"I was just honoring our agreement."
Amy nodded slowly. Actually, there was another reason Carl didn't mention: Malice!
He felt a deep, yet very pure malice emanating from Kroening.
Just like sensing the presence of an Invisibility Cloak.
Carl's senses were like a radar that could be triggered at any moment, issuing warnings whenever certain things drew near.
The sensation was quite unique. One moment everything was normal; the next, a perception would suddenly emerge, instantly locking onto the direction and presence from which it originated. This ensured an immediate reaction.
It seems the Bloodline of the Abyss Creatures still harbors many secrets that mere experimental data can't fully decipher.
Alesya returned quickly. After listening to Amy's account of the events, she nodded and shot Carl an approving look.
"Carl did the right thing!"
"I've heard of Kroening. Although there's no direct proof he's done anything harmful, he's likely a Black Wizard."
"Amy! You are too young and haven't witnessed how sinister and malicious the human heart can be. Remember, never trust strangers."
"Oh!" Amy nodded, looking perplexed.
The paddles swung, propelling the wooden boat forward.
The auction today was, overall, very satisfying. Not only were two Advanced Magic Items seen, but a young thunderbird's feather was also acquired.
Once back, experiments and analysis would determine whether the feather indeed belonged to a thunderbird.
If it was... it would be worth at least one hundred Magic Stones!
Once his Alchemy skills improved further, he could even use the feather to craft an Advanced Magic Item.
The reason the Invisibility Cloak can achieve Invisibility isn't due to superior crafting techniques, but because of a special type of Magic Material.
If I had the right materials, I could do it too.
"Duke's Love Story!" exists because it encapsulated an Official Wizard's lifelong obsession.
Both are marvelous, but the difference lies not in the crafting methods, but in the raw materials.
I... might just manage it!
The experience accumulated from hundreds of Magic Materials wasn't just for show. Thinking of future possibilities sent a thrill through him.
"Hmm?" Before reaching shore, Carl furrowed his brow.
Someone landed on the island? A friend of Hibell?
But he immediately realized something was wrong; a friend of Hibell wouldn't trigger the Witchcraft Traps.
There was an intruder!
His figure flickered.
Carl stopped near his home.
A corpse lay in the grass, covered in all sorts of wounds: frostbite, burns, deadly poison, corrosion, and more. These numerous injuries had ultimately claimed its life.
To hide his secrets and test his skills, Carl had set many Witchcraft Traps around the island, especially near his residence.
The myriad Magic Materials brought from the Otherworld had been turned into dense Witchcraft Traps, crisscrossing and overlapping.
Without prior knowledge, even an Advanced Wizard Apprentice would nearly lose their life if they triggered them.
It was remarkable that this person had made it this far before dying.
"Was he coming for me?" Carl glanced back. The damaged Witchcraft Traps clearly showed the intruder had headed straight here. It was obvious he was the target.
"When did I offend..."
Before he finished speaking, a shadow darted out from beneath the corpse. His perception suddenly flared.
Flame Light Technique!
The sudden burst of flame not only obscured his vision but even seared his perception, momentarily causing him to lose control over his awareness of the external environment.
A moment's hesitation allowed the shadow to close in, a thin dagger aimed at Carl's throat.
The strike, which should have been a fatal blow, struck empty air.
Mighty Battle Aura erupted from Carl's body. His fist, like a giant axe, descended from the sky, smashing downwards diagonally.
Without a sound, the shadow was sent flying.
"Who are you?" Carl's expression was grim as he stepped forward. "What's your purpose here? Why attempt to assassinate me?"
He spread his fingers; a simple clasping motion, yet it created a sensation of inescapable doom.
The howling Battle Aura descended like a canopy.
And a peak Great Knight at that!
The shadow's eyes widened in disbelief. This was completely different from the information received beforehand.
Fighting a peak Great Knight at such close range... He was doomed!
A chill ran down his spine as flames suddenly ignited in the shadow's eyes.
Carl's eyebrows twitched. His forward momentum abruptly halted, and he then retreated even faster.
The shadow exploded on the spot, as if a high-explosive bomb was hidden within him. Burning blood and flesh scattered in all directions.
If Carl hadn't retreated quickly... it wouldn't have been a major problem!
"Who?" Carl's brows knitted tightly. "Who is after me?"
The shadow was clearly an Assassin, a type of death-sworn operative.
Knowing he couldn't approach the house, he hid beneath his companion's corpse, looking for a chance for a sneak attack.
Knowing he was outmatched, he had decisively chosen to self-destruct.
Judging by the methods used, he was likely from Kolon, which was rumored to train batches of Assassins.
I've been in the Black Swamp for nearly three years and have rarely left the island. When could I have offended someone? Choosing today to land on the island clearly indicates they knew of my absence. Few people are privy to my schedule today...
Rummaging through the corpse, Carl's eyes flickered. "This thing... The auction!" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ noᴠelfire.net
「Black Swamp. The Edge.」
Amy looked panicked, swiftly weaving through the dense forest.
A gentle breeze surrounded her, speeding her along. A light jump covered several meters.