Book 4: Chapter 53: Taking the Bait

Among the five Serial Killers, besides Firecracker Rand, Qin Lun had worked with Disciple Hansen, Shepherd Hill, and Clown Grant before. Each one left an extremely deep impression on him!

After just his first Quest World, Disciple Hansen obtained special equipment similar to Death Notice. In the Phantom Demon World, Shepherd Hill even told Qin Lun that Hansen could fight an Elf patrol captain bare-handed, likely having already obtained a Bloodline Item. By that reasoning, Disciple was probably the earliest among the Serial Killers to get a bloodline, one whole Quest World earlier than Qin Lun.

Compared to Disciple Hansen, who came from a mercenary background, Shepherd Hill might have been slightly less combat-capable, but his intelligence was higher. In the Phantom Demon World, Qin Lun acted cautiously all the way, almost completely swallowing everything Matthew’s team gained. Remember, Matthew prepared extensively for the Phantom Demon World, achieving more than an average team.

Yet, through patience and scheming, Shepherd Hill ultimately killed the Oni Warrior Michele, obtaining the Soul-Sucking Bracelet, which potentially surpassed Dark Gold and reached Sub-Legendary quality. His scheming ability made even Qin Lun admit defeat.

As for Clown Grant, his Parasitic Virus Bloodline made him practically immortal, combined with “Joker’s Gift”. Against any other Serial Killer, the fight’s outcome was unpredictable. His fighting style and Qin Lun’s were each other’s strongest opponents. Victory would depend entirely on favorable circumstances.

Qin Lun had touched the threshold of Class Change in just three Quest Worlds, making him exceptionally outstanding among Junior Apostles. But he understood clearly that the other Serial Killers gained just as much, if not more, in their first few Quest Worlds. They were also highly likely to have touched the threshold of Class Change.

Therefore, the team invitations from Hill and Hansen were significant. Perhaps both men, like Qin Lun, felt the future importance of teamwork. Or maybe, they hoped to use the power of the other Serial Killers to complete their Career Quest outright in the next Quest World.

Having thought through all this, Qin Lun looked up at both men, his expression indifferent. “I’m sorry, I have no intention of joining a team right now.”

“That’s truly a disappointing answer!” Hill swirled his glass, smiling without surprise. “Qin Lun, with your intelligence, you must have seen it long ago. People like us find it difficult to cooperate with ordinary folks. Ultimately, we’ll have to come together and form a Murderer Team. Getting used to it early isn’t harmful!”

“Hansen and I analyzed your current situation before coming here. You must have also touched the threshold of Class Change, right? With the strength of all three of us, the Career Task would be effortless. It could also form a foundation for cooperation,” Hansen sneered. “But even without you, the two of us are enough. If you hope to extort us with this, you’ve chosen the wrong targets!”

“Exactly. Among the five serial killers, Firecracker Rand’s mental state is unstable. The remaining four will be the core of the future team. You’ll join us eventually. Why extort us for a little immediate gain?” Shepherd Hill looked into Qin Lun’s eyes, smiling kindly.

“Haha, you saw right through me!” Qin Lun couldn’t help but laugh aloud. Then, his laughter stopped abruptly as he sighed, his attitude turning serious. “I also believe we will eventually form a team. But frankly speaking, it’s not the right time to group up yet!”

“Why?” Shepherd Hill and Disciple Hansen finally looked surprised. Though refused again, this time neither Serial Killer resorted to sarcasm.

Qin Lun smiled wordlessly, simply wagging his finger. “You know information has value. We aren’t a team yet, so I won’t tell you for free.”

Shepherd Hill frowned slightly, quickly making up his mind. “Our resources are tight preparing for the Class Change. If you truly possess information we aren’t aware of, speak up. Hansen and I will pay you accordingly based on its importance.”

Hearing Hill’s words, Qin Lun sighed inwardly, noting a small favor owed to the female Apostle Kelly. If any aspect gave Qin Lun a true lead over the other Serial Killers so far, it was his unique personality.

Why did Qin Lun manage to win the favor of both Beruses and Mafa Moliya simultaneously, getting two powerful Sapient Races willing to invest in him? Remember, one was the Demon Clan’s Elder of External Affairs, the other a Moonlit Elf patrol captain, personalities and beliefs entirely different.

He repeatedly secured advantages in dealings with High-Rank Apostles, yet attracted no retaliation.

Kelly, vice-leader of the “Lost” squad, only dealt with him twice before actively helping him access several pieces of free intelligence. She even risked offending the Elven Race, tasking her Rogue subordinate to investigate him, hoping to recruit him into “Lost.”

These seemingly mundane peculiarities were actually manifestations of Qin Lun’s ability. Though inexperienced in worldly matters and lacking in ordinary social finesse, he was a skilled psychologist, exceptionally intelligent and perceptive, with immense self-control and limited greed.

People dealing with Qin Lun quickly picked up on this, recognizing his enormous potential. Only someone intelligent yet capable of controlling their greed could survive the unpredictable dangers of the Other World and grow stronger constantly.

Furthermore, apart from his strong curiosity, Qin Lun appeared wholly indifferent to everything. Those who knew him deeply—like the other Serial Killers—knew this aloofness reflected the Dissector’s disregard for life and inherent cruelty. Outsiders, however, misinterpreted it as Qin Lun being virtuous, pure, and self-disciplined.

Crucially, this wasn’t an act. This personality was Qin Lun’s truest self. It captivated so many: investments from the Demon Clan and the Elven Race, and even friendship from High-Rank Apostles.

Smart, rational, decisive, immense potential, pure-hearted, ethical, resists temptation, avoids confrontations, remembers favors owed – Qin Lun embodied the ideal Junior Apostle, the perfect young talent for investments and recruitment. Could they find anyone better?

Shepherd Hill had his refined, virtuous façade, but differed from Qin Lun. Hill spent decades navigating the complex human society of the Earth Federation. That ingrained slickness couldn’t change. Experienced figures like Elder Beruses could see through him immediately.

Disciple Hansen relied on force to resolve problems. Asking him to navigate diplomatic negotiations with Sapient Races for benefits was downright impossible. The other Serial Killers, Firecracker Rand and Clown Grant, possessed even more withdrawn personalities than The Disciple and were worse at social interactions.

In reality, although Hill, Hansen, and Grant deeply distrusted Qin Lun, they had to admit the Dissector was the best potential collaborator.

Among the serial killers, the most socially adept, Shepherd Hill, vaguely sensed something else. As long as he didn’t unleash his cruelty, Qin Lun might function as peacemaker within their eventual Murderer Team.

Hill himself wasn’t the right fit. Pragmatic social skills meant nothing to Serial Killers. If deep-rooted conflicts erupted among individuals that strong-willed, only issues of absolute principle would spark them. And Qin Lun, lacking those rigid principles, was uniquely positioned to find compromises they’d all accept.

“Hill, Hansen,” Qin Lun began, sharing the intelligence Kelly had given him. “Have you considered we’ve only experienced three Quest Worlds? No matter how impressive we seem, lack of accumulated resources remains a weakness. Why rush to complete the Career Task? Is it just to compete with others?”

Qin Lun’s words genuinely surprised Hill and Hansen. They fell into deep thought. Kelly’s insights about future career options and the increased World Difficulty post-Class Change were hard-won experience. Even scheming minds like Shepherd and Disciple wouldn’t have anticipated them.

Especially regarding career paths. While Hansen and Hill had touched the Threshold of Class Change, neither currently had Qin Lun’s unique options for a profession encompassing ranged combat, melee, summoning, physical attacks, and magical attacks in one flexible package.

“I believe you must commit firmly to your chosen path. That High-Rank Apostle’s indecisive approach is unwise. Succumbing to temptation means never reaching the peak!” After some contemplation, Disciple Hansen’s face took on a determined look. “Still, your information is valuable. My current skillset lacks depth. Class Changing now, into something less than ideal, would cause serious problems later.”

Shepherd Hill beside him nodded thoughtfully, smiling. “Each pays ten thousand Shattered Crystals? Hansen, you agreed?”

“Of course,” Hansen readily agreed.

Taking out their Identity Plates, they completed the trade with Qin Lun. After a final brief discussion, Hill and Hansen got up to leave.

“Haha!” Once the two departed, Qin Lun looked at his suddenly wealthy Identity Plate, but his face darkened as storm clouds. A faint, red glint flickered deep within his pupils.

However, upon returning to his room, an expression of intense fascination reappeared on Qin Lun’s face. Light, amused laughter bubbled up in the room.

“Creak, creak…” After the laughter faded, only the sound of a rocking chair remained. An atmosphere of creeping dread started seeping through the entire Villa.

Didi hid under his bed, covering his pointed ears, shivering uncontrollably. His master was good in most ways, but whenever overcome by extreme anger or terrifying joy… an unnatural silence would fall over the Villa. This silence filled Didi with primal fear.

…

“Hill,” Hansen asked coldly at the Villa’s entrance. “Do you think he regretted it once he figured it out?”

“Regret? Hmph, he already figured it out. But he is one of us, deep down!” Shepherd Hill chuckled easily. “If he wasn’t willing to take the bait himself, do you think twenty thousand Shattered Crystals would have moved him?”