Unholy Player Chapter 491 Staying Human in a Monster's Skin

The trade center remained a hive of activity, its streets pulsing with life. A cacophony of overlapping voices and heavy footsteps filled the air as shoppers from myriad races drifted between various stalls and storefronts. Nearby cafes and rest areas were overflowing with exhausted patrons, all sitting down to soothe their weary bodies and replenish their drained energy.

One particular cafe stood out among the rest, its presence more striking than its neighbors. It continuously drew the inquisitive stares of every passerby.

This attention wasn't merely due to the quality of their confections or the meticulous design of the shop's garden, though both were certainly impressive. The true magnet for these curious glances was the specific group gathered at one of the outdoor tables.

Vivienne and Marielle, a pair of second-generation mutants, possessed flawless complexions and a sophisticated, mature allure. They sat with a natural grace, their conversation restrained yet captivating. That effortless elegance alone was sufficient to compel many passing men to steal second and third looks.

In contrast, Vesha and Niva presented a completely different atmosphere. Boasting adorable appearances, they leaned toward one another while trading jokes and laughing, their voices ringing out with a bright, light tone. It was a heart-melting and peaceful sight, genuinely delightful to witness.

However, the two individuals commanding the most focus were Thalira and Selina. To the eyes of any mortal, the only fitting description for them was 'deadly beauties,' resembling lethal weapons concealed beneath fine silk.

Anyone who happened to look at them would instinctively avert their gaze a moment later, afraid to risk a second glance. The sharp, perilous aura they were unconsciously emitting at that moment ensured no one lingered too long.

From afar, they appeared to be engaged in a warm, casual chat, like friends enjoying a serene afternoon. Yet, from a closer vantage point, the intensity in their eyes and the cold calculation behind their stares told a far different story.

That unspoken tension was gradually clearing out the entire cafe. Even the current patrons were shortening their stay, settling their bills in a hurry and departing like people fleeing the path of a gathering storm.

"If you girls keep this up, you'll drive this shop into bankruptcy," Victor remarked in the Human tongue with a faint sigh, leaning back as he observed the two women.

He understood the reasoning behind Selina's invitation. Keeping a source of danger right in front of them, where it could be monitored and measured, was far safer than letting it strike from an unforeseen corner.

Furthermore, since the Lunari were now officially recognized as allies of the Humans, bridging the gap between them was a logical long-term move.

Nevertheless, as he watched the atmosphere between the two women tighten until it felt as though a single spark could ignite a brawl, the practicality of the decision felt increasingly questionable.

"Hm?" Selina turned her gaze toward Victor, her smile remaining fixed. "And what exactly do you think we're doing?"

The manner in which she posed the question—serene and smiling, yet laced with a hidden warning—forced Victor to swallow his words and let the subject drop.

This woman is terrifying.

The thought echoed clearly through his mind, heavy and certain, yet it remained unvoiced. Instead, he returned his focus to the surroundings, resuming his duties as a guard.

His blood-colored eyes scanned the street, cataloging every movement and every face passing the cafe. Suddenly, his vision locked onto a figure standing motionless amidst the moving crowd for a split second, like a solid rock in a rushing river.

When he blinked and looked again, the figure had vanished.

Had anyone else seen it, they likely would have dismissed it as a trick of the light. Victor, however, did not. He knew precisely what—or who—he had glimpsed, and the realization caused his expression to harden slightly.

Noticing the subtle shift in his demeanor and the brief sharpening of his eyes, Selina asked in a hushed tone, "What happened?" Her voice was quiet enough not to interrupt the others' chatter.

Victor exhaled softly, seemingly deciding not to chase after what he had witnessed. "Nothing, I just spotted a familiar face," he whispered in response.

"A familiar face?" Selina's brow furrowed slightly. She detected the evasiveness in his tone but decided not to press him, as the realization of his meaning came to her naturally.

She followed his previous line of sight, searching the crowd beyond the cafe's perimeter. Nothing appeared out of place; there were only strangers' faces drifting in and out of the shops.

After a moment, she turned her attention back to Marielle and Niva, who were happily eating their cake and talking with bright smiles, clearly relishing the moment.

The scene before her appeared remarkably normal and serene, almost like a picturesque advertisement. Yet, within her chest, she felt as if a vital piece was missing, leaving a small, hollow void behind.

She reached for her dessert and lifted the spoon from the table. Pressing it into the sweet, fragrant red glaze on top, she took a small portion of the soft cream and sponge cake and brought it to her lips.

The exotic, fruity sweetness filled her mouth and coated her tongue. She let the flavor linger, hoping that the sweetness might sink deeper and soothe the empty sensation slowly expanding in her heart.

Amidst the throng of people on the street, a lone man walked at a leisurely pace, moving in harmony with the flow of the crowd.

His dark boots made no sound against the stone path, yet his gait was steady and swift enough to overtake every figure ahead of him without ever slowing down.

Among all the diverse races present, this man should have been the most conspicuous. His messy, dark gray hair, crimson eyes glowing like active volcanoes, and ash-gray skin were anything but subtle.

Yet, not a single gaze landed on him. It was as if they were incapable of registering his presence, or perhaps their eyes simply refused to acknowledge his form.

It seems this Nihil possesses some quite useful passive traits.

Adyr maintained his steady pace and relaxed posture, testing the boundaries of his new bloodline talent by observing how the crowd reacted—or failed to react—to him.

Victor had managed to spot him earlier, but Victor was a Rank 3 Practitioner with an evolution path specialized in ocular abilities; his perception was honed far beyond normal limits.

The people in this crowd, however, were merely ordinary mortals. They had no hope of noticing Adyr unless he permitted it.

He moved like a shadow untouched by the sun, slipping between bodies without physical contact and passing shoulders without a single head turning in his direction. He continued in this manner until he departed the bustling square and entered a dilapidated alley sandwiched between towering buildings, forgotten by the main thoroughfare. He had arrived here to spend time with his family and find his footing before his next rank advancement. But upon seeing them at that cafe table, peaceful and smiling, he decided it was better to leave them be.

He was accustomed to viewing people as mere tools for his objectives, pieces to be manipulated on a board. This time, however, he refused to cast his family in such a role.