Chapter 247: Chapter 247: Meeting Again
Translator: 549690339
The sight returned to Han Dong.
A massive rumble erupted from the bottom of an ancient castle, shaking its very foundation.
A vast majority of the high-ranking Family Executives rushed to assist, countering these human intruders.
The upper zone was left with a few executives tied up with other matters, overseen by the Eye of the Body for real-time surveillance.
Now had come the perfect opportunity for Han Dong and Winry to secretly infiltrate the [Main Hall].
After an evening of airing out, the old blacksmith’s skin no longer felt stiflingly hot, today’s mission was to continue infiltrating under the guise of being the old blacksmith… as for the lock picking problem.
Winry assured him she had a solution.
Han Dong had been to the [Main Hall] once before last night, so he was fairly familiar with the route. All that was left was getting there safely.
However, things weren’t as easy as they seemed.
Dressed as blacksmiths, the two had only covered half the distance in the desolate hallway when a dread-inducing, blood-soaked Evil Qi surged from behind them.
If it were the Family Executives, it wouldn’t be a problem. They could use an excuse as blacksmiths, such as delivering high-quality armor to Barbara, who could pass it on to the Great Lord.
However.
Presently in the hallway was neither a Family Executive nor a patrol guard.
The team of three, led by [Blood Knight-Lucius] whom they had crossed paths with in the hallway yesterday…according to Winry’s description, this team was rated as one of the best in this training session.
Lucius had obtained the ‘key’ yesterday.
Early this morning, he reentered the ancient castle and made his way to the upper zone with ‘key’ in hand.
This was the variable Han Dong had to consider; the core problem he contemplated on while Winry bathed.
This team posed a significant threat to the ‘theft plan’.
They needed to address this issue right there and then; they couldn’t let them reach the [Main Hall].
“You rookies are pretty capable…”
Upon seeing the ‘blacksmiths’ in the hallway, Lucius instantly knew that they were hiding two newcomers.
They had visited the blacksmith’s area yesterday and discovered that he was missing. Meanwhile, two novices just happened to show up outside the blacksmith area, naturally linking the two events together.
Meanwhile.
The necromantic apprentice on his team sprang into action.
Hundreds of tiny bone spurs were hurled into the air, not directed at the ‘blacksmith’…whoosh!
All the surveillance eyes floating above the hallway were destroyed by the bone spurs.
“Now you can all come out peacefully…there’s some matters we’d like to discuss with you two ‘capable’ newcomers.”
Since the other party spoke this way, Han Dong had to break free from his disguised shell.
Due to the Blood Knight-Lucius expelling an ominous aura, all Winry could do was hide behind Han Dong.
Since they met again, Han Dong would no longer act like a scared, innocent rookie. He asked pleasantly, “What can we do for you seniors?”
“Without beating around the bush, since we’re pressed for time.
The Great Lord isn’t someone you can, or should, take on.
Hand over the clues you’ve gathered about the castle so far, then hide as ‘blacksmiths’ in your rooms and wait for us to resolve everything here.”
With an awkward smile, Han Dong candidly replied, “Senior, we really never thought about battling the Great Lord.
We’re sneaking into the upper zone for one reason and one reason only – to steal the treasures the Family Executives have in their rooms… we’ll strike it rich if we find any ‘Chaos Props’.”
Afterwards, Han Dong made a point of indicating the Giant Backpack of Winry behind him and the large weapon – the “Hell Bone Fire” from the original blacksmith.
Through this explanation, he portrayed themselves as ‘treasure hunters’, deliberately downplaying their strength.
Lucius, however, was unmoved. “I don’t care about these pointless things. Share all the information you’ve gathered so far and then you can leave. You have two minutes or else…
I will arrange for a tragic scene where you two were killed by the Polluted Life due to your mistakes.”
That was Lucius’s true nature. Driven by self-interest, he cared little for moral constraints.
The violent aura around him suggested that his two teammates were no better.
If they were to fight these people here, Han Dong would not necessarily win, even with the aid of two containment items.
Even if they managed to eke out a win, they would undoubtedly be severely injured.
And it would alert the elite executives in the upper zone, and the formidable ‘Miss Barbara’… by that point, all would be lost.
“This is a map I’ve explored, please have a look, senior.”
As Han Dong handed over the map, he continued to explain:
“By using the ‘disguise’ ability to steal the treasures from executive bedrooms, I accidentally found this map and the way to get to the [Giant Ghoul-Lord Stuart].
We need to go up another level, and take the secret elevator at the very top to the [Main Hall], where the Great Lord is present.
However, to go to the higher level and subsequently activate the elevator, you need a ‘key’.
As far as I know, the private steward who lives on this level can freely go to the [Main Hall], so the key is likely on her.
I assume that the clues you gathered would also corroborate the authenticity of this map?”
Lucius, who received the map, stared at the intricately drawn layout.
Corresponding to the information that the necromantic apprentice had obtained from an executive through the ‘Soul of Death’, the information Han Dong shared seemed to check out.
The [Main Hall], [Private Steward], and [Elevator], these were all mentioned in the clues.
But…
If this were their first encounter, Lucius would have likely left them alone with a smile.
Unfortunately, Han Dong had deceived Lucius once already yesterday, and his ‘performance’ and ‘deceptive maneuvers’ were impressive.
‘Blood Hand’
From beneath the crimson armor, two glowing red eyes emerged.
Lucius stretched out his hand.
Two arms made of fresh blood appeared from thin air in front of Han Dong and Winry.
“Winry… don’t resist.”
After Han Dong’s warning,
The arms made of fresh blood tightly grasped their necks, forcing them towards Lucius.
At the same time.
The necromantic apprentice on the side touched their wrists with his decaying fingers.
Click, click, click
Two sets of multi-layered bone handcuffs formed, binding Miss Winry and Han Dong tightly.
The bone handcuffs were not only incredibly sturdy,
but they would also develop bone spurs that would hurt the shackled ones if they tried to struggle.
Simultaneously, the necromantic apprentice held the handcuffs of the two people in his boney chain, treating them like slaves.
Blood Knight Lucius murmured, “If the clues you provided are accurate, we will let you go when we reach the elevator…until then, just follow us.”