Chapter 463: Chapter 463: Blood Forest


    “Abe hasn’t spoken much along the way… Doesn’t seem like a change in personality after several months of training in Hell. Rather, it’s like he’s suppressing something,”


    During their journey through the mountain passage, Han Dong noticed Abe’s unusually ‘subdued’ state.


    He secretly opened the Little Demon Eye, intending to observe Abe’s internal condition.


    Hum!


    An instant of insight caused Han Dong to break out in cold sweat.


    “This is…”


    Although it was only a fleeting glimpse, he saw within Abe an indescribable monstrous shadow, much like the scenario he faced against themp in the “Strange Tales”.


    The only difference was that Abe was in a desperate condition then, his own consciousness absent, resulting in the monstrous beast within him taking over and running amok.


    Yet now, Abe seemed subdued and silent, giving off a ‘struggling to maintain self-control’ vibe… undoubtedlyrge changes brought about by his nearly year-long hellish training.


    “If Abe really manages to control this power, he could likely defeat the Demon on his own, seed in Breaking the Breed and be the first man of the new era in the Holy City.”<div>


    Knowing Abe’s current state, Han Dong was reassured.


    Keeping this in mind, Han Dong patted Dumps, who was walking ahead.


    He quietly conveyed a message, to which Dumps immediately responded with an ‘OK’ gesture.


    …


    “The exit of the secret tunnel is up ahead, it leads to the southern foothills of the Aga Mountain Range… Scarlet Manor has the least influence there. As for the ‘Super Pet’ you’re looking for, it asionally wanders in this area.


    After all, the Count handles it in pure free-range farming, so whether you can encounter it depends on your luck.”


    As the ck man Simon stretched out his hand onto the stone wall surface,


    The massive Stone Door blocking the secret passage slowly opened.


    Only then did they finally return to ground level from the bottom of the valley.


    “Hmm… Even the vegetation changed?”


    Those who left the secret passage were immediately shocked by the sight before them.


    Unlike the Eternal Night nts in the Gaine Forest, which had a suction cup structure,


    The flora grown in the mountain range were mostly ‘scintiting with scarlet’. The nts emitted an enchanting red glow, their skin semi-transparent, clearly showing the red fluid flowing within.


    The branches bore red and juicy fruits.


    Deep red flowers were scattered across the ground,


    Their plump, juicy petals feeling like they would burst upon touch.


    The woond area was filled with a fragrant, fishy smell…


    This ‘scarlet image’ can cause a strong difort to beings who are not of Blood descent.


    Whether you consume the red fruits in the mountains, or get cut by the thorns on the flowers, or even drink the spring water in the mountain, there’s a possibility of infection.<div>


    “Everyone, use your concealment abilities, the flow of blood in the mountains is not normal… Scarlet Manor might have already begun searching for our whereabouts.”


    As soon as Lucius finished speaking,


    Jane lightly tapped the tip of her foot on Lucius’s shadow, her figure quickly melted into it, bing one with it.


    It must be said that Jane’s control of the “Shadow” is very suitable for team operations. She can ‘attach’ herself to the shadow of a teammate in this manner, andunch unexpected attacks in battles.<div>


    Lunze pulled out a piece of tattered cloth with ck scriptures drawn on it, draping it over his body to hide his presence.


    While everyone was busy ‘hiding’, Dumps had a different idea.


    He plucked a red fruit.


    Using the ‘Finger Method’ to extract the faint blood brew essence from it, he then evenly distributed it over his body… In this way, he appeared to be an infected individual.


    Such a disguise was extremely clever.


    As Abe needed to stabilize and control the ‘beast’ within him, Dumps also disguised him as one of the infected.


    “Truly our most outstanding junior at the [Library]… Dumps, would you mind disguising your senior as well? Heh heh…”


    The undertoneughter emitted from Lunze, the Undead Mage wrapped in tattered cloth.


    “Of course, Senior.”


    During the disguise.


    A mummified palm extended from under Lunze’s tattered cloth to gently hold Dumps’ wrist.


    “Hiss…what delicate skin, no wonder the deputy curator ‘admires’ you so much.”


    “Senior, whatever the matter is, can we discuss it back in the city?”<div>


    “Of course, of course, the mountains are too dangerous… Don’t worry, if anything dangerous happens, your senior will protect you.”


    Lunze’s words seemed to be specifically targeted towards Dumps.


    Just then, Captain Lucius suddenly turned around and red at Lunze.


    “Lunze, this younger brother Dumps has very good ideas and methods… In these critical times, keep yourself in check.”


    “Yes…”


    Intimidated by Lucius’ re, Lunze immediately backed down.


    The reason he despised Dumps was, of course, justified.


    The ‘special treatment’ Dumps received at the academy was too obvious, essentially everyone in the library knew about his affair with the deputy curator…


    Ordinary students didn’t care much, Dumps’ talent was indeed worthy of higher treatment.


    But gifted students like Lunze, whose treatment drastically differed from their junior’s, were not too pleased.


    Once, Lunze, a senior, had waited an entire hour to borrow an advanced book from the library using enough academic credit.


    Then came Dumps, who didn’t need to queue or use any of his academic credit to borrow an equally valuable book…Remember, Dumps was just a sophomore back then.


    Lunze resented students that relied on ‘private rtions’ for preferential treatment.<div>


    …


    And so.


    The entire team was disguised as infected.


    Simon, a ck man, turned into a fluid Sand, guiding the way from the shadows.


    “Wait… something is approaching.”


    After walking about a hundred meters in the foothills, both Han Dong and Lucius simultaneously sensed the presence of something.


    Through contact with the soil, Simon immediately ryed the information to everyone.


    “Strange, hardly anyone ventures in this area of Scarlet Manor… let alone a squad. It seems likely that since the time you were spotted at the swing bridge, the Count ordered a search for your tracks.”


    From the beginning, Simon had warned Han Dong that the special status of [Blood Knight-Lucius] might attract special attention from the Manor.


    “We’ll know exactly what’s the matter once we capture and interrogate them.” Lucius looked indifferent.


    Han Dong immediately said, “Within a 500 meter radius, there’s only this Scarlet Squad… we can proceed.”


    …


    The group slowly making their way from the forest was a small Scarlet Team from a nearby manor, who had gotten a bounty order to capture a ‘youthful knight with the scent of the Blood God’.<div>


    They were not a part of the Worm Change.


    The team consisted of three people, all with paleplexions.


    Long disheveled white hair, wrinkled and decaying pale skin, a big bloody mouthpletely torn open, and eye sockets filled with clots of blood instead of eyes… And they determined their actions based on smell alone.


    nk! nk!


    They wore shackles on their hands and feet as if they were usually chained up in the manor… they were a special kind of Blood Descendant.


    They continuously ate the fresh red fruit hanging from the trees as they walked along, showing extreme hunger.