Master of Changing Faces
Old Bard's Wish Spell.
Thick arms on the colorful flowing wall.
Three consecutive taps, seemingly with symbolic meaning.
Roger stood there, lost in thought, recalling that moment.
Suddenly, it dawned on me.
A strange, indescribable feeling welled up inside him.
Two interplanetary teleportations at different times unexpectedly intersected.
This phenomenon was somewhat beyond Roger's comprehension.
It's a pity.
The surrounding environment didn't give him a chance to savor it.
Strange roars approached from all directions.
The Salvation Army soldiers looked panicked and couldn't even maintain the most basic formation.
Amidst the chaos.
Roger quickly broke away from the group and went to a hilltop to look down—
What appeared before him was a scene of blood flowing like a river!
Below the hill lies a wide plain.
The skeletons of tens of thousands of the Salvation Army soldiers were piled up on both sides! At the end of the plain stood a formidable fortress that seemed to reach the sky.
In the sky above the fortress.
A massive, blood-red bird, its wingspan obscuring the sky, slowly spread its wings.
It was coldly watching the people coming from this side of the mountain!
Hint: You have discovered Blood Crow Castle.
"You have encountered the Blood Crow Lord (Devil Lord / Divine Kingdom Practitioner /???)"
In an instant.
A deafening roar swept over us.
The devil's army came on strong.
It's unclear whether they were lying in ambush or marching quickly.
They had actually surrounded Roger's Third Army from all sides!
Amidst the ever-changing circumstances.
A great battle is about to break out!
On the outskirts of the mountains.
Under the emergency command of the non-commissioned officers.
The Salvation Army barely managed to assemble.
But after Roger figured out the number and strength of the enemy...
His complexion didn't look too good.
On the data panel.
"Hint: You have encountered 6000 Chain Devil Warrior"
"Fallen Mage *3000"
"Greater Devil *1000"
"Greater Devil Overseer *16"
besides.
And there were also countless strange demons—Blood Crows—covering the mountains and fields! Roger noticed.
The number of Blood Crows near the battlefield exceeded 20,000.
This battle is simply impossible to fight!
You need to know.
Roger's unit was actually the third echelon of the Salvation Army's Third Corps.
The first two groups combined have more than 10,000 people!
They now appear to have turned into skeletons on the blood-red plains—
This must be the work of the devil's army! Even the first two waves of people couldn't hold on.
The hastily assembled third echelon numbered less than 4,000...
"The Salvation Army is finished!"
The thought flashed through Roger's mind.
He made the immediate decision to escape.
The next second.
His figure slowly disappeared on the hillside.
Not long after.
A wave of shouts of battle surged forth.
Roger's judgment was correct.
The fledgling Salvation Army was routed the moment it clashed with the ruthless demon army! The resistance lasted less than half a minute.
Faced with overwhelming strength.
The Salvation Army soldiers had no choice but to await their fate.
In a short time.
Blood and heads flew together.
The scene was extremely bloody and gruesome.
Roger felt a tightness in his chest.
But there was nothing he could do.
He came to find out more about the Salvation Army.
Who would have thought that they would be robbed of their prize by the devils as soon as they arrived!
"This is a fucking Mystra!"
"It's clearly Sub-Plane where Mystra and Purgatory meet!"
Roger cursed inwardly.
Fortunately, the magic for returning was still available.
This somewhat soothed his slightly depressed heart.
All he wants now is to get out of the battlefield as quickly as possible.
It would be best to find out the whole story as soon as possible.
Then they finished their task and left.
But there are just too many devils on the battlefield!
Even though Roger's stealth skills were exceptionally high.
Even in extremely chaotic situations, mistakes can happen.
"Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo!"
An unconventional, malevolent bird covered in red liquid accidentally bumped into Roger.
This forced him out of stealth mode.
The next second.
The blood crow excitedly began calling to its friends! Roger was furious.
He immediately pulled out the "Emerald Zephyr" and fired an arrow! Whoosh!
An arrow pierced his heart!
"Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo!"
The blood-red crow, which was as tall as a forearm, had a gaping hole in its chest. It was not dead, but instead, it viciously lunged at Roger's head!
Roger Rolling on the Ground and dodged it.
His eyes were filled with surprise and uncertainty.
"Damn it!"
"They're still alive?"
Roger was utterly incredulous! This was an arrow imbued with the power of "Ten Years One Sword"!
The Qi Divination Technique revealed this.
Blood Crow is a level 68 variant of the demon.
Even though this place borders Purgatory and has the added benefit of Purgatory Laws, it shouldn't be this tanky!
While pondering.
The blood crow swept in, accompanied by a large number of its companions.
A nearby Greater Devil Overseer also discovered Roger.
He immediately rode over on a strange mount that was two meters tall!
Roger looked around at everything with a livid expression.
He had tried every possible way to escape—
"Earth Escape" is ineffective.
This may be related to the laws of purgatory.
The "Somersault Cloud" was also useless.
Because there are absolutely no clouds here!
Faced with the menacing demons.
Roger had no choice but to grit his teeth and gulp down two bottles of "Sprint Concoction".
He then applied another handful of "speed oil" to his body.
Then he took off running!
"Transcendent Agility: You have begun sprinting at supersonic speed. Your special ability, ' Rampage Power,' is now active..."
On the edge of the battlefield.
Under the watchful eyes of the Blood Crows and the Greater Devil Overseer.
The 'human soldier' actually managed to escape their encirclement and pursuit with incredible speed!
The blood crows defiantly broke off their wings.
In the end, they couldn't catch up with those amazing legs that had sped away! Half an hour later.
In a deserted mountain cave.
Roger calmly adjusted his breathing.
After drinking the bottle of "Queen's Holy Water" in his hand in one gulp.
Only then did he have the energy to think about the current situation.
There's no need to think about the Salvation Army.
They were definitely wiped out.
But what about the information about Mystra?
besides.
What's the deal with this Sub-Plane called "The Between Purgatory"? Why is the conveyor belt ending here?
The Third Army Corps' previous intelligence reports indicated everything was going smoothly, so why did they suddenly collapse?
There are too many questions.
Roger had limited information.
We can only try divination first.
"Divination: You have obtained information about ' Blood Crow Season '."
"Divination: You sense that the ' Celestial God's Mist ' shrouds this place, and you cannot obtain any further information through divination."
"What bad luck!"
Roger rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
This place is too eerie.
Even divination techniques were severely restricted...
But the phrase "the Celestial God's Mist" gave Roger a reminder.
According to Cecilia.
Mystra was also a member of the gods! "Her reincarnation might actually be hiding here..."
Roger muttered to himself.
The next moment.
His attention was focused on the limited intelligence he had.
"Blood Crow Season (Climate Law): During the Blood Crow Season in the ' Between Purgatory ', the combat power of all non-purgatory creatures is reduced to 80%, while the combat power of all creatures that meet the ' Blood Crow Lord's Appreciation' is increased to 120%."
See here.
Roger finally realized where the lingering sense of oppression in his heart came from.
"Does this Sub-Plane have such strange rules?"
"The Blood Crow Season weakens non-Infernal creatures and strengthens Infernal creatures, but what about the 'Non- Blood Crow Season '?"
In Roger's perception.
"The Between Purgatory" is far from Sub-Plane with unstable laws like "Greywater Swamp Land".
The situation here is actually very close to the Prime Material Plane.
However, there may be some special rules that you need to adapt to.
For Roger...
The immediate priority is to find a human settlement (if any).
Then gather the information you want!
This thought came to mind.
He rested briefly before setting off again.
The divination failed.
However, the ability of the Qi Divination Technique to judge the blood energy of demons remains.
He found a high peak and looked out over the surrounding area.
Ultimately, it was discovered that the demonic aura was weakest in the West.
Therefore, they traveled westward.
After a week of ups and downs.
Roger finally emerged from the demon-infested "Funeral Mountain Range" and arrived at a flat area.
Data bar prompt.
This area is called "Thousand Lake".
Many low-level monsters roam the edge of Thousand Lake.
But it's the same as in the Funeral Mountain Range.
Roger did not act rashly.
He continued his journey discreetly.
Another half day passed.
He finally saw human figures on the south bank of Thousand Lake!
"Hint: You have encountered a White Horse Attendant."
I saw the knight being attacked by a group of "Blood-colored Goblin".
Roger finally felt a little relieved.
He immediately showed up.
He fired a series of Zephyr Arrow.
Almost in the blink of an eye.
Most of the monsters were killed!
"You have killed a Blood-colored Goblin"
"Your yawn resistance has been slightly increased."
The remaining Blood-colored Goblin scrambled away.
They probably thought they were running very fast.
But what truly saved them from disaster was their terrible attributes.
Roger put away his bow and arrows.
He slowly walked toward the knight whose face looked somewhat young.
Before he could even step inside.
The knight hissed, "Don't come any closer!"
He seemed very wary.
Roger stopped and said calmly:
"Don't worry, I'm just a traveler passing through..."
Under the influence of "deception".
The knight gradually came to believe Roger's fabricated story.
But he still said with some caution, "It has been a long time since a lone traveler has appeared in the Between Purgatory."
"Most new Adventurers arrive in groups from the ' Wilderness Temple '."
"While I'm willing to believe you, others may not... Anyway, if you're looking for a safe place to stay, check out ' Martin Camp ' in the northwest. It's the least xenophobic place in the wilderness."
"I have a mission to complete and cannot accompany you any longer."
That's all.
He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards Roger.
The intention to distance themselves couldn't be clearer.
Roger didn't care.
He nodded and left.
He waited until Roger was out of his sight.
The knight finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He turned around and started repairing a horse-drawn carriage by the roadside.
"Fortunately, all the goods were recovered."
He muttered something under his breath.
Not far away.
Roger secretly observed the knight's every move—
The latter repaired the carriage.
He then hurriedly drove southwest.
Judging from the traces at the scene by the lake.
More than one battle must have taken place here.
The White Horse Attendant killed at least several waves of monsters.
With his abilities.
Taking down that group of Blood-colored Goblin by himself shouldn't be a problem.
No wonder he was so wary.
After watching the other person leave.
Roger hesitated for a moment—
Ultimately, we should listen to the other party and go to the Northwest.
Or should we secretly follow the knight to the southwest? This is a question worth pondering.
But Roger soon decided to take the knight's advice.
"That guy seems pretty upright."
"He's probably not a bad person who gives wrong directions."
Thinking this way.
Roger set off on a small road in the northwest.
More than half a day later.
He could see a campsite built against the mountain in the distance.
The lowest point of the camp was located between mountain passes.
Its highest point stands atop the peaks on both sides.
The continuous, thick walls blocked most of Roger's view.
The golden barrier outside the camp was incredibly sensitive.
Roger had just gotten close.
A piercing alarm blared from the city wall! "Who goes there?"
"Stop!"
A group of fully armed soldiers filed out.
In a short time.
At least twenty crossbows and more arrows were aimed at Roger!
Roger calmly looked at the leader who had spoken out, and repeated the lines he had spoken to the White Horse Attendant.
The leader scrutinized Roger intently.
After a while, he said in a deep voice:
"Martin Camp does not accept useless people."
"If you can prove your abilities, I can give you a chance."
Roger nodded and asked, "How do you prove it?"
"There are some ' Gluttonous Lizard ' in the Rotten Tundra north of the camp. If you can hunt one of these monsters alone, I'll give you a chance to enter the city."
The leader reminded them:
"The Gluttonous Lizard is a creature from hell, and it has a level of 70. Think carefully before you go."
Roger turned and left.
Only 3 hours had passed.
He then carried the two-meter-long monster corpse to the outside of the camp's wall.
The alarm sounded again.
The leader came out to greet them, looking surprised.
After carefully examining the marks on the carcass of the Gluttonous Lizard.
The surprise in his eyes became even more obvious. "It only took 3 hours."
Your abilities are truly admirable!
"Come in with me!"
Roger silently followed the leader inside.
In fact.
The reason it only took 3 hours.
It's all because the Gluttonous Lizard gave him the attribute "Your tailbone length has been slightly increased"! Roger, a monster with such good looks, wouldn't even give him a second glance.
The architecture of Martin Camp is quite rugged.
Inside the thick walls were rows of low, rough houses.
Roger noticed.
These houses are so low because half of them are built underground.
This place is a camp.
In fact, its population size is almost comparable to that of a small town like Kuinan.
The leader led Roger to the central square of the camp.
It attracted a lot of curious glances along the way.
A moment later.
They stopped near a statue of a horse with its forelegs raised.
"Leave him to me."
An elderly man stood up from a small stool, trembling.
He led Roger to the statue of the horse.
"Lower your head."
The old man said.
My Sixth Sense didn't detect any danger.
Roger obediently did as he was told.
A moment later.
Roger felt a warm current brushing over his head.
The old man's weary voice reached my ears:
"The White Horse God said he has no problem."
The leader immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
He patted Roger on the shoulder warmly:
Welcome to Martin Camp!
Three days later.
Near the eastern perimeter wall of Martin Camp.
Despite repeated persuasion from the garrison captain Lawson.
Roger walked out the small door with a smile.
They headed northeast.
Over the past three days.
He not only learned about the basic situation of Martin Camp, but also the overall structure of the Sub-Plane "Between Purgatory":
turn out to be.
This Sub-Plane is composed of two major forces.
One of them is the infernal force that Roger encountered—
A demonic army led by the Blood Crow Lord!
They occupied the "east corner" and "west corner" Between Purgatory.
On the other side is the non-purgatory creature faction centered around the "Wilderness Temple".
They occupied the most fertile and stable central area.
With the help of the original six Wilderness God.
The creatures of the Wilderness faction proceeded cautiously, establishing fortifications and cities.
This allowed them to gain a foothold Between Purgatory.
It is worth mentioning.
The plane of "Between Purgatory" is a narrow, ribbon-like rectangle.
It is extremely narrow in both the north and south.
The distance between the east and west is incredibly long, and both sides border the territory of Purgatory.
Therefore, the Wilderness faction is actually always in a state of being attacked from both sides.
The unique climate mechanics of "The Between Purgatory" further exacerbated the plight of the Wilderness faction, ultimately leading to the tragedy of the Salvation Army.
This place is not divided into "Blood Crow Season" and "Non- Blood Crow Season" as Roger imagined.
The actual seasonal sequence is as follows:...
"Blood Crow Season".
"Strong Blood Crow Season: Non-Purgatory creatures' combat power -30%; Creatures appreciated by the Blood Crow Lord have their combat power increased by 30%".
"Extremely Evil Blood Crow Season: -50%; +50%".
"Wilderness Season: Infernal creatures -50%; Non-Infernal creatures +50%".
The duration of these four seasons varies from 3 months to 1 year.
Aside from the shortest-lasting "Wilderness Season".
The other three seasons are the times when Purgatory benefits significantly.
Unfortunately, the arrival time of the first two waves of the Salvation Army coincided with the "Wilderness Season" of the previous sequence! And the Wilderness Season.
Blood Crow's men never linger in battle with the enemy!
This gave the Salvation Army the illusion that 'their side is very strong and the devil is very weak'!
They launched a massive operation in the "Between Purgatory".
They even clashed with people from Martin Camp! Ultimately...
Roger speculated that they must have found clues about the reincarnation of Mystra near Blood Crow Castle.
But the reinforcements haven't arrived yet.
The seasons have suddenly changed here.
The "Wilderness Season," which was most friendly to non-Purgatory creatures, has become the "Blood Crow Season," which weakens them! This is quite a change.
The Blood Crow army naturally poured out in full force.
The Third Army Corps suffered a complete defeat!
If Roger hadn't been quick to react...
That's probably going to cause a lot of trouble for them!
That concludes the discussion.
The mystery surrounding the mass deaths of the Salvation Army has been temporarily resolved.
The only remaining question is about 'time'.
However, given that this place is close to purgatory, it is normal for there to be slight disruptions in the flow of time.
That is precisely because of this consideration.
Roger only stayed at Martin Camp for three days before setting off again.
today.
His target was the "Blood Crow Cave" near Thousand Lake.
There are many monster bounties in Martin Camp.
Roger accepted them all at once.
But what he values most is this—
Mission Name: Hunt Down the Blood Crow Leader
"Mission Location: Blood Crow Cave"
"Quest Rewards: 100 Blue Shells; Audience with the White Horse God"
From Lawson's mouth.
Roger learned that the "White Horse God" was one of the three remaining guardians of the Wilderness Temple.
And he's one of the more active ones.
It is said that the Wilderness Guardians wield authority bestowed by the "Gods".
Roger's intention was to find Mystra.
They then decided to find a breakthrough by targeting them.
Half a day later.
Roger, having concealed his presence, safely arrived at the Blood Crow Cave, which Lawson had described as extremely dangerous.
We bypassed a patch of floating Ghostfire.
Roger quietly slipped into the cave.
We hadn't gone far.
A blood crow then warily looked in his direction!
Roger held his breath and approached.
When it's almost time.
He suddenly appeared.
With a wave of his hand, he unleashed a swarm of vibrant green "Blinding Poison Evil"! Caught off guard, the Blood Crow was swept into the poisonous fiends, and its keen senses immediately became confused.
Roger seized the opportunity to unleash a barrage of Emerald Zephyr! This time, however, it wasn't on the battlefield.
Roger Full Firepower without any hesitation. With that terrifying rate of fire, even the Blood Crow, whose attributes had been greatly enhanced, was riddled with holes!
In the blink of an eye.
But then there was a 'snap' sound.
The blood crow's corpse suddenly fell from the poisonous aura.
Roger leaned closer to take a look.
Okay.
The Blood Unaqi's long tongue and intestines were exposed, its blood-stained feathers were covered with countless holes, and its skin was covered with a layer of greenish poison, making it look extremely disgusting.
"I have never seen such a disgusting monster..."
Roger thought with a look of disgust.
The next second.
A line of unremarkable information flashed across the data panel.
"You have killed a Blood Crow"
"Your Blink Distance has been slightly increased."
"Um?"
Roger was slightly taken aback.
Then he blinked.
Subtle changes began to occur in their expression. (Click to view data records)...
I can't take it anymore, my sleep schedule is crumbling, ouch...