"Not supposed to have a few goblins come to help? It's been so long, and still no sign of them."
Sitting on the scorching rocks, the captain of the Black Gate Team tossed the dagger in his hand impatiently, then deftly caught the tip, throwing it again as if juggling.
As if the dagger was coated not with deadly poison but with sweet syrup.
"If it keeps heating up , I'm going to get hemorrhoids."
No one laughed, and several subordinates silently watched their leader.
The team leader shook his head helplessly.
Their sect had been plotting on the highland for a long time, not only finding the ancient seal of the Great Demon successfully and shaking the old prohibition but so far, the Kingdom remains unaware.
They originally expected that as long as they continued with the plan, unsealing and allowing the highland to fall into inferno's burning, and even letting Demon Flames spread throughout the Kingdom, it wasn't a far-fetched idea.
But the sudden intervention of White Snake almost caused their plan to fall through.
Although the existence of White Snake had been anticipated, the power of the Fantasy Species was still beyond imagination.
Although she was hit by the Great Demon's counterattack and fell into a near-death state, the seal was somewhat reinforced.
Without this, the poison fog might have already spread to Forbidden Melting Peak, forming a death zone that could not be crossed.
If they want the Great Demon under the volcano to break free from the seal fully, the existence of White Snake must not be permitted.
For this reason, they were waiting for the delayed aid.
With the help of the Goblin Evil God Priest's cursed sorcery, they could directly traverse the volcanic poison fog and swiftly locate the wounded Big Snake and finish her off completely.
The team leader's expression turned cold, his eyes revealing a sinister glint.
"Although that snake is badly injured, if we delay further, it might actually recover."
He liked to dissect the bodies of the weak, letting them see their own viscera flowing out.
He felt that it was a win-win: the weak could see their own innards, and he could enjoy their agonized twisting forms. Either way, it was a rare experience.
To enjoy this pleasure sustainably and continuously, he even employed an agent for noble-exclusive duels in some small cities,
So that he could openly dissect those self-righteous opponents in the streets, relishing the terrified retreat of the onlookers and the beautiful scene of the weak struggling in despair on the ground.
However, there are always self-righteous folks in the world who couldn't understand this "mutual benefit," trying to deny his right to exist.
This barbaric personal proxy dueling was banned by the Kingdom after a few years, with holy duels only permitted under the witness of Church clerics.
He had lost his livelihood and joy, forcing him to learn to eliminate those fools from the shadows, eventually even joining the feared Black Gate.
White Snake was not one of the weak, even though she was severely injured and dying, she was not an enemy to be faced head-on.
But, Fantasy Species... if not for joining the Sect, he would not likely have this opportunity in his lifetime.
The chance to dissect the body of a Fantasy Species.
"Set off immediately, head to the snowy mountains, and let us kill that snake."
Upon receiving their leader's command, the apprentices twisted their mouths, revealing ferocious smiles.
[Black Gate Captain's Detection]
D100+84=d100(36)+84=120
D100+96=d100(55)+96=151
Just as these villains of the Black Gate stood up, preparing to head to the snowy mountain region, the Hero also approached from not far away.
Seeing a group of figures suddenly appear in her field of vision from a distance, she crouched down alertly.
The highland was not a place of frequent comings and goings, and the attire and aura of those people also gave her a sense of deja vu.
'Black Gate again, and also, that direction...' The Hero quickly figured out the answer.
Realizing that her forward path seemed to coincide with the direction the Black Gate was leaving, her expression changed instantly.
She had walked so far without getting lost, all thanks to the map she retrieved from the Goblin Evil God Priest.
And since the Goblin Priest got the map from the Black Gate, naturally, the information in the hands of these Black Gate members was even more detailed and accurate.
'Are they heading to the location marked with the sword sign, or are they going after Sister White Snake?'
Either answer was not good news for her.
[Hero's next actions—]
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
Watching the backs of the Black Gate members gradually disappear into the distance, the Hero tightened her lips and made up her mind.
She took out a sky-blue gemstone from her backpack, gently held it in her hand, then stood up and started walking straight forward.
Far away, even though separated by a good distance, the lead assassin squinted his eyes and stopped the dagger he was continuously swinging.
The Hero didn't try to quieten her movements, and the other apprentices quickly detected the noise behind them, stopping their steps.
1. Halt. (Prepare for battle)♛
2. Who are you? (Probe information)
The girl's clear voice pierced through the swaying atmosphere, ringing across the scorching mountainside, the intense heat unable to melt the firmness in her voice.
The Black Gate Captain slowly turned around, sizing up the Hero with a gaze that paused momentarily on the slight curves of her chest then shifted to a kind smile.