Chapter 54 - 54: 054 Fallen Professional
Chapter 54: 054 Fallen Professional
Translator: 549690339
Within the Goblin Forest Map!
At the sudden sound of an unfamiliar voice, Dean McKenzie’s face involuntarily changed.
Subconsciously, as a first reaction, he tucked the scroll in his hand away while cautiously locating the source of the voice.
What he saw made his scalp tingle with dread.
Standing in front of him was a stranger dressed in black armor, a black longsword clutched in his right hand, his whole body emanating an unnerving aura of bloodthirst. Not a good person, and definitely not someone to be trifled with.
A powerful individual!
At first glance, Dean could determine, this person was undeniably a force to be reckoned with.
A being of a level higher than One-turn.
This caused Dean to instinctively step back a few steps, softly chanting a summoning spell for Bone Shield, ready to activate it at any time.
The mysterious stranger shook his head: “Don’t be so nervous. I carry no ill-will towards you as of now, or else you’d already be dead.
Also, if I had wanted to do something to you, that Bone Shield of yours would be as flimsy as paper in front of me, providing no protection whatsoever.”
Upon hearing this, Dean raised an eyebrow, relaxing the summoned Bone Shield as if he understood something.
Despite his suspicions about the stranger’s identity, Dean feigned ignorance, slyly tugging at his sleeve as he asked,
“And you are?”
“Your benefactor.”
Dean grimaced, annoyed. Didn’t anyone ever tell this man that such conversations were a killjoy?
However, the stranger seemed to have no intention of engaging in small talk, commanding Dean with an undeniable tone:”Follow me!”
With that, the man turned around and ventured deeper into the Goblin Forest, leaving a puzzled Dean behind.
Should he follow, or… follow?
After a moment of hesitation, Dean decided to trail behind.
Partly because he suspected the stranger to be the Fallen Professional that Anthony had mentioned, and partly because he had already informed Anthony.
His subtle sleeve-tugging earlier was meant to alert Anthony.
Convinced of Anthony’s reliability, Dean believed he would arrive soon.
As such, Dean confidently followed the stranger into the depths of the Goblin Forest.
However, the moment they ventured deeper into the forest, Dean’s face turned pale.
In the depths of the Goblin Forest, Dean found a blood-stained Altar.
At each corner of the altar, four individuals were kneeling.
In order to ensure that they maintained their posture, their kneecaps were savagely removed.
What was even more horrifying was their faces.
Only upon a closer look did Dean realize that the eyes of these four people had been gouged out, their ears and noses cut off, and their mouths bleeding.
Their facial features had been completely mutilated!
Yet they were all still alive, enduring agonizing pain, each of them letting out pitiful howls of suffering!
Witnessing this scene, Dean’s face turned ashen.
At this point, the mysterious man leading the way turned around with a proud tone,”What you’re seeing now is an initiation ritual of our Bloody Church.
It’s known as the Four-person Blood Sacrifice!
By sacrificing four professionals of around level 10, the ritual can be completed. This will grant favor from the God of Blood to the ritual master in the form of up to four Free Attribute Points.
This ritual you see now is my welcome gift to you!
Go on then. Now all that’s left is the final step of the ritual. Just complete it and you’ll be bestowed with the God of Blood’s favor, and become one of us!”
The stranger put notable emphasis on the phrase ‘one of us.’ Threat was evident in his tone!
Dean, on the other hand, was suppressing his rage, frowning as he changed the subject:”Is it okay to conduct such rituals within the Goblin Forest?
As far as I know, the training maps in Spring City controlled by the South Hill Base can be…”
“That’s not something you need to worry about.
Right now, your task is to complete this ritual!”
The mysterious man interrupted Dean, throwing a dagger at his feet,”Step up, slit their throats one by one, and then stand in the center of the altar. That’s all it takes!
This is the welcome gift our church has gifted you. I hope you appreciate it!”
Dean’s brows were tightly knitted.
Honestly, the situation was developing in a much unexpected manner.
Although he was aware that he was being targeted by a Fallen Professional, he didn’t expect them to act so quickly.
Moreover, he didn’t expect that their method of induction would be this straightforward and brutal.
No gentle persuasion, none at all!
Just threats right from the start!
It appeared there were only two paths before Dean now.
Either complete the ritual and let the stranger hold this leverage over him, becoming a member of this so-called Bloody Church.
Or he could refuse to complete the ritual, leading to violence from the stranger’s end.
Of course, Dean had another option: to buy some time.
Dean believed that given enough time, Anthony would come to his rescue.
This was the damnable sense of security that Anthony provided.
However, just when Dean had made up his mind to stall, the stranger raised his eyebrows suddenly.
“Oh right, there’s something I forgot to tell you!”
“What is it?”
“Are you aware of the recent disappearance of a young talent from South Hill Base who had just awakened his Talent?”
“Did you do it?”
Dean dropped his gaze.
“Not us, I’m afraid. We didn’t have the good fortune to take credit for it. The truth is out now though, the boy was taken by his own mentor!”
Dean was taken aback, furrowing his brows even more.
“Do you wonder why I suddenly mentioned this to you?
The reason is simple: Your situation is related to this incident. This has significant influence on you!”
“On me?”
“Don’t you find it odd? You’ve been trying to contact Anthony Hawkins for a while now, but there’s been no response. This isn’t like him at all, right?”
With those words, Dean’s face turned grave.
Unsure of how his cover has been blown, Dean reacted quickly.
He turned on his heel and took off without a second thought.
“Quick thinker, but it won’t help you.
As a level 20 Necromancer Apprentice, there’s no chance of you escaping from me.
As for Anthony?
He’s simply unlucky, just like you.
The mentor who took the boy away was Anthony’s former subordinate. Anthony got him into South Hill Base. Coupled with the fact that someone else has been keeping an eye on Anthony, he’s been brought in for questioning at Mirror Stand. He’s having a hard time himself now, let alone being able to save you!”
With that, the mysterious man leisurely strode towards Dean.
In a few steps, he had caught up and blocked Dean’s path, his black longsword pointed at Dean’s nose.
“So, you now have two choices: either complete the ritual or become part of it. What’s it going to be?”
“I choose a third option!”
The Dean who was previously fleeing in panic suddenly looked up, a Bone Fang launched without hesitation.
As for this attack, the mysterious man merely scoffed: “Do you really think a mere Bone Fang can ambush me? How foolish!”
With these words, the mysterious man flicked his sword leisurely, only to have his smug expression change abruptly!