I'm not a Witcher anymore.

Chapter 130 Killing is for the sake of protecting life; severing karma is not the same as killing a person.

Despite her discomfort, Dudu stepped forward and carefully observed Hawthorne II.

"No! No! What are you going to do?!"

Hawthorne II seemed to realize something and frantically waved the boning knife in his hand.

Zieg frowned slightly and kicked him in the wrist.

With a sharp snap, Hawthorne's wrist bent strangely, and the boning knife flew to the other side of the room.

"ah--!!"

The scream was cut short when Zig stomped on his chest, forcing it back down.

The force of 8 points made Hawthorne feel as if he were being trampled by a rock troll, his ribs groaning under the strain.

"Transform," Zig said to Dudu, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Dudu took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

His facial muscles began to twitch, his bones cracked, his body grew taller, and his skin became rough.

Less than half a minute later, another Hawthorne II appeared in the room.

Aside from a slightly evasive gaze, the appearance, voice, and even that repulsive demeanor were all imitated perfectly.

The real Hawthorne on the ground stared wide-eyed, looking as if he had seen a ghost.

At this moment, the fear of being replaced was more devastating to him than death.

"It's alright, but don't look away, look me straight in the eye." Sieg nodded. Although he knew that shapeshifters could replicate appearances, voices, and habits, they couldn't replicate the malice inherent in Hawthorne II. But for now, even just a physical form was enough. "And the voice?"

"Cough cough—" The fake Hawthorne cleared his throat and made the same sound as the real Hawthorne on the ground. "I think—it should be fine, as long as I don't wet my pants."

Zieg's lips curled up slightly.

"very good."

He bent down and grabbed Hawthorne by the collar, as if he were a chicken waiting to be slaughtered.

"Although I haven't been in Novigrad long, I already know a lot about the good things you've done." Zieg's voice was colder than the wind outside the window. "Those girls who were tortured to death, those collections you hung on the wall."

"No—I am the leader of the Ghost Face Gang, one of the four big bosses of the underworld—I am—"

"You are nothing now."

Sieg used his wrist to lift Hawthorne II up, and Langrisser's sword tip pressed against his heart.

puff.

The sound of a sharp blade piercing a heart rang out.

Hawthorne II's body convulsed violently a few times, and the light in his eyes gradually faded.

He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something one last time, but only blood foam came out.

Zieg released his grip, letting the body fall to the ground.

He turned around and looked at the fake Hawthorne who was still trembling.

"I'll dispose of the body." Zig wiped the blood from his sword and sheathed it. "When your men return with more people, tell them you convinced me to spare your life."

Dudu touched her face, still trying to get into character.

"That's not difficult; no one dares to question Hawthorne II. But I don't understand why you didn't kill them all just now?"

Sieg casually tossed Hawthorne II's corpse into the Book of Adventures.

Having witnessed Zig's almost sorcerer-like abilities, Dudu was somewhat prepared for what was happening before her eyes. Even when she saw a corpse turn into dust and disappear, she didn't show much surprise.

"All the guards are dead, and only Hawthorne II is still alive. Isn't that even more suspicious? But don't worry, I'll bring Sakia tomorrow and have her stay by your side. With her protecting you, even if those outlaws have ideas, they won't be able to cause any trouble."

"You understand better than I do that the Hawthorne II’s original assets need to be laundered. When I visit again tomorrow, I hope you will have a practical solution."

"When they get back, scold them first, then tell them that you've bribed me."

"Don't explain too much. Hawthorne II doesn't need to explain to his subordinates."

"Whoever asks the most questions, tie stones to his feet and throw him into the sea."

He leaped into the night and disappeared, leaving behind only the stench of blood and an imposter about to overturn the underground order of Novigrad.

The next morning, the sky over Novigrad remained overcast, with thick clouds blocking out the sun. Only a few rays of light occasionally pierced through, bringing a faint warmth to the gray city.

Sieg led Sakia through the bustling streets to the Temple Island.

The Temple of Eternal Fire is located here, its towering bell tower and golden spire standing out prominently in the city.

Surrounding the temple were rows of magnificent mansions, inhabited by the city's most powerful figures.

-

Hawthorne II's residence was among them.

It was a three-story stone building with ivy climbing all over the exterior walls, an iron gate with exquisite carvings, and neatly trimmed shrubs planted on both sides.

At first glance, it looks like the mansion of a respectable nobleman, and you would never guess that the owner is one of the four most dangerous gangsters in Novigrad.

Of course, it used to be.

Zieg stood outside the gate, his gaze sweeping over the guards at the entrance.

Following last night's bloody massacre, Hawthorne II—or rather, Dudu now—has clearly replenished his forces.

Four burly men stood on either side of the gate, wearing iron masks that covered half of their faces—the standard feature of the Ghost Mask Gang—and long swords at their waists, exuding a fierce aura.

But Zieg noticed that he recognized one of the four people.

That was one of the bodyguards he let go last night.

The bodyguard clearly recognized Zieg as well.

His face turned deathly pale instantly, and his hand gripping the sword hilt began to tremble uncontrollably. His Adam's apple bobbed as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out.

The scene from last night flashed wildly through his mind—the black-haired youth standing amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, his long sword dripping with blood, reaping life after life with an expressionless face.

He thought he would never see that person again.

But now, that nightmare stood before him, staring at him with those terrifyingly calm eyes.

"You're still alive."

Zieg spoke in a flat tone, his voice devoid of any emotion.

The bodyguard's knees buckled, and he almost knelt on the ground.

"Sir——————————"

His voice was hoarse and trembling, and his forehead was covered with beads of sweat.

His three companions looked puzzled when they saw his reaction.

They were new recruits who had been transferred here this morning. Although they vaguely knew some details of what happened last night, they didn't know the specifics.

None of the surviving bodyguards were willing to reveal anything.

"What's going on? Who is this person?"

"A companion asked in a low voice."

The bodyguard didn't answer, but just stared at Zig in fear.

Sieg said casually, "Go tell Hawthorne II that I have arrived."

The bodyguard felt like he'd been granted a pardon and scrambled through the gate, moving as fast as if a tiger were supporting him from behind.

The remaining three bodyguards looked at each other, puzzled as to why their companion was so afraid.

They sized up Sieg and Sakia, their eyes filled with wariness, but even more so with confusion.

The young man looked to be only sixteen years old. He was very handsome, but he didn't seem like a dangerous person at all.

What they didn't know was that this seemingly harmless young man had single-handedly slaughtered more than a dozen well-trained thugs last night, turning the mansion into a living hell.