Novels by The Silent Quill

A year later…Jack walked out of the UN headquarters, talking with some prime ministers. He was surrounded by his bodyguards, all of them dressed in black suits. The moment he appeared outside, the press rushed forth in droves.“Sir, sir—” a female reporter shoved her microphone in his face.His security team immediately stepped forward to cordone the excited reporters. They formed a wall around Jack and the prime ministers, leading them toward the armoured SUV parked outside. The press didn't even get another chance to talk to Jack.When they got to the vehicle, Jack shook hands with the prime ministers. They left afterward, beaming with smiles. After all, he'd agreed to fund every country in the world, helping them with development in technology, infrastructure and medicine.“Sir, Sir!” Someone called as he was about to enter the vehicle.Brandon frowned, tilting his head at the stubborn reporter. He wanted to shun them off, when he saw the person.Jack smiled, putting his hands in

Two days later…Kansas City’s High Court was packed. Federal marshals lined the perimeter, while press cameras silently captured the proceedings from the designated gallery. Presiding over the bench was Judge Maria Hales, a member of the Hales family. She was Fredrick’s relative, a veteran jurist known for her zero tolerance for corruption.Jack sat down silently. The others were also here with him. They weren't only here as witnesses. They were all here to see what would become of James Whitefield and the others. Things like this only happened in novels and movies.“All rise for the Honorable Judge Maria Hales,” the bailiff announced.When the courtroom settled, James Whitefield was led in. He was bound in heavy wrist-cuffs and leg irons, his expression dreary. His tailor-made suits were gone, replaced by an orange inmate jumpsuit. He lowered his sunken eyes, not daring to look at anyone.Standing beside Jack Neuman at the prosecution table was Jane Foyers. She was dressed in a sharp

James was still lying on the ground, wondering what was going on. Several camera lights flashed in his face, making him shut his eyes.Margaret walked toward him, unblinking. “I told you… Didn't I?”“How…” James asked, coughing out blood. No one was supposed to know… It seemed like the traitor had finally ruined him. Owen and Lukeman had told him that there was a traitor amongst them.‘If only I'd destroyed that traitor first…’ he clenched his jaw.He watched as the cops walked up to arrest him. But Margaret waved her right hand, asking them to stand down.“We're not done, yet,” she said. “There's a lot of things I have to say to him.”“But he might die, Ma'am,” the captain said.“He won't,” Jane replied. She didn't offer any explanation afterward.The captain didn't say anything and backed down.At this point, James wished he were arrested. But it didn't happen. Instead the reporters continued to capture the incident. Obviously, the public was already abuzz with the news.‘It’s over

Jack stood in his room, facing the window. He twirled a glass of wine in his hand, a calm expression on his face. Behind him were Jane and Brandon. They remained quiet, their faces pulled taut. No emotion could be detected.“James' company is now in ashes,” Jack began. “He's very desperate now… What's the saying? A cornered rat is very dangerous…?”He walked toward his study desk, and placed the glass gently. He then turned around and faced his aides. “What do you think?”Brandon and Jane exchanged glances. The latter spoke afterward, “He will definitely match here to kill Margaret.”“Yeah,” Jack replied. “I'm aware of his ‘meticulous’ plan. How he wants to use Darlington as a decoy to kill my sister.”Brandon blinked. How was the boss so calm talking, when his sister's life was in danger? If he were the one in his shoes, he would have lost his mind.“But I have the upper hand,” Jack continued. “He doesn't know I'm still alive. So, I'll use this to my biggest advantage.”“How do you p

James Whitefield clenched the glass with furrowed brows. His eyes were fixated on the TV screen, its light illuminating his face.“That bitch!” He cursed, averting his eyes. The more he stared at the screen, the more he felt like smashing something. He could feel the blood rushing up his veins.How dare she? She was the one who willingly sold him the subsidiary companies… The one who was weak. How could she suddenly turn around and accuse him brazenly?He turned to look at Owen and Lukeman. They were also watching the news. Everyone saw Margaret's shocking reveal on TV.“You told me to buy the subsidiary companies!” James turned his aggression on them. “You told me there'd be no loose ends…”“If only you kill Margaret Neuman,” Owen said, adjusting his glasses. “That's what we suggested. But you failed to kill her. And now she's come for retribution.”“What's that supposed to mean?” James slammed his fists on the office desk. “Surely, there must be a way… Or else…”His gaze turned dang

The interview began earnestly. Martha had mixed emotions, looking at Margaret. She'd lost her brother to an assassination, yet she still showed up. She couldn't help but wish she were this strong.“Ma'am,” Martha cleared her throat. “What are your thoughts concerning the purchase of your subsidiary companies?”“My thoughts?” Margaret raised her eyebrow. “I sold those companies because there was no way out.”Martha blinked. “What do you mean by that? Were you in a tight spot?”“You can say that.”There was a pause. Then the reporter asked. “Do you care to elaborate? The public wants to know what really happened. I believe Jack Neuman wouldn't sell his subsidiary if he were alive.”She managed to maintain a neutral expression afterwards.“Elaborate… Right,” Margaret chuckled dryly. She looked directly at the camera and took a deep breath. “Can we leave it at that? I mean, the companies have already been sold. There's no turning back.”“Ma'am,” Martha tapped the microphone. “I understand

Samuel glanced at his Black-fanged Greatsword, wondering if its effect and special ability would help him defeat the scar-faced man. A regeneration attribute was no joke.[Your weapon’s effect is active! Do you want to activate its special ability?][Yes] [No]He nodded readily, taking a fighting stance. His swordsmanship was better than the scar-faced man's with the Sword Master skill. Now he just had to use his skills wisely.He'd figured out that he had a limit on how he used his skills. He couldn't use more than one skill at the same time. So he had to be sharp and take down the scar-faced man before he realized what was going on.“You are arrogant,” the scar-faced man bellowed. “And that will be your undoing!”He sprinted toward Samuel, swinging horizontally at his waist. He left his entire body unprotected, unafraid of any attack.[Ghost Walk activated!]Samuel moved, appearing behind the scar-faced man. He swung his greatsword at the man's neck. Again, he didn't want to kill th

Samuel stretched out his right hand, summoning his Black-fanged Greatsword. The three men widened their eyes, exchanging apprehensive glances.The onlookers showed shocked expressions. Everyone knew Samuel was ordinary. He'd not awakened his Qi at the age of twenty-four. Hence, he could not take care of his mother till her death.“What is going on?” The scar-faced man asked. “I thought he wasn't an Evolved.”“He wasn't!” The second man answered. “He's nothing but a carrier!”He scrutinized Samuel with his beady eyes apprehensively. “Were you hiding your awakening all this while?”It was no news that several Evolved wanted to leave a low-key life. So they hid their awakening, pretending to be ordinary people.“I don't think he was hiding his ability…” The third man replied, rubbing his beard thoughtfully. “He must have made a deal with an Abyssal Creature…”Samuel gripped his greatsword. That wasn't far from the truth. But the Abyssal System wasn't an Abyssal Creature. In fact, he didn

Samuel slid into his shack undetected. The news of his mother's death had died down, and everyone was returning to their lives. His eyes became teary when he saw his mother's corpse lying on the ragged bed. She hadn't been buried yet.What had he expected? He shook his head bitterly. Who would want to bury a poor person like his mother? Society saw poor people as trash. The world treated them worse than other ordinary humans.Samuel didn't complain. He carried the corpse out of the shack, toward the woods north of the town. Without any disturbance, he buried his mother.Tears streamed down his eyes endlessly as he remembered the last moment he'd spent with her. She'd been singing her favorite lullaby.“Rest in peace, Mum,” he said, crossing his chest in prayer. “We'll meet in our next lives.”[Weapon fusion completed…][Your weapon has been upgraded to the Black-fanged Greatsword!Rank: CLevel: 1][INVENTORY]Black-fanged Greatsword, LV1 (C-Grade)Effect: Increases physical damage by

Samuel stood up slowly. He was no longer exhausted, even though he was still injured. He could feel the grueling pain all over his body. It felt like he was on fire. But he didn't mind because he was staring at the man who once seemed untouchable—the man who claimed his life in this Abyssal Zone.He walked toward Declan, gripping his greatsword. “You killed me without thinking twice.”Declan's facial muscles trembled. He wanted to run, but he couldn't. His tendons had been severed. He'd lost because of his miscalculations. He'd greatly underestimated Samuel… Partly because he'd recently awakened his attribute.“Samuel, listen to me…” he pleaded. “W-we can settle this. We'll return to the settlement, as if nothing happened.”“You should have thought about that before killing me.”Samuel's expression was cold. He stopped an inch away from Declan, his eyebrows furrowed.“Wait…” Declan crawled backward. “Don't you wanna know everything?”Samuel remained unblinking.“Someone paid me to kil

The five hunters stood in silence, watching Samuel vigilantly. Their hearts thumped in their chests as they gripped their weapons. Everyone's eyes drifted back and forth between him and the carcasses. It made no sense for an ordinary human to be able to kill an Abyssal Creature, much less three.“H-how are you alive?” Declan asked, pointing his greatsword at Samuel. Not only had the carrier resurrected, but he was also in perfect condition. His entire body was drenched in blood, though.Samuel didn't say anything; his eyes were fixated on them.[TARGET IDENTIFIEDName: Elvis BrightonClassification: EvolvedSpecies: HumanRank: ELevel: 1Class: MagicianAttribute: HealingSkill: Sun Halo, LV1Information acquisition: 80%][-1 MP]He crouched and activated Savage Pounce. Elvis was the only non-combatant among the squad. But he was also a threat. As long as he was alive, he'd keep healing his teammates. And that wasn't something Samuel could afford.[Due to your rank, you can't view st

Samuel ran toward the E-Rank Abyssal Creatures. He targeted the one in the middle. He knew he couldn't fight them all at once. So, he decided to pick them off one after the other.[Savage Pounce, LV1 activated!][-1 MP][Mana points are spent to activate attributes and skills!]He pounced forward abruptly, kicking up dust behind him. He then swung his arms in the air, aiming for the Abyssal Creature's lower jaw. The bone struck under its jaw, shattering on impact.[You have slain an Iron-toothed Sabertooth!][+1 SP][+1 AP]One of the Iron-toothed Sabertooths pounced on him midair. It cleaved through his right arm and sent him flying into the debris of skeletons.[-3 HP]Samuel rolled, the bones stabbing madly into his body. He stood up quickly and gritted his teeth. But the second Iron-toothed Sabertooth was already upon him. It raised two paws, attempting to claw him.Samuel immediately pounced forward and thrust the bone into the Iron-toothed Sabertooth's chest. Meanwhile, the Iron