Chapter 1626 Demon Hunter Data <TOC> Chapter 1628 Newfound Strength
Translator: SumTLMan
“Paradova? Is that not a city in Gloriosa Kingdom?” Freud meticulously ruminated, “Several years ago, when I was en route to Sky Mechanical City, I happened to pass through Paradova. At that time, the architectural style of the city was in a transitional phase, a blend of both old and new. I assume by now it has entirely harmonized with Gloriosa Kingdom’s general aesthetic?”
“What exactly are you inquiring about, Lord?”
“I am wondering if there are any extraordinary powers or forces in the area.”
“Extraordinary forces? The sole transcendent power in Gloriosa Kingdom is Sky Mechanical City. The entire country operates under its looming influence. There may be lesser-known wizard families, but I can’t say I’m well-versed in that.”
Angel nodded silently, letting Freud depart without asking any further questions.
The reason he was asking about Paradova was due to matters concerning Alana. According to Glen’s account yesterday, the first half of the Month of Gentle Rain finds Paradova quite close to Sky Mechanical City, and the journey mainly traverses common mountains and fields, suggesting minimal dangers.
Thus, Angel was curious if there were any unusual aspects within Paradova itself.
From what he could gather now, it seems that Paradova isn’t an area of concern. Therefore, it’s quite possible that Alana ran into some unforeseen issues or met certain individuals during her travels.
Currently, Alan has gone to Paradova to investigate, and it’s uncertain whether he will uncover any trace of Alana.
Angel heaved a subtle sigh. After all, Alana was a friend who had accompanied them on this journey, and he sincerely hoped that she would be safe and sound.
Shaking off these cumbersome thoughts, Angel accessed his Power Tree to prepare for the impending task of subduing Sinful Monsters.
An hour later, outside the highest-security observation room in the Sin Lab, a throng of researchers had gathered. The faces of these personnel, deeply involved in the study of Sinful Monsters, displayed a palpable sense of anticipation mingled with a shade of concern.
Soon, the first proactive fusion with a Sinful Monster would take place within the confines of that observation room.
Though extensive preparations had been made, the unknowable remained — after all, they were dealing with a Sinful Monster of unimaginable might. Researchers could only incessantly scrutinize every potential vulnerability, a ritualistic exercise meant to alleviate their mounting tension.
Freud, keenly aware of the collective emotional undercurrent, abstained from issuing any further reminders. He knew that any utterance from him now would likely intensify the pressure weighing on these researchers.
After several minutes of heavy silence, the silvery metallic doors began to slowly open. Angel entered from outside.
Researchers, as if choreographed, bent in a gesture of respect. Angel reciprocated with a nod before making his way toward Freud. “How is Knight Sabel?” he inquired.
Freud gestured toward the observation room. “He’s already inside. It appears all is well.”
Angel’s gaze shifted to the observation room, a spacious oval chamber barren save for a solitary chair in the center. Encircling darkness filled the space, except for a single shaft of light emitted from a luminescent stone situated at the central apex of the ceiling, illuminating just the chair.
Sabel was now seated on the chair.
He had forsaken his usual knightly armor for a white, sleeveless bodysuit. Devoid of the armor’s concealment, it was evident that Sabel’s arms were muscular, almost to the point of bulging, and his pectorals appeared nearly ready to burst through the fabric confining them.
If it weren’t for the snowy beard blanketing his chin, one would find it challenging to ascertain, solely based on his physique, that this was, in fact, an elderly man.
Having weathered many experiences, Sabel was the picture of composure, a tranquility that shone unmistakably from his expression and gaze.
This sense of calm was not feigned; anyone could see that.
However, in such a tense moment, it’s improbable that Sabel was completely undisturbed. His equanimity in the face of impending crisis was wholly a result of his mastery over his own emotions, honed to a level of near-perfect control.
Delegating the task of confronting the Sinful Monster to Sabel, a knight so steadfast, was undoubtedly the best choice.
Sabel’s unflappable demeanor not only reassured Freud but also significantly alleviated the tension among the researchers.
“Since Knight Sabel is all set, let’s get started,” said Angel.
At Angel’s words, the researchers sprang into action, and a subtle change permeated the observation room. Gates around the perimeter opened, and a black mist slowly drifted in.
This mist was actually a diluted form of Sin Fog, mainly intended to maintain the form of the Sinful Monster.
The black mist wasn’t overly dense, allowing everyone to still see Sabel under the glow of the luminescent stones.
With a rumbling sound, a Sinful Monster began to rise from the platform below. It was the creature known as ‘Sharp-Toothed Sunflower,’ or Number 7.
To ease the emotional strain of those who would be integrating with the Sinful Monster, the seats in the observation room were positioned in opposition to the monster’s delivery platform.
In other words, Sabel was now sitting with his back to the Sinful Monster ‘Sharp-Toothed Sunflower,’ unable to see its appearance.
Though he couldn’t see the Sharp-Toothed Sunflower, Sabel could hear the terrifying sounds emanating from behind him.
Not being able to see what was making the noise actually made Sabel slightly uneasy, causing him to shift a bit. However, his formidable self-control reasserted itself, suppressing any inner turmoil and allowing him to regain his composure.
Witnessing the scene unfold, Freud couldn’t help but turn his attention back to the assembled researchers.
“It appears none of you have read Geneuve’s —Tower of Apologies—. A cat lurking in the darkness can be imagined as a mountainous beast; the tiger before you, however, is just a tiger,” Freud articulated.
Freud’s allusion to the “cat and tiger” comes from the book —Tower of Apologies—. The narrative essentially illustrates that humans often find the fear of the unknown more alarming than any tangible danger. A small kitten concealed in the dark, not sensed by humans, can cause the mind to conjure up visions of a fearsome, mountainous beast at the slightest rustle of leaves, possibly frightening someone to death. In contrast, when you see a tiger and comprehend its form — even if it’s far more lethal than a kitten — it remains, simply, a tiger.
The researchers had mistakenly assumed that keeping Sabel’s back turned to the Sinful Monster, preventing him from seeing its form, would be a relief. In reality, this only intensified his uneasiness.
Thankfully, it was Sabel who could manage to suppress both physiological and psychological discomfort. Had it been Tulas in his position, his hair would likely be standing on end by now.
The researchers bowed their heads, accepting Freud’s admonition without uttering a word in rebuke.
Inside the observation room, the Sharp-Toothed Sunflower approached Sabel at an agonizingly slow pace. For anyone else, enduring this would be tantamount to cruel and unusual punishment. But after reining in his initial apprehensions, Sabel managed to face the situation with calm resolve.
At first, the Sharp-Toothed Sunflower was shrouded in darkness, its features indistinct. Now, however, bathed in the glow of fluorite lighting, its grotesque appearance was laid bare for all to see.
Even the researchers, who studied the creature on a daily basis, couldn’t help but close their eyes.
The sight was unbearably repugnant.
On the massive elliptical platter of flesh, tentacles densely populated its surface to the point that it could trigger a meltdown for anyone with trypophobia. At the center of these tentacles was a gaping maw filled with slightly curved, razor-sharp teeth. These teeth were arranged in concentric circles, each layer growing denser as they spiraled inward. From a distance, it resembled a chrysanthemum in full bloom.
Perhaps because Knight Sabel offered no resistance, the ominous creature, known as Sharp-Toothed Sunflower, didn’t assume an aggressive form. Instead, it gently extended its tentacles towards Sabel’s body.
A clammy sensation swept over Sabel, sending shivers down his spine.
Tentacles covered in barbs eventually brushed against Sabel’s lips.
Sabel remained motionless.
As the tentacle slithered inside Sabel’s mouth, a cold, sinister aura flashed by. The grotesque Sharp-Toothed Sunflower began to squeeze its way into Sabel’s oral cavity.
The spectacle was absolutely chilling to the core.
Despite Sharp-Toothed Sunflower being significantly larger than Sabel, it now seemed like a parasitic worm, burrowing its way into Sabel’s body. And the point of entry was none other than Sabel’s mouth!
Although the researchers had been studying these Sinful Monsters for quite some time, they were clueless about what ‘Sinful Monster Infiltration’ actually entailed. This was their first encounter with such a phenomenon.
Nearly ninety percent of the researchers clutched their chests, overcome with a surge of revulsion.
The sight was too horrifying to behold!
How could such a large creature squeeze itself through such a small mouth into Sabel’s body? Setting aside other considerations, the mere thought of what that must feel like was utterly nauseating!
Any researchers previously considering integrating with a Sinful Monster for research purposes abandoned the thought entirely after this episode. No one dared to bring it up again.
They looked at Knight Sabel with a face full of admiration.
However, the researchers misunderstood. Subconsciously, they still considered the Sharp-Toothed Sunflower as a “biological entity.” While describing them as such is not incorrect, at their core, these Sin Monsters are actually constituted of Sin Fog. The image of Sharp-Toothed Sunflower invading Sabel’s screen was terrifying, but in reality, the tendrils, flesh, and sharp teeth… of the Sharp-Toothed Sunflower transformed into black mist the moment they entered Sabel’s mouth.
In other words, it appeared frightening, but Sabel had merely ingested this mist.
When the Sharp-Toothed Sunflower completely vanished, silence hung in the air for several moments.
With a loud thud, Sabel collapsed to the ground.
“Knight Sabel, are you alright?” Outside the observation room, researchers looked on with concern at Sabel, who lay on the ground.
Just as they were pressing their faces against the glass window, calling out anxiously, Sabel abruptly raised his head and let out a roar that shook the heavens.
Sabel’s eyes had turned pitch black; it looked as though worms were squirming beneath his skin. His mouth had widened grotesquely, and long tendrils had replaced his tongue… Moreover, Sabel was undergoing a visible metamorphosis at a speed discernible to the naked eye.
The researchers, who had never encountered such a bizarre situation, were petrified, their hearts nearly stopping.
Freud pushed through the researchers, frozen like statues, and walked up to the glass window. After looking into the observation room, he turned to Angel and said, “He has been invaded by the Sin Monster.”
Angel understood Freud’s implication; it was now time to subdue the Sin Monster.
Only by subduing the Sin Monster could Freud regain his sanity and become a true Demon Hunter.
In the stage of suppressing Sinful Monsters, before Labu was granted the authority over Sin Fog, only Angel could accomplish the task.
Without uttering another word, Angel closed his eyes and connected with the Power Tree, seeking out the Sin Fog power to exert suppression on the Sinful Monster within Sabel.
Everyone present felt a refreshing breeze pass through the area. Sabel, who had been consumed by madness, suddenly ceased all movement and collapsed on the ground, unconscious.
His previously altered form also began to vanish at a rate visible to the naked eye.
At that point, Angel opened his eyes and said to Freud, “The seal has been applied; now we just have to wait for Sabel to wake up.”
Chapter 1626 Demon Hunter Data <TOC> Chapter 1628 Newfound Strength