Chapter 378 - 178: Starless Sky

Sean: "..."

’But really, can you take it?’

"How commendable," Bofunova chuckled. She could tell with a single glance that Konina was only Tier One; daring to stand before Sean required some courage. It was just a pity that courage couldn’t be turned into Magic Power, much less save one’s life. Forget Tier One—even if Konina had an explosive power-up on the spot and soared to Tier Six, she would still be laughably weak in Bofunova’s eyes.

"Let’s do this."

"I’m in a good mood today, so I’m willing to make a deal with you all."

"You’re Konina, right?"

"You can leave."

"Your friend Genduo can leave, too."

"And that goes for all of you—Flame Crow, Dream Builder, Witch, and you other unknown young ladies..."

"You can all leave."

Bofunova smiled as she looked at Sean. "As long as you leave him behind."

Elvire sneered. "What, have you taken a liking to my man?"

Bofunova feigned surprise. "Your man?"

"So there’s that kind of relationship between you two?"

"Even better."

"Then you can stay, too."

Bofunova’s tone grew suggestive. "Having him serve me right in front of you... wouldn’t that be more exciting?"

"You think you’re worthy?" Elvire’s eyes overflowed with killing intent. She clenched her right fist, and the Flaming Giant Sword materialized in her hand.

"My dear Flame Crow, don’t say I didn’t warn you," Bofunova said. "You’re no match for me."

"None of you are. It won’t matter even if you all attack me at once."

"If I were you, I’d leave. Survive now, and you might have a chance to get your revenge later."

Her smile grew menacing. "Because if you wait until I change my mind, not a single one of you will be leaving."

"Is that so?"

"And what if I join in?"

A raspy voice suddenly drifted in from the doorway.

Everyone instinctively turned to look.

An old man dressed in a night-black robe, his entire head concealed within a hood, walked slowly through the doorway.

His eyes were closed as if he were blind, yet he carried no cane. With each step, a dark, profound Array formed on the ground beneath his feet, like black lotuses blooming in his wake.

Bofunova narrowed her eyes. "Night Watcher?"

Sopea and Koni were stunned as well.

"Chairman??"

"What are you doing here?"

The Night Watcher didn’t answer, simply walking step by step to the front of the group.

Koni suddenly realized.

"That note... Chairman, was that you who left it?"

Sean also had a sudden flash of insight.

’No wonder the handwriting was worse than if I’d written it with my left hand. So the person not only used their non-dominant hand, they were also blind.’

’This must be that "spatial sense" Elvire was talking about. Every stroke looked like it was pieced together from a different dimension.’

’So after all this, the one who warned us about the danger was one of our own?’

’But the question is... what is the Night Watcher doing in Sonaros State?’

He had, of course, followed them.

The Night Watcher had previously ordered his men to track Sean’s movements, determined not to miss a second chance for "cooperation." When he first heard that Sean was traveling far, he considered letting it go. After all, if they were too far away, neither the Long Night Union nor the Dawn Council could provide timely support. If something went wrong, even escaping would be a challenge. He had to weigh the risks and rewards.

But then his subordinate mentioned that the destination was Sonaros State.

That changed everything.

The Long Night Union and the Kovloki Family shared a blood feud. This was a perfect opportunity to get his revenge on that woman, Bofunova.

And so, he had come personally.

He was, in fact, the one who left the note.

While tracking Bofunova’s movements over the past two days, he’d discovered she was in Mortana. Then, hearing that Lemondaff was gathering Wizards to attack Ivan Pharmaceutical, he investigated further. He found that among the so-called Wizards were numerous Witch Hunters from the Kovloki family. The Night Watcher immediately realized it was a trap.

Thus, he had written the note to warn Sean.

Unfortunately, Sean hadn’t listened. The man was incredibly stubborn, insisting on walking right into a trap even when he knew what it was. What could the Night Watcher do?

He couldn’t just stand by and watch Sean lead his old comrade, Sopea, to his death, could he?

"Oh, wonderful. Just wonderful." Bofunova’s laughter grew even more gleeful. "I never expected such a delightful bonus from this trip to Mortana."

"Since it’s come to this, none of you will be leaving."

"And by the way, Mr. Night Watcher."

"If I could take your eyes from you back then, I can certainly do it again now."

As she was now, she was only a hair’s breadth away from becoming a Grand Mage. In fact, her Magic Power was already nearly on par with one; only her physical constitution was lacking. She just had to wait one more month to report to the old Priest at the New Elderidge Cathedral. Then, she could return to the New World, break through to the rank of Grand Mage, and never have to visit this "farm" again.

This collaboration with Carlos was, therefore, the final item on her agenda.

Sean was certainly her type, and Bofunova loved a perfect finale. Anyone who dared to spoil her fun was a dead man walking.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Mr. Night Watcher doesn’t have any eyes left, does he?"

With a seductive laugh, Bofunova’s body dissolved into a bloody mist and vanished from the spot.

Sopea cried out in alarm, "Chairman, watch out!"

"Child’s play." The Night Watcher snorted and stomped his foot.

The ground shattered, sending out visible ripples as surging Magic Power erupted upwards, forming a curved, umbrella-like barrier over the Night Watcher’s head.

The next second...

Bofunova, a crimson afterimage, appeared...

In front of Sean!

Night Watcher: "?"

Sopea: "??"

Sean: "???"

’Weren’t you going for the Night Watcher?’

"Little man, I told you my target was you."

Bofunova giggled, her eyes full of allure. "I’m not interested in old men."

As she spoke, she reached out, her hand drifting lightly toward Sean’s shoulder.

"Get lost!" Elvire swung her sword in a fury.

But she only struck empty air.

The Giant Sword passed through Bofunova as she once again dissolved into a blood mist, only to reappear behind Sopea.

Hobbs was overjoyed. "Miss, save me!"

"Get lost!"

Bofunova snarled the same word at Hobbs.

’Useless trash. He couldn’t even protect his own men and let them get killed, and now he expects me to save him?’

She completely ignored Hobbs. An Array materialized in her palm, and she struck directly at Sopea.

The Magic Shield Sopea hastily conjured shattered with a single slap from her. He was sent flying backward as if struck by a sledgehammer, a spray of blood erupting from his mouth.

Even though he was also Tier Six, Sopea was grievously wounded in a single blow!

"Teacher!" Koni cried out.

"You’re courting death!" The Night Watcher, sensing Sopea’s injury, was enraged.

"Dark Fenewa, Credy!"

Domain Magic—Invisible Star Spell!

The surrounding Wizards tried to activate their own Array. Countless streams of Magic Power flowed into the ground, causing patterns of light to emerge. Just as the Array was about to form, the Night Watcher stomped it into nothing. In its place, the black footprints he’d left on his way in began to glow.

Those black marks bloomed like lotuses, bleeding into the air and instantly plunging the entirety of Factory No. 3 into a pitch-black, lightless night.

The air grew thick and viscous, making it feel as if they were wading through a swamp.

This was where having fewer people on their side became an advantage.

They could cast Magic in any direction; everyone else was an enemy.

"Yisha, now!" Lightning sparked in Elise’s eyes as she went on a rampage.

Sean, meanwhile, grabbed a handful of the air and rubbed it between his palms. He found the darkness had a tangible texture, like sand.

"This Magic Spell is something else."

Elise looked around in the darkness. Seeing that no one was paying attention, she whispered, "Master, when do we make our move?"

"Not yet."

Sean said calmly, "We wait a little longer."

Eleanor reminded him, "If we wait any longer, Mr. Night Watcher will get hurt."

She and Elise were High Tier and could see things clearly. As powerful as the Night Watcher was, defeating Bofunova—who was on the verge of becoming a Grand Mage—would be extremely difficult.

But Sean said, "I want him to get hurt."

The sisters, Elise and Eleanor: "?"

"Huh?"

...