The Nuo Mask

The <Heart of Slaughter> beats in <Li Yèlái>'s chest, like a throbbing, grotesque tumor.

Golden-red veins and meridians, like a spiderweb, extend from the <Heart of Slaughter>, attaching themselves to his skin.

Infusing his body with its inexhaustible power.

This power strengthens his physique, making <Li Yèlái>'s muscles more robust and his bones tougher.

<Li Yèlái> feels as if he has gained endless strength, inexhaustible vigor!

He can faintly sense that in this state, if he were to activate the <Hegemon Facial Mask>, He would infinitely replicate the might of <The Overlord of Western Chu>, whose power could move mountains and overshadow the heavens!

The <Single-person Breaking Army Formation> would also be no difficult feat. With his strength and reaction speed now enhanced, <Li Yèlái> is confident he can shatter a weakness with a single strike.

But he is also acutely aware of the terrifying nature of this power.

A voice seems to echo in his heart, Kill, kill, kill, as if seeking to appease some entity through slaughter.

However, that is all there is to it. He doesn't know if it will affect his personality later on.

"Why did the <Heart of Slaughter> move on its own?" <Li Yèlái> looks at the beating heart in his chest, unsure whether to forcibly remove it: "Doesn't it only tempt others to wear it? How did it jump onto me directly?"

"Perhaps before the body completely died, it controlled the chest muscles to force itself to jump." <Cheese> quickly approaches, looking at <Li Yèlái>'s chest. Her heart sinks, but she suppresses the panic in her eyes and tries to comfort him: "Don't be nervous. <Spirit Ability User>s have some resistance to the <Heart of Slaughter>'s temptation. You'll be fine for a while."

As if to ease <Li Yèlái>'s tension, she quietly says, "Now I've seen your chest. We're even."

"You should never go into business!" <Li Yèlái>'s mouth twitches.

Following this, the two civilian staff members who were previously chased by the killing machine also run back.

Upon seeing the <Heart of Slaughter> on <Li Yèlái>'s chest, they are startled. However, they calmly state, "For a <Spirit Ability User>, thirty minutes is still a safe window. You can still remove it forcefully now, but the <Heart of Slaughter> will be very displeased and will drain most of your stamina. So, once removed, you will fall into a state of extreme weakness for a long time."

"Then I'll have to keep it on for now. I still have at least half an hour of enhancement. If I remove my heart now, I don't think I can resist the drowsiness of the <Dream Eater>," <Li Yèlái> says.

The effect of the <Dream Eater> is still active. If he lets his guard down or loses strength, he will likely be pulled into a deep sleep by the <Dream Eater> very quickly. In the current environment, this would be fatal. If another <Forbidden Item> like the <Heart of Slaughter> appeared, <Cheese> would have to protect <Li Yèlái> while fighting.

The danger is too great.

After a few seconds of thought, <Cheese> nods slightly in agreement, "That's the only way."

<Li Yèlái> continues to inquire, "I am a <Spirit Ability User> who has awakened for the second time. Will this affect the safe time? Does a higher degree of awakening mean it lasts longer?"

"It has a slight impact, but the difference isn't significant." Another civilian staff member replies, "Some people with three awakenings can last for 2 hours, while others with four awakenings can't even last an hour. Currently, it's known that within thirty minutes is a safe window. Therefore, for safety reasons, the official organization provides free <Heart of Slaughter> enhancements to handlers with three awakenings. After that, further enhancements will require merit points."

<Li Yèlái> nods slightly, "So, I'm getting a preview of the benefits."

Subsequently, everyone quickly inspects the scene. Regrettably, the civilian staff members who had fallen were all deceased.

But there is no time for grief. After quickly moving the bodies into a lounge, they immediately get back to action.

According to the civilian staff members' description, they had encountered three handlers but got separated in the chaotic map.

Currently, the group plans to first try and rendezvous with other handlers.

At this moment, <Li Yèlái> misses '<Detective>'. If they had his tracking skills, they could quickly locate their colleagues.

Instead of now, rushing around everywhere.

"At the very beginning, we were together with three handlers, pursuing and suppressing a runaway <Concealment Scarf>. But after the <Mobius Ring Diagram> went out of control, we got separated from two of the handlers at a corner. Then we encountered a cavalry unit!" one of the civilian staff members says while they are moving.

"Cavalry?" <Cheese> is taken aback, "Are there such <Forbidden Item>s in the <Black Prison>?"

She exchanges a look with <Li Yèlái>, recalling the containment room they saw earlier, where civilian staff were trampled to death by horses!

"Absolutely not! I've worked here for five years. I'm very clear about the abilities of those <Forbidden Item>s. But this cavalry is definitely not among them, at least not in the upper levels," that civilian staff member says earnestly, "Their equipment wasn't top-notch, <Leather Armor>, <Hunting Bow>, <Scimitar>—they should be some kind of <Prairie Cavalry>. But they all possessed <Psychic Barrier>! Their arrows even carried a small amount of psychic energy, enough to neutralize <Psychic Barrier>. With just one charge, we were scattered. The cavalry went after that handler, and we were lucky to escape."

"As for what happened next, you saw it. We then encountered the <Heart of Slaughter>! Damn it!" another civilian's eyes turn red.

<Cheese>'s expression becomes somewhat solemn, "So, a certain <Forbidden Item> can summon <Prairie Cavalry>? Could this be the <Zhelan King's Banner> whose danger level has suddenly increased?"

If they were ordinary cavalry, even heavily armored cavalry, they would be no match for <Spirit Ability User>s, <Iron Guard>s, and firearms.

Let alone others, <Cheese> herself could make <Prairie Cavalry> bow in submission with just a word.

But. Now that these cavalry have <Psychic Barrier> and <Psychic Arrows>, it is very dangerous. They can withstand gunfire and charge into formations. Even <Spirit Ability User>s could be overwhelmed and killed.

Moreover, their numbers are unknown.

"Why has this <Zhelan King's Banner> suddenly become so powerful?" <Cheese> frowns, "Isn't it just a <D-Rank> <Forbidden Item>?"

"I don't know," the civilian staff member shakes his head, "Zhelan was a tribe of the <Xiongnu>, a race once known in the West as the <God's Whip>. Now, some variable has appeared, causing them to revive. I even suspect that the loss of control of many <Forbidden Item>s is related to this group of cavalry."

<Li Yèlái> and <Cheese> frown deeply. If a psychic army also possesses <Forbidden Item>s, the consequences are unimaginable.

Just then, the group runs to the center of a corridor. As they are about to proceed, They suddenly hear a creak. A few steps away, a steel gate on the wall suddenly opens.

These gates are all-metal gates designed to prevent <Forbidden Item>s from escaping. They automatically lowered when the alarm sounded.

Now, under the influence of the <Mobius Ring Diagram>, no one knows where the gates lead after opening, so everyone has not wasted time opening them.

But at this moment, the gate opens automatically.

A figure appears within the gate. The person is wearing combat gear and should be a female handler.

However, this causes <Li Yèlái> and the others to become tense simultaneously.

Because the person's face was covered by the <Ghost Divination Nuo Mask>!

Did the <Ghost Divination Nuo Mask> possess this handler's body?

With no time to mourn, <Li Yèlái> instantly charged towards the other person.

His long saber slashed down like lightning!

Eighteen minutes had passed since he put on the <Heart of Slaughter>, and <Li Yèlái>'s physical body had been strengthening for eighteen minutes.

As a result, this strike was both fast and fierce! He leaped and slashed, as if to cleave the opponent in two!

The other person also reacted quickly, or rather, sensed the spreading veins on <Li Yèlái>'s neck, the veins of the <Heart of Slaughter>!

Thus, their treasured sword erupted with chilling light!

Instantly, a deadly sword light was drawn.

The next moment, the long saber and the treasured sword collided!

The sharp slicing sound reverberated in everyone's ears.

The woman wearing the Nuo mask was forced back a step. <Li Yèlái>'s physical strength was actually superior to hers!

"Nuo mask, you're courting death!" <Li Yèlái> roared, pursuing, one hand on his mask. He was about to use <Myriad Faces>, but suddenly stopped.

The other person also shouted angrily: "<Heart of Slaughter>."

"[Listen to me] Stop! We're all on the same side!" <Cheese> immediately yelled, preventing the imminent fight.

Only then did the two see the teammates behind the other person.

Behind the female handler wearing the Nuo mask, there were two more handlers, five civilian staff, and two <Iron Guards>!

She wasn't possessed by the Nuo mask?

But <Li Yèlái> and <Cheese> and the others had no time to be surprised before the group rushed out of the gate and immediately began operating, intending to close it?

As if being pursued by some monster from behind.

<Li Yèlái>'s heart sank. He immediately looked at the corridor behind the gate, and saw at a distant corner.

A giant tree sprang up, its branches forming arms that crawled rapidly on the ground.

Class C <Forbidden Item>, <Tree Spirit>. Its true form was a large tree that bore fruit year-round.

Its fruit could accelerate plant growth.

It was said that the reason <Giant City> had sufficient food reserves was due to its function.

The price was that to pick the fruit, a large amount of flesh and blood must be offered as nourishment, otherwise it would go out of control.

Once out of control, well, it would look like this, attacking flesh and blood creatures everywhere to obtain nourishment.

Since it wasn't picky, it wasn't difficult to appease; a few scraps from the slaughterhouse would suffice.

Suppressing it was also not difficult; the opponent was weak against fire.

"<Tree Spirit>?" <Cheese> was stunned and shouted, "Suppress it! With so many of us! In minutes..."

"No, no, no, there's something behind it!" the woman wearing the Nuo mask shouted, "Close the gate quickly!"

Only then did <Li Yèlái> see the <Tree Spirit> fleeing in panic.

Behind it, the sound of horses' hooves like thunder echoed.

Arrows were piercing the <Tree Spirit>.

Was it... the Zhe Lan Iron Cavalry?

The Zhe Lan Iron Cavalry were chasing the <Tree Spirit>?

<Li Yèlái> was shocked. At this moment, the metal gate slammed shut.

The woman wearing the Nuo mask continued to point in a direction and said, "Keep moving! It's still not safe here!"

Thus, everyone could only follow them.

After passing another intersection and a gate, The group finally stopped.

At this point, <Li Yèlái> learned the situation from the explanations of those people.

In order to find her teammates and the location of the <Mobius Ring Diagram>, the female handler chose to wear the <Ghost Divination Nuo Mask>. Using the mask's divination abilities, she found several teammates and slowly gathered strength.

But they still encountered the fleeing <Tree Spirit> and were forced to escape to the gate, where they met <Li Yèlái>'s group.

"It's a viable method," <Cheese> mused, then said, "Don't forget, once you take off the Nuo mask, you'll lose a lot of memories."

"Everything has its trade-offs," the female handler, codenamed '<Shā Lì>', replied. "Suppressing the <Mobius Ring Diagram> is the most crucial thing right now. Besides, afterwards, I can gain divination abilities. It's just some memories, a worthwhile exchange!"

<Cheese> nodded slightly, agreeing with this statement. If it were her, she would have made the same choice.

Then, <Shā Lì> looked at <Li Yèlái>, who was sitting on the side, and asked, " <Night General>, did you put on the <Heart of Slaughter>?"

"Yes, I was unexpectedly jumped by the <Heart of Slaughter>," <Li Yèlái> replied, nodding. "Judging by the time, it's been over twenty minutes."

"Don't worry, maybe you'll last longer. My friend lasted an hour and a half," <Shā Lì> comforted him.

Suddenly, a hoarse voice emanated from the Nuo mask: "I advise you not to travel with him."

Clearly, this was the true voice of the Ghost Divination Nuo Mask.

Not travel with Li Yèlái? Was it abandoning Li Yèlái?

"What kind of nonsense are you spouting?" Cheese retorted with a cold laugh.

"Shut up!" Shā Lì also hissed, not wanting the Nuo mask to continue speaking.

They couldn't bring themselves to abandon a teammate.

But the Nuo mask's voice continued: "You are Cheese, aren't you? His fate line is too terrifying. If you continue to stay by his side, very bad things will happen. I hope you make the right choice."

"Bad things? Like what?" Cheese sneered. "Like being forced to take maternity leave?"

"Pfft!" Li Yèlái, who had just received a cup of water from a teammate, choked.

Shā Lì's lips twitched. She suddenly regretted it. Wouldn't forgetting this be a huge loss?

The Nuo mask paused, then sneered, "Sharp-tongued and ungrateful! His fate line is filled with malice. Just one of them, 'inevitable encounter with a powerful enemy,' is enough for you to suffer! Once this curse is triggered, what do you think you'll encounter? Do you think the beings here are as benevolent as I am?"

"What benevolence are you talking about?" Cheese suddenly had an idea and said to Li Yèlái, "If you run into any danger, just use the Facial Mask, hide yourself, and let the Gu breed."

Did she mean to lure a bunch of Forbidden Item to fight each other? Did she really think of me as a monster-farming cage? Li Yèlái grumbled inwardly, but he still nodded.

"Enough. Continue to divine the location of the Mobius Ring Diagram," Shā Lì commanded. "Otherwise, even if I lose my memories, I'll make sure you stay here forever."

The Nuo mask, however, spoke faintly, "It's too late. In five minutes, the lower level will be touched by the Mobius Ring Diagram. At that time, B-Rank Forbidden Item will be thrown into the labyrinth. Why don't I lead you out of the labyrinth?"

Five minutes left? Everyone's hearts sank. Shā Lì continued, "Even so, we must continue to search for the Mobius Ring Diagram. Even if it's too late, resolving the labyrinth sooner is better."

"It seems you are all very foolish," the Nuo mask sighed. "I truly cannot understand humans."

(Sorry for the late update. I went to book a hotel this afternoon, which took a long time.)