Targeting

When everyone arrived, they saw over a dozen bodies lying scattered on the ground. Black mist, a mark of Necromancy, coiled around their wounds.

Jialan crouched down, his finger hovering above a corpse. He could feel residual Dark Element circulating within the body.

"These are fake mercenaries from the Aus Empire's military," Katerina examined the bodies. Jialan's frown deepened as his mental power detected something unusual among the corpses.

Suddenly, his gaze fixed on a seemingly ordinary body. The Dark Element around its wounds was exceptionally active, as if... waiting for something.

"Careful!" Jialan recoiled sharply, but it was too late. The corpse's eyes suddenly snapped open, its pitch-black pupils devoid of any life. A beam of black light shot out from the body, aimed directly at Jialan's chest.

Argyle, standing nearby, reacted swiftly. His Holy Sword blocked Jialan just in time. Light and Dark powers collided, erupting in a blinding flash.

Katerina rolled on the snow, her figure vanishing instantly. The next second, she reappeared among the corpses, a dagger piercing the center of one's forehead. However, more corpses began to stir, Dark Element churning within them.

"Protect Jialan!" Kaisalin shouted, swinging her longsword. Her usual ladylike demeanor vanished as she charged into the horde of corpses like a rampaging behemoth.

Shadow darted nimbly through the treetops, his arrows precisely striking the vital points of each corpse. Qiuqiu perched on his shoulder, emitting sharp cries, its fur standing on end.

Jialan stood his ground, his mental power unleashed as he tried to pinpoint the source controlling the corpses.

Suddenly, he felt a powerful mental shockwave. The force was so intense that his vision went black. In the fleeting moments before losing consciousness, he saw a figure – a person clad in a black robe, their gaze fixed on him with sinister intent.

It's that Necromancer. Their target... is me. Did they know all along?

Jialan's consciousness drifted in the darkness, the muffled sounds of a struggle reaching his ears. He felt his mental power being torn apart; every attempt to regain consciousness brought a searing headache.

The mental shockwave from an Intermediate Peak Necromancer was far more potent than he had anticipated. If Argyle hadn't shielded his mind with Light power in time, if his own mental power hadn't been slightly stronger than that of spellcasters at the same level, his consciousness would likely have been shattered.

Jialan forced his eyes open, finding Katerina guarding him. Her dagger was still stained with black blood. In the distance, Argyle and Kaisalin were battling the reanimated corpses, the light of the Holy Sword shining brilliantly through the mist.

Jialan noticed her breathing was a little ragged. "These corpses are tougher than expected. It's probably because the Necromancer is nearby. The Dark Element has given them strength far exceeding their living state."

Jialan's temples throbbed. The damage to his mental power made his perception of his surroundings hazy, but he could still sense the faint, intermittent dark aura. The Necromancer was nearby, and as Katerina had said, they were injured.

"They're to the southeast," Jialan closed his eyes, concentrating with effort. "About three hundred meters away. Their mental power is unstable; they probably haven't recovered from their previous injuries."

A cold glint flashed in Katerina's eyes. "That's why they're in such a hurry to eliminate you. A tracker with strong mental power is too dangerous for them."

Just then, a furious roar echoed. Jialan turned his head and saw a corpse suddenly explode, its black mist instantly engulfing Argyle. The Light Knight's armor emitted a piercing corrosive sound, and his movements clearly slowed.

"Argyle!" Kaisalin tried to rush over but was blocked by more corpses.

Jialan gritted his teeth, knowing he had to do something. Although he was only a Junior Mage and injured, he had no choice but to take a risk. He took his Staff from his Spatial Bag, muttered incantations, and after eight or nine seconds, a blue light flashed in his eyes.

"Ice Seal!"

The moisture in the air instantly solidified, and tiny ice crystals pierced the corpses' joints like blades. Although these Dark Element-enhanced corpses had greatly increased strength, their agility was severely compromised. The slowing effect of the ice crystals made their movements sluggish, giving Argyle a chance to breathe.

"Well done!" Shadow leaped down from the trees, his arrows precisely striking the Soul Fire of each corpse. "But this will reveal your position."

Jialan gave a wry smile. "They already know where I am."

As soon as he finished speaking, an even more powerful mental shockwave struck. This time, Jialan was prepared. His mental power formed a shield, barely blocking the attack. The price was a nosebleed and blurred vision.

"They're moving," Jialan wiped the blood from his nose. "Trying to break through from the west. There's a swamp there; if they escape into it..."

Katerina had already vanished from her spot, leaving only a sentence echoing in the air: "I'll intercept them. You guys follow."

Jialan watched her retreating figure, a sense of unease suddenly rising in his heart. The Necromancer's target was him; this wasn't just about escaping. He remembered the unusually active Dark Element he had sensed earlier, and a terrifying guess formed in his mind.

"Quick!" he shouted to the others. "We can't let her face the Necromancer alone!"

But it was too late. A dull thud echoed from the distance, followed by Katerina's pained cry.

When Jialan and the others arrived, they saw the female Assassin lying on the ground. Her left arm was being corroded by Dark Element, rotting at a visible rate. Standing before her was a tall figure – not the injured Necromancer at all, but a puppet constructed entirely from Dark Element.

The true Necromancer had long since vanished.

Katerina's arm sizzled under the glow of Light Battle Qi. The Dark Element writhed like a living thing but ultimately couldn't overcome the pure Light power.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Argyle's forehead. His Holy Sword was planted in the ground, his hands gripping Katerina's arm tightly as he continuously poured Light Battle Qi into it.

"Bear with it," Argyle said softly, his voice trembling slightly. Katerina gritted her teeth, not making a sound, but her pale face and the cold sweat on her brow betrayed her agony.

Jialan stood to the side, his mental power having recovered somewhat. Watching the Dark Element on Katerina's arm gradually recede, he took a deep breath and formed a complex hand seal. The air suddenly filled with fresh moisture, and tiny water droplets condensed in the air, transforming into specks of faint light.