Entrustment (3)

Do you want to preserve the organization's reputation? How naive! Even if you die, I can still find your memories from your corpse. Keeping you alive until now is merely because you still hold value. Moreover, the questions I wish to ask can only hold significance if answered by a living person. Having seen through Felie's intentions, Victor ruthlessly crushed her final resistance.

Looking at the strange little mounds, Victor immediately understood the reason for the disappearance of the livestock and villagers—spider monsters had made this place their new home. Strangely, spider monsters prefer humid and warm environments, rather than the cooler regions like Mivira. However, this level of anomaly was not enough to change his facial expression.

This individual had long been aware that someone was following him; he deliberately chose to sit in such a conspicuous location, intending to utilize the spider's web. The black silk is too conspicuous during the day, while at night it becomes less noticeable. Even assassins accustomed to lurking in the dark cannot possibly scrutinize every object on the ground.

Two cries of anguish sounded simultaneously

Suddenly leaping backward, Feili cautiously and tensely observed Victor from a distance, while also raising the weapon in her hand—a finely crafted crossbow.

The spider creature crawled up the giant rock, slowly approaching the seemingly enchanted wanderer. Caught off guard, he was struck from behind by the spider creature, letting out a cry of agony before falling into the grass beneath the giant rock

The sound of inhalation was particularly loud in the stillness of the night, and Fina retreated in terror towards Victor, seeking both mental and physical protection

As the shadow beneath the hood instinctively made him turn his head, although his skull narrowly avoided the sharp mandibles that grazed his scalp, his shoulder was not so fortunate. The pincers pierced his skin, injecting venom that paralyzed and digested. The assassin soon felt a wave of weakness wash over him, his limbs turning limp, and even breathing became exceedingly difficult

As the sky darkens, the already sparse street becomes even more desolate.

***

Then we can only walk to Dawo Village

Not far, only a two-hour journey

Spider monster! How could she forget this

Breathing rapidly, Feli squinted at the young mage slowly descending from the boulder. A killer must not reveal the identity of their employer, even in the event of failure. Betraying the employer not only results in expulsion from the Shadow Guild but also subjects one to bounty hunters from other peers, as this is the code of the profession

"Meaningless threats." The indifferent tone intensified the sense that nothing you do holds any significance

Not far behind Victor and Felicity, in the grass, two individuals who had been following them since they left the city were lurking. The dense grass, which was as tall as a person, provided an excellent hiding place, but these two assassins, who believed they were moving stealthily, had already been detected after leaving the city. As an undead being, the lich possessed an exceptionally keen perception of life, especially in the desolate wilderness.

The pale fingers ignited with a translucent violet flame, as Victor gently waved his left hand, which had cast the Soul Snatching spell, in front of the female assassin. The inherent chill and malevolence of the spell immediately surged forth, causing her breath to momentarily falter

It is merely an illusion of preconceived notions; this body indeed cannot speak. What you hear is the voice of the soul. Victor turned his head; his mouth did not move, yet his cold, icy voice continued to narrate.

Feli followed closely behind Victor, the silence persisting from the moment they left Miweila Town until they encountered the strange terrain. The rare open space was dotted with a dozen small mounds, the color of the soil still fresh, clearly recently excavated. These mounds resembled tumors, giving the originally flat grassland an unsettling feeling.

The crushed grass stems emit a strange, fishy odor, which is immediately scattered by a gentle breeze

From confusion to understanding, the originally pale and gloomy face took on an even more eerie quality, as Feli's fear reached its peak amidst the chilling laughter that made her break out in goosebumps

The killer discarded his dagger and began to scratch all over his body with both hands. His face was flushed, and his eyes bulged slightly, emitting a low growl like a beast that startled the feeding spider creature. It set down the mummified human figure it had been consuming and rushed towards the giant rock.

"Thank you..." The girl who was rescued ran breathlessly, continuously expressing her gratitude to Victor

No... perhaps it is just a local person

"It seems that there is something behind..." Felicity's panicked tone intensified the atmosphere of terror

"From the very beginning. " Although it is clearly a teasing remark, when spoken by Victor, it lacks the expected lightness; his flat tone sounds particularly eerie in the deadly night: "The scent of death is faint, yet it is enough for me to deduce your identity"

I have been deceived

Feli looked on in utter terror at the face drawing ever closer, the pair of green eyes tinged with a hint of dark red held not a shred of mercy, and she could not find even a glimmer of hope for her survival

"I beg you..." Her lively eyes glistened with tears as she tentatively took a step forward, cautiously testing the limits of distance: "My father is still at home waiting for me to return. If I am not there, he will die..."

The soul-stealing spell cast on the left hand was retracted, and the corrosive black mist gradually dissipated with Victor's departure

The night is more suitable for traveling

Unlike the previous ambush, the small mithril arrow only penetrated the first layer of the barrier before coming to a halt, suspended in mid-air, blocked by several layers of magical defenses.

That smile, laden with coldness, completely crushed the last glimmer of hope for Feili

The two muffled sounds, one after the other, made the two assailants acutely aware of their weapons piercing into the mage's body

Witnessing the spider monster instantly transform into a lifeless corpse, Feili, devoid of any fighting spirit, leaped down from the giant rock. As soon as she landed, her feet were suddenly clamped down by something.

However, it is already late in the day, and it is not suitable for traveling

Watching the town gate that had been lowered behind her, Feili, in stark contrast to her previous enthusiasm, gazed solemnly at the sunset disappearing beyond the horizon, her eyes reflecting an inescapable worry

As he carefully recalled the materials he had reviewed while lying in the hospital room, the Lich fell into deep thought

It is more dangerous to follow me. You also saw the situation at the Adventurers' Guild just now; they are targeting me

"Eh? The eldest son... what is the surname?" This time there was no answer, as the girl who called herself Feili and the girl in the picture tilted her head to look at the expressionless mage.

At that moment, a rustling sound emerged from the grass. A strange creature burrowed out from a mound of earth, and Feli hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand, managing to stifle the scream that almost escaped her lips

Victor's hands were naturally clasped together, resembling a devout worshipper in prayer, yet the atmosphere around him was far from solemn or sacred.

When did you discover it? The Dark Kin specifically refers to the races that worship dark deities. She was well aware that the other party was referring to the dark elf bloodline that constituted half of her being

Victor Wood

Sensing the scent of its prey, the spider creature, with a nose more sensitive than its eyes, tightened its sticky web on the grass, tripping the somewhat anxious assassin. He hurriedly waved the dagger in his hand, attempting to cut the silk entangled around his feet, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not sever the extremely resilient strands of silk.

Victor's typically indifferent face finally revealed the first expression of the night

With no time to be surprised, Feili kicked vigorously several times but could not break free, so she had no choice but to draw the short dagger she carried with her. Just as she intended to sever the hands that were preventing her escape, a powerful, corrosive black mist had already caught up to her.

You lack humanity

Under her gaze filled with doubt, Victor took a bundle of purple grass-like plants from the magical pouch hanging at his waist and gently rubbed it in the palm of his hand

Victor exhaled, and a murky, deep black gas slowly spread outwards.

The monster, standing as tall as an adult man, has an appearance identical to that of a spider, with eight powerful legs that are thicker than a human thigh, covered in visibly sharp bristles resembling pointed barbs. This creature is less than 10 meters away from Victor and Feli, who are seated on a boulder, and it could easily spot its prey above its head with just a turn.

The assassin approaching from the left seemed oblivious to the tragic death of his companion, as he focused intently and cautiously on closing in on the target. He swung his knife unexpectedly, aiming to complete the task with the utmost speed

Do you have a mount? Dressed in a gown that has been washed to a pale white, she does not appear to be someone who can afford an expensive steed

What does it mean? For Victor's actions, Felicity was both shocked and frightened. She did not believe that this ruthless man would kindly let her go; there must be some reason behind it.

Feli let out her loudest scream of her life: "You heartless monster! I curse you! I curse you to fall into darkness, never to escape suffering!"

The assassin from the Shadow Guild initially showed a glimmer of joy, but his already unattractive features instantly contorted into a grimace. This was because he witnessed a young man, who had just been stabbed in the chest, merely glance down at the poisoned dagger, and then, as if nothing had happened, slowly raised his hand to gently tap his forehead.

Waving the dagger that had fallen onto the grass, the blade glowing with a fluorescent green reflected Victor's cold gaze, as the emerald green gradually transformed into a crimson red

A faint sound of the bowstring was heard, and the magic-breaking arrow was swiftly shot out

The commission of Cohen Jaladi... that blond kid really couldn't hold back after all. His deep, magnetic voice carried no emotion, causing the other person involved in the ambush to turn pale instantly

It is merely lacking

I truly apologize... I should have been gentler, but unfortunately, I do not understand how to cherish the delicate. As he caressed the already withered arm, lightly touching the skin that resembled tree bark, Victor's deep voice made the other intact parts of Felicity's body feel a chill.

Due to the atrophy of the muscles in her limbs, Feili, who can no longer stand or walk, slowly turned her head in the stinking breeze, where pairs of red fluorescence flickered in the yellow-brown mounds of earth

The immobile killer regretted not having the heart to sever his right foot just moments ago. Now ensnared by even more spider silk, he could no longer escape and could only watch in despair as he was gradually pulled toward death

She initially thought it was another spider creature, but when she looked down, she discovered that what was hidden in the grass was actually the assassin that had just been knocked down.

Do not worry, they are merely some beasts that do not pose a threat. While soothing with his tongue, the Lich cast his gaze towards a massive rock fifty meters away.

You are no longer of any use

He pointed to his own head, then shook it, wearing a smile that carried a hint of mockery. The Lich walked further away, seemingly intent on leaving Feili all alone in the wilderness

No..." Feli shook her head repeatedly, filled with fear at the suffering she was about to face

There is no need for further explanation; Fei Li understands what the mage means by "turning into a drooling idiot." Spells that involve memory extraction are classified as dark and malicious curses due to their severe side effects and harmful nature. If she is forcibly subjected to memory extraction, her brain will be damaged, turning her into a true idiot.

Fei Li clearly remembered that she had cut off this person's tongue just two nights ago. Why is he still able to speak

The poison rapidly infiltrated the wound, and the nearby muscle tissue was quickly destroyed, emitting a foul odor as it decayed. The uncontrollable toxins spread along the blood vessels, causing the entire arm to swell to twice its size, presenting a bizarre and morbid gray-black color

My name is Feili, Feili Mach. And you, sir mage

The assassin on the right discovered that his right foot seemed to be stuck to something. In shock, he hurriedly looked down to search, but there was nothing in the grass. He picked up a small stone scattered on the ground and gently threw it into the distance. Instead of falling to the ground, the stone floated in mid-air. By the faint starlight, the assassin saw a faintly discernible black thread-like object in the darkness.

"Darkness? I have long been within it." As he looked at the several spider monsters blocking his path, Victor raised his wand. Thunder roared, intertwining to form a massive electric net, pressing down on the spider monsters that came to hunt.

Leaving behind this cryptic statement, Victor continued on his way. The girl, unable to resist, could only jog to catch up and announce her name.

If you want to end this suffering sooner, then say everything I want to know

Although her body still retained a faint trace of blood vitality, her tongue was indeed no longer with her. Without the need for a search, one could deduce that Wood's tongue had already been delivered to the employer who demanded the punishment of tongue extraction

Soon, Feili realized Victor's intention in demonstrating this spell resembling light magic. His arm had healed, with not a single scar on the smooth skin, as if nothing had ever happened

The only response to her was the evening breeze that had just begun to turn cold

In the Adventurers' Guild, before the woman even entered the hall, the Lich sensed the aura of death emanating from her, along with a peculiar scent—one that originated from the blood of the puppet corpse it was possessing. It was at that moment that Victor had already confirmed that this carefully disguised young girl was the assassin who had taken Wood's life

"I cannot speak, just kill me." Never before had she so yearned for death

Gazing up at the completely dark night sky, the thoughts of the young girl were fully reflected on her face

As if he had guessed her thoughts, Victor opened his mouth, revealing the remnants of his tongue root. The wound, healed under the dual effects of the potion and the healing spell, caused the female assassin's eyes to widen in astonishment

The town of Miweila is situated in a hilly area, surrounded by undulating hills of varying heights

The winding brown dirt road resembles a twisted, crawling snake, with lush wild grass growing on both sides, nearly as tall as a person. On this meandering path, entirely formed by human footsteps, two individuals walk one after the other.

Victor

The potency of the dark elf's poison lies in the addition of some... very special substances. The pale fingertips glided over the sharp blade, drawing a slender line of blood. Feli stared at Victor, who was testing the blade with his own body, unable to comprehend his intentions

The pale fingers held no warmth, and a slight sting began at the point of contact, spreading quickly throughout the body like a wheat field set ablaze in autumn

The venom is rapidly taking effect, and the assassin can no longer feel pain. His consciousness is gradually fading, and his breathing is becoming weaker. The last image lingering in his eyes is that of the sharp and terrifying mandibles.

Do not make a decision so quickly. The night is still long

Hey! Softly collapsing onto the lush green grass, Feili shouted at the top of her lungs: "What is this?"

Who exactly are you? He is not Victor Wood; this confidence and sense of oppression are completely different from two days ago. Feli stared intently at the man before her, trying to find any signs of disguise.

"Sir Mage, those ruffians will not let me go," the girl said, wringing her hands, her face pale

He doesn't kill me; he just wants me to be eaten by these monsters

Worse still, the spider monster detected the prey's struggles and secreted more mucus from its abdominal spinnerets. Upon contact with air, these fluids immediately solidified into extremely tough silk, binding the killer tightly.

Seemingly sensing the danger permeating the air, Feili appeared anxious, her eyes darting around like a fragile herbivore.

Just as she could not fathom what Victor truly intended, a deep voice resonated once more. The enchanting timbre of his voice was low and carried a hint of fervent whispers in an incomprehensible language. Felicity was astonished to see visible shimmering runes coalescing around the young man, which diminished the corrosive nature of the black mist, alleviated the pain in her limbs, and ceased the excruciating agony.

Straining to turn his neck, he saw the young man still sitting atop the giant rock, gazing indifferently at himself. In an instant, a thought flashed through his mind

The appearance of the giant spider surprised the two assassins hidden in the grass, especially the one whose right foot was already ensnared by the web; he was closer to the monstrous spider than anyone else

Feli felt pain all over her body, as if her muscles were being torn away piece by piece, and the air in her lungs was squeezed out with each breath. Watching her limbs transform into withered, decaying flesh, she could not help but cry out in anguish, her painful wails echoing in the desolate wilderness.

Upon seeing the target come to a halt, the two individuals who had been pursuing exchanged a glance, then signaled to each other, moving to encircle the boulder from the left and right.

How far is Dawo Village from Miweila? The suffocating silence gradually transforms from sorrow to joy beneath the dark red words that rise in the air

Do not follow me. Stop and warn the girl who has been trailing behind.

Good evening, dark kin. Victor bowed politely, causing Felicity to involuntarily step back a few paces

He walked briskly past the boulder, pretending to take a rest, but in reality, he was providing an opportunity for the pursuer trailing behind to act

The journey from Miweila to Jingyao takes fifteen days, and even using the fastest portal, it would still take at least three days. ... In other words ...! ... The employer is still local!

It seems you have made a choice, half-elf

If you are willing to cooperate, I will ensure that you die without any pain. If you wish to engage in futile resistance, I do not mind severing your limbs or inflicting several wounds upon you

As it was about to attack the other invading spider creatures, it stepped into the range of the black gas, and the icy sensation made it alertly halt its advance. Feli glanced over and saw the spider creature's body suddenly wither like a dehydrated plant, rapidly shriveling and drying up accompanied by a terrifying and eerie sound

"No... I walked here," the girl replied in a small, embarrassed voice.

"Why be stubborn? You cannot withstand the pain." A body that cannot endure punishment is the easiest to extract information from. The lich does not wish to expend too much magical power, hoping to make the assassin speak the truth solely through intimidation.

The invisible pressure compelled Feli to aim her crossbow at Victor's head; should he dare to take a step forward, she would not hesitate to shatter his skull.

This is a spell that allows me to see your memories directly. If you do not want to become a drooling idiot, answer my questions honestly. Who is the employer? Victor wants to know whether the one who hired the assassin is Wood's biological father, or his legitimate wife or rightful heir

This is the return gift from Buch Village

Xinxiang is a great place for hands-on activities

Felix, who had previously witnessed the scene of the spider creature feeding, turned pale.

Is he still not dead

Do not engage in futile struggles; it is impossible for you to leave alive today

Do not come over

Would you like to give it a try? How many times can you endure the corruption? Ah~ Please do not worry, under the effect of the spell, your body will not collapse until all your life energy is depleted

At the moment the Wanderer made his move, Feili, who had been acting demurely, suddenly pulled out a palm-sized crossbow from a small pouch sewn into her dress. With a gentle squeeze of the trigger, the magical barrier surrounding Victor's body was shattered by a specially crafted anti-magic arrow