Chapter 7: The Singer Must Die!

Chapter 7: The Singer Must Die!

As is well known, “Land of Gods and Demons” had nine major professions. But in fact, there were only five basic classes—

Ranged Mage [Cleric], Melee [Holy Knight], Archer [Demon Hunter], Summoner [Bard], and [Witch].

Yes, the Witch was the only class without a clear role, and the only one that couldn't change classes.

The other four basic classes could undergo class change upon reaching Level 30.

For instance, Clerics can choose to become Elemental Mages (Light) or Curse Mages (Dark), while Bards can become either Mother of the Forest (Light) or Death Singer (Dark).

The purely dark profession of Witch can only continually upgrade its title—Low, Intermediate, Advanced, and Noble.

Sounds pretty dull, right?

But as a phenomenal game, “Land of Gods and Demons” smartly created excellent and tight links between all professions.

In simple terms: causing trouble.

By instigating conflicts, it ensures that different professions have heaps of battles and advancements to strive for daily.

For example, the classic clash between the forces of Light and Dark. Once professions of these factions collide, regardless of the winner, the player gains a significant buff. They can even freely choose to wear titles like [Defeated xx Light/Dark Players].

There are even richer and more complex settings, like the Witch’s Heart.

As a pure dark creature and the source of black magic power, a Witch's heart is a highly sought-after upgrade material.

Death Singers, Demon Hunters evolved into Abyss Hunters—any dark profession, really—are perpetually hunting Witches in the game world.

For every Witch of equal level killed, a dark profession character gains Level +3, a permanent 30% increase in combat power, and a permanent 30% increase in mana, among other benefits.

If the Witch’s level is lower than theirs, the benefit decreases accordingly.

Conversely, if a Witch manages to counter-kill, they acquire the player’s full set of equipment, potion recipes, skill books, and points.

This includes items carried on the person or stored in the warehouse.

It’s an utterly relentless setup.

Even if you have no intention of fighting, you can’t ensure others feel the same.

Thus, every player is desperately improving themselves, with Fei undoubtedly being one of the most competitive in the game.

Now, in the reality where she has only one life, her brain worked overtime.

Her gaze swept over the singer’s blood-soaked robe and pale face, and the scattered empty bags on the ground. Fei gradually calmed down.

I must survive.

She thought with immense determination.

"You, you're hurt," the young girl timidly extended her hand, her trembling finger pointing at the torn purple robe.

Her speech was awkward and dry, as if she had only recently learned to talk.

"I can help, can be, useful to you."

Her speech was disordered, chaotic in grammar, presenting a threat level lower than zero.

Coupled with a bruised forehead from the fall and a face covered in dust, the frail girl looked innocent and pitiful.

The staff hesitated to fall, as the shadows encircled her.

Fei felt as if she had plunged into an ice cave, but she dared not move.

The man facing her was Level 30, while she had only just found the novice hall.

"Hasn't anyone taught you how to speak?" the Death Singer, propping up his pale head, scrutinized the girl up and down.

Fei’s aura of poverty was so strong it needed no feigning.

She gazed blankly at the man before her, shrinking back and pointing at her head.

"Sorry, I... I’m dumb..."

After a three-second silence, the staff was raised slightly, and a halo like sound waves flashed above Fei’s head... A detection spell, a cautious villain!

Fei inwardly cursed, maintaining a shocked and bewildered facade.

"It's true..." Clarke, who had just completed his class change—currently being hunted by the entire Silberzweig Monastery of Elbereth City—saw a flash of extreme excitement in his eyes after narrowly escaping death.

The girl's words were all true; there was no trace of magical flow on her, her body's energy weak to the point of being less dangerous than a stray dog passing by.

Ha, a Witch-in-training who had just become a Witch, not even having learned magic yet?

Clarke’s heart pounded wildly, his blood boiling!

His gaze fixated on the girl’s plain black dress. Although it seemed ordinary, his summoned minions couldn’t leave any mark on it, nor could they penetrate it.

Clearly, this was a garment imbued with a strong protective spell, something only Witches in this realm—Witch territory—would do!

Indeed, Clarke realized that using an invisibility potion to escape here was the best decision he ever made!

Clarke could feel his current state was abysmal.

As the third-tier academy of the Assyrian Empire, the Silberzweig Monastery’s Elemental Mages were shameless! Was it necessary to send their strongest fire elementals to hunt him for over half a month just because he stole a dirty, strange ancient coin from their academy?!

Clarke had nearly exhausted all his potions in a life-or-death struggle before accidentally stumbling upon this place.

Had it not been for a few Witches opening the Black Cat Gate, he wouldn’t have had the chance to use his last invisibility potion to sneak in.

But at that time, he was near death and dared not reveal himself in front of those Witches.

Now, after casting several healing spells, Clarke’s magical power was completely drained.

But the wounds inflicted by a true Elemental Mage couldn’t be healed by a few low-level healing spells, could they?

Clarke could feel his life rapidly draining away.

He needed to drink a healing potion as soon as possible, preferably a high-quality one, but at least a standard one, to bring himself back from the brink of death.

Once his life was secure, he could consume a Witch’s heart to restore his magical power...

Then, this Witch’s “back garden” would become his stage, wouldn’t it?

Every Witch coming here to collect materials would become his nourishment! He would become the most powerful Dark Mage in the abyss!

“Hahahaha…” Clarke couldn’t help but laugh out loud, his body trembling, more blood seeping through his robe.

“Cough cough,” the Death Singer regained his composure, speaking in the gentlest voice, “Child, can you concoct a healing potion? Or do you know the way to the human world? Any potion shop there will do. I need you to get me one… no, five bottles of high-quality healing potion, or twenty standard ones. Bring them to me without anyone finding out. If you try any tricks, my minions will tear your throat apart immediately, understand?”

Fei blinked, “Ah…?” What?

Clarke’s expression gradually twisted.

He tentatively said a few more sentences, but the girl’s expression grew increasingly innocent.

“Sorry,” the newly minted little Witch lowered her head, “I’m dumb…”

The detection magic didn’t change color, indicating the child wasn’t lying; she genuinely didn’t understand what he was saying.

Clarke: “…”

He kept reassuring himself that these were the inevitable trials on the road to success! Harmlessness meant slow progress, which was normal; otherwise, he wouldn’t have chosen the path of dark magic, right?

The Singer desperately controlled his agitation, enduring the risk of blood loss, and raised the staff in his hand.

He needed to get the healing potion as soon as possible. Apart from this simple-minded little witch, it would be hard to find another suitable person.

Clarke understood that once he left the barrier-enclosed Twisted Forest, he would be immediately captured by the mages of the Silberzweig Monastery, leaving him no option but death.

This was the only way.

What waves could a little creature without any magical power, even with a feeble mind, make?

The dark purple staff emitted a deep glow at its tip, and a black minion slowly moved over, clinging to Fei’s back like a gecko, embracing her neck.

A chilling breath instantly enveloped her.

Fei exhibited the reaction expected of an eight-year-old child; she cried in fear, shedding tears desperately.

Moments later, a faint mark appeared on Fei's neck, dusty and smudged.

Another minion produced a beautiful crystal bottle from somewhere, inscribed with the script of a different world: Healing Potion.

“Retrieve this for me,” the Death Singer stuffed the crystal bottle into Fei's embrace, “Do not let anyone discover it.”

“If you dare play any tricks, my minions will twist your neck instantly, do you understand?”

The cold breath coiled around Fei’s neck like a rope, suddenly making it hard for her to breathe, a massive shadow of death looming over her.

As a powerful summoner, the Death Singer indeed had the ability to remotely command his minions—these truly dead souls.

Fei nodded with difficulty, her eyes filled with fear, dropping large teardrops.

Clarke was thoroughly satisfied. He weakly leaned against the wall of the pit, waving his hand for the girl to leave quickly.

With the pressure on her neck released, Fei staggered a few steps before stabilizing herself.

Her gaze swiftly swept over the Singer, pausing momentarily at his fingers.

The girl stood still, not moving for a long time.

Clarke, clutching his staff, looked over warily, “What are you doing? Why haven’t you left yet?”

Leave? A dark glint flashed in Fei’s eyes.

If this guy was in such a critical state... it would be a waste not to take advantage of the situation.

The girl, feigning fear, wiped her tears, gesturing desperately with one hand, “Need to go... back... to town, town… I don’t... don’t know how I…”

Clarke, resisting the urge to tear her apart on the spot, patiently listened to her stuttering words, then suddenly understood, “Are you saying, to get the high-quality healing potion, you need to go back to town, but you don’t know the way back, is that it?”

Fei appeared confused for a moment, then hesitantly nodded.

Clarke fell silent.

He indeed hadn’t detected any magical fluctuations from the girl, confirming she was truly a new Witch-in-training.

Clarke didn’t know the enrollment process of the Witch Academy, but when he learned dark magic with his master, he was simply taken wherever the master said, without the right to question or leave early, let alone knowing the method of teleportation.

If the Witch Academy operated similarly...

The Death Singer stared at Fei for a long while, causing her to break out in cold sweat, before he finally spoke coldly, “I can teach you how to leave the abyss, but if you dare…”

He uttered a litany of threats, which Fei didn’t understand at all and simply ignored.

She knew, in reality, this Singer had no other choice.

Indeed, after a long pause, Clarke slowly slid a bone ring off his finger.

“This is a ring that connects the human world and the abyss,” Clarke explained, drawing a simple diagram on the ground, “For the first use, just place the ring on a door and recite the name of the place in the human world you wish to go to.”

“But after one use, the teleportation destination becomes fixed, so you must choose carefully where you leave the abyss.”

Clarke’s teleportation destination in the human world was his own home, likely now surrounded by the Silberzweig Monastery’s archmages.

He truly had no other options left; this harmless novice witch was his only hope.

Suppressing the excitement in her heart, Fei feigned confusion as she took the ring, stumbling back to where the vines were. Her arms trembled as she struggled to climb back up.

Atop the deep pit, everything seemed the same as when she had jumped down, with the 'whoo-whoo' of the wind passing through the twisted forest, gently patting the girl's face.

Fei wiped her face, erasing all traces of pity, leaving only a deep, cold light in her eyes.

Wanting a healing potion? And a Witch's heart?

How convenient! She also wanted the staff in the Singer's hand, and even more, all the undead spirits surrounding him!

What’s the most valuable asset for a summoner? Equipment? Weapons?

No, no, no, it's their summoned creatures!

This wasn't a story of a "doomed girl about to be devoured by a Death Singer," it was a "newbie boss with a 100% drop rate!"

Defeating him would yield more benefits than what 10 hidden NPCs could offer!

And he was a big deal, Level 30!

Blood raced through the veins of the eight-year-old girl, her eyes reflecting a blazing light.

The Singer must die!