novelraw Chapter 340-1: Shadow Dancer, Test Subject (1)
Chapter 340-1: Shadow Dancer, Test Subject (1)
[With a smile-filled gaze, Flanda stares at you. The girl’s pure, ethereal voice rings out…]
[You did well. After learning that Nightmare Yuri wanted to secretly obtain favor, you reported it to her at once…]
[Flanda extends a slender, pale hand toward you, signaling for you to hand over the favor.]
[Will you hand over the Broken Mask of the Guardian of the Divine Kingdom (Legendary+ Equipment)?]
Lin Xun froze.
Could it be that the steward he possessed really was a plant Flanda had placed at Nightmare Yuri’s side as a spy?
Before he could think more on it, the option text before his eyes turned a bright red and began to tremble without stop.
Grinding his teeth, he glanced at Belatu’s Stinger in his inventory.
After hesitating a moment, he still held back his impulse and compromised, choosing ‘Yes.’
Belatu’s Stinger could only deliver an instant-kill effect to enemies below demigod level. Even if a single-use offensive item of that tier had far-beyond-its-grade destructive power, it probably would not do much to Flanda.What Lin Xun was worried about was not failing to turn on her here, but that after dying and resurrecting he would still have to face Flanda, who was like a super BOSS, in the Ancient Nest.
Given the situation, he had no choice but to hand it over. He had barely warmed that Legendary+ equipment in his hands, had not even had time to read its description, and now he had to offer it up.
[Flanda takes the broken mask, then turns to look at Nightmare Yuri, who is still kneeling on one knee…]
[You can clearly see that the once overbearing Nightmare Yuri does not dare raise its head. It bows low, staring fixedly at the fungal carpet on the floor. Large drops of cold sweat fall from its brow as its whole body trembles faintly.]
[Flanda takes light, nimble steps forward and lifts one bare foot, pressing down on the head of the kneeling figure and grinding it hard into the fungal carpet.]
[The carpet is squeezed until deep purple slime oozes out. Nightmare Yuri’s face is covered in blood, its breathing rough, yet it does not dare show the slightest hint of resistance, letting the girl trample its dignity at will…]
[That pure, ethereal voice rings out again…]
[Nightmare Yuri’s betrayal is an unforgivable crime and ought to be punished with the harshest execution. But her mother once taught her that one must be merciful and gentle when dealing with children.]
[She has always kept her mother’s teachings in mind and maintained a loving heart.]
[Nightmare Yuri seems to secretly let out a sigh of relief, but then Flanda continues…]
[However, the thing she hates most in her life is traitors. To just lightly forgive a betrayer is far too difficult for her.]
[So how about this… The blizzard in Bush Cricket City is also favor bestowed by her mother. Since the traitor is so fond of favor, he should go into the blizzard and enjoy it to his heart’s content.]
[Nightmare Yuri tries to say something in terror, but before it can open its mouth, you hear the sound of bones twisting and shattering.]
[Flanda gives a light kick, and Nightmare Yuri’s head spins several times on its neck like a top.]
[Thanks to the powerful vitality possessed by insectfolk, Nightmare Yuri does not die even after suffering such grievous wounds.]
[But there is no doubt that it has lost control of its body. Its limbs and torso twitch and writhe uncontrollably, like a struggling maggot.]
[Flanda leaves with a satisfied smile. As she departs, she throws out one last line…]
[Throw the traitor into the blizzard. From now on, you are the administrator of Bush Cricket City. Once the city has been rebuilt, she will personally come to inspect the fruits of your labor.]
[Nightmare Yuri is still sprawled weakly on the floor, twitching and writhing. On the nearby desk, two objects radiating light have appeared at some point.]
[A glass bottle filled with grayish-white viscous liquid, and a bright gold wax seal.]
[You have obtained Shadow Dancer Tuning Fluid (Epic+ Item)!]
[You have obtained Wax Seal of Belatu Estate (Special Item)!]
[You hastily leave the bedchamber and go to the corridor window…]
[In the inner bailey’s courtyard, you see the girl stepping lightly, weaving between several patrolling guards.]
[Those guards seem completely unable to see the girl. As they patrol, they scan warily in all directions. Their gazes sweep past the girl without any reaction.]
[Flanda suddenly looks back toward you standing at the window. She smiles faintly, and her figure gradually fades, then disappears…]
The heart Lin Xun had been holding finally settled.
Thinking back on the events he had just experienced, he faintly felt that this Flanda seemed somewhat different from the Flanda in the Ancient Nest.
It was not just that their outward appearances were different, but that their behavior and way of speaking were different.
In his eyes, the Flanda in the Ancient Nest was a lonely patient who had been imprisoned for far too long, someone who could be happy for a long time just to have someone to talk with.
She perfectly fit the image of a loser who had broken her oath and been locked away.
But the Flanda just now was the Wet Nurse’s youngest and most beloved daughter in truth.
Even though Nightmare Yuri had only just received favor from the Wet Nurse, Flanda had not hesitated in the slightest to inflict an extreme punishment.
“Could it be that the two Flandas are not the same person, and that there are two Flandas in this world?”
After thinking it over and over, Lin Xun finally decided to go to the Ancient Nest and confront the person involved.
However, before that, he had to first complete the task Flanda had given him and send Nightmare Yuri on its way.
That way, even if his guess was wrong, Flanda would not drag a subordinate who had just completed his mission and shown such loyalty out to be shot.
[You return to the chambers to find Nightmare Yuri still writhing and twitching. It cannot speak. The look it gives you is full of pleading.]
[Will you take Nightmare Yuri to Bush Cricket City, which is currently undergoing the White-Fleece Snow Season?]
Narrowing his eyes, Lin Xun pressed ‘Yes.’
[…]
While riding the Courier Mole Cricket, he opened his inventory and checked the rewards Flanda had given him.
[Shadow Dancer Tuning Fluid (Epic+ Item): The bottle contains tuning fluid used for Ascension. Tiny egg-like objects float within it.]
[Using this item, you will have a certain probability of entering the Shadow Dancer’s Ascension process!]
[Wax Seal of Belatu Estate (Special Item): This bright gold wax seal is used to affix to signed documents and is also the symbol of the estate’s highest authority.]
[While holding this item, you can mobilize all the guards and servants in the castle to serve you.]
[Using this item, you can mobilize the demigod might Belatu left behind within the estate’s area, temporarily gaining Mythic-tier power!]
[This effect can only be used once. After use, the remaining demigod might will be completely exhausted!]
The first reward, Shadow Dancer Tuning Fluid, was clearly Flanda allowing him to inherit Nightmare Yuri’s power and appearance.
The second reward, Wax Seal of Belatu Estate, was allowing him to inherit Nightmare Yuri’s authority and status.
The wax seal should originally have been in Nightmare Yuri’s hands, yet even though it could mobilize demigod power, he had not dared resist Flanda.
From this it could be seen that Flanda’s strength was simply absurdly high.
Lin Xun had traded one piece of Legendary+ equipment for two items. He could not tell whether he had lost out or profited.
[…]