Book 3: Chapter 5: Selling Out

After entering the hall, the Succubus showed no discomfort under the Apostles’ blatant stares. Instead, her bright eyes roamed freely as she openly winked. As a Succubus, she was used to the looks of males like that. Attracting powerful males was instinct for her kind.

Of course, she hadn’t forgotten her main duty. After some playful eye-contact with a few Apostles, she began explaining Devil’s Horn’s various rules.

The Apostles finally shifted their gaze away from certain parts of the Succubus’d body. Their attention gradually focused on her explanations.

Compared to Beruses’ private chat, the Succubus offered far more content, though the wording was very formal. She mainly stressed the shelter and benefits Devil’s Horn offered new Apostles, strongly advising them to seek the Militia quickly when facing trouble.

Qin Lun compared the Succubus’ explanation with Beruses’ information. He noticed the Apostle City’s official introduction said nothing certain unwritten rules within the city, leaving new Apostles to figure things out themselves.

In this light, Beruses’ intelligence felt incredibly valuable. This was the old demon cultivating their personal connection.

It was understandable why Devil’s Horn’s management council didn’t warn about these things. A dozen new Apostles entering Devil’s Horn—if no one yielded any profit for Beluces and similar beings—would likely draw hatred from established Apostle teams.

The Succubus’ explanation lasted about half an hour. Then she handed each new Apostle a booklet and an electronic Identity Plate. The booklet contained the city’s rules she’d just explained, plus a map outlining facilities and routes.

The Identity Plate recorded a new Apostle’s identity, City Points, and temporary residence address. Devil’s Horn generously gave each new Apostle 5 Points. One Point allowed an Apostle to live in Devil’s Horn for free for one week.

The temporary addresses on the Identity Plate were mostly in safer inner parts of the city. Of course, once Points ran out, payment with Shattered Crystals would be needed. Devil’s Horn wasn’t a charity, after all.

Beyond this, the Identity Plate also tracked an Apostle’s Honor Level within the city. This Honor Level related to City Points and tasks performed for city contracts. Honor Level didn’t grant management power, but it allowed access to higher-paid contracts and gave discounts on city services.

Comparatively, while new Apostles received some shelter in the city, they lacked service discounts. Shaking the new Apostle status was simple: actively remove the flag on the Identity Plate.

Of course, if a new Apostle chose Devil’s Horn as their starting point for Otherworld Missions, successfully surviving three missions would also automatically remove the new Apostle flag.

Unlike other Floating Cities, entering Other Worlds from Devil’s Horn was very safe. There was a specially built Teleportation Hall. The hall was ringed by Protection Magical Arrays. Even top High Apostle teams couldn’t quickly destroy those arrays or harm Apostles inside.

After the Succubus finished, a curved doorway slid open noiselessly at the front of the reception hall. The Apostles could finally properly enter Devil’s Horn.

Beyond the curved doorway, another enormous glass hall appeared before the Apostles. In this long, glass hall were numerous rows of seats. Sparsely seated were other cloaked, masked Apostles.

This scene reminded Qin Lun of an illustration in a book depicting the Earth Federation’s waiting hall. On the far wall of the glass hall, ten passageways stood side-by-side. Clearly, these were entrances into Devil’s Horn proper.

Qin Lun thought for a moment, then stopped walking. He led Didi to two empty seats.

Adeline, who had been silently trailing Qin Lun, pursed her lips and sat nearby with a blank face. Softly, she said, “Mafa is currently in Devil’s Horn. Give me your address. We’ll come find you tonight!”

Qin Lun smiled, handing the Identity Plate to the beautiful Elf. Adeline memorized the address, got up, and left. Before going, she glared angrily at Qin Lun, leaving him utterly confused. He didn’t know where he’d offended her.

The moment Adeline entered a passageway, Beruses appeared like a ghost beside Qin Lun. He chuckled, “Sir Qin Lun, did you know I’d find you?”

“No,” Qin Lun looked at the old demon and shook his head honestly. He pointed ahead to the group of new Apostles about to leave. “I was just waiting for them to go out first.”

“Sir Qin Lun, you’re truly sharp!” Beruses looked at Qin Lun with surprise and murmured his praise.

“Did you need something?” Qin Lun asked calmly.

“I’ve come to give you a gift!” Beruses smiled, pulling a green Demon Mask from his robes and offering it. “This mask is a magic item. Unlike the Elf-given mask, it can block some Apostle probing skills. Very useful in places like the trade markets or Auction House.”

Qin Lun didn’t immediately reach for it. His expression darkened. Lowering his eyelids, he said softly, “For me to wear this mask? The favor you offered before isn’t enough. You’ll likely need to pay extra.”

The old demon’s hand holding the mask froze mid-air. Yet the flames in his pupils burned brighter and jittered rapidly.

Didi obediently hopped down from his chair and moved away. He was smart, but even he didn’t understand the riddle his master was spinning. Better to keep his distance. If his master wanted him to know, he’d find out eventually.

“You continue to astound me! If the Elven elders had half your brains, we’d be seriously troubled,” Beruses said, his voice full of respect. “A newly transitioned Apostle as confident as you? In all these years, I’ve only seen a handful. I believe the Demon Clan elders will support my private investment in you. Ten Points. How does that sound?”

Qin Lun lowered his head, ignoring the old demon. He just studied the lines of his palm, as if hunting for a flower in their patterns.

Beruses’ demonic face twitched. They held the silence. Finally, he gritted his teeth. “Twenty Points! That’s my max. You are just a new Apostle with one mission under your belt. Don’t push too far.”

Qin Lun finally raised his head, offering a charming, almost shy smile. “So, twenty is the Demon Clan’s max for you? That’s alright. Given our personal bond… wouldn’t a little extra support from you, say five Points? Not too much to ask, right?”

Minutes later, Beruses pulled Qin Lun’s Identity Plate away from his own and tossed it back irritably. His voice pained, he sighed, “Compared to you? You’re the real demon here!”

Seeing the old demon hobble away looking like a freshly ravished, confused mix of agony and something else, Didi’s large green eyes widened with pure curiosity as they fixed on his master.

“Heh, if your grandpa were here, I wouldn’t need to explain,” Qin Lun chuckled, spinning the acquired Demon Mask deftly on his finger. “This mask works well… but identify the pattern for me!”

“A demon!” Didi blurted out instantly. The moment he spoke, understanding dawned. “You mean… wearing this would make people think you sided with the Demon Clan!”

“Close, kid, very sharp!” Qin Lun sighed, patting the young Goblin’s head. “Your future achievements might well match your grandpa’s! Come on, the group has been gone a while. Time for us too. Let’s see our new home!”

Didi’s analysis wasn’t wrong, but his wording was slightly off. Devil’s Horn had five ruling Sapient Races. While these races wouldn’t fully rely on Apostles, and Apostles couldn’t fully pledge to any single race, within this Apostle City, the ruling clans had backers—like votes.

Think of it like electing Earth Federation representatives. Voters had to pick one candidate. Qin Lun wouldn’t be hiding away inside Devil’s Horn. If others saw him walking around wearing the Demon Mask? Instantly, they’d peg him as a Demon Clan supporter.

The gift was useful alright, a textbook sugar-coated trap. Had Qin Lun accepted without understanding, switching support blindly? He’d become a joke.

To be fair, the Demon Clan didn’t hand these masks out freely. These were magic items capable of blocking Apostle probe skills. Definitely not cheap.

Apostles who received the Demon Mask were either High Apostles, or—like Qin Lun—possessed potential the Demon Clan desperately banked on. Investing in someone likely to perish in a mission or two? Pointless.

Putting the mask on, Qin Lun tossed his Identity Plate lightly, immense satisfaction warming him. He now held 30 City Points. Given Devil’s Horn held roughly two million points spread over twenty thousand people? He suddenly possessed wealth around half the average Apostle. Not bad at all.

Of course, another perspective: this was the price of selling out. But for a newly arrived Apostle? This price felt pretty satisfying. Survive the next few voting cycles? If he lived, his status and power would grow. Future decisions, another chance to pick sides.

Why hadn’t he backed the Elven Race? Simple. Their troubles weren’t something a new Apostle could fix. One extra vote? Meaningless.

Crucially, Adeline hadn’t yet given him the promised healing ointment. Qin Lun considered the debt to Mafa settled. No need now to soothe Elven Race feelings.

Lost in thought, Qin Lun led Didi out of the glass hall. They finally stepped directly into Devil’s Horn itself.