**Chapter 147: Black Shadow**
Early the next morning, I was startled awake by the chaotic yet crisp sounds of insects chirping and birds singing outside. A beam of light from who knows where shone on my face. No matter how I shook my head and dodged, I couldn't escape its pervasive reach. In helplessness, I could only open my eyes. What came into view was the empty little Chapel from last night, and a few rays of White Light filtering through the window.
"Woo~~"
Light Snow 's low and slightly pitiful whimper reached my ears. As a Summon, it bore a heavy responsibility, not only serving as my Pillow but also responsible for keeping watch along with Poison Creeper. Ever since I had them, I rarely set any Traps outside anymore. What Trap could compare to them?
Thinking about it now, Druids are truly blessed in this regard. Although Necromancers can also Summon, how can those lifeless Skeletons and Golems compare to Light Snow and them! Amazons also have the Valkyrie Summon, but that can only be learned at level 60. Fortunately, their vigilance is the strongest among all Classes. Even without using Traps, it's extremely difficult to Sneak attack them.
As for Assassins, they are a different kind of form. Masters of Traps, setting Traps has become a source of Fun or even Instinct for them. Even without Danger, they might still tinker with a few Traps from time to time.
The most pitiful among them must be the Barbarians, especially Doug's habit of sleeping like a log once he's asleep. It's estimated that without Lars around, he would have long been secretly carried away by Fallen in his sleep and then steamed in a pot...
After packing up my things, I casually took out something to fill my stomach. My Gaze naturally fell upon the Temple emitting a faint Glow. From that dim Light, it could be seen that the Strength attached to this Armor Shrine was relatively weak. The Duration shouldn't be very long, at most a few hours. According to Cain's Book, the most Powerful Earth Temple, its Strength could even last for about a day...
Alas!! This subtle sense of loss arising from immense satisfaction, what on earth is going on?
I cautiously touched the Temple with my finger. The moment of contact, there was no earth-shattering movement, nor dazzling Light flashing. The entire process was so Calm it felt a bit abrupt.
Being within it, I only felt a gentle Strength continuously transferring from the Temple. In the blink of an eye, the already very faint White Light on the Temple had completely dimmed, replaced by a faint Glow emanating from my Body. If one were to look closely from a bystander's perspective, the White Light covering my Body at this moment was cleverly forming the shape of a long shield on my forehead. It looked quite imposing. It's just a pity I couldn't see it myself.
It seems like nothing much happened. I raised my hands and looked carefully for a long time. Apart from a Warm Feeling flowing through at the very beginning, I couldn't feel the astonishing Strength represented by these Temples at all.
Perhaps it can only be noticed during Battle. Isn't it said that good things are often plain and unremarkable? Thinking of this, I couldn't wait to open the Church's Door.
What came rushing in was a somewhat dazzling Light, and a cool, light Wind. Yesterday's Heavy Rain had stopped at some point, leaving behind only a colorful World refreshed by Rainwater, and the damp coolness permeating the Air.
Carrying a faint Expectation, I walked straight along the Passage I chose last night. Not long after, I discovered a group of yellowish-brown Shaman in a Small Courtyard outside the Corridor. There were probably over twenty of them, and among them was an Imp Sorcerer serving as the Leader.
At this moment, over ten Shaman were "heave-hoing" their "group's" treasure - an ugly and dirty thing, probably a Clay Pot thrown away by some old potter as a failed product, which they were carrying out. This grayish-brown large Clay Pot could probably fit over ten Shaman without a problem, so they had to use over ten hands, carrying the Clay Pot out like a sedan chair borne by eight people. A few other Shaman were setting up a Frame for the pot nearby and piling up Wood to prepare for lighting a fire. As for the remaining Shaman, at first glance, they almost made me fall Headfirst onto the Ground.
As the saying goes, "The early bird catches the worm," especially in a post-rain morning like now. It seems to give people the feeling that if you don't get up early, you're not a good bird. But Reality is cruel. Early birds don't necessarily get a delicious Breakfast; they might even be eaten as Breakfast by others, just like the scene before my eyes...
Under the leadership of the Imp Sorcerer, the remaining few Shaman were tiptoeing around in the Small Courtyard. Their Target was naturally those chirping Small Birds. They were seen standing on their tiptoes, quietly approaching, and then suddenly, with a hand raised and knife falling, those beautiful small lives instantly had their feathers broken and lives ended. Blood splattered. Occasionally, a few Lucky Ones escaped, but the Imp Sorcerer waiting nearby threw a Fire Ball, with the malicious attitude of "If I can't eat you, you won't live either," roasting these poor birds who thought they had escaped until not even ash remained.
What a bunch of scenery-ruining fellows.
Seeing their Action, besides being annoyed, I suddenly felt a trace of inexplicable pity. How to put it? It's like a Sinister group planning to conquer the World having to line up in a long queue to beg on the streets due to insufficient Funds. A laughable and pitiful sight.
Thinking some messy thoughts in my Brain, but I never planned to let this group of Shaman go. Just based on their behavior of indiscriminately killing Birds and Beasts early in the morning is enough for me to spend a Single Point of Time dealing with them.
First is the Imp Sorcerer and its few Shaman. I didn't hide my Footsteps, so even though they were focused on hunting, when I was about ten meters away, they immediately discovered me.
"Rakanishu..."
The Leader Mage let out a wary shout, immediately startling away all the nearby Birds and Beasts, leaving only over ten small Corpses lying on the Ground. Seemingly annoyed that I ruined their Breakfast, the Mage and a few Shaman appeared particularly furious. Skilled in Tactics involving overwhelming numbers, wielding Short Knives and Spiked Clubs and other Weapons in their hands, they actually didn't wait for the Shaman behind them to catch up and rushed towards me first.
I stood there, signaling Light Snow behind me not to act, then silently counting their Distance. Until the Imp Sorcerer's Fire Ball hit my Body, I paused, and immediately condensed a dazzling fiery red Flame Ball in my hand. The moment I waved my hand, a stream of Chaos Flame, one person tall and over two meters wide, shot up into the Sky, and then spread out along the Ground, splitting into three streams rushing straight towards the Shaman. Wherever the Flame passed, only a few "chirp chirp" screams were heard. A few Shaman didn't even leave behind ash. Just like that, they vanished into thin Air In Front of me. The Frenzied Flame spread for over ten meters, gradually extinguishing only at the feet of that Imp Sorcerer. This pitiful Imp Sorcerer blinked its narrow eyes wide, the Ghost Head Staff in its hand frozen in Mid-air. It seemed like it was planning to Resurrect those dead Shaman, but it couldn't find a single Corpse.
Instant Cast Magic is indeed satisfying. I savored the Feeling from just now. Hmm... How should I improve Firestorm in the future? Should I develop it into something like a Wizard's Fire Wall, controlling direction, and a Flame that can burn continuously, or perhaps other more suitable Spells?
Under my signal, Light Snow had already pounced forward and finished off that still dazed Imp Sorcerer. Only then did the other dozen or so Shaman carrying the Clay Pot arrive belatedly. Seeing that ugly large Clay Pot placed neatly on the Ground, I guess they spent quite a bit of Time putting it down.
However, all their Effort was in vain. Before they had even walked a few steps away, the Lazy Crow, with its malicious sense of Fun, suddenly swooped over from above, then aimed at their large Clay Pot, diving down like a bomber. Only a "bang" was heard. How could the poorly made Clay Pot withstand a peck from the Lazy Crow? The spot that was pierced immediately cracked into countless fissures. Then with a "crack," it shattered into dozens of large Clay Pot pieces that even the most excellent craftsman couldn't repair.
As soon as those dozen or so Shaman heard the sound of shattering, they slammed on the brakes, ignoring the Enemy In Front of them, then one after another turned their Heads back, just in time to see the scene of their treasured pot shattering into pieces. Despair instantly appeared on their faces, as if the World was about to collapse. Then they cast malicious Gaze towards the Lazy Crow still cawing contentedly in the Sky. It looked like they wished they could tear it into ten thousand pieces.
"Caw~~"
The Lazy Crow also seemed unable to bear the malicious Gaze after its most beloved object was destroyed. After a miserable cry, it landed on my shoulder as if diverting trouble. When those dozen or so Shaman saw their enemy obediently land, how could they hold back? They all rushed forward...
"People who get up early are indeed a bit more pathetic..."
I looked speechlessly at the few Gold coins on the Ground, finally managing to squeeze out a sentence I thought contained profound philosophy, revealing the essence of society.
However, the Lazy Crow was still quite interested in this. After taking the few Gold coins it brought over, I was about to turn around and leave. If I still couldn't find the Barracks Entrance today, I Plan to shamelessly go back to the Outer Cloister Waypoint and ask for directions. Anyway, my nature as being Directionally Challenged is probably already widely known in the Rogue Encampment, so there's nothing to be embarrassed about.
"Hiss hiss..."
Just as I turned my Head, Light Snow behind me suddenly lowered its front Body, baring its teeth and making a warning posture as if to pounce. A strong sense of vigilance was transmitted to my Brain through the subtle spiritual connection.
"Heh heh~~ Your vigilance is quite good!"
A cold Voice came from behind the pillar of the Long Pavilion. Although it seemed like a teasing Tone, but no matter how I listened, I felt it didn't carry a trace of Feelings/Emotions. If I had to say what meaning the Tone carried, it was probably the smell of Blood.
Can the smell of Blood be "heard"? An extremely discordant Feeling made me immediately turn my Body around, and the Weapon in my hand was also changed to that Scepter.
"Don't be agitated, don't be agitated, I don't have any Malice..."
The figure hiding behind the Long Pavilion still spoke with that seemingly emotional, but actually indifferent and monotonous Tone.
Then, a figure wearing a form-fitting Warrior's Cloak slowly turned around from behind the pillar. A thin Figure, a cold Aura, easily made one think of a Class - Assassin. Of course, Necromancer was also not impossible. After all, no one stipulated that Mages couldn't wear Warrior Cloaks. Thinking back to when I met Lin Ya, she was even holding a Summoning Staff.
However, the Aura emanating from his Body was truly too cold, something I had never seen before in the Rogue Encampment. Especially the pair of eyes under his Hat, like a Viper, sharp and cruel.
Is there such a person in the Rogue Encampment? I, who had only stayed for a little over a year, thought with some uncertainty. I had never seen such a Dangerous person before. And he was alone. The Presence emanating from his Body was not weaker than Sister Sharna's at all. If such a person existed in the Rogue Encampment, there should have been Rumors long ago. The more I thought about it, the more something felt wrong.
"Who are you? I don't think I've ever seen you in the Rogue Encampment..."
I called Light Snow and the others back, forming a defensive and offensive formation with vigilance.
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he first cast that venomous Gaze, swept over Light Snow 's Body, revealing an undisguised expression of surprise and confusion. Then shifted to the other four Ghost Wolves that were noticeably larger than ordinary Ghost Wolves, followed by Poison Creeper. As for the Lazy Crow and Oak Sage, he didn't even spare them a glance. Then, he finally put his Gaze on my Body, seemingly noticing the faint White Light on my Body. That was the unique effect when being protected by a Temple.
"Just call me Quinton..."
His Gaze flickered for a moment, he slowly replied.
"Then Mr. Quinton, if there's nothing else, should we part ways now?"
Towards this strange person emanating a cold Aura, I didn't hide my resistance.
"Heh heh, of course, but before I leave, could you tell me the direction to the Outer Cloister Waypoint? I haven't been back for a long time."
I furrowed my brows. Should I bother with him or not? To be honest, I didn't have even a Single Point of good Feelings towards this strange person in front of me. From his Body, one could clearly feel that Aura which definitely wasn't coming with any good intentions.
"It's over there..."
In the end, I still pointed out the direction for him. Although I disliked his Gaze and the Aura he emitted, but I didn't want to cause any conflict with him here. Moreover, his phrase "haven't been back for a long time" also made me feel a little relieved. Perhaps this is why I haven't seen him in the Rogue Encampment. At least he is also an Adventurer, one of my own kind. Although the Feeling he gave was a bit disgusting, but there shouldn't be any problem, right?
Of course, I wasn't without the Attitude of watching a Good Show. With his ignorance of how high the Sky is and how deep the Earth is, coupled with his pretentious and cool Appearance, he would definitely be taught a lesson by Kashya after returning to the Rogue Encampment. Maybe it could even cleanse some of the sinister Aura from his Body.
"Heh heh... Truly something to look forward to..."
Carrying a strange laugh with unknown Meaning, he didn't even say thanks (I didn't expect him to either) and slowly walked away. In the end, I still didn't figure out whether he was an Assassin or a Necromancer.
Not until he had walked far away did Light Snow gradually return to normal. I finally Relaxed. Inadvertently, I actually shivered. I didn't expect that person to bring me such great pressure. Although he couldn't compare to Kashya, that Old Freak, and Older Sister... Uh, to be honest, I haven't felt Older Sister's true Battle Presence yet...
As a Result, until dusk, I still hadn't found the Barracks Entrance. The entire day today, apart from the strange black-robed person I met in the morning, only my Experience increased by a small amount. I weakly dragged my long Shadow and returned to the Waypoint along the original path. Laugh, laugh as much as you want, anyway, I'm just Directionally Challenged.
"This... What is this...?"
My pupils suddenly dilated. Under the blood-red setting sun, three Corpses lay in a pool of Blood. The Middle-aged Mage who was smiling gently at me yesterday afternoon, and those two Rogue Archers who kindly gave me Suggestions. The entire Waypoint had been stained red by the Blood of the three of them...