362 Opponen (1/2)

”Where's the grandmaster?”

'Baro' just smiled cynically at this in reply.

”What did you prepare at the northern inn? A trap? Or an ambush?” Sam stared at him. ”Tell me. I'm interested.”

”There's nothing interesting there, just a transformation ritual.”'Baro' pursed his lips and chuckled. ”After all, you're all stars of the next generation. My lord thirsts for talents. He would never do something like shedding blood. The perishing praise are just bandits that only know how to kill. I'd love to have more companions, especially elites like Mr. Sam…” Before he finished, a cry sounded in the distance. Dozens of wild aether waves appeared. A bloody head was tossed over.

'Baro' looked at Sam as if he could see the subtle hand movement. He chuckled meaningfully. ”Do you still have more questions? I will answer everything I can.”

Sam's expression darkened. Those who wanted to escape froze, their eyes filling with despair.

”I admit I had other intentions but I was still the one that protected you all along the way, right? How can you leave without a word of thanks? I'm so sad.” He reached out and picked up the head. He flicked the dead lips mischievously. Looking at the people gently, he said, ”Come, say it with me—thank you.”

No one replied.

In the silence, someone finally set his determination. He jumped up, calling, ”I'll stop them! Everyone split up and leave—” But before he could finish, his body split in two. His body was cut apart, and blood splattered onto everyone's pale faces.

”Leave?”'Baro' smiled tightly. ”We're already here. Where else do you want to go?”

Blood fell endlessly like rain. Washed by the blood, the hallucination fell apart. The burning city and broken walls all disappeared. Finally, all that remained was the bloody hall. The northern inn that had transformed into a demon's lair was covered in bodies.

Sixteen dark musicians stood around the vast alchemy array and played an eerie music score. They performed the ritual and praise. The 'sacrifices' that had escaped here were standing within the array. The solid black aura constrained and immobilized them.

Those who had 'died' along the way had already been tossed onto the altar. They were being slowly transformed into the dark race. Soon, the 'newborns' crawled out of the puddle of blood one by one. The dark musicians waiting beside them called out their names and helped them put on black robes.

”The transformation ritual has been prepared for a long time.” The faceless actor finally revealed its true nature. The empty face smiled at them and opened its arms to the panicking musicians. ”Now, what do you all think?”

The musicians' faces turned ghastly white as they stared at the menacing demons around them, unable to move. Then some familiar faces walked out of the group of demons.

”Asa?! How can it be you? And Lorenzo…” Someone was stunned. ”Aren't you guys dead?”

In the crowd, a girl whose face had been burned yelped as she looked at a familiar face in the back. ”Benny! How—why are you still alive…”

Those who had reappeared were all musicians who had died during the attack. Some had even died before their friends and were buried. But now, they were all here, looking the same as before.

”Illusion!” someone roared. ”It's an illusion!”

Miller finally reacted. He glanced subconsciously at his companion who was an Illusion musician. However, the musician's face was colorless and decadent. Forcefully shattering an aether ball, his expression slacked. After a while, he shook his head. ”It's…real?!” It was real…

”Anna.” Amongst the dark musicians, the man known as Benny gazed gently at his lover. ”We finally meet again. This is God's blessing. Please don't doubt me. Do you still remember when we first met? We…” The more he spoke, the more incredulous Anna grew. Finally, tears sprang from her eyes. Stumbling back, she covered her burnt face and choked with sobs. ”Don't look at me, my dear. I'm...I couldn't save you, I'm sorry!”

”Ailments are just the surface. Don't mind it. My dear, we've reunited.” Benny opened his arms and waved at her with gentle eyes. ”Come here, my love. Come to my side.”

Hesitating, Anna walked over cautiously. She embraced Benny and they kissed. The love in Benny's eyes was genuine. Finally sure that he was not an illusion, Anna broke down sobbing.

Benny murmured something to her. She quickly made her decision. Taking off her clothes, she stepped onto the altar. The other musicians were enraged, but she walked into the center of the transformation ritual. One by one, the musicians were convinced by their resurrected friends and walked toward the altar willingly. The faceless musician hugged each one, welcoming them.

Finally, he looked to Sam. ”Mr. Sam, you were personally requested by leader Crowley. I'm sure you've witnessed our lord's ability to turn back death. Why are you unwilling to face reality?” The faceless musician stood before him and looked down.

”Is it humiliating to bow down before the truth? And what about you, Mr. Miller? The School of Choir has always been the cradle of dark musicians. Aren't you interested in the transformation between life and death? All you have to do is bow down and you'll see the treasures given to you by our lord.”

Miller's lips were pale and trembling. He stood in front of Sam and stared at the faceless musician. He rasped out, ”Your god is not my god.”

”How can the clay idols you worship be compared to the majestic existence?” The faceless musician's expression hardened and he raised his hand. ”I'm sorry. You only had one chance.”

Miller closed his eyes, waiting for death. However, the hand was caught by someone else.