Chapter 591: Nova of the Dead

Night had fallen.

After having dinner with Yuna, Luo De returned to the forest guard cabin.

He settled into the fur sofa.

Yesterday was too indulgent.

Naturally, he would no longer let the succubus feel affection, clearly stating she could not stay overnight.

After a brief dip in spirits, Tally chose to kill two birds with one stone.

A perfect dinner was thus resolved!

Luo De watched Tally's meticulous cleaning, leaving no spot untouched.

He reached out and gently played with her earlobe.

"It's time, Tally."

"Nooooo~~~~"

Luo De knew exactly what she was thinking—he tugged her ear, ignoring her yelp of pain.

He pulled her away.

Tally licked the area around her lips with a vivid crimson tongue, muttering discontentedly.

"You should go back."

"But I'm exhausted from eating! I need to rest a while before leaving—it's what you yourself said! No exercise after meals!"

Saying this,

she boldly squeezed into Luo De's arms.

After receiving a glare, she began feigning sobbing sounds.

She slumped dejectedly onto the wooden chair padded with cotton cloth, lifting her eyes pitifully toward Luo De.

She even cunningly loosened her collar, revealing a large expanse of snowy cleavage.

Luo De ignored her.

He listened to the night insects chirping outside the window.

That Campbell crime family?

To be honest, the composition of this recruitment squad is quite complex.

From the warning letter sent two months ago by the Tooth Fairy sprites, we know the Igo Church is overseeing this recruitment squad.

But actual frontline operations are handled by military personnel like Hunter of the Wind.

For example, those five belligerent, probing soldiers under Cen.

Their demeanor is not that of church members—they're clearly from some knightly order.

Though it's likely all these knightly order members are already affiliated with the Igo Church.

So the question arises:

Aside from profiteering, what is the recruitment squad's true purpose?

A year ago, the Igo Church's influence reached Shi Ying Town; the beloved youngest daughter of the Argyle family was implanted with a mental construct.

Soon after, they set up a massive sand tornado ritual, 【Dark Vortex Rift】, which Luo De and Kali Site and others blocked using a Qianchamigong method.

Now, the sand tornado has become no different from a small whirlpool.

Since then,

the Igo Church has not interfered with Shi Ying Town again.

So why are they here now?

Because of the Holy Flame Sect's annihilation?

Nah, forget it.

In just these two months, the Igo Church has recognized over a thousand minor branches and sects—basically, anyone who comes to pledge allegiance gets a contract.

They couldn't possibly manage them all.

Still, one thing to note: direct contact with individuals infected by mental constructs may reveal the presence of the 【Mark】.

Is this because the Igo Church intends to do something else to the Death Desert, aiming to activate the Igo race?

Hmm.

Shemus, the director of Bahadur Image Studio, infected by 【Despair Mycelium】, revealed:

His current project—a emotionless killing machine, the Hollow Warrior—is a top-priority initiative developed in close cooperation with "a certain organization."

The Hollow Warrior's creation aims to reduce the growing influence of the real dimension on the alternate space.

In other words,

the Igo Church, controlled by the Igo race, has chosen to prioritize weakening the alternate space's influence over liberating itself?

You're quite coldly rational and noble, aren't you?

Though the cost is the direct elimination of human lives.

So perhaps the Campbell crime family's presence on the streets is because of this?

Luo De shook his head.

He refused to dwell on or ponder matters with no clues.

Instead, he directly contacted our inside agent, Mr. Shemus, via 【Despair Mycelium】.

Shemus should be crafting image stones.

Startled by Luo De's voice in his mind, he flung the expensive image stone he was holding straight into the air.

His face twisted in anguish and sorrow.

After learning Luo De's request, he said nothing.

After all, he was under someone else's roof.

Shemus was a grown man; Luo De had no interest in chatting with him further.

He hung up immediately.

Suddenly, soft moaning sounds came from inside the cabin.

Luo De turned his head.

He saw Tally's plump thighs doing something unknown.

She breathed heavily, her eyes fixed intently on Luo De's face.

Desire and seduction filled her gaze.

Her brows were slightly furrowed—she had clearly reached the peak of passion.

"What are you doing?"

"Master won't let Tally…—"

"Then why are you looking at me like that?"

"Looking at Master."

". My furniture."

"Tally is~~~ Tally is. ~"

No wonder beauty can excuse everything.

Tally's words were lewd, yet she wore a face that bewitched all who saw it.

And she gazed at you with desperate longing and humble submission.

It was hard to feel disgusted.

Luo De felt a slight stirring in his heart, but suppressed it—he didn't want this creature to succeed.

He shifted his gaze.

To the newly unlocked shared skill from the ghoul Pan Ni.

【Extraction Successful】

【Shared Skill: Nova of the Dead】

【Details: Causes undead units to release corrupted energy explosions, inflicting additional bone-shattering piercing damage to all within a 5-foot radius.】

【Note: This skill has a chain effect—if other undead units or corpses are within a five-meter radius of the explosion, they trigger a chain "Nova of the Dead." Each chained corpse increases power by 3%.】

"Oh ho."

Luo De had no use for this skill himself.

But it could be applied to Pan Ni's undead army.

The stacking power looks quite impressive.

Just be careful to keep distance from other undead units—otherwise, if they all detonate at once, Pan Ni will surely cry and beg pitifully in front of him.

Shi Ying Town.

The town has no curfew.

Nightfall should mark the start of Xin Lanke Street's night market, the time when residents enjoy their lively nightlife.

But with the recruitment squad's arrival, everything has been suspended.

No lights shine, no people pass by.

A rented inn sits at the edge of Xin Lanke Street; its top-floor room offers a full view of Shi Ying Town's most bustling street.

And now,

an elderly man clad in a lavish red-and-white ecclesiastical robe gazed solemnly down at the silent street below through the glass window.

Colorful house facades, dancing lanterns, exaggerated signs.

"This is a quite impressive night market management style; perhaps Can Guang City could learn from it."

The old man said as such.

Not far from the room stood a middle-aged man dressed as a stern military officer, wearing exquisite armor and a white cloak.

He swirled his cup and let out a scoff.

"There's something worth noting in these rural recruitment tricks—so I hear it was the idea of that Forest Guard Luo De."

(End of Chapter)