Good Fortune

"What incredible power!" The lead figure among the gray-robed assailants couldn't help but exclaim. Despite their combined efforts, the five of them were being relentlessly driven back by the ferocious onslaught of the General's Phantom.

"We should steal the sword and offer it to Lady Ashwood," one of the assailants suggested.

"Our mission is to free the Bull-Headed Aberration!" the leader reminded them, though the temptation of taking the sword was evident in his voice.

"Then we need to retreat. If we don't, once the Exorcist Bureau sends reinforcements, it'll be hard to escape," the fourth gray-robed figure warned.

"Hehe... wouldn't it be more fun if we lured him and the Bull-Headed Aberration into the city instead?" the eerie, childish voice of the fifth robed figure, the girl among them, proposed. She seemed eager for more chaos.

The leader's eyes gleamed at the suggestion. "Brilliant idea! Let's have a little fun."

He turned to one of his companions. "Number Three, check on the Bull-Headed Aberration. If it's recovered enough, break the mist and lead it into the city to feast. The rest of us will lure this spirit after you."

"Understood." Number Three nodded and vanished in an instant, reappearing by the Bull-Headed Aberration's side to assess its condition.

Meanwhile, the other four gray-robed figures glanced at one another, then charged toward Lee Anderson, who was still locked in combat, controlling the terrifying General's Phantom.

The remaining members of the Wolfpack Squad weren't just going to sit by idly. Seizing the opportunity, they began sneaking toward the Bull-Headed Aberration, determined to stop Number Three from carrying out their plan.

Outside the mist, Captain Vera had just arrived. She looked slightly weary, but her determination was still evident.

"This mist is thick, but I should be able to cut through it," Vera said, gripping her Blood Crescent blade. Red energy surged along the sword's length, preparing for a powerful strike.

With a swift, deadly slash, the mist parted just as a gray-robed figure attempted to escape through the opening.

"Thwack!"

Caught completely off guard, Number Three twisted his body in a desperate attempt to avoid the blow, but it was too late. His arm was severed cleanly from his body, blood spraying into the air.

"Aaagh!!"

His scream pierced the night, alerting the Exorcists outside. Sean Burke, along with the others, initially feared one of their own had been injured. But as they took in the sight, they realized it was an enemy—one of the mysterious assailants.

Vera, her eyes sharp and unforgiving, reacted quickly. She kicked the gray-robed figure to the ground and pressed her blade to his throat. What had started as a stroke of luck—her swing meant to cleave through the mist—had turned into an unexpected victory.

"Who are you? And where are the Exorcists inside?" Vera demanded, her voice cold as ice, applying more pressure to her blade.

The gray-robed figure remained silent, clutching his bleeding stump.

"Speak, or die," Vera's voice was as chilling as her demeanor, the blade beginning to cut into his neck.

Suddenly, a monstrous roar echoed from the mist. Isaac's ears perked up immediately—it was the Bull-Headed Aberration. He could sense the massive creature struggling to escape, desperately trying to flee whatever force was attacking it from within.

Number Three's composure broke. Panic flashed in his eyes as he glanced at the Aberration, terrified it might be killed before it could be freed.

Vera looked at him briefly before calling out, "Wolf! Go check it out!"

Isaac didn't need to be told twice. He was already eager to get a closer look at the Bull-Headed Aberration—the treasure he had been seeking. After exchanging a quick word with Lila, he leaped toward the Aberration, squeezing through the narrow gap it was trying to force open.

Landing inside, Isaac quickly realized that the ones attacking the Bull-Headed Aberration were none other than the Wolfpack Squad.

"Whoa, a wolf!" one of the Exorcists shouted, startled.

"Reinforcements are here!"

"Is Captain Vera with you?" another chimed in.

The squad members were clearly relieved to see Isaac. They had been fighting for their lives and now welcomed the sight of anything that resembled help.

"She's outside. What's the situation?" Isaac asked, his voice gruff as usual.

"Five gray-robed figures came to kill us and release the Aberration into the city. We held them off for a while, but Vice-Captain Anderson had to use his trump card. Now he's barely hanging on, fighting four of them at once. The fifth one just escaped!" one of the Exorcists explained hastily.

"That one outside? Captain Vera's already sliced off one of his arms. He's not going anywhere," Isaac said, hoping to boost their morale.

"Captain Vera is unbeatable!"

"Haha, we're finally turning this around!" The Exorcists' spirits lifted at the news. Captain Vera had become a symbol of hope for them all.

"Let's finish this thing off, same as yesterday," Isaac said, pointing at the Bull-Headed Aberration. The squad members quickly rallied, eager to strike. They intensified their assault, dealing heavy blows to the Aberration as it tried to escape.

Isaac leaped onto the creature's head, his claws dripping with a pale, sickly substance. This was his new power—the Corruption Virus, a gift from the anomaly he had absorbed the night before.