267 "How is that possible!"
Lucien shook his head as he watched from the side. A Curandeiro, daring to sneak up and attack Zoey, someone with monstrous strength – it was practically a textbook case of courting death.
Not to mention the old witch doctor, even Lucien himself would find it difficult to defend against Zoey up close.
Soon after, the unconscious students from the Brazilian jiu-jitsu dojo and Ryan's group were all taken to the hospital by ambulances. The 13th Bureau also dispatched agents to watch over them at the hospital. With Alice's intimidating sword aura at full force, these individuals were expected to remain unconscious for an hour or two.
As for the body of the Curandeiro, it was taken straight to the crematorium.
Diplomatic issues weren't Zoey's concern. The 13th Bureau would handle it appropriately. Such a wicked Soulmancer— if he was killed, he was killed. All Zoey needed was a report from Wes.
By the time they left the Brazilian jiu-jitsu dojo, it was already evening. Alice initially planned to drop by William's place for dinner, but William mentioned he had other matters to attend to, so Alice left on her own.
William was already targeted by the "demigods". Because Alice was by his side, these fellows didn't dare to make a move. Naturally, William wanted to create an opportunity for them to act.
By nighttime, there weren't many pedestrians on East 62nd Street.
Walking on the cobblestone pathway, three dark figures suddenly darted out from the shadows, forming a triangular formation, trapping William in the middle.
"For just a mere human, they're sending three of us."
These three were the "demigods" of Maplewood Town. William remembered their faces.
The one speaking was the child they had encountered when entering the town.
William's brow furrowed slightly. He didn't wish to cause more deaths. The will of the universe is mysterious, and he couldn't yet discern the full ramifications of his actions. Anything he did could potentially trigger a chain reaction, bringing massive changes to the world.
His initial proclamation about slaughtering the town was meant to intimidate these "demigods", but if they pushed too far...
Clang!
A dagger flew out, embedding itself near William's feet, its handle quivering.
"Young man, you might as well end yourself. I'm too lazy to do it," the child said, hands clasped behind his back, looking indifferently at William.
William glanced at the dagger before him and asked, "Aren't you afraid of the town being slaughtered?"
The child chuckled coldly, "That Sword Spirit is indeed formidable, but its master, Alice, is nothing special. Tonight, that sword master will meet her end. It's time for the Sword Spirit to find a new owner."
"Excellent!" William laughed. It seems these "demigods" truly have an inflated view of themselves.
They probably recognized that Alice wasn't particularly powerful. With their abilities, it wouldn't be impossible to take her down before she even draws her sword.
"I'll count to three. If you don't wish to end yourself, I'll take your soul to the underworld, where you'll be tormented forever until your soul is extinguished!" The child sneered, his gaze chilling as he fixed it on William.
"Really?" As William spoke, the dagger on the ground began to levitate.
The three "demigods" stared coldly at William, not expecting much from him, a novice Soulmancer.
"Three!"
"Two!"
The child smirked, counting down, his expression eerie. He slowly extended two fingers, from which a purplish-black flame emerged.
The light around the flames distorted as if it could devour anything.
"One!"
As the child finished his countdown, the purplish-black flames swiftly lunged at William.
William barely blinked, and the levitating dagger charged straight into the flames.
The child scoffed. These "demigods" from the underworld hadn't been in this world for long. Their physical strength might not be at its peak, but certain arcane arts were etched into their demonic souls.
Though the flames might appear small, they were from a forbidden art known as the "Underworld Fire". It couldn't be extinguished by water, and even deities from the Divine Realm would struggle to break free if they were touched by it.
Even if he had recovered only 10% of his power, this small batch of "Underworld Fire" could obliterate any intermediate-level Soulmancer and drag their souls to the underworld, condemning them to eternal torment until their annihilation.
The dagger they had given William was merely made of common steel. Such a weapon, upon contact with the Underworld Fire, would undoubtedly be reduced to ashes in an instant.
The other two "demigods" merely watched with amusement, not finding it worthwhile to exert their full strength just to eliminate a beginner-level Soulmancer.
However, when the dagger clashed with the Underworld Fire, something strange happened. Instead of melting away, the dagger pierced right through the flames.
The child's pupils contracted sharply. How could the dagger possibly pass through his Underworld Fire?
He tried to dodge the dagger but found his body completely unresponsive. Was he immobilized?!
"Thud!"
The black dagger embedded itself in the child's forehead, and a trickle of blood slowly seeped out.
However, the Underworld Fire halted just 0.2 feet away from William.
Staring at the purplish-black flames, William murmured, "Underworld Fire?"
The child, even in his dying moments, couldn't understand what had gone wrong. His eyes widened in shock, their light slowly fading.
How could a mere novice Soulmancer, capable of just some basic levitation tricks, be this formidable?
The other two "demigods" were equally dumbstruck.
Their companion was one of Hades' underworld warriors, possessing a formidable demonic soul. In the Divine Realm, he was renowned for his exceptional strength, yet he fell to a mere mortal Soulmancer!
And why did the Underworld Fire stop right in front of that Soulmancer?
"Whew!"
With a mere breath from William, the Underworld Fire was extinguished.
The two "demigods" nearly popped their eyes out in astonishment.
Was this really just a Soulmancer?
Extinguishing the Underworld Fire with a mere breath?
The two exchanged a glance, sensing that something was amiss. They gave each other a knowing look and bolted in opposite directions.
William didn't exhibit any overpowering aura; he appeared to be nothing more than amere novice Soulmancer. Yet, what he had done instilled an unprecedented sense of danger in the two "demigods".
All they wanted now was to stay alive!
Yet, William remained motionless, the dagger that was embedded in the child transformed into a streak of black light.
Almost instantly, the two bodies fell on the street.
William turned and with a gentle wave of his hand, the three bodies disintegrated into dust, dissipating into the air, leaving no trace of blood behind.
Meanwhile, among the 'demigods', the assassin known as Shadowblade, reputed to be the best under the command of Lord Hades, was eyeing Alice like a snake ready to strike.
He knew Alice possessed a divine sword, but usually, a Sword Spirit wouldn't automatically protect its owner. If he wanted to kill Alice, he had to make the kill in one swift move.
Once Alice summoned the Sword Spirit, it would spell disaster for the 'demigods' in the town.
But if he succeeded, he might obtain that unparalleled divine sword, setting him on a path to invincibility.
Of course, Alice was oblivious to the fact that she had become someone's prey. Lucien and Tristan were still by her side.
Moments ago, from a distance, William had unsealed all the bindings on the Sword of Soulbreaker.
Feeling the seals on it lifted, the Sword Spirit was overjoyed. Was it finally going to be set free?
At the same time, it also sensed the presence of Shadowblade lurking in the shadows.
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