Book 8: Chapter 76: Despair |
“Idria, close it!” Qin Lun reacted swiftly, shouting urgently at the female knight closest to the stone platform. Simultaneously, he raised his left hand. A black glove depicting a pentagram pattern on its back silently appeared on his palm.
A black glow flashed across the surface of the Glove of Sacrifice. A gentle pillar of light descended from the sky, landing on Idria ahead. The female knight felt a warm current flowing through her entire body. She suddenly felt full of strength, almost capable of punching the massive stone platform to pieces with a single blow.
Fifth-tier magic – “Bull’s Strength”. This was a spell Qin Lun had stored in the Glove of Sacrifice long ago. In fact, after the Metropolis Domination War, he had adjusted the three spells the Glove of Sacrifice could hold. One to enhance speed, one defensive spell— these two were essential.
For the final choice, he had pondered for a long time, switching it from an offensive spell to an auxiliary one. The Glove of Sacrifice’s greatest value was its ability to cast spells quickly; its specialty was faster reaction time than a Magic Scroll.
In combat, a gap of even a fraction of a second could mean life or death. Compared to a Magic Scroll, the Glove of Sacrifice aimed to secure that brief instant of initiative. Especially in close combat, a spell cast instantly within arm’s reach could save a life or kill an unprepared enemy.
Spells like the Web Spell used in the Metropolis Domination War made excellent auxiliary magic. However, Qin Lun’s Dagger of Sin now possessed Soul Chain, reducing his need for mid-range binding spells. Bull’s Strength, which briefly amplified Explosive Power, was perfect for close-quarters fighting. It supplemented Qin Lun’s melee abilities and could provide immense help for Joey.
Bam! Idria pushed off the ground with force, leaving a footprint in the hard surface as sharp as if carved by knives and axes. She was already near the stone platform. Empowered by Bull’s Strength, a single step propelled her to its edge. Her leather-gloved hands grabbed the stone slab, ready to exert strength and close it again.
Yet, at that moment, a pale arm covered with frost lightly rested on the slab within the half-foot gap in the platform.
Thwump! Infused with the might of Bull’s Strength, Idria was flung backward like a small insect.
Could this really be the Demi-Lich? Qin Lun’s eyelid twitched violently. After stepping in for Joey, his interest in the Demi-Lich had waned. He believed it unlikely to reside in the Tower of Durlag; otherwise, it would have appeared long ago, not waited for them to enter the depths of the underground library vault.
“Before it fully regains bodily function…” Qin Lun shouted in a low voice, raising his twin guns. He fired rapid shots towards the stone platform – no, the figure within what now clearly resembled a stone sarcophagus, suspected to be the Demi-Lich.
Idria, flung aside, did a nimble backspring and leaped to her feet. Enraged, hefting her Double-Bladed Axe, she charged the Lich, delivering a powerful overhead strike. The other Dwarf warrior, Lorlin, also rushed forward with a hoarse battle-cry.
A glint shone in Qin Lun’s eyes. The Angel’s Praise in his right hand continued firing sweeping bursts. Yet, his left hand tightened its grip on Illistin, whose wounds were still healing. He shot a meaningful look at Milleras beside him and slowly retreated towards the tunnel entrance behind them.
“Abandoning your companions again?” A voice tinged with sarcasm whispered into Qin Lun’s Apostle Soul Mark. It was Pakunoda.
Qin Lun ignored the beautiful Troupe member’s taunt. The concept of self-sacrifice was utterly alien to him.
If the Zombie in the sarcophagus truly was the Demi-Lich, escaping now was the only rational choice. But in this situation, someone had to cover the retreat. Milleras and Illistin could not die here. That only left abandoning the two melee fighters, Idria and Lorlin.
Thud! Perhaps due to its recent awakening, the Lich in the sarcophagus failed to evade Idria’s axe. The blade struck its shoulder with a sound like hitting rotten cotton. The mountain-heavy blow merely shook off some of the frost covering the Lich’s shoulder before bouncing high, sending the female knight staggering backward instead.
Bullets from Burial of Light and Darkness fared slightly better. A few pierced the frosty Protection on the Lich’s body and lodged in its form. Yet, that was all. Even against a living person, such superficial wounds would be insignificant, let alone against a Lich.
Seeing this, Qin Lun increased the speed of his retreat. Fighting this level of a monster was ridiculous. Forget the Lich’s endless stream of potent magic; its bodily defense alone would cripple Qin Lun and the others in a direct clash.
“Firal, Uvaeren’s Obelisk…” Milleras, witnessing the same scene, paled. Uncertainty warred in his eyes as he gazed pleadingly at Qin Lun.
“Impossible. Retreat. Another chance might come. Life is more important!” Qin Lun glanced briefly at the still struggling Idria and Lorlin, frowning and shaking his head, signaling helplessness.
“I’ll go myself!” Milleras was deeply disappointed. His expression flickered through different emotions before hardening with resolve. He gritted his teeth and, unexpectedly, broke away from Qin Lun, sprinting alone towards the Obelisk at the center of the hall.
Qin Lun’s hand grasped empty air. Milleras had slipped away. Qin Lun’s gaze turned icy, but his backward motion didn’t pause for an instant. Whether Milleras was truly foolish or hoping to drag Qin Lun down with him, the decision wouldn’t change.
Milleras knew only too well. Miss this chance, and Qin Lun might someday bring King Thanequalas back here. But the Sun Elves of Cormanthor would likely never get another opportunity.
The Elf Prince had prepared himself for this sacrifice for his people from the moment he undertook the mission on the Ancient Path. Qin Lun, however, had no intention of dying for anyone. Even if Milleras’s death meant losing all rewards earned thus far, Qin Lun wouldn’t hesitate for a second longer.
“Cough, cough… Fi… Firal. Stop… We stay…” Watching the team disintegrate instantly, Illistin felt furious and anxious. A pallor washed over her face as she coughed violently. She grabbed Qin Lun’s arm, pleading desperately.
This time Qin Lun halted. Facing Illistin, he wasn’t as cold as he had been with Milleras. He frowned slightly, speaking earnestly, “We can’t fight a Demi-Lich. Staying is suicide!”
“At least we could die together! Escaping alone would make life unbearable!” Illistin gave a bitter laugh, releasing his arm. “I’m staying. If you insist on going, go alone!”
After speaking, the Elven Druid took two steps back, her eyes fixed solemnly on Qin Lun.
Qin Lun narrowed his eyes dangerously. He rapidly analyzed Illistin’s words, unable to determine if the female Elf was threatening him with her life or genuinely ready to die alongside the others.
“Then… take care,” Qin Lun replied impassively, stepping back once. Without a backward glance, he turned and raced into the tunnel.
Seeing Qin Lun move, the little color drained from Illistin’s face completely. Her shoulders trembled slightly. She coiled inward and transformed into an immense bear. The bear’s eyes held a deep, desolate hue. It emitted a mournful, indignant growl and charged towards the Lich at the hall’s center.
Pakunoda, who had been silently observing, shook her head almost imperceptibly. She cast one last, profound glance at the bear’s retreating form before turning to pursue Qin Lun. Utter disgust was plain in her eyes. Though the Phantom Troupe did many evil deeds, the bonds between comrades were deep. They could never abandon companions like Qin Lun had, betraying them by fleeing battle.
Even after witnessing this man’s cold ruthlessness in the Hunter World, this latest scene was seared deep into Pakunoda’s mind. If she wasn’t a spirit figurine permanently tethered to Qin Lun, she would have stayed behind – even having just met Illistin and the others.
The tunnel was short. Qin Lun, enhanced by Swift Wind Step, soon saw the exit again.
KABOOM! Almost the instant Qin Lun and Pakunoda stepped onto the hearth mechanism, a massive explosion echoed from the tunnel behind them.
The black-red reticle in Qin Lun’s left eye ignited. Expression blank, he swept a glance backward but remained silent.
“The tunnel entrance is blocked by giant stones. Either an automatic trap when the sarcophagus opened, or the Demi-Lich woke fully and saw the situation!” Qin Lun muttered to himself toward the hearth, seeming to confirm his thoughts. “My choice was right. If we hadn’t retreated then, we’d be trapped inside fighting that Demi-Lich to the death now!”
“Yet… why do I still feel agitated? Because of Milleras? …His death means no mission rewards!” Qin Lun stared blankly at Pakunoda, his eyes unfocused.
“No, impossible. Mission rewards aren’t crucial for me. Is it regret? Regret I didn’t witness the Demi-Lich’s true power?… Yes. It must be that!”
“Hehehe… there will be another chance… another chance…” Qin Lun laughed dryly, nervously, seemingly treating Pakunoda before him as air. “We should leave the Tower of Durlag immediately!”
A gentle smile touched Qin Lun’s lips. But after only two steps, he spun around. His expression instantly twisted into utter ferocity. His hand shot out like lightning, grabbing Pakunoda by the throat. He hoisted her into the air one-handed. Veins bulged at his temples as a restrained, guttural roar escaped his throat, like a caged beast.
“No! That’s not it! You! Tell me! Why do I feel agitated? Did that Demi-Lich cast some spirit magic I didn’t sense!”
Pakunoda pressed her lips firmly together, her face gradually turning purple. Yet she stared back at Qin Lun with disdain, refusing to speak.
“Hehehe… apologies… I was wrong just now,” Qin Lun said, his ferocity vanishing like a mask was removed. The veins on his face subsided. He bowed with eerie politeness, but his eyes, fixed on the beautiful Troupe member, only grew colder.
Pakunoda turned her head away from Qin Lun’s viper-like gaze. She replied tonelessly, “You’re too clever a man. Why ask me? You already know the answer yourself, don’t you?”
Qin Lun grew even more silent. The bloody hue in his eyes intensified eerily, like the calm before a storm. His pupils appeared to shift, leaning towards Joeys. But deep down, he knew this wasn’t a sign of Joey re-emerging. This was something deeper. A beast, hidden away in the darkest corners of both his and Joey’s psyches, was straining against its chains.
During their shared life as Serial Killers, this beast had only surfaced a handful of times. Each time, it left unspeakable endings in its wake. Each time, the memories of that period became shattered fragments, inaccessible to both Qin Lun and Joey.
“That… Zombie in the underground hall… might not have been the Demi-Lich’s true body,” Pakunoda said after a moment of hesitation, finally sighing. “While examining Hasheed’s memories, besides the absolute facts, I also recovered some of his theories. The Demi-Lich might have already left the tower. The Zombie below might have only been an avatar… driven by pure killing instinct, lacking true consciousness.”
The bloody light in Qin Lun’s eyes rapidly faded. His gaze darted rapidly as if he were trying to convince himself. He mumbled, “If that’s the case… then perhaps that Zombie can’t wield advanced magic. Just an empty shell… meaning we might still have a chance to kill it… without needing to abandon the mission rewards, right…?”
