Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 1173: Section 720: The Neighbor’s Guest (2)

Chapter 1173: Section 720: The Neighbor’s Guest (2)

In the cover of night, the hunters turned into prey. The unexpected alien ambush shattered the adventurer team’s resistance in an instant. Among the six, only a gnome who was farthest away and attending to personal needs in a corner sensed trouble and fled, while the remaining five were captured by the aliens.

Malin snapped his fingers. The World Tree Sapling’s mana, in cooperation with little Spotty, began to chase the gnome—realizing he hadn’t gone back to camp for help, there was definitely something wrong, so Malin needed to find out where the lad went—Spotty didn’t actually need to find the person, a body or even just some bloodstains would do, as long as they could confirm where he died.

Once this is over, there will be plenty of time to find out whose belly this guy ended up in.

Then Malin turned his attention towards the direction where the aliens retreated.

"Your Highness, we are not familiar with this place, maybe we should call for reinforcements." Jin Weili hadn’t said anything wrong—if it weren’t Malin, this would indeed be considered mature advice, but Malin wasn’t concerned: "No worries, just follow our hound."

"Hound?" Jin Weili glanced around: "Sorry, Your Highness, I just saw your pet leave."

"That’s the leopard, I meant the hound." With that, Malin reached out, and from the void’s fissure, a shadow leaped out—a Skeleton Hound appeared in Malin’s hand.

Ails peeked his head out from the rift.

· Lord Malin, do you need my assistance?

"It would be perfect if you’re free. Just so, call a couple of reliable subordinates, and let’s go hunting those aliens, the exoskeletal monsters I mentioned last time." Malin had talked with Ails about these creatures, and at that time, he said he’d definitely want to see them with his own eyes if given the chance.

· Looks like I have a chance to fulfill my vow.

Ails squeezed out of the rift, followed closely by two skeletal liches.

Because Ails’ presence had already been reported by Thainan, the legendaries weren’t too surprised. The ever-curious Ling Zuo Zuo even approached Ails, confirmed the pure white soul flames in his eye sockets and his alignment, then looked towards Malin: "Your Highness Malin, is this lich truly your friend?"

· Yes, little rabbit, I’ve known Lord Malin for many years now.

Saying this, Ails pulled out a few more Skeleton Hounds, which started to open up the path in front, while Malin walked ahead with his hands in his pockets.

Ails followed behind Malin, simultaneously instructing his subordinates to open a portal.

"You’re bringing someone?" Malin halted.

· Yes, a new friend I met in Mark City, he’s from another plane, just like me, an undead, but with self-awareness, skilled with dual swords. I think you should meet him.

Ails explained.

His words piqued Malin’s curiosity, leading him to gaze at an undead, clad in a cloak, who stepped out from the portal. His appearance made Thainan’s team a bit wary, but Malin immediately caught a familiar scent—the aroma of those two little goddesses aiding the Goddess of Harvest in stabilizing her divine persona.

Is this her chosen or a divine follower?

The undead also noticed the insignia of the Goddess of Harvest on Malin, bowing his head in respect.

· Greetings, mighty lord.

"Welcome to this withered land, reanimated one. My friend Ails says you may be of assistance to me." Malin was rather curious about this undead’s identity: "I detected a familiar scent on you. You seem to hail from the same world as the Nameless."

· Yes, my lord, forgive my impromptu presence. This is your world, and I feel like an uninvited guest. Allow me to introduce myself... I am Pagy, Pagy Lin, a fallen Ranger Knight, in search of work and a place to belong.

With that, the undead unveiled his hood, revealing a pale skull inscribed with golden lines—an array unfamiliar to Malin—with pure white soul flames in its eye sockets.

"Good, if you’re willing to serve me, I can offer you a secure abode, a rewarding salary, and some foes that will remind you of your battle days," Malin said, turning his gaze to the distance; the Skeleton Hounds were emitting soul howls, having discovered something.

· Lord Ails, the hounds have been taken down.

Ails’ subordinate looked at its master.

"The guests who visited our neighbors previously are back, strangely, in large numbers." Malin furrowed his brows.

· It could be to ensure their queen’s escape by any means.

The self-proclaimed Ranger Knight, Pagy, suggested this.

This sparked Malin’s curiosity: "You know them?"

· In Mark City, you often encounter bizarre tasks, and I’ve faced these creatures in a destroyed world before—they are formidable adversaries.

Pagy replied.

The response intrigued Malin greatly, making him eager to see if Pagy’s view of these challenges held true.

Soon enough, Pagy unsheathed two swords from his belt. They appeared somewhat rusty, but Malin quickly discerned the sharp blades beneath the rust—blades capable of cutting even souls.

Not long after, several aliens charged from the long grass; Malin did not intervene. One was initially felled by a bullet, and before it could rise, a dull gunshot announced its demise—Pagy had also brought a shotgun, equipped with hollow point bullets that blew open its skull casing.