「West City Wall of Raine Town」

Having dealt with the Assassin, Lu Cang returned to the battlefield, filled with worry.

Lu Cang hadn’t actually wanted to come back, but the Warrior had convinced him.

"If you return to the battlefield now, you’ll have an Observer keeping a close eye on the Assassin’s movements for you."

"We’ll also be able to support you in time."

"But if you leave now, you’ll be all alone."

"A lone Mage facing an Assassin is in even more danger than they would be on the battlefield."

He had, indeed, convinced Lu Cang.

Just a moment ago, if it hadn’t been for the Observer’s warning, his reaction might have been a beat too slow.

The consequences would have been unimaginable.

’From the Assassin’s perspective, they must be hoping I’d leave the Observer’s line of sight and go off on my own.’

Lu Cang didn’t know how long he could stay on guard.

But he could imagine that running away alone would just mean danger was everywhere.

’In the end... there’s still no escape.’

’Damn it, I really don’t want to get involved in this life-or-death business.’

’I’ve already killed so many; I’ve done my part.’

Still, despite his thoughts...

’Since I’m already back, what else is there to do but kill enemies? I can’t just stand here and do nothing, can I?’

The Observer stood behind Lu Cang, her full attention focused on his surroundings. She would alert him to the slightest anomaly.

And because of what had just happened, two Level 3 Defenders now flanked him like guardian statues.

The Level 4 Defenders had to go with their teams to hunt Tier Four Demons, so there was no one to spare.

There were indeed very few High-Level Adventurers.

This was especially true for Defenders; there were only two at Level 4.

...

Below the city wall, the Sea of Fire raged once more.

"What are Nests? Do you know?"

Lu Cang asked the Observer behind him.

She stood with her hands clasped behind her back.

"Are you asking about the world’s eight great Nests?"

"Perhaps."

"The Nests are only a legend... there’s no real proof. Do you want to hear about it?"

"Yes, I do."

"The legend of the Nests speaks of the Seven Great ancient Nests, the first and oldest Dungeons."

Lu Cang: "Didn’t you just say there were eight?"

"Because the Seven Great Nests are a total of eight. One of them is a Twin Nest, so it counts as two."

Lu Cang: "...Please, continue."

Lu Cang wanted to make a sarcastic comment, but he couldn’t be bothered.

"These Seven Great Nests are known as the origin of Demons. Legend says that all the Demon tides in the world flow from them..."

"There’s a saying that if these seven Nests could be destroyed, all Demons in the world would be eliminated."

Lu Cang asked, "So, they still haven’t been destroyed?"

The Observer behind him shook her head slightly. "Not only have they not been destroyed, their very existence has never even been confirmed."

’Huh... they haven’t even been found?’

’This legend sounds so detailed and convincing. The way she told it with such certainty, I was actually starting to believe it.’

"The Warrior who saved me earlier said this Demon tide might be an invasion from a Nest."

’This feels... really bad.’

’The ancient seven (or eight) great Nests are attacking a small place like Raine Town?’

’Maybe I should just run.’

The thought sprouted in Lu Cang’s mind.

"Yes... I heard him say that. If that Assassin was infected by a Face Worm..."

"Then it might be the [Nest - Insect Swarm]."

Face Worms.

They are a type of Tier Four Demon, yet they have almost no combat ability. Even a Level 1 Adventurer can squash them into a pulp.

However, they can burrow into a living creature’s skin, travel up to its face, and thereby control its actions and thoughts.

They often appear alongside other Demons. When another Demon has knocked its prey unconscious or left it on the verge of death, the Face Worms will take advantage of the opening.

A being controlled by a Face Worm is technically still alive, but it is as good as dead.

They become reliable warriors for the Insect Swarm, serving it and it alone.

What little capacity for thought remains is dedicated solely to carrying out the Insect Swarm’s orders.

A creature possessed by a Face Worm even receives enhancements to its reaction speed, Perception, and physical vitality. Its combat power might even become stronger than when it was alive.

"ROAR!"

BOOM—RUMBLE

Another roar echoed from the distance, followed by the sound of rows of trees toppling over. It seemed the Level 5 Adventurers had started another battle far away.

A pillar of light shot up into the sky in the distance!

Three colossal, vertical slashes could be faintly seen cutting through the air!

’The battles of Level 5 Adventurers are always so spectacular.’

"King Level."

But suddenly, the Observer’s voice was a sharp warning.

Lu Cang looked toward a section of the battlefield and saw a centipede-like creature dragging four chains emerge from the distant Forest.

Its upper body was humanoid with four arms, each one dragging a chain, while its lower body was that of a long centipede.

"Cruel Eswaro."

"Its weak points are its leg joints. Attacking them can sever its legs. The chains in its hands are extremely hard. Its lower body is weak to Fire, and its upper body is weak to Ice. It can recover from injuries by devouring corpses."

’So this is what an Observer does.’

’Having someone point out the weak spots is a huge help.’

But in the next second, Lu Cang’s expression darkened.

That wasn’t the only King Level Demon to emerge from the Forest.

"Evil-faced Demon Spider Monarch, King Level."

"King of Swift Black Bees, King Level."

"Torture Moth, King Level."

"Blast Bug Nest, King Level."

...

The Observer recited the names of the Demons one after another.

"Lu Cang, their gazes all seem to be fixed on you."

’Okay, I’m outta here.’

’I’ll take my chances with the Assassin. It’s better than dying here.’

Lu Cang immediately turned his head, Ice gathering beneath his feet.

’Sorry, folks...’

"Miss, please tell the others to run for their lives too. Even I would have a hard time dealing with so many King Level Demons at once."

"After the Demon tide recedes, we can take the town back."

However, the Observer remained perfectly still.

She replied, "Raine Town has a Protective Array left behind by Iz. If necessary, we can activate the Array to defend the town." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Besides, didn’t we receive news of Iz’s victory this morning?"

"They should be on their way back now. As long as we hold out until they return to support us, everything will be fine."

Lu Cang gritted his teeth.

’You have a Protective Array and you didn’t say so earlier?!’

’Fine, I’ll stick around and help them defend a while longer.’

Lu Cang sighed, dispersed the Ice Shuttle beneath his feet, and said to the Observer, "Miss, my power is limited... I can only do my best."

"Mm, Raine Town has held on this long all thanks to Little Lu Cang’s help."

Lu Cang really didn’t have any passionate feelings about living or dying with Raine Town. The moment things looked bad, he wanted to retreat to safety.

Lu Cang looked at the dozen or so King Level Demons in the distance.

The Level 4 Adventurers had already engaged the King Level Demons. A Level 4 fighting a Tier Three King Level Demon seemed to be handling it with ease.

The jump from Level 3 to Level 4 was a major hurdle, meaning that reaching Level 4 was a qualitative leap in power.

However, there were few of them, so they could only tie up two or three at most.

That left twelve...

No, another one just walked out. Thirteen.

’They’re pretty much all my problem now.’

’We’re really short-handed, aren’t we?’