White Mist

"The dried human blood... seems to be related to the once-missing knightly order."

Lucius found a trace of dried blood on a wooden stake at the bridgehead.

"The missing knight squad?"

Although Han Dong had heard some information from Mia, he was still unclear about the specifics.

"Formal Knight are required to form a small team as investigators to conduct an 'outside-city survey' around the Holy City approximately every month."

For newcomers to the Knight Order, investigating outside the city is an essential training experience.

Three weeks ago.

Due to the flash of blood, an ordinary survey team was assigned to conduct a basic survey in the Adalaga Mountains.

An investigation doesn't necessarily have to result in a combat victory; it only needs to gather enough intelligence.

This team had carried out no fewer than ten Investigation Mission before they went missing. This time, they were only asked to conduct a simple reconnaissance in the foothills area, and they were allowed to evacuate if they encountered any dangerous situations.

But... they mysteriously disappeared while exploring the Adalaga Mountains.

"Has any intelligence been sent back?"

"No, not a single signal has come back since they entered the mountain range..."

Han Dong nodded. "Captain Lucius, are you going back to the Holy City now or continue crossing the bridge?"

"We promised Mr. Black and White that we would escort you to the bottom of the mountain and then we would escort you across this dilapidated long bridge... Just a reminder before you cross the bridge."

This 10,000-meter suspension bridge was not built by our Knight Order, but by the heretics in the Gayn Forest decades ago.

There is nothing wrong with the suspension bridge itself.

However, the suspension bridge overlooks a ravine nearly a thousand meters deep, and a fall from it would be certain death.

"I'll go first and use my abilities to reinforce the suspension bridge. You all follow in turn... Lunze, you'll bring up the rear."

"Yes, Captain."

Judging solely from the issue of 'team leader'.

This Blood Knight possesses a unique leadership quality that inspires a sense of security.

As soon as you step onto the suspension bridge, you can feel Blood Thread spreading out from the soles of your feet, as the damaged areas of the bridge are reinforced.

As for Lunze, who was at the back of the group, he reinforced the suspension bridge with bones to ensure that the bridge would not break during the journey.

The team had just stepped onto the suspension bridge and hadn't even walked twenty meters.

"Huh!? A remote blood pact technique!?"

A fierce glint flashed in Lucius's eyes, and he turned around abruptly.

Whoosh!

A Blood Needle, held between the index and middle fingers, shot out.

Lucius was aiming at the spot where bloodstains remained on the wooden stake at the bridgehead.

At this moment, a Blood Filaments eyeball has appeared out of nowhere and is observing Han Dong and his group.

Whoosh!

The Blood Needle pierced it.

As the eyeball is destroyed.

Thick white fog gradually rose from the mountain valleys, enveloping the entire suspension bridge and reducing visibility to less than five meters.

"Be careful, something seems to be coming from the thick fog..."

Everyone is on high alert.

Having just experienced the film "The Mist," Han Dong is all too familiar with such fog-shrouded environments.

quack...

With a wave of his hand, more than a dozen magical crows were released, circling around the team for reconnaissance.

The last Necromancer Lunze, also waved his mysterious short staff. Three "skulls" used for reconnaissance, with eerie blue flames emanating from their eye sockets, floated around the team, serving as an early warning.

"Let's go..."

The team maintained a normal Movement Speed and walked about one kilometer across the suspension bridge.

Haha!

Suddenly, a burst of wild laughter came from the mist.

Lucius, the leader, suddenly raised his hand, and his entire arm transformed into a blood-red hand that could extend and grow indefinitely, precisely grabbing a target within the mist.

soon.

A Blood Servant wearing an aristocratic wig and with mosquito wings was captured.

"You... you exude the deliciousness of the ' Blood God '! The Earl will surely love it."

These words made Lucius's expression turn sour, and a hint of unease even flashed in his eyes.

Bloody hands squeeze.

Snap!

Crush the mosquitoes.

Hahaha~~ Just as the Blood Servant died, more bursts of wild laughter echoed from within the white mist.

Hundreds of strangely shaped Blood Servant appeared and disappeared in the mist.

Just as everyone's attention was drawn to the Blood Servant, Han Dong, who was in the middle of the line, felt a pang of fear. He suddenly opened the Lesser Demon Eye between his eyebrows and looked into the depths of the ravine.

"Watch out... there's something down there!!"

"What?"

Several thick, yellowish-brown tentacles inlaid with rock suddenly rose from both sides of the suspension bridge.

This was the first time Han Dong had ever seen this type of tentacle, and it looked extremely heavy.

Before anyone could react, the tentacles lashed down... Crack! The suspension bridge shattered completely.

In the process of smashing the suspension bridge, it even shattered several Blood Servant in the white mist.

The suspension bridge collapsed.

The six-member team fell into a ravine a thousand meters deep due to gravity.

Just as Han Dong was preparing to merge with Duoze Crow and fly in the Crow Person Form, he suddenly noticed a detail.

These tentacles that shattered the suspension bridge did not continue to attack their group, nor did they show the slightest hostility, and moreover...

Splat!

Han Dong crashed onto the surface of the giant tentacle... or rather, the tentacle actively caught the falling Han Dong.

At the very moment of contact, a deep, aged voice was transmitted into Han Dong's mind through the tentacles.

"Your Excellency, the Adalaga Mountains have been completely occupied by the forces of ' Scarlet Villa '."

At least one 'baron' has his eye on you, and you could be in mortal danger if you venture in recklessly.

We were originally inhabitants of the mountains and have no hostility towards the lord from the [Gayn Forest]. We just have some things we would like to discuss with you.

Please reassure your human friends. I will take you to the cave at the bottom of the mountain to temporarily escape the pursuit of the Scarlet Villa.

"Good."

Han Dong promptly relayed the message to Lucius.

Who knew that Lucius seemed to accept help from the aliens because of some things about "Scarlet Villa"... As soon as Lucius spoke, Renze and Jane stopped resisting.

The six landed safely on the soft, brownish-yellow surface of the tentacles, reaching the very bottom of the ravine.

The Blood Servant flying down from above seemed to be wary of something, and all stopped when they reached halfway down the depth.

As the group reached the depths of the valley, the white mist dissipated.

The earthen-yellow tentacles that destroyed the suspension bridge and were there to help the group retreated back into the massive array at the bottom of the mountain.

A group of 'aboriginal' people dressed in yellow robes are gathered here. The few exposed parts of their bodies have human-like features, as well as structures resembling rock strata, soil, vines, or skulls.

"Huh?! You're not the Great Ghoul - Duilio Stuart?"

The voices of the indigenous people still reached Han Dong's mind separately.

"Shh... The land deed has been changed, and I am the new lord of the manor."

Also, I'm currently traveling here as a knight, so don't let my companions know I own a manor deed, and don't address me as lord, or it will cause trouble.

"Clear."