Goblin Dependency
Chapter 102 - 77: Pink Glow

Chapter 102: Chapter 77: Pink Glow

"Sasha!"

Footsteps like rain, dense branches and leaves slapping against the body as they moved swiftly, a slight stinging sensation spread across the skin’s surface.

Xia Nan hurried through the bushes, the half orc slightly lagging a step behind, trailing him closely.

Up ahead, Tim, who had been completely turned into an undead, moved stiffly as he advanced, much like a puppet on strings, far less fluid than a normal human’s movements.

He was purely relying on physical strength to push his body forward, each step leaving a deep imprint on the soft ground.

Coupled with the scorching and bright sunlight overhead, compared to that night, it was as if his legs were wading through water, slowing his overall speed by more than half a beat.

In Xia Nan’s line of sight, the distance between them and the opponent was visibly closing.

Out of the corner of his eye, a silvery white shimmer suddenly flashed by.

"Is it that robin again?"

A thought flashed through his mind.

"How many times has it been?"

Since he came to Kalanfor, this robin with its peculiar silver feathers had been noticed by him no less than three times.

It seemed as if there was something unknown about him that was invisibly attracting this strange behaving bird.

Flap—

The sound of wings suddenly fluttered in the air.

The robin slowed its flapping wings, its small talons landing on the treetop beside them.

At the same time, not far ahead, Tim, about to be caught by Xia Nan’s group, unexpectedly also stopped in his tracks.

Instantly regaining his composure.

Slowing his pace, maintaining a safe distance from the enemy.

Xia Nan gripped the burning hot hilt tightly, his eyes fixed on the opponent.

Suddenly, as if seeing something, his pupils contracted slightly.

The environment where they were, was a secluded forest on the outskirts of Kalanfor.

Though not as dense as Mist Forest where directions were hard to discern, it was still filled with countless bushes and undergrowth.

This made those walking through the woods come very near to barely see what was hidden beneath the foliage ahead.

And as Tim halted, turned, the pale white bones in front of him were exposed bare to the two of them.

Left arm, right leg, right hand, left foot.

Like a sinister and gruesome ritual.

Bones of varied thickness from different bodies, arranged neatly on the ground in the standard human structure.

Missing only the crucial skull and spine to complete a human shape.

Xia Nan eyed the ground beneath the skeleton, which was faintly carved with some kind of obscure patterns in the soil.

In his mind, he couldn’t help recalling the encounters of the past days:

The disappearance of victims’ limb bones, the deceased pickpocket, Jeff’s amputated left leg, the short poem from the leather book...

All the details and clues were linked together at this moment.

The surface of the Wooden Sword was steaming, water droplets condensed from temperature differences made the surrounding air vaguely ripple and distort.

He suddenly looked up, his eyes fixed on the undead ahead.

Battle intent surged.

He was ready for combat.

Yet,

One second, two seconds...

Tim, in his sight, after stopping just moments ago.

Remained standing still, unmoving.

The tip of his Rusty Blade pointed to the ground, his head hung low.

The eyes that once had a glimmer of spirit were now completely overtaken by an ashen lifelessness.

"What’s going on?"

Xia Nan was puzzled but dared not rashly approach, fearing an ambush.

For a while, the scene fell into a kind of silent stasis.

Only the robin perched on the treetop beside them leisurely preened its feathers.

"Snap."

The soft sound of a branch breaking, accompanied by blatant footsteps, came from the bushes.

Sleek golden medium-length hair shimmered under the sunlight, the foliage whispering "sasha" as it brushed against the Metal Plate Armor’s surface.

Holding something vaguely in hand, Ingram’s burly and robust figure gradually emerged through the dappled woodland shade.

"Careful!"

Behind him, the half orc clung tightly to the lute, his hands slightly whitening from the pressure.

His light brown eyes were full of vigilance as he whispered a warning.

Actually, there was no need for him to say much more.

The moment Xia Nan spotted the sheriff, he had quietly prepared himself for defense.

After all, the time and place of his appearance was too coincidental.

Not to mention, the guards they brought along were already killed by Tim, with no one to report the pursuit direction to him.

Even if Ingram was lucky and found the right path to come over directly, the speed absolutely could not be this fast.

Unless...

"Drip."

A strong scent of blood abruptly filled the nostrils with each breath.

Xia Nan furrowed his brow.

As Ingram slowly stepped out of the forest into view, the sheriff’s uniform with its still-fresh bloodstains was revealed to the two.

Dried white hair coiled around his fingertips, crimson blood dribbled onto the ground with its movements.

The gaunt, emaciated face was still marked with fear and panic.

His eyes were empty.

The Tomb Guardian’s head, held by the hair, dangled from Ingram’s hand.

At this moment, the sheriff’s face had lost its former friendliness and warmth.

Yet it wasn’t exactly deranged or manic either.

He simply gazed at the two of them calmly.

No ripples in emotion.

He did not voluntarily explain his purpose, nor did he express emotions of indulgence or catharsis for the success he was about to achieve.

Not a single word was spoken.

His azure gaze swept over those present on the scene.

Under the watch of Xia Nan and Alton, he raised his hand, as if casually tidying his attire, reaching into his sleeve.

At his fingertips, he pressed the sleeve’s inner golden sun emblem.

Gently grasped.

Buzz—

The blood-stained sleeves turned to shreds, tearing and fluttering fragments everywhere.

With the divine power of the Sun God, Amanata, as a vessel, a disposable spell stored within it burst forth.

The free-flowing magic particles, under the influence of an invisible gravity, arranged themselves in a specific and orderly manner in the air, gathering like fireflies in an instant.

The pale pink magical glow flickered, as if imbued with some intelligence, targeting the designated targets at the user’s will.

Then, trailing long flaming tails, they transformed into two mini meteor-like clusters of light, swaying and swinging.

They fell amidst the sharp wails of magic power.

There was no time to react!

Even though he’d prepared in the first instance after spotting Ingram.

The tense muscles and poised stance let Xia Nan respond instantly to either charge or withdraw, depending on how the situation altered.

But as soon as that flickering pink glowing object reflected in his pupils.

The chance to escape was already lost.

"Thud!"

The light clusters formed by Magic Particles sliced through the air, gently entering Xia Nan’s body.

As if sinking into a quagmire, the pink luminescence quickly enveloped and covered.

His heart still beat, breathing remained steady.

Yet his body was like frozen in time, immobilized in place.

Second Ring,

Enchantment and Control System,

——[Human Immobilization Spell]