Chapter 180: Strange behaviour

The air was thick with the cloying scent of crushed blossoms. Hannah didn’t even manage to dissolve her artifact before the red monsters tore into her, devouring her where she lay until nothing remained but a stripped skeleton.

Having taken their revenge, the red monsters collapsed all at once, melting into pools of blood that quickly congealed into heaps of scattered bones—large and small, a nauseating sight.

"Where’s the artifact?"

After waiting for a moment and seeing no sign of one forming from Hannah’s remains, Phield frowned in confusion.

"She’s not dead yet."

Rosalia’s gaze sharpened as she scanned the surroundings. Hoisting her greatsword, she dashed up the mountain at full speed.

Phield, meanwhile, directed the black raven, using its vantage point to search for anything suspicious.

Inside a cave—

Peer, the Mountain Ape Baron’s son, struggled forward with a bundle on his back. The expression on his face was far too cold for a child his age.

"Hannah, this enemy is troublesome. If I had just consumed a bit more fresh flesh, I could have fought alongside you."

What the Mountain Ape Baron never knew was that the son he had desperately tried to protect had long since been parasitized.

"It’s too late to say that now, Executor."

A small red octopus-like creature hopped out from the depths of the cave and burrowed into the unconscious Grolova.

Accompanied by a horrifying chewing sound, Grolova’s body twisted unnaturally as she rose to her feet. Hannah had taken over her body completely. Her voice was filled with hatred.

"I will have my revenge. I’ll turn the Baron of Nightfall Domain into my next skin."

"Heh. First, we disguise ourselves as the baron’s heirs and flee to another territory. Revenge can wait."

"They’re searching this area."

Stepping out of the cave, Hannah clenched her teeth and looked up. The black raven was circling overhead.

With a few swift movements, Rosalia had already caught sight of them.

"Hmph. When an Executor of the Shadow World Sect chooses to leave, no one can stop it. Sleep with one eye open—be ready to welcome our bloody retaliation at any time."

As he spoke, Peer drew a finger across his throat at Rosalia, then gave the black raven a strange, mocking smile. Muttering an incantation, he conjured a protective barrier. Space began to distort as the two prepared to teleport.

"It’s too late to break through now."

After the taunt, their figures rapidly began to fade.

Phield raised an eyebrow. "Trying to run?"

Rosalia understood instantly. With effortless grace, she lifted her skirt slightly and gave them a noble curtsy.

"I’m afraid you won’t be leaving alive."

"Bone-Eroding Corpse Worms—detonate."

Just as they were about to vanish completely, both of them froze. Their expressions twisted as unbearable pain surged through every bone in their bodies. Their fading forms were forcibly expelled back into reality.

"Pfft—!"

Two sprays of blood burst from their mouths, hanging in the air like a crimson veil.

"When...?" Peer’s pupils trembled violently. "Did you discover us long ago?"

The black raven landed on Rosalia’s shoulder, relaying Phield’s words:

"You’re both unlucky. You chose to parasitize someone I already intended to kill."

"...What?"

The bodies they inhabited were nothing more than ordinary humans. They couldn’t withstand the corrosion of the corpse worms. Their forms quickly began to collapse.

"We’ll be waiting for you in hell, you despicable bastard."

"Our leader will avenge us."

Amid curses and venomous threats, the two figures collapsed. The true entities possessing them perished along with the bodies.

A thick, dark energy seeped out from Grolova’s corpse, slowly gathering and beginning to take shape as a divine artifact.

"This time, she’s truly dead." Phield let out a breath of relief. "To be safe, burn the bodies. And search the cave again."

"Yes, my lord!"

Rosalia—now in her petite form—responded crisply.

Searching Peer’s body, Phield found a ring engraved with the number "Nine."

It was inscribed with magical runes—likely a communication device.

Inside his bundle, Phield discovered an unknown potion, two third-tier scrolls, a grotesque-looking spellbook, and over a dozen high-quality magical pearls.

The cave bore clear signs of habitation. As Phield ventured deeper—through the raven’s eyes—he was struck with shock.

Bones were piled high like mountains. Human and animal alike, all radiating a chilling, resentful aura. Even observing from afar, Phield felt a cold shiver crawl up his spine.

"I avenged them. What the hell am I afraid of?"

Man and raven searched a while longer before uncovering a large chest filled with relics—rings, necklaces, and scattered coins.

"Everything valuable from the missing people is probably here."

From the cave entrance, Rosalia called out, "My lord, Hannah’s artifact has formed. Come take a look."

"Now this is the real prize."

Floating silently in the air was a black halo, emanating a mysterious and sinister aura, as if it contained boundless sin.

Phield stared at it in astonishment. "Why does this artifact look like this?"

"Let’s regroup at the gates of Mountain Ape City."

Leaving the artifact in Rosalia’s care, Phield shifted his attention back to the city.

Cheers were already erupting around him.

"Victory!"

"The Baron is blessed by the Goddess!"

Moments ago, the soldiers had been on the brink of despair, their strength draining as endless waves of red monsters pressed in. And yet, just as the line was about to collapse—the monsters had all dropped dead at once.

Looking at the calm, faint smile on Phield’s face, only two words came to mind:

A miracle.

There was no other explanation.

After all, Phield had said it himself—the Goddess would protect them.

And reality had proven him right.

"Your performance proves that you are all worthy soldiers. Take up the mist-dispelling lamps. I grant you permission to loot anything you desire from the Mountain Ape territory. However, any divine or magical items must be presented to me first."

Phield transformed The Silver Iris Longsword into a brooch as he delivered the exhilarating announcement.

This battle had been won thanks to the soldiers’ fearless resistance. Now that Mountain Ape City was effectively empty, they might as well scavenge what remained.

With two divine artifacts already secured, anything else they found would be their own reward.

"Victory!"

The soldiers’ morale soared. The way they looked at Phield shifted from respect—to fervent devotion.

Two hours later, they assembled outside the city gates, carrying bags stuffed with loot.

Phield had already strapped his greatsword to his back, a large chest resting beside him.

Sweeping his gaze across them, he noticed everything from chairs and stools to women’s skirts among their spoils.

He rubbed his nose, amused. "Leave the furniture. It’ll just slow you down. I’ll compensate you in coin instead."

"Yes, my lord!"

Grinning widely, the soldiers immediately tossed aside the unnecessary burden.