Endless Debt Chapter 1163 - 21: Shackled Justice_3

Greed had conquered guilt.

"I won't be excessively greedy," Gami mumbled, "I simply wish to procure some funds and then I'm done. I plan to depart from here, relocate to a different locale, and commence a fresh existence with this acquisition..."

A subtle discomfort arose beneath Gami's arm, and he observed the emergence of resilient black feathers from his skin, blanketing it densely. His mouth began to protrude slightly, the flesh darkening, solidifying, and transforming into a sharp avian beak.

"Precisely like a Scavenger Bird."

An ethereal voice resonated from behind Gami. He whirled around instantly, and the peculiar illusion evaporated—those phantom feathers and avian beak vanished.

He remained human, yet his inner being had already undergone a transformation.

Turning back, a silhouetted figure gradually materialized from the obscurity. Gami discerned the newcomer.

It was a young man, his bearing distinguished and severe, clad in a black suit and a white shirt, adorned with a Ruby brooch.

His features were sharply defined, his skin flawlessly smooth, and his pupils mirrored the exact shade of the Ruby on his brooch.

A striking crimson.

Gami's breath hitched; the individual's presence was so impeccable that Gami concluded he could not possibly be a mortal—either a Celestial Deity or the Devil himself.

The man advanced towards Gami, his movements deliberate and hushed, his steps light and fluid, akin to an exceptionally graceful dance.

Gami's gaze wavered momentarily but soon steadied, and he clutched the shovel tighter, adopting a posture of vigilance.

"Halt!"

The man stopped, maintaining a short distance, a faint smile on his lips.

"Who might you be?" Gami inquired.

"A wanderer," the man replied, raising his hands with palms facing Gami, "rest assured, I harbor no ill will towards you."

As he spoke, his gaze flickered behind Gami, towards the partially interred corpse, adding, "I observed nothing."

"A wanderer?"

Gami's respiration quickened, his muscles tensing, "To grace Gray Stone Town with your presence at such a juncture—are you jesting?"

"Hmm? To be precise, my objective is the search for an individual, a woman bearing a resemblance to myself... have you chanced upon her?"

The man took a few more steps forward, attempting to allow Gami unobstructed view of his eyes, "Her eyes possess the same characteristics as mine."

Eyes the color of Rubies, emanating an uncanny luminescence even under the veil of night, reminiscent of light passing through crystalline glass, possessing an irresistible allure.

Upon closer examination, Gami fancied he saw his own reflection within those eyes, as if the entirety of the world was inverted by their gaze.

"Her name is Olivia Villeries."

The man continued his inquiry, "Have you encountered her?"

Gami remained motionless for a beat, and after several seconds, his mind finally processed the question, causing him to shake his head, "No, I have not..."

"Understood."

The man bestowed one final glance upon Gami, uttered no further words, pivoted, and in an instant, his dark silhouette seemed to meld with the night, disappearing completely.

Gami blinked, unable to locate any trace of the man, as if his entire experience had been nothing more than a phantasm.

This peculiar encounter did not occupy Gami's thoughts for long, as he returned to his task, diligently concealing the corpse beneath the earth. These deceased individuals represented his passage to a new existence; he could not afford to falter.

When the dawn broke, the inhabitants discovered the bodies Gami had buried during the preceding night amidst the yet-uncleared devastation, and lamentations once again filled the town.

The populace was already burdened by the grief of the departed, and now the defilement of the corpses cruelly reopened wounds that had barely begun to mend.

The sheriff, incandescent with rage, vowed to apprehend the perpetrator, while the townsfolk unleashed torrents of abusive language, denouncing the culprit.

York stood amongst the onlookers, silently offering prayers for the deceased. As his gaze drifted, he once again spotted Gami in the distance, maintaining his sardonic demeanor, seemingly unaffected by the surrounding despair.

"Gami..."

York stepped forward, only to be preempted by Gami before he could utter a word.

"Reverend, should you be here to condemn me, I suggest you procure irrefutable proof first." Gami's lips curved into a smile, a glint of derangement visible in his eyes.

A wave of sorrow washed over York as he witnessed Gami's descent, feeling utterly helpless to intervene.

"Consider their sentiments, reflect upon your actions..."

"Reverend, are you attempting to proselytize me?" Gami tilted his head, "That notion is utterly ludicrous."

"My purpose is to impart God's grace unto you."

"Grace?"

Gami suddenly moved closer to York, whispering into his ear, "What tangible benefits can God's grace bestow upon me? Sustenance, or refuge? Perhaps a fresh start?"

"Spiritual fulfillment."

"Spiritual? Pray tell, Reverend, I am currently engaged in a struggle for survival; what relevance does spiritual wealth hold for me?" Gami mocked, "How self-righteous you are."

York found himself momentarily lost for words, managing only to state, "I am aware it was you."

"And so? Where is your substantiation?" Gami understood York's unwavering principles, a truly devout Cleric, yet his very piety served as his undoing. "Are you inclined to charge me based on an anonymous confession? To prosecute me using the words of an unknown individual?"

York found himself speechless, much as Gami had predicted; his benevolence and dedication had ensnared him completely.

Gami, observing York's expression, erupted in laughter, issuing a solemn vow.