Chapter 1 The Battle Ends

The battle in front of the Unicorn Inn ended abruptly.

The battle from Stormwind Manor ignited the underworld, and the entire camp instantly descended into chaos.

The clash of super-tier spells near the manor created earth-shattering, terrifying movements.

From a distance, one could clearly see four twenty- or thirty-meter-tall golden-armored knight phantoms suddenly coalescing at Princess Theresa's residence.

It seemed someone was fiercely fighting those knight phantoms, the "clang" of weapons clashing echoed throughout the camp.

Shockwaves, one higher than the other, battered the entire camp like tidal waves.

While golden knight phantoms guarded the manor, the attacker's methods were not weak either.

Fourth-tier fire spell [Meteor Incineration], meteorites coalesced in the seven-pointed star array in the sky and fell like raindrops...

Large-scale fourth-tier lightning spell [City-Destroying Thundercloud], lightning crackled and roared, and lightning dragons rampaged down...

Third-tier arcane-level spell [Earth Fissure], the earth shook and mountains trembled. Centered on the manor, the entire camp cracked with bottomless ravines...

The moment Soren saw this multi-element super-tier spell, he knew that Mr. Black was the one attacking.

This [Scholar] had truly mastered various elemental alchemy, even if he wasn't a fifth-tier, in a real fight, his area-covering spells would be even more troublesome than a fifth-tier.

How many people in the camp had seen a super-tier spell?

Seeing this apocalyptic spectacle, they were all horrified.

For a time, ice, frost, thunder, fire... various elemental spells touched each other near Stormwind Manor, like holiday fireworks, blooming all over the sky.

But danger aside, they still had to put on a show.

"Assassins are attacking Princess Theresa, we must go and support her!"

"We can't let the criminals escape!"

"..."

The clamor and shouts never ceased, and everyone eagerly wanted to lead troops to save their liege.

The various families in the camp rushed forward with their own men, vying to be first, and thousands of people swarmed towards Stormwind Manor.

And coincidentally, when the crowd surged forward, a seven-pointed star array suddenly lit up under the feet of a certain guy mixed in the crowd. Before those people could react, another super-tier spell blasted over, forcing several fourth-tier guards who were trying to seal off the manor to retreat in a panic. While not necessarily fatal, it made them understand that there were also assassins mixed in with this group of people.

Immediately, a loud roar!

"Everyone is forbidden to approach the manor, or they will be killed without mercy!"

But this shout not only didn't stabilize the situation, but made it even more chaotic.

Those in charge couldn't, and people continued to surge from the lower city, wanting to show their faces in front of the princess.

The camp gathered various wasteland hunting groups, mercenaries, family guards, city guards, security teams... Dozens or hundreds of groups of people didn't know each other, and someone fired a cold shot, and they quickly broke out into a brawl.

"Damn it! Who's firing rockets..."

"Damn it, don't shoot randomly. We are mercenaries from the David family!"

"That's exactly who we're hitting, I just saw you firing the rocket, you're the assassin's accomplices!"

"Go to hell, you're the assassin's accomplices."

Someone fanned the flames, someone fired cold shots, and someone came out to mediate, only to get blasted.

Bang! Bang! Bang...

Pow! Pow! Pow...

The sound of guns and cannons was chaotic.

Suddenly, someone shouted.

"Not good! The assassins are coming out!"

"..."

The chaotic situation also created convenience for the "assassins" to attack and retreat.

The battle started quickly and ended quickly.

Several cloaked figures caused an unknown commotion in the manor, seemingly achieving their purpose, and without any intention of continuing the fight, they directly fled out of the city.

Perhaps they had learned from the previous lesson of luring and killing a fifth-tier professional.

Those high-level guards in the manor didn't dare to chase too far, for fear of being tricked again, or of being lured away from the mountain.

Low-level professionals couldn't stop them, and the several cloaked assassins didn't encounter much resistance, and broke through the encirclement, scaled the city walls, and disappeared outside the city gates.

.......

And in front of the Unicorn Inn.

Several guards were killed, and "Qiantiao" was also injured to some extent.

Soren looked at the successfully escaped "Rakshasa Woman" and the others in the distance, and also breathed a sigh of relief.

Now, Qiantiao and the Rakshasa Woman were completely unrelated.

Although it seemed a bit coincidental, it didn't matter anymore.

As long as Qiantiao wasn't the "Rakshasa Woman", a gangster leader was nothing. No matter what, the danger level had dropped countless levels.

Even this kind of ordinary gang file would no longer enter the sight of high-level officials like the leader of the Umbrella organization.

The Umbrella organization would probably calm down for a while.

On the other hand, Reina stood there blankly.

This young lady, who had never experienced any major setbacks, personally watched the head of her best friend being delivered in front of her tonight. She witnessed a senseless assassination. That strong feeling of helplessness and being at someone else's mercy washed over her perceptions like a tide. In those originally crystal-clear black eyes, there was also an unspeakable wave of light...

The old butler was slightly injured in the fight with the "Forensic Doctor" Serves, and there was a patch of scarlet blood on his lapel.

He tidied it up, covered it with his coat, walked over, looked at his young lady's distraught appearance, and sighed slightly: "Miss, you should go upstairs and rest first, leave this to the old man. We will leave the city tomorrow morning."

They could tell that the assassins were from the Umbrella organization.

So they could only swallow this loss.

Even if the Reis family was once a top-tier chaebol in the inner city, they couldn't afford to offend that organization.

Reina was a little muddled, returned to her room, and sat blankly on the bed.

"Qiantiao" looked at her, turned to Soren and said, "Let her be alone for a while, it might be a good thing for her."

Soren nodded, "Yeah."

The cruelty of this world was far more than Reina had seen.

The acting had to continue, and Mr. Mirror and Soren also entered another room.

.......

The door closed, and a soundproof array was set up.

Although he knew that Mr. Mirror and the others dared to take action, they must have had a complete plan, but Soren was also a little curious, and asked: "Mr. Mirror, will exposing the movements of so many people this time cause the Black Tower to be vigilant?"

"Not much impact."

Mr. Mirror's expression was very indifferent, as if everything was within the plan, "After this relic, things are almost prepared."

And when she spoke, a magical scene unfolded before Soren's eyes.

In the previous battle, "Qiantiao", who only had second-tier strength, was also seriously injured, and many wounds appeared on her body.

But in the blink of an eye after entering the room, Soren suddenly saw the wounds on her body, actually healing visibly!

Without using any potions, relying on her exaggerated self-healing ability, she instantly recovered as before.

Soren was a little surprised in his heart: Could it be that Mr. Mirror has also transformed her bloodline, or is it some kind of special self-healing ability?

This self-healing efficiency was even comparable to "Abomination".

Much stronger than himself.

But thinking that this person was likely a fourth-tier, or even higher-level expert, it was normal to have some means he couldn't understand.

On the contrary, Soren was more concerned about Mr. Mirror's sentence "things are almost prepared".

It sounded like the big shots were preparing to attack the Black Tower?

But Mr. Mirror didn't seem to intend to continue this topic, she looked at Soren and reminded: "Although tonight's trouble has been muddled through, the methods of that 'Forensic Doctor' Serves are not that simple. The Umbrella organization will definitely come to test again. You be careful yourself in the future."

After a pause, she continued: "I will follow the team in the next few days, but I have other things to deal with when I go to the ruins. At that time, you should take care of this team, don't let it get wiped out. Especially help me take care of Reina."

Soren nodded: "Yeah."

The Reina girl had helped him several times, and within his capabilities, Soren would naturally think about saving her life.

His expression didn't change, but listening to these words, a slightly strange thought popped up in his heart.

Mr. Mirror would actually take such care of Reina, could it be... there's some special relationship?

For example, an illegitimate daughter?

Although Soren didn't ask, Mr. Mirror seemed to have guessed his thoughts.

She glanced at Soren, her expression seemed quite helpless, and she explained: "The Reis family was built up by me single-handedly. Reina's mother died for me. That girl has good talent and knowledge, but lacks experience. I have a plan to train her to be the heir of the Reis family."

"Oh..."

Soren understood when he heard this.

But with this said, his thoughts became more active.

Built up single-handedly?

This is quite a bit of information.

The Reis family has been an established family for decades, she built it up single-handedly, how old is Mr. Mirror?

Soren thought of the strange phenomenon of her wound healing before, super high cell activity can indeed make people younger, but... is she actually an elderly old woman?

However, when this thought popped up in Soren's mind, he clearly saw "Qiantiao" shake her head and look at him strangely. Seeming a bit helpless.

"I... never mind..."

She stopped talking, but didn't explain much.

He didn't know if it was because she was disguised as Qiantiao, but Soren felt that this "Mr. Mirror" seemed quite easy to get along with. There was no cold arrogance that kept people away.

Thinking that Mr. Black's teacher was in front of him, Soren naturally asked the question directly, "Mr. Mirror, I saw a mask appearing on the face of the Umbrella organization leader before, it seems to be a spiritual curse item?"

"Qiantiao" put the knife on the table and began to pack up her tattered clothes, nodding and saying: "Yeah. Over the years, the Black Tower has also unearthed a lot of good things. That is the [Fate Thief's Three-Faced Mask], a very good ancient curse item. Serves went wrong in his professional cultivation, his mental power has mutated, and that mask is used to suppress his uncontrollable split personality..."

Soren understood as soon as he heard it.

Moreover, listening to this function, it seems to be quite suitable for his "symptoms"?

He directly asked: "Mr. Mirror, that mask... is it suitable for me?"

"Qiantiao" glanced at him and said, "I heard Emilich talk about your situation, this mask is indeed useful to you. But it's just a temporary solution. The essence of the mask's effect is suppression, just like you suppressing it with your own will, it will eventually backfire."

(Emilich, Mr. Black's real name)

Soren originally thought that the effect of this thing was a bit repetitive, but he suddenly heard "Qiantiao" think of something, and changed the topic: "But if you can master a top-level spiritual secret technique, it will be a very suitable advancement material for your 'Puppet Master' lineage, which can help you break through the upper limit of [Multi-Tasking]. Under normal circumstances, the [Fate Thief's Three-Faced Mask] is an advancement material that only fourth-tier spiritual professionals can withstand. But in your case... it's a bit special, you should be able to withstand it at the third tier."

"Advancement material?"

Hearing this, Soren immediately became energetic.

He knew that she was probably referring to his "special" ability, probably referring to the situation that the [Death Harvester] talent led to extraordinary spiritual power.

Being able to be said to be suitable by her must be a very compatible material.

Moreover, she directly said that the effect after advancement is to break through the upper limit of [Multi-Tasking]?!!

"Qiantiao" looked at Soren, her eyebrows curved, and asked: "Do you want to kill him?"

Soren nodded: "Yeah."

Not to mention the curse materials, when he signed the recognition contract with Shabina before, he agreed that once he had the strength, he would help her kill that guy.

"It's not easy to kill that guy."

"Qiantiao" teased, didn't say much, and said: "Remind you of one thing. Remember, if you encounter him in the future, be sure to be careful if you see the mask is a 'red face', if you see the mask turn into a 'black face', he will have combat power no weaker than the fourth tier..."

"Yeah."

Soren didn't expect to be able to kill that "Forensic Doctor" Serves in a short time by himself.

However, wasn't there a strong helper in front of him?

Moreover, since there was a goal, his thoughts were also focused on achieving this goal.

In an instant, some thoughts also came to mind.

A plan was quietly formed.

"Qiantiao" smiled, didn't respond much.

Could it be that he met this person, and Soren simply asked something he was curious about, "Mr. Mirror, do you know about the existence of the underground altar in Stormwind Manor? Mr. Black said before that you can help me solve my doubts, and the symbol representing [Fate]..."

"Qiantiao", as Mr. Black said at the beginning, seemed very willing to solve his doubts, and said: "The altar under Stormwind Manor is a relic left by the 'Akavir Era' of the prehistoric civilization of the 'Dawn Epoch'. The identities of those five statues are the most mysterious alchemy organization of that era, the five elders of the 'Rose Cross Society', the real god-level alchemists. That is the most real, the most recent, and the most glorious era of alchemy that humans can currently come into contact with. At the beginning, Sir Isaac named this city, just wanted to let alchemy reproduce the glory of the Dawn Epoch..."

Speaking of this, she seemed to feel that since she said it anyway, she might as well say a few more words: "This is a prehistoric civilization that is almost undocumented in the historical materials of Old Lunden. Legend has it that the alchemists of the Dawn Epoch conquered various fragment planes, and top-level alchemists could even hunt gods, they created a powerful alchemy civilization..."

"I see..."

After listening to her words, Soren's eyes trembled slightly, and he was shocked for a long time.

Well, this boss really knows everything.

Moreover, it can be seen from her words that her understanding of Dawn City has reached an incredible level.

She not only knew the altar, but also knew the origin of the altar.

This world is not only wonderful now, but the history that was once buried in the dust is equally wonderful.

.......

Although Mr. Mirror wasn't Qiantiao, she seemed to have the same habit of bathing and soaking in the hot springs as that gambling-addicted MILF.

The previous battle had stained her body with blood, which made her frown tightly.

When she spoke, she also unbuttoned her robe, didn't look at Soren, and said: "Okay, I'm going to take a shower. Let's talk later."

Soren naturally understood and avoided her gaze.

The gambling-addicted MILF wouldn't avoid him, but this boss still minded.

Before long, the sound of rushing water came from the bathroom.

The clamor outside the window hadn't stopped, and the operation to hunt down the assassins continued until late at night.

"Qiantiao" took a bath and lay on the bed to rest.

Soren meditated cross-legged on the sofa next to him.

Around two or three in the morning,

Suddenly, "Qiantiao", who seemed to be sleeping soundly, suddenly noticed something and whispered: "Someone's coming!"

As soon as Soren heard it, he immediately understood what she meant.

Zorro was Qiantiao's boyfriend, and the acting had to be complete.

It was necessary to let people see the state of the two people in the room, and they could see the problem at a glance.

Soren used a trick to change clothes, changed into his pajamas and jumped into bed, and "Qiantiao" also leaned into his arms affectionately.

He didn't show any strangeness to what the boss instructed, and he hugged her if he was supposed to. At this moment, "Qiantiao" was wearing a thin nightgown, and the touch was real. Large areas of skin touched each other, and both of them could clearly feel each other's temperature.

However, there were no romantic thoughts.

Although the touch of that tight skin was exactly the same as the gambling-addicted MILF, thinking that Mr. Mirror was probably not young, Soren always felt something was strange.

Soren didn't perceive the movement of anyone coming, so the person who came must be a master above the third tier.

Thinking that it was probably the Umbrella organization coming back to confirm?

"Qiantiao"'s persona was a second-tier professional, so she naturally shouldn't have discovered the other party.

However, things weren't what Soren thought.

Because not long after, Soren, who was sleeping with his eyes closed, heard someone calling him in his ear.

"Mr. Soren, long time no see..."

Obviously, he didn't hear any movement, no one came in through the window, and there was no sound of trampling on the carpet.

But strangely, this call seemed to be right next to his ear.

"Hehe... I know you're not asleep..."

Soren thought he was hallucinating, and a slit opened in his eyelids, and a face emitting a faint blue light immediately came into view!

Ten centimeters away, a semi-transparent little girl was looking at him face to face, her big watery eyes were full of mischievous smiles.

If Soren wasn't in a good mood, most people would be so frightened that their souls would leave their bodies after seeing this scene in the middle of the night.

.......

"Pestoa?"

Soren asked tentatively.

He had a deep impression of the well-behaved and lovely little girl in the princess dress in front of him. It was the "ghost species" he met on the first day he traveled here!

Looking at "Qiantiao" next to him, her breathing was even, and she seemed to be sleeping very soundly.

He didn't know if she was really asleep or pretending, but Soren knew that something seemed to be going wrong today...

Pestoa's little face showed joy when she saw Soren recognize her. She floated in the air and turned around, "Oh, I thought you had forgotten me~"

Listening to this playful female voice, Soren remembered the first time they met.

Although this little ghost species girl was occasionally tyrannical, the two had a certain "resonance" that they hit it off at first sight.

He smiled and said, "How could I forget?"

With that, Soren got out of bed, covered the quilt for "Qiantiao" next to him, and asked, "Pestoa, why are you here?"

If he hadn't seen that "butterfly brooch", he would probably be very happy to reminisce with this ghost species that he once felt was very to his taste.

But now, her appearance here made the problem a bit complicated.

"I don't know... I felt you were here, so I came to see you~"

Pestoa tilted her head and thought, seeming to be missing a part of her memory.

But she didn't care, she had forgotten many things over these thousands of years.

But she was still happy from the bottom of her heart when she saw an old friend: "I didn't expect it to be really Mr. Soren."

Soren walked to the coffee table in the suite and poured himself a cup of tea.

Although he didn't know if ghost species could drink tea, he also poured a cup for Pestoa, who was sitting next to him in a row.

While pouring tea, Soren smiled and said, "I've become so handsome, how did you recognize me?"

Pestoa took the teacup and sniffed it, actually took a sip, and said: "Of course I can recognize you. I recognize your soul~"

Blinking her eyes, she added: "But your soul is much stronger than before, I almost didn't recognize it~"

Like old friends meeting again, the atmosphere was very harmonious.

The two chatted one sentence after another.

Soren roundaboutly tested a few questions and found that Pestoa didn't remember what happened after he left at all.

It was as if she woke up and felt that he was nearby, so she came again.

But... the cursed space of Stormwind Manor was clearly gone.

Moreover, the ghost species in the cursed space actually ran outside?

But he had already confirmed that the person in front of him was the girl he saw at the beginning.

After chatting about a few light-hearted topics, Soren directly asked: "Pestoa, where do you live now?"

"I live in the manor~"

As she said that, Pestoa floated up and gave Soren a warm hug, "I thought I would never see Mr. Soren again. I'm really happy~"

Her physical state was very strange, she was clearly a spirit body, but when she wanted to touch something, she was a solid body.

"I'm also very happy."

Soren smiled.

Listening to that cheerful tone, he could also feel that she was happy from the bottom of her heart.

After all, he was the first "friend" this girl had made in thousands of years.

The two chatted for a long time.

The massive amount of pickup lines that Soren had harvested before also came in handy.

All kinds of jokes and memes came out of his mouth.

Even the little girl enjoyed it very much.

Pestoa was amused and laughed loudly, and the room was full of silver bell-like laughter.

Soren really thought she was just here to catch up.

But there were two questions that he had been avoiding mentioning.

One was the question she entrusted him to ask.

The second was about the brooch.

But unexpectedly, at this time, Pestoa floated in front of Soren, and suddenly thought of something, and asked: "Huh... Mr. Soren, why don't I see you wearing the butterfly brooch I gave you?"

Soren's heart skipped a beat when he heard this.

This girl seemed to be very sensitive to emotions. Before Soren could think of an excuse, her face suddenly sank: "You... don't like the gift I gave you?"

Her crystal eyes were shimmering with light, and she looked aggrieved, "But... that's my favorite and most precious thing."

As she spoke, her eyes gradually turned red.

Then, it was no longer the aggrieved red, but gradually turned into a strange and fierce crimson.

Pestoa looked at Soren, tears couldn't stop falling from her little face, and drops of light blue tears disappeared before they landed.

She cried, and an extremely sad emotion erupted, "Mr. Soren, I don't know why, but I feel so sad now..."

I clearly gave you my most precious gift, but you lost it.

Just like back then, watching her mother and father burn to death in front of her eyes.

Those were clearly the most beloved parents in her life...

That was the pain of losing the most precious thing in her heart...

A kind of heartache.

Looking at this scene, Soren didn't know that this was a sign that she was about to go berserk and become blackened.

The state she was in when she abused and killed "Iron Head" Ivan and his group when they first met.

He wanted to explain something, but the brooch couldn't be taken out.

But after all, he had no malice towards this little girl.

He felt Pestoa's indescribable emotions, loneliness, sadness...

He sighed and reached out to touch her head, and said truthfully: "I like the gift you gave me. But sorry, I seem to have lost it..."

These words seemed to appease the aggrieved Pestoa, and the red light in her eyes dimmed a little, but it still didn't disappear.

Soren also rubbed her face with both hands and said solemnly: "But I will definitely get it back."

Although she was a thousand-year-old ghost species, she was only a ten-year-old girl in her heart after all.

Still very easy to coax.

Hearing these words, the red light in the little girl's eyes finally stopped.

Emotions can't deceive people, and Pestoa obviously knew that Soren

But she still looked at Soren with an aggrieved look and said resentfully: "Mr. Soren, if you don't get my brooch back, I will eat you!"

That tone was so aggrieved, so aggrieved.

As she spoke, Pestoa also grinned and showed her little tiger teeth, and bit the hand that Soren touched her head.

One bite, firmly.

"..."

Soren didn't mind, smiled, and didn't pull back his hand.

However, he was also a little curious, his skin, which was now hard to penetrate with ordinary bullets, was actually bitten and hurt?

Biting probably relieved her anger.

Pestoa raised her head, and at this time, her gaze was attracted by a necklace on Soren's hand, "Huh... Mr. Soren, how do you have this necklace?"

As she said that, she raised her hand and waved, and the crystal pendant fell into her hand.

Soren glanced at it.

The clues in his mind were connected like lightning.

This was the [Serea's Crystal Pendant] that he obtained by beheading that Umbrella organization diviner on the way to the ruins.

He had been wearing it because this alchemy item had an attribute that avoided divination.

Looking at the name of this necklace, Soren felt very familiar.

Now listening to Pestoa's tone, he immediately confirmed something.

Although the female name "Serea" had a high rate of duplicate names,

But unfortunately,

This necklace had a great origin.

The master of puppetry, Serea, whom Mr. Mirror entrusted him to see in a certain cursed space, was also called that.

And what was even more coincidental was that the employment materials for Soren's own puppetry came from Pestoa in front of him.

Some special professions were inherited in one line.

The source of the coincidence was because Soren had also seen this name on the family photo in the study of Stormwind Manor when he traveled here.

She was the mother of the little girl in front of him, Serea Isaac. (Changed her surname after marrying)

.......

Pestoa's emotions, which had just calmed down, suddenly became violently fluctuating, "You... saw... her?"

Soren was afraid that she would remember something and be stimulated again, so he directly said: "Didn't you entrust me to ask them a question? I know some clues, and I plan to help you ask this time."

Pestoa was silent.

After a long time, she squeaked: "Oh."

Soren felt the contradiction in her heart.

Clearly full of love, but also with a desperate resentment.

The atmosphere suddenly turned cold.

Seeing what she thought of, Pestoa missed her family and lost the interest to continue staying.

She said to Soren: "Mr. Soren, I'm sleepy, I'm going back to sleep, I'll come to you next time."

"Yeah. See you next time."

Soren nodded and waved to her.

He watched her float out of the window with a sad face and then slowly disappeared.

Soren didn't mention to her that the brooch was in Theresa's hands.

He felt that this matter was a bit complicated.

The Pestoa in front of him seemed to be missing some memories.

Intuition told Soren that it was best not to trigger some obviously strange plots before he figured it out.

.......

And just after Pestoa left, "Qiantiao" on the bed suddenly opened her eyes.

Soren didn't see that a gleam of light flashed in her deep eyes.

Now that Pestoa was gone, Soren sat on the sofa with a frown.

Many doubts in his mind were linked together, and none of them could be solved because he lacked key information.

He felt that it was necessary to tell the boss about this situation, so he turned his head to look at "Qiantiao" on the bed and coughed lightly, "Cough! Cough!"

There was an immediate response.

Qiantiao didn't turn around, "Sleep. It's okay."

Obviously, she had been awake all the time.

"That..."

Soren thought she didn't know the situation and wanted to say something more.

At this time, "Qiantiao" directly interrupted: "Can't say."

"..."

Soren's eyes narrowed slightly when he heard these three words.

Can't say?

That is to say...

Pestoa was indeed involved in that indescribable existence?