“That brat!”
All the black-robed figures had witnessed the power of Jeanne D’Arc’s attack. Under the magical bombardment, the mutated beasts that had troubled them vanished instantly, and a massive hole was torn into the large monster’s body.
“We must eliminate those two brats! Otherwise, they will become obstacles to our plans in the future.”
The leader of the black-robed figures was wary of the abilities Luoge and Jeanne D’Arc had displayed. Their power could potentially harm the future interests of their faction’s plans, making it imperative to eliminate them before they grew stronger.
“You few, infiltrate and deal with those two brats.”
“Understood!”
Seven black-robed figures melted into the shadows, embodying the profession scorned by the world: assassins.
“Jeanne D’Arc, are you alright?”
Alisa Dragon embraced both of them, as Luoge and Jeanne D’Arc were in the exact same predicament. Their magic had been completely depleted, rendering them temporarily combat-ineffective and leaving them visibly frail.
“I’m fine,” Jeanne D’Arc replied with a weak smile, shaking her head. “I just feel a bit powerless.”
“Luoge! Jeanne D’Arc!”
Shavier Aznar and Shana Aznar returned to the group under the protection of Rushu and Nangong Ye. Shavier Aznar was deeply concerned about Luoge and Jeanne D’Arc’s current condition.
“This concubine is fine for now,” Luoge chuckled from Alisa Dragon’s embrace. “But what happens next, I cannot say.”
“Hmph! You scoundrels again.”
Hukelent suddenly surged forward, positioning himself in front of Jeanne D’Arc and Luoge. He raised his knight’s sword, infused it with magic, and brought it down with a powerful cleave.
The seven assassins were instantly repelled. Seeing their stealth plan thwarted, they exchanged glances, nodded in unison, and began to split up.
“Rushu, Nangong Ye, Zalenk, Xiao!”
Hukelent turned his head, alerting the others.
“This profession is truly repulsive.”
Lori cast a magic barrier upon herself, her gaze sweeping her surroundings for any movement.
“Sense Aura.”
“Guardian Barrier.”
“Detection Ward.”
Lucy unleashed three enhancement spells, ensuring everyone present benefited from them.
With Jeanne D’Arc’s side hindered by the seven assassins dispatched by the black-robed figures, they were unable to continue their assault on the Nightmare Beast. The battlefield devolved into a chaotic three-way conflict: the black-robed figures now fought both sides, while the Nightmare Beast and mutated beasts attacked both factions.
The Nightmare Beast, however, focused its primary assault on Jeanne D’Arc’s group, forcing them into a relentless defense against attacks from two fronts. Facing the impenetrable Nightmare Beast and the elusive assassins, the pressure on them was immense.
“I can still fight! I am no longer the Jeanne D’Arc who lived under someone’s wing; I am the reborn Jeanne D’Arc!”
“I will never falter again!”
Jeanne D’Arc rose to her feet, a montage of her journey flashing through her mind. From her first encounter with Yue Wu until now, she had transformed from a homeless, lonely, naive girl into a strong, independent young woman.
This rebirth, this strength, all stemmed from the new life Yue Wu had given her, and she absolutely would not let him down. Though her magical energy was currently low, she still had physical stamina to expend, and as long as she drew breath, she would continue to fight.
“Jeanne D’Arc, this concubine still has the last two magic recovery potions in her bag. Drink one each.”
Luoge managed to sit up with Alisa Dragon’s help. Alisa Dragon reached into Luoge’s small pouch, retrieving the only two remaining magic recovery potions.
She handed one to Jeanne D’Arc and helped Luoge drink the other.
“Thanks, Luoge.”
Jeanne D’Arc took the potion, opened it without hesitation, and drank it down. Her magical energy instantly surged back.
“Wait,” Luoge called out to Jeanne D’Arc. “This is for you. This concubine believes it’s better if you wear it.”
She returned the wolf tooth necklace to Jeanne D’Arc, who gratefully took it and put it on.
“Uncle, can you force those hidden black-robed figures out?”
With her magical energy fully restored, Jeanne D’Arc’s first priority was to eliminate the immediate obstacle. If her suspicions were correct, these individuals were allied with the mysterious figures who had destroyed her village, making it time to settle old scores alongside the new.
“We can, but what are you planning, lass?”
Hukelent turned to look at Jeanne D’Arc behind him, unsure of her intentions.
“As long as you can flush them out,” Jeanne D’Arc stated, radiating confidence. “I have a way to ensure they can’t hide.”
“Alright then,” Hukelent conceded, nodding his agreement to assist Jeanne D’Arc. “But you’ll have to be quick.”
“Luoge.”
After securing Hukelent’s cooperation, Jeanne D’Arc turned her gaze to Luoge.
“This concubine understands.”
Luoge, recognizing Jeanne D’Arc’s intent, readily agreed.
“Then, Uncle, let’s begin.”
“Oh! Earth Eruption!”
Hukelent channeled magical energy into his knight’s sword, then plunged it into the ground. Immediately, numerous fissures began to rip open in the earth around the group.
Boom!
Flames erupted from each fissure, successfully forcing six hidden assassins out of their concealment.
“Resound, O Melody of Stars, Third Page!”
The very instant the six assassins appeared, Luoge’s magic bore down upon them, immobilizing them completely.
“Holy Light Encirclement.”
Jeanne D’Arc conjured a Holy Light Orb around each of the six assassins, binding them inescapably.
“Uncle, throw them out now!”
As Jeanne D’Arc’s command echoed, Hukelent and the others seized the immobilized assassins. They hurled them directly towards the approaching magical beasts and Nightmare Beast.
“Holy Light Burst!”
The six Holy Light Orbs represented nearly half of Jeanne D’Arc’s magical energy. Their destructive power would undoubtedly be even greater than her previous attack, not weaker.
Boom!
The blinding light forced everyone present to squint, yet no one was foolish enough to neglect their defenses. The Nightmare Beast and mutated beasts at the epicenter of the explosion, however, were not so fortunate.
Once the intense light dissipated, the scene was eerily similar to their previous encounter in the Forest of Fingri. However, the damage here was far more severe.
Another such explosion would likely collapse the entire ruins, trapping them inside if they were lucky, or killing them if they were not.
“Did it work?”
Lucy raised a hand, fanning away the thick dust cloud before her. The heavy dust severely reduced visibility, making it impossible for those caught within to discern the distant situation.
“Got them.”
Just then, the last assassin suddenly leaped out. His target was Jeanne D’Arc, who was within arm’s reach, and the dagger in his hand plunged directly towards her heart.
“Jeanne D’Arc!”
Though everyone had sensed the danger, they couldn’t react in time. By the moment they comprehended what was happening, it was already too late.
Roar!
However, just as Jeanne D’Arc teetered on the brink of death, the protective measure on her wolf tooth necklace activated. A colossal white wolf surged forth, not as a physical entity but as a spirit.
The spectral wolf’s appearance yanked Jeanne D’Arc back from the precipice, while its magic-infused roar sent the assassin flying. He hurtled backward, directly towards the spot where the Nightmare Beast had been.
“What?! Ah—!”
Before the assassin could even land, a colossal hand, seemingly made of liquid, seized him. The viscous liquid seeped out, enveloping his entire body, and an excruciating pain, beyond human endurance, ravaged him.
He instantly lost consciousness.
At that very moment, the dust and smoke finally dispersed. The Nightmare Beast’s current state was revealed to everyone: its internal organs were almost completely destroyed, leaving only a single pulsating orb.
Logically, such a Nightmare Beast should have been easily dealt with, but the scene that unfolded next left everyone utterly dumbfounded.
“What is that!?”
Zalenk stared, unable to believe his own eyes.
“This concubine has never heard of a Nightmare Beast evolving.”
Luoge was dumbfounded, as the Nightmare Beast’s current actions completely defied her understanding.
The Nightmare Beast began to devour all the magical beasts, its body transitioning from semi-ethereal to a true physical form. It then crammed the assassin’s body into its core, while in its other hand, several black-robed figures writhed in agony.
“Ma…gic…so…hungry…more…”
The Nightmare Beast spoke. Though its pronunciation was unclear, its words were intelligible: it devoured everything imbued with magic, gradually solidifying its form.
Moreover, its strength and level were rapidly escalating, its combat power now far surpassing the combined might of everyone present.
However, the Nightmare Beast extended a hand towards Jeanne D’Arc and the white wolf. Jeanne D’Arc found herself unable to control her own body.
Seeing its summoner immobilized, the white wolf attempted to confront the Nightmare Beast directly. But the white wolf overestimated itself; even as a non-physical spirit, it couldn’t withstand the Nightmare Beast, a creature formed of negative energy.
It was swiftly seized and devoured by the Nightmare Beast, the entire process taking less than two seconds.
Even after consuming the white wolf, and with its body fully evolved into a physical form, the Nightmare Beast’s hunger for magic remained insatiable. It once again reached out towards Jeanne D’Arc and the others.
Just then, two figures materialized before Jeanne D’Arc and her companions. The Nightmare Beast’s target immediately shifted.
Upon sensing the danger, one of the newcomers decisively pushed the other out of the way, only to be seized himself.