Infinite Mana Exorcist
Chapter 45: The lead

Chapter 45: The lead

The Beast People’s team, after delivering their report to Asher, wasted no time in departing. They were not the kind to linger in one place for long, especially since they had obligations beyond just assisting him.

For generations, Exorcists and Beast People had maintained a tightly knit relationship, built on mutual respect and unspoken agreements. Small tasks such as this—providing crucial intelligence—were nothing more than an extension of that trust. Asher was fortunate to have received detailed information on the Fallen Clan’s whereabouts, along with key insights into what the town itself concealed.

But before anything else, he needed to confirm his lead. The appearance of those mutated Night Terrors—beasts that eerily resembled humans—was an anomaly. Night Terrors had always been a distinct, monstrous breed. Their sudden resemblance to mankind was no mere coincidence.

It had to be the work of humans.

The question was—who was behind it, and how had they accomplished such a feat?

Asher mulled over this as he made his way back to the restaurant lounge.

The lounge was a sprawling space, doubling as a market for travelers and mercenaries alike. Maps, supplies, and information were exchanged as often as meals, making it the perfect place to refuel both body and mind. But with so many tables scattered across the area, finding a particular group required a keen eye.

Asher swept his gaze across the crowd before finally spotting his team.

At their table, a disturbing number of plates were stacked upon one another, a clear sign of extravagant indulgence. His lips curled into a knowing smirk—it had to be Malvarick’s doing. The man had an insatiable appetite.

Fey sat with a single dish before him, methodically eating as though lost in thought. Logan mirrored the same composed demeanor, but his eyes flickered up the moment Asher approached. There was something in his gaze—something akin to a silent plea.

Asher didn’t need to guess.

Malvarick had somehow roped Logan into covering the bill.

The corner of Asher’s lips twitched in amusement. That was none of his problem. Logan had protested enough in the past to avoid footing such expenses, and yet, here he was.

"Make sure you eat your fill, Malvarick," Asher said as he pulled out a chair beside Logan and took his seat. "You’ll need all the strength you can get for this mission."

Malvarick barely let the words settle before throwing a hand into the air, signaling the nearest waiter. The hesitation she’d previously shown about ordering more food vanished entirely.

Logan’s shoulders visibly tensed, and within his heart, he screamed, Damn you!

Ignoring his silent suffering, Asher leaned forward and placed a map onto the table. His gaze turned sharp.

"Now that we’re all here, let’s get down to business. Despite our small numbers, I want us split into two groups for this mission."

The casual air from earlier dissipated instantly as the weight of his words sank in.

He traced a path on the map, showing them their target—a massive tower that stood on the outskirts of the town, shrouded in eerie silence. Though abandoned, it held mysteries they could not afford to overlook.

"The reason for this split is simple. A sniper and an alchemist can’t handle close-quarters combat alone. Fey will pair with Logan. Malvarick, you’re with me."

He let the words settle, waiting for any reaction.

Malvarick’s face lit up with unrestrained excitement.

Nothing else. No arguments. No objections.

That was good.

"In that case, clear your bills. We leave in a few minutes."

Not long after, the group stood before a colossal crystal, glowing a deep, pulsating purple. Root-like formations twisted around it, anchoring it to the earth in a way that seemed both natural and unnatural.

An Oramon Room—one of the many belonging to the Guild House.

Using this method of transportation wasn’t cheap. Fifty silver coins per person. Two hundred silver in total. Asher handed over the equivalent of two gold coins, feeling a slight pang in his chest at the expense.

Next time, he’d prefer to ride on horseback, no matter how exhausting the journey. But given the urgency of their mission, this was a necessity.

One by one, they placed their hands on the Oramon and focused on their destination.

In an instant, they vanished.

Asher was the last to step forward. A strange sensation washed over him as he activated the Oramon—this was his first time traveling with one in this existence. The moment he disappeared, it felt as though his body was being stripped apart, scattered like dust, and reassembled elsewhere.

When he materialized, he was relieved to find himself standing amongst his team.

At least it was a saved location. If not, he could have ended up anywhere.

A sharp breath from Logan caught his attention.

"Uh... boss," Logan began hesitantly, his tone both sharp and uncertain. "Did you say a deserted tower? Or did you mean to say desecrated?"

The phrasing struck Asher as odd. Desecrated? That wasn’t the right word... was it?

He turned around to see what Logan was referring to—

And froze.

Towering in the distance, shrouded in a grim, unnatural presence, was the structure they had set out to find. But it wasn’t merely abandoned—it was ruined, corrupted beyond recognition. Its dark walls bore deep scars, resembling char and grit, as though fire had consumed them long ago.

The sky above churned with an unnatural purple hue, streaked with violent flashes of lightning that split the heavens apart. The air was thick with a suffocating weight, an ominous silence stretching over the land like a lingering curse.

This was it.

The tower from the map.

But standing before it now, Asher couldn’t help but feel that the true horror wasn’t in its appearance—but in what it concealed.

"Ghost Town," Malvarick muttered, swallowing hard. "That should be this town’s nickname, right?"

Her unease was palpable, and Asher understood why.

"Whatever is in there..." Logan whispered, staring at the distant structure, "is something either crazy powerful... or completely unstable."

They had no idea.

A danger they were blind to had already marked them.

[Hidden Quest: Survive the Grade 4 Beast]

A notification flickered into existence.

But none of them could see it.

Not even Asher.