Chapter 81: A Wanted Criminal in the Labyrinth?

In a cavern on the second layer of the labyrinth, the "Dragon Rises Across the World" guild was lurking behind a protruding rock, quietly watching a group of over twenty people holding torches not far away.

"Adventurers?"

Longxing Baili asked, unable to make up his mind, while Longxing Qianli, lurking beside him, shook his head with a solemn expression.

"Doesn't look like it..."

That uniform standard-issue armor was clearly the attire of regular troops.

And it wasn't just the equipment.

Judging from their formation and the aura radiating from them, these guys were clearly not ordinary adventurers, but rather looked more like well-trained soldiers.

Come to think of it, this was their first time encountering adventurers in the labyrinth.

Longxing Baili looked eagerly at their leader behind him.

"Bro, what do you say? Should we make a move?"

Long Xing Wan Li didn't speak, instead silently weighing the situation in his heart.

At the same time, his teammates behind him were whispering among themselves.

"These guys aren't carrying muskets... looks like they only have a few short bows and crossbows, doesn't feel like they'd be too hard to deal with."

"Then the question is, why do you think they aren't carrying guns? Is it because they can't afford them or don't know how to use them?"

"Better not underestimate them. I forgot who I saw saying it on the forum, but in this kind of fantasy world setting, those carrying bows are more dangerous than those carrying guns!"

"+1."

"Feel like they're clearly not to be trifled with."

"How about we pull some monsters? Pick them off one by one after they scatter?"

"That's assuming the opponent is as stupid as the monsters."

The group discussed for a long time without reaching a conclusion, and Long Xing Wan Li, who was observing from the shadows, also fell into a dilemma, thinking silently without saying a word.

He was just a little bit of experience away from reaching Bronze.

As long as they took care of this group, the experience points would definitely be enough.

Should he take a gamble?

Or play it safe...

However, just as he was about to make a decision, he saw two familiar figures walk out from the darkness not far away.

The moment they saw that face, the "Dragon Rises Across the World" members all shook the soul fire in their skulls in surprise.

Lord Demon King?! "Didn't expect it to be a plot..." Longxing Qianli touched the bridge of his nose bone with his index finger, staring unblinkingly at the Demon King's direction.

Longxing Baili made a helpless expression and threw his bow and arrow back onto his shoulder.

"Well, that's great, no need to struggle over whether to make a move or not..."

Long Xing Wan Li nodded.

"Yeah, let's wait for the Demon King to decide."

It wasn't just Luo Yan who walked out of the darkness, but also Sarah, who was following closely by his side.

Seeing the two walk out from not far away, the people present cast wary gazes at him one after another, and those in the front had already placed their right hands on their swords.

The man in the lead stepped forward, raised his left hand to signal Luo Yan to stop, then unfastened his helmet's visor and looked at him.

"Adventurers?"

With a friendly smile on his face, Luo Yan took out the cross pendant hanging on his chest and spoke politely.

"An intern priest from Silver Pine Town."

The reason he chose to disguise himself as a priest rather than an adventurer was mainly because the latter had cards issued by the Adventurers' Guild, and forging one on the spot wasn't very realistic.

Although priests also had documents proving their identity, generally no one would check them, and no priest would carry that thing around with them.

As for why Luo Yan took the initiative to walk out, it was naturally to gather intelligence.

Actually, he had originally planned to come alone, but Sarah refused to listen and insisted on staying by his side, so he gave up on that.

Anyway, Okto and Bond were already lying in ambush in the shadows and could provide support at any time.

They didn't even need support; as long as he silenced the priest standing in the middle of the crowd first and cast Soul Drain on the strongest guy in the group, the rest would just be a piece of cake.

According to the observation of the "True Eye" Hearing You You, the highest soul level among this group was only Bronze, it was just that their armor had been blessed with divine protection, making them a bit troublesome to deal with.

Looking at the cross pendant hanging on Luo Yan's chest and the orb of light floating beside him, the man in the lead didn't immediately believe his story, instead eyeing him suspiciously for a moment, then cast his gaze toward Sarah standing to the side.

"What kind of priest keeps a demon by their side?"

Luo Yan's smile didn't change, and he said without blushing or skipping a beat.

"Saint Xisi teaches us to love all people, and I believe that 'all people' includes children who have gone astray."

"Heh, if Saint Xisi really thought that, he wouldn't let pure souls be reincarnated into filthy demons..."

Not hiding the disgust in his eyes, the man clad in heavy armor withdrew his gaze from Sarah and looked back at this guy who claimed to be a priest with a blank expression.

"Then, Mr. Intern Priest, may I ask what business you have?"

Luo Yan said with a smile.

"I have been entrusted by the church in Silver Pine Town to investigate the appearance of undead in the labyrinth. What about you? Is it the same purpose?"

A handsome face is indeed easier to gain the favor of strangers than a plain one; at least after seeing his smile, few people would associate him with the Demon King.

It must be said that a person's first impression is such an unreliable thing.

Luo Yan could feel that the gentleman before him had let go of his initial wariness; at least he no longer viewed him as a monster disguised as a human, and even let go of the hand he had on his sword hilt.

Of course, the other party's trust seemed to end there, with no further indication.

"We are carrying out a mission for my lord; nothing else can be disclosed."

"I see..." A look of regret appeared on Luo Yan's face. "I thought we could help each other out."

Just as his voice fell, the cleric standing in the very center of the team laughed and said.

"An intern priest, what help could you possibly be?"

This guy should be a battle priest of the Knights Order.

He was clad in heavy armor, but in his hand, he held a magic staff shaped like a mace, capable of both smashing people and casting spells.

Hearing his words, Luo Yan smiled faintly and said in a gentle tone.

"You can't say it like that. If strength meant everything, why wouldn't Grand Duke Kanbeier go down into the labyrinth himself? Is it because he's afraid?"

After hearing his words, the man's eyebrows twitched, but he didn't get angry; instead, his expression carried a hint of interest.

Judging from his reaction of not being offended, Luo Yan had already guessed this guy's identity.

First, excluding the Trident Knights Order loyal to Grand Duke Kanbeier, the only remaining option was the citizen knights of Lei Ming City—

"Mel White, Knight Commander of the Trident Knights Order."

"...?"

"What's wrong?" Seeing the priest before him stunned, Mel frowned slightly.

"Bond, intern priest of Silver Pine Town, my mentor is Father Mate." Luo Yan, who had come back to his senses, immediately added a self-introduction, then smiled embarrassedly. "Just a bit surprised... didn't expect to see you all here again."

Mel was stunned for a moment.

"Have we met?"

Luo Yan immediately said.

"It's me who has seen you, at the victory celebration in Lei Ming City; I happened to be in the crowd at the time."

Hearing this, Mel laughed out loud.

"So that's it, it was my presumption... Alright, Mr. Bond, since you want to help each other, let's try helping each other. We are searching for a dangerous individual in the labyrinth, his name is Miranda, an alchemist who also practices necromancy."

"An alchemist who practices necromancy?!"

A look of surprise appeared on Luo Yan's face, a hint of joy flashing through his eyes, though it was quickly hidden carefully.

"How could such a guy appear in the labyrinth?"

Mel shrugged his shoulders and continued.

"Who knows, his legs are on him; before we catch him, he can go wherever he wants. But speaking of reasons, perhaps it's the same reason the church sent you to investigate the labyrinth? We've also heard rumors that a necromancer has appeared in the labyrinth beneath Lei Ming County. Maybe that guy found his organization and flew over like a fly smelling a scent? In any case, that lunatic has several murder cases on his back, and big ones at that... You'd better be careful."

As he spoke, Mel took out a piece of parchment with a portrait printed on it and handed it to Luo Yan.

"This is the wanted notice, don't miss him." Luo Yan nodded solemnly.

"I will be careful... Also, if I find his tracks, how should I notify you?"

Mel said casually.

"Very simple, just tell the sheriff of Silver Pine Town; the guys there will report the news level by level, and it will eventually reach me."

Luo Yan smiled upon hearing this.

Alright.

It seems the job of passing messages has fallen to his own people again.

But if he really found the person, he didn't intend to notify these guys anyway.

"I will keep an eye out... Also, if you have any clues about the undead, please pass them to the church in Lei Ming City as well."

Mel grinned.

"That goes without saying, I would do that even if you didn't ask."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, then bid each other farewell and went their separate ways.

Watching the group leave, Luo Yan waved his hand and dissipated the illumination spell floating to the side. Compared to this kind of holy-type spell, he really preferred using "Undead Sight," directly turning on night vision to move in the darkness.

Standing beside Luo Yan, Sarah looked at him in confusion and asked.

"Aren't you going to finish them off?"

Luo Yan smiled faintly and said.

"I did have that intention at first, but now I've changed my mind; keeping them around helps increase the sense of urgency for that alchemist."

He paused, then continued.

"... Besides, I'm quite interested in that little knight brother named Mel; perhaps it won't be long before we can gain another mole in Grand Duke Kanbeier's Knights Order."

Sarah muttered with her head down.

"Sarah... hates that guy."

Luo Yan patted her head.

"Understood, some of his views are indeed very annoying, but that's not just his problem alone, but a problem that exists universally in the Kingdom of Ryan and even the surface human world. Saint Xisi can leave lost children alone, but the Demon King still has to give lost children a chance to turn back... Give him a chance, okay?"

Sarah looked at him blankly, then nodded.

"Since Lord Demon King says so... then, I'll give him a chance."

"Good girl."

Luo Yan nodded approvingly.

It seems the rebellious era has passed; Sarah didn't resist his petting, instead shaking her cat ears from side to side, showing an expression of enjoyment.

However, petting a cat is truly addictive, so Luo Yan quickly withdrew his hand and looked at the two ghouls walking out from the shadows.

"The situation has changed a bit, I need to greet my friends in the Nightmare Realm... let's stop here for today."

Recently, Mixi and Youxi have been taking turns stationed in the Blood Hall beneath the Demon King's territory; anything can be conveyed to Queen Xixi through them.

If that alchemist is still somewhere on the second layer, it shouldn't be too hard for the little demons of the Nightmare Realm to find him.

The only fear is that this guy has gone to a deeper place.

As he spoke, Luo Yan casually opened his attribute panel to confirm; he didn't expect to have leveled up again in these few days.

【

ID: Luo Yan

Race: Human

Soul Level: Refined Steel (Level Cap LV50)

Level: LV. 40 (+1)

Experience Points: (5551/36W)

Constitution: 16 Strength: 14 (+1)

Agility: 14 Intelligence: 47 (+1)

Spirit: 46 (+1)

】

"Strength? Why did one point get added to Strength?"

Luo Yan stroked his chin, unable to figure it out.

He thought to himself that he didn't seem to have swung his staff to hit monsters; he had always been using magic to grind monsters, so how did it get added to Strength? At this moment, Luo Yan suddenly noticed Sarah looking at him with anticipation, and immediately realized what she wanted to do.

Ever since he helped her raise her soul level, he had been able to see her attribute panel, just like Arakdo and the others.

However, they weren't players after all, and hadn't connected to the "Catastrophe OL" system, so they couldn't check their own attribute panels.

"Actually, there's no need to keep staring; levels and attributes are just a reference, what you need to strengthen now is your mastery of power... Never mind, I'll check it for you."

Unable to bear disappointing that look full of longing, Luo Yan casually opened her attribute panel and took a look for her.

【

ID: Sarah

Race: Demon

Soul Level: Bronze (Level Cap LV30)

Level: LV. 6 (+2)

Constitution: 6 Strength: 7 (+1)

Agility: 11 (+1)

Intelligence: 5 Spirit: 5】

"Sarah, have I become stronger?"

That face, half nervous and half expectant, was just like a student waiting for their report card outside the office door.

Looking at Sarah, who was looking at him expectantly, Luo Yan smiled and gave a thumbs up, giving her an encouraging look.

"Not bad, not bad, you're already LV6."

It's great to have a low level.

Just by encountering a Bronze-level monster, the experience points can grow by a large chunk.

And once you master the technique of leeching experience, the speed of leveling up is like riding a rocket.

Hearing the Demon King's praise, Sarah's expression immediately became as happy as if she had eaten roasted pig trotters, and her erect cat ears shook again without wind.

"... Great."

The group headed back toward the direction of the graveyard.

Not far away, watching the Knights Order and the Demon King's group walk away, the "Dragon Rises Across the World" members hiding in the shadows felt a wave of regret.

They didn't actually fight.

Now they couldn't reap the rewards—pfft! Rescue Lord Demon King!

"Bro, are we just going to let them go like this?" Longxing Baili had a reluctant expression, casting his gaze toward Long Xing Wan Li.

Long Xing Wan Li nodded and said in a deep voice.

"Let them go for now."

He had seen a post by a player on the forum before, which seemed to mention a hidden favorability system.

Since Lord Demon King had already decided to let these guys go, they, as "minions of the Demon King," had better not go against Lord Demon King.

Just as he was thinking this, a dark green quest pop-up suddenly appeared before him.

【Quest: Find the Alchemist "Miranda"】

【Description: The alchemist wanted by surface humans is located somewhere in the underground labyrinth, suspected to be in the second layer area. If you find a target whose appearance is similar to the picture, please report his location immediately.】

Long Xing Wan Li's spirits lifted.

"Work's here!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 82 =====