Chapter 449 – Meeting

With just a simple spell, Punk blasted apart the entire lakebed and descended into the cave.

It must be said that when it came to constructing his lair, Sorsend clearly didn’t share the preference of many mages for building elaborate mazes to hinder enemies. The entire spacious cave lacked even walls or superfluous stalactite columns. After the lakebed was violently torn open, accompanied by water cascading into the cave like a waterfall, Punk landed directly inside and came face-to-face with Sorsend, who had been waiting there all along.

The initial meeting between Punk, Kane, and Sorsend was remarkably silent. Amid the roaring sound of vast amounts of lake water crashing against the cave floor, these three individuals—each with their own hidden agendas—didn’t immediately launch into a battle where “spells and battle aura flew together, blood and dust merged as one.”

In fact, Punk’s arrival had been faster than Sorsend anticipated, while Punk hadn’t expected Sorsend’s lair to lack the layered protective arrays traditional to mages. Thus, this meeting came somewhat too early for both Punk and Sorsend. After all, at this moment, one essential participant in the coming battle—Ovakain Acidmaw—had yet to arrive. The black dragon both Punk and Sorsend intended to exploit was still rushing toward them at full speed.

Though they now faced their enemy, the crucial “guest” hadn’t yet appeared, and the feast of battle wasn’t meant to begin so prematurely. So what were Punk, Sorsend, and Kane to do under these circumstances?

The answer, of course, was—stall for time.

Indeed, at this moment Punk and Sorsend found their thoughts aligned. Starting a fight rashly before Ovakain—the key combatant—arrived would be highly unwise. Neither Punk nor Sorsend wanted to see the black dragon reap undeserved benefits from their conflict.

Coincidentally, Kane—standing beside Punk—was also displaying a peculiar expression that blended “both confusion and killing intent” for his own reasons. Regardless, this fellow clearly had no intention of immediately engaging Sorsend in battle either.

Stalling for time served both Punk’s and Sorsend’s interests, and ultimately, it even aligned with Kane’s interests as well. Driven by this shared benefit, none of the three present individuals were inclined to take action just yet. Everyone understood that verbal sparring would be the best tool for feeling each other out. While words couldn’t directly harm an enemy, they could effectively disrupt an opponent’s mental state and gather crucial information.

Most importantly… the three of them simply standing there staring blankly at each other would have been far too awkward…

The one who finally broke the slightly uncomfortable atmosphere in the cave was Sorsend, playing the role of “host.” Perhaps due to his complete confidence in his own power and traps, this meticulously groomed old man even produced three fine mugs of Butter Beer from his Storage Bracelet while letting out an ominous, cold chuckle.

After using a minor spell to chill the beers, the sinister old man—who had maintained a confident smile throughout—spread his hands with feigned nonchalance. Then, like an old noble receiving guests in his luxurious mansion, he spoke in perfectly standard Common:”Hehehehe, this desert is always too desolate, with only endless sand burying countless travelers all day long. An old man like me finds it hard to even get someone to chat with, wasting such fine beer… Speaking of which, wouldn’t you two rare guests like to try some? Very few get to taste this old man’s brew…”

Sorsend lightly flicked his withered fingers, and the two cups floating before the old man were slowly carried over to Punk and Kane through a simple “Levitation” spell.

However, the cautious Punk and Kane would certainly not accept such hospitality. In fact, before the two cups of beer could even reach them, Punk had already instant-cast a “Mage Hand” to knock them both over mid-air.

Though the atmosphere in the cave was unusually calm and ordinary, Punk would never forget what kind of “monster” stood opposite him. Drinking something offered by such an enemy? Don’t be ridiculous! Punk wouldn’t even allow those cups to get close—this world had no concept of “chivalrous honor and bold generosity.” Who knew if those cups might be two disguised alchemical bombs!

“Drink? Did the six guests you received earlier enjoy this same treatment?”

Coldly interrogating Sorsend, who still maintained a kindly smile, Punk’s pupils began to slowly swirl with magical radiance.

Yet even as his “guests” behaved so unfriendly and the fine wine he offered was spilled on the ground, Sorsend showed not the slightest displeasure. However, when Punk mentioned the “other six guests,” the sinister old man’s voice suddenly turned arrogant and unrestrained. Even in his turbid eyes, a barely perceptible flash of pride flickered:

“You mean those six pieces of trash? Hehehehe… Of course they were my ‘honored’ guests. How could this old man forget their share of ‘drinks’? Moreover, I thoughtfully invited them to stay, considering their travel fatigue. Even the last ungrateful guest didn’t refuse my hospitality! Come to think of it… you two might have even seen them—out in the oasis. They’re now closer than blood brothers…”

Laughing with a voice like a broken bellows, Sorsend pointed a grotesque staff behind Punk. Clearly, the “guests” the old man referred to were the five Master-Level experts he had killed earlier, while the sixth “guest who didn’t refuse hospitality” was King Tandak, slain by his own grandson. As for the “closer than brothers” relationship Sorsend cheerfully praised… it obviously referred to that disgusting flesh abomination.

As the sound of flowing water gradually faded, the scene in the cave grew truly eerie.

Especially Sorsend, standing shrouded in shadows—perhaps sensing impending danger and battle, the old man’s expression began twisting into ferocity as terrifying waves of chaotic energy emanated from him. With each passing moment of the three-way standoff, the sinister elder now truly resembled a bloodthirsty fiend, his eyes burning crimson.But Punk wasn’t afraid of his enemy’s change in attitude. In fact, it would be best for him if Sorsend went completely mad and lost control. If he could provoke the grim old man further, Punk—who was usually tight-lipped—wouldn’t mind saying a few more words.

This was how Punk always calmly provoked his enemies. Such simple yet effective taunts never failed in battle.

However, this time, just as Punk intended to take advantage of Sorsend’s unstable mental state to further enrage him, Kane—who had remained silent since encountering Sorsend—suddenly spoke up first.

Clearly, Kane also had much to say to Sorsend. Moreover, he likely wanted Sorsend to answer his questions while still lucid. Now, seeing signs of Sorsend descending into madness, the knight who had targeted the Nightmare Cult from the very beginning could no longer hold back.

(No votes make me sad~ Spending Minor New Year’s Eve, I need votes~~)

(End of Chapter)