Meanwhile, standing before the twenty-seventh bronze door, the president of the Mutual Aid Society, still only a Second-Rank Apprentice, Lokai, stood with a blank expression.
Suddenly, a voice from a nearby apprentice echoed down the hallway.
âI saw Fireball!â
Upon hearing the long-awaited signal, Lokaiâs lips curved into an exaggerated smile.
âHehehe,â he chuckled eerily as he glanced at the bronze door in front of him. âThe Master sent me a signal. Now, Iâll satisfy your hunger.â
âHehehe.â
âHehehe.â
âHehehe.â
Immediately, identical eerie laughs echoed from behind Lokai.
Behind him stood a group of lower-level apprentices, their faces expressionless, each wearing the same twisted smile at the same angle.
After the laughter, they moved in unison, even the angle of their joints bending in sync, as if they were puppets on strings, slowly advancing toward the bronze door.
As the low-level apprentices drew closer, a powerful aura of pressure emanated from the bronze door.
A few apprentices closest to the door collapsed onto the floor with a thud.
But they quickly scrambled back to their feet, tears of terror streaming down their faces, yet they had no choice but to continue moving forward.
Even Lokai, standing behind them, felt the weight of that oppressive force. Yet, he wasnât afraid; rather, he felt incredibly excited.
âHehehe, let me see whatâs really inside the layer.â
Dozens of apprentices stacked up in front of the door, extending their arms to jointly push the bronze door open just a small crack.
As soon as they opened that tiny gap, a kaleidoscopic world beyond the door was revealed to all.
Before they could even collect their thoughts from the awe-inspiring sight, pale, slender arms began reaching out from behind the bronze door. These arms greedily caressed the lower-level apprentices, who smiled while crying, like lovers, drawing them into the mysterious world behind the door.
A few apprentices finally struggled free from the control. They screamed incoherently as they tried to push their way out of the crowd.
But Lokai, standing at the back, raised both hands, and several transparent thin threads faintly appeared at his fingertips.
With the appearance of the threads, the apprentices who had momentarily escaped, overcome by fear, were forced to turn back toward the door.
Tears streamed from their eyes, but their lips twisted upward into an unnaturally wide smile.
As the long arms pulled every apprentice standing near the door into the world behind it, the kaleidoscopic world inside became even more dazzling, and the air grew more suffocating, dark black spots appearing here and there. Lokai began to feel some pressure.
He smiled and shook his head. âSo dangerous. Well, forget it, I wonât play with you anymore.â
With that, Lokai took two steps back from the 20th layer, leaving the desperate apprentices behind to watch as they were pulled into an unimaginable world.
After leaving the 20th layer, Lokai clapped his hands together, hopping on his toes in excitement as he walked.
âYou all must be starving after all these years, right? Go ahead and eat, eat! Itâs all prepared for you. Once youâre full, you can really have some fun~â
A similar scene was unfolding in front of the bronze door on the 1st floor of the East Tower. However, leading this group was another female Third-Rank Apprentice.
This female apprentice had never bothered to acknowledge Lokai before, but privately, she obeyed his commands without question, showing no signs of discontent.
On the other side of the bronze door, Haywood, sitting in the first storeroom, was initially distracted, watching a group of snails with duck-like feet scurrying around the floor.
Suddenly, he felt a strange sensation.
âWho dares to invade the storeroom while the mentor is conducting an experiment?â
Haywoodâs earlier despondency immediately turned into anger, though he kept his emotions in check, maintaining a calm exterior even as his fury grew.
He quickly left the storeroom, strode through the long hallway, and arrived at the bronze door.
By the time he reached the door, it had already been pushed open. His anger surged even more, and he muttered under his breath, âLooking for death!â
But when he approached the door, he found the chaotic, kaleidoscopic world within was spilling over from the frame.
Having spent over ten years in the first storeroom, Haywood had some understanding of the layer and knew how to close the door in advance.
However, as he was about to step forward to restore the door, he heard a piercing scream behind him.
âHeidi?â At the sound of his sisterâs voice, Haywood immediately halted and turned back toward the bronze door.
This time, he saw many dark figures inside, barely visible within the twisting, colorful world.
Haywoodâs entire body trembled.
âWho? Who brought so many people into the layer? Donât they fear the vengeful spirits inside?!â
For some unknown reason, thinking about the layerâs potential for rebellion filled Haywoodâs heart with an indistinct fear.
For a moment, he stood rooted to the spot, afraid to approach.
Meanwhile, Keli, out of breath, had reached the laboratory of Mentor Gudo.
Her hair had been drastically shortened since their earlier encounter, from shoulder-length to barely ear-length.
She had used all her golden hair, which was infused with metal elemental energy, to fend off the pursuing Jero.
Though Keli was close to advancing to Third-Rank, she still wasnât quite a match for the top-tier Third-Rank apprentice, Jero.
Yet, strangely enough, it seemed that Jero wasnât fully committed to pursuing Keli.
He walked leisurely with his hands in his pockets, and when faced with the metal strands of hair that Keli used to block him, he merely tilted his head and dodged effortlessly.
Thus, the two of them, one in front and the other behind, arrived at Master Gudoâs laboratory.
Upon entering the laboratory, Keli immediately scanned the long table in the room, where the antidote for the soul toxin she had prepared was placed.
Although it wasnât the antidote for the newly enhanced toxin she had created, if she could take it to Saul, it would definitely relieve his symptoms significantly.
âStar Grass, Soul-Devouring Ants, Eliminating SolventâŠâ Keli rushed to the workstation, quickly rummaging through the items, while desperately activating her brain to think of the antidote solution for the enhanced soul toxin.
However, after a few seconds of searching, she found nothing related to the antidote she had secretly prepared!
âItâs not there.â A light sigh echoed from the corner of the room. âYouâre so flustered. After all this time, you still havenât noticed me. It seems Saul has already been poisoned.â
Keli immediately straightened her back, her face darkening as she looked toward the source of the voice.
At the end of the room sat a person whom she had completely overlooked despite rushing in so urgently.
It was Billy.
Keli had never seen Billy involved in any resurrection-related experiments; he was solely focused on the experiments involving the soul toxin.
In fact, the soul toxin Keli had improved was originally created by Billy.
But now, from what Billy said, it seemed that he was very aware of Master Gudoâs conspiracy.
Could it be that Billy was also involved in the rebellion of the mentors?
Keli bit her lip. If that were the case, obtaining the antidote for the soul toxin would be much more difficult.
Just then, Jerro appeared outside the laboratory door, swaying slightly.
âOh, back in the lab? Looks like you really like this place. How about dying here?â Jerro said with a smile, arcs of dull electricity flashing in his palm.
Keli leaned against the workstation, keeping her eyes on both Jerro and Billy, as a golden hue began to appear on her skin.
âJerro!â Suddenly, Billy spoke, interrupting the tense atmosphere on the verge of battle.
Jerro clearly understood Billyâs strength. Although Billy might not be particularly powerful in direct combat, his various toxins were nearly impossible to defend against.
Unless absolutely necessary, Jerro didnât want to clash with Billy.
âWhatâs this? You want to take care of things yourself?â Jerroâs eyes shifted between Keli and Billy, gradually revealing a hint of interest. âAlright, itâs all yours then, just donât let her return to the little garden.â
With that, the arcs of electricity in Jerroâs hand dissipated, and he clasped his hands behind his head, humming a strange tune as he casually walked away.
Before Jerroâs figure had fully disappeared, Keli immediately began to look around.
Even if she had to fight Billy, she needed to find out where the antidote was first.
Billy didnât make a move and allowed Keli to search.
Finally, Keliâs gaze fixed on a corner of the room.
There, two spherical glass containers stoodâone small and one large. The smaller one still contained Beta toxin, but the larger one had been replaced with something else.
Keli was very familiar with its appearance.
It was the antidote for the soul toxin!
And it was the very bottle she had personally prepared!
Keli immediately dashed forward, ready to take her antidote.
âKeli!â Billy, sitting on the other side, called out to her, âDonât take the antidote to Saul. Stay here obediently, and I guarantee that no matter who succeeds in the end, I can get you out of the Wizard Tower safely.â
Keli froze mid-motion, her hand still in the air, and slowly turned her head, giving Billy a look that seemed to say⊠âAre you an idiot?â
âWhat did you say?â
Billy lowered his head and didnât meet Keliâs gaze, and thus he didnât notice the âcomplicatedâ emotions in her eyes.
âSaul has already been targeted by Anze and Gudo since early on. Donât walk into the grave for him. Youâre a genius, and thereâs still so much room for growthâŠâ
Billy didnât usually like to talk, and this was the first time he had spoken so much to Keli.
But halfway through her listening, Keli no longer had the patience to hear more. She simply turned her head, placed her finger firmly on the spherical glass, and began drawing runes.
As her fingertip traced the last symbol, the spherical glass opened.
Keliâs eyes lit up with excitement. Though the sealing formation was slightly different from the one before, it was nothing she couldnât handle.
She reached in and grabbed the antidote.
âSighââ Billy let out a long sigh.
Keli immediately tensed up. Maybe Billy had been waiting for her to take the antidote before making a move on her?
She was ready for a fight!
Billy was not as skilled in combat as Jerro, and even though Billy wasnât necessarily weak, Keli was confident she could escape with the antidote if a confrontation did happen.
However, just as she was about to pull her hand out of the glass, she suddenly felt something sharp pressing against her wrist.
Seeing Keli freeze, Billy spoke slowly, âThe syringe inside is already filled with your Alpha Radiation Toxin. If you take the antidote out, the toxin will be immediately injected into your body. Radiation toxin, you know⊠there is still no antidote for it.â
Keli sneered, glancing back at Billy. âSo youâve been waiting for me here.â
Billy raised his eyes and looked at the furious Keli, his expression complex. âIt seems youâre not as reckless as I thought. You must be really anxious. This trap wasnât set by me, it was left for you by Master Gudo. He knows youâre close to Saul, and he probably figured you would come for the antidote to save him.â
Billy briefly explained Master Gudoâs actions.
âBut he doesnât really want to kill you. As long as you stay here for a day, the syringe will retract, and then youâll be able to take the antidote and move around freely. This is also to save you.â
Billy didnât remind Keli about the trap in the glass container, not wanting her to return to the battlefield.
Keliâs breath quivered slightly. She lowered her head, looking at her arm extended into the glass.
The syringe pressing against her wrist was transparentâprobably the effect of some sort of magic, but Keli could clearly feel the sharp object against her skin.
She stared at her wrist, but in her mind, the image of Saulâs skin slowly dissolving came to her.
âAnd what about you? If I want to leave, will you make a move on me?â Keliâs voice softened, but her back remained rigidly straight.
Billy smiled slightly. âNo.â
He patted the chair beneath him. âIn fact, to prevent me from causing trouble, theyâve placed a binding spell on me as well. Before nightfall, I cannot leave a one-meter radius from this chair.â
âI see.â Keli nodded, her eyes going blank, as if she had resigned herself to her fate.
Seeing this, Billy hesitated and said, âIf youâre bored⊠we could talk about your radiation toxin. Iâve always been interested in it. Maybe we could discuss it and⊠Keli, what are you doing?!â
Billy was stunned!
He had been excitedly speaking when he suddenly realized that Keli had pulled her hand out of the glass container and was now tightly holding the bottle of antidote in her palm.
Though her wrist was covered by a layer of metal protection, there was still a black needle mark on it.
Billy didnât know what to say. His lips trembled as he could only watch Keli take the antidote, swipe a bunch of materials from the lab table, and then turn and run toward the door.
âYouâre giving up your life!â Billy finally shouted in astonishment as Keli was about to step out of the room.
Keliâs figure froze for a moment, she half-turned her head, and said in a calm tone, âSorry, I canât wait, I really need to pee.â
As soon as the words left her mouth, her figure vanished down the corridor.
It was clear that she was in a real rush.
A real rushâŠ
Outside the Wizard Tower, in the small garden, when Saul saw Anze release a fireball spell into the sky, he knew that Anze probably had something else up his sleeve.
He immediately thought of Lokai, who had disappeared somewhere.
âWe canât wait any longer. Maybe we can try to force the detoxification.â
For this terrifying soul toxin, Saul wasnât without options.
This soul toxin only targeted Saulâs skin, but that didnât mean Saulâs soul energy couldnât fight back!
He decided to use Soul Fishing on his skin!
Saulâs skin was made of Soul Resin, which contained a rare materialâSaulâs own soulâwhich was why it was targeted by the soul toxin.
He had only given Soul Resin to Senior Byron and Haywood, no one else had the formula.
But there was one personâAnze. He had once broken Saulâs finger for close examination. As a mentor well-versed in material studies, he might have discovered some secrets of the Soul Resin.
With a plan in mind, Saul attempted to form gray, transparent tentacles in his palm.
Once the tentacles formed, they were immediately affected by the toxin and softened rapidly, but Saulâs eyes lit up.
âThis might work!â
He made all the skin covered by his clothes quickly grow tiny octopus-like tentacles.
These tentacles werenât long or large, but they grew quickly and easily took shape.
Before the tentacles could soften from the poison, they swiftly âbent downâ and tightly pressed against Saulâs skin, starting to absorb the spiritual energy within and the soul toxin wrapped in it!
âItâs working!â Saulâs eyes brightened as he felt the rate at which his skin was melting slow down.
As long as he could hold on for a bit longerâŠ
âUgh!â Suddenly, a muffled groan came from Gorsaâs side.
Saul immediately looked over and saw that the previously suppressed eruption on Gorsaâs body had worsened!
Black blood poured out uncontrollably, quickly forming a small pool of black liquid on the ground.
Yura, who was tightly clinging to him, smiled. âKill meâŠâ
She pushed herself harder into Gorsaâs wound, wanting to completely contaminate him.
Anze, supporting Rum, stood up again.
âI know the Wizard Tower is the trump card of your Glare family. With it, in most cases, you canât be killed, so until just now, you probably didnât think youâd die today, right?â
Anze staggered forward a couple of steps, new, fine black worms falling from his body, crawling toward Gorsa.
âBut have you ever considered that one day, your Wizard Tower might erupt first, get contaminated, and lose control? Will you still be able to rely on it to clear the contamination, or⊠blow it up and die together with us?â
(End of Chapter)
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