A ceremony was underway in the basement of the church late at night.
More than ten youths were kneeling on the ground, crazily chanting the plague god’s teachings!
A man with a black gown was standing on stage, coldly looking down at them.
Their faces was filled with fanaticism!
But their belief might not necessarily be pure!
He had to pick the purest ones to instate as his own subordinates. That way he would curry favor with the plague god.
After all, among the plague god’s envoys, he was just an average existence.
But even so, he still mastered the most basic cleric magic.
[Distinguish Faith]!
A black halo was emitted from his hand;
Light surrounded the ten youths, coiling around their bodies several times.
A few of them had their sight flicker, while some others remained unconcerned, as if they didn’t notice that ring of light!
Threads immediately appeared in front of the man dressed in black.
These threads were coming out of the youths bodies and were tied to their bodies.
The threads were thin, representing whether or not their beliefs was firm.
The black clothed man was very satisfied. In this group of people, there were actually two firm believers!
They would supply the plague god with a good amount of faith power and have a quite a great future.
But he wasn’t totally happy!
Because there was one youth who actually had no line!
“There is actually someone among you that pretended to be a follower and mixed in!”
“Do you think you can cheat the great god’s eyes?”
He fiercely smiled and pointed at one of the youths showing a terrified expression. “I’ll let the others see how non-believers end!”
Saying that, numerous dark colored fabrics appeared in his hands!
“Don’t! Don’t…”
The youth struggled, frightened, but it was no use!
The other youths were rushing to push him down, trying to prove themselves.
The black clothed man coldly laughed, and slowly walked past.
At that time, a blurry shadow hidden in the darkness was quietly approaching.
Chapter 54: Enemies are Bound to Meet on a Narrow Road
Chapter 54: Enemies are Bound to Meet on a Narrow Road
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
Marvin moved very carefully.
Ever since he entered the church, every single movement of his was reaching the pinnacle.
But he was still somewhat worried; after all, ranger stealth couldn’t be compared to a thief’s. It had a 40% penalty inside the city. If this cleric’s perception was rather high, his sneak attack would fail and it could turn into a tough fight.
Marvin wasn’t really worried of being forced into a tough fight. He had quite the advantage in this kind of narrow place.
He was more fearful of the black clothed man’s spells. Plague envoy spells, though they were few, weren’t easy to deal with.
That kind of spell wasn’t deadly, but they were able to throw a curse that would weaken the target’s attributes substantially. Even if it was temporary, it would still be quite troublesome.
Killing in one blow would definitely be for the best.
Marvin slowed down and then stopped where he was..
The youth was restrained on the ground ten steps away. As long as the plague envoy took a few steps forward, he would enter Marvin’s attack range.
‘Using Hide might be safer!’
Marvin forced his body to stop moving and then used hide.
His body stuck close to a seat in an empty row, like a cat crouched but ready to jump out at any time.
This kind of posture was quite straining, but it would give the best guarantee to do a sneak attack.
The plague envoy approached.
His eyes were focused on that youth all along!
To every sect, non-believers passing themselves as followers was something they were unable to tolerate. Kind gods might forgive them, but the plague god had never been one of those!
He had to show his might.
The silk fabric in his hand was an uncommon item, known as suffering silk, bestowed upon him by the High Priest. Once that silk fabric was tied to the youth’s body, he would shortly begin to suffer all the pain in the world.
In the end, he would try every method to kill himself…. In front of the other followers.
He had experienced this kind of cruel scene many times in the past, but it was the first time he would be the one carrying it out. He felt somewhat excited.
…
‘One more step.’
Marvin was silently gripping his curved dagger, his right foot prepared to kick the ground at any time!
But the plague envoy suddenly came to a halt at that moment.
A shadow had suddenly appeared in the basement passage!
“You’re late!” The plague envoy looked at that person and said, dissatisfied.
Marvin’s pupils shrunk!
‘Damn, he surprisingly stopped at that time.’
As long as that plague envoy took one more step forward, Marvin would only need one breath to take him away!
But this one step made Marvin’s situation extremely awkward, if the cleric reacted, it would be quite troublesome.
‘Fuck! Who was it?’
Marvin was angry. He turned his head to take a look.
That man had a thin figure and his footwork was quite fast. He seemed to have come in from another passage.
He quickly arrived in front of the plague envoy, indifferently saying, “It’s not that late. Those stupid knights are already on their way.”
“Are you going to leave your young followers?”
‘Knights?’
Marvin was stunned but before he could react, he saw the man’s face!
That man’s appearance seemed somewhat twisted under the light of the torch, but Marvin still remembered it perfectly.
‘Enemies are bound to meet on a narrow road…’
Marvin bitterly smiled.
It was that shadow spider assassin!
River Shore was so big yet he actually met this guy three times in such a short period of time!
The first time was in the Deathly Silent Hills. At that time, the other side let him off the hook with a warning for some reason Marvin didn’t know.
The second time was outside Miller’s house. If at that time Marvin hadn’t tricked the other side, he might have ended up in a tricky situation!
This time during the plague god’s follower ceremony was the third meeting!
‘Not good! This guy has an extremely high perception!’
‘If he notices me…’
Marvin’s heart skipped a beat. His hiding skill had already been seen through in the wilderness!
This assassin had an advanced thief class, [Dark Murderer], which had a high perception and dexterity. His blade skills were also exceptionally vicious.
If he joined hands with the plague envoy, Marvin might eat a big loss this time!
He definitely didn’t dare to move!
Stealth was inferior to Hide, so if he remained motionless, he might be able to stay hidden. If he moved, there was a 99% chance that he would be found by that dark murderer!
‘Why did it turn out like this!’
Marvin inwardly shook his head. He already began his preparations. Even though taking dragon strength once again was quite extravagant, his life was more important.
…
“Don’t worry, I’ve already decided.”
The plague envoy squinted as he said, “Apart from two seedlings with especially firm beliefs, the rest, humphf…”
The dark murderer obviously understood his plan. The other followers would become sacrifices.
He shrugged and took a step forward, seemingly wanting to say something.
&nb
sp; But his shoulder suddenly shook!
This was an incredibly small movement!
But this move was seen by Marvin who had been watching each of his actions attentively!
‘Discovered!’
This was the movement of unsheathing a blade. When Marvin was hiding under that tree, he had carefully watched that guy skinning the brown bear alive. Marvin also noticed a few things concerning his dagger skills.
Nothing could be done about it; since he was discovered, he could only fight!
In a split second, Marvin’s shadow burst out from his hiding spot, throwing himself at the plague envoy.
At that same time, the dark murderer’s body also turned into a quick and powerful shadow, ruthlessly rushing forward!
“Crack!”
The dark murderer’s blade slashed down at the empty seat, breaking a few pieces of chair!
Surprise was apparent on his face, “Eh?”
That sneaky guy was actually able to foresee his attack.
‘Isn’t this extremely complicated?’
And at that moment, Marvin had already arrived in front of the plague envoy. The latter was briefly startled, but wasn’t flustered!
The envoy was obviously an experienced fighter too.
Because that one step of distance gave him enough room to leave!
But he didn’t retreat. Instead, he used a simple Putrefaction Whirlpool!
Marvin squinted as he helplessly jumped to the side, both legs gracefully landing on a chair, getting out of the way of that rotating mass of gas!
[Putrefaction Whirlpool] was a 1st circle cleric’s spell, specifically magic of the plague god’s clerics. The effects were quite outstanding. If the Putrefaction Whirlpool came into contact with skin, it would start to fester.
This kind of festering wouldn’t be deadly, and a tough person would recover in two or three days.
But it would severely affect Marvin’s fighting strength in the short term!
He had no choice but to dodge it!
But dodging this made the plague envoy safer. The distance between them grew larger.
Marvin gracefully landed on the other side.
“It’s you? Masked Twin Blades?!” The dark murderer shouted, startled and pleased.
He excitedly looked at Marvin, adding, “I am very pleasantly surprised.”
“I remember our last meeting, I’ll definitely chop you into minced meat today… Oh, no. Remember that pitiful brown bear? You’ll share the same fate!”
On the other side, the plague envoy was also watching him like a tiger eyeing its prey.
“Trying to sneak attack me? Who told you to do so?”
Marvin frowned.
A new foe added to the old foe, this was truly troublesome.
The two completely surrounded him. It would be quite difficult for Marvin to break out of the encirclement in a short amount of time.
Not to mention, these two guys were 2nd rank class holders and Marvin was only a level 5 ranger.
Even one on one, these guys were enough for Marvin after he drank the potion.
“Hand this guy over to me!” The killer said, looking around. “I have a past enmity with him!”
The plague envoy frowned and said, “Get it done quickly, we don’t have much time.”
“Rest assured, since I received your money, I’ll certainly settle your matter! I, Black Jack, always do what I promised.”
As Black Jack’s voice stopped, his body burst forwards like an artillery shell!
Excellent speed!
Marvin was almost not able to keep up with his speed!
“Clang!”
He barely managed to block a slash with his common curved dagger!
As a result, severe pain spread through his wrist. Even though the other side’s strength didn’t crush him, it wasn’t far from the doing so!
Both of them were using twin daggers, but Black Jack’s mastery of his twin daggers was at least [Master] level!
And Marvin was only at the [Beginner] level!
This weapon proficiency took time to master and couldn’t be improved overnight. It could only be tempered over time. Even though Marvin was very familiar with twin daggers in his past life, that experience could only be displayed by fine control and dagger skills, nothing more.
One should know that the difference between Master level curved dagger mastery and beginner level dagger mastery, was enough to completely crush him!
“Clang! Clang!”
Marvin struggled to block the other side’s ruthless attacks. He rolled a few times in the process, dodging the attacks.
But at this time, the plague envoy suddenly took a step forward, as if he wanted to take care of it!
“Shitty luck!” Marvin gloomily said.
The situation could hardly get more difficult!
Chapter 55: Blade Techniques
Chapter 55: Blade Techniques
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
“What are you doing? Stop!”
Just as Marvin was worrying that that plague envoy would join in, Black Jack suddenly shouted, “He is mine!”
Dissatisfied, the plague envoy replied, “I only wanted to help you…”
“Many thanks, but no need!”
Black Jack sneered, “I can take care of him by myself!”
“You had better go take care of your group of followers!”
The plague envoy stomped his feet angrily. He then moved toward that group of youths.
‘A chance appeared!’ Marvin felt lucky.
Even if he wasn’t Black Jack’s opponent in a one on one, he should be able to flee.
Facing the latter’s rain of attacks, Marvin began consciously dodging.
He would end up in a difficult situation at every move.
It looked like he would be cut down by that dagger each time, but he would always make a dangerous dodge!
Furthermore, each dodge would reduce the distance to the exit.
Marvin’s idea was quite simple: if you are no match then run. Even if his own dexterity was lower than Black Jack’s, in this kind of complex terrain, the difference wouldn’t amount to much.
Without the plague envoy’s obstruction, as long as he found an opportunity, he would be able to flee!
He might even be able to reverse the tides and kill this guy!
Marvin possessed a Ring of Prayers.
Rainbow Jet was the strongest 1st-circle spell, and was one of Marvin’s trump cards. But it was very likely that Black Jack would dodge it thanks to his high dexterity if Marvin forcefully used it in front of him.
So Marvin had to find the perfect timing.
…
Clang!
A black curved dagger smashed onto the wooden floor, cutting a strand of Marvin’s hair on the way!
This was another close dodge!
The dark murderer displayed a sinister smile. He already seemed weary of this chase. Both of his shoulders slightly adjusted!
‘Damn it, this guy actually mastered a kind of [Blade Technique] skill!’
‘From his posture, it shouldn’t be [Whirlwind Blade], it looks like [Rushing Thunder Slash]!’
Marvin’s face became pale. This time he was really in trouble.
He could withstand normal attacks. But this blade technique, with his current abilities and that common curved dagger, he definitely wouldn’t be able to withstand it.
He clearly understood at that time.
Black Jack had already seen through his intentions!
This frightening guy, he knew that Marvin wanted to take advantage of the situation to flee, but he still pretended to be unaware.
He was playing with his prey!
Destroying Marvin’s confidence in one move.
After all, in front of that devastating skill, even if the escape passage was close, Marvin wouldn’t be able to make it!
“Hopeless I presume, Masked Twin Blades.”
“After killing yo
u, I’ll take off your mask and finally see what you look like!”
“Hahahah!”
While the dark murderer was crazily laughing, a strange light appeared on his blade.
This was the sign of the use of the blade skill.
Escaping was useless, blade techniques were special skills and usually had a quite large range. Especially used by a powerhouse like a dark murderer. If Marvin had the [Flicker] specialty, he would have been able to dodge it
But now, the dragon strength effect had already ended, so those temporary stats also faded away.
Marvin already had nowhere to go. He could only meet it with force!
Thinking this far, he suddenly raised his curved dagger, pretending to block!
But in reality he had already begun chanting the incantation, the ring of prayers already aiming at the rushing dark murderer.
…
[Blade Technique – Rushing Thunder Slash]!
The dark murderer shouted out. His curved dagger was like a shadow, it’s tip aiming at Marvin!
…
Rushing Thunder Slash had a total of six moves, each known for their speed.
This blade technique could increase someone’s attack speed three times.
For example, if Black Jack could normally attack five times in one second, after using it, he would be able to attack fifteen times in one second!
Marvin couldn’t block this sort of abnormal attack speed because he wasn’t able to keep up.
He could only meet force with force!
He was hoping for rainbow jet’s [Repel] effect.
This was Marvin’s only chance to turn defeat into victory!
This guy didn’t even give Marvin time to drink medicine!
He deserved being called an elite hitman of the Shadow Spider.
…
The blade tip was like a shadow, rushing to cut down Marvin. And Marvin’s rainbow jet was also about to be released.
But at this moment, the sound of the ground being leveled echoed!
A huge hole surprisingly appeared above the two men’s head.
Countless pieces of broken rocks fell and both of their skills were forcefully canceled!
Not because of the falling rocks, but because of that roar!
In the corner, Marvin took the opportunity to hide and check his battle log.
His skill was interrupted by a skill called [Divine Grace – Mind Blast]!
Night Ranger - Full Series - 735 Chapters Page 33