Chapter 651 - 544: Startling Dream at the Cape

Chapter 651: Chapter 544: Startling Dream at the Cape

As this thought crossed his mind, he even had a moment to inwardly scorn the cannon fodder surrounding the beast, already plotting how he would "clean up" the scene afterward to claim the largest share of the spoils.

However, at the critical moment when a Barbarian roared and raised a red-glowing Giant Axe to strike the Nightmare’s slender neck, when a Wanderer’s Poisoned Dagger slid silently toward its softer flank, and when Cyrus himself readied his next Imprisonment Spell to completely crush its resistance...

BOOM!

A sudden explosion, not originating from within the battlefield, erupted from the side.

Before the sound faded, a shadow moving at extreme speed shot forward like a bolt of black lightning tearing through cloth. It carried a hair-raising shriek as it tore through the air, slamming with brutal, unreasonable force into the most crowded part of the battle.

"Who’s there?"

"Stop him!"

Cries of alarm and angry roars rang out simultaneously.

But the black shadow’s speed was simply too fast, and the trajectory of its charge was terrifyingly precise.

He didn’t attack anyone directly, but instead weaved and ricocheted like a phantom, flashing through the impossibly narrow gaps between them.

With a few muffled thuds—THUD, THUD—the attackers in the inner circle, who had been about to deliver the killing blow to the Nightmare, were sent flying in different directions. Whether they were Heavy Armor Warriors or agile assailants, all of them screamed as if struck head-on by an invisible Siege Hammer, their assault crumbling in an instant.

The black shadow came to an abrupt halt in front of the Nightmare.

As the dust settled slightly, it revealed a tall, straight-backed young man with black hair, dressed in dark traveler’s attire.

He held an unremarkable Short Spike in his hand, which nonetheless pulsed with a faint, violet sheen.

There was no exaggerated burst of Energy from his body, yet simply by standing there, an aura as heavy as a mountain and as sharp as a blade naturally spread out, instantly making him the focus of the entire battlefield.

’It’s him?’

’The observer from the distant reef earlier?’

Cyrus’s pupils contracted. He subconsciously pointed his Magic Staff at the newly arrived intruder, his mind racing to assess the situation.

’Incredible speed, immense physical Power, and perfect timing on his entrance... He’s a top-tier Knight or Martial Monk type Professional. His strength is not to be underestimated, but... he’s a fool.’

Cyrus saw the black-haired young man standing steadily with his back to the struggling Nightmare on the ground, leaving himself completely exposed to the terrifying Otherworld creature that had just been wreaking havoc, its allegiance unknown.

’Is his combat sense this poor? Does he think he can buy some breathing room just by pushing back the attackers? As if the Nightmare would be grateful? The cunning creature will probably tear him apart from behind in the next second. He’s simply courting death.’

Cyrus sneered inwardly and even slowed his Casting, preparing to enjoy the comical farce of a "savior" being devoured by the "beast."

However, what happened in the next instant made the cold smile on Cyrus’s face freeze.

His narrow eyes widened in disbelief, nearly bulging from their sockets.

He watched as the tall Nightmare—which just a second ago had eyes filled with pain and ferocity, exuding a cold aura that warned all to stay away—caught sight of the black-haired youth’s profile. The ethereal flames flickering violently in its eyes abruptly stilled.

Immediately after, it actually retracted the violent Shadow Energy and Spiritual Suppression radiating from its body, and it struggled to its feet.

Its movements were even a little cautious, as if afraid of bumping into the young man before it.

Then, under the stunned gazes of Cyrus and all the other conscious attackers nearby...

This legendary Nightmare Beast from an Otherworld—known for its savage cruelty and for delighting in devouring Fear—docilely lowered its head. It then gently nuzzled the black-haired youth’s shoulder with its massive head, which was covered in dark fur and had easily kicked a Heavy Armor Warrior flying moments before.

That wasn’t all.

It even stuck out its dark tongue, which glittered with faint specks of starlight, and affectionately licked the collar of the young man’s robes, like the most obedient house dog trying to please its master. A low, satisfied, purr-like rumble emanated from its throat.

In that moment, where was there even a trace of the Shadow Monarch, the Dancer of Death, from just a moment ago?

It looked for all the world like a large, fawning Shadow pet that had found its owner!

Cyrus’s hand, holding his Magic Staff, froze in mid-air. His mind went completely blank, as if it had been hit directly by a Dissociation Technique.

"What... What is happening?"

Like Cyrus, Roland was also slightly taken aback by the Nightmare’s unexpectedly, almost fawningly affectionate gesture. Despite his resilient will, he couldn’t help but feel a hint of absurdity.

He turned his head with some distaste to avoid the slick, cold, star-dusted tongue behind him, ignoring the look of grievance that instantly appeared in the Nightmare’s eyes, like that of a large dog that had just been spurned.

Without the slightest hesitation, Roland immediately cast the unexpected interlude from his mind as his combat instincts took over his thoughts completely.

No matter who these people were, one thing was certain.

They would never stand by and watch him take away this immeasurably valuable Nightmare.

Taking advantage of this precious opening, while his opponents were still reeling from the shocking scene and their formation was in disarray, the wisest choice was to launch a Thunderbolt strike and seize the initiative.

In a flash of thought, Roland’s figure was already moving again!

HISS!

The piercing shriek of the Short Spike cutting through the air sounded almost in sync with his movement.

The violet gleam of the blade was like a viper striking, so fast it exceeded the limits of what most people’s retinas could register.

In an instant, it had already reached the throat of the nearest burly Adventurer, who had just scrambled up from the ground with a look of astonishment still on his face.

The burly man saw only a blur before a lethal chill pierced his skin.