Chapter 397: Who Are You
Five skeletons have all reached level 15.
These pirates really value themselves.
Sweeping his gaze over several Professionals, his eyes finally landed on the short skeleton.
A Gnome Bombardier, unexpectedly a level 15 Alchemist.
This…
Among the Alchemists he had encountered, most lacked significant combat capabilities, being more of an extension of a research-oriented profession.
They could create antidotes, poisons, and potions with various enhancement effects.
Now, a short Alchemist, not only had become a pirate captain but was also participating in the battle.
It was indeed somewhat unbelievable.
He took out two more potions and gulped them down, glancing at the Alchemist Skeleton's attributes.
[Skeleton Alchemist (Level 15)]
[Attributes: Constitution 22, Strength 15, Agility 25, Intelligence 28, Perception 22, Charisma 12]
[Traits: Hollow Skeleton, Intermediate Soul, Quick Thinker]
[Feats: Leather Armor Specialization (Proficient), Throwing Specialization (Proficient), Bombology (Expert)]
[Abilities: Alchemical Scholar, Formula Book, Explosives Science, Alchemical Bomb Research, Gunpowder Material Formulation]
[Quick Thinker]: This unit is naturally equipped with a flexible mind.
[Explosives Science]: This unit is proficient in the alchemical discipline of 'Explosives Science,' specializing in various explosive and fragmentation mines.
[Alchemical Bomb Research]: Able to develop new types of alchemical bombs based on requirements.
[Gunpowder Material Formulation]: Has flexible usage and blending of gunpowder and special materials to create a variety of bombs.
Reviewing the attributes, the strengths of the Bombardier became apparent.
The entire body had relatively high Agility and Intelligence.
Within the field of alchemy, it fell into the sub-discipline of Bombology.
This included both the research of alchemical bombs and the formulation of gunpowder materials.
It seemed to follow a rather niche alchemical path, and the development was quite good.
...…
After a brief review,
Wu Heng didn't linger any longer.
He directly walked toward the upright iron coffin in the distance.
Skull-Crusher and Keramu were trapped inside this device.
It was still unclear whether it was an item or a relic, and whether there was any specific danger involved.
He sent a skeleton forward to probe.
After confirming no apparent danger,
He walked straight over.
[Iron Maiden Coffin (Relic)]
[Category: Relic]
[Effect: Can imprison up to three fixed targets within range into the iron coffin.]
[Side Effect: Requires feeding with blood.]
(Description: A bloodstained instrument of sin that imprisons the guilty, subjecting them to endless solitude and torment.)
A relic.
And an instrument of torture, its appearance was already eerie.
It could imprison sinners within, subjecting them to endless solitude and torment.
It seemed incapable of killing someone outright.
Wu Heng circled the iron coffin, exerting slight force at the lid.
The heavy lid was directly opened.
Inside, two skeletons were revealed.
They were not dead, and the soul flames in their eye sockets were still vibrant.
Additionally, no chains shot out from the coffin, suggesting it required blood feeding to activate its effects.
Releasing the two skeletons,
Wu Heng stored the iron coffin in his spatial ring as well.
He planned to study it thoroughly after returning.
At this moment, Glenda flew back from a distance.
She said, "The guild members lost. Only the elven Deputy Steward is holding out. Prolonged resistance could become dangerous."
Wu Heng took a deep breath and handed a sniper rifle to the Skeleton Ranger.
Then he stood up and said, "Let's go, we're heading over."
...…
Village courtyard location.
The courtyard walls had collapsed, and the houses behind them were partially in ruins.
Pirate leaders holding torches stood in what resembled a courtyard of debris.
Their faces showed not only post-battle fatigue but also a fervor and excitement.
A pirate thrust his longsword into the chest of a heavily injured guild member, blood gushing out.
Members of Squad One and Squad Eleven lay scattered on the ground, coughing blood, their eyes unfocused.
Only now did they realize that all of this had been a trap by the pirates.
"Isn't your guild always acting high and mighty, maintaining order, and searching everywhere for us? Did you ever think of today?"
"This woman looks good, much better than those in the taverns. Don't kill her; keep her like that dog."
"After the captain's done, it'll be our turn."
Today's victory.
Filled the pirates' hearts with exhilaration.
After hiding for so many years, they finally had guild members fall into their hands.
...…
Outside the courtyard.
Sheila Grey was covered in blood, her golden hair stained dark red.
Her figure was somewhat slumped, her head lowered, her eyes coldly staring ahead.
The once pale and youthful face had turned sickly white.
Beside her, the local Deputy Steward, also severely injured, barely stood, his chest a mess of bloody flesh, his entire body drenched as if he had been pulled from a pool of blood.
Unlike Wu Heng and Sheila Grey, who could deduce the village's connection to the pirates,
This Deputy Steward, heavily injured and near death since the start of the battle, had remained completely baffled.
He couldn't understand how a routine patrol mission had led to an encounter with so many pirates.
Moreover, the pirates were so familiar with the village, and none of the villagers came out of their homes.
Sheila Grey's cold gaze fixed forward as she said in a deep voice, "The Devil's Hand will face unending pursuit by the guild. Even if you escape the Emerald Sea, you know Steward Imiro's stance; you will all die."
Opposite her, the captain of the Devil's Hand, wearing a religious robe, had a rapier stabbed into his chest by 'Sheila Grey.'
Bright red blood stained the front of his robes.
Yet, his figure remained upright, his face showing no trace of post-battle fatigue.
Hearing the threat, he pulled out a faint smile.
Casually pulling the rapier from his chest and tossing it aside, he said with a smile, "Not killing you means the guild won't come after us? Little Deputy Steward, wake up. You kill pirates, and pirates naturally kill you."
"Wu Heng has already escaped. Even if we die, it doesn't mean your plan succeeded," Sheila Grey said.
The local Deputy Steward swallowed hard, picking up on some information.
These pirates had orchestrated this entire event to capture the person who had just escaped?
Along the way, Sheila Grey had been handling matters and giving orders, so he hadn't noticed another person.
The captain of the Devil's Hand spoke softly, "Five level-15 pirates, do you think they can't kill one Deputy Steward?"
"Of course!" Sheila Grey responded.
"Then you die first. At least you'll have some company." As the words fell, the captain of the Devil's Hand transformed into a black streak of light, charging forward.
...…
Inside the courtyard.
"Kill everyone except these two women," shouted a pirate leader.
The others immediately drew their weapons.
With vicious grins, they swung their weapons at the incapacitated squad members.
Killing the people from Gold-Silver Island today would become a tale to brag about for a lifetime on the ship.
Kavina, clutching a short sword to her throat, muttered, "Just got here, and it's already annoying."
Even if these pirates didn't kill her,
Her fate would likely be worse than death.
It'd be better to end it quickly; Wu Heng would surely avenge her.
Summoning her last bit of strength, she prepared to pierce her throat.
Bang~!
A familiar explosion suddenly erupted.
Opening her eyes, she saw an ugly pirate's expression freeze as his head exploded.
His body fell forward.
With a thud, it hit the ground.
Bang bang bang~!
Gunfire erupted densely, and several pirate leaders fell one after another.
Through her blurred vision, Kavina saw two skeletons rushing forward, shielding the wounded.
He didn't escape; he killed those pirates and came back.
...…
Whoosh~!
A fireball streaked through the air, leaving a fiery tail.
It struck the captain of the Devil's Hand, exploding and throwing him several meters back.
His body was charred black, and one shoulder was completely gone.
Wu Heng tossed aside the spent rocket launcher, walking forward with several skeletons.
The captain of the Devil's Hand frowned deeply, biting back the pain, his expression filled with suspicion and disbelief.
"How is it you? Where are they?"
As he spoke, his gaze repeatedly shifted toward the darkness behind him.
Soon after, several skeletons came into view.
Their familiar weapons and armor instantly revealed the truth to him.
"Who are you?"