The Dark King
chapter-21

Night attack

Happy new year to all of you!

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Tobu’s pupils shrank. He slapped the counter and said: “Are you the one behind the idea of using my students as bait?

Kris shrugged and replied, “I’m not so bold to do that, as I’m aware of your temper as we are old acquaintances. This arrangement was planned and decided by above, all we can do is to obey.”

Tobu’s angry voice echoed: ” Using a group of children as bait, ah! Is this how the Holy Church planned to lure the alchemists?”

Kris face slightly changed and she spoke in a low tone: ” Criticism of Holy Church, even in private, is a big crime. Stop spouting nonsense. In case, they are able to capture an alchemist, it will be a great feat for them. So in the future, if they are eliminated to join the guard or qualified to become part of the scavengers, this experience will be a valuable asset for them. You know that building a meritorious service is not an easy job!

“Well, do I have to thank them for this opportunity?”. Tobu sneered.

Kris said in helpless manner. “Whether you are pleased or ungrateful, it does not change the fact that situation is as is. Besides, if the assessment site changes at the last moment, suspicions would arise. These alchemists have a broad network. Moreover, after graduation, either as a guard or as a scavenger they will be fighting on the front lines. They will face alchemists one way or the other, and nobody would be able to shelter them at that point. It’s a valuable experience for them!

Tobu frowned but didn’t continue to argue. Instead he turned over to the old man behind the counter: “Old Luo, another cup!”

“So much anger! Maybe I should give you more ice? “. The old man behind the counter laughed.

Tobu stifled but did not say anything.

…

…

The night came.

As the sun went down, the temperature on the desert immediately decreased. Sands insulation effect is very poor so the heat was quickly distributed out. Dudian and Sham set up a fire covered by several stones to keep the flame in control. They used old dry plants to start the fire.

They had managed to find enough firewood to keep the fire burning for the entire night.

“I’m hungry … …” Zach touched his stomach.

Dudian lied down near the edge of fire. He closed his eyes and said “Ten days will soon be over!”

Zach smiled and soon closed his eyes.

Mason sat next to the fire and laughed, “Get a good sleep.”

“It’s too hard. There was hunger only,now in addition we have cold weather too.” Sham was clutching his clothes lying closer to the fire.

Mason smiled. From time to time he picked up firewood and there into the fire pit. According to Dudian’s instructions, the person keeping the night watch, had to always keep the fire so that beasts didn’t come close.

Late at night, the temperature got much lower. From time to time a gust of wind blew. Even sitting next to the fire, Mason also felt cold shiver. His legs were slightly shaking. Because of frequent jitter and restlessness he suddenly had an urge to pee.

He looked at the sleeping children. He stood up and walked away. He untied his pants to pee. In the darkness a dry palm suddenly stretched out and grabbed his throat.

Mason’s pupils contracted. His heart began to beat violently and the fear almost dented out of his eyes. He saw a wrinkled face in the darkness. It looked at him and spoke in a slight husky voice: “Good. Do not scream!”

All the hair’s on Mason’s body were erect. He wanted to call for help but nothing came out of his mouth as his throat was almost broken from the force of the palm. Nevertheless, because of moving his body few sounds echoed out in the darkness. Sand splashed from under his feet. Dudian’s eyes suddenly opened. He slowly stood up trying not to disturb the silence.

He grabbed a stone that was close by to fire.

Not enough!

Distance was far! .

Mason was desperate.

At this time, the owner of the hand also noted Mason’s action. Coldness swept through his eyes. He raised his other hand. Through the illumination of the weak fire, Mason saw the shape of dagger.

Sou!

Bang, a sound resonated. Mason’s mind was completely blank. Dudian has used the stone to hit the dagger. Dudian began to loudly shout as soon as he saw the dagger drop down: “There are enemies, wake up!”

Zach and Sham immediately woke up as they heard Dudian’s voice. The grabbed a stone and nervously watched their surroundings.

Dudian was staring at the stature of the slim figure in the darkness. He was always a shallow sleeper, especially in a dangerous environment such as this one. He immediately woke up and opened his eyes, a sand grains splashed onto his face. He didn’t see Mason so he grabbed a stone in case of an emergency. But when he turned to look around he saw the breathtaking scene. He threw the stone at a whim and didn’t expect it to hit the wrist of the figure.

“Damn!” The old man screamed who was dressed in black robes. The dagger which he was holden fall to the ground. His wrist was slightly trembling because of the sever pain. In an angry state he pushed the struggling Mason. He took out a small green bottle from his chest. He opened the bottle and curling green smoke began to float out of it. Without losing an extra second he threw the bottle in Dudian’s direction.

Green smoke immediately floated.

Dudian face changed, hastily covered his nose. He wanted to remind Zach, Sham, and Mason to be aware of the green mist but he was unable to speak as smoke was drifting close to him at fast speed.

Plop, sound echoed as Mason was envoloped by the green mist and fall down.

Dudian’s pupils shrank. He fall down and played dead.

He did not see but heard two bodies fall down. He assumed that Zach and Sham also inhaled the green mist. He was just curious about, was the green mist a poison or just to make them fall unconscious.

His heart was thumping fast, It full of tension and doubts. Is this one of the assessment? If so, he believes that, in exception to those large groups, other small groups will be eliminated!

Is the purpose of this assessment to let everyone unite?

Many thoughts passed in Dudian’s mind. He could not help but regret. Perhaps the meaning behind the assessment was not about surviving for ten days but to see whether they unite together.

“Damned little devil!” At this point, Dudian heard the footsteps of the old man.

“They made me to waste a bottle lost souls elixir.” The old man spoke to himself. Dudian did not know what to make out of his words. He grabbed sand in his hand, ready to move at any time.

At this time, Dudian felt a dry palm seize his foot. It felt as if there was no meat but bones grabbing his foot. He secretly thought about attacking the old man in case the other side wants to kill him. However, the old man seems not interested in killing him, as he pulled his ankle and drag him forward.

Dudian heart sank. He couldn’t bring himself to decide.

Attack?

Or continue to wait for the opportunity?