Chapter 83: The Onset of Chaos

To bring the story of Mist City to its conclusion...

The Lady of the Mist left him with two final requests.

First, she hoped he would obtain the treasure and ignite the beacon atop the tower.

Second, she wished for him to inform Black River Prison of these events.

Yet, given the current circumstances, the second request had already been fulfilled. Through the schemes of the Kin-Eater and the Sinner, the Prison Hunters had arrived in Mist City! This would inevitably draw the attention of both Black River Prison and the Messengers of Calamity...

Chenqi exhaled deeply, gathering his thoughts.

What he truly needed to deal with now was how, amidst the chaos outside, he might pass the trial of the Master of Mist City and claim the ultimate treasure!

The items he had acquired were clearly tied to this trial.

Chenqi tapped the text, examining each item in turn.

[Epitaph Page (Quest Item):
Nature: Book
Description: A page imbued with the power of the Book aspect.
Function: Touching this page allows you to record an epitaph.
Note: A small slip of paper beside the page reminds you to bring materials for making clothing.]

[Shelter Lantern (Quest Item):
Nature: Lantern
Function: A lantern crafted by the Lady of the Mist, capable of evading the monsters of Mist City. Its true purpose is unknown.]

[Frozen Fish Wrapped in Paper (Quest Item):
Description: A delicious frozen fish, carrying a faint fishy scent.
Reminder: The note attached advises you to bring extra food.]

[Dueling Saber of Mist City (Quest Item):
Description: An ordinary iron saber, its blade dull and rusted. Residents of Mist City favor this weapon for duels.]

Aside from the first two, the other items were quite ordinary.

According to the hints, all these items were quest tools.

Chenqi had his character store them carefully, checked with Morningstar to ensure nothing else of value remained, then prepared to depart.

His next goal: to make his way to the heart of Mist City!

[As you secure the items, you hear the sound of earth cracking.]

[Standing on the staircase, you look back toward your point of entry. A faint glow flickers, accompanied by the clamorous sounds of discussion.]

[With the Lady of the Mist's statue reduced to dust, the exit appears naturally.]

Chenqi looked at the text.

It seemed the exit had been discovered by outsiders.

[Loud voices drift in from outside.
"Brothers, I've found the treasure's tomb!"
"Lord Kin-Eater said first come, first served—I'm going down first."
Treasure-seekers leapt eagerly into the tomb from the opening.]

"Don't let the treasure cloud your reason! It's dangerous—let me bear this risk!"
Voices continued to echo from the exit as Kin-Eater's followers found the tomb and began their exploration.

[They descended, surveying the tomb, which was shrouded in mist and filled with strange statues...]

[Looking up, they caught sight of your vague silhouette!]

Chenqi instinctively prepared for battle.

But the next text surprised him.

[Your shadow in the mist is so terrifying!]

["Everyone, follow orders, don't rush in—group together."]
He could hear the tremor in the leader's voice.

[They seemed to mistake him for the gravekeeper, clustering in a turtle formation, retreating as far as possible.]

Names and titles of the group flashed by—he could check their profiles.

Chenqi glanced at them; they were a group of level eight or lower, clearly mere fodder.

Their numbers were considerable, yet instead of attacking, they huddled together, forming a turtle-like defense.

This group had a sense of tactics...

He couldn't afford to waste stamina here.

Chenqi checked his character's status panel; stamina and spiritual power had been depleted in this battle.

He decided to leave directly.

[At your slightest movement, they shrank further into the corners, weapons drawn.]

Am I really that frightening...? Chenqi continued reading.

[You meld into the mist, your figure gradually vanishing. The treasure-hunters, lacking keen spiritual vision, cannot discern your presence, slashing blindly at the air in vigilance.]

[You find the exit and, aided by your Black Rain Boots, swiftly reach the surface.]

[You return to the surface, gazing up at the rising Smile Moon.]

He was out.

According to the hints from the Lady of the Mist's tomb, the trial for the Master of Mist City's treasure awaited in the city's center.

To claim it, he would have to enter the city.

Chenqi opened the map, intending to approach the city wall first.

[You observe the cemetery, confirm nothing else remains, and cautiously advance toward the city.]

[Advancing...]

[You traverse the ruins outside Mist City, arriving at its imposing city walls.]

[Please make your choice:]

[One: Enter the city.
Two: Ascend the city wall.
Three: Leave.]

Two: Ascend the city wall.

[You locate the passage to the top and climb up.]

[To defend against calamity, this wall was built exceedingly high; within Mist City, only the Scourge Observation Tower and the Beacon Tower rise higher.]

[Do you wish to overlook the city center?]

Yes.

[You carefully gaze upon the central scene.]

A gray text, radiating the aura of calamity, appeared.

[In the distance, at the city's heart, the Sinner and his cohorts gathered, playing classical, tranquil melodies.
The gray mist swirled overhead, forming a massive storm!
You faintly hear the voice of calamity...]

This was the prelude: the Sinner intended to wield calamity against the Prison Hunters.

Chenqi rubbed his hands.

It seemed chaos would soon erupt!

According to the recent text, the trial of the Master of Mist City was in the city’s center.

To claim the treasure, he must enter Mist City...

But he couldn't rush. The city center was occupied by the Sinner and his allies; entering now would be suicide.

He had to wait for the right moment.

Chenqi considered the situation. Although the Sinner seemed secure for now, once the Prison Hunters arrived, Mist City would plunge into turmoil.

A great battle between the Sinner, the Prison Hunters, and Calamity was about to begin!

At that moment, perhaps he could use the chaos to slip safely into Mist City.

He possessed the Lampflower Badge, which, in a sense, made the Prison Hunters his allies.

Chenqi opened his equipment and skills panel.

After the White Dove's Eye was used, it required two hours and four units of spiritual power to recover.

It had been two hours now.

Chenqi expended his spiritual power to restore the White Dove's Eye.

White Dove, scout the city gate.

[The white dove flew from your right eye, seeking out the situation...]

[Your dove reached the great gate atop Mist City’s wall, surveying the entrance below.]

Having set the dove in place,

Chenqi let his game character enter a guarded resting state to recover stamina.

[You close your eyes, resting briefly...]

[Resting...]

[You open your eyes.]

[Through the dove’s vision, you see the city wall shatter—]

[Pitch-black chains pierce the wall! They sense their allies—they have arrived!]

[Boom!]

[The Prison Hunters crash through the walls, racing toward Mist City’s center!
Their armor radiates destruction, the burning flames of retribution searing their chests!]

[You scan this group of black monsters: twenty Prison Hunters have arrived, intent on capturing every Sinner!]

[You can feel their torrent-like rage! The scorching aura spreads through this icy land.]

Chenqi read on.

[You rise, gazing from the city wall into the distance.]

[With the Prison Hunters’ arrival, the sinners in the city center immediately respond.]

[A massive storm forms at the city’s heart, a monstrous entity covers the sky, stirring countless fragments of stone!]

[You stand upon the wall, watching the swirling chaos at the center.]

[At the heart of the struggle between Prison Hunters and Sinners, you glimpse a trial—a trial for the Bearer of the Lamp!]

[The wild wind howls around you.]

[A storm sweeping across Mist City is taking shape!]

[You grip your saber, the fire within your heart already ablaze.]

Chenqi silently intoned,

The curtain of battle has risen, the time has come—it’s time to set out...

(End of chapter)