Chapter 102 Chapter 102-The Bait
Just as Howard had anticipated, upon hearing "Adia City," the group of mercenaries immediately recognized the identities of Howard and his companions, their brows slightly raising in response.
"Impressive, for mere students to have such prowess!" Barnus Douglar remarked with a smile. "If I'm not mistaken, you all must be from Holy Abyss Academy."
"Exactly right!" Nick responded coldly. "Not only are we students of Holy Abyss Academy, but we also hail from the Alliance. Now, it's time for you all to leave, isn't it?"
Relying solely on the reputation of one's family wouldn't be enough to intimidate mercenaries.
However, adding the backing of a powerful academy might tip the scales in their favor.
Of course, this could also provoke deadly intentions.
After all, everyone knows those accepted into Holy Abyss Academy are either prodigies or heirs of influential families.
Given this, the students from Holy Abyss Academy are likely to possess invaluable treasures.
Howard's intent was precisely to spark that lethal greed within Barnus Douglar and his group.
If they dared to make a move against him and his friends, the mentor lurking in the shadows would certainly strike with the force of thunder, suppressing and annihilating this band of mercenaries.
Yes, this was Howard's intricate scheme.
He was aware that the mentor would only intervene at life-threatening moments.
Thus, when facing formidable human adversaries, Howard knew he had to place himself at the brink of danger to harness the mentor's power.
Otherwise, should these mercenaries be driven by the mere greed of plunder rather than the intent to kill, the mentor might not intervene.
However, things didn't unfold as Howard had anticipated.
Even after learning of their identities, Barnus Douglar continued with a cheerful grin, "I've long heard of the prestigious Holy Abyss Academy. Meeting you today proves that its reputation is well deserved. Given that, why don't we embark on this dungeon journey together?"
At these words, Howard's brow furrowed slightly.
Entering the dungeon together?
How could he then harness the power of the mentor?
After all, only those who participated in defeating the Werewolf Guard could gain access to this dungeon.
The mentor, hidden in the shadows, had never launched an attack on the Werewolf Guard and hence couldn't access the dungeon's interiors.
Realizing this, Howard immediately shook his head and declined, "Let's skip the idea of entering the dungeon together. Since we've all earned the privilege to enter, we can simply go in separate groups."
"..."
Barnus Douglar hurriedly responded, "The challenges within this dungeon are notably daunting. Venturing in alone could be perilous for you all."
"Though I might come off as a simpleton, there are folks from my family who have studied at Holy Abyss Academy. To me, you all seem like endearing juniors. Join me, and I can watch over you."
Hearing this, a smirk, tinged with disbelief, tugged at the corner of Howard's lips.
What a ghostly tale!
If someone from his family had truly enrolled in Holy Abyss Academy, wouldn't he recognize the emblem they wore?
Clearly, murderous intent had taken root in Barnus Douglar's heart. Yet, he wasn't foolish; he planned to coax Howard's group into the dungeon before making a move.
Although Nick and the others couldn't precisely decipher Barnus Douglar's thoughts, they were well aware there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. No one would be kind without a reason, leading them to scoff in response.
"No need for such concerns," Howard replied, his eyes darting slyly.
To bait Barnus Douglar's lethal intentions further, he feigned casualness, remarking, "We possess treasures bestowed by our family elders, potent enough to combat even a LV60 BOSS. We won't face any danger."
At these words, the breaths of Barnus Douglar and the surrounding mercenaries grew noticeably sharper.
While the Mercenary Guild's awakened members were numerous, their individual power and wealth paled in comparison to those of noble lineage.
Those treasures they spoke of were things they had never encountered.
In that instant, temptation coursed through their veins.
Barnus Douglar scanned the vicinity, his spirit sweeping outward.
Only once assured of no other presence nearby did he lift his gaze, offering Howard a grin, "Wasting such treasures on low-tier monsters is such a squander, don't you think? If you join our endeavor, rewards will come easily!"
"Don't decline. Join us."
"Apologies," Howard replied, steadfast and unwavering, "We still prefer to go it alone."
With that, he resolutely rebuffed Barnus Dougla's advances.
"Very well," Barnus Douglar sighed, "Let's each enter separately then, since this dungeon is an isolated realm after all."
After a brief pause, Barnus Douglar continued, "Those who didn't strike the Werewolf Guard, stay behind. Guard this place and look after these lovely students. Everyone else, follow me!"
With a grand sweep of his hand, Barnus Douglar summoned over sixty archers and magi, heading straight for the cave entrance.
Alas, due to Howard's swift strategy earlier, none of the close-combat class mercenaries, besides Barnus Douglar himself, had managed to land a blow on the Werewolf Guard.
As the group neared, tension gripped Howard's heart.
If Barnus Douglar held no murderous intent, they would surely be in trouble.
Facing over a hundred mercenaries, each of notable rank, even the most formidable SS-level skill could be rendered ineffective.
No matter how adept one's skills might be, they fall short when the foundational attributes are weaker. Especially when up against higher-level awakened adversaries.
Moreover, these are battle-hardened mercenaries with swift reactions and exceptional adaptability on the field, leaving little room for Howard's resistance.
Should they desire only the treasures, the mentor might not intervene.
And no matter how innately talented Howard and his companions were, they would stand no chance.
After all, they were still in their nascent stages of growth.
Talent merely indicates one's potential future prowess, not immediate supremacy against those who've harnessed their talents for decades.
Even if Howard possesses the divine talent of Supreme Synthesis, he's still no match for the elite awakened beings.
Thud, thud, thud—
As Barnus Douglar passed before him with a smile, Howard's heart raced with anxiety.
He fervently wished, silently urging Barnus Douglar to make a move.
Perhaps it was the tantalizing bait Howard had offered or perhaps it was the perceived weakness in Barnus Douglar's group.
In the fleeting moment their paths crossed, Barnus Douglar decisively acted, bellowing, "Attack! Kill them all!"
His words barely faded when a blood-red blade, wrapped in scorching flames, cut through the air, heading straight for Howard, Nick, and the others.
The mercenaries nearby joined the assault without hesitation.
Howard felt an overwhelming surge of murderous intent.
Judy quickly unleashed her skill. A radiant golden glow emerged, instantly forming a protective shield around Howard and the others.
Boom!
Yet, Judy, being merely a novice awakened of around LV20, couldn't withstand the seasoned mercenary warriors.
The blood-red blade roared like a tiger, instantly tearing through the shield.
With unabated force, the blade continued its descent towards Howard and his group.
Feeling the searing heat of the flames and the sharpness of the blade, the faces of Nick, Mike, Abby, and even Judy were painted with horror.
They knew, if struck by this blade, they would surely meet their end.
Just as they were about to shut their eyes in dread, an icy voice suddenly pierced the air, "Dare you attempt to slay a student of Holy Abyss Academy in my presence?"
In a flash, a silvery-white luminance descended, striking the blade's shadow with lightning speed.
Just like snow under a blazing sun, the blade's shadow melted instantly, disintegrating into countless fragments.
Barnus Douglar's face paled, his figure rapidly retreating.
Yet, only a few steps back, he felt a chill at his nape. Moments later, the coldness of a dagger rested against his throat.
Tana's silhouette emerged from the shadows.
Feeling the overwhelming murderous intent, Barnus Douglar's pupils contracted. He finally realized what he had overlooked.
Indeed, while academies allow students to venture out for training, they always have mentors accompanying them.
The fact that he had not detected any mentor before wasn't because no one was guarding Howard and the others, but because the protector in the shadows was too formidable, effortlessly evading his spirit's gaze.
"Don't... don't kill me!"
By now, fear consumed Barnus Douglar.
He hastily added, "I know the Deputy Head of the Mercenary Guild! I'm his distant nephew! Spare me this once, I beg you. I promise never to cross paths again!"
"Oh? Distant nephew?" Tana chuckled, "Challenging the Holy Abyss Academy? It wouldn't matter if you were the son of the Guild leader, let alone his distant nephew. Today, you won't escape death."
Without hesitation, Tana's dagger made a swift motion, its sharp edge slicing through Barnus Douglar's throat.
The splatter of crimson that followed only deepened the terror among the mercenaries.
Their abilities were far inferior to Barnus Douglar's, so they were no match for Tana.
Realizing this, they turned on their heels and sprinted, hoping to find an escape.
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