Episode 272
“What the hell…”
The moment Zeke stepped into the realm of consciousness, he was hit by a nauseating stench, with the unmistakable scent of blood cutting through it.
Suppressing his anger, he surveyed the area. It was a vast chamber carved out of a salt cave, with a stone altar at its center, covered in dark, crimson remnants.
As the mages entered with their demonic companions, robed figures hurriedly approached them.
“Welcome, Master.”
Without warning, the mage slapped the faces of those who greeted him.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
The sound of the slaps echoed through the salt cave.
The mages stood still, enduring the blows until their cheeks turned red.
The mage looked down at them with disdain.
“You idiots.”
“We’re sorry, Master.”
The mage pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his hands.
“Where did it go?”
“We believe it hasn’t left the mine yet.”
In response, the mage kicked the robed man who had just spoken, sending him sprawling backward.
“You fools! You didn’t even notice the test subject going berserk! Is your head filled with nothing but air?”
The men could only listen in silence to the mage’s tirade.
The mage scowled at them.
“Get some beasts to track the subject. And clean this mess up. The higher-ups will be here soon, so get your act together, you idiots!”
“Yes, Master!”
The robed men scrambled to obey, some fetching buckets to clean the altar.
The mage watched them with a look of irritation.
Zeke, hidden in the shadows, recalled the mage’s words.
“The higher-ups are coming? Could it be the leaders of the Abyss?”
He needed more information from the mage.
“A berserk test subject on the loose… I can use this.”
Zeke’s form blurred further, melting into the darkness.
Just then, the distant howls of beasts echoed.
Grrrrr—
Soon, the robed men returned, leading several dog-like beasts on leashes.
The beasts drooled and struggled, but the leashes kept them in check.
The mage snapped, “Release them.”
The apprentices, hands trembling, unfastened the leashes.
Freed, the beasts reacted aggressively.
The mage raised a hand, controlling them with a murmured incantation. The beasts calmed and approached him, sniffing the altar.
“Remember that scent. Find the escaped subject.”
Grrrrr!
The beasts turned and dashed into the depths of the cave.
“Why are you just standing there? Follow those filthy creatures!” the mage barked at his apprentices.
They hurried after the beasts, stumbling over themselves.
“Calling them apprentices… what a joke,” the mage muttered, leading the demons in pursuit.
As they ventured deeper into the salt cave, the mage sensed something amiss.
“Something’s not right…”
True to his nature as a dark mage, he was highly suspicious.
Then it happened.
A strange noise, followed by the sudden disappearance of the beasts’ presence.
“Damn it!”
The mage rushed forward.
In the tunnel, he found one of his apprentices crawling out, bleeding.
“M-Master, please, save me…”
Swoosh!
Before the mage could react, something dragged the apprentice back inside.
Crash!
A loud noise echoed from within the tunnel.
The mage frowned.
“This is getting annoying.”
He ordered the demons forward.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The demons entered the tunnel first, with the mage cautiously following.
Suddenly, something shot up from the ground, ensnaring the demons’ legs.
Thud!
Half of their bodies were pulled into the earth.
The mage slammed his staff into the ground.
“Die!”
Rumble!
The ground shook with his magic.
Screech!
Elsewhere, the earth shifted, revealing a grotesque creature with writhing tentacles.
It was the berserk test subject the mage had been searching for.
The demons, freed from the earth, charged at the creature.
Whoosh!
Their swords, imbued with dark energy, swung toward the creature.
Boom!
The creature’s tentacles lashed out like whips, striking the demons.
Screech!
The creature’s cry sent its tentacles wrapping around the demons.
Slash!
The demons tried to cut the tentacles, but the creature began absorbing the dark energy from their bodies.
Gurgle, gurgle—
As the creature drained their energy, the demons trembled, unable to move.
The mage watched in astonishment.
“It absorbs dark energy? Fascinating.”
Curious about the creature’s reaction to the absorbed energy, he chose not to intervene.
The tentacles released the demons, who fell lifelessly to the ground, their faces mummified.
The mage observed this transformation with interest.
Creak!
The creature’s body began to change, absorbing the dark energy.
Screech!
The writhing tentacles retracted, and a hard shell formed over its body.
It began to resemble a creature clad in armor.
The mage grinned widely.
“Ha ha! Incredible, the experiment succeeded! We’ve resurrected a demon!”
The transformed creature’s face was a grotesque blend of ant and mantis.
Grrrrr—
The creature, fully transformed, turned its antennae toward the mage.
Dark energy radiated from its body.
The mage, smiling, aimed his staff at the creature.
“I’ll dissect you thoroughly. Consider it an honor to be the foundation of a great work.”
Black smoke billowed from the mage’s staff, enveloping the creature.
Grrrrr!
Sensing danger, the creature tried to retreat, but the smoke had already ensnared it.
Screech!
The bound creature let out a wail.
The mage smirked at the struggling creature.
“Fool. Do you think a mere test subject can escape the seal of binding?”
The smoke climbed over the creature, pinning it to the ground.
It writhed helplessly.
The mage looked down at it.
“Resistance is futile. Obey my command…”
As he mocked the creature, the mage suddenly shivered.
“Ugh.”
His body froze as someone emerged from the shadows.
Zeke approached the immobilized mage, his shadow control in full effect.
The mage’s eyes widened in disbelief as he glared at Zeke.
Zeke spoke to him.
“I’ll return your words to you. Resistance is futile, so quietly give me the information I need.”
The mage trembled, trying to break free from the shadow control, but it was useless.
Meanwhile, Zeke wrapped chains around the mage, sealing his soul.
He dragged the mage deeper into the tunnel.
“Now, let’s have a deep conversation.”
Boom!
The gates of the salt mine opened, and a black carriage rolled in.
Snort—
The horses snorted and pawed the ground.
Soon, figures in black robes emerged from the carriage.
They were all bald, with no eyebrows, and one bore a strange brand on his forehead.
As they lined up, someone else stepped out.
Huff! Huff!
A tall man, wearing a beak-like leather mask reminiscent of the Holy Empire’s doctors, descended with a dignified air.
The others bowed their heads respectfully.
At that moment, a dark mage hurried out from inside.
He approached the masked man, trembling.
“S-Sir Apostle! I apologize. There was an incident at the baptismal site a few days ago…”
The branded mage interrupted in a low voice.
“Where is the administrator?”
“The, the thing is… I got injured while trying to control the specimen and am still recovering. Most of the others are hurt too…”
The branded mage looked down at him with disdain. “The Apostle has arrived. Go down immediately and greet him.”
Just then, the figure known as the Apostle, wearing a mask, whispered something almost inaudible.
The mage nodded in response to the Apostle’s words. “The Apostle wishes to see the specimen you reported first. Lead the way.”
“Y-yes, understood.”
The group, already prepared, cautiously led the Apostle and the mages to where the specimen was restrained. Along the way, they passed by shattered walls and destroyed cells.
The mage who had relayed the Apostle’s message earlier spoke up, observing the wreckage. “Did the specimen do all this?”
“Y-yes, that’s right. It broke out of its cell and devoured all the sacrifices inside.”
The mage frowned, speaking in a low voice. “The administrator will be held accountable for this.”
It was a time when every sacrifice was precious, especially the untainted children, who were considered the finest offerings. Wasting such valuable sacrifices was a grave mistake.
The Apostle and the bald mages said nothing more as they proceeded to the place where the specimen was confined. Standing before a heavy iron door, they gestured for it to be opened.
The dark mage, trembling with fear, opened the door.
Rumble!
As the door swung open, the Apostle and the bald mages stepped inside.
Grrrr—
The specimen, bound in chains, growled menacingly at the mages.
In response, the bald mages drew their staffs and aimed them at the creature.
Rumble!
Under an invisible force, the specimen collapsed to the ground, unable to move.
Grrrrr—
The Apostle, who had been standing at the back, slowly approached the specimen and extended a hand to sense its energy.
After a long moment, the Apostle lowered his hand and gestured for the branded mage to come closer. He whispered something into the mage’s ear, causing the mage to startle.
“Is that true? Apostle! If the restoration experiment succeeded, it could accelerate our grand plan. We must report this immediately to—”
Thud!
Suddenly, the heavy iron door slammed shut.
The branded mage shouted, “How dare you close the door with the Apostle inside! Open it at once!”
It was then that something began to emerge from the shadows.
The Apostle flinched and stepped back, his eyes glowing red from within the mask.
Alarmed by the Apostle’s reaction, the branded mage asked, “A-Apostle, what’s wrong?”
The Apostle mumbled again, prompting the branded mage to move closer. “I can’t hear you well, Apostle.”
At that moment—
Screeeeech—
A piercing sound reverberated through the space.
A voice, mixed with a dreadful metallic screech, escaped from the Apostle. [Zeke Draker! That one is Zeke Draker!]
Reacting to the Apostle’s words, Zeke stepped forward, holding Anexi’s dagger. “Finally caught you, you damned Apostle of the Abyss.”