Eldritch Horror Theatre

”This is...”

The scene unfolding before them undoubtedly brought a considerable shock to A-Kai.

Especially when that massive black tongue began oozing out of the Stone Coffin, little by little.

By the time the root of the tongue emerged, the space beside the demigod puppet twisted, and Chaumont completed his Descent without hesitation, his expression grave.

”How could this be?”

Taking in the sight of that gradient of bright yellow gold, he let out a seemingly familiar sigh of disbelief.

”How can there be directly manifesting flames? And so many of them...”

Amidst his shock, he couldn’t help but shoot a look at Fu Qian.

”You actually weren’t lying!”

”So you actually thought I was lying?”Fu Qian looked genuinely surprised.

”Then why did you even follow me?”

...

This question was genuinely hard to answer. Fortunately, Chaumont soon realized he didn’t need to.

On the surface of the massive black tongue, a seemingly familiar scene unfolded.

Festering blisters rapidly swelled and tore open, releasing black, mist-like phantoms that instantly locked onto the group.

Because there were so many people present, the number of phantoms even seemed to have multiplied.

”Do it.”

Faced with this situation, Chaumont took only half a second to finalize their strategy before speaking coldly.

”A unique existence, but not completely invincible.”

Clearly, he had a lucid understanding of the ”Saint” Rank.

Unfortunately, the flames were far too tempting. Compared to the risks and rewards of hunting a demigod, it was simply too hard to pass up.

Having given the order, Chaumont used Blink, effortlessly dodging a lunging phantom before naturally turning his gaze toward Fu Qian.

The latter had just slipped past a pincer attack from two phantoms.

”Mister Andil, thank you for the information. You can leave now. It’s a little dangerous here.”

The next moment, Chaumont offered this suggestion calmly.

”It’s fine. I can handle it.”

Dodging another humanoid phantom’s strike, Fu Qian answered with utter composure, rejecting the man’s goodwill.

Thanks to his previous experience, he was now observing the phantoms’ movements very carefully.

The difference was painfully obvious.

He could see that the attacks aimed at Chaumont and the others were far less tricky than the ones directed at him.

Specifically, the phantoms now only knew how to mindlessly chase and lunge. They no longer possessed that prophetic knack of anticipating his landing spots.

The Flame Blessing could indeed maintain a person’s independence. This was beyond doubt.

But the problem was that he had failed when he tried it earlier. Did that mean he couldn’t enter this absolutely independent state, lest he lose all chance of completing his mission?

That truly challenged his imagination.

”You might not understand what I mean.”

While Fu Qian was deep in thought, Chaumont’s voice rang out again, accompanied by a peculiar smile.

”The danger I’m talking about doesn’t come from these things, but from us.”

He pointed at himself, speaking coldly.

”Our operation does not allow for any variables. And I apologize, but you are not trustworthy enough. If you insist on staying here, we will have to dispose of you.”

”I know.”

Unfortunately for them, in the face of this icy threat, Fu Qian didn’t sound surprised at all.

”Didn’t I say I can handle it?”

”How could I miss such an entertaining moment? Don’t hold back; please do as you please.”

”I merely pointed the way for you. You never promised you wouldn’t kill me.”

This guy was an actual lunatic!

Fu Qian’s reaction undoubtedly left a deep shock on the Hunting Squad.

Not only did Chaumont’s expression stiffen, but A-Kai, caught in a moment of distraction, actually got grabbed by a phantom’s arm.

”Ah!”

Amidst her cry of alarm, A-Kai immediately pulled back, but the fiery traces of the Flame Blessing on her body diminished to the point of being nearly invisible.

”Catch!”

Witnessing this, Chaumont let out a low growl and tossed a magma-like Talisman from his hand.

It was obvious he deliberately chose an angle far away from Fu Qian, afraid he might interfere or snatch it.

What he didn’t know was that even if he threw the thing directly at him, Fu Qian’s first reaction would be to dodge it immediately.

”Got it.”

A-Kai successfully caught it and crushed it without needing a reminder.

The next moment, the Flame Blessing on her body flared brilliantly again. At the same time, she instinctively locked onto Fu Qian, just waiting for Chaumont’s command.

Reacting the exact same way was Stoss, who had been too lazy to waste words all along.

...

Unfortunately, in this highly volatile moment, the person in charge, Chaumont, displayed a trace of hesitation.

Theoretically, this Andiel was at most in the Demigod Realm, while their side boasted two Divine Emissaries. They held an absolute advantage.

Yet this guy’s demeanor was so composed it made them doubt themselves.

At the same time, the sociopathy he displayed from his appearance until now was so fanatical and genuine. Theoretically, it didn’t conflict with the squad’s goal at all...

Besides, time was precious. If they forced a kill and triggered an uncontrollable situation, the losses would outweigh the gains...

”Don’t get distracted.”

Amidst his internal struggle, Chaumont actually received a reminder from this soon-to-be dead man.

Following the direction Fu Qian was pointing, he could see that the phantoms were still pouring out madly.

”Ignore this guy... I’ll keep an eye on him.”

Frustration flaring in his heart, history repeated itself the next moment as Chaumont once again accepted Fu Qian as a spectator.

The Hunting Squad undoubtedly possessed seamless teamwork. Though they might have been puzzled by Chaumont’s decision, the moment he spoke, both Stoss and A-Kai turned their weapons without hesitation and unleashed their attacks on the humanoid phantoms.

Among them, Old Man Stoss was undeniably the most ruthless.

The Magma Longwhip that had once been used against Fu Qian displayed its divine might once more. Facing the phantoms—whose speed had plummeted under Chaumont’s confinement—the whip swept them away in massive swathes.

Wherever it passed, the phantoms instantly dissipated.

A-Kai’s efficiency was not low either. Her Mercury Dagger carved streaks of light through the air far exceeding its own length, tearing through targets just as rapidly.

Of course, their shared tacit understanding was to absolutely ignore any phantoms pestering Fu Qian.

Leaving more trouble for this guy reduced the chance of him causing problems for them.

Professional!

Although the pursuing phantoms were difficult to deal with, Fu Qian still expressed heartfelt admiration for the Hunting Squad’s response and execution.

At the same time, he looked at Old Man Stoss with great anticipation.

The old man had already retracted his whip and unhesitatingly crushed a Flame Talisman. It was obvious he was preparing to unleash his ultimate move.

Facts proved Fu Qian’s guess right. The next moment, the blazing white point of light that had once subjected him to endless agony reappeared in Stoss’s hand.

The instant it formed, the point of light locked onto the Stone Coffin in the center of the Great Hall and drifted over, seemingly slow but actually incredibly fast.

Faced with this terrifying strike imbued with the Flame Blessing, the massive black tongue visibly stiffened.

Before it could make any decent evasive maneuver, it was struck directly.