Chapter 128: Old Spider

Chapter 128: Old Spider

The two agreed to meet at noon the next day at the southern gate of the School to head to Lizard Alley.

After Andie departed, Luo En returned to the workshop’s study, his thoughts surging like tidal waves.

After deep contemplation, he decided to prepare thoroughly to ensure the expedition’s success.

He pulled out a sheet of paper and began listing the items to bring:

Several bottles of Restoration Potion, two Defense Potions, one Speed Enhancer, and several Alchemy Flash Grenades.

Though the Bloodline Knight class advancement had significantly enhanced his physique, facing the potential dangers of Lizard Alley meant extra preparation was never a bad idea.

...

Aolifu stood in his private quarters atop the highest tower, gazing through the window at the Black Mist Jungle.

Night had fallen, and countless Mana Crystal Lamps illuminated the School grounds like stars scattered across a dark forest.

In the distance, the experimental zone occasionally flickered with strange lights, accompanied by low, rumbling booms—another mage conducting extraordinary experiments.

This scene should have been breathtaking, but Aolifu’s expression remained ominously dark.

A fresh copy of the Backup Mage Sequence’s latest ranking table lay open on his desk. One name was circled in red ink: Luo En Lalf.

"Twenty-fourth place. Risen six spots", Aolifu murmured, his fingers tapping the desk. "This kid’s climbing too fast."

The Backup Mage Sequence consisted of thirty members—only the most promising Intermediate Apprentices and High Apprentices of the School. A higher rank meant greater resources and opportunities, as well as more attention from the School’s upper echelons.

"Medicinal Body Resonance", he whispered, referring to Luo En’s publicly revealed Special Innate Talent. "A rare innate gift—it’s no wonder Mentor Kelinna took an interest in him."

Speaking of Kelinna, Aolifu’s expression turned even more complex. As one of the School’s most influential Full Mages, her every move was scrutinized. Lately, her visible interest in Luo En had sparked whispers across the campus.

Aolifu lifted a goblet of crimson liquid and sipped slowly. This specially brewed potion could ease spiritual fatigue, carrying a faint strawberry aroma—but leaving a lingering bitterness. Much like his current mood.

"Dawode", he sighed, recalling the incident months ago.

Originally, it had been a minor scheme targeting Holt. He’d subtly manipulated Dawode’s mind, pushing the already unstable apprentice further into paranoia, intending to create trouble for Holt during patrol duties.

But things had spiraled. Dawode’s complete breakdown had resulted in a batch of precious research notes falling into Luo En’s hands.

"A classic case of overreach", Aolifu muttered bitterly, setting down the goblet.

He’d assumed those notes held little value for Luo En—especially the research on sound wave magic.

Everyone at the School who’d studied sound wave magic agreed the conceptualization had fundamental flaws, making it impossible to refine into a practical spell framework. Even the complete memory fragments Aolifu had extracted from Dawode’s mind confirmed this. The theoretical basis itself was flawed—mana structures were unstable, incapable of forming effective spell models.

"Strange", he muttered to himself.

"I extracted complete memory fragments from Dawode’s mind, including all his research. Yet those notes were clearly incomplete. Did he hide something else?"

This question had haunted him, especially after hearing rumors that Luo En had recently mastered an enhanced sound wave spell.

He approached the bookshelf and pressed a hidden mechanism. The shelf slid aside, revealing a concealed door.

Beyond the narrow passage lay a secret room. At its center was a massive cage forged from special alloy, within which hunched a grotesque figure.

The creature was neither fully human nor beast—its limbs stretched grotesquely, black veins coursing like liquid ink across its skin. The only recognizable feature was its face, twisted yet unmistakably familiar: his brother, Ma Kusi.

Earlier, through the Enforcement Team’s secret channels, he’d learned of Karl’s death. The Elementary Apprentice who’d often taken Edge Forest commissions was found dead on the northern outskirts, his body riddled with mutations and pollution.

Aolifu knew the truth—Karl had been a test subject for the Cursed Black Crystal’s Organic Suturing experiment. A failed experiment. His own failed brother, Ma Kusi.

"Good evening, Ma Kusi", Aolifu said softly, his voice heavy with weariness.

The creature in the cage jerked its head up, emitting a guttural mix of snarl and cry.

Those eyes—once identical to Aolifu’s—were now filled with pitch-black liquid, with only faint crimson specks at their centers.

"I brought something new", Aolifu paused, pulling a black crystal from his robe. "This should ease your pain."

Ma Kusi’s gaze didn’t linger on the crystal. Instead, his monstrous face turned toward the wall, where the latest Backup Mage Sequence ranking table hung.

Black liquid oozed from his eyes, hissing as it hit the floor, instantly corroding small craters into the metal.

Following his gaze, Aolifu saw Luo En’s photo on the table.

Unknown to them, Ma Kusi’s claws had already carved deep grooves into the floor, nearly tearing through the metal plating.

"You noticed him too, huh?" Aolifu chuckled bitterly. "That kid’s rising faster than he should."

Ma Kusi growled lowly, as if responding.

After placing the black crystal, Aolifu turned to leave the chamber.

Recent events had left him suffocated by unprecedented pressure.

Xin Xi Ya had practically vanished from his life, having apparently secured her own stable supply of Cursed Black Crystals.

"Those bastards", he clenched his fists. "They must’ve contacted Xin Xi Ya directly, cutting me out."

Even more troubling were his Mentor’s recent glances—those piercing stares that made his skin crawl, as if peering into every secret he held.

"I’m in deep now, aren’t I?" he whispered to himself.

He knew his options were narrowing.

Continuing to rely on Cursed Black Crystals for power meant escalating risks of exposure to the School.

Yet abandoning them would see his rank in the Backup Mage Sequence plummet—a slow death sentence for an ambitious High Apprentice.

Perhaps complete awakening through Cursed Black Crystals and fleeing the School was his final option.

Though this path is riddled with peril, there's at least a thread of hope.

Aolifu shut his eyes in anguish, his temple throbbing painfully. A suffocating fatigue and despair gripped him, as if standing on a cliff's edge with pursuers at his back and a bottomless abyss ahead.

In the secret chamber, the mutated Ma Kusi remained fixated on Luo En's photograph, jet-black liquid seeping from his pores to pool beneath the cage like a writhing black lake. His claws scraped the floor relentlessly, the metallic screech piercing Aolifu's nerves. With a furious frown, he slammed the electro-shock button.

"Aaaaaaaghh!"

At noon the next day, Luo En and Andie rendezvoused at the South Gate as planned.

Andie wore lightweight attire for mobility, a razor-sharp longsword at his waist. Luo En donned a plain dark robe, his unassuming wooden staff concealing the Ironwood Sword.

"Ready?" Andie asked, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"All set", Luo En nodded. "Let's move."

Leaving the School grounds, they chose a secluded trail toward Lizard Alley. Their faster pace reflected familiarity with the route, their conversation turning to their mission.

"I need to find that old hag who sent assassins last time", Luo En explained. "She might have information I need."

"The yellow-skinned crone with sunken eyes?" Andie recalled. "Didn't seem special, but if she targeted us, she must be hiding something."

Luo En confirmed, "Exactly. But this time we're prepared."

Beneath their feet, the Observer Mushroom's hyphae network sprawled like a spiderweb. The fungi glowed faintly with bioluminescence, as if transmitting silent signals. At Lizard Alley's entrance, the Multi-headed Dragon totem loomed grotesquely.

Inside the bustling market, exotic races shouted over exotic spices and medicinal herbs mingled with the pungent scent of unfamiliar creatures.

"Sunset Tavern's this way", Luo En guided. "First, let's visit gray dwarf Ao Tuo. He'll know the old hag."

The tavern was packed, but their past dealings spared them entry scrutiny. Ao Tuo sat in his booth, inspecting colorful vials with furrowed concentration.

The gray dwarf's eyes widened at their approach. "Back for more treasures, eh?"

Luo En placed a detailed sketch on the table. "We're looking for her."

Ao Tuo's expression turned wary. "That old spider? She's no ordinary seller. Her influence here rivals the strongest."

Luo En revealed his Potion Master Badge. "Neither am I."

Ao Tuo's voice trembled. "A profession rank? Impressive... but this trade might cost you more than you expect."

Luo En's palm glowed with Radiant Halo mana. "Ten Mana Shard Fragments and a free appraisal. Those vials—your doubts about their authenticity are... obvious."

The gray dwarf hesitated, then relented. "Her name's Mora, 'Old Spider.' Mastery of forbidden spells, a labyrinthine pawnshop in the deepest alley. Beware her Lizardfolk enforcers and an Ogre Mage. She tests all visitors first—your survival last time was sheer luck."

As they departed, Andie sneered. "That 'test' is just a polite excuse for robbery. Let her try again—I'll roast her Lizardfolk lackeys with dragonfire."

Their path deepened into Lizard Alley's shadows. Suddenly, Luo En froze. "Ambush ahead."

"Smells like scaled vermin", Andie hissed, golden pupils constricting. "Eight Lizardfolk warriors blocking the way."

"Human scum", the leader rasped, forked tongue flicking. "Hand over your Mana Shard Fragments or become dinner!"

Luo En and Andie exchanged glances—steel resolve flashing in their eyes.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end