Chapter 46: Revenge, Rescuing the Crystal Bat
After Eileen calmed down, the room finally returned to normal. Da Chun forced a smile and stood before the mirror, waiting for a response from the other side.
One had to admit, this method was quite advanced—almost like a video call. So this was the combined power of the mirror spirit’s image transmission and the bat’s sonic wave communication! But Eileen could even penetrate the whale’s soul; no matter how you looked at it, she resembled a banshee.
Soon, the mirror’s image began to tremble. Eileen translated, “It’s you, kind-hearted one, save me again!”
He recognized me!
Da Chun felt reassured and quickly devised a plan. “Don’t panic. They’re definitely not trying to kill you. If they wanted to, the two strong ones behind would have already moved in. They want to capture you alive…”
The crystal bat asked, “What should I do then?”
Da Chun replied, “Don’t waste energy struggling. Pretend to be submissive to lower their guard…”
“Got it.”
Not bad, a bat that knows how to plead for mercy must be quite intelligent.
Eileen was eager. “I’m moving out as well!”
Da Chun reminded her again, “The priority is to rescue the bat and disrupt their plan. Revenge can wait.”
“I’m not stupid! That lackey’s powerful.”
The radar activated, revealing an underground topographical map in infrared mode—like a dense spiderweb. This place was not meant for human-sized beings to traverse.
Soon, the radar detected a magical glow—it was the magic stone they had thrown in, but it had fallen so deep.
Da Chun snapped back to reality. The grand corporation hiring NPCs and making such a big fuss wasn’t just about catching the bat; they were clearly after the magic stones!
Speaking of which, if they found the magic stones, did that clear their own suspicion?
However, considering they could get thousands of players into the prison’s lowest level within two days, his own progress in the second tier of hell was nothing to compare. Eventually, it would be exposed, so they must prevent them from obtaining the stones!
Da Chun immediately asked, “Is that lackey a treasure hunter? His main target must be the magic stones, right?”
Eileen answered, “I’m not sure, but it seems likely.”
Da Chun formulated a plan. “Let’s guard the magic stone and observe carefully.”
Eileen understood. “Attack their magical pets? Wouldn’t that alert the lackey too early?”
Da Chun’s thoughts sharpened. “We can strike the moment he attempts to capture the crystal bat, attacking his magical pets to distract him and create an escape chance for the bat. Plus, you know the illusion invisibility skill for magical pets—you can transform into one of their pets to attack, so he won’t know it’s the bat.”
Eileen smiled. “Interesting. Let’s guard it like that. Let me scout first; if there are magical pets, they should come from one of these side tunnels.”
After precise detection, the result came: “Here they come! Seems like some crawling creature, not too fast.”
Da Chun grew tense. “Check on the crystal bat’s situation!”
“Nothing unusual.”
Da Chun calculated the timing, sensing something off. “How about we quietly move the magic stone back a bit? Just a little each time; they probably won’t notice.”
“Good idea! Meanwhile, I’ll try casting an illusion on this mirror bat to confuse them further.”
Da Chun was surprised. “Illusions can be used like that?”
Eileen, full of mysterious confidence, said, “Since I’m a mirror spirit, I believe so. Wherever the mirrors connect should be within my domain to exert my abilities...”
…
In the prison’s water cell.
Perhaps the crystal bat was exhausted; it gave up screaming and struggling, hanging limp in the magical net midair.
Right Takamaru and the players no longer charged wildly but lined up obediently, like receiving injections, offering their necks efficiently—a sharp increase in giving their lives.
The guards watched the toad’s magical power gauge and the crystal bat’s growth progress with a mix of satisfaction and puzzlement.
The steward asked, “Has the toad found the magic stone?”
The guard responded gravely, “Maybe there’s an error in the detection instruments. It feels off by a little.”
The steward urged, “An error in the instruments must mean strong magic. Don’t delay.”
The guard looked at the bat lying still and agreed, “Looks like that’s its limit. Time to close the net.”
Right Takamaru clapped his hands; the players immediately formed two lines, making a path and bowing in unison.
This display greatly pleased the guard. “Good. When this mission is complete, I’ll teach you the treasure hunter profession!”
—System prompt: Congratulations! You have unlocked the hidden profession: Treasure Hunter.
Right Takamaru beamed, “Thank you, master! I will serve you and the lord with all my heart.”
…
At that moment, Da Chun received news from ahead: “The lackey is about to make a move!”
He stared nervously at the faintly visible toad nearby. “Prepare—”
Eileen interrupted, “Not yet! Men are most alert at this moment.”
Da Chun was stunned. “When are men least alert?”
Eileen smiled. “What do you think?”
While… on the toilet?
Da Chun chuckled helplessly. “You seem to understand men well. Then you decide.”
…
Amid the players’ respectful welcome, the guard wrapped his hands around a black energy ball, pressing firmly on the netted crystal bat, which still appeared powerless.
Right Takamaru grew bolder and started recording video.
The energy in the guard’s hands seeped into the bat’s body, and its red, radiant frame was coated with a glossy black sheen.
The steward nodded repeatedly, “Going smoothly!”
Suddenly, the guard’s joy froze. “The toad?”
The next moment, the guard’s head tilted in pain, his hand trembling. “There’s—”
In that instant, the crystal bat’s blood light surged wildly, and its body expanded several times in size!
The guard instinctively swung back to block, but his strike hit empty illusion—the bat broke free from the net and, like lightning, slashed a cut across the guard’s neck!
The steward panicked, casting a magic spell to chase it, but the spell seemed to hit a mirror and was reflected back with a loud explosion. Right Takamaru hadn’t even reacted when the screen went black—he was down!
At that moment, the Godfront Command watching the live broadcast erupted in chaos.
The young lord hurriedly stood. “What’s happening? Who’s still alive?”
A surviving team member reported, “The bat escaped, slipping into a crevice of another collapsed tunnel and vanished!”
The young lord anxiously ordered, “Switch the live feed!”
…
Meanwhile, the steward urgently bandaged the guard’s neck. The guard’s face was pale and trembling. “The toad… my toad was attacked by another toad…”
The steward said sternly, “Don’t speak! The lord will take this seriously!”
Then he produced a golden bell, handing it to Right Takamaru. “Ring this to notify me when you find the bat next time!”
With that, a space ripple flashed, and the steward and guard teleported away.
Now only dozens of surviving players remained in the tunnels, and the Godfront Command was at a loss.
At that moment, the spy sage spoke up, “Young lord, this strong warrior’s severe injury has given me a new inspiration!”
The young lord snapped back. “Speak!”
The spy sage said, “Suppose most of the count’s strong warriors are injured. How would the count treat us then? At least, he wouldn’t be so arrogant and rude. He might even rely on us more, until we control him!”
The young lord shuddered. “Most strong warriors injured? Is that possible?”
The spy said, “Not by the bat alone. But if we incite a feud between Baron Feipeng and the count—poison the kitchen, or provoke the Tata squad to continue exhausting themselves—there could be a chance. Weakening the count’s power is beneficial! We just need to wait and create the opportunity.”
The young lord’s eyes brightened. “Very good, very good. Then we wait for the chance! For now, our red-name guild is all here. Everyone clear the collapsed passages. If we meet the bat again, no matter—keep feeding it heads for it to kill!”
…
Meanwhile, a greatly relieved Da Chun exhaled. “Was it rescued?”
Eileen, excited, covered her mouth and tossed on the bed repeatedly.
It was the first time Da Chun saw her so happy and said, “If you’re happy, just laugh. Holding it in is uncomfortable.”
Eileen stifled a sound. “I dare not laugh, afraid the great evil spirit outside will hear…”
Alright then.
At this moment, Da Chun distinctly felt the mansion’s walls change—becoming sturdier, less vague. Looking out the window, the courtyard had less black mist; the scene felt much more real.
Seeing her catch her breath, Da Chun asked, “Have you grown stronger?”
Eileen exhaled deeply. “Much better. Of course, I’m stronger!”
Da Chun asked again, “Is it because you killed their magical pet or fulfilled your revenge that you grew stronger?”
Eileen smiled, “Maybe both. But the real strength lies with the crystal bat. The moment it injured the lackey, it advanced again and evolved a reflective mirror body that blocked the steward’s magic.”
The mirror fluctuated again, and Eileen smiled even wider. “It said, ‘Thank you for saving me. Let’s be good friends from now on.’”
Da Chun was pleased. “Friends it is. Ask if it’s injured.”
“The steward’s magic did hurt it some; it needs to rest.”
Da Chun pondered future plans. “After this, treasure hunters from all over the city will come. The bat will attract attention openly; you support secretly. No one must suspect you’re involved.”
Eileen laughed, “Got it. But with the count’s possessive nature, it may not be known citywide.”
Fair enough. Who doesn’t love to keep something to themselves? The grand corporation would likely suppress the news.
“Now that you’re stronger, just wait for the showdown between the great evil spirit and the slime monster.”
…