Chapter 40: If we can ambush, we will never force our way in!

The ashen Gothic architecture writhed like a bizarre dancer twisting its body.

In the last wisp of blood-colored light, after offering the final dance, it froze as the blood-light fell.

Night rose.

Long ago, under the firmament's ashen moon, it eagerly spread its magically cold light across the land.

The cold seeping into the bones recklessly drove away the last trace of warmth left by the ashen day.

Ashen day and ashen night switched almost instantly.

As the cold descended, the entire Lamor High Tower City-state fell into a deathlike silence.

Under the twisted trees, Ta Ke merged with the shadows.

The ashen moon's light fell in mottled patches.

Ta Ke gradually completed the attunement of the Shadow Ring Staff's special ability, Shadow Curtain Robe, with the newly acquired second-rank mage robe.

The second-rank robe's effect is indeed quite good.

Whether defense, concealment, or natural absorption of source energy, all are excellent.

"Have you found anything?" Ta Ke, feeling that the time was about right, slowly spoke.

Two undead dragonflies, barely emitting a deathly aura, landed in the thicket.

Amanti hid to the side.

"The whole house is set up with source energy barriers, and their defensive strength is not weak."

"It also comes with an alchemy alarm device."

"We can hardly sneak in."

"Also, the traces of firelight in the fireplace, the food on the table rather messy, someone is there but I can't find him; perhaps there is an illusion on the window."

The small standalone fort villa across the road was the final destination of the "Taniru" that Amanti had been tracking.

Ta Ke wanted to use Precise Vision Insight.

But there was barrier interference there, and Ta Ke couldn't see much.

Getting closer, however, would allow a clearer view.

But Ta Ke dares to guarantee that, as long as he dares to get close,

there will definitely be a powerful spell blowing onto his face.

Evil god followers won't talk about martial virtues with him.

Using the undead dragonflies to get close, he silently gathered a lot of information.

After this careful inspection,

Even Amanti noticed something was off.

After all, even a normal mage wouldn't have such a large-scale arrangement.

Moreover, that Taniru is merely a "Night Priest".

Unless... there is some shameful secret inside.

"The big fish is in there; it's just a matter of how we effectively catch it."

Ta Ke said in a low voice.

"Drive a few wandering souls underground to see if there is an underground passage."

With such a helpful Amanti, we shouldn't waste her.

Moreover, as a student of the high tower, Amanti truly has many means.

Furthermore, Ta Ke is not to be wasted either.

These pre-battle preparation details are all Amanti's growth experience.

Moments later, the wandering souls returned.

Amanti replied: "No underground passage."

"Good, use your Undead Domain to envelop the whole house; that way it can both prevent those inside from escaping and muffle battle sounds."

"How do you know I have an Undead Domain?" Amanti exclaimed in shock.

The Undead Domain is her proudest undead mage ability.

It was precisely because of this ability that Instructor Aubri took notice of her.

Moreover, Instructor Aubri had told her.

This ability is very important; never lightly reveal it to others.

But Ta Ke directly spoke it out.

"Just say whether you have it or not!" Ta Ke said softly.

"Yes!" Amanti nodded solemnly.

"Then set it up, and be as careful as possible so those inside don't notice."

Watching a dark cloud drift overhead, Ta Ke said softly.

Amanti also noticed the change in brightness and quickly cooperated with the dark cloud, beginning to set up the Undead Domain.

Accompanied by the cloud's gloom.

The Undead Domain slowly closed in, eventually enveloping the entire house.

Just like a huge net, it caught the prey inside.

At that moment, Ta Ke stepped out from the shadow of the big tree.

"Pay attention to the surroundings; if you encounter danger, flee first and don't worry about me."

Having said that, Ta Ke drifted toward the house like a shadowy wraith.

"Obviously you're going to a more dangerous place, yet you keep telling me to be careful?"

Amanti nodded, then realized that outside there might be members of the Dark Sun Church providing support.

All along following Ta Ke, she has learned a great deal.

Even when she ventures out alone, shrouded in undead gray mist, there will always be someone staring at her.

But, following Ta Ke.

That aloof demeanor and faint intimidating power make other superhumans dare not even glance twice.

Without a doubt.

Even in the underground street, Ta Ke's performance is absolutely that of a tough character.

Amanti learns from Ta Ke as quickly as a sponge absorbs water.

To become a tough character as fast as possible.

Only then can she survive longer and grow stronger in the perilous supernatural world.

The Undead Realm is like a great net that stops fish from escaping.

It also serves as cover for Ta Ke to approach stealthily.

After quickly closing in, with Amanti's help, Ta Ke passes smoothly through the Undead Realm.

Upon touching the wall, Ta Ke climbs upward along it like a gecko.

If he can ambush, Ta Ke will never charge head-on.

【Shadow State】 grants Ta Ke an extremely strong ability to traverse terrain.

Spirit Sense!

While climbing, Ta Ke quickly uses Spirit Sense on the wall.

【This is just a very solid wall, damp-proof and warm!】

Information surfaced.

When Ta Ke goes deeper.

"Ha si... la si..."

"Ha si... la si..."

A low murmur softly sounds.

Ta Ke's vision quickly twists and spins.

Thereafter, that low murmur beside Ta Ke's ears intensifies, as if trying to drag him in.

"Boom—"

The trajectory on the level of meridians is directly severed.

Ta Ke breaks free from further contamination by the mysterious power.

Yet even so, Ta Ke's temples throb in waves, like needle pricks.

Spirit Sense is useful, indeed useful.

But sometimes it also brings trouble.

Fortunately, with the SSS-rank Precise Safety Net, Ta Ke has the leeway to make mistakes.

With a pinch of the spell in his right hand, the Shadow Ring Staff on his right arm responds.

A precise delivery.

As thick as an arm, covered entirely in blood-red thorny vines with inverted spikes, it appears above the window on the lower right first floor.

A "hum!"

The Blood Sacrifice Vine heavily lashes the source-energy bulwark already coupled with the window glass.

After releasing a Blood Thorn Vine, Ta Ke swiftly climbs along the wall eaves to the opposite wall.

He releases another Blood Thorn Vine.

The "Shadow State" bolstered by the rune-etched Shadow Ring Staff.

Ta Ke exerts his flexibility to the utmost, his specialty being uncanny elusiveness.

One after another.

Soon, a dozen or so vines, like drumbeats, wildly lash every pane of glass on the building's exterior.

It seems as if a gigantic vine monster has surrounded the entire building.

But soon, countermeasures from inside also appear.

"Wither!"

Ta Ke feels no surge of source energy or magical fluctuation.

Yet Ta Ke can trace the spell's trajectory; as Wither descends, the Blood Thorn Vine hurled toward the front of the gate is rapidly withering.

Moreover, the withering speed is extremely fast.

In two or three breaths, a Blood Thorn Vine dies just like that.

Immediately followed by the second, the third…

The rapid death of the Blood Thorn Vines is not important.

Because they have already fulfilled their mission: confirming the enemy's position.

"Near the gate's position."

"Since you're up front, I'll enter from the rear."

After consideration, Ta Ke has arrived at the attic window outside the rear top of the building.

"Light-Shaping Spear!"

Ta Ke clenches violently in empty space.

"Hum!"

The power of light burst forth vigorously in Ta Ke's palm.

At the moment it blossomed, Ta Ke fiercely slapped it onto the Source Energy Barrier.

At this point, the effect of his supreme mastery of the two-star witchcraft 'Light-Shaping Spear' became evident.

A ring-shaped Light-Shaping Spear was struck by Ta Ke into the Energy Barrier.

As the Light-Shaping Spear expanded, Ta Ke tore a large hole in the Energy Barrier.

Ta Ke, like a ghost, silently floated inside.

"Without the Source Energy Barrier's defense, let's see how you struggle."

Ta Ke, having entered the house, slightly twisted his neck, revealing a somewhat bloody and ferocious smile.

(End of chapter)