Reversal, Illusionist

Gannix stared in horror at the bloodstained dagger protruding from his mother's back.

He never imagined that the guard captain, whom he usually called Uncle Thomas, would actually kill his mother.

This sudden turn of events left the young master, who had never experienced the wickedness of human nature, stunned on the spot.

After the dagger was pulled from Catherine's chest, a spurt of blood gushed out.

He suddenly realized something as if from a dream, and roared, "Damn it! What are you doing!"

The shout drew the attention of everyone fighting in the camp.

Then, they all stood there dumbfounded.

What's going on?

Captain Thomas killed President Catherine?

The sudden turn of events left everyone frozen in place. The muskets they held, for some reason, suddenly wouldn't pull the trigger.

Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the patron had indeed been killed by her own bodyguard captain!

After realizing the reality, disbelief appeared on everyone's faces. Then, a sense of despair, as if they were being attacked from all sides, immediately overwhelmed them.

Being attacked while hunting in the wild is almost a daily occurrence.

Even with the enemy coming on strong, these experienced hunters weren't too worried; they fought when necessary and killed when appropriate.

But now, what's going on?

With the patron killed, the family immediately lost its leader.

What's more, the one who made the move was Thomas Wendellband, one of only two Third Tier Extraordinary in the group.

But upon closer examination, everyone realized that this was likely a "vendetta" or some other reason, but it had absolutely nothing to do with the current hunting operation!

If their benefactor hadn't died, they might have stepped in to help. But now that President Catherine has been killed, there's no going back.

Moreover, the other party is a Third Tier Extraordinary being.

Those hunters who came for the money didn't want to fight to the death.

The benefactor is dead; the best outcome now is for everyone to part ways.

At that moment, someone immediately spoke up.

"Hey! Mr. Thomas, we're here on assignment and have nothing to do with the 'Redwood Merchant Guild.' Don't drag us into your personal feuds!"

"That's right, your personal feud has nothing to do with us, and we will not take sides."

"."

As soon as he said that, people immediately responded.

The surviving Scavenger Gang expressed their opinions and spontaneously gathered together.

They signed a hunting contract, so they weren't obligated to settle personal scores for their employer. Besides, given the scale of the operation—a Third Tier guard turning against them, plus so many assassins appearing—it's obvious even to a fool that the enemy is someone of considerable power!

In order to survive, Catherine and her son, who had been kept away by almost all the hunters except for a few guards provided by the merchant guild, automatically isolated themselves and became another neutral faction.

Upon hearing this, Thomas smirked.

On the other hand, the once spirited young Gannix was now completely pale.

My mother died, and it felt like the world had collapsed.

For the first time, he experienced the Great Terror of impending death.

The "Uncle Thomas" was staring at him with a cold gaze. He felt it was the most terrifying look he had ever seen. Reason told him to bravely resist, but his body seemed stiff and wouldn't obey him.

Seeing this dramatic scene unfold before his eyes, Rein, hiding on the city wall, immediately realized something and exclaimed in his mind, "Sunflower Merchant Guild! These assassins are from the Black Skull Phantom Thieves!"

"No wonder no one noticed along the way. If it was Thomas who made the markings, that makes sense."

Only then did Rein understand how the assassins had tracked him down.

The "Hunter" class of Transcendent excels at wilderness survival, scouting, and setting traps. Therefore, Thomas was almost always the one setting up markers along the way to avoid getting lost.

Originally intended as a location marker for their return journey, it turned out to be a death warrant guiding the assassins!

While Rein's mind raced, his hands moved just as quickly.

He decisively pulled out a musket with a scope and set it up.

This is a large-caliber, high-precision sniper rifle specially made by Karl, with "High-Explosive Armor-Piercing Round" loaded in the barrel.

This type of bullet is extremely lethal, even to Third Tier Extraordinary.

Now that Catherine is dead, at least her son should be protected. Clearly, this mother and son are indeed related to Canossa. Otherwise, they wouldn't have the face to face that lady in the future.

Moreover, a Third Tier hunter skilled in hunting must also be eliminated!

Otherwise, even if Rein is confident he can escape now, Thomas's hound-like tracking ability will bring him endless pursuit.

"Call"

Rein gently raised his musket, slowly exhaled, and aimed the muzzle at the back of Thomas's head.

Although he pursued a fighter's path after advancing to the Transcendent, his marksmanship was still quite good. Firearms are the most effective means of killing enemies for low-level Transcendent, and back in the "Weasel Bandit Group," his basic firearms expertise was already superb.

A thousand thoughts raced through my mind, but in reality, only a moment had passed.

His finger was already on the trigger, ready to aim and fire at any moment.

But then, a bizarre scene unfolded!

Rein suddenly stopped pulling the trigger, looking like he'd seen a ghost.

Because, through the binoculars, he saw another Lady Catherine!

As if seeing double, the Catherine the stab wound in her chest suddenly appeared as two. One was deathly pale, while the other was unharmed, her face frosty.

"What's going on?!"

A wave of surprise washed over Rein. He blinked and realized that he wasn't seeing things; there really was another "Catherine"!

And what's even more surprising is what happened next.

After the unharmed Catherine appeared, Thomas, the "traitor" directly opposite her, seemed to be bound by an inexplicable force.

From Rein's position, he could see the terrified expression on the man's face, but his body was completely immobilized, still holding the bayonet in the same position.

Catherine looked at her trusted confidante of several years, her eyes filled with a complex expression of heartache and regret. It was as if she had expected it, but seeing what had happened still made her feel sorrowful.

But the president was not one to hesitate. Though she showed reluctance in her eyes, she did not hesitate at all. She raised the musket in her hand, pressed it against Thomas's forehead, and pulled the trigger.

"Smack!"

Thomas was bound by an inexplicable force, unable even to use his battle aura for protection. The gun was pressed against his forehead at close range, with no way to dodge. The bullet from the high-grade musket violently pierced his skull, then exploded in the back of his head, creating a radial wound that sent crimson tissue flying everywhere.

One shot blew half his head off; he was beyond dead.

After casually killing a Third Tier Extraordinary, Catherine glanced at her stunned son beside her and said nothing more.

This time, it was enough to teach him a lesson for his naivety.

After the murder, the "stabbed Catherine" beside her slowly dissipated, turning into pink petals, and then completely disappeared into the air.

This is not a phantom, but some kind of illusion.

Seeing this, Rein was in the distance, finally understood what was going on and was greatly surprised: Catherine was actually a Mystic System of [Illusionist]?

Although he had never underestimated President Catherine, he was quite surprised when he saw her bizarre methods.

Because those with Transcendent spiritual abilities are extremely rare, Illusionists are even rarer.

The fact that she could cast illusions that fooled Third Tier Extraordinary indicates that her mental strength is extraordinary. (Note: In the Mystic System combat, rank is not the determining factor; ability is paramount.)

However, on the other hand...

Even a Mental Extraordinary with no physical strength can't solve the current crisis!

Rein is no longer the clueless newbie he once was about Transcendent powers. He knows very well that the abilities of the [Illusionist], which specialize in mental power, are indeed quite strange, but once someone is on guard, they are not so easy to fall for.

There are only a few ways to cast mental spells, all of which target a person's five senses: sight, sound, smell.

Judging from what we just saw, the way she used magic to briefly control Thomas was probably through "eye hypnosis".

Once this method is used as a precaution, the chances of falling victim will be greatly reduced.

Moreover, those with Mental Extraordinary are bound to have weak physical bodies.

In terms of close-quarters combat ability alone, she probably couldn't even beat a First Tier Transcendent.

Catherine may be able to protect herself, but it's simply impossible for her to get everyone out on her own!

Clearly, she was aware of this as well.

The night raid was already sudden, and then the guard captain betrayed them. Although Katherine turned the tide with a "Illusionary Substitute" and killed the traitor, the repeated reversals had demoralized the troops.

At this moment, the assassins had already quietly sneaked in during the lull in the firepower.

Catherine knew that if she didn't fight to the death today, she would definitely not survive.

Despite the crisis, the guild leader remained calm. She immediately took out a box of gold coins from her storage ring, smashed it on the ground, and said to the Scavenger Gang in a very fast voice, "Everyone, what happened today was indeed an accident, and it is my 'Redwood Merchant Guild' that has let you down. Consider this money as my compensation to you all!"

The crowd looked at the box of gold coins, and although some were moved, the vast majority of people still did not touch it.

Having money is one thing, but having the life to enjoy it is another.

They still hold onto the hope that by remaining neutral, the assassins who launched the night raid will not be caught in the crossfire.

Catherine clearly noticed the expressions in everyone's eyes and cut off their escape route, saying, "If I'm not mistaken, those assassins are from the 'Black Skull Phantom Thieves.' As everyone knows, they never leave anyone alive when they strike! So, please help me repel them. If you survive today, I will compensate each of you ten times the reward stipulated in the contract!"

As expected, everyone's expression changed upon seeing this. The generous reward was one thing, but more importantly, the enemy's identity was another.

"The Black Skull people?"

How could these hunters not know about this infamous gang of thieves? These guys not only robbed merchant guilds, but also ambushed and killed hunters and civilians; they were nothing but demons.

After a moment's thought, they knew that Catherine was telling the truth.

The conflict between the "Redwood Merchant Guild" and the "Black Skull Phantom Thieves" has been going on for quite some time, and only those guys could possibly organize so many professional assassins to launch an attack.

Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, Catherine wanted to continue her persuasion, "Gentlemen..."

But just as she was about to say something, a loud gunshot, like that of a cannon, suddenly rang out.

"Bang!"

Catherine felt a chill run down her spine; a sense of deadly danger washed over her.

But the sense of crisis didn't come from the gunshot, but from what was right in front of us!

Almost at the same moment the gunshot rang out, behind the low wall two meters away from her, a stealthy assassin fell to the ground and suddenly tumbled into the courtyard, revealing his figure.

The shot caught the assassin off guard, but it wasn't fatal. He panicked and tried to get up and jump over the earthen wall, but Catherine reacted quickly, raising her hand and firing two shots into his back.

The others were quick to respond, raising their guns in unison. A volley of musket fire riddled the assassin with bullets, sending him crashing to the ground.

The group was filled with lingering fear as they realized that the assassin had already gotten close to them!

(Note: Assassins use stealth to create a special barrier that absorbs light, distorting vision. If the barrier cannot be maintained, the assassin's form becomes visible.)

Who fired the shot?

Catherine's first reaction was to look in the direction of the gunshot, and she vaguely saw a flash of light. If that shot had been aimed at her, the consequences would have been unpredictable.

But clearly, it was one of their own people who fired the shot.

She was also surprised that there were still some of her own people alive on the outskirts at this time!

Before she could think any further, things had become extremely urgent. Catherine shouted, "Everyone, move out! Let's break out!"

Without any hesitation or giving anyone time to think, she and her guards rushed out of the city.

As she left, the hastily formed teams of hunters exchanged glances and decisively followed her.

They all knew very well that the enemy was now close by, and these dilapidated bunkers would not only fail to protect them, but would instead become a hiding place for the assassins.

If it comes down to a decisive battle, a head-on clash in the desert, they might not be afraid of these assassins!

On the other hand, Rein, who was on the high wall, also knew that his position had been exposed after he fired the shot.

This specially designed sniper rifle is indeed very powerful, but it is also extremely noisy; the flash and sound are impossible to hide.

But he didn't rush to leave. Instead, he calmly and steadily sniped at the assassins hiding in the shadows, giving Catherine and her group a chance to escape the city.

As professional assassins, "Black Skull" and his gang naturally knew they had to kill the sniper first.

Just as Rein fired his fourth shot, two nimble assassins scaled the high wall and silently appeared behind him.

"Tsk tsk, they've finally arrived."

Rein estimated that the time was about right.

He didn't need to turn around to feel the murderous intent emanating from behind him.

The next instant, his purple battle aura surged and overflowed, and he suddenly punched the assassin behind him who was silently slashing at his neck with a dagger.

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