Chapter 2399 Blocking <TOC> Chapter 2401 Vision Extension
Translator: SumTLMan
After Angel provided a succinct explanation that could be condensed into two sentences, both Nisi and Canter fell silent.
“The reason why the information within the mental connection couldn’t be transmitted is due to the magic formation having an effect that blocks the passage of information between levels. I found the control node of the magic formation and temporarily disabled this blocking effect.”
This was Angel’s explanation.
It sounded as though anyone could present the current situation simply by finding a switch and pressing it. However, neither Nisi nor Canter were naive; their extensive experiences allowed them to understand the complexity and enormity of the magic formation.
Angel’s ability to swiftly locate the control node and even manage to control it temporarily was a testament to his profound understanding of runes. This task would be challenging even for some rune masters, as the laboratory’s magic formation was not just about runes but also involved mechanical alchemy. Only someone like Angel, who not only had a deep understanding of runes but was also a master alchemist, could achieve such a feat.
“Angel’s rate of growth is beyond my imagination,” Canter lamented.
“Yeah, how did such a promising talent end up with Sanders in the first place?” Nisi said with a hint of envy.
Their conversation was carried out through the mental connection, so Angel did not hear their remarks. Even if he had, it wouldn’t have mattered to him, as Gloria would say such things almost every day.
At that moment, Angel was discussing their current situation with Reynolds.
Reynolds was somewhat moved by Angel’s concern, especially since the two wizards with him were somewhat unreliable. So, when Angel inquired about their situation, Reynolds did not hold back and detailed everything that had happened after they descended to the second level.
The situation on the second level was similar to the first; they didn’t encounter anyone along the way, including in the research center, which was empty.
Thus, Nisi planned to follow the same approach as on the first level and first check the exhibition room.
On their way to the exhibition room, they were attacked.
The attacker was a Shadow Demon.
As soon as the Shadow Demon appeared, it aggressively charged at Reynolds. Reynolds’ soul was quickly invaded by the power of the Shadow Demon. To swiftly save Reynolds, Canter blew the Shadow Demon’s head off.
This led to their conversation in the mental connection.
“We didn’t encounter anyone along the way, the only encounter was with an attacker… Have you been discovered?” Angel asked after listening.
This was also a question in Nisi’s mind: “I also find it strange. Reynolds said we didn’t trigger any mechanisms. Yet, the Shadow Demon appeared and, based on its actions, it was an ambush. In other words, it was lying in wait for us.”
“Could it be that we’ve really been discovered? Is it because we activated the Hunt and Kill Numbers on the first level?”
After Nisi finished speaking, everyone’s expressions became somewhat solemn, and no one spoke for a moment, plunging the mental connection into a brief silence.
More than ten seconds later, Canter was the first to break the silence, saying, “At the moment, it’s just speculation, but I have an idea.”
Pausing for a moment, Canter continued, “Since Angel, you are already at a control node of the first level, could you check if we have triggered any magic formations?”
At this, Nisi’s eyes lit up, recognizing that Canter’s suggestion was indeed a method.
Angel replied, “I can, just give me a moment.”
As it happened, Angel’s original reason for contacting them was similar. Their movements within the magic formation might be somewhat restricted, but with Angel’s understanding of the magic formation, he could help them avoid danger to some extent.
After a while, Angel’s voice resounded in the mental connection again: “Indeed, you did not trigger any magic formations on the first level. As for the second level, I’m not sure… Oh, while I was checking the control nodes, I found an interesting block.”
Nisi asked, “What interesting block?”
Angel replied, “You’ll know in a moment.”
With that, Angel’s voice disappeared from the mental connection, and no matter how Nisi called, Angel did not respond, clearly having blocked external information again.
Unable to contact Angel, Nisi simply gave up and turned to look at Canter, asking, “What do you think, Like the Night?”
Canter said, “After entering the laboratory, the only possible place to trigger the magic formation was encountering the Hunt and Kill Numbers in the first level’s exhibition room. Since Angel has confirmed that we did not trigger any magic formations on the first level, the likelihood of us being discovered should be small.”
“Moreover, Angel’s confirmation also allows us to rule out a key point: the absence of anyone on the first and second levels should have nothing to do with our infiltration into the laboratory.”
Nisi nodded in agreement with Canter’s point, saying, “But how do we explain the Shadow Demon?”
Canter replied, “As for why we encountered an ambush by the Shadow Demon here, my personal view is that the Shadow Demon might have been placed here long ago, not to ambush us, but for…”
At this point, Canter’s gaze shifted to Reynolds.
Nisi seemed to realize something as well and narrowed his eyes, saying, “I remember, after the Shadow Demon appeared, it didn’t pay attention to anyone else but went straight for Reynolds, right?”
When the Shadow Demon appeared, their positions were as follows: the bone armor knight was at the forefront, Reynolds was second, and Nisi and Canter were at the back.
Logically, the Shadow Demon should have ambushed the bone armor knight, but it bypassed him and targeted Reynolds directly.
If the Shadow Demon was indeed targeting energy beings, then the soul within the bone armor knight should not have been overlooked in favor of distant targets. The notion that it preys on the weak but avoids the strong is also flawed, as Nisi and Canter, the weakest in terms of aura from start to finish, should have been its prime targets given the Shadow Demon’s limited intelligence and weak sensory perception. It should have chosen Nisi and Canter, not Reynolds.
This clarification makes the Shadow Demon’s target evident; it exists not to ambush others but specifically to confront Reynolds.
Canter asked, “Do you remember the abilities of the Shadow Demon?”
Nisi nodded in affirmation.
The Shadow Demon can hide within the shadows of living beings, absorbing the energy within to sustain itself, and gradually infiltrate the host’s body, eventually taking control… until it completely replaces the host.
However, if the Shadow Demon infiltrates an energy being, such as a soul, it doesn’t need to wait long to achieve control over the soul.
“This means, once the Shadow Demon infiltrates Reynolds’s soul, it implies that it can control Reynolds.”
“Its purpose is to manipulate Reynolds’s soul… perhaps eventually return to his physical body, and then completely replace Reynolds.”
Canter nodded, agreeing with Nisi’s analysis, “Moreover, this corridor is a common path to both the exhibition room and the third level. Meaning, if Reynolds were to return to the laboratory, he would inevitably pass through here. It makes sense for the Shadow Demon to be lying in ambush here.”
Overall, it’s clear that the Shadow Demon wasn’t there for them but specifically for Reynolds.
Of course, this is speculation. And for this speculation to be reasonable, there must be a premise: Reynolds possesses something special, something that those controlling the Shadow Demon value.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t deploy such a valuable asset as the Shadow Demon to ambush Reynolds.
What makes Reynolds special? He possesses the “John’s Comeback” trait.
Luck, a concept both profound and elusive, is often scoffed at by most wizards outside the magic system, as it’s difficult to fathom and lacks a clear, traceable definition.
Yet, for Reynolds, luck seems to be a constant talent, making its presence known from time to time.
If those controlling the Shadow Demon knew about Reynolds’s “luck” talent… No, not if, they definitely knew. After all, Reynolds had lived in the laboratory for decades.
Then, their targeting of Reynolds makes sense.
No one would overlook such a lucky individual, even if not for personal use, keeping him as a lucky charm at home wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Nisi felt the same; he very much wished to lure Reynolds back to the Soul Valley.
On the other side, after listening to Nisi and Canter’s analysis, Reynolds felt that it might indeed be a targeted attack against him. Given his past experiences, it was improbable for a Shadow Demon to appear here.
However, upon further reflection, he felt something was amiss: “If the ambush was indeed meant for me on my inevitable path, wouldn’t one level suffice?”
“Why are you returning to the laboratory?” Nisi asked.
“For my body.”
“And where is your body?”
“In a deeper level.”
Nisi responded, “There you have it. They might not have been sure if you would return, but if you did, you would definitely go deeper to find your physical body. So, ambushing you there makes sense. As for why not on the first level, perhaps it was to lower your guard.”
Canter added, “There’s another possibility. They were originally prepared to capture you on the first level, and the Shadow Demon on the second level was just a contingency plan to prevent *one.”
“As for who would capture you on the first level, isn’t the answer already quite clear…”
Reynolds paused for a moment, a graceful witch’s silhouette emerging in his mind, her face marked with a 0 on one side and a 3 on the other.
Number 03.
Perhaps, the person originally meant to capture Reynolds was number 03, but Firo and others’ arrival tied her down.
“Regardless of whether this speculation is true, you’re definitely being targeted,” Canter said, patting Reynolds on the shoulder with a look of sympathy.
Nisi remarked, “Being targeted isn’t too bad. I hope we encounter more Shadow Demons along the way.”
“Let’s not waste time here; head to the second level’s exhibition room.”
Reynolds was positioned between Nisi and Canter during their journey. His expression remained somewhat dazed, “The lab’s people know I’m familiar with the internal routes. If they really plan to ambush me, could they also have…”
“You’re not important enough for them to change the lab’s internal routes for you. Don’t worry; at most, they’ll send some people or creatures to track you,” Nisi said, eager for any ambushers they might encounter next.
Unfortunately, as they reached the door of the exhibition room on the second level, they did not encounter any other ambushers.
The Shadow Demons Nisi was eagerly anticipating did not appear again.