Hell Difficulty Tutorial Chapter 797 - Empathy

POV Sophie Martinez

The two men present were, in fact, feylith. While our contact remained unaffected, his hair and eyes holding their natural brown hue, the man struck by the money chain underwent a startling transformation. His hair and eyes shifted to a pale red before settling on white.

I noted the change, though the specific color of their hair held no inherent meaning. For one individual, white might signify anger, while for another, it could represent something entirely different. Each person possessed their own unique palette and range of emotional expression.

Our contact swiftly signaled the newcomer, who bowed and retrieved the fallen chain. I estimated the value of two high-tier arcane items from their attire.

“My apologies for my colleague’s behavior, Sir Elydor.”

“Let us not squander my valuable time on such trivial matters,” Nathaniel interjected, assuming an air of authority, compelling our contact to fall in behind him. “As my servant has informed you, I am prepared to auction one of the two beasts I acquired for my daughter.”

“But I desire them both!” Izzy whispered, her voice laced with sorrow. Through our shared link, she conveyed the emotional states of those around us. I, meanwhile, refrained from any direct attempts to influence the feylith man in our company, instead offering subtle, gentle nudges, careful not to trigger any potential detection abilities he might possess.

“How vexing. Very well, if you are insistent on having both, perhaps you should refrain from embarrassing me in front of my… associates.” Nathaniel adjusted his spectacles, directing his gaze at our contact. “I am not so heartless as to deny you both the snake and whatever creature the other one might be, but it is a necessary lesson she must learn. Do you not concur?”

“O-of course, I-”

Nathaniel did not permit the feylith to finish, emitting a sigh. “Spoiled, that is precisely what she is. However, she does exhibit a certain aptitude for combat. Would you not agree that nearing level 300 at her age is quite remarkable?”

“Indeed, Sir Elydor, I find it exceedingly im…”

“Yes, yes. So, which creature do you believe would generate more interest at your auction house?”

At this, the feylith halted our procession and turned his attention to Izzy. This, in turn, forced Nathaniel to stop, his impatience manifesting as a rhythmic tapping of his foot on the polished marble floor. Biscuit, in the interim, was feigning sleep, his small tail betraying his suppressed amusement with a slight wag. Noodle, however, was coiled around Izzy’s arm, his six emerald eyes curiously surveying the surroundings.

“Frankly, Sir Elydor, this deviates from our established procedures. Our auction house adheres to strict protocols and guidelines.”

“I find it astonishingly naive of you to believe I am unaware of the numerous instances where these protocols are conveniently disregarded when significant profits are involved.” Nathaniel’s tone carried a mocking edge. “My good friend, I intend to depart at my earliest convenience, especially with that Weredeer still in the vicinity. Selling one of the pets will undoubtedly simplify my travels.”

“But I want them both!”

“Isabella, I must express my disappointment in your lack of composure. But what else could I possibly anticipate, given the amount of time you have been spending with your mother? I always maintained she was excessively indulgent with you.” Nathaniel directed his gaze toward me.

The sudden attention caught me off guard, but as per our plan, I remained silent, returning his look with an expression of intense anger before diverting my gaze.

The ensuing silence hung heavy in the air, prompting the feylith man to shift uncomfortably from one foot to the other, offering a nervous chuckle, though Nathaniel appeared entirely unfazed.

“Feisty, is she not? Fortunately, I have several other wives who are considerably more agreeable towards me.”

Nathaniel betrayed no reaction and turned back to the feylith. “You have my leave to inspect the beast. I have already observed that your gaze lingers upon him.”

“Was I truly that transparent?” The feylith emitted another awkward laugh and approached Izzy, inquiring politely, “May I, little Lady?”

“NO!” Izzy firmly declared, clutching Biscuit protectively in her arms. “My friends will ridicule me if you sell one of them! They will label us impoverished once more, and I shall never find a suitable husband!”

She shares.

I began to suspect that my sister and Nat were deriving a bit too much enjoyment from this charade, witnessing Nathaniel skillfully playing his part.

“Isabella, we are not destitute,” Nathaniel stated, a hint of disbelief coloring his tone, as if she had just uttered something profoundly inconvenient rather than emotionally charged. “In fact, we possess an obscene amount of wealth,” he continued, nonchalantly brushing imaginary specks of dust from his sleeve. “Which renders this display rather perplexing.”

The feylith let out another laugh, a thin, uncertain sound, as though he had inadvertently stumbled into a private family dispute and was unsure which stance was the safest.

I receive.

“Yes, Sir Elydor, no individual of respectable standing would ever presume-”

Nathaniel’s gaze, emanating from his cold, heterochromatic eyes, swept over him, his unique trait flickering behind his spectacles. The man immediately ceased speaking, redirecting his attention toward a less volatile subject.

He moved closer, his eyes meticulously tracing the serpentine form of Noodle. “The serpent’s mana structure is quite peculiar,” he murmured, almost involuntarily. “I believe I can also detect a fragment within it. How fascinating and exotic. Such a specimen would undoubtedly appeal to collectors who highly value rarity.”

Nathaniel, without acknowledging the feylith’s observation, shifted his focus to a nearby statue, his expression unreadable. “And the other creature?” he inquired.

The feylith then lowers his head, observing the nearly slumbering corgi with intense scrutiny. He even dons a monocle-like accessory before reaching out, retrieving Biscuit from Izzy’s embrace, and lifting the small dog by its scruff into the air.

It takes me a moment to register that Biscuit is the one speaking, and then another to realize the words are directed at Nat, not me.

When I meet his gaze, he stands before me, eyes wide and unsettling. They are a terrifying mix of gray and brown, with a golden light attempting to break through the black of his pupils.

That stare, however, isn't the most alarming aspect. I understand that with a mere thought, his entire reservoir of mana could flood this hallway instantly, like a walking nuclear reactor poised for detonation. I also grasp how close he was to unleashing it. This madman wouldn’t hesitate to transform the feylith into a bloody smear against the wall.

Biscuit, meanwhile, remains largely unfazed. He simply opens his eyes and blinks slowly as the feylith man holds him, speaking without noticing Nathaniel’s coiled tension. "How surprisingly cute, this little beast. I must confess, I've never encountered this specific breed before. The serpent is certainly rare, but there's something about this one... its musculature suggests extraordinary compression strength," he murmurs. "If it were displayed in a controlled demonstration, the bids would undoubtedly be… enthusiastic."

"Did you purchase it already?" Nathaniel inquires, his voice dropping to a chilling low.

The feylith seems oblivious to the palpable danger, continuing his curious examination of the corgi. "Sir Elydor, naturally, I haven't acquired anything yet. It's not that straightforward." He even lets out a laugh.

"Then why are you touching something that belongs to me?" That lunatic's voice intensifies, growing even colder. He takes a step, the sound echoing too loudly, as if rebounding off every surface in the corridor.

"He is not an item, father! He is a living being." Izzy gently retrieves Biscuit from the man’s grasp, taking a step back.

Only then does Nathaniel’s expression begin to soften as the feylith calmly addresses her, “Everything is merely an item, young lady. The distinction lies solely in who governs the transaction.”

The feylith chuckles softly, attempting to diffuse the tension, though a faint golden hue momentarily flickers within his hair.

Izzy sends the link.

As the feylith redirects his attention to Nathaniel, a smile finally graces the latter’s lips. “I must say, your grasp of the reason for this visit is quite inadequate,” he states placidly. “My presence here isn’t motivated by a need for funds. Rather, I find crowds rather disagreeable.”

In response, the feylith opens his mouth, and I seize the moment. I probe his mind, sensing the flow of his thoughts, then apply pressure and guidance at precise points. This process is almost entirely instinctual, something I can perceive and adjust based on his reactions, modifying the mental landscape even before my conscious mind fully processes it.

For a fleeting second, his brow furrows, but the expression quickly smooths out, replaced by a smile.

Izzy shares it immediately.

"I'm afraid I must depart now, Sir Elydor, but perhaps we could reconvene tomorrow at the same hour? Preferably in a more secluded area within our Auction House?"

"Do not mistake me for some- "

Interrupting Nat for the first time, the feylith interjects, "I've already stated that I have time tomorrow."

As Nat’s mouth opens and closes, his words failing to materialize, he clenches his jaw and offers a curt nod.

I observe a section of the man's hair shift to a deep crimson, followed by a smile.

POV Nathaniel

Upon exiting the auction house, I maintain an upright posture, offering Sophie my arm. She takes it as we navigate the street, preserving our facade in case we are being observed. To further solidify this deception, we have even rented accommodations several levels above the current residence of Group 4. Some might deem it a frivolous expense, but caution is paramount.

Only upon our return to the tower and our secure entry into Group 4’s quarters do we abandon the pretense. Sophie separates from me, and Biscuit settles into my arms. As I begin to stroke him, though no crown hovers above my head, I am channeling mana within my body. Ruler of Diligence, bear witness that this auction house shall be reduced to ashes before this floor concludes.

"You nearly fucking attacked him back there!" Sophie exclaims, her voice sharp.

"I believe that would have only enhanced my portrayal of an arrogant noble concealing his identity," I retort in my defense.

"I don't think so, Nat," the traitorous Izzy chimes in, siding with her sister.

"Care to witness something, Izzy?" I inquire, undoing my tie and tossing it onto an armchair before shrugging off my suit jacket. "Sense my emotions now and ascertain if I'm fabricating when I claim I would react identically if any member of our group were subjected to such treatment in Biscuit's stead."

Sophie bypasses her sister's response entirely. "My only concern is whether you comprehend the gravity of what nearly transpired and if you can guarantee you won't obliterate the fellow should he prove recalcitrant tomorrow."

"I will likely refuse that. Right, Biscuit?" I ask, gently rocking him in my arms, and he responds with a few happy woofs.

As we finalize our plans, I allow Sophie and Izzy to discuss the details. With a portion of my focus, I observe Izzy's explanation of the man's emotions, correlating specific hair and eye colors with particular feelings, while also strategizing the most effective method to ensure his compliance. We finally decide that tomorrow, only Izzy, myself, Biscuit, and Noodle will return.

A small part of me finds it unsettling how effortlessly Izzy can analyze the man's feelings, identifying the precise points to influence him into believing his actions were entirely his own. Unlike Sophie's methods, our little empath's ability leaves no discernible trace. Astonishingly, she readily admits to sensing when the man grows suspicious and knows exactly how to alleviate his concerns, making him feel more confident and in command. She demonstrated this capability earlier today.

While her particular skill might not appear overtly impressive, its exceptional subtlety and difficulty in detection make it a truly formidable asset.

That evening, from the vantage point of the tower, I observe considerable activity throughout the city below. Coded messages are being exchanged, and figures dart through the shadows. An individual of significant importance and immense power appears to pass by briefly before continuing westward, retracing the path we took to arrive on this level.

I suspect our time is rapidly dwindling. My resolve hardens, and I reaffirm my determination to be prepared for tomorrow, leaving no room for hesitation. If the situation demands it, I will eliminate everyone within that auction house. With my dark mana and Biscuit's assistance, all evidence can be eradicated, and Noodle can discreetly transport the item by consuming the egg, a feat he has already proven capable of executing.

As if sensing my thoughts, our empath emerges onto the balcony and joins me in gazing at the nocturnal cityscape. Without a word, she offers a brief squeeze of my hand before returning inside.

Still observing the myriad lights below, I reflect on how much simpler it once was to end lives. Even now, I don't truly distinguish between the denizens of the tutorial, the attendees, or the inhabitants of Beyond. Yet, I notice a peculiar shift: the greater my power and the more numerous my options become, the less inclined I am to resort to such straightforward methods.

I remain confident in my ability to act decisively. I would not hesitate to reduce this entire fabricated, tutorial city to ashes, and I would feel no remorse should such an event occur. However, something within me is undergoing a transformation.

This leads me to question: perhaps, much like the feylith encountered today, I too have been subtly guided and shaped by that green-eyed girl's machinations.

Or perhaps, this transformation is entirely my own.