Chapter 13: Battle Against the Spirit Masters

While Carl and Mason daringly charged into Ain’s army, Ain looked towards where his own Rank-1 puppet was battling. The two agile puppets were embroiled in intense combat amidst a dense crowd of Rank-0 puppets. Most of these puppets belonged to him, with only a sparse few from the opponents as this region was deep inside his army.

“Let’s get rid of the second Rank-1 puppet,” Ain decided before running off towards his target.

“Wooo…!” Nox expressed its agreement, eager to witness another Temporal Blitz.

With a command, the puppets cleared a path for him. Even the puppets at his destination moved away, creating another circular clearing as an arena for the two Rank-1 puppets engaged in a heated battle. The clearing that he’d left behind was soon filled with puppets again.

Temporal Blitz was a fantastic martial art technique, but its range was short. At least, with Ain’s current mastery, he could only manage about four to five meters.

“Temporal Blitz’s aether consumption isn’t low, and I’ve already used it a couple of times. Once more should be my limit…”

Aside from Temporal Blitz, his aether was constantly absorbed by the Puppet Command Sword in his left hand to maintain his puppet army. He had to be mindful of his aether consumption.

As he rushed forward, the distance from the Rank-1 puppet rapidly decreased. When he was only eight meters away, a sudden change occurred. The assassin that’d been entangled with his own puppet suddenly disengaged before running off into the crowd. His own puppet was only commanded to block it; hence, it didn’t give chase.

“What happened?” Ain wondered as his gaze lost sight of the retreating puppet. As he also possessed a Puppet Command Token, he realized that only the two spirit masters could be behind this change. He hurriedly searched their previous location but failed to find them.

At this moment, Ain sensed a sudden disturbance in the puppet army. The puppet army’s movements, although chaotic, had become somewhat familiar to him. The cacophony of clashing weapons and stomping footsteps was still present, but the rhythm had somehow changed. They seemed to be drawing closer.

Ain believed in his judgment, especially with Wisdom Root, and glanced at the source of the disturbance. Tens of meters away, the two spirit masters were rushing towards him with frenzied expressions!

Surrounded by a thin wall of puppets, they cut through his army while withstanding the incoming attacks. They allowed the fists to strike their bodies while using various means to defend against the weapons.

The ferret on Carl’s shoulder used its claws to clash against the weapons as Carl repeatedly conjured a metallic shield for defense. On the other hand, the green snake around Mason’s neck flicked its tail forcefully to deflect the weapons while a reddish-purple, slimy, and seemingly poisonous spear spun around in Mason’s hands for the same purpose.

Ain’s heart stiffened momentarily, but he endured the pressure. He’d already changed these past few days! He now had the potential to confront them!

Thinking quickly, he realized their intentions. The Rank-1 puppet’s retreat was temporary. Once they arrived to occupy Ain’s attention, they wouldn’t have to fear its destruction, allowing it to keep Ain’s Rank-1 puppet in check.

After injecting some aether into the Puppet Command Token, Ain called his Rank-1 puppet to his side.

Not only was he outnumbered, but even his battle strength was insufficient. In his opposition were two spirit masters and two spirit pets at Rank-1. Furthermore, from the display just now, they’d obviously mastered various spells and skills.

Glancing at the Rank-0 Nox on his shoulder, the confidence Ain had just built up wavered. But in this situation, he had to give it a try. The consequence of inaction was death.

A few moments later, Carl burst out of the army of puppets and rushed towards Ain like a vehement demon. The metallic shield in his hand disintegrated as he smashed with his large fist while shouting savagely, “Die!”

Nox instantly disappeared into Ain’s body, while the latter swiftly dodged to the side. With such large movements, even a regular person could read Carl’s attack. Right as he dodged, Ain spotted the gray ferret lunging at him with claws charged with a golden metallic sheen.

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The threatening aura exuded by the imminent attack elicited an immediate response. His hands morphed into white claws and clashed with the incoming attack.

Clang!

The dreadful sound of metallic violence resounded in the region. Due to its meager size, the ferret flew out with great velocity, landing amidst the army of puppets that’d begun filling this new clearing upon Ain’s command. The open field was only advantageous against the sneaky Rank-1 puppets. Now that he was outnumbered, it only served to make him an easy target.

Although the gray ferret was forced away, it suffered minimal damage.

Ain didn’t dare let this opportunity go to waste, using the repelling force from the clash to retreat.

“You think you can run!?” Carl stomped on the sand forcibly, driving white sand into the air, and attempted to tackle Ain from behind.

Ain completely ignored Carl’s outcry and continued running. Just as Carl moved, Ain’s Rank-1 puppet struck a brutal blow to the former’s head.

“Argh!” Carl cried out in pain whilst clutching his head. Despite the injury, the puppet’s follow-up attack still failed, however, Carl was successfully entangled.

Amidst the puppet army, Ain shuttled around the dark wooden constructs. Due to their aggressive charge, the two spirit masters’ armies were already past the old battle frontier. Enemy puppets were beginning to reach the deeper reaches of his army.

While observing the crowd, Mason’s figure, staring right at him viciously, appeared in Ain’s vision. The disgusting poisonous spear was held above his shoulders in a particular stance.

Startled, Ain immediately realized the impending danger upon witnessing this scene.

After being discovered by his target, Mason snorted wildly. He poured all his strength into his back and right arm before hurling the foul spear at Ain with breakneck speeds.

Whoosh!

The reddish-purple spear pierced through space, threatening to reap Ain’s existence. With every fiber of muscle available, Ain scampered away from the attack’s trajectory. The spear, like a godly projectile, tore through every puppet in its path before zipping past his previous location. Tens of meters away, the spear lost its drive and greeted the white sand.

Boom!

A reddish-purple explosion shook the battlefield, leaving behind a poisonous cloud sharing the same threatening hue. The puppets within the blast were tossed about violently. The ones that survived suffered from deadly corrosive effects, crumbling onto the white sand within seconds.

Ain stared at the aftermath in horror from only a few meters away. If he’d failed to discover Mason in time, his outcome would’ve been terrible. Unwilling to stick around, he glanced at Mason’s panting figure before scuttling away.

“He’s sweating and out of breath; this spell must’ve consumed a lot. He probably can’t use it again.” Ain noted with some relief amidst his fears. It would be frightening if this attack could be used consecutively.

This matter prompted him to increase his vigilance while striving to keep track of his enemies while dashing about. Nox was already back on his shoulder, preparing to use Possession at any moment.

At a glance, Ain seemed to be blindly escaping, and it wasn’t far from the truth. His sole motive was to stall for time. It was unlikely he could defeat them in a head-on confrontation. Additionally, his own aether reserves weren’t looking great, and Nox couldn’t last too long either.

With swift movements, Ain evaded a wooden axe before Nox urgently called out again, “Wooo…!”

It only informed him of one word – snake!

Just as Nox’s voice sounded, Ain discovered Mason’s green snake only a few steps away, slithering about sneakily.

When their eyes met, it suddenly opened its gruesome mouth, revealing its deadly fangs, and released a strange ghoulish howl.

“Shaah…”

Alongside the sound, a cloud of repulsive green gas was spewed out, instantly drowning Ain’s figure. Nox had already used Possession, but it was too late!

Shit! Ain cursed in panic while attempting to leave the poisonous cloud. He didn’t need to think twice to realize it was poisonous. In just a brief moment, a tingling sensation erupted on his skin. His mouth, nose, trachea, and lungs seemed to be on fire as the poisonous gas circulated within.

Wisdom Root brought great changes to Ain’s cognition. For each action, parallel thoughts would rise spontaneously. Right now, part of him focused the escape, while another addressed the poison. Suddenly, stimulated by a familiar sensation, another parallel thought spawned.

This sensation… It appears when the Rank-1 puppet uses its mysterious evasion ability!

With the poisonous cloud restraining his vision, Ain relied on the familiar sensation to execute Temporal Blitz, targeting a hazy figure that’s just appeared nearby.

Boom! Crack!

A shockwave swept away a tiny region of the poisonous cloud, revealing the humanoid Rank-1 puppet. Its figure stood still on the white sand, its limbs and torso perfectly unharmed. But through Ain’s irritated eyes, he confirmed its demise because it currently stood there headless.

The first Rank-1 puppet required two strikes, but with Nox’s Possession, his increased power only dictated one.

Ain couldn’t afford to celebrate this victory. Without pause, he tried to break out of the green poisonous cloud. The poison’s effects seemed staggered, and he was beginning to feel a little nauseous.

Right when he arrived at the edge of the green cloud, a piercing pain suddenly overloaded his nervous system. Ain almost staggered to the ground while releasing a hiss brimming with agony. Glancing down, he saw the green snake plunging its venomous fangs into his leg!

Having survived in the slum, where danger lurked everywhere, he’d developed an unfeeling and cold personality. He’d learn to hide his joy and bury his grievances even deeper. Although recent events had begun melting his warped youthful composure, it’d yet to reach a point where he’d act on his emotions.

However, everything had a limit. Like heavy stones, recent grievances weighed on his heart, finally tearing a small hole. The resentment within him was growing rapidly. And now, a freaking snake had just bitten him!

Staring at the vile snake sinking its teeth into his leg, a dangerous glint flashed past Ain’s eyes. For reasons unknown, he remembered something he’d randomly heard in the past.

“Eating a snake’s gallbladder can grant immunity to its poison…”