novelraw Chapter 317: The Cursed Legendary Class Card
Chapter 317: The Cursed Legendary Class Card
Smack!
A bright red palm print appeared on Fen's small face.
However, this strike seemed completely ineffective. With a flushed face, Fen still opened her small mouth and shouted:
"Eat you..."
Take medicine first! Chen Qi didn't hesitate, seized the opportunity, directly used his dark-fire hand to pry open Fen's small mouth, then stuffed and forcibly poured in the pre-prepared black mist antidote potion.
Gulp! Gulp!
Under the forceful manipulation, Fen's eyes finally softened somewhat, the madness in them slowly dissipating.
At this moment, suddenly, Chen Qi felt a weak, illusory killing intent coming from his side.
Chen Qi turned his head to look at the 'Fog Merchant' amidst the raging flames.
In the roaring flames, the Fog Merchant's body was burning, continuously bubbling up with one blister after another, like a snake skin being burned dry...Toad skin! It's a substitute!
Whoosh!
From the shadows, the Fog Merchant reappeared holding a mucus-covered longsword, emerging from the fog, and slashed toward Chen Qi's head!
Bang! Chen Qi pivoted on his left foot, his long blade turning as he swiftly swung out a black wave!
Bang!
Their slashes collided! Creating a massive shockwave!
The enormous shockwave forced the observing Burry to raise his arms in defense.
Drip... A drop of bright green mucus appeared on Chen Qi's face.
The mucus suddenly burst open, turning into a tiny green bubble insect, then grew two slender poisonous stingers that pierced into the blood vessels of his neck.
Similar to parasitic seeds, once infected, if one's constitution wasn't sufficient and lacked defensive skills, they would be completely consumed in an instant!
Dark fire... Black flames ignited on Chen Qi's neck, instantly burning the small green insect to ashes.
"Huff, huff..."
The Fog Merchant, heavily struck by the Black Wave Slash, flashed with eerie green light in his eyes. Under the scorching flames, his body surface had already shown obvious charring and cracking.
At this moment, he seemed to understand one thing - in direct combat, he was completely no match for Chen Qi.
Chen Qi shook off the foul-smelling dark flesh from his long blade.
The Fog Merchant's greatest characteristic in the Fog Sea was his mental influence; he only needed to hide in the shadows to kill countless investigators.
It could be said that relying on years of survival experience in the Fog Sea, the Fog Merchant was extremely terrifying.
However, for Chen Qi who was immune to madness, the Fog Merchant's attacks were like cotton, fragile and easily shattered.
This was a natural counter!
The Fog Merchant wiped the pus-filled dark blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyeballs trembling incessantly.
The guy before him carried a lantern, with twelve twisted, pitch-black tentacles growing from his back.
Since ten years ago, he had been called the 'Fog Sea Black Monster' by countless adventurers and investigators. Even when facing a Navy Admiral, he had never felt fear.
Yet now, for a moment, he actually felt that the person before him was more suited to be called a monster than himself.
A golden toad jumped out from the fog, climbing back onto his shoulder, tightly wrapping around his body.
The Fog Merchant twisted his neck and spoke again:
"You're more interesting than any prey I've encountered so far!"
"However, you shouldn't have come here! This is my domain, just wait - when you step into the mist-filled sea again, you'll experience fear..."
The Fog Merchant began retreating. The wooden boat behind him also seemed to possess intelligence, slowly rowing through the black misty water, approaching the shore.
After speaking, he prepared to leap backward and escape this place!
Blink Step! Chen Qi dashed forward, arriving before him, both hands raised high, gripping the hilt of Flesh Cleaver Bone Breaker, swinging down from above with another slash!
Scorching deep blue fire once again poured down along the blade edge like a tsunami!
The Fog Merchant's speed was completely insufficient to dodge.
That inhuman powerful force rolled up a massive shockwave!
The Fog Merchant raised his right hand, using his sword to block, but this was utterly useless. Under the shockwave of the deep blue fire, his thick, pus-covered right hand was directly severed!
The mucus-covered longsword in his hand also fell to the ground!
The Fog Merchant's left hand aimed at Chen Qi's head.
Only now did he realize that his limbs were already tightly bound by dark-fire hands, completely unable to move.
In this instant, the Fog Merchant seemed to see the scene of all his gold coins falling into Chen Qi's hands after his death.
Completely unable to resist... The Fog Merchant's pupils contracted, forced to shout loudly:
"Beijie. Golden Toad Hand!"
Clatter, clatter! A full box of gold coins hidden in the golden toad's belly instantly ignited, opening a small portal to another world. Then, a slender golden arm suddenly reached out from the portal, grabbing these gold coins!
Crush!
Crack, crack!
The golden toad behind the Fog Merchant expanded like a golden balloon, continuously throbbing, then opened its mouth, extending that gigantic golden hand to directly grab the Fog Merchant's neck.
The golden arm tore off the dark-fire hand on the Fog Merchant's neck, then like pulling a radish, brutally tore open the Fog Merchant's body, dragging him into the golden toad's abdomen.
The golden toad exhaled a turbid breath, leaped backward onto the small boat, and rapidly fled the scene.
"Huff..."
Chen Qi used his hand to block the golden toad's turbid breath, gazing into the distant mist.
The waves on the sea gradually calmed.
He's gone... Burry's hand trembled slightly. Only now did he realize that this Fog Merchant was merely a paper tiger skilled in ambushes.
"Don't... don't run..."
Burry pulled out his gun.
"Burry, calm down, conserve your energy..."
Chen Qi said coldly.
In the fog, the small boat's speed defied reason, like a gust of wind, disappearing from everyone's sight.
The opponent's Release was specifically designed for 'escape.' They couldn't catch up to him in a short time.
Being forced to use an escape Release proved that the Fog Merchant's body was severely damaged.
However, they couldn't let him escape so easily either... Chen Qi took out a fish bait from his waist pouch and threw it into the sea.
"Chase."
Chen Qi said simply.
The Coastal Apex Predator, long dormant in the Fog Sea, opened its large mouth, bit down on the bait, wagged its tail, and charged toward the Fog Merchant's small boat.
The small boat's speed couldn't be maintained for long. Without any surprises, the final outcome would be becoming the Coastal Apex Predator's prey.
Ending so simply, is this the Deep Sea Hunter's trial... Chen Qi muttered to himself.
He looked down at the longsword the Fog Merchant had left behind and picked it up.
[Mucus Sword
Affinity: Floral
Description: A forbidden creation. Its attacks can generate special mucus. Once the mucus touches an enemy's skin, it transforms into extremely toxic bubble insects.]
Although far inferior to the upgraded Flesh Cleaver Bone Breaker, it's still a decent longsword... Chen Qi stored the sword, giving it to Water Spirit No.1 to use.
"We're temporarily safe."
After calming Burry, Chen Qi used his dark-fire hand to carry the sleeping Fen over.
The Blood Blossom Disease mutations on Fen's body gradually stopped, the flowers withered, her slender hair naturally cascaded down as she lay before him, like a sleeping beauty.
Fortunately, Fen didn't go completely mad... Chen Qi smiled slightly.
Fen closed her eyes, seemingly having some sweet dream, occasionally licking her lips and saying:
"Eat..."
Fen's silly smile instantly shattered the 'sleeping beauty' atmosphere.
What does this guy want to eat? Chen Qi shook his head and delivered a merciless slap to wake Fen up.
Smack!
After a crisp sound, Fen touched her painful face, turned her head in panic, and said:
"Did I just lose myself?"
"Yes."
Chen Qi clapped his hands.
"Sorry..."
After hearing this, Fen's face instantly flushed bright red as she said very quietly.
She touched her burning cheeks, her gaze returning to the lighthouse interior's ground, then lowered her head.
"What's wrong?"
Chen Qi asked.
Fen whispered:
"My inspiration tells me that besides the black mist, the source of my loss of control is also related to something inside that lighthouse.
And... can you let me go?"
Fen lowered her head; she was still tightly bound by Chen Qi's tentacles.
"Something inside the lighthouse?"
Chen Qi put Fen down and looked toward the lighthouse interior.
Unlike other Deep Sea Hunter treasures, this time, there were no sea beasts near this lighthouse.
Under the influence of time, the Deep Sea Hunter's 'trial' had already expired, or perhaps the Fog Merchant just now was the Deep Sea Hunter's trial...
Could it have already been taken? Chen Qi once again took the lantern and entered the lighthouse.
Inside the lighthouse, Jiger looked up at Chen Qi in terror.
Seeing how Chen Qi had fought just now, he had just emerged from the shadows, recalling the fear brought by the Black Hunter!
This person was the monster they encountered in the deep-sea titan's territory!
He tremblingly said:
"Black Hunter..."
Chen Qi expressionlessly retracted the tentacles on his back and said coldly:
"Get out."
"Okay."
Jiger frantically stood up, scrambling and crawling to find a corner, pitifully and helplessly curling up.
After Jiger left, Chen Qi squatted down, gently brushing away the dust on the ground.
On this dust, one could clearly see an 'X' treasure map symbol.
Without any surprises, what was buried here was the Deep Sea Hunter's legendary profession card.
Chen Qi took a deep breath, using his long blade as a shovel, he began digging through this soil.
Thud!
Soon, the long blade hit something hard.
Chen Qi carefully took the card from the soil, holding it in his hand.
On the card's front was a hunter burning with pale blue fire, wearing hunter attire, holding a long blade!
On the back was a painting of hunting the Great Whale.
On the turbulent black sea, a hunter stood on a reef, holding a long sword, confronting the Great Whale.
Chen Qi looked at the card back, as if he could see the surging black waves, hear the Great Whale's roar.
This was a special profession card with Affinities of Lamp, Blade, and also... Chen Qi shook his head, moving his gaze away from the card's back.
Instantly, the card emitted scorching black energy.
A prompt appeared.
[Unknown Profession Card
Affinities: Lamp, Blade, Shadow
Monster Curse: This card has been cursed. It emits cursed energy that stimulates the potential of 'all monsters,' causing monsters to undergo mutations, madness, and other special effects. Moreover, the mutated monsters will attack anyone attempting to obtain or possessing this card!
Deep Sea Hunter's Trial: This is not a card for collection. When you hold it, you already bear the curse.]
Curse... Chen Qi's pupils instantly contracted.
This card was different from ordinary legendary profession cards - it had undergone special treatment!
As expected, the one who processed this profession card was the Book Saint from the Deep Sea Hunter's diary.
One of the causes of Fen's mutation was actually the Deep Sea Hunter's profession card.
According to the card's description, if he couldn't digest this profession card, he would continuously suffer from the curse, constantly attacked by monsters.
This curse could even combine with the black mist, causing Fen to develop floral affinity madness.
But regardless, he finally obtained it... Chen Qi excitedly continued reading.
A more prominent prompt appeared.
[Profession Advancement Mission. Deep Sea Hunter
Affinity: Blade
Description: All things threatening the sea should die!
Mission Objective: Defeat a monster capable of destroying the Witch Sea.]
To advance to legendary status, besides obtaining the profession card, one also needed to complete the profession mission.
For example, the Flower Witch's mission was to create Philosopher's Stone Potions; the Disaster Messenger's mission was to predict a major disaster and issue warnings to help others successfully overcome difficulties; the Thousand-Faced Person's mission was to portray ten roles for a month without being discovered by others.
Legendary profession card missions were either tedious or extremely difficult...
Chen Qi swallowed.
However, the mission on this profession card was clearly somewhat excessive!
Defeat a monster capable of destroying the Witch Sea! Is this really something a third tier could accomplish?
For monsters capable of destroying the Witch Sea, Chen Qi could only think of the 'Great Whale,' 'Deep-Sea Twelve-Tentacles,' or indescribable disaster beasts from high-level rifts!
However, the Great Whale and Deep-Sea Twelve-Tentacles were simply not existences he could defeat at his current stage!
Or perhaps, through rifts...
In some high-level rifts, it was possible to achieve plot-based kills against some 'world-destroying monsters' through special methods.
However, the premise of this mission was a monster capable of destroying the Witch Sea, meaning monsters from B-level rifts didn't meet this condition.
Even if the target was to defeat the Deep-Sea Twelve-Tentacles, I'd need to first become a Deep Sea Hunter and possess legendary power... Chen Qi momentarily didn't know how to describe this mission.
A legendary profession card mission was actually to defeat a monster capable of destroying the Witch Sea!
He'd need to become legendary first to possibly complete this mission.
Wait... Chen Qi vaguely remembered that in the game forums, later on, the Deep Sea Hunter profession card fell into the hands of the Sea God Pirates and was successfully digested by Haige.
This meant this profession mission wasn't impossible to complete.
The key word was this 'capable of'... Chen Qi thought silently.
If it was a monster capable of destroying the Witch Sea, then the range could be greatly expanded, such as 'disaster beasts' that hadn't fully grown yet, or 'Little Crow' before mutation, etc.
However, the word 'capable' was too vague, making it impossible to determine the specific judgment range... Chen Qi shook his head.
He couldn't just kill every monster he encountered.
"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with this card?"
Fen half-crouched down, asking thoughtfully.
"Let me observe it further..."
Chen Qi carefully held the card in his hand for examination.
Normally, profession card missions should be more specific.
Suddenly, he noticed that the hunter on the card's front had eyes emitting scorching blue flames, dazzling like torches in the night.
His eyes were icy cold, yet filled with anger - the anger of hunting all monsters.
"This is..."
Chen Qi extended his index finger, gently touching this burning eye.
Instantly, another prompt appeared.
[Book Witch's Blessing. Hunter's Mark:
Affinity: Lamp
Description: Hunter who has come here, to help you complete this mission, once every month you can use 'Hunter's Mark.' Hunter's Mark will center on you, marking the nearest hunting target. (Maximum three uses)]
Hunter's Mark... Chen Qi looked at this 'mark's' description.
Simply put, this was a skill to help him complete the 'advancement' mission, helping him select the nearest 'hunting target.'
Seeing this, Chen Qi breathed a long sigh of relief.
With this mark, his advancement mission could have a defined range instead of blindly searching.
Perhaps the Fog Merchant from earlier might also qualify as a 'monster' in the mission... Chen Qi gently tapped the profession card's eye with his finger.
Undoubtedly, within the Fog Sea, there was an extremely high probability of monsters existing that could threaten the Witch Sea!
This was the most suitable hunting ground!
Chen Qi took a deep breath, channeling his spiritual energy into the eye.
On the deep blue card surface, a thick mist gradually rose, rushing toward the direction where the Fog Merchant had fled.
"What is the Deep Sea Hunter profession card's mission?"
Fen looked at the misty shadow in the distance, curiously asking.
It really is the Fog Merchant's direction... Chen Qi looked at the mist-filled sea in the distance and said coldly:
"Hunting."
……
Fog Sea, shallow layer.
On the thick mist, an exploration ship struggled to navigate through this sea.
Heavy mist slowly enveloped this vessel.
Dya held binoculars, gazing into the distant mist:
"Hey, Loren, are we really going deep into the Fog Sea to hunt the Black Hunter?"
Even for experts like them at the third tier, getting lost in the Fog Sea was highly possible.
Gambler Loren picked up his revolver, fired a shot at his own head, then smiled slightly:
"I borrowed a few good things from my friend! These items are enough to keep us sane in the Fog Sea!"
"And, my intuition tells me! My luck is good today!"
After speaking, Gambler Loren laughed. This time, he had made unprecedented thorough preparations! Even staking his own life!
Luck... Dya rolled his eyes at Loren, then asked further:
"Who exactly is your friend? Willing to lend you so many things? Can these things really help us capture him? The Flower Witch might have already rested well."
As a member of a major family, he probably couldn't borrow so many good things himself.
An stood at the ship's bow, her eyes icy cold:
"We have a feeling that this is our final chance! However, this time, we won't fail."
"Right."
Dya stretched his muscles, looking at the new mecha ready for action on his ship:
"The Black Hunter is highly likely to be severely injured in the Fog Sea. We also have disaster messenger intelligence. This is indeed a good opportunity!"
To pursue the Black Hunter, each of them had made thorough preparations!
Everyone was excited, ready for action.
But suddenly, from within the distant black mist, came an illusory laugh:
"Lucky, just lost one Release, and here comes a thousand!"
"A thousand? Is this talking to me?"
Dya drew his weapon. In the mist, something had set its sights on them!
"An, it's the Fog Merchant from the intelligence, prepare to attack!"
Gambler Loren drew his gun, already prepared to counterattack!
According to the Beiguo Meteorological Bureau disaster messenger's intelligence, their ten exploration teams sent into the Fog Sea had completely disappeared!
The mastermind behind all this was highly likely the Fog Merchant!
For this operation, Loren had not only accepted the bounty mission for the Black Hunter but also conveniently accepted the S-rank mission to rescue investigators and capture the Fog Merchant!
"Fight! We will fight!"
Gambler Loren was extremely excited.
However, at this moment, everyone on the ship remained unresponsive.
They all looked up at the gloomy sky.
In the sky, the mist eerily coalesced, forming a tall giant wearing a hat and dressed in standard hunter attire from the last century.
In that gloomy mist, a pair of icy cold eyes stared intently at them.
An clenched her fists, cold sweat continuously dripping, the cracks in her palms growing larger and larger.
Everyone swallowed nervously, their bodies overcome with a piercing cold, an indescribable ancient sensation:
The fear of prey being targeted by a hunter.