As the thought crossed his mind, text appeared—
**[Unarmed Combat (Skilled) → Unarmed Combat (Mastered)]**
**[Unarmed Combat reached the Mastery level, gaining a mastery option: Well-Trained!]**
**[Unarmed Combat (Mastered): A solid foundation, extensive practical experience, and exceptional talent combined with relentless effort have made you stand out even among professional fighters; Effect: Physique +0.4 (Basic, Novice, Skilled, Mastery +0.1), Skill +0.3 (Novice, Skilled, Mastery +0.1)]**
**[Well-Trained: Years of training have made your physical condition far superior to that of ordinary people; Effect: Physique +0.2]**
…
In an instant, Gawain's **[Physique]** and **[Skill]** improved once again.
Especially **[Physique]**, the appearance of the "mastery option" took Gawain by surprise.
Immediately, with both added together, **[Physique] +0.3**!
This instantly caused a noticeable change in Gawain.
His strength, speed, reflexes, vision, smell, hearing, as well as his resistance to injury and self-healing abilities, all increased dramatically.
At least, when he looked at the menacing attacker rushing at him, he felt that the opponent had 'slowed down!'
No!
It wasn't that the opponent had slowed down!
It was that his own speed had increased!
His dynamic vision easily locked onto the opponent!
His recovered wrist effortlessly deflected the punch coming his way!
And then…
A kick shot upwards!
This kick was beyond what could be described as refined; it was as if it was etched into Gawain's very soul.
Before the attack, it was as elusive as a deer running through the forest, impossible to trace.
During the attack, it was like a tiger descending a mountain—swift, precise, and lethal.
**Bang!**
The attacker took the kick squarely, immediately doubling over and clutching his groin, mouth agape, about to scream in pain.
But at that moment, Gawain had already raised his right hand, driving his fingers into the attacker's eyes.
Then, with his index and middle fingers embedded in the attacker's eyes, he pulled down.
Instantly, crystalline fragments mixed with blood sprayed out.
"Aaaahhh!"
A scream of extreme agony filled the air as the attacker, who had been clutching his groin moments earlier, reached up to grab Gawain's hand, which was still in his eye sockets. Gawain was quicker, withdrawing his hand, and then…
He delivered another kick!
**Bang!**
After this blow, the attacker collapsed completely.
Gawain swiftly moved to the door, picked up the two revolvers from the floor, and fired repeatedly at the agonized attacker.
**Bang, bang, bang!**
After all twelve bullets had been fired from the two revolvers, Gawain finally stopped.
The attacker was dead beyond any doubt.
But Gawain didn't approach the body. Instead, he reloaded the revolvers and glanced down the hallway.
Regrey, who had just left earlier, was now rushing back.
Seeing Gawain standing with guns drawn and the corpse on the floor, the security chief's face turned grim.
As the head of security at Matsuko Hotel, Regrey's most important duty was to ensure the safety of the hotel guests. No matter what happened outside, the hotel had to be a place of comfort and security.
But now?
Someone had entered the hotel and attacked one of the guests.
Even though the guest hadn't been hurt, it was still a failure on his part.
This would affect how he was evaluated within the hotel.
More importantly, Matsuko Hotel would suffer some negative reviews.
And the consequences of those negative reviews would fall on him.
This was the last thing Regrey wanted to see.
"Master Gawain, are you alright?"
Regrey asked as he cautiously approached the attacker's body.
At this moment, the security chief was already thinking of ways to mitigate the situation.
When he saw the attacker's face begin to melt, revealing another face underneath, Regrey's eyes narrowed, and his expression grew even more serious. As he flipped the body over, he put on a pair of gloves.
Gawain, standing aside, understood immediately.
Clearly, as the security chief of Matsuko Hotel, Regrey knew things that ordinary people did not.
Perhaps…
He had encountered 'extraordinary' forces before?
Otherwise, he wouldn't be so calm.
Gawain speculated.
Regrey then stood up.
"My apologies, Master Gawain, for the fright you've experienced. This was my failure."
After bluntly apologizing, the security chief straightened up and continued, "I will immediately arrange for you to change rooms, and I will ensure you receive satisfactory compensation."
"Hmm."
Goethe nodded and did not take advantage of the situation.
Because he believed that the promised satisfactory compensation would indeed satisfy him.
After Regrey turned and left, Goethe began to inspect the bodies of the attackers.
He found nothing.
Goethe wasn't surprised by this.
He had been watching closely while Regrey examined the bodies earlier.
Not only was there nothing that could prove their identity, but they didn't even have a single copper coin on them.
But that's not what he was looking for.
He was looking for **[Bloody Honor]!**
This was the only thing he could rely on now.
"He wasn't directly involved in the 'Wayne Family' incident!"
Goethe speculated, his gaze once again shifting to the body.
Although worried about exposure, the other side had made some arrangements, but...
They were not very clever.
The disfigured face of the attacker made identification more difficult, but the overall appearance was still intact. It would be easy to identify the attacker by searching based on their appearance.
But what really concerned Goethe was the ability to change appearance.
Was it his own ability?
Or...
Someone under the 'Murderer in the Mist'!
Or maybe it was the 'Murderer in the Mist' himself!
If it was the former, that could be dealt with.
But if it was the latter, then there would be trouble.
Because that would mean that future attacks would be even more secretive and unpredictable!
Just like earlier, the 'Murderer in the Mist' had clearly prepared more than one plan, which allowed him to hold off Morley, who seemed to have the upper hand, and then send someone to silence the witnesses.
Apart from underestimating his strength, the enemy had left no stone unturned.
In fact, this underestimation wasn't even the enemy's fault.
The enemy simply didn't know that he possessed something like **[Bloody Honor].**
Goethe felt no joy in this.
Because, after another use and without gaining anything, he was left with only 1 **[Bloody Honor].**
Moreover, after this lesson, the 'Murderer in the Mist' wouldn't be so careless the next time he made a move, and combined with that ability to change appearance, just the thought of it made Goethe's head ache.
He couldn't guarantee that every attacker would be as foolish as the one on the ground, easily tricked into revealing themselves.
"Maybe I should come up with some code words."
Goethe thought silently.
While Goethe was pondering what kind of code words would effectively identify those around him, Regrey returned.
"Young Master Goethe, please come with me."
The security chief led Goethe to room 801.
Compared to 802, 801 was bigger and more luxurious.
Goethe could tell just by the softness of the carpet under his feet, not to mention the furnishings in the room.
Bright, golden.
There was an indescribable sense of luxury.
Yet also a sense of comfort.
It was almost... like 'home'!
"Young Master Goethe, the boss is already aware of the situation, so for the next month, not only will you have the right to stay in room 801, but the hotel will also provide security services. As long as you are within the hotel, your safety will be our highest priority!"
"At the same time, there will be at least two armed guards outside your door 24 hours a day."
"Furthermore, regarding the matters concerning your family and the troubles you are facing, the boss will also do his best to help."
"And..."
"Please accept this."
As he spoke, Regrey placed a 50-gold note in front of Goethe.
"Please thank the boss on my behalf," Goethe said as he put the 50-gold note into his wallet.
The other party had shown enough sincerity; what more could he ask for?
Whether it was the 50-gold note in his wallet or the promised security services and 24-hour guards, even if it was just within the hotel, it was enough to give him some peace of mind.
Moreover, there was a second point.
The other party was the owner of the most expensive hotel in Lust. His connections and influence were naturally far beyond his own. If he was willing to help, it would naturally be more effective than Goethe simply posting a bounty in the Hunters' Tavern.
Seeing Goethe accept the gold note, Regrey smiled and bowed in thanks.
Knock, knock!
"Young Master Goethe, a lady who calls herself Beatrice is here to see you."
At that moment, the new hotel security personnel outside announced.
Regrey then looked at Goethe.
"She's my companion."
Upon hearing Goethe's answer, Regrey turned and opened the door.
Then, the security chief was clearly attracted by 'Beatrice's' delicate, beautiful appearance and slightly wild aura. However, he quickly regained his composure and gave Goethe a knowing smile.
"Have a good night."
"Don't worry, we have female security personnel. For Miss Beatrice to have reached this floor, she must be trustworthy."
With that, Regrey left the room.
And just as the door closed, 'Beatrice,' who had looked normal and even had a shy smile, suddenly collapsed onto the carpet, her face pale and blood continuously oozing from the corners of her mouth. But even in such a state, this official in charge of supernatural matters in Lust, who was disguised as a woman, smiled softly and said—
"Guess what I discovered?"
(End of Chapter)