Wizard: I Add Points and Hunt Monsters

Chapter 259: Chapter 130: Shadow Kill Secret Technique (Part 2)

"Summoned?" Kali’s heart lurched. Disregarding the solemnity of the occasion, she stepped forward and grabbed his hand. "Teacher, when did this happen?"

"What is to come will come," Andrews said, a familiar, loving smile spreading across his face. "You should be happy for me. This is a blessing from the great Dawn."

"Go on, leave this place. This has nothing to do with you."

"I..."

"Lord Bishop," Melbel suddenly appeared beside them. "I would also advise that Her Eminence remain here."

"Melbel, you’re overstepping!"

Andrews turned slightly, his back to Kali, half his body swallowed by the shadow of the Lord of Dawn statue.

In this shadow, the smile on his face was bizarrely split in two—one side kind, the other sinister and terrifying.

Melbel bowed slightly. "My apologies."

"Teacher, you told me to stick close to Melbel." Kali moved around Andrews to stand beside the Guardian Knight and said with determination, "I’m following him, so I will stay here!"

Andrews fell silent for a moment before turning back to the statue. "To witness such a sight... Very well. Just remember, do not run off, no matter what."

Kali beamed. "Don’t worry, Teacher. I’ll protect myself."

"I hope so..."

The Guardian Knight took a step back, melting into the shadows. From an imperceptible corner, he watched Kali.

’Your Eminence, this will be a perfect trial.’

...

...

As Kali resolved to hold her ground at Krimms Cathedral, everyone inside the not-so-distant Secret Investigation Department at 102 Dumitru District stood in neat rows outside the Detention Area, just as they had for Director Ales’s send-off the day before.

But unlike yesterday, their numbers were less than half of what they had been.

"Damn bastards. They all actually sided with the Ernst Clan..." Marco muttered, glancing around.

"You should be happy," Lisi said, her eyes fixed forward. "Doesn’t this just highlight what an outlier you are?"

Marco: "..."

’An outlier?’

’Is she saying that because the entire Nascimento clan supports the Ernst Clan, and I, the heir, am the only exception?’

’That really does make me an outlier...’

Wei’en didn’t notice their conversation, nor did he even realize that more than half the people were missing. His mind was entirely consumed with how to get rid of Black Jack.

On the way from the Logistics Department to the Detention Area, any time he so much as deviated from the path, a prompt warning of killing intent would appear on his panel.

This basically confirmed his suspicion—Black Jack’s target was indeed one of the two of them, him or Tina!

’Stay calm, don’t rush, don’t panic...’

If he had just one second, or even less, he could take Tina and hide in the Clown Theater.

’Steady, steady!’

"Wei’en, Wei’en?"

"What is it, Captain?" Wei’en snapped out of it, seeing Lisi standing before him, half-turned to look his way.

"If a fight breaks out, you must take Tina and stick close to me. Got it?" Lisi wasn’t bothered by his lapse in attention, her reminder sharp and serious.

"Right." Wei’en squeezed the white-haired girl’s small hand.

"If you’re worried, I can protect them," Old Jack said, looking at Wei’en and Tina with concern. "Just let me contribute one last time."

"..."

The corner of Wei’en’s mouth twitched. ’That won’t be necessary, right?’

’Don’t agree to it, Captain Lisi!’

"Old Jack, that’s not for me to decide." Lisi shook her head. "You know that when Siri summoned you all, they also made all the arrangements."

"I suppose so..." Old Jack ran a hand through his short, graying hair and didn’t press the issue, as if it had only been a casual suggestion.

’Thank goodness, thank goodness...’

Wei’en relaxed slightly, but his guard against Black Jack only went up. ’That guy really doesn’t know when to quit!’

Just then, Nifa arrived in a hurry, accompanied by senior officials of the Secret Investigation Department and the various department Ministers.

Everyone stopped talking, looking ahead with grave expressions, silently awaiting their orders.

Except for the inexperienced Wei’en, everyone else knew that when the city-state faced a crisis, the odds of survival weren’t much better if you tried to flee. It was better to stick with the main force and fight for a chance.

"Everyone," Nifa faced the crowd, her voice low yet clear enough for all to hear. "We do not know what exactly will happen next."

"But one thing is certain: everyone in the city-state, including us, is about to face an unprecedented crisis!"

She didn’t waste time on pleasantries, stating with grave seriousness, "My hope is that together, we will resolve it!"

[You have been scanned by Nifa Lethia Ellis’s Spirit Perception. Evaluation: ...Do you get a strange feeling? Reward: Survival Points +3.]

’A strange feeling?’

Wei’en was puzzled. ’What does that mean?’

’Is there something wrong with Director Nifa’s perception?’

"Now, for the specific arrangements."

"Deputy Director Balats, lead all the recalled Investigators and guard the west entrance of the Dumitru District."

"Deputy Director Dorff, you and Minister Albert, take the northwest entrance!"

"Deputy Director Belenic, you will lead the temporarily sealed Corrupted and guard the southwest..."

Before long, everyone had received their assignments. The stronger combatants from the Investigation Department and Combat Department were all assigned to the eastern side, closer to Krimms Cathedral.

Wei’en rejoiced inwardly. That bastard Black Jack was assigned to the west, far enough for him to escape.

’If I’m just a little patient, I can definitely make it!’

Immediately after, everyone began to receive various pieces of equipment distributed by the Property Management Department, which even included some mechanical weapons that had been stored in the collection room.

It was only then that Wei’en noticed the people emerging from the Sealed Area.

Among them was Roger, whom he had met once when he first joined.

However, all of them showed various degrees of mutation; some even had half their bodies transformed into disgusting tentacles.

"Roger..." Marco had also seen Roger and the others. He shook his head and sighed, silently checking his gear.

Meanwhile, Old Jack hadn’t left yet. After grabbing his equipment, he returned to their group.

"Why aren’t you heading over to Deputy Director Balats?" Lisi asked him, confused. "Old Jack, now is not the time to be willful. Once this is all over..."

"I’ll go in a bit," Old Jack said, raising a hand to cut her off.

"In..."

"AH—"

Just then, a bloodcurdling scream rang out, startling everyone.

Director Nifa’s voice rang out immediately after. "It’s a Shadow Killer! Everyone, get back-to-back in pairs and watch your feet!"

’Shadow Killer?’

’What’s that?’

Though confused, Wei’en reacted quickly, moving back-to-back with Marco and pulling Tina to his side.

Lisi and Old Jack stood back-to-back, and she didn’t forget to add a low-voiced reminder, "Be careful, everyone. Shadow Killers can attack through any nearby shadow!"

"Got it!"

Wei’en hurriedly scanned the surrounding shadows, clutching the newly modified Revolver in his hand. The ghosts above his head also watched their surroundings grimly.

’Dammit, Black Jack hasn’t even left yet and we’re already under attack... Fuck!’

[You have been locked on by Charuba Christoph’s killing intent. Evaluation: The night is dark and the road is slick. Watch your step. Reward: Survival Points +3.]

[...]

[You have been locked on by Jesaya Ledesma’s killing intent. Evaluation: ... Reward: Survival Points +2.]

In just three seconds, everyone was ready, warily scanning their surroundings.

"Quick on your feet, aren’t you? You ill-omened lot from the Secret Investigation Department..."

"Show yourself!"

The voice had barely faded when Minister Albert flashed forward, punching the shadow behind an Investigator.

Instantly, a dark figure shattered, breaking apart into countless tiny black shadows that scattered toward everyone like raindrops.

"A Secret Technique of the Shadow Transformers?" Albert’s expression darkened, and he yelled, "Everyone, get back!"

"Too late..."

Those who were touched by the tiny black shadows froze, unable to move, their mouths opening in terror as if to say something.

But before any sound could escape, their entire bodies, clothes and all, turned the color of shadow in an instant. Then, their bodies flowed like ink, sinking into the shadows on the ground and disappearing.

The same Secret Technique attack erupted again and again in the crowd, claiming everyone who was touched by the spreading shadows.

"Look out!"

Wei’en’s Spirit Perception covered the area, and he instantly spotted a shadow emerging from beneath Marco. He slammed his back against Marco, using the force of the impact to roll forward with Tina.

BANG!

Old Jack reacted even faster. The standard-issue firearm in his hand fired at the black shadow, and the exploding bullet blasted it to pieces.

"Bastard!"

Lisi saw the tiny black shadows and instantly slammed her Two-Handed Axe into the ground in front of her. Spreading her hands wide, she yelled, "Corde!"

A shield materialized, protecting her and Old Jack.

"Balats, activate the Array!"