Chapter 320: Continuous Kill

Chapter 320: Continuous Kill



At the Imperial Camp in the Fishing Port Town.

Viscount Ferck's expression turned solemn, "Lord Rain, is the situation that serious? Do you need to go there personally?"

Rain nodded, "Yes! I suspect it's likely the Serpent Sect."

"The Serpent Sect? I heard their main area of activity is within seven or eight provinces in the central Empire. How did they end up in Mystra?"

"But I heard this cult is very powerful and not easy to deal with. No wonder, Lord Rain, you're going personally."

Regarding Rain, Viscount Ferck had long held him in high regard.

Especially when Princess Menia bestowed the Dragon Scale upon him, Ferck knew that this young Viscount Rain, if he didn't meet an untimely end, would undoubtedly become a legendary powerhouse of the Empire. Naturally, he wanted to establish a good relationship early on.

"In that case, Lord Rain, I'll have my deputy accompany you personally."

"The patrol griffins just left not long ago. It'll take nearly an hour for them to return."

"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Viscount Ferck." Rain thanked him.

Without further ado, Rain didn't feel like lingering at the banquet. After greeting the Major General in charge of the camp, he made his way to his teammates.

"Everyone, I need to go to Mayorst City immediately. The Serpent Sect might have appeared."

The group was taken aback for a moment, then they started chattering.

"So soon? Weren't they keeping their whereabouts hidden?"

"Isn't it inappropriate for the captain to go alone?"

"Yeah, why don't we set off together now!"

Rain scanned the group. Unlike him, they couldn't recover by spending skill points, so even Neor and the others, who weren't injured, looked exhausted.

After all, the battle against the Blood Curse Nagas had been no easy feat for them!

As for the injured Remir and the others, they were in an even worse state.

So, Rain waved his hand, "You all take your time. I'll ride the griffin first, and you can come over after you've recovered tomorrow morning."

"Captain, please be careful!"

"Mhm!" Rain nodded.

At the same time, Rain also spotted Anna in the crowd. At that moment, her big eyes were filled with disappointment as she looked at him.

After some thought, Rain walked up to Anna, ruffled her hair, smiled, and said, "Don't worry, Anna. Don't you trust my strength?"

"Can you come over early tomorrow morning?"

"Mhm!" Rain's intimate gesture instantly dispelled Anna's disappointment, and she shyly nodded, too embarrassed to say anything more.

When Rain arrived at the griffin station, he was surprised to find that Ferck's deputy was a rare female Great Knight. She had golden hair and a beautiful face.

"Lord Rain, I'm Julie, Viscount Ferck's deputy," Julie introduced herself.

"Hello, Julie. Thank you for your hard work."

"It's my honor to serve you, Lord Rain. Shall we depart now?"

"Okay!"

Sitting on the griffin, Rain wasn't in the mood to chat with Julie. At that moment, his attention was focused on the Intermediate Secret Technique 'Shadow Step,' which he had found to be highly versatile during the battle with Sereniss. It could be combined with various weapon attacks.

Although its effect was best when using light weapons like daggers or brass knuckles, it was still possible to use it with heavy weapons, albeit with fewer and less effective phantoms.

"But this can be compensated by upgrading the Secret Technique."

"If Shadow Step is upgraded to an Advanced Secret Technique, it should be possible to maintain at least five phantoms when using a lance or a great mace." Rain pondered.

After some thought, Rain glanced at the remaining 22 Golden Skill Points on his attribute panel and decided to upgrade Shadow Step to an Advanced Secret Technique.

"Since there's a high chance of encountering combat, there's no need to hoard too many Golden Skill Points."

As the Dragon Breath Technique was already at level 18, far surpassing the requirements for upgrading Shadow Step to an Advanced Secret Technique, Rain spent two Golden Skill Points to upgrade Brack's Assassination Dance Step and another two to break through. The system then prompted:

[Congratulations! You have comprehended the Advanced Secret Technique of Brack's Assassination Dance Step: Shadow Step!]



Although the name didn't change much, the icon for 'Shadow Step' on the Weapon Master (Legendary) panel underwent a significant transformation.

In the icon, the slender man attacking with a dagger had become seven figures, each in a different attacking posture, vividly depicted.

In other words, the number of phantoms had increased from four to six, excluding the real person.

This was further confirmed by the description of Shadow Step (Advanced Secret Technique):

Shadow Step (Advanced Secret Technique) Effect: Create six phantoms within a ten-meter radius to confuse the enemy by combining elemental force with leg movements.

(Note: The phantoms do not possess offensive capabilities.)

(Shadow Step advanced to the pinnacle of Secret Technique, requiring the following conditions: One, Brack's Assassination Dance Step at level 18 or higher (specialization can offset part of the level requirement); Two, Dragon Breath Technique at level 16 or higher; Three, Strength 40 points, Agility 45 points, and Constitution 42 points or higher; Four, consuming 4 Golden Skill Points.)



"Hmm, the range of the illusion has also increased. It was originally five meters, but now it's ten meters! This will make the distraction effect even better," Rain thought with delight.

"22 Golden Skill Points, 4 used, and now there are 18 left," Rain's eyes sparkled.

"The effect of Armor Piercing Strike is excellent. Against enemies with Wizardry defense, the effect should be very good."

The biggest difference between the effects of the Lance and the Great Mace is that when facing a Wizardry Shield, a defense with strong resilience or elasticity, the hammer, as a blunt weapon, will have most of its kinetic energy absorbed, resulting in a drastic drop in lethality.

But the lance is different. It's like using a needle to pierce a balloon. No matter how resilient the defense is, attacking a single point will still cause massive damage.

"Since that's the case, let's directly advance 'Armor Piercing Strike' to Advanced Secret Technique!"

After seeing Rain consume seven Golden Skill Points, the system prompts rang out one after another:

[Congratulations, you have comprehended Longhorn Spear Intermediate Secret Technique: Armor Piercing Strike!]



[Congratulations, you have comprehended Longhorn Spear Advanced Secret Technique: Armor Piercing Strike!]



At the same time, a flood of 'Armor Piercing Strike' training memories poured into Rain's mind!

It was as if Rain had personally focused on practicing the lance Secret Technique 'Armor Piercing Strike' in some mysterious space for twenty years.

After digesting and absorbing all the memories, Rain looked at the new icon for 'Armor Piercing Strike' on the Weapon Master (Legendary) panel.

The pattern within the icon changed from a knight riding a warhorse to a knight riding a griffin.

The knight was controlling the griffin.

And the knight was none other than Julie, the Griffin Knight who was escorting Rain to Mayorst City.

She felt a bit awkward. The Rain behind her wasn't very talkative, and every now and then, his aura would surge, scaring her griffin almost into a panic.

But Lord Ferck had already instructed her that the Rain behind her was extremely powerful, and she must not offend him. So she couldn't say anything.

But this was the second time he had done this!

Her heart was pounding.

If Rain continued like this, she might be able to endure it, but the griffin under her might suddenly lose control!

As she was still hesitating about whether to gently remind the Rain behind her, the night lights of Mayorst City gradually appeared in their field of vision.

When the griffin just arrived at the edge of Mayorst City's airspace, Rain thought for a moment and said to Julie:

"Julie, you can let me off here."

"Yes, sir," Julie replied, instantly understanding Rain's intention.

This was to avoid alarming the enemy. Rain probably wanted to quietly head to the Habsburg Castle.

Several minutes later.

In the study on the second floor of the Habsburg Castle, the door suddenly opened silently.

"Who's there?" Claireya, standing behind the desk, immediately stood up, looking surprised.

A tall and familiar figure appeared in her sight!

"Rain! What brings you here?" Claireya's lovely face showed surprise, and then she smiled brightly.

It was clear that Claireya was delighted to see Rain.

"Don't forget, I'm your Guardian Knight. If you're in danger, shouldn't I come to your aid?" Rain smiled and said.

Before Claireya could respond, Rain's expression turned solemn, and he continued, "Let's talk about the situation first."

He naturally understood the priorities. This wasn't the time for idle chat.

"Yes! The situation is as follows. This afternoon at two o'clock, the Jordel Butler from the castle went missing."

"Then, approximately every hour, a Guard, maid, or even a male servant would disappear. Currently, the entire castle is in a state of panic," Claireya nodded, quickly introducing the situation. Seeing Rain here has calmed my heart."

Rain's expression relaxed as he realized the enemy was lurking nearby, waiting to launch an attack. However, he wasn't as worried as before.

"Every hour?" Rain furrowed his brows, seeking confirmation.

"Yes," Claireya nodded.

"Have you tried locating their hiding spot?"

"No, I tried a few times, but they're very stealthy. Unless everyone is gathered in one hall, it's hard to keep an eye on everything." Claireya shook her head helplessly.

Rain nodded in understanding. With over two hundred servants and guards in the vast Habsburg Castle, it was impossible to monitor everything.

"How much time until their next attack?"

"About ten minutes," Claireya glanced at the wall clock and replied.

"Good, I'll give it a try!"

Rain's mind stirred with determination.

Above the dark skies of Habsburg Castle, a swift raptor-like figure, the blood-feathered wyvern 'Blood Feather,' swiftly passed by. With its dark vision, it had near-perfect visibility in the night sky, making it an excellent scout.

Even Rain, facing the vast area of the castle, found it challenging to monitor everything. But with Blood Feather's help, the situation was different.

"Mhm!" Claireya nodded in agreement.

Seeing Rain deep in thought, Claireya didn't disturb him but turned to pour him a cup of tea.

"I think I found them!" Rain's face lit up with a smile. But when he turned to look at Claireya, he was startled.

Claireya, wearing a tight hunting outfit, was bending over by the tea table, seemingly pouring tea for him. Her back was turned, exposing her voluptuous hips and legs to Rain's gaze.

Her hips were large and curvy, and her legs were straight and slightly thinner than a wine glass, but they exuded strength and elasticity.

Claireya's long-term knight training had given her an excellent physique, and her noble upbringing from childhood had cultivated an exceptional demeanor.

Rain couldn't help but be slightly dazed by her appearance.

Just then, Claireya, holding a teacup, turned around, and seeing Rain's expression, she immediately realized what had happened. Her face flushed.

"Cough, I'll finish my tea later. I need to step out for a bit!"

Caught red-handed, Rain quickly made an excuse and left.

"Mhm!" Claireya smiled slightly, watching Rain disappear quickly from the edge of the room.

In the southeast corner of the castle, near the servants' quarters, a man named Digano was waiting, immaculately dressed, with his black anaconda nearby. He planned to have the anaconda bite the servant girl as she squatted to use the toilet.

"What are you doing here?" A strange male voice sounded in Digano's ear, startling him like a frightened rabbit. He jumped three meters away and turned to look at the source of the voice, his eyes wide with shock.

Although Digano was only a Tier 1 Wizard, he had achieved 90% mist form, and in a few years, he would advance to Tier 2 Liquid Form.

He couldn't believe that he hadn't sensed the man's approach, and now the enemy was right next to him. Even when he saw that the man was a tall knight in silver armor, he still felt a bit shaken.

'How did you appear so suddenly?' Digano asked, still a bit scared.

"I was the one asking the questions. You haven't answered me yet," Rain smiled, unbothered by the distance between them.

"Hmph!" Digano's face darkened as he pulled out a whistle from his pocket and blew into it.

An inaudible sound wave, undetectable to the human ear, spread out in all directions.

"Are you calling for help?" Rain asked calmly.

"Hehe, whoever you are, you're dead when Icsera arrives!" Digano held a short staff, ready to detain Rain.

"I understand. So, in a while, a person you mentioned, Icsera, will come here, right?" Rain repeated with a smile.

"Yes!" Digano wondered if Rain was genuinely or feigning ignorance. He had seen Rain looking at him, yet they continued their leisurely conversation.

Digano was delighted with Rain's time-wasting tactic.

"Then you're useless!" Rain nodded.

"Hmm?" Digano furrowed his brows, confused.

But the next moment, he froze in shock!

"Swoosh!"

In an instant, a three-meter-long lance appeared in Rain's hand, and a black lightning bolt struck Digano's neck.

The speed was too fast for any reaction.

"Pop~"

The black membrane, like a bubble, was instantly shattered!

Digano's snake-scale skin, as fragile as paper, was torn!

"Pfft!"

The lance pierced Digano's neck. Warm blood splattered on the ground behind him.

As pain surged from his neck, Digano could only gasp for breath, his fingers trembling as he pointed at Rain, unable to speak.

"His eyes bulged so much they were almost popping out of his head!"

At this moment, Digano's mind went blank. He couldn't understand how his protective spell and serpentine scales had failed to withstand the attack for even a second. Rain's spear instantly retracted, transforming into a warhammer. He aimed the warhammer at Digano's head in mid-air, and with a 'crack', the blow connected.

Skull shattered!

As the body with only half a head fell heavily to the ground, a transparent shadow dragged a long tail flame, circling Rain several times before being pulled into the warhammer.

"I can extract soul energy, can't let it go to waste," Rain muttered to himself.

At this moment, Rain transformed the warhammer back into a spear and used the spearhead to lift the hood of the fallen body. A middle-aged man with a unique serpent tail pattern on his forehead appeared before him.

"It's definitely someone from the Serpent Sect," Rain immediately recognized the distinctive feature.

The two he had killed earlier also had various serpentine marks.

After a moment's thought, Rain didn't put away his spear but instead held it on his shoulder, casually waiting for the 'Icsera' mentioned by his opponent.

"Tactical misdirection is quite something," Rain said.

After waiting for a minute, Rain looked towards a spot and said, "Since you're here, don't hide."

"Hehe, interesting. You have a good strength, I didn't expect Digano to die at your hands."

As the laughter echoed, a slender figure in a black robe appeared not far from Rain.

"Oh, you don't mind that I killed your subordinate?" Rain raised an eyebrow, smiling.

However, as he spoke, his peripheral vision caught a glimpse behind him.

Just now, his danger perception and the blood-feathered sky had warned him of another powerful enemy behind him.

"Of course I don't mind. It proves that you're stronger, and if I kill you, I'll gain even more," Icsera laughed.

Behind Rain, naturally, was another black-robed figure—Timshi—accompanying Icsera in her attack.

Timshi's gaze fell on the corpse lying on the ground, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.

Obviously, as a companion of Digano, he felt a sense of sorrow for his fallen comrade.

However, upon hearing Icsera's words, he was taken aback, thinking, 'She's indeed the Crazy Snake! But why does what she's saying sound so reasonable?'

"Then, is it unnecessary for you to interfere in our duel?" Rain smiled.

"You—"

Just as Icsera was about to say something, Rain suddenly spun around, and a short spear appeared in his hand, which he threw with force!

'Swoosh!'

With a sharp sound tearing through the air, Timshi's vision blurred, and he felt intense pain in his chest, over his heart.

At the same time, he was hit by a powerful force and slammed into the wall behind him.

"Ahhhh!"

Timshi couldn't help but scream. He couldn't understand why Rain would attack him instead of engaging Icsera.

In quick succession, several phantom images flashed, and almost instantaneously, Rain appeared before Timshi, a warhammer in his hand.

"Crack!"

Skull shattered!

Instantly, a hideous shadow appeared, dragging a long tail flame that was pulled into the warhammer.

"Necromancy! Illusion! Metallurgy!"

"Who the hell are you?"

Icsera, enraged, was about to strike when she was startled by the sudden appearance of the transparent shadow.

As one of the twelve Serpent Envoys and a Tier 3 Crystal Mage, she naturally assumed that Rain's warhammer was absorbing soul energy, attributing it to the effects of a Necromancy spell.

The residual shadow left behind by Rain was also mistaken by her for an Illusion spell.

"Huh? You don't know who I am?"

At this, Rain was the one taken aback.

Rain had assumed that the Serpent Sect had come prepared, knowing full well that he had killed two high-ranking members of their sect.

However, from Icsera's expression, it seemed like she had no idea who he was.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end