The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

Page 188

But what the nun's psychic and empathic profiling captures is "traces".

She could feel that the Sleeping Sand Bell Tower was slowly "swaying" at a speed that was difficult to detect with the naked eye, and her perspective was blurred by a kind of indistinct fluctuation.

How can I describe that feeling? It's like being underwater, seeing sea anemones or silkworms swaying their limbs with the ebb and flow of the tides.

"Sister Haida, what's wrong? Is there anything unusual about the clock tower at Xingyuan Academy?"

Looking at Haida, who was staring intently at her, Vivian asked with some confusion.

She had previously tried to observe the clock tower from the perspective of a callbird. The raven Munning has a richer color vision than humans, but she still couldn't see anything special about it.

"It's just a strange feeling... as if it's breathing in some kind of rhythm."

Haida shook her head, dispelling the strange impression.

While this talent is useful, its effects are difficult to maintain for long periods, and those who abuse it are highly likely to fall into an inescapable illusion. The records of the Mystics also mention a few hunters who possessed this talent… most of them developed hysteria in their later years, tormented by relentless nightmares.

“Sister Heda, your descriptions always send chills down my spine…”

Vivian licked her lips and squinted her eyes.

The two were currently on the outskirts of Foy, in the woods and bushes beside an unnamed coastline.

Although this coastline is vast, its shallows are too large and riddled with jagged reefs, making it unsuitable for establishing a port. It's also not very convenient for fishing boats to set sail… Furthermore, since the establishment of the Sleeping Sand Bell Tower, this area has been designated a forbidden zone.

"Further ahead, there are Star Abyss Society members patrolling the area, and deeper still, there are watchtowers equipped with spotlights. Mu Ning can fly in... but it would be difficult for us to sneak in."

As she spoke, Vivian kept one eye closed, sharing her vision with the call-bird in mid-air.

The coastline is remote, naturally home to many animals and seabirds, and the crow's jet-black feathers help it blend perfectly into the night. Therefore, Mu Ning has almost no fear of being discovered.

"Moreover, the vegetation within several hundred meters ahead has been cleared, and there is basically no cover within two hundred meters of the clock tower."

After listening to the information provided by Vivian and thinking for a moment, Haida gave her the next course of action.

"Let's get as close as possible to avoid the patrolling Star Cryers."

The nun was quite experienced in navigating and hunting in the wilderness. As she cautiously approached, she made sure to clear away any traces she left behind.

"Vivian, what is their patrol formation roughly like?"

"Eight groups patrolled simultaneously, surveying all four directions. Each group consisted of about ten people, and they appeared to be armed. Meanwhile, the lookout tower had a very wide field of vision, and the spotlights for illumination were on."

Vivian answered crisply, then added some details.

"The good news is that they don't have hunting dogs, so we don't have to worry about our scent being detected."

This is only the exterior of the clock tower; the interior must be even more secure.

The current situation put Haida in a difficult position. If this were a den of evil offspring or a stronghold of cultists, she could simply storm in. But the Star Abyss Society clearly couldn't be categorized in that way... and a hasty conflict could easily provoke tensions between the cults.

"If possible, get Munin as close to the main body of the clock tower as possible. We'll remain hidden on the perimeter."

"Ah."

This was also Vivian's idea. She then called Mu Ning, carefully avoiding the lights, and moved closer to the Sleeping Sand Bell Tower.

"We're close to the top window of the clock tower; all the windows in sight are sealed off. We're currently searching for the entrance... Wait, what's that?"

As she spoke, her brows suddenly furrowed, and a look of surprise and doubt appeared in the one eye that had been kept open.

"What's wrong?" Lin

Seeing the sudden change in Vivian's expression, Haida immediately pressed for an answer.

“Something is emerging from the shore, and there are quite a few of them…”

The top of the clock tower is undoubtedly the highest point in the area, but it is some distance from the beach. Therefore, even with Munning's bird's-eye view, he would need to concentrate extremely hard to make out the specific shapes of those things.

At times like these, Vivian would envy the Silverfeather Hydra Supervisor. Besides her raven, she also kept a grey falcon, perfectly suited for long-range reconnaissance. (Nine)

"Tentacles, scales, segmented feet... I see clearly now, it's a cluster of evil creatures from the Abyss."

Upon hearing this, Haida's gray-chestnut eyes flickered slightly as she fell into thought.

A monstrous creature from the Abyss has appeared at the Sleeping Sand Bell Tower...

So, the curse of the Abyss during the Gormouth Full Moon still exists, only its target has changed from the city to the clock tower? The building's function isn't to suppress or dispel evil, but rather to attract it. Like a lightning rod. (Lu)

So, the reason why the Star Abyss Society is conducting such tight patrols and defenses today is not because they are wary of spying people... but because they are guarding against "external enemies".

“Sister Haida, our current location is relatively safe. The evil creatures from the Abyss landed on the coast, and their route leads directly to the Clock Tower. They show no signs of spreading into the woodland.”

"But going any further would pose a risk of contact."

Vivian diligently provided real-time updates on the situation, striving not to miss any new developments.

Reconnaissance, spying, concealment—the Secret Service agents are masters of this… After all, callbirds can easily occupy the best vantage points and provide panoramic information. This gives them an unparalleled advantage, whether acting as snipers or observers.

"Let's wait here for a while."

Haida ultimately decided to stop exploring further, maintain the status quo, and observe how things develop.

From Mu Ning's perspective, several squads of Star Speakers from the Star Abyss Society were converging on the landing site of the Abyss Evil Heirs with remarkable coordination. They were using some kind of standard weapon to launch a fierce barrage of fire against the bizarre creatures surging onto the land.

The whole process was methodical and skillful, as if it had been done countless times before.

The Abyssal Evil Creatures are covered in hard, overlapping scales and secrete a slippery mucus to coat themselves, making them far more troublesome than ordinary Evil Offspring. Furthermore, their average size is only the size of a head, which makes aiming at them somewhat difficult.

However, as long as the fire network is dense enough, all the above problems will be easily solved...

The sharp sounds of gunfire and flames rang out in succession. After a moment, Vivian reported on the current situation.

"Sister Haida, the swarm of evil creatures from the Abyss has begun to recede."

"So fast?" Haida couldn't help but feel a little doubtful upon hearing Yi's words.

Last summer, during the hottest period of summer, she confronted the horde of evil offspring summoned by the Red Cup fanatics in Norrington. According to the Skin Cult's canon, "The Crimson Face," it was a "carnival feast." Each evil offspring was catalyzed by extreme emotions, and no means of resistance were effective except for complete annihilation.

They revel in the pain, the breaking of limbs, and utter annihilation.

While Seven's whistling steel-core bullets could destroy the bodies of those lesser evil offspring, they could hardly quell the deep-seated madness in their hearts.

6. Even the lesser evil offspring of Norrington are in such danger... Why are the evil creatures of the Abyss here so easily dispersed?

Jiuhai Da sighed softly, somewhat regretting not bringing a portable binoculars when preparing in Norlington. Otherwise, she could see the situation on the coast with her own eyes.

"After approaching the Sleeping Sand Bell Tower to a certain extent, those evil creatures seemed to fall into confusion. Their mobility and aggression were greatly reduced, and their movements became very sluggish."

4. Vivian looked at the strangely behaving Abyssal Evil in the Calling Bird's field of vision, her expression showing a hint of confusion.

"That expression, it was like... ecstasy?"

The word made Haida feel a sense of unease, and even though she couldn't see the specifics, she still looked toward the nameless coastline burning with flames.

"In other words, the Sleeping Sand Bell Tower has other effects besides attracting evil creatures from the Abyss."

If the nun had previously come to survey the place merely at Dr. Fran's request, now she had genuinely developed a keen interest in the clock tower.

From Mu Ning's perspective, several squadrons of Star Seekers were currently clearing out the remaining evil creatures at the coastal pass. In addition to those armed with standard firearms, a small group was rushing onto the coastline to join the fray with their bare hands.

Although the Star Abyss Society also worships the Cup Spirit, which represents sensual desires, its members are mostly astrologists. Logically speaking, no one should be as enthusiastic about melee combat as the heretical hunters of the Mysteries Hunters.

The strange situation piqued Vivian's curiosity, and she urged Mu Ning to fly over the coast from high above in order to get a closer look at the situation.

Mu Ning turned his black pearl-like eyes and stared at a black-robed man who was constantly tearing apart the evil creatures of the Abyss Sea.

His clothes were tattered and ragged, and he wore an extremely long hood, obscuring his face and limbs. But Mu Ning did not give up. It cautiously lowered its flight altitude and looked again at the shadow beneath the man's robes.

For a fleeting moment, a sliver of pale, cold moonlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the face of a man in black robes.

Beneath the hood were chewing mouthparts resembling those of a cricket, and filthy scales covering its entire face. In addition, countless unhealed wounds could be vaguely seen slowly oozing blood, thick as mud, deep red to almost black.

Within those wounds, spherical objects were wriggling.

Mu Ning saw it, and Vivian saw it too... It was several fleshy eyeballs.

At this moment, their pupils were both focused on Mu Ning's location, and their eyes were almost meeting.

"call……"

Upon seeing this, Weiwei felt a sudden chill run down her spine, and then she opened her one tightly closed eye.

"Sister Haida, it wasn't just the Star Seekers who helped cleanse the Abyss's evil creatures near the Sleeping Sand Bell Tower; there were also many humans with characteristics of evil offspring. These were specifically insect-like mouthparts, scales of Abyss creatures, and countless wounds..."

As she spoke, she frowned deeply, showing some unease.

"Munin may have been discovered; I've already recalled it. Shall we withdraw now?"

After hearing this, Haida remained silent as she assessed the information she had just received, and couldn't help but feel the profound connection to the Sleeping Sand Bell Tower.

Insects and scales, and scars representing a "gate"... Is it the Gate of Ant Scales? According to information provided by Funeral Court, only some of the ant mother believers were able to maintain their original pure faith, while others fell into the worship of worms and became fanatics who abandoned their human forms.

It's strange that the Star Abyss Society, which always values ​​its reputation, has gotten involved with them.

"Now is not the time to confront Xingyuan Academy; we should indeed leave."

With that, she decided to return the way she came for the time being.

At the same time, Vivian once again shared her vision with the Calling Bird. Soon, she saw that the Ant Scale Gate followers who had been on the coastline were now heading straight towards Mu Ning.

Their speed far surpasses that of ordinary people, and their running movements have a strange, inhuman quality. It's as if they are not using jointed legs for movement, but rather some kind of tentacle-like tentacles.

"Sister Haida, they've caught up!"

Vivian said in a low voice, but before she could finish speaking, Haida had already picked up the Secret Service agent and slung him neatly on her back, and they sped off.

Her movements were nimble and agile, like a black horse flashing by, swiftly weaving through the gaps between the trees in the woods.

"Now, well... they've already climbed the hillside, and are about 50 meters away from entering the woods..."

Even while being carried on her back, Vivian diligently described the Antscale Disciples' movements. However, she already suffered from seasickness, and the constant swaying during the high-speed movement made her feel dizzy.

Although she felt a little dizzy, she didn't experience the urge to vomit that usually accompanies esophageal spasms. It seemed she hadn't felt nauseous since taking Dr. Fran's seasickness medication…

"Ah."

Haida quickly agreed and then asked a question.

"Are there only Ant Scale Disciples present? Are there also Star Cryers from the Star Abyss Association nearby?"

Vivian forced down her slightly dizzy head and began to analyze the situation of her pursuers.

"The Star Chasers are rather slow, and they don't seem to have any desire to pursue... Right now, most of them are just observing near the Sleeping Sand Bell Tower."

"really."

Haida's gray-chestnut eyes sharpened. Although she didn't say anything, Vivian on her back inexplicably felt an emotion quietly spreading, like a lit flame, burning fiercely.

That was an emotion called "excitement".

The Starcallers are guardians, and their primary duty is to protect the Tower of Sleeping Sands. Therefore, they are not inclined to pursue... In other words, only the followers of the Ant Scale Gate have caught up with them.

After confirming this, Haida suddenly stopped.

After setting Vivian down, she took out the power sword "Nirvana" from her back and crouched down to hide among the dense vines.

About a minute later, she smelled the salty, pungent scent of blood in the air, along with a few wisps of foul, dissipating spiritual energy.

"It really does smell like the evil offspring; it's utterly repulsive..."

Sensing that all-too-familiar, foul feeling, Haida's gray-chestnut eyes grew colder, like solidified frost.

In a short while, three followers of the Ant Scale Gate arrived nearby. They occasionally let out gleeful growls, as if enjoying the aftermath of a battle, as if it were some kind of amusing pastime.

—The next moment, a jet-black sword light suddenly appeared from the shadows, accompanied by a fierce, clanging metallic hum.

The three heads fell to the ground with a heavy, fleshy thud.

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soup!

Chapter 81 The Prisoner Covered in Scales

What is the most essential quality for an excellent hunter? Is it caution, decisiveness, or efficient and ruthless decision-making?

...In fact, it is a special kind of insight.

Hunters must constantly analyze their own situation and that of their enemies, and keenly judge changes in the relative strengths of both sides.

In this way, the roles of host and guest will not be reversed due to some oversight. Instead, the hunter who initiates the pursuit will become the prey trapped in a desperate situation.

"call--"

Haida let out a soft sigh, then relaxed the tense muscles in her wrist, releasing the residual force from the previous sword strike.