14 days after the incident at Erys.“See? I told you it was a bad idea!”“Shut up!”“...”Zeke and the other three were walking in a line, surrounded by at least ten witches. They unknowingly got too close to one of the outposts and were immediately spotted. Unfortunately, the white van ‘Stella’ wasn’t fast enough to grant them a timely escape.Very much like the Nezulian Republic, the Witch Association also made use of Technology, but mainly within its military.Before the van could cross any considerable distance, a black truck roared from behind and blocked their path.Instead of retaliating, Zeke instructed them to surrender and properly explain themselves once they got the chance.They got dangerously close to the border and it was within the witches’ jurisdiction to apprehend them or even do worse if necessary.Still, Zeke was going to make use of the knowledge he had to warn them about the Ascetic Blasphemers.Although the details of the sightings Sulong got his hands on weren
Not many Ascetic Blasphmeres raided the outpost, but thanks to the curtain of the night and the unpreparedness of the Witches, the number of casualties reached the extreme within minutes.Although Silya Hext had managed to form a small group, she was still trapped amidst the flames and the rampaging insects that barred their escape. Then again, as a commander and soldier, her duty was to protect this place to her last breath and not abandon it to the enemies.The leader of the assailants was a man wearing the same silver robe as his comrades but his mask was metallic black. With his arms crossed and his face hidden, he stood at the back and watched as the 4-star Witch formed a sturdy barrier while bombarding any who got close to her soldiers.Unfortunately, the Ascetic Blasphemers were crazy as they recklessly and suicidally charged at Hext, trying to tire her out.“Hm?”The black-masked man turned his head and looked at the white van zigzagging through the rubble and leaving a sea of
“Who are you and what are you doing in this outpost? Speak.”Jennifer Savbra, Commander of the association’s military forces and a 5-star Witch, faced the three captives with a baton in her hand.Unlike the other commanders protecting the outposts, Jennifer was a league above them and a distinguished individual within the Witch Association.Not only was she remarkably strong, but her authority across the entirety of the border was unsurpassable.Therefore, when Agent Katrina came back to her senses, she was a bit relieved instead of scared.“I’m from the Secret Intelligence Team of the Republic’s Department of Defense. I’ve come to bring back and protect someone. These two are my target’s companions.”Since Katrina wore her nation’s military attire, along with the presence of the van, Jennifer didn’t suspect them to be the Ascetic Blasphemers. Still, she wasn’t ready to let them go, especially not after finding them at the crime scene.“You’ve crossed the border without a Transit Pass
[The skill ‘At Death’s Door’ has been activated!][All stats have been permanently decreased by 15%]A malevolent type of energy, the same as the one oozing from the scythe but stronger in potency and pressure, burst forth like an unstoppable tornado.Even someone like Signora was rendered stiff and incapable of reacting as the black fog twisted and turned until it gave shape to a solid archaic black door.Maniacal whispers invaded everyone’s heads, including Zeke’s, making them kneel on the grounds.The weak-willed ones clutched their heads as they cried in pain, unable to cope with the pain and the soul-shredding whispers. However, that wasn’t even the true effect of ‘At Death’s Door’, possibly the strongest skill in Zeke’s possession.At the cost of sacrificing his hard-earned stats, he would summon the one and only door leading to land of the dead.While trying to keep himself together, Zeke raised his head and saw the black door slowly open, letting out a bone-chilling white mist
“Remember, Signora. If I hear anything about you getting involved in more killings…”“No, master! I swear I will follow what you told me! With this artifact, you can contact me anytime you want.”The red-masked Velvet Signora handed a precious contacting artifact to Zeke before grouping all the subordinates who had heard her summon.The grotto was dominated by a brief bout of silence as the confused silver-robed cultists stood at a corner and watched in silence.“You can go now. Keep me updated.”“Yes, Master.”She deeply bowed before leaving along with everyone else. Meanwhile, Zeke sat down and sighed in exasperation.The Ascetic Blasphemers were his mortal enemies, but the main objective was catching Red Mask Fanti Fan, possibly the only person who would know what Zeke was looking for.‘If it means consorting with the devil, then I won’t mind. Sacrifices have to be made… there’s no room for morality anymore.’Silya Hext was saved, however, all the other soldiers were brutally kille
All hell had broken loose on that once-peaceful valley. Bubbles of blood were appearing in the air and shooting at the rapidly-moving maniac, who, although cornered by several agents and Arbert, could still hold his own quite efficiently.“Hohohoho what a monster! The Blood Dawn Society sure knows its stuff!”After fighting for barely five minutes, Arbert changed from a youth to a middle-aged man, his long red hair almost reaching the ground as it danced in the air each time he moved.The magically-empowered sickles were ripping into everything coming straight at it, whether it was the nefarious Blood Magic or the agents’ enchanted bullets.Clones identical to Arbert appeared all around him, all conjured using the blood dripping off his fresh wounds.With his command, they charged at the crazily laughing assassin, trying to tackle him to the ground while the leader of the agents was completing his masterful spell.…“Where’s Arbert?”Zeke was sweating profusely and breathing heavily
“You’re refusing to speak? On the account that you’ve been caught within our territory and being implicated with the Ascetic Blasphemers, I have enough reason to execute you this very instant.”Jennifer had her arms crossed as she glared at the pale-faced Zeke sitting across from her. He was brought to her tent along with Jack and Sulong. Only Arbert, due to his injuries, was spared the Witch’s menacing eyes and threatening voice.“What do you want me to do, huh? I helped commander Hext then I left. Why are you insisting I did something wrong?”Even though he was exhausted due to over-exertion, Zeke refused to be bossed around, especially after all the trouble he went through to save Silya’s life.“Tell the truth.”“I already did! Instead of going out there and trying to minimize the damages after a whole outpost was wiped out, you’re trying to push the blame on me? Hah! I’m a citizen of the Nezulian Republic and I have no obligation to answer to you. If you want to execute me or lock
“So there’s nothing you can do?”Zeke faced the tall Silya Hext and inquired with a worried expression. He glanced at the small tent behind him, feeling guilty about entering and seeing Arbert’s current condition.The spawn of the Blood God had grown from a middle-aged man to an elderly barely capable of moving. His skin had wrinkled and his bones became fragile.Were it not for the Witches’ help and the recovery potions in their possession, Arbert’s body would have crumbled due to over-exerting himself.“With the resources currently available to us, there’s no way to treat whatever is ailing him.”She approached Zeke and patted his shoulder apologetically, “Zeke, you and I both know he’s not a normal human. The fact that he’s aging fast means he’s one of the failed ‘experiments’ of the Blood Dawn Society. I’m truly sorry.”“But…”“I know you want to help him, but there’s really no alternative. Yes, there are special kinds of monsters from which you can harvest potent healing material