaos. Lugene and Rue stepped inside, brushing dust off their shoulders.

"My, my," Lugene cooed, eyes sweeping over the wreckage. "What a mess. Looks like someone hasn't been keeping up with their chores."

Rue chuckled as he eyed the broken shelves. "Tsk, tsk. You two are such busy bees, always working. But if you keep neglecting the store's upkeep, the customers might stop coming..."

He paused, tapping his chin.

"Then again," he said with a grin, "with products this good, they'd probably come even if the building was on fire."

Zurrel and Lefahne stared in confusion.

"...What are you talking about?" Zurrel croaked as he pushed himself up. "Cadane's gone mad—help us!"

Rue's expression didn't change. Instead, with a graceful flick of his shoulder, he tossed a figure to the ground like a sack of spoiled fruit.

THUD.

It was Sister Lyra.

She hit the floor hard, bound and gagged, her white robes stained with blood. Her terrified eyes locked with the Dravenharts'.

"Sister Lyra?!" Lefahne cried, reaching for her—but Rue planted his foot squarely on the nun's head.

The muffled scream that followed was gut-wrenching.