Chapter 75: Robert

Chapter 75: Robert



Name: Karl

Constitution: 2.4

Mental Power: 2.02

Essence: 0

Occupation: Knight, Apprentice High Mage

With his mastery of the Gigantic Breath Technique and high-quality Beast Pills, Karl's physical progress remained remarkable, while his mental power increased at a relatively slower pace.

In the darkness of night, Karl transformed into a shadow, gliding swiftly towards his destination.

The Titan Breath Technique excelled in stealth and silent movement, but lacked in footwork and speed.

Avoiding the prying eyes of ordinary people was no challenge for Karl.

Something seemed amiss here; many people appeared anxious, providing Karl with an opportunity.

"Where are we?"

The passage ahead was dimly lit and elongated, filled with an eerie atmosphere that set off alarm bells in Karl's mind.

It seemed that Eugene was not just an ordinary officer. This place resembled a secret base, an unknown stronghold, and he was a part of it.

"Clatter... clatter..."

Rapid footsteps echoed.

"Hurry up!"

"Someone has broken into the base!"

"..."

Several people rushed past from behind, shouting as they ran:

"The Patrol Hall might conduct a forced search tomorrow, so we need to move the goods inside."

"Quickly!"

Concealed in the darkness, Karl stroked his chin and quietly followed the group.

Not long after, the space ahead brightened, and the view opened up.

They had entered a vast area, comparable in size to a basketball court, with the ground covered in an unknown sticky liquid.

Suspended in mid-air were giant 'cocoons', interconnected by countless thin tubes.

The cocoons swayed, emitting strange noises, and an unpleasant odor permeated the air.

On one side of the wall, the tubes converged, dripping dark red liquid into a pool below.

The liquid eventually flowed into a larger pool, where it churned and bubbled. Several figures in white lab coats scooped the liquid into porcelain bottles.

Viscous liquid, cocoons, tubes, and a substance resembling blood...

The scene before Karl was eerie, mysterious, and unsettling.

"Are these the Purity Elixirs?" someone asked curiously, apparently visiting for the first time:

"Can drinking it make you younger?"

"Purity Elixirs require virgins for their creation," one person shook their head, "these are most likely imitations. The textile factory workers are all malnourished and lack the vitality to create genuine Purity Elixirs. But even these imitations are popular; the wealthy ladies consume them daily."

"Hehe..." someone chuckled:

"What if they knew that the so-called nutritional supplements they drink are extracted from other people's corpses? Would they still be able to stomach it?"

"It won't have any effect," one of the lab-coated figures spoke up, "the nobles already drink the blood of the living. Otherwise, how could they enjoy their leisurely lives?"

"That's true!"

"Pfft!"

As they spoke, a strange sound came from above their heads, and one of the cocoons split open.

"Careful!"

"Quick, get away!"

"Bang!"

The group exclaimed as a dark figure fell from the torn cocoon, landing heavily on the sticky floor.

A person!

Inside the cocoon was a woman, curled up and completely naked.

No, it was a woman's corpse!

Her back bulged with a large tumor-like growth, revealing something moving inside.

A spider!

The tumor seemed to house a spider that was constantly moving.

"What a pity!"

One of the lab-coated figures expressed regret:

"This corpse had the potential to nurture a Spider Maid, and we would have received a bonus for it."

"Not anymore."

Not every corpse could nurture a Spider Maid; in fact, the success rate was abysmally low.

Consequently,

Every successful Spider Maid cultivation earned them a substantial bonus.

"Huff!"

Suddenly,

A ball of flame appeared above the cocoon.

The flammable cocoon instantly ignited, turning into a raging fire that spread across the area in the blink of an eye.

The fire illuminated the darkness, revealing Karl's figure.

"This is..."

"Disgusting!"

Although Karl only caught fragments of their conversation, it was enough to piece together the truth.

The disappearance of the textile factory workers was indeed connected to the people here; they used the missing workers to create potions and nurture Spider Maids.

No wonder!

No wonder Eugene could frame him by bringing Emmy.

The thought of kidnapping people to brew potions and nurture such creatures disgusted Karl, igniting a nameless rage within him.

He had planned to settle his personal grudge by dealing with Eugene, but now, he felt an urge to kill more to sharpen his weapon.

With a sigh and a shake of his head, countless sword lights suddenly appeared, crisscrossing and enveloping everyone in the room.

Kill!

Only through killing could he extinguish the nameless fire within.

"Pfft!"

"Pfft! Pfft!"

When the sword lights dissipated, only one person remained alive, someone Karl knew well.

"It's you!"

Eugene trembled, his teeth clenched:

"Ka..."

"Did we have a past?" Karl asked coldly, "Why did you frame me?"

"You killed my brother!" Eugene stared at him intently.

"Your brother?" Karl looked puzzled, then shook his head. He had killed so many people that he couldn't remember them all and didn't care to know which brother Eugene was referring to.

"It doesn't matter anymore!"

"Swish!"

Karl's broadsword swept across, sending Eugene's head flying.

"Who's there?"

"Someone else has broken in!"

"Get him!"

The flames had attracted others, and a group of people shouted as they charged towards Karl.

"Hmph!"

Karl adjusted his hood, covering his face, and charged towards the voices with his broadsword.

Combat Technique - Gale Slash!

Sword shadows appeared once more.

With a robust constitution of 2.4, Karl wielded the heavy sword with ease, as if it were made of straw. His movements were graceful yet powerful, each strike carrying immense force.

In an instant,

The figures blocking his path shattered like porcelain dolls under the relentless sword shadows.

Until...

"Bang!"

Karl's movement halted.

A towering figure, over two meters tall, stood before him, shield in one hand and axe in the other.

A knight with an exceptionally robust constitution.

"How dare you cause trouble here?" The muscular man glared, his eyes full of anger.

"Heh..."

Karl smirked; this man was powerful in Black City, but not as strong as the Black City's leader, Hal.

And he,

was even stronger than when he fought Hal!

"Boom!"

Battle Aura!

A ferocious aura burst from his body, enhancing his already formidable strength. He swung his broadsword like a heavy hammer, smashing forward.

"Bang!"

With one strike,

The shield in front of him trembled violently.

"Bang!"

Another strike,

The shield in the knight's hand cracked under the impact of the broadsword, and blood trickled from the corner of the shield-wielding knight's mouth. His eyes widened in horror, and he was filled with fear.

"Boom!"

The shield shattered.

The knight was sent flying, smashing through a wall, rolling a few times before lying motionless.

Karl followed closely behind, entering through the hole, and the scene before him made him pause.

Hmm?

What's going on?

…………

"Kill!"

"Careful!"

Dana held a longsword, desperately dodging the onslaught of Spider Maids while occasionally slashing out with her sword.

It wasn't that she didn't want to attack, but that she couldn't.

Each of these Spider Maids had six arms, and each hand held a sharp dagger.

The six arms stabbed frantically, so fast that even a knight had to be cautious.

The key was...

There were too many of them, and they weren't afraid of death. Even severely injured, they continued their relentless attacks.

For a moment,

Several companions fell into a dire situation.

"Use your battle technique!"

Goff roared:

"Before anyone else arrives, get out of here!"

Battle Technique—Storm Vortex!

With a swift dance of her longsword, she summoned a sword shadow storm, instantly engulfing three Spider Maids around her.

"Pfft!"

Limbs and flesh flew in all directions.

Battle Technique—Sword Dance!

Battle Technique—Vacuum Slash!

Battle Technique—Thunder!

…………

For a moment, the knights in the arena gave it their all, and the ferocious offensive cleared the Spider Maids in an instant.

One of them was closest to the door leading outside, and his face lit up with joy as he accelerated towards the exit.

Just then.

The ground beneath his feet trembled slightly, as if ripples formed on the surface of the water, and countless spikes abruptly emerged.

Zero-Ring Spell—Earth Spike!

The flat ground was instantly covered with countless spikes, like a stone forest in a desert, filled with solemnity.

"Pft!"

Sharp rock spikes emerged from the ground, piercing the knight's body. Blood trickled down the spikes.

"Ugh..."

"Save... Save me!"

The knight's strong vitality kept him alive for a moment.

But with several spikes piercing his body, including his chest and abdomen, such severe injuries were beyond saving.

"Swish!"

"Swish swish!"

Robert waved his arms, and the dirt beneath his feet gathered, transforming into countless earth spikes that shot out continuously.

With extreme speed and terrifying lethality, even a knight wouldn't dare to block them directly.

Zero-Ring Spell—Control Rock!

With the cooperation of the Spider Maids, he cast spells from the rear, and one by one, the knights fell into pools of blood.

"Ah!"

One of them roared:

"I'll fight him to the death!"

Before he finished speaking, his body moved like lightning, and he pounced on Robert.

This person's agility was remarkable, and his battle technique created an afterimage as he continuously dodged the incoming earth spikes, forcing his way closer.

Then, his body stiffened.

Gravity Protection!

Two rings on Robert's fingers flickered slightly, and one of them released gravity, pinning the attacker in place.

The other...

Titan Hammer!

Power gathered in the air, and a giant hammer appeared out of thin air, slamming down on the knight with ferocity.

"Boom!"

The ground shook violently.

A knight with a physique comparable to a lion or tiger was directly crushed into a pulp, dead beyond recognition.

This scene caused Goff's eyes to narrow, and his initial plan to launch a sneak attack died in its infancy.

69 Book Bar

Escape!

Run for your lives!

Unless you're a Grand Knight, you're no match for Robert!

That last strike was so powerful that even a Grand Knight might not have been able to withstand it.

"Trying to escape?"

His plan didn't escape Robert's notice either. With a casual wave of his arm, earth spikes flew out one after another:

"You won't get away."

Escape?

Impossible!

Fight with all your might!

It's useless!

All Robert needs to do is wear down the Spider Maids, and he can easily kill everyone here single-handedly. This is the power of an Apprentice High Mage.

"Ah!"

"I surrender, spare my life!"

"Pft!"

Begging for mercy won't make the opponent show mercy; it will only hasten death.

Taro Da Wu was already covered in blood, both his own and that of the Spider Maids. His face was deathly pale.

Dana trembled, barely able to hold onto her longsword.

Goff was a prime target, with several wounds on his body. He coughed up blood from time to time, his eyes filled with despair.

If...

If I hadn't come, the outcome would have been different.

"Pft!"

A sharp pain in his abdomen as an earth spike pinned him to the ground, and the nearby Spider Maids pounced on him.

"Sir!"

"Careful!"

The remaining few protected him in the center, looking at the surrounding Spider Maids and Robert with his arms raised, feeling nothing but despair.

It's over!

"Boom!"

Just then.

A wall nearby shattered, and a figure holding a shield tumbled to the ground, lifeless upon landing.

Following closely behind.

A dark shadow entered the arena.

"Hmm?"

Karl was startled.

This was the scene he witnessed.

As a patrol officer, Karl was familiar with his superior, Goff, especially with the bloodbath unfolding in the arena.

With a glance, although he wasn't sure what had happened, he could guess most of the story.

"Interesting!"

Robert turned his head, looking at the mysterious person who had suddenly appeared, a hint of surprise in his eyes:

"Is there someone else?"

"It doesn't matter!"

Shaking his head slightly, he raised his arm and pointed:

"Kill him!"

"Swish!"

"Swish swish!"

Several Spider Maids nearby stirred, their spider legs tapping the ground as they charged towards Karl at an astonishing speed.

Their eyes were blood-red, brandishing daggers and hissing.

"Ugh..."

Seeing this, Karl's eyebrows furrowed slightly. With a light snap of his fingers, he had experience dealing with these enemies, so he remained calm despite their numbers.

Brightness Spell!

A blinding light suddenly appeared, causing the Spider Maids, who instinctively feared light, to close their eyes and scream.

Flame Mark!

Flames burst forth, landing on the Spider Maids, as if igniting oil, and the fire blazed intensely.

In the blink of an eye.

The attacking Spider Maids turned into charred black lumps.

The Spider Maid's strength was comparable to that of a Knight Attendant, and she had six arms, making her quite formidable in combat. However, she had a significant weakness—she was afraid of light and fire.

Robert took advantage of this weakness, and dealing with her became effortless.

"Minor Energy Fireball?"

The newcomer's display caused Robert's expression to darken. His initially confident demeanor turned serious as he muttered under his breath, "He's just an Apprentice Wizard?"

As he spoke, Robert didn't stop his actions. While Karl was occupied with the Spider Maid, he completed his spellcasting.

Zero-Ring Spell—Control Rock!

The mud on the ground seemed to come alive, twisting and crawling like a snake before shooting out towards Karl.

In an instant,

The mud transformed into hard, sharp rock spikes, like a lurking venomous snake baring its fangs.

The same spell, in different hands and situations, could lead to various adaptations.

For instance, Karl's Flame Mark.

It could be cast as a fireball or used as a sweeping flame, and with sufficient skill, it could even create a sea of fire.

The same was true for Control Rock.

It could manifest as spikes, be used for stealth attacks, or...

Stone Whip!

The mud on the ground churned, some transforming into shooting spikes that tore through the air, while others became long whips that lashed out at Karl under the control of an invisible hand.

"Smack!"

The stone whip slammed into the ground, creating a crack several meters long.

Karl's agile body dodged through the gaps between the incoming rock spikes and stone whips, occasionally shooting out streams of light.

Arcane Missile!

"Heh..."

Robert manipulated the mud to intercept the arcane missile, and his serious expression relaxed slightly. "An Apprentice High Mage with decent mental strength, but without a competent mentor."

"Your strength..."

"Is too weak!"

"Hmph!" Karl grunted, waving his hand to shoot out a flame that blasted the incoming rock spikes.

As an Apprentice High Mage, he was indeed weaker than his opponent.

Robert had only used a Zero-Ring Spell, but it forced Karl to reveal most of his cards.

And he still looked flustered!

What was going on?

Why was the opponent's spell so powerful and fast? Based on the perceived mental fluctuations, the gap between them didn't seem that significant.

His mental strength was 2, while the opponent's was probably around 2.5 or 2.6—a difference, but not as large as imagined.

"Wizardry is not like scattered stars in the sky, where each one is a separate entity. It's more like a puzzle, where the pieces can fit together."

Perhaps because he rarely encountered Apprentice Wizards, Robert spoke with interest as he acted. "Your mental strength isn't weak, but the spells you've learned are too scattered and lack a cohesive whole, which is why you seem so weak."

"Don't talk down to me."

"Any Apprentice High Mage with a systematic lineage can easily crush you!"

This was the truth.

Take the Wizards of Cologne, for example.

Most of them learned spells related to flames. They started with Trick Fire, then practiced Control Fire with Zero-Ring Spells, and supported their training with Flame Demon Sun Meditation.

Trick Fire increased the power of Control Fire, and Flame-related meditations also amplified fire damage.

The result of these buffs was that the corresponding Zero-Ring Spells became extremely lethal.

For Apprentice High Mages from Cologne, their Control Fire was twice as powerful as others, or even more exaggerated.

Robert was no exception.

He seemed to be casting Control Rock with a Zero-Ring Spell, but he also had bonuses from meditation, tricks, and physique.

As for Karl...

His Flame Mark was just that—a Flame Mark, without any bonuses.

"What's the matter?"

Robert smiled at Karl. "These are the basics of wizardry. Didn't your mentor teach you this? Or are you a self-taught practitioner who stumbled upon the path of wizardry?"

Karl's mouth twitched.

Ever since he learned meditation, he hadn't seen Adolf.

As for his senior sister...

She thought his training was still at the beginner level, unable to fully grasp even the first Zero-Ring Spell, so naturally, she wouldn't mention these things.

"Hmph!"

Karl grunted, and his speed suddenly increased. He dodged the incoming rock spikes and charged towards Robert.

It didn't matter if his spells weren't powerful enough; his strength lay elsewhere.

It was the path of the Knight!

Close combat!

Based on his experience, while the Apprentice Wizard's spells were terrifyingly powerful, they were also fragile. Most of them were not adept at close combat, and even Apprentice High Mages could be killed with a single mistake.

Just like Miles, who had died at his hands.

"Be careful!"

Karl's appearance had drawn Robert's attention, reducing the pressure on Dana and the others.

Seeing Karl charge forward, Dana couldn't help but remind him. The fate of those who had tried to approach Robert earlier was still fresh in their minds.

But it was too late!

Robert smiled lightly and flicked his wrist, shooting out six three-foot-long thin swords.

Ring Star Sword!

"Boom!"

The ground trembled slightly.

Karl leaped high into the air, his agile body dodging and swatting away the remaining star swords.

At the same time,

He had no more evasive maneuvers left.

Robert seized the opportunity and pressed down with his hand.

Gravity!

This spell could be used for defense or to restrict opponents.

Karl felt his body sink as if burdened with hundreds of pounds, losing his balance and falling straight down.

Below,

The ground rippled like water, and small spikes emerged, shooting upwards.

Zero-Ring Spell—Earth Spike!

It's over!

Despair filled Dana and the others' eyes.

This mysterious newcomer, though possessing strange abilities, was clearly no match for Robert.

Just then,

"Guna!"

"Swish!"

Time seemed to freeze.

Suits of armor materialized out of thin air, covering Karl, who was in mid-air.

Secret Technique—Gigantism!

"Boom!"

Vast life force surged from Karl's body, causing his size to swell, instantly transforming him into a three-meter-tall giant.

Black Armor Giant!

Simultaneously,

Combat Technique—Blossom!

A raging aura burst from the Black Armor Giant, sweeping in all directions.

"Boom..."

The rock spikes that had emerged from the ground below shattered upon contact with this aura, unable to maintain their form.

"Swish!"

Seizing the opportunity, Karl's body moved like thunder, flashing before Robert.

He swung his sword!

A furious strike!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end