Chapter 43: Back

Pan Ni paused for a moment.

She glanced again at Luo De, who wore a broad smile.

Fine, I was originally going to stand by and do nothing, out of respect for our past partnership.

Since you’re so eager, as sisters we won’t disappoint you.

Don’t worry—I won’t let you rot in the wilderness. My belly will keep you warm.

“Coming.”

She gathered her ghouls and transformed them behind the half-wolf into a massive ghoul.

“Damn it, what are you doing with that?! Control him!”

The half-wolf Cassidy felt the movement behind her and felt her veins bulge.

Damn it, usually these ghouls are sharp—why can’t she see the situation now?!

Suddenly.

The [Beast Heart] pulsed with a warning signal.

She instinctively assumed the noble youth was up to something, and was about to observe—when a fierce gust struck from the side.

Then a tremendous force came from the side.

Weightlessness.

That was Cassidy’s first sensation.

Boom!!

The massive ghoul swung its palm.

The half-wolf shot like a cannonball into the nearby mountainside.

Soil and rocks sprayed outward, burying her under falling earth and stones.

“Pan Ni, what are you doing?!”

Cassidy clawed through the dirt and quickly climbed out.

She spat blood, her face filled with disbelief.

“We serve different masters, Cassidy.”

“Master?”

She turned to look at the human.

Could Pan Ni be his spy planted in the Ruins Brotherhood?

Before she could think, the massive ghoul attacked again—but she dodged each strike easily.

“Master, my summoning spells are ineffective against warriors enhanced for individual strength.”

Pan Ni walked over to Luo De’s side.

Within just a few rounds, the massive ghoul was torn apart.

“The half-wolf’s defense isn’t strong—use your [Rotting Bone].”

“She’s too fast—I can’t catch her,” Pan Ni shook her head.

Luo De turned toward the shadows beside him.

“Tally.”

Shadows on the ground rippled with spiritual energy.

A succubus poked her head out.

“What are your orders, Master?”

Tally, whose food supply had been cut, was unusually obedient—she now eagerly demonstrated her worth.

“Do you still remember the magic ring I gave you?”

“Hmm, you mean the [Ice Prison]?”

The magic ring seized from the halfling Ali had never been used.

Luo De couldn’t use it himself—better to give it to Tally, who excels in stealth.

“Do you have enough spiritual energy to cast it?”

Magic rings require spiritual energy to activate.

The amount needed increases across tiers.

A lazy succubus at fifth tier might struggle to cast a sixth-tier [Ice Prison].

But it doesn’t matter—if she fails, Luo De can step in himself.

“Don’t worry—I’ve got this.”

Tally proudly pulled out a small glass vial.

It was clearly a magical storage vessel.

Inside was a milky-white liquid.

Luo De’s forehead darkened—he immediately knew what it was.

The enslavement spell had ordered Tally not to absorb or extract spiritual essence from anyone except him.

This could only be his own.

“When did you get this?”

“I secretly spat some out earlier—I had to keep a reserve, just in case.”

“You’ve got good crisis awareness.”

Tally lifted her mask, stuck out her tongue.

Then she popped the cap and drank the liquid in one gulp.

Succubi are skilled at converting spiritual essence into spiritual energy.

Moments later, her body glowed with abundant spiritual light.

The nearby ghoul stared, dumbfounded.

“What is this? A tiny vial that produces so much spiritual energy?”

“.”

Luo De didn’t want to answer.

Pan Ni glanced at him and quickly explained:

“Master, please don’t misunderstand—I have no intention of asking you for this.”

“It’s fine.”

“I understand. Trust takes time. Tally must be your trusted aide to have received this. I’ve just joined your side—I’ll work hard to earn your trust, just like Tally.”

Her implication: she hoped to receive the same someday.

“Hmm, there might be a chance.”

Over here.

The massive ghoul had been completely dismantled.

Tally used [Flash Step] and appeared midair.

The magic ring in her hand blazed with brilliant spiritual light.

Sixth-tier control spell: [Ice Prison].

Activation successful.

Countless ice pillars materialized, forming a circular frozen prison.

The half-wolf, caught off guard, was trapped inside.

But she fought back, striking furiously.

The ice prison trembled violently.

Seeing the moment had come, Pan Ni commanded her ghoul servants to merge their flesh and seep into the ice prison.

Cassidy screamed.

Then she cursed Pan Ni’s entire family.

Though Pan Ni didn’t care at all.

Rumor says ghouls crave the flesh of their kin during rebirth—likely Pan Ni’s

Soon, the ice prison’s tremors slowed, then ceased entirely.

“Will you take her into your service?”

Pan Ni asked.

“Depends on the situation.”

According to Pan Ni’s description,

the enemy’s base still held three sixth-tier high-levels, and the witch Demia was even trapped.

So the stronger our side becomes, the better.

Soon,

the ice prison dissolved.

Cassidy collapsed onto the ground.

Her skin was coated in thick frost, her face bluish, and a lump of meaty slime clung to her left arm.

Her wounds showed no signs of healing.

“It seems freezing can somewhat suppress your regeneration.”

Luo De walked up to her and stabbed her as usual.

The half-werewolf grunted, glaring at him with stubborn hatred.

“State your name, half-werewolf.”

“She’s called Cassidy, Master.”

Luo De intended to replay Pan Ni’s scenario on her.

But the groveling ghoul interrupted him.

“Fine.”

He grew too lazy to continue the act and simply hurled the enslavement spell at her.

【Enslavement Failed】

【Note: The target must be weakened or submissive for the spell to take effect】

“Not weak enough? Due to high physical strength?”

Luo De stabbed her again and tried enslavement once more.

Still failed.

Stab again.

Failed again.

Stab again.

Failed again.

After repeated attempts, Cassidy’s upper body was riddled with blood-filled wounds, drenched in blood.

She glared at Luo De through gritted teeth, her venom and hatred nearly taking tangible form.

“Hmm… Could it be due to her self-healing ability?”

Luo De frowned.

Seeing her gaze, he no longer wished to torment her—besides, the front-line battle was dire, and the witch was still trapped.

He cleanly ended the sixth-rank creature with one sword strike.

“The corpse is yours.”

Pan Ni beamed, her eyes gleaming as she eagerly clutched the half-werewolf’s corpse.

She had long wanted to eat this sister!

Today, at last, her wish was fulfilled; the ghoul could hardly contain her joy.

Though her face remained stiff.

“Do well. You won’t be neglected serving me.”

Luo De patted her head, offering empty promises.

“Yes, Master!”

After calming the ghoul, he turned his gaze toward the distance.

Then.

Next were the two sixth-ranks still on the battlefield.

The mage and the orc.

Tsk… A combination that sounded outright troublesome.

(End of Chapter)