As for why all of this turned out like this, these effects were naturally caused by the black seed that Gavasa spat out.
Its name is “Little Imp Cultivator.”
Gavasa obtained it during a deal with demons.
Its effect is to influence up to 30 creatures at once, forcibly transforming those below level 30 into little imps.
As for those at level 30 or above, their life force is drained and transferred to the user.
Regarding why the guards were frozen upon touching the vines, it was actually because Gavasa cast a spell called “Fear Stun” on the vines—not a direct ability of the “Little Imp Cultivator.”
The “Fear Stun” spell forces the target to be unable to move or act for a short period.
The lower the target’s level and the higher their fear, the stronger the spell’s effect.
Faced with these guards, who were much weaker than Gavasa and trembling with terror, this spell was incredibly effective.
Looking at the guards before him, either completely turned into little imps or having their life force drained dry, Gavasa wore a satisfied expression.
He turned his gaze toward Furnace Hook—the only living person left here.
Furnace Hook had silently retreated to a corner, unable to move when the Guard Captain was torn apart.
Seeing what had happened to the guards afterward, he was completely terrified and still hadn’t recovered his senses.
Seeing that Furnace Hook made no move, Gavasa fully understood that this guy was only relying on a life-saving tool and had no real ability.
However, although I’m injured, he was able to withstand my full strike; that life-saving tool of his is not bad.
Hmm, I should take a look at it. It seems to be hidden in his left eye.
Gavasa looked at Furnace Hook’s left eye patch and smiled faintly, as if strolling through his own backyard, slowly approaching him.
Furnace Hook tensed up as Gavasa approached, but thinking he still had that tool, he relaxed slightly inside.
He forced himself to sound confident as he shouted, “Hah, don’t think that killing my guards means you can escape! You can’t kill me now! When I get out, you’re finished! You damn, filthy, stupid Demon Race!”
Hearing Furnace Hook’s insults, Gavasa frowned, no longer wanting to listen to this human’s nonsense.
He began chanting a spell, and soon a pitch-black thorny sword radiating an evil aura appeared in his hand.
Gavasa raised the thorny sword, took a stance, and began charging up power.
Seeing this, Furnace Hook couldn’t help but feel his heart tighten; he silently prepared something else.
Whoosh!
Gavasa stabbed at Furnace Hook with lightning speed.
In Furnace Hook’s terrified eyes, the circular barrier surrounding him was pierced by Gavasa’s sword, the magical fragments scattered, then turned transparent and disappeared.
Gavasa stared at the scene before him, first surprised, then growing slightly pleased.
In front of him was nothing but the wall he had pierced through—the figure of Furnace Hook had completely vanished.
Of course, this wasn’t Gavasa’s doing; he didn’t yet have the power to instantly erase someone after breaking through such a strong barrier.
Only one explanation made sense: Furnace Hook teleported.
But Gavasa hadn’t seen Furnace Hook use a Teleportation Scroll.
In fact, under such circumstances, Furnace Hook wouldn’t have had a chance to use one.
In other words, it was that unknown magical item of his that caused Furnace Hook to teleport.
This instantly sparked strong interest in Gavasa.
If he had such a magical item, his chances of survival would greatly increase!
He must get it!
Determined to obtain the magical item, Gavasa commanded the little imp guards to search around the mansion.
A teleport spell like that couldn’t have sent Furnace Hook far, which meant Furnace Hook was still nearby!
As long as he could find him, that magical item would be his!
Imagining the scene after getting the magical item, a faint smile curved Gavasa’s lips.
He looked out at the lively scene outside the window and began to feel grateful for the Demon King’s blessing.
Liyami, who had witnessed everything while hiding in the shadows, looked at the relaxed yet cautious Gavasa and felt a stirring inside.
But in the end, she calmed herself.
If she acted now, not only would any targets escape, but she might not even be able to finish off this demon.
This guy was clearly stronger than Liyami; even injured, he was hard to deal with.
Besides, he had just absorbed the guards’ life force and probably recovered some of his injuries, making him even harder to handle.
With this in mind, Liyami hesitated no longer, manipulating the shadows to open the mansion.
Compared to the Demon Race, completing her mission was the priority…
This is what a qualified assassin should do.
Standing by the window enjoying the view, Gavasa suddenly remembered something after Liyami left.
He turned to look inside the room—wasn’t there a woman here just now?
“Shh! Don’t move! Don’t make a sound!”
Laura pressed the head of a Beastman companion back into the grass.
Although some of their unfortunate comrades had been captured again earlier, Laura still led a few to escape to this patch of grass not far from the mansion.
This grassy area wasn’t very wide, but with the guards inside the mansion, it would be very difficult and time-consuming to find escaped Beastman slaves hiding in these half-person-tall bushes.
Laura planned to have everyone hide here for a while, regain some strength, and then find the right moment to slip past the guards and escape to the forest in the east.
After all, they had been locked up for a long time.
Even though they had eaten a little and regained some strength, they had used most of it escaping just now.
Without rest, it would be hard to continue fleeing.
Looking at her pale and emaciated companions, Laura knew that what they needed more than rest was food.
But in this grassland, how could they find food?
Only by quickly reaching the forest could they have a slim chance of survival.
Though Laura didn’t know what would happen once they reached the forest.
Would the mercenaries stop pursuing them there?
Would there be enough food in the forest to restore their strength?
Where would they go after that?
Would they all die in the forest in the end?
Laura didn’t know the answers, but she did know that dying in the forest was better than being sold as slaves to humans!
Taking a deep breath, Laura prepared to lead everyone to shift their resting spot and slowly move closer to the eastern forest.
Just then, a flash of white light passed, and a figure landed in front of Laura and her companions.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.