Chapter 595 - Confused Heart (III) (1/2)

“This is…”

Lize sucked in a deep breath. She immediately spotted the unusual environment. Everything before her eyes were emanating with unprecedented dangers. Her instincts were warning her to stay away from this dangerous region.

What should I do?

Lize stood by the entrance of the valley hesitantly. She had never entered any dangerous regions alone as a Cleric. In the beginning, she used to be incapable of doing it, but now, she didn’t have such a chance even if she wanted to. Even though she had learned quite a few battle techniques from Mini Bubble Gum, she had never done this before. Besides, she also knew the dangers of the spreading Chaos. The terrifying, lurking monsters might charge out from anywhere and everywhere. If she were to be encircled by the monsters, she would definitely have a hard time escaping. Besides, Mr. Rhode didn’t allow me to enter the valley. If I enter on my own accord…

“Argh…”

Suddenly, Lize heard a deep groan and she widened her eyes as soon as she turned around. Anne was covered in ghastly scars and blood everywhere as she leaned on a large boulder. The shield that had never left her side was nowhere to be seen.

“Anne?!”

Lize shrieked in horror. She hurriedly cast a protective barrier on herself and bolted forward.

“Anne, what happened? Where’s Mr. Rhode? Anne?!”

As Lize was about to arrive at Anne’s side, a burst of strong wind blew against her face and forced her to shut her eyes. In the blink of an eye, Lize opened her eyes and realized that Anne had vanished.

“Anne?”

There was nothing before Lize except for the swaying shrubs. There were no signs of Anne as though she was never there.

Have I been tricked?

Lize was no longer the newbie from before anymore. She swiftly turned around and leaned back against the boulder. Then, she waved her arms and two protective halos spread apart with her in the middle. She felt much more relieved now. She puckered her brows and scanned the surroundings cautiously. However, nothing had changed. The entire river valley was equally silent. Although it felt like an illusion, Lize knew that she was like a butterfly who had flown into a spider web. If she didn’t escape sooner, she might be eaten. But…

Lize turned her gaze to the entrance where she came from and it was replaced by dense, lush shrubs and forest. She frowned and extended her arm forward to cast a spell that could break the illusion. However, it was ineffective.

I’m in trouble…

Lize approached the dense forest. The densely packed tree branches and vines had interwoven. The hard shrubs on the ground and the entire forest seemed like a natural barrier and it was impossible to pass through. Lize touched the texture of the withered bark and she realized that it wasn’t an illusion at all. However, if it was real, how did it appear? Lize remembered that only the Elves were capable of manipulating nature. However, she didn’t offend any Elves. Besides, Elves wouldn’t lure her inside by creating an illusion of an injured Anne.

Lize turned around and her heart sank. She had only been attracted by the scenery inside and when she turned around, she discovered that the environment around her had changed itself entirely. The valley was nowhere to be seen. It was replaced with an endless, dark forest surrounded by shrubs and vines. Apart from the indistinct path that led the way, there were no other ways.

Is this an illusion spell or trap?

Lize hesitated no more. She tapped on her earring lightly and the deep blue earring glowed warmly. Then, the invisible magical signal spread forward.

“Mr. Rhode? Mr. Rhode? Can you hear me? I’ve met with some trouble…”

“…”

No response.

This Magic Transmission Device which Lapis made was only worn by the higher-ups of the Guild and it didn’t seem to work.

It seems like the only way is to move forward.

Lize hesitated for a few moments as she looked into the indistinct trail that led into the forest. In the end, she made a desperate decision.

Lize didn’t think that her choice was right. But she had no other choice.

Perhaps due to the dense trees blocking out the sunlight, the forest was strangely dark. Lize had to widen her eyes to see everything clearly before her. She didn’t dare to cast her illumination spell because she knew that it would attract trouble and danger. Besides, she wasn’t powerful as a Cleric. Although Mini Bubble Gum had taught her well and wholeheartedly, the differences in their personalities couldn’t be changed.

After walking for up to two hours, or even longer, the dark space finally brightened and the surrounding tree branches and vines that resembled snakes became sparse. Lize hurried her footsteps toward the source of light.

“Hu hu hu…”

As Lize was about to step out of the forest, suddenly, a burst of chuckles sounded in her ears. She came to a halt abruptly and scanned the surroundings. At this moment, a figure in the forest caught her attention.

“Mr. Rhode?”

Rhode’s back was facing her as though he was focused on something else. Lize yelled out in surprise and scuttled two steps forward subconsciously. However, she reminded herself of Anne’s illusion which made her fall into this situation. She didn’t wish to be had for the second time.

Lize inched forward sneakily from the side.

That is really Mr. Rhode.

Lize was sure of it. Rhode seemed to be doing something there, but the dense shrubs had blocked her vision. Lize stepped forward and this time, she heard someone gasping for breath—a really familiar voice.

However, everything revealed before her eyes before she figured out who it was.