I've Become the King of Villains in the Game

Inner City District, Bradley Square.

Time Amber Gallery.

"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Beckman,"

Roderick said.

With a thud, he dropped a man who was tightly bound onto the floor.

This man was none other than a former member of the mysterious society, "Iron Hammer" Feray. His face bore an expression of numbness, as if his spirit had long been extinguished.

"The pleasure is all mine, Special Agent Roderick,"

Beckman, still dressed in his white suit, chuckled lightly.
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He picked up Feray from the ground and dragged him to sit on a stool. Then, with a snap of his fingers, the expression on Feray's face immediately changed from one of dejection to a determined and radiant smile.

"This is the demeanor befitting a monk of the Sun Church, Feray,"

Beckman remarked with admiration.

Feray's eyes moved, staring straight at Beckman, with calm eyes devoid of any emotion.

"Have you resigned yourself to your fate? That's right... From the moment you betrayed the Sun Church, you probably anticipated your inevitable death. But in the end, it was an outsider like me who acted."

Beckman continued, snapping his fingers once more.

Blood began to seep from the ground at his feet, bubbling up, before a painter's easel slowly emerged from the pool of blood.

Beckman took the brush from the easel and began to paint Feray.

"How do you plan to deal with the 'Circus' organization, Mr. Beckman?"

Roderick, keenly interested in the live painting, asked aloud.

"My gallery is about to host a grand exhibition. Many of Amber City's nobles and wealthy merchants will be in attendance. The 'Circus' will strike during the exhibition, capturing these dignitaries in one fell swoop!"

Beckman continued his brushwork as he spoke softly.

"This is a grand kidnapping that the 'Circus' has planned for a long time. They intend to make a huge score and then flee immediately... I'm just a part of their plan, hmm, a rather important part."

Roderick frowned and said in a deep voice,

"I appreciate the intelligence, Mr. Beckman, it's very important... But what makes these lunatics think they can get away with this? Aren't they afraid of the wrath from the higher-ups at the Shelter?"

"Afraid...?"

Beckman let out a light laugh.

"If they were afraid, they wouldn't have kidnapped Councilman Lawson's son in the first place, let alone killing him afterward... And it seems they have the shadow of the 'Mutual Aid Society' behind them."

"The Mutual Aid Society!"

Roderick's gaze sharpened.

As an Investigator from the Shelter, he had stayed in major cities at the main-city level and had heard of this hidden yet powerful organization.

The majority of the Mutual Aid Society's members were Transcendents from the Conspiracy Faction, worshipping the Evil God "Old Deity of Bones." The Shelter's higher-ups had speculated that these members outwardly held reputable identities—possibly nobles, merchants, councilmen, or even inconspicuous factory owners.

Many of the Empire's large-scale mystical crises were related to this "Mutual Aid Society."

"I see... Then there's even less need for the 'Circus' to exist!"

Roderick snorted coldly.

"On the day of the exhibition, the Shelter will be in ambush beforehand. Once the 'Circus' makes their move, I'll ask for your cooperation, Mr. Beckman, to suppress them all! Not a single one must escape!"

"Of course, that's no problem, Special Agent,"

Beckman readily agreed.

He stopped his painting, as a completed oil portrait was now on the easel. The determined visage of Feray was vividly lifelike, exuding a warmth and reassurance akin to the Sun.

In contrast, Feray himself was stiff as a dummy; his once calm eyes now devoid of spirituality, left with only hollow lifelessness... Clearly, he had quietly passed away the moment the painting was finished.

Beckman skillfully framed the painting and then walked over to a wall to hang it up.

"Truly a fine piece. I plan to give it a name. Let's call it 'The Unyielding.'

He clapped his hands by himself, creating a smacking sound.

Then Beckman turned his head and looked at Roderick.

"According to our agreement, after the art exhibition, I will leave Amber City, and your cleansing plan will be more than completed... And the 'Circus' Leader will become my finest work of art."

*

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*

On the day of the art exhibition.

Bigwigs of the Inner City District, each with a certain standing, had received their invitations in advance to attend the "Amber Art Exhibition." Some were invited by Lady Countess Bradley herself, while others were personally invited by Representative Lawson. These two figures held significant clout within the noble circles and political sphere.

Those who received the invitations agreed to attend, more or less, out of respect for these two individuals. In addition to Beckman's Gallery being quite famous in the Inner City District, it was also rumored that many masterpieces would be displayed. Therefore, the pretentious dignitaries and nobility arrived one after another.

Carriages lined up one after another, slowly moving through the streets and finally entering Bradley Square to park orderly at the side.

Some of the Inner City District residents who were resting in the Square were astonished at such a grand scene. They pointed at the gentlemen and ladies alighting from the carriages and murmured among themselves.

"I've seen that gentleman; he is the owner of Moses Far Voyage's subsidiary, Mr. Hardy!"

"Oh Sun, there's Viscount Picket, along with Baron Harrington and Baron Mathew! Why have they come together, is something significant happening?"

"I heard it's a 'Time Amber' Gallery exhibition, and half the Parliament members are here!"

"What a grand occasion! If only I could attend too...!"

Representatives, nobles, big businessmen, tycoons, and some middle-class elites, all dressed formally, mostly accompanied by their families, arrived at the venue. It seemed they were not there just for an art exhibition but for a grand banquet.

Those with higher status treated the art exhibition like a gathering, to network with other partners or friends. Those of slightly lower status, on the other hand, wished to use the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the elite.

All sorts of thoughts and intentions came together.

The fact that Earl Bradley didn't attend surprised many of the big shots entering. However, when they saw the Countess standing at the entrance, next to her, Gallery owner Beckman, they had an epiphany.

The affair between the Countess Bradley and her lover was no secret in their circles, perhaps Earl Bradley stayed away to avoid embarrassment.

"Mr. Jack, I'm sorry to have invited you to accompany me... I didn't expect so many prominent figures to be here, with surely many eyes watching in secret. I'm worried that this will expose you."

The Silver Dragon Trade Association's large carriage stopped in a corner of the Square.

In the oversized and reinforced carriage, Noah looked apologetically at Chen Lun across from him.

"It's okay, we'll just keep a low profile later."

Chen Lun smiled politely, reassuring him.

"Besides, with the 'Starlight Veil' you provided, others won't see our real faces, we should go unnoticed."

Next to him sat a silent Floey, the two of their appearances had changed, which was the effect of the "D-grade Mysterious Object - Starlight Veil." Not only could it alter one's appearance but also affect how others perceived them.

For example, when people looked at Floey, they only saw an ordinary girl with healthy, normal eyes.

The "Starlight Veil" was a special product of the Silver Dragon Trade Association, which Chen Lun found quite interesting and intended to purchase a few from Noah later on.

Before departing, Chen Lun had purposely conducted divination. The trip showed no signs of danger; instead, it subtly hinted that something good might occur.

However, after hearing about it, Floey requested that Chen Lun take her along. Recalling that Floey had never been to such an art exhibition, he agreed.

Even if she couldn't see the paintings, he wanted her to experience the atmosphere, something he had promised her.

He intended to show her a broader world.

Chen Lun lifted the curtain, and his "Spiritual Intuition" triggered faintly.

He squinted his eyes, scanning the vicinity of the gallery and carefully observing each person attending the exhibition. Several individuals, whose clothing and demeanor seemed slightly out of sync, caught his attention.

"They are Investigators from the Shelter..."

Chen Lun could confirm that there were Shelter operatives lying in wait near the art exhibition.

But he didn't feel worry or unease; instead, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Since the Shelter's forces are concentrated here, my plan can now begin."