Chapter 46 Trap "Based on the recent information, along with the Chip's calculations, the creature tracking me is almost certainly that Bloodsucking Monster!"
"Furthermore, it must be tracking me through scent! The number is unknown, but it absolutely won't exceed two, and might even just be one!"
Previously, Leilin had used an odorless powder to eliminate his scent and altered his appearance to enter the human city. His plan was to rely on the dense human smells within the city to completely mask himself, while simultaneously probing the enemy's lineup to plan a counterattack.
Now, it seemed the effect was acceptable.
"What a pity! I'm running low on my odorless powder, otherwise I could have fled much farther." Leilin felt a twinge of regret.
Subterranean Blindworms were a relatively rare and valuable
But the amount was only enough to last three or four days. In such a short time, he couldn't possibly get very far. As long as the enemy expanded their search range, his tracks would inevitably be discovered.
"Moreover, the sooner this is resolved, the better. Otherwise, if I'm chased all the way to my destination, that will be a huge trouble!"
Leilin's expression was grave.
Even now, the powder on his body was gradually losing its effectiveness. He was entirely reliant on the complex smells of the city to cover his tracks, yet those unknown creatures had still been drawn here.
Back in his room, Leilin sat down on the bed and connected with the Chip.
"Chip! Based on the information gathered over the past two days, simulate the hostile creature's data and begin designing a killing plan!!!"
"Ding! Task established. Initiating hypothesis model construction... Map inputting... Primary combatant power inputting. Simulation analysis in progress..."
The Chip's mechanical voice rang out, cold and devoid of any emotion.
The Chip was a tool specifically provided to scientists in his previous life to assist with calculations. How could it possibly possess intelligence or emotion? Due to issues like human rights, the absolute prohibition of intelligence and emotion arising was written into the Chip's core sequence as the highest priority program.
"Simulation hypothesis complete. Primary success rate: 67.7%. Target deceased. Primary sustains minor damage!"
The Chip's voice came through, transmitting a large block of information directly into Leilin's mind.
"Sustaining injury?" Leilin stroked his chin. "Is there any possibility of a flawless kill?"
"Insufficient data!!! Further analysis of hostile creature information required!"
"Is that so!" Leilin shook his head. According to the information he'd gathered from the local thugs, the creatures outside the city were already in an extremely irritable state, constantly attacking civilians. Within at most twenty-four hours, they would begin forcefully storming the city walls.
Although Wizards had an unspoken understanding not to disturb the lives of civilians, there were always those who acted recklessly.
If the situation resulted in massive casualties and Leilin's identity was traced back to him, he would end up sharing responsibility with the Wizard behind that creature. He had no desire for that.
"67.7%! That's enough to take the gamble! And in the end, I'm confident I can withdraw unscathed!" A hard edge surfaced on Leilin's face as he walked out.
The tavern was as bustling as ever. The moment the bartender spotted Leilin, he stepped forward and bowed: "What are your orders, sir?"
"Help me find someone..." Leilin spoke slowly, laying out his requirements.
"No problem! This city may not have a mercenary guild or anything of the sort, but there are plenty of rogues around! I can make contact for you!"
The bartender added: "Also, the city lord's estate has sent someone over. Our Lord Roland wishes to meet with you!"
"The city lord?" Leilin nodded. A Preliminary Knight, no matter where they went, would always receive hospitality and recruitment offers from their liege. If Roland knew of Leilin's identity as a Wizard, the treatment would be even more grand.
"I'm currently occupied! Would it be possible to reschedule the meeting to the day after tomorrow?" Leilin considered for a moment.
"Of course!"
"One more thing — the steak here is quite good. Send one up to my room tonight!" Leilin added.
"As you wish!" The bartender smiled.
……
The next day, late at night, a figure cloaked in grey robes appeared in a small grove that had been burned to charred remains.
"An investigation? What's there to investigate? There's no treasure here. It was probably some careless farmer who wasn't paying attention and set the woods on fire!"
The grey-robed figure was somewhat thin but moved with nimble agility, rummaging through the charred remains.
"Something's wrong! These traces weren't caused by ordinary fire!" The grey-robed figure furrowed his brow. As an experienced rogue, he could clearly tell something was off from the burn patterns.
"This... seems to be the work of a mysterious one!" The rogue's hair stood on end. As a member of the underworld, he had only heard scattered legends about mysterious beings, and the most important thing about them was this — they were enigmatic, ruthless, and impossible to fight head-on!
"I need to get out of here quickly! If I had known this was connected to a mysterious being, I wouldn't have taken this job even for ten times the reward!"
The grey-robed figure flicked his clothes and turned to leave.
"Found you! I smell my enemy's scent!" At that moment, a hoarse, grating voice rang out from behind.
The rogue's body trembled as he saw a hideous figure hovering in midair, about the size of a child.
Its body was covered in irregular scales, its face riddled with fleshy growths, and a snake-like tongue flicked in and out of its mouth.
"Even a demon probably wouldn't be this ugly!" The thought flashed through the rogue's mind as he leaped backward, landing five meters away in a single bound.
"I should have realized this sooner!!! I've been used as bait!!!" the rogue screamed.
"You're not going anywhere!"
"We can talk! I have all kinds of information about the person behind this mission!" the rogue shouted in desperation.
"Die!!!"
Doris's eyes turned red. Ignoring the rogue's pleas and screams entirely, she bit clean through his right hand — the one still clutching a dagger — and began greedily sucking his blood.
A few minutes later, all that remained on the ground was the rogue's desiccated corpse.
"There's still scent residue on the clothes! That damned apprentice must be somewhere in the city!" Doris gazed at the outline of the city walls not far away.
Whoosh!!!
A streak of black light flashed past. The bolt cut through the air with a sharp whistle and plunged straight into Doris's chest.
"I used up my last batch of odorless powder on this, and I even laced the rogue with paralytic powder — there's no way this shot could miss!!!"
The bushes rustled nearby as Roland emerged, wearing leather armor and holding the crossbow he had just fired.
"Enemy!!!" Doris's face contorted. Already hideous to begin with, it was now threaded with dark purplish veins — enough to make any child burst into tears.
"I didn't expect that the one sent to hunt me down would be the former Green Tree Spirit. And that a creature once so beautiful had turned into... this." Roland couldn't help but feel a twinge of emotion.
"Mutated Green Tree Spirit — Strength: 3.1, Agility: 4.3, Constitution: 3.5, Spirit: 5.5. Abilities: unknown!" The Chip fed back the detection results.
"You've improved so much! Truly astonishing technique, but the genetic state within your body is unstable. It's already manifested in your appearance — I'm afraid you won't live past half a month!" A cold glint flashed in Roland's eyes.
"My father and sisters' murderer! Doris would sell her soul just to have her revenge on you!!!"
Doris roared, yanking the bolt from her chest. A splash of thick green fluid spewed out with it.
The wound on her chest was riddled with green pus, and plant root-like tendrils spread outward ceaselessly, quickly covering the wound over.
"Die!!!" Doris transformed into a gust of green wind and lunged at Roland.
"So many modifications — physical attacks are nearly useless, are they?" Roland nodded and snapped his fingers.
"Snap!!!"
A mound of earth suddenly bulged up from the ground, conveniently blocking Doris's charge. The soil split open, revealing the vivid red potion concealed within.
Boom! A column of flame surged upward, the blast of heat scorching the nearby grass into blackened ash.
The flames engulfed Doris entirely, and the crackling sound of roasting filled the air.
Whoosh!! A green figure burst from the inferno, its body charred and still trailing burning flames, hurtling toward Roland.
"Target speed reduced by sixty-seven percent!" the Chip reported.
"First hit with paralyzing powder, then struck by the Explosive Potion. Even if you've specifically boosted your fire resistance, you're definitely hurt!"
Roland's expression remained calm. He dropped the Crossbow, drew his Cross Sword, and charged forward.
"Cross Slash!!!" A brilliant silver cross-shaped arc of sword light blazed forth. This time Roland also channeled his Knight's Life Energy to drive it, the blade radiating a piercing gleam.
The cross-shaped sword light struck the Green Tree Spirit head-on, sending up a huge spray of green sap.
Doris was sent hurtling backward. Roland halted his pursuit and looked down at the Cross Sword in his hand, frowning slightly.
The silver blade was now covered with numerous pitted, corroded spots, all coated in Doris's green pus.
"Even her bodily fluids carry such potent corrosive properties? This Cross Sword is ruined!" Roland felt a twinge of regret. He had seized this Cross Sword from a minor noble during an earlier journey — it had served him wonderfully, and he never expected it to meet its end here.
He tossed the Cross Sword aside and looked at Doris, who bore a cross-shaped gash across her chest yet still charged forward. Roland began rapidly chanting an incantation.
"Shadow Hand!"
A black hand rose from within Doris's shadow, seizing her ankle and pinning her firmly to the ground.
Sizzle!! A layer of white mist rose from the surface of the black hand.
"Shadow Hand may carry a corrosive effect of its own, but against this mutated Green Tree Spirit, it's still not quite enough!" Roland's mind raced.
"Then let me try my newly learned spell on you!"
"Azure lightning! Heed my command! Descend upon the mortal world and strike down my enemy! (Byron)"
As Roland finished his incantation, a streak of silver-blue lightning suddenly appeared in his hand.
"Go!" Roland pointed his hand forward, and the lightning transformed into a dazzling arc, shooting toward Doris.
"Doris does not fear death!" At that moment Doris thrust her hand forward, her palm splitting open as something resembling tree roots emerged from within.
Swish!! The roots tangled together, forming the shape of a bow, and a brown arrow was nocked upon it.
"Not good!" Roland quickly dodged.