Chapter 816: Hunter or hunted?
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
Sheyan was not the least bit amused by the miner's outstanding offer. He coldly declared.
"What a shitty and deception reason. It sounds so perfect, just like drawing out heavenly delicacies with a pen. I can't verify your words at all, but more importantly, my patience is running dry. To prevent you from successfully stalling for time, I will give you another 10 seconds."
The miner offered a bleam smile and inquired.
"Then what do you want?"
Sheyan replied without hesitation.
"Pass me the detonator for the explosives you buried. Can you do that?"
The miner straightforwardly answered.
"No problem. The Stockholm Party promised to guarantee my safety but they failed to deliver. Therefore, for my own safety, I will agree to your request."
After speaking, the absolute defence barrier around him vanished. It would be as easy as turning over his palm if Sheyan wanted to kill him. Nevertheless, seeing how cooperative the miner was, he didn't. The miner swiftly prepared the detonated and handed it over.
Sheyan then activated the probing ability of his helmet and received a nightmare imprint notification.
[ Scanning a Neutral...neutral will be notified and may lead to unknown consequences ]
This notification affirmed Sheyan's choice not to kill him. He then carefully inspected the detonator in his hand. After confirming there weren't any traps or flaws, he bluntly waved for the miner to depart.
At this point, the miner took a deep gaze at Sheyan and laughed before speaking.
"Good luck, Major Sir...frankly speaking, you are the first official Major who is just a basic realm contestant."
"Therefore, do consider investing in me." Sheyan answered casually.
The miner laughed heartily and replied.
"I will, certainly, only within the scope of the realm's regulation."
Following that, Sheyan waited...accurately speaking, he waited for a minute and 18 seconds. When he noticed a figure rushing through the hazy and dispersing mist from afar, he could clearly sense this – a tremendous killing intent surging in from a hidden distant!
Thus, Sheyan boldly triggered the detonator. A muffled sound followed that resembled this comical mountain releasing a sinister fart.
This fumes from this light explosion drifted into the rain and quickly dissipated.
Then, one could observe an indiscernible fissure cracking out. This fissure appeared like a normal crack that was totally insignificant. It was like a minute crack along a bowl.
Soon after, the fissure split into two slightly larger fissures. The two fissures split into four, then eight...…..
Within a short time, fissures covered this mountain wall like a cobweb. Finally, "Kalei' sound erupted as numerous rock fragments fell down.
Instantly, half of this mountain body begun trembling faintly. Then, a landslide. The cliff rocks around the golden tree's roots begun rolling and tumbling down.
After the explosion, a dispute arose amongst the members of the other part of the Stockholm Party. This was because they were clear that the landslide was in action, meaning the members on this side had succeeded. Therefore, their lives were temporarily unimportant.....it was more crucial to steal the two Elven Rings of Power! Yet at this point, they hadn't positioned themselves properly.
Sheyan's goal was fairly simple. To rescue Melody amidst the chaos. The biggest hurdles thus far were the elves, but with them being stalled right now, they could at most drag her down a little.
However, the members of Stockholm Party were definitely formidable foes. Sheyan was still clueless about their party constitution, but he knew they definitely possessed outstanding might.
Furthermore, noting that their nightmare imprints were engraved on the shoulder, this signified that killing Sheyan and company would supply them with generous profits as well. The achievement points gained from slaying a single was equivalent to the amount gain from a main mission.
Evaluating the capabilities of the elves, apart from the gravely wounded Lord Elrond, the next weakest would be Melody. Ever since she had been imprisoned, it meant that she would receive less aid from the elves. In the end, she may even become an easy kill for the enemy.
Sheyan questioned himself. If he was the enemy party leader, he would never let go of such a golden opportunity.
Thus, although the three cannon fodder, Mo Yi, Shuren, and Yerna would attract the opponent's attention as well, Sheyan still felt an immense risk towards this.
Hence, he seized the chance to ravage the mountain solely to catch the Stockholm Party unguarded with such an abrupt change of events.
In this circumstance, they will have to select from two options. First, scramble to steal the two Elven Rings of Power, or fall back and seek vengeance for their vice party leader. Of course, there was the choice of splitting up and pursuing different objectives.
In that case, the threat to Melody would be reduced once again, while Sheyan would assume some of the risk that was initially directed to her. Sheyan was well aware of the dangers involved but this was something inevitable.
This was because if he didn't do this, then Reef would have to do it. Yet without an MT like Reef shielding Melody, she wouldn't be able to exhibit even 50% of her capabilities. This would be disadvantageous to the big picture.
Mild tremors swept throughout the mountains as a disastrously massive landslide begun. Amidst the torrential rain, clouds of rolling dust could still be seen spiralling up and covering the sky.
Without hesitating, Sheyan turned to flee. The further he could flee would directly determine if Sheyan's ploy would be a success or failure, resulting in even life or death!
After Sheyan hurled a flask of 'Curse-Mix' behind and begun to sprint frantically, he suddenly felt a strange sensation overcoming him. Instantly, his nightmare imprint transmitted clear notifications.
[ You have been struck with Black-Iron Party skill 'Predator's Tracer' by an unknown Growth-Hunter. If successfully imprinted, caster will be able to lock onto your position. You will also receive additional 5% of damages for a duration of 30 minutes. This effect takes precedence ]
You have been struck with Black-Iron Party skill 'Predator's Tracer' by an unknown Growth-Hunter. Your party prestige is higher, suppressing other party's skill…. ]
[ You have been struck with Black-Iron Party skill 'Predator's Tracer' by an unknown Growth-Hunter, suppressing other party's skill…. ]
"....."
After a conflicting list of notifications, Sheyan was finally presented with a red notice.
[ Unknown Growth-Hunter's Black-Iron Party skill 'Predator's Tracer' has successfully imprinted. You are now the prey ]
"Prey??" Sheyan's lips curled into a malevolent sneer. "Fine then, catch up if you have the balls."
Sheyan left deep footprints on the muddy ground during this intense chase off. He didn't look back once to prevent his speed from dropping by even a millisecond. After sprinting for a kilometer, the sounds of rushing water roared in from ahead. A rapid stream of turbid water was crashing down the mountain, with fragments of wood and leaves flowing along the current.
A broad wooden raft was floating on this rapid stream that was caught between rocks.. It was a strange wooden raft that not crafted or bundled with any vines. Instead, the logs adhered to each other naturally and were incredibly perfect and queer. Evidently, this was a masterpiece by an elf.
Sheyan directly jumped onto the wooden raft and smashed the rocks. Immediately, the turbulent steam propelled the wooden raft forward at maximum speed.
Upon glancing back, Sheyan spectated three contestants halting as they cursed aloud. Nevertheless, he couldn't hear them clearly.
If it was Reef or Brother Black, they would probably be at a loss right now. However, for Sheyan who even dared to challenge typhoons, manipulating the wooden raft along this mountain flood was practically as simply as navigating through a little canal. What more, with a wooden raft, constructed by elven magic, that was firm and reliable?
After being flushed by the rapid stream for a few kilometers, Sheyan finally sighed and relaxed a little.
All of a sudden, through the gaps of this wooden raft, a peculiar gush of water shot up which congealed together into a massive yellow liquified hand. This massive hand grabbed Sheyan and viciously pulled him, causing him to fall backward
To his horror, while falling backwards onto the raft, another gush of turbid water shot up and morphed into an acute aquatic spike in a flash. The spike was positioned behind and if Sheyan fell, the spike would undoubtedly puncture his heart from the back!
Such a weird style of attacking was completely unexpected by Sheyan. After losing his balance, he immediately pressed his hands backward was was coincidentally on the aquatic spike.
Blood spurted out and a large mangled flesh hole was punctured through on his left hand. One could clearly see his white bones.
Still, Sheyan steadied himself to receive the next move from his opponent.