Book 11: Chapter 28: Ghostface Squid

“Lago!” Qin Lun shouted, not bothering to warn the others anymore. He flicked his left wrist, and the Dagger of Sin shot toward the Rogue’s back like a black lightning bolt, stunning everyone.

After throwing the dagger, Qin Lun’s right hand trembled slightly. Frostwind Chaser, which had appeared in his hand at some point, transformed with a clatter into a frightening ice chain topped with what looked like a metallic beast’s claw. This was another weapon form that the Frostwind Chaser Weapon Case could take after merging with the deep blue Claw Chain.

The Frost Claw arrived first, its metallic ghost claw grabbing the previously thrown Dagger of Sin. A non-physical black Soul Chain extended from the Life-Taking Relic, wrapping around the Rogue’s waist and yanking him backward forcefully.

Lago had no idea what was happening and wore a blank expression. But soon his face changed dramatically, because just as the Soul Chain pulled him, a huge object swept across the previously calm water surface, clearing away the fog like a storm and lashing toward the spot where he had been standing.

As the fog dissipated, everyone saw the object clearly under the dim light from Winnie’s staff. It was a tentacle several dozen meters long and almost a meter in diameter.

This giant tentacle extended from underwater. Looking into the distance, it was still quite far from the shore. No wonder Lago could only hear the sound of splashing water but couldn’t actually see it when the fog was thick.

Missing its target seemed to anger the tentacle. It circled once over the water surface before lashing toward the group’s position again, sending everyone into panicked retreat.

When the tentacle reached close to them, everyone saw how terrifying it truly looked.

Its surface was covered with suction cups as large as basins. They looked less like suction cups and more like giant beast mouths, each lined with three rings of sharp teeth. The tip of the tentacle resembled a huge flower, with four split spindle-shaped fleshy petals all covered with jagged tiny teeth.

Seeing this, Lago’s face filled with relief, and he gave Qin Lun a grateful look. Had the silver-haired Elf not pulled him back just now, he probably would have been torn to pieces and swallowed alive by the tentacle.

No matter how capable the Rogue was, competing physically with something like this offered no chance of victory.

“Isn’t this… a Ghostface Squid?” Mastashia could hardly believe her eyes, staring wide-eyed in shock. The camouflage paint on her face twitched with her cheeks.

“What thing?” Qin Lun asked cautiously while dodging.

“Huh? Oh! A giant sea creature. How could something like this exist in the Death Lands? How is it possible?” Mastashia became somewhat incoherent. “Could Balduran have raised it here to guard his treasure?”

“Impossible. Aside from deities, Legendary Powerhouses don’t have the ability to form summoning contracts with such creatures.” Qin Lun thought briefly before immediately shaking his head.

Faerûn was a magical world and had to follow basic magical rules.

Qin Lun also had summonable creatures. Setting aside whether a Legendary Creature of this size could even be bound by contract, the magical energy required to sustain it daily in a pet realm would be astronomical, too much even for weaker deities to handle, let alone a Legendary Powerhouse.

If it were a physical creature, then Balduran couldn’t have brought it here, not even via the Winding River or Chongsa River. It might have been possible to release it here when it was still a juvenile.

But for a giant sea creature to grow from juvenile to this size, starting from Balduran’s era, there wouldn’t have been enough time. It would need to date back to ancient times. Besides, if the Legendary Pirate intended to use it to guard treasure, why would he only bring one juvenile giant creature?

“Then there’s only one possibility. Both the Winding River and Chongsa River connect to the sea. When it was still a juvenile, it migrated here on its own via some river channel and underground water network.” Mastashia forced a bitter smile after calming down.

She had never encountered something like this. Her rich Harpers’ adventuring experience helped her, but sometimes it also constrained her thinking. A swamp environment naturally couldn’t nurture such a sea creature because the water wasn’t deep or wide enough.

But the Death Lands wasn’t an ordinary swamp. Who knew what happened here in ancient times? Several epic-level massive wars occurred here, meaning this place had been struck by countless Forbidden Spells. It was entirely possible that a huge, deep lake remained.

Back during the war between the Qiongda’er Elves and Qiongdus Kingdom, didn’t the Elf Mages use a Forbidden Spell to blast out the Vihong Sea connecting to the Sea of Fallen Stars in northern Qiongdus Kingdom?

Given the numerous epic wars in the Death Lands, leaving a big enough pit to sustain a giant sea creature wasn’t that surprising.

“No more talking. Which way do we run?” Rick yelled at the two. The normally calm Knight seemed somewhat agitated now.

He didn’t regret accepting this mission. Just seeing Qin Lun save Winnie and Lago repeatedly, even if time reversed, he would still come to help. But he really didn’t want to die here—not because he feared death, but because he had many unfulfilled wishes.

“If it’s a mature Ghostface Squid…” Mastashia’s face showed bitterness as she slowly took the longbow from her back. With a guilty expression, she said, “This is my fault. We’ve ventured too deep into this lake. I’m afraid we’re already surrounded. You all escape. I’ll try to buy you as much time as possible!”

“Surrounded?” Everyone looked at the now-calm Highland Elf in surprise. Was this thing a group creature? Then there really was no way out!

“You’ll understand soon. I’ll open a path for you. Remember, there’s only one chance. Don’t look back!” After saying this, the Highland Elf closed her eyes and began adjusting her breathing rhythm, her expression showing unusual determination.

Qin Lun watched the calm Mastashia, a strange light flickering in his eyes. He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but this usually rough and careless “big” beauty, having resolved to die, gave him a sense of peculiar beauty.

“Ooooh…” After several failed attacks, a low, horn-like sound came from beneath the lake’s surface. Then the water began to boil, and a “mountain” dozens of times larger than a Primordial Tabanus emerged from the water.

“It’s really ugly!” The emerged “mountain” appeared pyramid-shaped, and everyone’s first impression was of ugliness.

The tentacles belonged to a creature resembling a squid, but upon closer inspection, it was different. Squid are mollusks except for an internal cuttlebone, but this giant sea creature wasn’t.

Its body surface was covered with lake-green scales, each as large as a millstone, protecting the giant creature’s body like armor. The top of its head was long and thin like a spear, resembling the ram of a sailing warship, with a metallic sheen.

Now Qin Lun understood why it was called a Ghostface Squid. On the front of its pyramid-shaped head were features resembling human facial features.

But aside from the eyes, the nose and mouth were just three black holes. Between the black holes representing nostrils was a slender cuttlebone, making it look like a twisted skull—exactly like a ghost mask!

At the same time, everyone now understood why Mastashia said they were surrounded.

After the Ghostface Squid’s main body surfaced, they realized its tentacles were not only longer than previously seen but also far more numerous. Besides the several tentacles waving in front of them, dozens of meters behind them, seven or eight other giant tentacles were silently approaching like giant pythons.

Everyone suddenly realized why Mastashia said it was her fault. The earthen path leading to the lake’s center was completely a trap. It had delivered them right into the Ghostface Squid’s mouth like chopsticks.

The Highland Elf knew there was a Legendary Creature here but failed to notice this obvious flaw, leading everyone into certain death. That’s why she blamed herself enough to resolve to die.

“Can’t underestimate these ancient giants. They’re smarter than many Sapient Races.” Qin Lun’s eyes flickered as he watched the Ghostface Squid before him, understanding more.

This lake might have formed naturally, but the few earthen paths crossing the lake center probably weren’t natural. If the lake was deep enough to sustain a giant sea creature, then the underwater parts of the surfaced earthen paths would be like steep cliffs.

This kind of terrain wouldn’t occur in a swamp environment. The Ghostface Squid must have personally remodeled it. As previously thought, these earthen paths were its “chopsticks.”

Unlike the encounter with the Primordial Tabanus earlier, on such a narrow earthen path, the Ghostface Squid’s tentacles surrounded them like a net. This was almost certain death.

“Should we use it?” Hill asked seriously through the Team Channel.

“Hmm, the Highland Elf can’t die yet. Let me handle it!” The responder wasn’t Qin Lun but Rand. Firecracker looked excited as he pulled an ancient Magic Scroll from his robes.

“Take these two. They can enhance control!” Qin Lun tossed Rand two items—his Iron Cross Medal and the Moonlun Chain.

The Moonlun Chain, this bright gold item, had a passive effect—Mind Calming. Wearing this accessory provided a calming effect, reducing skill casting requirements and improving skill accuracy. Perfect for now.

As for the Iron Cross Medal, its attribute bonuses weren’t the focus now, but another equipment effect: enhancing the magical power of one of the Apostle’s active skills!

“And this, it can reduce your mana consumption!” Hill laughed as he threw over a bracelet-like equipment.

This was the Mana Absorption Bracelet he obtained long ago in the Phantom Demon World after killing the Oni Warrior Michele. It basically had the same function as the Oni Gauntlet—absorbing life and mana, weakening enemies while restoring himself.

“So, ready for the fireworks show?” Rand grinned, adjusted his black leather gloves, and tore open the Magic Scroll.