Chapter 51: Choice
Entering the Unicorn's territory, as expected, Hua Mi found their path blocked by two green-furred monkeys.
Wearing a gray robe, he drank a potion, temporarily gaining telepathic abilities, and approached Hua Mi. "We are his companions, entering the dark territory together to hunt the Eye Demon for your king. However, to expedite the mission, we need your king's assistance."
The green-furred monkeys allowed them to pass but demanded their weapons, including his staff, just like the last time.
Hua Mi walked at the forefront, following the same route but with a different mindset.
The gray-robed figure had only explained the principles of the plan to him; the specifics of what to do on-site were unknown.
This indicated that they still didn't consider him one of their own.
"When the time comes, act accordingly. The Unicorn is powerful and won't go down easily. It should give me enough time to assess the situation."
The same dilapidated courtyard as before.
This time, the Unicorn didn't bother to stand up, just casting a glance their way, as if saying, "Speak quickly or leave."
The Unicorn could understand human language unilaterally; the previous role of Little Orange was merely to convey its intentions to Hua Mi.
But Hua Mi hadn't had a chance to say anything.
The gray-robed figure took the initiative, respectfully bowing. "Allow me to express my profound respect to you. We've come to fulfill your mission. If you could grant us some necessary blessings, we would be able to complete the task faster and better."
The Unicorn slowly stood up, its indifferent gaze not on the gray-robed figure in front but beyond him, looking at what was behind.
Advancing from within the gray robe, the revenant took slow steps forward.
Hua Mi saw its body trembling incessantly, filled with the desire for revenge, pulsating within its dilapidated form.
After a few steps, its body suddenly shook violently, as if melting, collapsing to the ground.
Thick black mist emanated from its body, resembling black flames.
Simultaneously, the gray-robed figure's eyes turned completely black in an instant.
Muttering unclear words, he said, "Yeah... Leviastus... as promised, I offer you three souls... vile thief... blood-stained murderer... and the untainted pure girl..."
"?! "
"How... Master!"
"Erghhh—"
A black hole appeared beneath the feet of the dwarf, the thief, and the girl, emitting surging black flames that quickly engulfed half of their bodies.
Hua Mi had already silently retreated to the side.
However, with the appearance of the black flames beneath the three, black flames surged around, enclosing the entire courtyard.
"This old guy must be crazy..."
Some restless factor in the air made him feel uneasy.
Hua Mi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
In the range of the black hole, the three were trapped, unable to escape, enduring the burning of the Nine Hells' flames.
They fell for it.
The gray-robed figure didn't seek allies but sacrifices.
This was the deal he made with the devil.
Three souls in exchange for the devil's power.
"Sly move, sacrificing even your own apprentice."
The Unicorn's response was swift.
After the abnormality with the revenant, the Unicorn immediately jumped backward, its horn radiating light.
But the black mist surrounding the revenant formed a giant, ever-changing demonic claw, faster than before, seizing its horn.
The Unicorn instantly froze, unable to move!
The sacred light on its body also dimmed in an instant.
Several green-furred monkeys screamed and rushed towards the gray-robed figure.
The gray-robed figure was focused on maintaining the summoning ritual, yet, being a Five-Ring mage, he could spare some attention to deal with these small fries.
A wave of his left hand, and a semi-transparent shield enveloped him.
A flawless absolute defense.
The attacks of the green-furred monkeys were utterly ineffective; their crudely made weapons broke.
The curses and prayers of the sacrificed three were quickly devoured by the flames of the Nine Hells, turning into three lifeless bodies.
Above the ruins of the Black Castle, dark clouds gathered.
The body of the revenant creaked, gradually collapsing, as if turning into a puddle of mud.
Upon this "mud," rising black flames formed a monstrous black shadow.
The shadow, holding the Unicorn's horn with one hand, pulled out another from the black flames.
Its eyes were composed of two red lights.
"Ah, the great Duke Leviastus, thank you for your response..." The gray-robed figure's voice trembled.
"How dare you deceive me!" Its voice sounded like a combination of countless men, women, and children. "Purity? Hah! A girl's soul is full of pitiful jealousy!"
"No, no, no. I specifically measured her soul before; it's absolutely pure... definitely, it must be on the way here... Please don't terminate the transaction!"
The devil's projection emitted a piercing laughter. "But your bargaining chip has decreased..."
"I'm willing to compensate. As long as you don't terminate the transaction."
...
While the devil and the gray-robed figure were bargaining, Hua Mi's brain worked rapidly.
"The ritual relies solely on the gray-robed figure's concentration. He must remain focused and won't notice my actions. If I can break through his shield..."
But the Wind-Cutting Bees weren't powerful enough.
Besides the swarm, he had no other means.
Just as the gray-robed figure kneeled on the ground humbly, saying, "You can take any part. I only need its heart... and its horn."
...
Hearing the mention of the Unicorn's horn, Hua Mi hesitated.
According to the agreement, once the transaction was completed, he would obtain horn powder.
And there wouldn't be any losses.
After all, he wasn't the one making a deal with the devil. Even if there were any aftermath, it had nothing to do with him.
Just watch and be an observer.
However.
The underground suppression of vampires and what Little Orange had mentioned before...
Moreover, being able to sacrifice his own apprentice without hesitation...
This alone made him untrustworthy.
"Gah—"
A miserable scream, and a green-furred monkey fell from the wall, its fur still burning with black flames.
It seemed it tried to break out forcefully but got burned to death.
It carried a bow on its back.
In the quiver, the Wind-God Arrow was particularly conspicuous.
...
The devil let out a harsh laugh. "So, the transaction continues!"
The Unicorn remained completely motionless, like a sculpture.
The devil slowly approached it.
Suddenly, a sharp explosion echoed.
The Wind-God Arrow seemed to turn into a hurricane, tearing through the air, directly hitting the protective shield.
Blocked by the shield, the arrow's energy didn't deplete. The arrowhead pressed against the shield, continuing to rotate like a drill.
Bang—
A crack appeared on the shield.
Then more cracks emerged, densely covering the entire shield.
Finally, with a crisp sound, it shattered.
The Wind-God Arrow lost all its energy, falling to the ground.
"You fool!"
The gray-robed figure roared, his right hand continuing to maintain the summoning ritual, while his left hand beckoned, and the staff flew back to his hand.
The beads on the staff emitted a dazzling light.
When he noticed several small insects stopping on his hands and face, he realized too late to strengthen his defense.
A sharp pain interrupted his concentration.
He immediately cast a dispelling spell on himself, relying on his rich combat experience to promptly resume the summoning ritual.
However, in less than a second of disconnection.
The Unicorn neighed, forcibly breaking free from the restraint.
Crack—
The Unicorn's horn was severed in the demonic claw.
Lifting its front hoof, its pupils filled with thunderous light.
A lightning bolt descended from the sky, like a pillar supporting the heavens, striking down.
The gray-robed figure instantly evaporated.
A pitch-black pit appeared in his place, containing only the bead from his staff and the energy-depleted Wind-God Arrow.
The devil's projection retreated like a burning thread encountering flame, rapidly disappearing.
Its voice, like the moans of countless people in a hurricane, lingered in the air.
The surrounding dark barrier, along with the last wisp of black flame on the revenant, vanished.
Silence fell over the entire courtyard after the fierce battle.
The Unicorn flickered with lightning, its blue eyes glancing at Hua Mi.
Hua Mi, on the other hand, glanced at the broken horn on the ground.
Taking a deep breath.
Survival by breaking the horn, quite straightforward.
At least, he saved its life. It shouldn't harbor any resentment towards him.
"Despite everything, it managed to survive. Shouldn't hold a grudge against me for this."
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This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺