Chapter 155: Third Party’s Interference

"This is too precious in you hands."

Grozni muttered as his gaze remained fixed on the corrupted branch in the elf’s hand.

A faint smile spread across his skeletal face.

’It seems even fate acknowledges my decision. After accepting the Heir of the Dark One as my disciple, even such a treasure has appeared before me.’

To someone like him, who had spent countless hours studying forbidden arts, a corrupted branch of the World Tree was... an extraordinary treasure.

It could serve as a catalyst for countless rituals, become the core of a supreme staff, or even be used to nurture an entirely new form of life.

Naturally, he had no intention of leaving it with a puny ordinary elf.

Before anyone could even comprehend what was happening.

Bonjour, who had been fiercely exchanging blows with the human Master, suddenly froze.

Dark chains erupted from the ground and wrapped tightly around his arms, legs, and waist, locking him in place.

"...What?!" The young barbarian struggled violently.

"You coward! Fight me fairly!"

He glared furiously at the human swordsman.

The man, however, looked equally confused.

"...Huh?"

He hadn’t cast the spell.

Nor did he know who had.

Still, a helpless opponent standing before him was an opportunity no experienced fighter would ignore.

Without hesitation, he swung his sword.

Enhanced Sword Aura erupted from the blade as it sliced directly toward Bonjour’s neck.

Just before the attack landed.

Dozens of magic circles suddenly materialized.

Some appeared upon the ground, others floated in the air.

Layer upon layer they overlapped one another, forming a massive magical array around the barbarian.

The Sword Aura struck the formation.

Only to be instantly reflected.

And not merely reflected but also amplified.

The returning slash exploded toward its original owner with nearly ten times the force.

"What the fu—?!"

The man barely managed to raise his weapon.

The terrifying Sword Aura tore through his defenses, nearly shredding his entire body.

Fortunately, at the final moment, the defensive artifact hidden beneath his clothes activated automatically as a translucent barrier appeared just in time.

Although it prevented immediate death...

It couldn’t completely stop the attack.

His body was sent flying while blood sprayed through the air.

But before he could even recover.

Two Undead Knights silently emerged from his own shadow.

Their swords pierced forward simultaneously.

Stab! Stab!

One blade drove through his heart.

The other pierced his stomach.

"COUGH!"

A mouthful of blood burst from his lips.

His eyes widened with disbelief.

He couldn’t understand...

When had they appeared?

How had they hidden within his own shadow?

Even Bonjour, who had been about to complain that someone had stolen his opponent, instinctively fell silent.

An unsettling feeling spread throughout the battlefield.

At that exact moment...

The concealment covering the parade finally dispersed.

Four Hollow Liches carrying an enormous throne of bones appeared before everyone.

The procession looked like the escort of an undead emperor.

Yet, the throne itself was empty.

Grozni was nowhere to be seen.

"As expected, there is still considerable power left within it."

His calm voice echoed nearby as the elf’s pupils instantly contracted.

’Who in the world is this monster?’

She slowly lowered her gaze and her right arm... was gone.

It had been severed so cleanly that she hadn’t even realized it had happened.

The Hollow Lich now stood directly beside her, holding the detached arm in one skeletal hand.

Within that hand...

Rested the corrupted branch of the World Tree.

"AAAAAAH—!"

Pain finally reached her mind as she screamed.

Dark corrosion rapidly spread across the severed arm still clutched by Grozni.

The corrupted branch greedily absorbed every trace of vitality remaining within it.

Even someone as ancient as Grozni couldn’t suppress the excitement rising inside him.

A chilling crackling laugh escaped from his skeletal jaw.

"Hehehe..."

Without another glance toward the elf, he casually waved one hand.

The dying human Master lying nearby suddenly convulsed.

An overwhelming torrent of Dark Mana poured into his body against his will.

His veins blackened. His flesh rapidly decayed.

"AAAAAAAGH!"

His agonizing scream echoed throughout the sixth floor before abruptly falling silent.

Moments later, his corpse slowly rose.

The lifeless eyes opened once more.

Dark flames flickered within them.

A newly born Master-rank Undead quietly stood where the human had fallen.

Only then did Grozni slowly lift his gaze toward empty space.

His voice remained calm, yet every word carried overwhelming confidence.

"You may come out now, Archmage. Your gaze has been stinking for quite some time."

***

Caelum couldn’t believe what had just happened.

The Hollow Lich who had been trying to accept him as a disciple had suddenly stepped into the battle.

In that single instant, the entire battlefield was overturned.

The human Master had been killed.

The elf had lost her arm.

Everything had happened so quickly that Caelum barely had time to react.

’...Is this the power of a true expert?’ he wondered.

Although Grozni had yet to reveal his full strength, the difference between them was already painfully obvious.

To Grozni, Masters were merely opponents he could manipulate at will.

All their actions seemed to have been calculated long before the battle had even begun.

Caelum couldn’t help but compare it to his own fighting style.

’So this is the difference true experience makes.’

Strength alone wasn’t enough.

The Hollow Lich’s countless years of battle experience allowed him to control the entire battlefield as though everyone else were simply pieces on a chessboard.

However, there was someone even more bewildered than Caelum.

Ethan Morvendrell.

The Earth Walls surrounding his group was hijacked.

’Just what is happening outside?’ Ethan frowned.

He was pretending to be fine while ensuring that the group remained calm.

Before he could investigate further, the familiar screen suddenly appeared before his eyes.

——⟬ World System⟭——

«Ongoing Quest»

Save Soleil from being kidnapped by the Hidden Kosilori Cult, who seek the return of their Divine Maiden. Prevent your companion from walking the unknown path.

Reward: World Saving Heroic Points +5000, A Gift from Aion, True Bond of a Love Demon

Failure: Soleil’s Darkening, ???

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«Quest Completed»

Rewards are being transferred to the inventory.

————————————

"???"