Chapter 88: The Angel’s Choice

“Please calm yourself, Miss Angelica. I did not come here with the intention to fight.”

Even though I said that, Angelica and her subordinates remained on high alert.

Well… that was to be expected. At this point, they were still weak—especially Angelica. Before she obtained the Gem of Judgment, her strength was only around Rank A at best.

“I don’t trust strangers.”

Angelica said, her posture still tense and ready.

“Relax. I’m only here to offer an alliance. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Indigo from Korea—a villain who has been rising in notoriety lately.”

Despite my introduction, her vigilance did not waver.

She slowly opened her mouth again.

“An alliance? And what happens if I refuse?”

“Well… I’m not forcing you to join. If you refuse, then I’ll have no choice but to kill you and everyone here. But if you accept… then that’s a completely different story.”

Angelica’s expression wavered.

One of her hooded subordinates stepped forward.

“Miss Angelica, this man is suspicious. Let us sacrifice ourselves for you.”

Angelica hesitated.

She spoke again, her voice uncertain.

“W-what would I gain if I joined?”

“Oh? You’re curious? Very well, I’ll tell you. What you gain by joining me… is the Gem of Judgment.”

The moment those words left my mouth, Angelica froze.

Her eyes widened in shock, as if she couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

Well… in the future, she would obtain it anyway. I was simply using that knowledge to push her into making the right decision.

Her face trembled with hesitation.

’Who exactly is this man…? He knows my name… and even what I’m seeking…’

Angelica thought, her heart wavering.

She glanced at her subordinates.

They were afraid—but every one of them looked ready to sacrifice themselves for her sake.

She looked back at me.

Her body trembled slightly, uncertainty filling her chest.

“Why… should I trust you…?”

’hah… convincing her really is difficult. Just as expected of Angelica.’

I sighed internally.

Slowly, I removed my mask.

My face was fully revealed.

I spoke calmly.

“You’ve seen my face now, haven’t you? Use it as leverage. If I ever deceive you, you’ll know exactly who to hunt down.”

My tone was relaxed.

Angelica’s subordinates gasped.

One of them shouted in panic.

“Miss Angelica! Don’t trust him!! He’s extremely dangerous!!”

But Angelica didn’t respond.

She simply stood there, staring at my face.

Silent.

’His face… he’s incredibly handsome… Is he an angel who descended from heaven…?’

Angelica thought, her composure slowly slipping.

Her cheeks turned slightly red.

“Uh… Miss Angelica?”

I asked, confused by her sudden silence.

“A-ah! Y-yes!? Uhm! I trust you!”

’eh…? Why did she suddenly change her mind like that?’

I thought, completely baffled.

Her subordinates looked just as confused.

“U-uhm… Very well then. Welcome to the Darkest Alliance, Miss Angelica.”

I said cautiously.

“I hope I can be of use to you.”

Angelica replied with a sweet smile, her cheeks still faintly red.

One of her subordinates hurriedly approached her.

“M-Miss Angelica… what are you doing? Why so suddenly—”

Before he could finish his sentence, Angelica cut him off with a sharp glance.

Her golden eyes glowed brightly.

Her expression turned cold and merciless.

“Silence.”

Just one word.

Though her tone was flat, it sent chills through all of her subordinates.

They immediately froze, fear gripping them.

Angelica then turned back to me, her expression instantly softening into a gentle smile.

Even I felt confused by the sudden shift—but I chose not to dwell on it.

At that moment, my phone vibrated.

A message notification.

I pulled the phone from my cloak and checked it.

A message from Boris.

[Hey, I found someone who said he wanted to kill you.]

Boris sent a photo.

In the image, he was gripping the black hair of a man who looked completely beaten and barely conscious.

’Wait… isn’t that Hopper from the Seven Deadly Sins? Why would he want to kill me…? Ah, whatever. I’ll deal with it later. Angelica is more important right now.’

I turned off my phone and looked at Angelica.

“Then let’s go to where the Gem of Judgment is.”

Angelica’s eyes widened in shock.

“Eh? You know where the Gem of Judgment is located?”

She asked, stunned.

“Of course I do.”

“…Just how do you know everything? Our group’s code, my name, and even what I desire… I’m truly curious.”

I hesitated for a moment, then replied calmly.

“Let’s just say… I possess extensive knowledge.”

I turned around and walked toward the exit.

Angelica didn’t seem satisfied with my answer—but she remained silent.

She understood that there were things I wasn’t ready to reveal yet.

She turned to her subordinates.

“Two of you. Follow me.”

At her command, two members stepped forward and followed her.

And just like that, Angelica followed after me.

*Meanwhile, at the Seven Deadly Sins’ location*

Aeron sat with an irritated expression.

“Huh… I can feel it. Hopper’s power is fading rapidly.”

The eyes of everyone in the room widened.

Denove spoke loudly.

“How is that possible!? I know he’s lazy and always sleeping, but his power is at least on par with mine!”

Anavel smirked arrogantly.

“Maybe that’s exactly why he’s weak~ Being equal to someone weak like you.”

“What did you say!?”

Denove shouted back angrily.

Kelva frowned slightly, thinking.

’I know Hopper is the weakest among us… but he’s still one of the Seven Deadly Sins… His power should be enough to cover an entire city…’

Hestina looked at Aeron and spoke softly.

“Darling~ do you know where he is right now? There’s no way he was defeated by that man named Indigo, right?”

“Huh… I can sense it. He’s in Russia.”

Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.

“Russia!? Why would he be in Russia!? He should’ve gone to Korea!”

Denove yelled.

“Russia is the fastest route to Korea, you know?”

Bahemot replied calmly.

Anavel added smugly.

“Maybe he made a mistake and got beaten by someone in Russia.”

Aeron let out a slow breath.

’Who was capable of rendering Hopper completely helpless…?’

He thought, deeply unsettled.

In the end, they had effectively lost one member.

Their plans would need to change.

Because if Indigo learned about this—

It was guaranteed that he would interfere with their grand plan.

That was Aeron’s conclusion.

Though he was known for his wrath, his mind was sharp.

And that was precisely why he stood above the rest of the Seven Deadly Sins.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep