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"Even the lesser evil offspring in their low-intelligence state have become more cunning..."
She stared silently at the head that seemed to have lost all life, and made as if to leave.
The instant Haida turned around, the severed head of the evil offspring suddenly extended spider-like bony limbs from the cut at the neck, spreading bee-like bone spikes, and leaped towards her back with extremely rapid bouncing.
"Not only can they disguise themselves as weathered corpses, but they've also learned to feign death." (A character from a poem)
She immediately gripped the wooden handle of her folding knife, turned around, and thrust the blade straight into its fang-filled mouth.
Fran glanced at the lifeless evil heir impaled on the knife, examining the connection between its trachea and skeleton. He then crouched down and poked the headless corpse on the ground.
"The human organ structure is relatively well preserved, so it was clearly not summoned through a ritual... it was probably converted by a senior believer." Lin
Even evil offspring have a certain degree of need for food.
Its flesh and blood, existing in the material world, have lost their vitality over the long years, so much so that it has to lie dormant, waiting for its prey to come to it... so that it can tear open its chest, drink its blood and bones, and thus soothe its parched throat.
"Although we were being a bit too hospitable, we did end up with some living creatures after all..."
Fran looked down the street and saw half-collapsed high-rise buildings on both sides shrouded in gray-yellow dust, with a few highly weathered and shriveled corpses wandering in the shadows of the ruins.
Their skin was covered with keratin and scales, and beneath the proliferating polyps hung eyeballs like grapes.
Haida frowned slightly, looking somewhat puzzled.
"Why are Marianne and Dorothy the only survivors we've seen along the way? Are all the others really dead?"
Marianne is a senior physician in the Medical Court, not a combatant. Dorothy is merely a "Mirror Wiper" of the Order of the Moths, equivalent to a minor priest. Even though she possesses near-priest-level knowledge of the future, she has not truly entered the higher realm belonging to prophets and sages.
If an apocalyptic event were to occur, the most likely outcome would be that no one would survive.
But since there were survivors, and they weren't top figures like Yaheng or Grantham... it means there was still a chance to escape the disaster, and the number of survivors should be much higher.
"Most of the survivors are in the secret realm of Qingqinan Street, which is the only place in Norlington that is still suitable for ordinary people to live in."
Fran rubbed his temples and began to explain to Haida.
The "Swinging Heart Bell" steals memories in a manner similar to targeted retrieval, so the information she obtained from Dorothy was actually not much.
"Although the shops around the fortune-telling hut are all dark and gloomy, it doesn't mean that no one lives there."
"So that's it..."
Heda recalled the feeling the street gave her; although it was so quiet it felt unreal, it certainly didn't seem like the ruins of the city center... Every corner was filled with a strong and ominous aura of death.
Although Haida deliberately refrained from using firearms to avoid the noise attracting the evil offspring, these guys had been tormented by their hunger for flesh and blood for countless years, to the point that they would go mad at the mere smell of a living creature.
They slowly rose from the rubble and accumulated dust of the ruins, looking around blankly and intoxicatedly, searching for the source of life.
"Dr. Fran, do you think it's feasible to forcefully break through ER?"
Haida asked Fran for his opinion in a deep voice.
Although she had learned basic skills in stealth and concealment, she might not be able to fool these keen-nosed evil offspring.
If Vivian were here right now... Secret Service agents are the real experts in this area.
“Hmm… These weakened secondary evil offspring obviously can’t stop you. But there may be higher-level evil beings, or even holy offspring, in the deeper areas… If you get entangled with such things, it will be troublesome to get away.”
"Shall we try to infiltrate?"
Haida was aware of the risks of forcibly breaking through, so she began to explore the feasibility of another plan.
"Without the protection of concealment techniques, relying solely on human stealth skills... is not enough to deceive those things' senses."
Fran wagged his index finger and offered his own solution.
"My suggestion is to forcefully break through the evil offspring group and enter the inner ring of the central city first, and then use drugs to conceal your presence."
As she spoke, she took out two green capsules from the medicine box and placed one of them into Haida's hand.
[The 15-second close-up of a deity (created by Fran Hesser)]
[Quality: Ordinary]
[Effect: From the moment the capsule is swallowed, the user's presence is minimized for the next 15 seconds.]
[Note: "No, what can I do in just 15 seconds?"]
Haida took the green capsule and quickly went through the general outline of the operation in her mind. A guess immediately came to mind.
How long does the effect of the medication last?
If the capsule's effects could last longer, then infiltration would clearly be a lower-risk option. Exposing oneself first and then attempting to escape would obviously be a compromise made out of necessity.
With a hint of slyness, Flüllen slightly pursed his lips, revealing one side of his neat and delicate canine tooth.
"15 seconds."
"Okay, I understand." Haida nodded.
The effects of the medicine were shorter than she had imagined, but it was indeed the best solution that could be implemented at the moment.
Liu: "However..."
She then narrowed her eyes, looking at Fran's delicate and smooth calves beneath her astrological robe, and thought of other things she needed to be careful about.
"Dr. Fran, you're not in a good condition to move quickly. If you don't mind, shall I carry you?"
"Oh, that would be perfect! Thank you for your help."
Erfran gently stroked his palm, a glint of light flashing in his deep amber-gold eyes, and agreed to Haida's request without the slightest hesitation.
Fran's own idea was for Sister Heda to stuff her head, along with her scattered limbs, into the medicine box, which would be much easier to carry and move around in...
q But since Haida had already spoken, she had no reason to object.
After Haida knelt down on one knee, Fran reached out and climbed onto her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her neck. The dark tentacles of [Reaching for the Moon] also wrapped around her waist and abdomen to prevent her from falling.
N "Hoo..."
Fran, who had no body, felt as light as nothing to Haida. Apart from the soft warmth of her skin against her neck and the occasional breath from her side, she felt no difference from when she was on her back.
With her eyes slightly closed, she began her forceful breakthrough into the outer streets.
The wind whistled, and figures flashed by.
Haida held her breath and moved swiftly through the ruins that could hardly be called a road.
The black, fitted nun's robe billowed in the howling wind, like a fine steed's mane swaying, treading on snow and dark clouds.
Even if a minor evil heir notices a living creature passing in front of them, they will usually be momentarily stunned and confused, wondering what that thing just passed by.
Sometimes, one or two evil offspring would roam freely along the only path, and Haida would casually stab them before leaving...
After some time, although these hastily revived evil creatures moved slowly, they still managed to gather a considerable number of people behind her. As she ventured deeper, the surrounding pollution and malice became increasingly intense, to the point that the air itself took on a sticky, murky quality.
After passing through the last alley, you'll reach the inner ring of the city center...
A hint of seriousness appeared in Haida's chestnut-grey eyes.
At the end of the alley stood a dancer dressed in an exotic silk skirt. Even though her skirt was covered in dust, it still showed a bright red color. Although her skin was dry and decayed, one could still glimpse a captivating charm from her graceful figure.
It was Sains, the libertine priest who died in the Central Museum.
"The living die inexplicably, while the dead are preserved. This is the altered future..."
Heda felt a strange restlessness burning within her veins. She drew her power sword, "Nirvana," suppressing the hunting fervor passed down through generations of Funeral Court hunters.
Just as the mirror-like blade of the power sword was about to touch the corrupted Saines, a heavy and overwhelming sense of oppression suddenly pressed down!
A massive, fanged maw bit down on Sayens's emaciated body, swallowing him whole. A series of soft, chewing sounds filled the air.
Without a doubt, this is a "son of God".
Compared to those "favored ones" who become arrogant and haughty after receiving a casual glance from a great being, they are the ancient races that truly received divine favor...
At this moment, Haida and Fran had each swallowed the green capsules, concealed their presence, and entered the inner ring area.
At Fran's suggestion, Haida hid deep inside a building that was still intact. While the effects of the drug were still present, she was able to catch a glimpse of the true face of this holy heir.
Its neck was extremely long, and its entire body was covered with fine silver scales, from which white feathers extended. Sticky oil stained its feathers and body, making its originally elegant form appear ominous and sinister.
The image of this holy heir is very similar to that of a mythical creature in Haida's knowledge—the dragon.
8 seconds, 7 seconds, 6 seconds... the duration of the drug was constantly decreasing.
Heda saw through the window that the holy offspring had already flapped its wings and was preparing to fly away, but it still showed no emotion or aura.
...2 seconds, 1 second, 0 seconds.
As the 15-second period of the deity's closed eyes came to an end, the enormous holy heir also disappeared.
Haida remained cautious and did not make any move.
Just as three minutes had passed and she was about to get up... a huge, dragon-like vertical pupil suddenly appeared against the windowsill.
The dragon's eyes were cloudy and deathly gray, and one could even see the floating sediment within its crystalline structure. Countless tiny, fleshy eyeballs swam up and down like a school of fish, fixed intently on Haida's face.
"Woo——"
Its roar was deafening, filled with a deep-seated anger and sorrow. But Haida inexplicably sensed a hidden emotion within it... fear.
The enormous heir spread its wings and flew away, raising clouds of dust.
Haida narrowed her eyes, sensing a hint of confusion. Why did she just shout and leave?
She almost instinctively raised her hand and stabbed the power sword into the guy's eye...
Fran withdrew her arms from Heda's neck and, her steps unsteady, dismounted from her back. She then reached out and tidied her hair and ear feathers, which had been completely deformed by the wind pressure.
"Phew, being carried like this actually makes me feel like I'm racing a car..."
After Zero finished expressing his thoughts, Fran turned his gaze to Heida, who was still deep in thought.
4. "Don't be surprised, trust your feelings. It's afraid of you... isn't it?"
Chapter 3 The Last Funeral [The Last Nun]
"I could definitely sense its fear. But... why?"
Lu Haida frowned slightly, still somewhat puzzled.
Even among the holy offspring, there are distinctions of nobility and strength. Those transformed from dragons are undoubtedly at the pinnacle of power... So, what is the source of its fear of itself?
"You'll find out about this soon, believe me, not long."
Fran extended his index finger and lightly touched his lower lip, preparing to keep everyone in suspense for the time being.
"Shall we take a break? Although we are in the central area of Norrington, the aura of that big guy will temporarily dispel other evil spirits in the vicinity. It's safe here for now."
"Ah."
Haida didn't feel tired, but having time to adjust herself was certainly not a bad thing.
Fran magically produced two sandwiches with bacon from the medicine box and handed one of them to Heida.
The sizzling aroma of the meat is hot and enticing, sandwiched between sweet, soft white bread and fresh lettuce.
"Dr. Fran, you've prepared dinner?"
Heda took the sandwich, took a bite, and then inexplicably became a little curious.
Because she was often treated to cooking by Fran, she became very familiar with his skills and gained a deeper understanding of them.
This doctor has an almost obsessive demand for the quality of food he prepares, to the point that even his vegetable salads are surprisingly delicious.
While this sandwich could be described as having a decent taste, it was merely "delicious" in a general sense.
Based on Heda's unassuming sense of taste... she didn't believe it was made by Fran.
"I found two unwanted sandwiches in Miss Dorothy's pantry. I called out to the owner twice but there was no response. It was dinner time... so I took them without thinking of wasting food."
As he said this, Fran blinked innocently, his amber eyes clear and sincere.
I suspect that while you were calling for the owner, Dorothy was under hypnosis...
Haida's lips twitched slightly, as if she were about to speak.
But she ultimately resisted the urge to complain, nodded, and swallowed the rest of the sandwich in her hand.
"but……"
Haida's gaze turned somber as she looked at Fran, who was holding the Three Ming Collection: Uncle／'ˉ↓◎二-＊∵—∧崚″“Five Healings”, and suddenly a new question came to mind.
"Dr. Fran, are you really able to eat in your current condition?"
It's strange enough that someone can speak without lungs, but without a body and digestive system... where does the food residue go through the esophagus?