Hypnotism: Sleep. D Intelligence + D Perception, can only be activated in the first round with the initiative; failure to pass the check results in falling into sleep.
[Cruising Bishop LV55]
[Nightmare Sage casts the skill: Hypnotism]
D410+D295=d410(253)+d295(224)=477
[Cruising Bishop's Resistance (if resistance fails, roll Constitution again to determine the time of awakening)]
D98+D181=d98(35)+d181(83)=118
Seeing himself cornered, the Cruising Bishop did not panic; he calmly spun around and slashed with pure Holy Light towards the engulfing black mist.
However, the sharp light seemed so fragile before the wave-like black mist, shattered and dissipated like glass after a few clashes.
The Cruising Bishop raised a barrier, retreating while fighting within the communication room, no longer caring about the expensive arrays and instruments, only to watch them all rendered useless by the erosion of the black mist.
"This Magic Power – you are the Nightmare Sage!?"
Finally capturing a familiar aura amidst the ominous black mist, the Cruising Bishop's expression turned grim, realizing the situation was worse than he had imagined.
"Hehe, you finally noticed, huh?" the exposed Nightmare Sage retorted with a laugh.
"Although you interfered with my prophecy and disguised that girl, if I can't find the girl from the prophecy, wouldn't I still be able to find you who obstructed my prophecy?"
The heart of the Cruising Bishop sank rapidly.
"...Was the content of the prophecy deliberately revealed to us by you?"
"You always fail to understand what is truly important, Mr. Bishop," said the Nightmare Sage nonchalantly, with obvious mockery in his tone, "whether it was my intention or you successfully intercepted it, the moment you learned of the prophecy, the outcome was already sealed."
The Cruising Bishop's expression grew even worse.
Indeed, the Nightmare Sage had no need for fanfare or to go through exhaustive efforts to search for the girl from the prophecy. As long as the Church became aware of the prophecy, they would naturally spare no effort to find her and fully protect her.
And the Nightmare Sage just had to lie in wait in the Church's stronghold at the Border City, using them to trace the girl from the prophecy.
"Speaking of which, I should thank that adorable Hero," the Nightmare Sage said with a hint of nostalgia, "If it weren't for her series of actions on the Highland, drawing away the defenders of the city, finding a chance to invade this place would have taken more effort. Those desperate humans wouldn't have cooperated with me so well."
The Cruising Bishop took a deep breath, forcibly calming himself down. He struggled to hold on amidst the vortex-like sea of black mist, trying to find a chance to escape.
Even if the Nightmare Sage's invasion was silent, this was the Church's center in the Border City, one of the great cathedrals within the Kingdom.
As long as he could stall for time, other Legendary Bishops would soon come to the rescue—
"Who is collaborating with you? This is not a place where Magic Creatures like you can come and go freely," he asked coldly.
"Pfft." The Nightmare Sage suddenly burst into laughter.
"Haha, hahahahahaha!" Following this, the laughter became unrestrained.
The Cruising Bishop stopped in bewilderment, unsure what the other party was laughing about.
"Mr. Bishop, you really are cooperating, still thinking about gaining time, trying to escape— but what makes you think that you are... awake right now?"
The Nightmare Sage's words struck like a heavy hammer into the consciousness of the Cruising Bishop.
Disastrous—he felt chills all over, immediately trying to unleash the Magic Power he had been gathering.
But in the next instant, all movement in his body ceased, his pupils dilated, eyes rolled back, and like a puppet with its strings cut, he plopped to the ground without struggle.
The communication room was once again silent; there were no dark vortexes, no destruction, only a man who suddenly fell to the floor, and beside him a dark figure looking down.
[Cruising Bishop has fallen into sleep]
[The Nightmare Sage's next actions—]
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure