Want more food?

Tog stammered, "May My Lord... eat well."

The intangible transcendent aura was affecting his mind, making it impossible for him to recall the incantation. He could only force himself to express the meaning based on his feelings.

However, as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized something was wrong. Or rather, he had broken free from the state of "twisted language."

"Who is it!"

He only had time for an angry shout before he saw the bloody palm print on the ground begin to move.

It was as if an invisible hand had unconsciously brushed over the blood, leaving behind distinct bloody palm prints on the ground.

These palm prints moved towards Tog one after another, stable and mechanical.

In Tog's eyes, these palm prints were undoubtedly the death knell sounding for him.

Aaron struggled to suppress his laughter, watching the panicked Tog. Although he didn't know what Tog was trying to recite, since it was something Tog intended to do, Aaron was determined to oppose it.

In his panic, the gradually approaching death forced Tog to calm down. With a desperate, tearful voice, he trembled and prayed loudly, "Praise My Lord, please awaken..."

This was his last chance. As long as the "Crawling Lord" hadn't started eating, he could still struggle!

As long as he finished the prayer, the "Crawling Lord" would respond to his follower's summons. Even if it didn't align with Its aesthetic and habits, It would demand a sacrifice after eating.

But at least this would buy Tog valuable time.

While It was eating, Tog believed he would have a chance to find a sacrifice to offer It!

Everything just needed time!

Time!

This time, he was prepared. His soul was almost completely sealed, and he had even blocked his senses to prevent any interference.

However, an inexplicable feeling descended once more, and his mind went fuzzy for another instant.

Just for a moment, less than a breath, only the time it took to utter a few words.

Yet, he still misrecited the prayer. He didn't even need to know what he had actually said, because the feeling of being targeted by some existence grew stronger.

His hand finally broke free from his control entirely, and it twisted around to grip his throat.

Tog's eyes snapped open. Forcing himself to endure the suffocating near-death experience, he looked in a certain direction with disbelief.

As a Transcendent of the Gold Coin Path, his precognitive ability was amplified before his death. Relying purely on instinctive intuition, he pinpointed the figure standing within the light screen!

Aaron!

"How could you possibly know Dream Realm Language!"

In extreme shock, Tog shouted with his last breath.

Immediately, his chest began to heave uncontrollably. Through his thin robe, one could vaguely see something unsettling wriggling within.

He started to hiccup uncontrollably, one after another. With each seemingly comical hiccup, his body visibly shrank.

It was as if these hiccups were expelling all the gas from within him.

His face had long since turned sallow and blue, his eyeballs bloodshot. The last instinct of survival caused his mouth to weakly open and close, his legs beginning to twitch as if electrocuted, resembling a fish thrown onto land.

However, it was all in vain.

"Don't look! Don't speak!" Sart realized and shouted, "Cover your ears, It's here! Turn around!"

What?

Before Aaron could react, he instinctively turned to look at Sart, only to see their backs as they covered their ears.

Then, he heard a crisp cracking sound.

Even without turning his head, he could sense that the bright light behind him had vanished instantly.

Then, he heard a spine-chilling sound, the sound of loud bone-cracking.

The sound of bones breaking was so dense it was like popping beans.

Someone, no, something was chewing on something...

Aaron instinctively covered his ears, but the sound didn't diminish in the slightest. It continued to penetrate his ears, or perhaps his mind, without any loss.

The sound was incredibly clear. Under some mysterious power, Aaron could even identify which part it was based on the sound...

This sound is so crisp and lively, it must be fingers.

Hmm, this segment feels particularly sturdy, it must be a thigh bone.

Why does this one sound a bit hollow?

Could it be his brain?

Aaron covered his ears, listening to the peculiar sounds with great interest. A hint of confusion crossed his mind.

Why did Sart tell him not to listen to this sound?

It didn't seem threatening at all...

It was like a polite gentleman. Even though Aaron could sense Its hunger from Its chewing, It ate in an orderly and methodical manner.

Aaron could even imagine a man in formal attire, wearing a small bowtie and a mustache, slowly eating a steak on his plate with a knife and fork.

Unbeknownst to him, darkness once again enveloped the space, stripping away the right for any other sound to be made.

Aaron could only hear the monotonous, mechanical chewing sound, not even his own heartbeat.

To be honest, he really wanted to see what was going on behind him.

This was way more engaging than any horror story.

Of course, Aaron just wanted to court death, not actually commit suicide. Based on his past experiences, if he actually turned around, he'd probably become food for some unknown entity.

So, he obediently followed Sart's words, suppressing his curiosity and not looking.

Wait, what did Sart say again?

Don't turn your head, right?

Aaron thought idly.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but the chewing sound had already ended.

A certain gentleman had enjoyed a fine meal with great satisfaction.

If not for his reason controlling him, Aaron would have felt like whistling.

Wow, finally done.

I didn't expect this skill the system gave me to be quite useful, or rather, talking nonsense really can get you killed.

The cultist hiding in Leyden City was dead. Although Lord Bals was probably still problematic, at least it wasn't a major issue, right?

Colluding with cultists was serious, but relying on Sart or Alice's strength probably wouldn't be enough to directly oust the Lord Mayor. He might have to rack his brain a bit later to figure out how to communicate with Bals.

Anyone who could serve as a city lord was likely no pushover.

Of course, if he couldn't squeeze anything out of Bals, then Aaron would have definitely wasted all those years of playing single-player games.

After all, a qualified single-player gamer should at least leave no trace wherever they go.

He had to make the kind NPCs whisper to each other in secret, exchanging terrified glances: "Did your family get raided by the Hero?"

In the darkness, there was silence.

Aaron, lost in his thoughts, vaguely sensed something was wrong.

Why weren't Sart and Alice showing up yet?

Or why wasn't the super brave Siosand saying anything?

Why could he still not hear any other sounds?

Aaron subconsciously started walking forward. He remembered Alice and Sart were not far away.

As his foot landed on the solid stone bricks, it made a faint sound.

Gulp.

A strange sound, like a muffled swallow.

It was right behind him, and even right by his ear.

Aaron couldn't hear his own heartbeat, but he clearly felt his heart skip a beat.

You finished eating and you're still hanging around?

Are you looking for seconds?!