bookpub Chapter 57 Mobilization for the Hunting Season
Chapter 57 Mobilization for the Hunting Season
Just as the atmosphere at the scene seemed to be "harmonious," a cold and clear voice suddenly rang out, piercing through all the noise:
"Is everyone here?"
All the apprentices instinctively looked in the direction of the sound.
On the dark windowsill of the ninth floor of the Wizard's Tower, a figure had appeared at some unknown time.
His black robes billowed, his gaze unfathomable.
It was Pelosi!
An invisible pressure instantly enveloped the entire square, and even the air seemed to freeze.
"All qualified apprentices in the Apprentice Wizard Tower have arrived!" Hick stepped forward and reported in a calm voice.
"All the qualified apprentices of the Tower of Silence have arrived!" Irwin followed closely behind, his tone equally respectful.
As the two men finished speaking, the more than a thousand level two and three apprentices in the square held their breath, the atmosphere as tense as iron.
Perot's gaze slowly swept over the dark mass of people below, and a barely perceptible hint of satisfaction seemed to flicker across his usually placid face.
"Children..."
His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of every apprentice, carrying a strange, heart-stirring rhythm.
"The once-a-decade hunting season has arrived once again!"
"I believe you will use the warm blood of those 'lambs' to nourish your path to power! You will use their accumulated wealth to pave the steps to your future glory!"
The apprentices initially reacted indifferently—the veterans were already very familiar with the rules of the hunting season, and the newcomers had been "educated" on them countless times.
Looking at the lukewarm reaction below, Pelosi had clearly anticipated this.
"However!"
Pelosi’s voice suddenly rose, carrying an unquestionable authority.
"This time, it's completely different from before!"
This sudden turn of events instantly captured the attention of all the apprentices, and countless eyes lit up.
"The head of a white wizard's apprentice—"
Perot paused deliberately, leaving everyone in suspense over the undecided price, "500 magic crystals!"
Dead silence.
Then came a roar like a volcanic eruption!
"What?!"
"Five...five hundred?!"
"and!"
Pelosi’s voice was like a heavy hammer, striking the newly formed wave of noise and pushing the frenzy to its peak.
"All the spoils of your hunt—whether knowledge, materials, or anything else—no longer need to be handed over 50%! They are all…your own!"
boom--!!!
The entire square erupted in jubilation! Deafening shouts of ecstasy, greed, and bloodlust filled the air, and the apprentices' eyes burned with an unprecedented madness!
"Long live the Silent Forest!!"
"Hahaha! We're rich! Let's slaughter all those lambs!!"
"This time, I'll leave them utterly wiped out!!"
Amidst the deafening cheers and roars, Hick's expression remained icy.
He could clearly feel the murderous intent and greed around him that seemed to solidify into reality.
"Five hundred magic crystals...zero handover...that's quite a generous gesture."
In the past, the hunting season only rewarded 100 magic crystals, and half of the spoils had to be handed over.
Thinking of this, he sneered inwardly.
"To ensure I could 'successfully' complete my mission, they went so far as to ignite the entire hunting season, turning everyone into fuel for this bloody feast... Just how important was what the previous Lord of Silence had lost? Was it worth paying such a price?"
Perot looked down at the frenzied "minions" below, as if admiring a meticulously crafted work of art.
He opened his arms, his voice like a magical horn:
"Go! Young minions of the Silent Forest! Tear them apart! Loot them! Crush those weak lambs! For the wealth and power that are within your grasp! And for... the eternal glory of the Silent Forest!"
"Long live!!"
"Crush them! Loot them all!!"
The thunderous response nearly lifted the dome of the wizard's tower.
A faint, cold smile curved at the corners of Pelosi's lips as her gaze finally settled on Hick at the front of the crowd.
His eyes were gentle, as if full of expectations for his outstanding disciple.
But what Hick saw was clearly a cold scrutiny, a silent urging, and an irresistible command—as if saying:
"The stage is set for you, the curtain of blood and fire has been drawn... Don't let me down, Hick."
"Now, future generations of the Silent Forest, set off!"
As Lord Perrotta finished speaking, the entire square erupted in cheers, as if the white wizard apprentices had become the resources that would help them improve.
"Hick, shall we go together?"
Irving clearly thought highly of Hick and took the initiative to invite him.
Hick was taken aback, but after regaining his composure, he politely declined:
"Huh? Oh, no, you know, if these guys didn't have me, those lambs would probably turn the tables on them."
"Haha, that's true. Then let's set off first. Oh, by the way, Hick, don't let those good-for-nothings hold you back. You're different from them."
Irwin clearly agreed with Hick's statement, but seemed to have misunderstood something. After speaking, he led the students of the main tower onto the Kabus Flying Serpent and flew away into the distance.
Hick was taken aback. Was that what I meant? He shook his head. Whatever, he glanced at the still incredibly excited apprentices and shouted:
"Everyone, let's go!"
------
High up in the Wizard Tower, Kurt, Jona, and the others watched the group gradually disappear into the distance, their eyes filled with complex emotions.
"Brother, we'll definitely be able to go next hunting season, right?" Jona's voice was filled with reluctance and longing.
"Definitely!" Kurt nodded vigorously, his tone resolute, as if he were persuading his sister, and also as if he were persuading himself.
But the feeling of frustration lingered in his heart. At this moment, in the vast wizard tower, there were very few second-level apprentices left, and he happened to be one of them!
The reason is simple—he had only been promoted to second-level apprentice for a short time.
To rashly participate in a hunt of this level, facing those rigorously selected white wizard apprentices, would likely only result in embarrassment.
------
Above the wilderness, the shadowy wings of an eagle-headed bat swept across the ground.
"Sorry!" Hick's voice rang out in the wind.
Sori, who had been following closely behind, immediately spurred his mount to approach: "My lord!"
Without a word, Hick placed a shimmering Shadow Stone into Sori's hand.
His voice was extremely low, like the hiss of a venomous snake:
"Take our men and find this person. Then... proceed according to plan."
Sori's fingers gripped the Shadow Stone tightly, his knuckles white, but his eyes burned with absolute loyalty: "Rest assured, my lord! I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!"
"Remember," Hick's voice was as cold as iron, carrying an undeniable killing intent, as he pointed to the black-robed man beside Sorey.
"The final step must be completed by this person personally! Understand?"
"Understood, sir!" Sorey's voice was firm and resolute.
"Go ahead. If anything changes, contact me using this item."
Hick watched as Sory led a small elite squad, riding eagle-headed bats, broke away from the main force and quickly disappeared in another direction.
A cold, almost cruel smile slowly crept onto the corners of his mouth.
"tutor……"
He gazed in the direction of the Lord of Perrotta, his eyes as deep and unfathomable as a cold pool.
"You've used me as a pawn time and time again, exploiting me at will, and I've tolerated it all... But you seem to have forgotten that even a pawn can have the sharpness to break a player's wrist. Since you have no bottom line... then don't blame the student for overturning this chessboard!"