Chapter 102: The Ritual Preparation is Complete

Mist Town, at the entrance of the dilapidated hotel hung a sign that read "Quiet Forest Rest," and the deserted lobby only had the boss dozing on the counter and invisible ghosts for company... if ghosts were willing to come here.

Don't look at it as if it's a bit depressed, but in fact, this is already a hotel with decent conditions on the whole small town.

The waiter carrying the meal tray stepped on the moldy wooden floor and stopped at the door of the room at the end of the corridor, carefully knocking on the dilapidated door panel.

"Guest, your dinner."

A strange guest lived in this room.

A month ago he came here, threw a pile of scattered magic crystals on the counter to indicate he wanted to stay, then took the key and went to the room in the corner, and never came out again after going in.

Although he had never ordered dinner, to prevent him from starving to death in his own hotel, the boss defaulted that he had this need and would send someone to deliver it every night.

In this way, he could earn more money from his account, and by the way, see if he was still alive, to prevent the corpse from smelling before being discovered.

Unlike those small towns with lords, Mist Town belonged to an enclave of the Kingdom of Ryan in the underground world, mainly operated by the Adventurers' Guild, providing travel convenience for those adventurers heading to the deeper parts of the labyrinth, while monitoring monster activities in the labyrinth.

Because this is a place outside the law, besides adventurers coming here, occasionally some people who can't survive on the surface will hide here.

The waiters and chefs in the back kitchen of "Quiet Forest Rest" often discussed this strange guest.

Some say he owes a lot of money, and some say he offended someone he shouldn't have offended.

Others say he is a wanted fugitive.

But no matter what, this is Mist Town, not the lord's territory.

As long as someone is willing to pay, they will provide corresponding services and turn a blind eye to things unrelated to this.

Even if what is given is not money, but magic crystals or other precious metals that can be exchanged for money.

There was no sound behind the door for a long time.

Just when the waiter at the door was wondering if this guy had died, a hoarse voice suddenly came through the door crack.

"Put it at the door."

"Okay, okay..." The waiter who came back to his senses immediately placed the meal tray at the door.

Here, there are many travelers with strange tempers.

Based on the principle of avoiding trouble, he didn't want to meddle in other people's business.

However, out of kindness, he still kindly reminded him.

"By the way sir, your room fee is almost used up... if you still want to continue staying, it's best to book the room within three days. Of course, this is just a suggestion..."

There was silence in the room for a while, with no answer.

Just as the waiter was about to leave, a hoarse voice came from inside the room door.

"Understood."

That voice was full of impatience, and it was as if he had made some kind of decision.

Not daring to stay here for too long, the waiter hurriedly left the corridor.

Inside the room.

Miranda, disheveled, looked at his pocket watch, took a deep breath of the turbid air, went to the door and dragged the meal tray in, then dumped it into the trash bag without looking.

Although it was a pity, he had to do so.

Theoretically, anyone who has had direct or indirect contact with him could become an apostle of the Eerie Mist, directly or indirectly participating in its unspeakable conspiracy.

In order not to become a victim of that indescribable conspiracy, he could only go far away to this place, hiding in this small town unaffected by the outside world, and reducing contact with others as much as possible.

But now, he couldn't hold on anymore...

That voice from the dark drifted to his ear again, saying with a voice carrying a trace of regret.

"That piece of bread smeared with butter looks really delicious... are you really not going to taste a bite?"

Miranda didn't answer, just took out dry food from his suitcase and took a bite, then stared at the mirror at the corner of the table with red and swollen eyes, saying in a hoarse voice.

"It's time for us to make a break."

The so-called break is to end his own life.

When the soul is completely liberated from the flesh, the mark branded deep in his soul will also disappear along with his soul returning to the embrace of the god.

Any conspiracy with this as an anchor point will vanish into thin air.

Even Novier, the Eerie Mist, cannot fight against the truth that has existed since the ancient era.

Although the soul of a person who dies in the labyrinth cannot return to the embrace of the god, but will be eaten by the labyrinth itself... but the result is the same.

Using sacrifice in exchange for the final victory is the only thing he can do after trying all methods.

It seemed to be sensing his determination, and the mirror placed at the corner of the table suddenly rippled with eerie ripples.

Thick mist permeated the room in the mirror, covering everything that could be covered.

Including Miranda himself.

A light laugh came from the void, and the omnipresent eyes seemed to be watching a stupid ant.

"Do you think you can get rid of me like this?"

"Stop bluffing." Miranda stared fixedly at the mirror, his hand already grasping the table knife.

For a moment, he wasn't sure whether it was the ever-changing mist that was bluffing, or himself shrouded in the mist.

Those invisible eyes were still watching him, whispering in a slow and deliberate voice.

"I'm not bluffing, I just feel... it's a bit of a pity."

"A pity?"

"Yes... on the eve of victory, unable to share this joy with my friend. I will always remember, you are my first servant, waking me from my slumber."

Miranda sneered and pressed the sharp table knife against his neck.

"There won't be your so-called victory."

The white mist watched him and laughed softly.

"That might not be so."

Miranda's pupils contracted slightly, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"What do you mean?"

The voice from the dark continued to say.

"You are a part of the plan, one of the chess pieces on the chessboard. The person who completes the destiny should have been you, but it doesn't have to be you."

A trace of madness appeared in Miranda's eyes, and he roared almost with a roaring voice.

"Then go find that person, everything here has nothing to do with me!"

"Is that so? But he won't let you go just like that, swearing to find you, even if it's your corpse. He will resurrect you, this won't be very difficult for him who completes the ritual. You think death can get rid of me, but in fact, death is just the beginning of everything."

"You guy..."

A trace of fear appeared in his eyes, Miranda cursed, threw away the table knife in his hand, reached his trembling hand into the suitcase, and took out the matches placed in the interlayer.

However, those omnipresent eyes just watched him, whispering in his brain.

"Want to burn yourself to death? I tell you it's useless... even if you burn into ashes, your soul will remain in place."

Miranda: "This is impossible! Don't try to lie to me!"

The voice from the dark mocked.

"This is the fact. The labyrinth will indeed eat souls that have nowhere to go, but the premise is a living labyrinth. This labyrinth is already dead, you shouldn't have just known, hehehehe..."

The heart stopped beating for a moment, and Miranda's eyes fell into deep despair.

And just at this moment, that ghost-like voice continued to whisper in his ear.

"How about this... a forced melon is not sweet, and for you, I'm almost tired of it too."

"Then hurry up and get out of my head!" Miranda let out a suppressed low roar from his throat.

"Don't worry, I will do so... but to make all this end a little faster, you have to do one last thing for me."

Miranda: "Don't even think about it!"

"You have the right to refuse, but... don't you plan to listen to me finish before making a decision?"

"..."

Miranda didn't speak, tacitly allowing the voice from the dark to continue.

He was not a great person.

And he had never truly thought about sacrificing himself to save others... even if this disaster was caused by him.

Perhaps Novier saw through his thoughts, so he didn't take his threat to heart at all.

Miranda's expression gradually distorted, he hugged his head painfully, wishing he could strangle himself, but also unwilling to let go of that glimmer of life.

The voice from the dark continued to whisper.

"You thirst for strength, thirst to change your destiny, so you didn't hesitate to take the risk to try rituals and spells that even your mentor didn't dare to try easily. However, just when you bet everything, you found that destiny played a joke on you. The god you pleased was not someone else, but me... the true Outer God from chaos."

"You fear me, but I have never abandoned you, I even paved a smoothest path for you, you just need to follow what I say, your achievements will not be lower than Lint Isaac, you will be the second Wizard King on this continent... and without any effort."

"But what did you do? You have been resisting me, your stupidity and fear of the unknown hindered your progress, I tried to persuade you back to the correct track, but unfortunately you have thrown your mission behind you and ran away again and again."

"Now, the god who once favored you is tired of you... but He is merciful after all, even if you have disappointed His expectations more than once, He will still give you a second choice."

Miranda put down his head-hugging hands, slowly raised his head, and looked at the mirror with hollow eyes.

"What do you want me to do?"

He had completely given up resistance.

Deep in the vortex, he had understood that before the Eerie Mist, any struggle was meaningless. A sneaky giggle came from the unspeakable mist, as if gratified by his change.

"Very simple..."

"Help me complete the final link of the ritual."

"Miranda's story has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, twenty-seven lives are enough to serve as sacrifices. But now the final step is missing, only death can make the legend settle!"

"We have to let that undead alchemist named Miranda be killed by our sharp-eyed detective."

"You want to kill me?!" Miranda held his breath, a trace of fear floating in his hollow eyes.

Just as Novier guessed, this guy didn't have the courage to sacrifice.

So he was destined to be unable to glimpse the truth.

"Of course not... only when lies become truth can we be considered to have successfully distorted reality. The one who must be killed is the false Miranda, and the real Miranda... that is you, will inherit the dead man's name."

Miranda muttered to himself.

"So you want me to find an undead necromancer who knows alchemy... where am I going to find one for you?"

Novier whispered with a smile.

"You don't need to find him, he is in the labyrinth, and is heading here..."

Deep in the Mist Forest, an adventurer squad was heading toward the small town in the forest.

After continuously killing several monsters that were waiting for an opportunity to sneak attack, Luo Yan and Alex and others finally arrived at an open area where the trees were relatively sparse.

Unlike the withered forest full of hidden murderous intent before, this place was not only quieter, but the murderous intent hidden in the mist was also much less.

Sarah, who lowered her dagger, quietly raised her arm to wipe the blood hanging on her cheek.

That was left by the previous magic wolf, she hadn't had time to clean it up, and now she finally found a chance.

According to the map provided by the Adventurers' Guild, the nearby area was the logging yard of Mist Town.

The road from here to Mist Town belonged to a relatively safe area, not only with clear cobblestone roads, but the monsters active nearby would also be much reduced.

Through the heavy white mist, everyone could even vaguely see the sporadic lights.

"It's just ahead!"

Alex's face showed an excited expression, and the two companions beside him were the same, their faces also carrying surprise.

However, for some reason, Luo Yan felt that a pair of eyes were secretly spying on him in the dark.

Was it a dark elf?

Or something else...

"Speaking of which, Mr. Luoluo."

The voice coming from the side interrupted Luo Yan's thoughts.

Looking at Alex who was talking to him, Luo Yan said in a casual tone.

"What's wrong?"

Alex put his sword back into his waist, and asked with a voice carrying a trace of curiosity.

"Please forgive me for not having any offense, I'm just a bit curious, why would someone like you become an adventurer?"

Luo Yan thought for a while, and said casually.

"If I have to find a reason, it might be to become stronger... what about you?"

"Coincidentally," Alex said with a smile, "My reason is the same as yours, I also want to try to transcend myself."

This is not easy.

Luo Yan smiled faintly.

Hearing You You could see soul levels that ordinary people couldn't see, and unfortunately, the soul level of this young man was only Bronze, and presumably like himself in the past, he had stayed at this tier for too long.

This could also be considered the helplessness of mortals.

Transcendent power was not something you could have just because you wanted it; there were only two ways to break through the soul level you were born with.

One was to constantly devour and fuse other souls through evil undead rituals, making yourself no longer purely yourself.

Another was to please the god through certain special behaviors, letting the latter admit that he had misjudged, and consume precious faith power to improve his soul level.

Killing the Demon King was considered the most famous path.

Besides this, there were many other paths... such as becoming a legend passed down by word of mouth.

However, these methods were all too abstract; adventurers who became legends were few and far between, and the ending for the vast majority of people was to become nutrients in the labyrinth.

However, like most adventurers, Alex didn't think so.

For becoming a legend, he was longing from the bottom of his heart.

"... There has always been a legend in the adventurer circle, it is said that killing 100 tauren can break through one's own bottleneck."

Luo Yan thought for a while and said.

"I've heard of it, but as far as the result is concerned... I'm afraid it varies from person to person."

Alex said with a smile.

"But it's a way, isn't it? I want to try it."

Luo Yan looked at him curiously.

"Why are you so obsessed with becoming stronger? Forgive me for being blunt, your decent speech doesn't look like someone who needs to worry about life."

The soul levels of the vast majority of nobles were not low, but not all nobles would be keen on becoming powerful knights or magicians, but rather tended to send their second or third sons who had no inheritance rights to places like the Empire's Academy and Battle Academy to practice.

Hearing this sentence, a trace of hesitation appeared on Alex's face, and finally he sighed lightly.

"Maybe... it's because I'm not reconciled."

"Not reconciled?"

He nodded, and said ambiguously.

"You might have already seen it... my family is not ordinary, just like you said, even if I do nothing, I don't need to worry about life... but that's all."

Luo Yan: "You are the second son of the family?"

"Yes," Alex nodded, looking at the direction of Mist Town with a complex expression, and continued, "Because I am the second son of the family, whether it is territory or transcendent power, it has nothing to do with me. The favor bestowed by the god on our family has already been inherited by my brother. I can only watch my brother enjoy all the glory alone, and no matter what I do, I won't get praise from my family... even if I do better than him."

Finally speaking his heart, Alex let out a long breath, looked at Luo Yan and said with a smile.

"You must think I'm very childish, right?"

Luo Yan shook his head.

"Not at all, it's just a life attitude, I understand people who are different from me."

Alex smiled, and cast his gaze toward the small town in the mist ahead.

"Thank you for your understanding, anyway... I'm not reconciled to spending my life in a muddle, so I plan to become an adventurer. Who knows? Maybe I can encounter some adventure on the journey, and then change something, like becoming an amazing swordsman."

Luo Yan: "I must say, this idea is very naive."

"Hahaha, I actually think so too..." Alex also felt a bit embarrassed, laughed heartily and mocked himself, "There aren't that many adventures in this world, and even if you encounter them, they might not be good things."

Indeed.

Sometimes receiving the favor of a god is not always a good thing.

And this guy probably wouldn't dream that the person standing beside him right now is the Demon King himself.

Just when Luo Yan couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth, Hearing You You, who had disappeared for a long time, suddenly appeared beside his ear again.

"Demon King... Hearing You You has a bad premonition, there might be something dirty hidden in that small town."

Luo Yan's eyebrows raised slightly.

"Something dirty?"

"Yes..." Hearing You You's voice carried timidity for the first time, whispering cautiously, "It might not belong to this world, but something from the outside..."

Luo Yan thought for a moment and asked seriously.

"Is it very strong?"

Hearing You You: "Not really... even the opposite, it's still very weak for now. But it's hard to say, it didn't appear just now, and even because of the indulgence of the people there, it has been quietly existing for a long time."

Luo Yan touched his chin.

"In other words, if left alone, it will become a bigger trouble?"

Hearing You You said in a guilty whisper.

"Maybe... but hasn't your territory reached the fourth floor of the labyrinth yet?"

It was rare for this guy who feared the world wouldn't be chaotic to be timid.

Although Luo Yan was alert in his heart, he didn't have the slightest intention of retreating.

"Hearing You You, if a bad thing is destined to be unavoidable, then I would rather nip it in the bud, instead of watching it ferment into a monster that everyone can't deal with, and then complain about why I didn't act sooner."

Saying in a low voice that only Hearing You You could hear, Luo Yan paused for a moment, and continued with a smile.

"And since when did my territory start being measured by floors."

"Everything here—"

"Is my stuff!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 103 =====