After Lucian bought everything he needed, he went to the forest right away.
He also bought random items and different weapons to hide his real goal. He got a mask and new clothes.
When he arrived at the forest, he studied the area to get an advantage in the fight.
He also set some traps.
His enemy, Rayne, had not started cultivation yet. Lucian guessed he was still in the Body Strengthening Stage. After all, he was still young.
But in the future, Rayne could become the next head of the Stoneheart Family.
It was better to kill him now, or the Stoneheart Family would grow stronger.
Lucian got his chance.
Of course, the mission was risky. But if he succeeded and left no trace, it would be a great achievement. It would save him a lot of time.
Maybe Rayne was still innocent. He hadn't done anything that deserved death—at least not yet.
But small reasons like that did not matter to Lucian. His goal was to destroy the noble families. He wouldn't let anything stop him. He would never leave an opportunity behind.
Night came, and Lucian went to sleep. When the first sunlight appeared, he got up and continued his work.
Suddenly, he smelled something rotten. After a short search, he found a den of Rot Wolves.
They were very dangerous wolves. They had a strong, bad smell, and their bite was very poisonous. They attacked in groups and never gave up easily.
When Lucian saw them, he smiled and started the final step of his plan.
Now, he waited for his prey to arrive.
Rayne would never expect that a big, strong fairy would try to "play" with him to death in a fairy forest.
---
"Sir, are you leaving?" the servant asked.
"Yes, I want to take Ellie to see the fairies."
"Shall I come with you?"
"No, it's fine. I want to spend some time alone with my sister. I don't usually get this chance."
"Alright, but please take this, just in case."
"Hm? What is this?"
Rayne looked at the paper in his hand with confusion.
"Tear this paper if you feel danger," the old servant said, showing a similar paper in his own hand. "Mine will tear too when yours does."
"Why are you so worried? No one in their right mind would attack someone from the noble families. And even if someone wanted to, how would they know we are in this city?"
"It's always good to be careful, young master. Especially with the rumors about a secret group trying to bring down the noble families."
"Raaaaaaayne!!"
A little girl ran down the stairs quickly and almost fell.
"Where are you going?! You promised to take me to see the fairies!"
"Shh, lower your voice. And I'm not going anywhere. I'm waiting for you. Since you're here, let's go. I even brought food, don't worry."
"Finally! Let's go!"
"Safe journey, young master. Young lady," said the servant, bowing as Rayne and Ellie left.
---
After an hour, Rayne put the picnic basket on the ground and set up a place to sit. Ellie was running around, having fun.
"Ellie, be careful! You might fall!"
"Look, look! There's a fairy in the tree!"
"Really? We found one so fast. You are so lucky."
"She looks stuck in the branches. Brother, can we help her?"
"Wait a second."
Rayne stood up and went to the tree. A small fairy with glowing skin and clear wings was stuck between the branches.
"Oh, how did you end up here?"
Rayne climbed the tree.
But suddenly, a hidden trap was triggered.
Rayne dodged it quickly. He stared at the metal trap—it could have hurt his hand if he was slower.
"Ding~"
"Ding~"
Bells connected to the trap started ringing loudly.
Rayne grabbed the fairy and came down fast.
"Brother, are you okay?" Ellie was shocked after seeing what happened.
"It seems like it was a hunter's trap. That idiot almost hurt my hand."
"Stupid hunter! He used a cute fairy just to catch animals?!"
"Forget it. Here, take this."
Rayne opened his hand slightly to show her the fairy.
Ellie jumped with joy and gently held the fairy.
Then suddenly—
"Boom!"
The fairy exploded in Ellie's hands.
She screamed loudly. Her hand was bleeding badly. Thankfully, her fingers didn't fall off—her bones were already strengthened. Without that, her fingers would've been blown into pieces.
But the blood kept flowing.
Rayne was full of fear and worry.
"Ellie!"
He pulled her to the picnic basket and took out a healing potion and some bandages.
"Waaaah!"
"Don't cry, Ellie. You'll be okay. It's just a small wound. Don't worry."
After a few minutes, Ellie stopped crying and wiped her nose. But her breathing was still shaky.
The potion helped with the pain and started healing the wound. It was one of the best potions on the market. Thankfully, the old servant had packed it for them.
Rayne sighed in relief and looked at his sister. He was angry now. That hunter—he would make him regret it.
It was clear the hunter planned for this. He expected someone to take the fairy and made a second trap.
As Rayne was about to leave, he heard a rustling sound.
He looked to the side and saw a man wearing a mask.
The man spoke, sounding surprised:
"Excuse me, did you see an animal caught in a trap nearby? I'm sure I heard my trap go off."