Chapter 307: Projection

Chapter 307: Projection



"Great Hunter God, you are the eternal light, the rising sun, bringing dawn and hope to the world," Extor chanted, and the dark magic array erupted with a surge of powerful energy.

The force of this energy was so overwhelming that the Duke of Minster and Admiral Edward's expressions changed drastically, and they quickly retreated outside the array's area.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed outside the Administrative Hall's entrance.

Although most of the honored Barons and Viscounts had already escorted their relatives to safety after the recent attack, there were still numerous elite guards within the hall.

After defeating most of the Black Flame acolytes, the guards returned to the hall.

Upon seeing the injured Duke of Minster and Admiral Edward, the guards were shocked and rushed forward to support them.

However, as they stepped into the core area of the array, they suddenly felt as if they had sunk into a swamp, experiencing a powerful resistance that made it almost impossible to move.

Taking a step or reaching out required their utmost effort and took ten times longer, causing the guards within the array to move as if in slow motion.

But that wasn't the worst part.

The most terrifying sight was the emergence of black mist, like snakes, rising from the ground and coiling around their legs, quickly spiraling upwards.

In an instant, these elite guards, whose strength was around the level of formal knights, began to tremble uncontrollably. It seemed as if they couldn't control their bodies, and their blood seemed to have a mind of its own, drawn by some invisible force.

At that moment, the guards trapped in the array's core had blood seeping from various parts of their bodies, such as their ears, noses, mouths, and even their eyes, floating in mid-air like tiny blood serpents, quickly converging towards Extor's position!

This horrifying scene caused everyone to cry out in alarm.

"Get out quickly! Those who haven't reached the rank of Great Knight, don't come in!" The Duke of Minster waved his hands forcefully at the guards rushing in, his face filled with anxiety as he shouted.

The area where the Duke of Minster and Admiral Edward were located was even closer to the core of the array, and the air felt heavy, as if filled with an oppressive force.

Although they could control the abnormal movements of their blood, it felt like hundreds of hands were gripping their feet.

Even with their injuries, retreating and defending was incredibly challenging, and their movements were slow.

"Great Hunter God, please accept this humble offering," Extor's chanting grew more fervent, his face filled with excitement and fervor! He first focused his gaze on the dying Priestess Church Ascetic.

Extending his right hand, he clenched it, and in an instant, the ascetic was enveloped by a massive amount of black mist, which quickly entered and stood her upright, her arms spread wide.

The next moment, the ascetic, who had previously exuded a sacred and serene aura, began to tremble like a sieve, her eyes rolling back.

With a final scream, she exploded!

Blood, shattered organs, and broken bones that once belonged to the ascetic splattered in all directions, covering the center of the array.

This sacrifice immediately intensified the ritual, reaching its climax!

Inspired by their High Priest's invocation, the remaining Black Flame acolytes, who had been scattered, emerged from a side door, their faces filled with fervor. They knelt towards the center of the array and began praying loudly.

Compared to the shocked expressions of the Duke of Minster and Admiral Edward, Extor's face was filled with unparalleled excitement and joy!

It was known that he had endured great hardships and efforts to reach the level of a Tier 3 Crystalized Sorcerer.

But this was the limit of his natural talent.

Opportunities were beyond his control.

Without external help, his strength would never significantly improve in his lifetime.

But the Hunter God offered him another choice!

The next moment, a surging black energy, like a tornado, enveloped Extor, lifting him slowly into the air.

Black lightning flashed around him!

An indescribable, terrifying aura spread!

It was as if a high-ranked being had focused its attention on this place.

Extor's aura began to surge!

"Hahaha!"

Extor not only found his injuries healing instantly, but his body also filled with immense energy, a feeling he had never experienced before.

At the same time, in the Trade District's Black Flame battlefield.

Two Griffin Knights who had arrived to provide aerial support witnessed the battle from above and quickly descended.

One of the Griffin Knights was Faer.

Dismounting from his griffin, Faer appeared anxious as he approached Ren, Brandul, and Minor with a quick pace. He bowed slightly and said, "Sir Ren, Sir Brandul, Sir Minor, the situation at the Administrative Hall is dire, and we urgently need your assistance."

"The three of you can ride our griffins and leave immediately."

Ren, Minor, and Levin exchanged glances and nodded. They quickly stepped forward and mounted the griffins.

Minor had wanted to ask Ren about the secret of his hammer, but this was not the right time.

As the griffins took flight, Faer, who was controlling the griffin in front, spoke quickly, "Sir Ren, the situation is not good. The leader of the Black Flame Cult is extremely powerful."

"Even Duke Minster and Admiral Edward, when they joined forces, were defeated and severely injured."

"Hmm? Is the situation that bad?" Ren's eyebrows furrowed.

It was clear that both Duke Minster and Admiral Edward, based on the aura they had just revealed, were slightly stronger than him.

Moreover, the Ascetic, who was even more powerful, was also there to assist.

In this situation, even with three people working together, they were defeated?

This made Ren feel a bit uneasy.

"Yes, Ren, it was him who activated the Demon Array again." Faer nodded quickly.

Ren was someone he greatly admired. Although younger, his strength far surpassed his own.

Ever since seeing Ren confront the ancient hero Mongaro, Faer had changed his idol from Viscount Filk to Ren.

Administrative Hall.

At this moment, the Swordbearer Division's reinforcement team, led by the familiar faces of Captain Bartista and Remir of the Boulder Squad, rushed into the Administrative Hall.

In fact, this was currently the highest-ranked squad within the Swordbearer Division that was on leave or standby. Most of the Swordbearer squads had already been dispatched due to the ongoing conflict between Roshby County, Maister County, and the Sea Clan.

At the same time, the other side of the hall's large door suddenly opened, and a Punishment Knight, who looked similar to Brandul, led the way. He also held a silver great hammer.

Following him were more than five Priests and dozens of Templar Knights.

This meant that the Goddess Church's reinforcement team had also arrived!

Seeing this, Duke Minster, barely supporting his body, shouted, "Quick! Interrupt his promotion!"

The two reinforcement teams immediately noticed Extor floating in mid-air, his aura constantly rising. They reacted and unleashed various spells and divine spells like fireworks during a ceremony, all aimed at the black mist surrounding Extor.

However, these colorful energy attacks were blocked by the massive amount of black mist swirling like a tornado just a few meters away from Extor's body.

Close-range attacks were almost impossible.

Seven or eight Templar Knights and Swordbearers, holding their swords, had just stepped into the Demon Array, and they were immediately trapped like flies on flypaper, unable to move.

Fortunately, their teammates nearby quickly pulled them out.

In the core area of the Demon Array, any combat personnel below the Great Knight level were unable to control their own blood and bodily fluids.

It was basically one-way traffic.

Instead, they became a sacrifice for Extor's promotion ceremony!

Bartista and the Punishment Knight were the only ones who could rush into the Demon Array and not be heavily affected.

"Bartista, don't worry about us, just interrupt his promotion!"

"Otherwise, once he completes his promotion, no one in Minster might be able to stop him." Admiral Edward, barely supporting himself, said solemnly to Bartista, who was planning to rescue him.

"That's right! Once he succeeds in his promotion, he will be a peak powerhouse, and no one in Minster will be able to stop him!" Duke Minster, with a heavy expression, said.

Bartista nodded solemnly, took out the Replica Imperial Staff from behind, and threw it towards the huge black cyclone floating in mid-air, like a lightning strike!

Instantly, the Replica Imperial Staff burst forth with a vast and majestic aura, colliding violently with Extor's black air current.

But Extor, as a Tier 3 Crystalized Sorcerer, was much stronger than the High Priests in the county.

Even the Replica Imperial Staff was unable to break through the black dragon's vortex at this moment. It only managed to create a dent before its energy was exhausted, and it fell to the ground.

However, Bartista's strike attracted Extor, who had originally intended to deal with Duke Minster."

Extor's palm shot out, and a large bowl-sized black light pillar directly targeted Bartista!

"Boom!"

In an instant, Bartista, who was holding a shield, was knocked back several meters. His shield was shattered with just one block, and his entire left hand was completely shattered.

One strike, and a peak Great Knight was disabled!

This power almost made one feel despair.

Suddenly, Extor's originally joyful expression changed abruptly!

"Not good!"

"This power. No! Great Hunter God, you can't.!"

"Ah!!!"

Extor let out a miserable scream, and his entire body trembled. The orderly black energy suddenly became violent.

And in mid-air, he quickly spun, and the suction force increased rapidly!

Originally, Extor had been controlling the entire ceremony, but at this moment, it was as if a majestic presence had projected a strand of power onto this Demon Array, onto his body.

And even though Extor was a Tier 3 Crystalized Sorcerer, he couldn't possibly withstand the empowerment of such majestic power.

Of course, perhaps he overestimated his willpower, and under the influence of delirium and powerful energy, he lost himself and overdrew.

At this moment, the trickle of essence blood being sucked, suddenly increased at least tenfold, and the bodies that weren't dealt with in time were all turned into sacrificial offerings for the ritual.

The next second, not only was it essence blood, but also the personnel within the Dark Magic Array who were insufficient in strength, their flesh and skin were all absorbed by 'Extor'.

This terrifying scene caused the Black Flame Acolytes participating in the prayer ritual to be filled with fear, and they couldn't help but retreat!

"Not enough!"

"All of you, embrace my bosom!"

With Extor's incredibly high-pitched roar, it was as if a non-human was shouting.

In an instant, the red light of the ritual abruptly expanded, and the surrounding Black Flame Acolytes were all absorbed. The next second, these Acolytes screamed as their flesh, skin, and bones were all sucked away, leaving behind only blood-stained skeletons on the ground!

It seemed like they had reached a certain threshold.

The red light no longer expanded but instead rapidly contracted.

The originally spinning Extor now hovered in mid-air, and a low and strangely terrifying voice came from his mouth, speaking in a bizarre manner.

"Such a disgusting aura."

Read the error-free version at 69 Book Bar. 6=9+ Book_Bar first release of this novel.

With a light touch of his finger, a thick black pillar of light shot towards the defensive array of the Goddess Church. The leading Punishment Knight roared and swung his hammer to block, but he was a hair's breadth slower.

The highly condensed black pillar of light instantly pierced through the chest armor of the knight, and the aftershock also impaled the several Templars behind him!

"Pfft!"

This Punishment Knight, who greatly resembled Brandul, vomited blood as he knelt on the ground, but he still managed to support himself with the two-handed warhammer in his hands, preventing himself from falling!

"Be careful, Ren! I'm landing!" Faer shouted as he quickly controlled the griffin and dove down.

Suddenly, as Ren and his group were about to land, they noticed that the five black pillars of light surrounding the Administrative Hall seemed to be attracted by some force, rapidly converging towards the center.

The next second, they merged into a single pillar of light several times thicker than before.

The light pillar instantly pierced through the top of the hall, shooting towards the sky.

At the same time, the surging energy and the terrifying aura that made one shudder, even those in mid-air could clearly feel it.

The Griffin Knights, with all their might, barely managed to control their terrified griffins from going out of control!

"Not good! Faster!" Another Punishment Knight on a griffin, who seemed to have realized something, urged.

From the shattered hall, Ren could clearly see the scene inside, resembling a slaughterhouse, and their side was completely overwhelmed.

"Brandul!" Brandul's pupils suddenly constricted!

He saw his younger brother, Punishment Knight Brandul, kneeling on both knees, with a basin-sized hole in his chest, his body standing upright, supported by the two-handed warhammer he had held tightly from the beginning.

Brandul didn't hesitate at all, filled with inexplicable rage, and he immediately leaped down from mid-air, over a dozen meters high!

The Duke's Advisor, standing beside them, interjected at the right moment, seemingly confirming Ren's guess.

"That's Brandul's younger brother, and his only living relative."

Ren's expression turned solemn, and he nodded.

The two of them fell silent for a moment, and then Brandul quickly followed, charging forward.

Seeing his own relative, even his only living relative, die before his eyes, this feeling...

"Brandul!" The surviving members of the church saw Brandul coming and excitedly rushed forward.

"Everyone, the Goddess is watching over everything here."

"Now, it's time to test your courage."

"Fear no enemy, worthy of the Goddess's grace!"

With Brandul's loud chant, the Templars' faces were filled with excitement, and they all started chanting along.

With each chant from Brandul, his aura rose by a fraction.

The five Priests glanced at each other and nodded, their faces solemn.

Immediately, they started chanting and casting spells.

Their palms faced outwards, and a dense blue light gathered half a meter in front of them.

The next second, five blue light pillars simultaneously shone upon Brandul's body!

Instantly, Brandul's aura surged, and he leaped from Quasi-Legendary to Legendary!

This immediately attracted the high-ranking being that had occupied Extor's body.

The being's indifferent eyes glanced at Brandul and coldly said:

"Merely a strong ant."

"You're really asking for it!"

A cold and unfamiliar voice, devoid of any human emotion, spoke these words.

Ren instantly thought of a term from his past life called the 'Uncanny Valley Effect'.

Although the words were human, the strange tone and inflection made it seem like some unknown creature was imitating human speech, giving off a chilling and fearful aura.

Ren looked at the scene before him and glanced around at the severely injured allied combatants, including Admiral Edward, Bartista, Remir, and others.

He knew that at this very moment, he couldn't afford to retreat!

If he didn't want to see his family lying in a pool of blood like Brandul, then he had to do something.

Once this creature, whose identity was uncertain, be it human or demon, completed the ritual, there was a high chance that not many in Minster would survive.

Ren's heart stirred!

As if hearing a call, he saw the Spirit Wolf 'Cookie', the swift-footed horse 'Blackie', and the Blood Feather Griffin Beast 'Blood Feather' in the sky rapidly approaching his current location.

Ren drew his double-handed warhammer, his gaze fixed on 'Extor'!

Most of Extor's attention was focused on the legendary Brandul.

Brandul's body was enveloped in a dense blue radiance, resembling an amber substance!

Facing the incoming black light pillar, Brandul's silver warhammer blocked the pillar's forefront at the last moment.

"Boom!"

A clash between black and blue, two powerful energies, ensued!

Despite the support of numerous Templar Knights' hymns and the blessing of five bishops' divine spells, Brandul's situation remained dire.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

With each crisp sound, a Templar Knight fell heavily!

Facing such a fearless scene, Extor clearly shifted all his attention over.

"A good chance!"

In an instant, the ground beneath Ren's feet suddenly cracked, and he rushed forward like a silver lightning bolt towards the center of the demon array.

With the aid of the Force and Will Radiance, Ren's warhammer broke through the energy-filled demon array like a bamboo breaking through.

"Annihilation Hammer!"

Ren's dark double-handed warhammer struck the black dragon vortex, opening a small gap.

"Hmm?"

Extor turned his head, looking perplexed.

He seemed surprised that someone could break through his external defenses.

"Soul Fragmentation!"

Instantly, an invisible wave directly hit Extor!

"Ahhhh!"

In an instant, Extor let out a painful cry, as if suffering immense harm.

But the counterattack came swiftly. Extor's hands, imbued with dense black radiance, struck Ren's chest.

The Wizard's 'Metal Shield' enchanted cerium shield was shattered in an instant!

The Mithril Embellished Chest Armor also broke with a touch.

Even Ren's final 'Advanced Steel Body' couldn't withstand this strike!

"Crack!"

Ren's sternum was completely shattered, and a bowl-sized bulge protruded from his back, sending him flying dozens of meters away!

After delivering this strike, Extor's body also seemed off.

His body twitched like a sieve, and the majestic aura seemed to fade under the Soul Fragmentation.

Although Extor's aura vanished with Ren's strike, the Extor before them didn't die. Instead, he entered a strange state of balance.

How to describe it? It was quite bizarre.

As a Tier 3 Crystalized Sorcerer, his soul strength wasn't weak, but he encountered a sudden projection of a higher-tier entity, leaving him unable to resist for a time.

But just then, Ren's strike shattered the projection of the higher entity and directly inflicted severe damage on Extor's soul.

This caused Extor to become somewhat mentally unstable.

However, Extor was still influenced by some indescribable mighty force.

"Flesh!" he muttered repeatedly.

"Flesh!"

His entire body swelled like a balloon, and he relied purely on instinct, reaching out to grab nearby personnel.

An unfortunate servant was caught, and in an instant, only bones remained, as flesh, blood, and skin were all devoured and absorbed.

Extor now appeared extremely bizarre, his skin bulging as if unable to contain the excessive flesh, yet he continued to force it in.

After a bizarre transformation, what appeared before the crowd was a giant, obese figure standing four meters tall and three meters wide.

At this time, in a corner of the hall.

The spot where Ren was struck and flew away.

A large silver-plated gauntlet reached out from the rubble.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end