Chapter 63: Patience

Chapter 63: Patience

As a Sanguine who enjoyed staying at home, Emlyn had fought so few battles over the years that he could count them on one hand, and he had never tried fighting outnumbered.

Whether dealing with the previous believer of the Primordial Moon or resisting Bishop Utravsky of the Harvest Church, he had basically held the numerical advantage. At worst, it had been one-on-one.

Remembering how the three members of his family had failed to beat that half-giant bishop, Emlyn’s face gradually turned green, as though he had once again recalled the torment he had suffered in the Harvest Church.

Because quite a few tenants came and went, and because Galis Kevin, that artificial vampire, also possessed keen senses, Emlyn did not dare linger outside the door for too long. He quickly passed by, walked all the way to the end of the corridor, and hid himself in the darkness.

What should I do next…

Emlyn leaned against a pile of miscellaneous items that blocked the crimson moonlight, his thoughts spinning rapidly as he tried to search his pitifully sparse experience for a countermeasure.

Gradually, some words the Hanged Man had once used to teach the Sun surfaced in his mind.

“Patience is an important prerequisite for handling many situations…

“Only by learning to restrain one’s impulses and impatience can one minimize risk to the greatest extent…

“At times, forbearance is very important…”

Forbearance…

Emlyn gave an almost imperceptible nod, understanding what he ought to do.

He planned to hide there and wait for Argos to leave!

This was not that artificial vampire’s residence. He was bound to leave sooner or later. At that point, Emlyn would once again be able to solve the problem one-on-one.

Patience. Forbearance. Wait… Emlyn repeated similar words in his heart, using them to resist the damage inflicted on him by his surroundings.

The air on the first floor of the apartment was filled with the acrid smell of urine, damp rot, the stench of feces not properly flushed away, the pungent fumes from burning inferior coal, the sour sweat of many days without washing, the strong odors certain tenants carried with them, and all manner of sour, disgusting, nauseating smells. They mixed together like poison, corroding Emlyn’s senses.

For the first time in his life, Emlyn wanted to cut off his own nose. He felt as though he were suffering torment in the abyss, in hell.

Patience… Forbearance… Wait…

He mechanically recited the “rules,” feeling every second stretch unbearably long.

Finally, he saw Galis Kevin’s door open. A dark-brown-skinned, thin figure came out. His side profile showed protruding cheekbones, a high bridge of the nose, and a slightly hooked tip. It was none other than Argos, the believer of the Primordial Moon.

At that moment, several patches of his face were swollen and ulcerated, making him look rather nauseating.

As expected, just like that little “old man” Ian said, this fellow’s clothes are neat and clean. He doesn’t look like an East Borough resident at all…

Emlyn’s spirits lifted. While muttering inwardly, he watched Argos leave the apartment building.

After patiently waiting nearly five minutes, he stood and decided to begin the operation.

Because his target, Galis Kevin, was an artificial vampire, Emlyn was quite familiar with what the other party excelled at and what traits he possessed. Thus, he could make preparations accordingly.

Galis Kevin’s sense of smell should not be much worse than mine was when I had just come of age. Heh, actually, I’m not entirely certain of that. The fact that he can live in this kind of environment may mean he has already lost both his nose and his brain… Also, his spirituality will not be weak, and he will possess an instinctive intuition toward danger… His sight and hearing should not be too bad either…

While despising the other party, Emlyn took potions and sprayed liquids over himself, once again masking his body’s scent—deeply, thoroughly masking…