Chapter 239 : Killing Intent in the Shadows
Chapter 239: Killing Intent in the Shadows
As the "Janna" before her shattered inch by inch like a mirror, "Julie-Ann" turned her crimson eyes to glance behind.
"How did you see through it?"
Crackle—!
Without a moment’s hesitation, Janna summoned thunderclouds and unleashed her most powerful attack on the impostor masquerading as "Julie-Ann."
"Damn it!"
Seeing Janna act so decisively, the impostor barely withstood the lightning attack while cursing inwardly, the disguise unraveling in an instant.
"A shadow creature?"
Feeling the dense aura of shadow magic radiating from the enemy, Janna’s expression turned grim.
In truth, the way she saw through the impostor was simple—Julie-Ann, being human, could never have seen through Janna’s [Psychological Invisibility] witchcraft.
Whoosh—Boom!
Recognizing the enemy’s identity as a shadow creature, Janna immediately pulled out a special distress rune issued by the school from her Thorn Bracelet, injected magic power into it, and triggered the distress signal.
"What’s going on?"
Seeing the rune produce no response, Janna’s heart sank.
"Give it up. Under the effect of this witch artifact, [Hidden Nook], no distress signal can be transmitted."
The humanoid figure, shrouded entirely in thick shadow, raised a jet-black, lotus-shaped lamp-like witch artifact engulfed in bluish flames, speaking in a tone laced with pride.
Crackle—!
Another sudden lightning bolt struck as the figure cursed and dodged. Janna, wings spread like a butterfly, instantly flew toward the crowded main street.
"By my will, I summon—the Celestial Sparrow."
While fleeing rapidly, Janna summoned the Celestial Sparrow, a holy-elemental spirit most effective against shadow creatures.
"It’s useless. You can’t escape the coverage of [Hidden Nook]!"
Just as the shadow creature appeared before Janna at astonishing speed, she took advantage of his excessive monologuing and ordered her battle-form Celestial Sparrow to fiercely attack with [Sacred Flame].
"Master, his speed is too fast. My flame can’t touch him—"
Watching the enemy’s movements, swift like a blur, Janna pondered over his identity.
"Evading lightning proves he’s not a full-fledged witch—adept at shadow magic, humanoid, extremely fast—"
Within moments, Janna, well-read from her time in the library, locked onto the identity.
A shadow creature with power equivalent to a third-tier witch apprentice—a Vampire Baron!
However, Janna had never crossed paths with this vengeful species and had no idea why he was targeting her.
Moreover...
From the apprentice-level, top-grade witch artifact he held to his earlier approach using Julie-Ann’s identity, it was clear the enemy came fully prepared.
"Master, he also has that disgusting smell on him."
Disgusting smell?
Hearing the message from the Celestial Sparrow via telepathic link, Janna furrowed her brow.
"Another Dark Sun cultist?"
Bathed in light, Janna activated the [Purification Law Fragment], enveloping herself in its purifying glow after identifying the enemy.
"What do you want?"
Facing the Vampire Baron still cloaked in shadow, Janna stood silently and asked.
"What I want is simple. The Youth Necklace you’re wearing."
Youth Necklace?
Hearing this, Janna, maintaining her expression with [Muscle Control] talent, asked calmly,
"What do you want that necklace for?"
"That’s none of your concern. If you want to leave here alive, hand over the Youth Necklace!"
His voice suddenly turned harsh. Even as the surrounding shadow magic surged, Janna remained calm.
"If all you want is the necklace, I can give it to you."
As she spoke, the Youth Necklace appeared in Janna’s hand.
"Is it this one?"
"Yes, that’s it! Give it to me!"
Seeing Janna actually take out the [Youth Necklace], the shadow-wrapped voice became excited.
"Here you go."
As Janna threw the necklace with force, the surrounding shadow stirred in tandem.
"Got it!"
Boom—!
Before the Vampire Baron could celebrate, a massive explosion erupted.
"This witch artifact even conceals sound—"
The Youth Necklace Janna threw was indeed genuine. But she had also tied several potent explosive runes to it.
Watching the dark-shrouded explosion, Janna didn’t linger. Flapping her butterfly wings, she flew toward the other end of the alley.
"Damn human—cough cough—"
Amid harsh coughing, a wolf-fox silhouette, half his body nearly blown apart, reappeared in the firelight.
Pale skin, crimson pupils, a sinisterly handsome face, and a pair of iconic vampiric fangs—
No longer able to conceal himself with shadow magic, Earl-Bloodred fully revealed his vampire form in the material world.
"Despicable human, I will make you my blood thrall!"
Quickly using bloodflesh magic to staunch his horrific wounds, Earl-Bloodred unfurled his bat wings and chased in the direction Janna had fled.
"You won’t escape—"
The difference in their speeds was too great. Before long, Earl-Bloodred spotted the fleeing figure of the wolf-fox girl in the distance.
As the gap closed, a twisted smile spread across Earl-Bloodred’s pale face.
"If I can turn her into a blood thrall, it’ll cause a sensation in the royal castle—"
Just imagining Janna’s stunning beauty being turned into his blood thrall further solidified Earl-Bloodred’s resolve.
"Ah—"
Just as Earl-Bloodred’s hand was about to touch Janna’s witch robe, a sharp screech interrupted his action once again.
"Damn it! Sound-elemental witchcraft?!"
Irritated by Janna’s endless “tricks,” Earl-Bloodred finally lost the last of his patience.
Forcing himself out of the "dazed" state, he saw Janna vanish around the alley’s corner. Impatient, Earl-Bloodred turned into a shadow blur once more, flying toward her.
"Hmm?"
As he stepped into the alley, Earl-Bloodred saw Janna standing calmly at the end, looking directly at him.
"Cheap trick!"
Seeing Janna act so unusually, Earl-Bloodred grew cautious.
Yet, when he once again saw the face beneath her witch hood, angered as he was, he couldn’t help but say:
"If you behave, I promise not to torture you—"
"Seal, form—"