Chapter 422 – Arrival

“What a nuisance!”

Like Kane, Punk immediately sensed the approaching enemies. When he cast an impatient glance toward the distant sand dunes, his enhanced vision clearly revealed a small formation of black-robed figures rapidly advancing toward Hazelwood Town. These were clearly no ordinary merchant caravan or Noble sightseeing group.

“Haha, it seems my luck is just too~ awesome! What a pity, Punk. These fellows must be carrying message-relaying Magic Equipment. Both your and my presence will likely be reported to the Nightmare Cult immediately. If the cult dispatches Master-Level experts, we’ll have no choice but to fight side by side!”

Watching the menacing black-clad figures, Kane actually cheered with excitement. In his view, being targeted by the Nightmare Cult wasn’t something terrifying but rather a tremendous opportunity. He greeted the enemy’s approach with overflowing enthusiasm and combat spirit, and somehow found immense satisfaction in dragging Punk into this mess.

Though Kane’s triumphant laughter was utterly irritating, Punk paid little attention to the taunt. Even if his current conflict with the Nightmare Cult was partly caused by Kane’s involvement, Punk had already developed considerable curiosity about this mysterious cult. Capturing some informants wouldn’t be such a bad thing anyway.

After all, as the saying goes – those who aren’t greedy and impoverished mages can never advance to Legendary rank!

Currently dirt-poor, Punk was eager to get involved in anything promising gains. After all his struggles, he still didn’t possess a Mage Tower of his own, having to meticulously calculate funding even for spell research! He had truly had enough of this impoverished existence. Since Kane was so fixated on this mysterious Nightmare Cult, Punk saw no reason to let Kane’s target slip away. To him, Ovakain represented wealth, the enigmatic Nightmare Cult represented wealth, and even his temporary companion Kane represented substantial wealth. All these riches now lay before Punk, and his attitude was crystal clear – he wouldn’t let any of them escape!

Perhaps it was desperation from poverty, or perhaps it was preparation for his Legendary advancement – as a neutral chaotic aligned mage, Punk now cared little about most dangers when pursuing sufficient resources. In other words, he had become much greedier than before. After all… could anything be more dangerous than a pauper attempting to reach Legendary rank? Could anything be greedier than aspiring to become Legendary?

With these considerations, Punk merely responded indifferently to Kane’s slightly mocking gaze:

“Indeed, cooperating against the Nightmare Cult? No problem. After all, they appear quite wealthy and possess secrets of significant value.”

Having said this, Punk coolly turned away to continue watching the rapidly approaching Nightmare Cult forces. His attitude remained ice-cold and unchanged throughout, as if everything was unfolding exactly as he had anticipated.Beside him, Kane’s smile visibly stiffened upon hearing Punk’s words. In the next instant, the mockery in the knight’s eyes swiftly transformed into sheer ferocity and killing intent. One had to admit that Punk always had a knack for hitting where it hurt most when it came to provocation and sarcasm. What Kane found most unbearable right now was someone eyeing what he considered his rightful prize!

However, the bloodlust in Kane’s eyes faded almost as quickly as it appeared. The rational knight knew it wasn’t yet time to break with Punk, even though the fact that Punk had also set his sights on the Nightmare Cult was utterly intolerable to Kane.

Regardless of the ongoing tension between Punk and Kane, the Nightmare Cult’s team continued its advance toward the nearly destroyed Hazelwood Town without pause. Kicking up clouds of dust, this clearly all-professional squad rapidly approached the ruins where faint trails of gray smoke still rose.

Yet as the squad drew near enough, both Punk and Kane’s expressions shifted. Whether it was Punk’s impassive face or Kane’s eager anticipation, both men’s countenances gained a layer of unshakable gravity once the squad fully entered their perception range.

“Master-Level experts! Does the Nightmare Cult have Master-Level experts coming out in droves? To dispatch a Master-Level expert just to investigate some insignificant town?When the Nightmare Cult squad arrived, both Punk and Kane almost immediately sensed their opponents’ power levels—most of these black-robed cultists were merely Apprentice-Level professionals, but leading them were one formal-level Stalker and one… unquestionable Master-Level combat professional!

This configuration was utterly bizarre. Logically, the destruction of a small town should be trivial matter to a Master-Level expert, and such incidents occurred frequently in the Raging Wave Sand Sea. If even minor matters like this required deploying Master-Level experts, the Nightmare Cult would run its experts ragged regardless of how many they had.

Faced with this strange situation, Kane appeared equally stunned. It seemed even he hadn’t anticipated such developments. In fact, Punk could easily guess that Kane’s original plan was likely to capture some minor Nightmare Cult officials first, then use them to locate higher-ranking members, ultimately uncovering the cult’s hidden core members.

But now—there was no need for him to search anymore. The enemy’s core combat strength had come delivered to their doorstep. Though whether this constituted good or bad fortune remained unclear for now.

“Ah well, probably received news about that Minotaur Shaman’s death through some means. With a Master-Level expert eliminated and a large Goat-headed Tribe destroyed, this Nightmare Cult has likely heightened its alertness.”

Regardless of what the knight truly thought internally, outwardly Kane quickly regained his carefree demeanor. As the Nightmare Cult members drew closer, copious amounts of golden Battle Aura began swirling around Kane’s body.”Kakakaka, let’s set aside what madness has occurred within the Nightmare Cult for now… Since these fools dare come seeking death, let this lord properly teach them the meaning of staying low-key! Come, bloom amidst slaughter! Come, dance in a shower of blood! This lord’s lance has been lonely for far too long!”

With maniacal laughter, the battle aura around Kane practically formed into a swirling cyclone. The sand and gravel around him were effortlessly ground into dust. Though puzzled why the enemy would waste a Master-Level expert on such a task, such considerations could clearly be postponed. Both Kane and Punk were now fully prepared for battle.

(End of Chapter)