Advent of the Archmage

Like most Beastmen cities, the streets of this canyon city were all smelly and disgusting.

The Great Plains lacked water, so the Beastmen didn’t have the habit of bathing. There weren’t any underground sewage systems either, so waste piled up in the corners. Feces from oxen, goats, and donkeys were everywhere on the streets. Any human city was far cleaner than here.

The canyon walls were high, blocking the sun. This made the alleys all dark and shadowy. In the entire canyon, only the main avenue saw sunlight. The others were all in darkness.

Secrets could hide easily in this darkness. Link walked deep into the canyon and sensed bloody magic aura from some of the streets. Some even contained messy divine waves.

These were probably the believers of demon gods in the Sea of Void sent to convert people. These gods were powerful to mortals but were nothing compared to true gods. Any Legendary figure protected by the realm could drive these demon gods away.

They were like small scabies on the realm. Instead of being threatening, they were just annoying.

Link ignored the lowly darkness and continued forging on. He’d asked some Beastmen earlier and learned that the Black Lane was in the depths of the canyon. It was also the darkest part that contained the most dangerous organisms. Even the natives of the canyon feared it.

The canyon was very long. As Link kept walking, it became narrower and darker. Because people had dug below the canyon, it began to resemble a huge cave.

Around ten minutes later, the two walls were almost closed up, and the inside was all dark. The only sources of light came from the torches on either side. It was clear they weren’t well-maintained and were scattered sparsely. Occasionally, wind would blow, and the flames would waver. Eerie shadows flickered through the canyon.

Here, Link’s heart jumped. He could clearly feel energy waves from Naga warriors behind him. They’d concealed themselves, but they were like children playing with fire to Link. No amount of hiding would work.

“You want me to alarm them? Heh, I won’t let you get what you want.” Link could clearly see what the Naga was planning. For example, his battle ax wasn’t only a weapon. It also contained a positioning spell for the Nagas to track people.

Link grew more interested in the Nagas’ target. Looking at the geography around him, he chose a path and advanced without hesitation. Stooping, he snuck down the Black Lane’s shadows. His actions were at the same level as the best scout.

The Black Lane kept going down and reached in all directions. It looked like a maze. Shadows would occasionally appear in the alley, but they either crept forward like Link or were covered up seamlessly, not showing anything.

Sometimes, weird noises would travel down the street. Some were like moans, some were painful cries, while others were completely indescribable. The people on the street seemed to be used to the sounds. No one reacted to them.

As he continued, the torches lessened, and the light darkened. In places unreachable by firelight, one could barely see their hands before them. Of course, it didn’t affect Link at all. Everything was as bright as day in his eyes. He could see every corner in this place.

In his perceptions, the Nagas behind him slowed down considerably. The extreme darkness and strange sounds raised their guards.

Link was still fearless. Like a spirit, he was soundless and quick. After walking for almost ten minutes, he paused and grabbed someone in a black hooded cape.

This person had Level-4 dark Mana waves. He was a Magician, while Old Blindie was a Magician too. As fellow Magicians, Link could probably get information from him.

Link’s hands twitched. A long battle ax floated up like a leaf. The icy blade pressed against the man’s neck. “Do you want to live or die?”

“Live.” The Magician’s reply was definite, and his voice was stable without a bit of unsteadiness. Clearly, he was used to this.

He didn’t try to fight back either. Link didn’t show his Mana, but he’d showed powerful battle techniques with the ax. The Magician was sensitive to danger. He knew that he couldn’t defeat this man.

Link was satisfied that this man knew his place. “I want to know about Old Blindie.”

“Old Blindie? Why?” The Magician’s voice was a bit strange.

Link immediately pressed the ax in. There was a sharp scritch, and the Magician’s collar was ripped. The blade pressed against his skin. “I ask, you answer. My patience is limited.”

The Magician shuddered involuntarily. He knew that he’d run into someone truly dangerous. He could die today from a slight mishap. Not daring to think of anything else, he could only try to cooperate. “If Old Blindie is in the Black Lane, he’ll definitely be in the Bloody Tavern.”

“Is he in the Black Lane now?” Link stared at the Magician’s eyes while asking. He also felt for the other’s soul. He could immediately tell if the man lied. Nowadays, no secrets in Firuman could escape from him!

“You’re lucky. He’s there today.” The Magician didn’t dare look Link in the eye. He had to avert his gaze a few seconds later. It wasn’t that he felt guilty. He couldn’t resist Link’s pressure.

Link pried the Magician’s head back, forcing him to stare at himself. “How is Old Blindie usually?”

“He… he’s mysterious. No one knows where he is exactly. He’s strong too. He once showed a Level-7 spell. He… he’s low-key and never causes trouble. When he’s in the Bloody Tavern, he drinks alone in the corner and rarely talks to anyone.” The Magician’s voice trembled in fear.

“Last question. Why is he called Old Blindie?”

“He’s blind. He’s missing two eyes. He put two white crystal balls in his eye sockets, and he looks scary. This is all I know. Really, nothing more.”

“Patience. I need to know where the Bloody Tavern is.”

“Go down this road to the end. You’ll see a door with a black torch. That’s the entrance.” The Magician’s voice was hurried and quivered. He clearly thought that Link was ready to silence him with death.

Link chuckled, making the Magician shudder. He instinctively tried to attack. His wand already lit up.

“Okay, I believe you. Go now.” Link waved casually, extinguishing the magic forming on the wand. He grabbed the Magician and tossed him back while he flew forward, disappearing in the darkness in the blink of an eye.

Plop. The Magician landed safely on the ground. When he looked up, the Beastman Warrior was gone. What had happened seemed like a fantasy, but when he touched his throat, he could still feel the ax’s coldness. His collar was also ripped. It proved that it had actually happened.

This Warrior is so strong. Old Blindie’s rival is probably looking for him. I can’t stay in Black Lane anymore. I gotta go!

He turned and started for the exit without stopping.

On the other hand, Link sped up. Three minutes later, he reached the end of the street. There was indeed a door there. A torch with black flames hung from it, illuminating blood-red words, Bloody Night of Joy.

Loud noises came from the door—screams and strange music. This must be the Bloody Tavern. Link walked up and opened the door lightly.

He was immediately hit by a bloody smell, making him dizzy. Focusing, he saw redness everywhere. His battle experience told him that the wine here was all blood. The ecstatically partying men and women were all involved in dark magic. About one-third had blood-sucking demon lineage.

He also saw Old Blindie in the corner. Just as the Magician had said, he sat quietly and drank a cup of fresh blood. When Link appeared, he immediately turned and went blank.

When Link saw him, his brows also furrowed. He knew this Magician!