Joint Operation (Part 1)

The study is located on the second floor of the Baker Family.

It was uncertain whether ghosts were still lingering outside the door.

Koslin sawed a hole in the study floor large enough for a single person to pass through.

Han Dong and Koslin continued as a group, descending from the cave entrance.

The lower section corresponds to the Storage Room on the first floor...

Captain Cas is paired with Fia, Fia provides various holy light buffs to maximize Cas's 'anti-pollution value'. At the same time, Cas can also apply the ' Crusader's Power ' buff to himself.

While enhancing various physical attributes, it can also improve willpower and greatly reduce the effects of pollution on the brain.

The first step of the plan was for Cas to confront the ghost lurking in the mansion head-on.

During the time that Cas bought for them, all the team members spread out and surrounded the 'Ghost' from different angles, trying to kill it as quickly as possible.

Although everyone's weapons were given "King's Blessing" by Sylest and imbued with holy light attributes.

However, the greatest damage that can be inflicted against such evil beings comes from the holy light spells directly cast by Fia... Therefore, the core of this plan revolves around Sophia.

Once in position, Sophia will unleash her full firepower. Han Dong and Koslin need to ensure Sophia's safety while assisting in the attack.

Before the operation, Sophia also looked worried.

"Cas, be careful! The diary mentions that during the evil refining process, a century-old sycamore tree was accidentally incorporated into it, which is why the ghost has a 'branch structure' on its body."

The opponent might use plant-based abilities, so be careful!

"Hmm... We fought the tree spirit together in the Destiny Space. I have some experience. While I hold off the ghost, Fia, you need to quickly get into position with the two of them."

If there's any danger, I will do everything in my power to protect you.

Hearing what Cas said, Fia's cheeks also flushed.

She fell for Cas not simply because of Cas handsome looks and unique knightly demeanor, but because Cas always stood in front of her when danger struck.

No matter how dangerous it was, Cas was always the first to step forward.

Regardless of life or death, Cas would always let his teammates leave first.

"Call..."

As Fia jumped down into the first-floor Miscellaneous Items Room.

The sunny smile on Cas's face vanished instantly... He immediately went into battle mode.

Take a deep breath.

Cas was also a little nervous, after all, he was unsure of the characteristics and abilities of the target he was about to face.

"The previous contamination of the diary was enough to crack Koslin's goggles and cause Deep Corruption... What I need to face is a strange being that combines the characteristics of five people and also incorporates the characteristics of plants."

Knight Sylest has gone deep underground and cannot provide support.

If my teammates don't have enough firepower, I'll likely die here.

If... I can't even do this, I won't be able to gain enough 'benefits' in the next high-difficulty Destiny Space, and I'll be eliminated from the ranks of knights sooner or later.

A burning cross mark appeared between Cas's eyebrows.

The tension dissipated, and there was no longer any fear in his eyes.

Bang! He kicked the study door open, smashing it to pieces, deliberately making a noise to attract the ghost's attention.

But... there was nothing outside the door.

What came into Cas's view was just a completely 'restored' luxury mansion; he couldn't detect any ghosts at all.

[Crusaders] possess exceptional physical abilities and the capacity to wield various weapons. Once their Talent Tree matures, they can even harness the energy of various elements to imbue their weapons or reconstruct their physical bodies.

However, shortcomings still exist.

That is reconnaissance and perception capabilities.

They can only capture targets through their own senses and eyes. Although they can be the leader of the squad, they will inevitably need a teammate who is proficient in reconnaissance to assist them.

Previously, Koslin was in charge of reconnaissance in the squad.

Unable to capture the target immediately, coupled with the gloomy and cold mansion environment and the faint crying sounds coming from the corner, Cas involuntarily broke out in a cold sweat.

Where did it go?

Cas tried to walk slowly down the second-floor corridor, fully alert!

Even if someone suddenly attacks from behind, he can quickly counterattack.

However... there is still a weakness, and that is the ground beneath our feet.

Walking along the wooden corridor, slender plant vines slowly grew out from the cracks in the floor, completely escaping Cas's perception.

Tread!

When you take another step.

The vines grew rapidly, instantly wrapping around Cas's legs.

[Freeze]

Moreover, the branches continued to twine upwards, binding Cas's body and arms.

These vines are extremely tough, and once you get entangled in them, it's very difficult to break free by brute force... Even Though a three-star Crusader like Cas can't do it.

"Oops!"

at the same time.

The white curtain slowly descended in front of Cas.

A terrifying woman, half-hidden in a white sheet, came into near-zero contact with Cas.

The experienced Cas had already closed his eyes immediately to resist the invasion of the contaminant to the greatest extent possible... At the same time, Cas's wrist, which he could barely move, was touching a certain prop at his waist.

Of course, a ghost can't just stand there motionless.

Crunch~ Crunch (the sound of something slippery growing)

Something terrifying is growing in the woman's palm.

A type of soft root, with a morphology somewhere between that of a plant and a tentacle.

In addition to possessing plant-like characteristics, it appears soft and smooth overall.

When these soft roots adhered to the armor worn by Cas, they immediately emitted billowing white smoke, seemingly corroding the pure silver armor.

Crunch~ Crunch!

The roots writhed and crawled up the armor, heading straight for the face, making the danger self-evident.

Once Cas's eyelids are pried open, it will all be over.

At a critical moment.

Pei touched the 'good stuff' on Cas's waist.

"Fire Oil Bomb"

Flame bombs manufactured by Koslin.

Having experience fighting tree spirits, Cas knew one thing very well: evil things related to trees must be "afraid of fire".

The Fire Oil Bomb is thrown forcefully with the wrist.

Upon impact with an object, the internal accelerant immediately reacts, igniting upon contact with oxygen in the air, thus detonating the glass projectile and igniting the internal fuel.

Boom!

Flames rose.

Cas's upper body was also engulfed in flames, and the plants clinging to Cas's armor were completely burned.

"Cross Slash"

The longsword, imbued with holy light, slashed swiftly, followed by a spinning kick that struck the 'ghost' squarely in the abdomen.

This kick sent the burning ghost flying.

at the same time.

Koslin, who had just set up his gun at a distance, locked onto the ghost's body and fired three shots in quick succession.

The silver bullet, imbued with holy light, precisely pierced the ghost's vital point...