## Chapter 157: Blood Shadow, Intimidation, Countdown

## Chapter 157: Blood Shadow, Intimidation, Countdown

"Mr. Urnos, is there really no way to dispel that black mist outside?"

The Troll City Lord shifted his obese body restlessly in his sedan chair. As he moved, the solid wood chair beneath him creaked loudly.

Anxiety was etched on the Troll City Lord's face, so fat his eyes were almost invisible. This Troll Black Market had been passed down from his Great-Great-Grandfather, who was said to be an atavistic Two-Headed Troll Wizard.

Having two heads brought even more powerful Mental Power.

This Great-Great-Grandfather could communicate with and borrow the power of the Lord of the Dark Dimension using this Mental Power, which was why he could retain such a large area in the newly built New York City to serve as a Black Market.

The reason the Troll Black Market had stood in New York's Underworld for so many years was the Wizard Barrier left by his Great-Great-Grandfather, which kept this area hidden from humanity.

Many Dark Creatures came here to trade, drawn by the Troll Black Market's reputation for safety.

Now, the strange black mist outside and the people dying one after another were all telling him that the Black Market's reputation, on which the Troll Race depended for survival, was collapsing.

The Troll City Lord anxiously rubbed his fat hands. As they moved, the ten fingers glittered with jewels and gold. Each finger wore a thick gold ring.

These gold rings were specially custom-made according to his size; the thick bands were so wide they could be worn on a child's arm as a gold bracelet.

Each of the ten large gold rings was also inlaid with various gemstones: ruby, sapphire, cat's eye. Every single one was pure in color and crystal clear. Even in a Jewelry Store in the Human World, these gemstones would be top-tier luxury goods, calculated by the carat.

It could be said that just from the gemstone gold rings on the Troll City Lord's ten fingers, one could see how much wealth this Black Market had brought to the Troll Race.

"Master, if you can help us solve the trouble outside, our Troll Black Market is willing to bear the full cost of the witchcraft materials you need!"

The Troll City Lord naturally couldn't just watch this Black Market, passed down from his Great-Great-Grandfather, collapse.

Seeing Urnos remain silent, he thought the Black Wizard was trying to extort him by asking for an exorbitant price, so he simply spoke up directly.

Thinking of the items Urnos had purchased in the Black Market, and then thinking about the price of those items, the Troll City Lord felt a pang of heartache.

But when he looked up and saw the black mist Outside, reason reminded him that without the help of Urnos, this Black Wizard, if these deadly black mists couldn't be resolved quickly, his cash cow would be close to bankruptcy! Urnos turned back and glanced at the Troll City Lord. Two clusters of phosphorescent fire flickered under his pitch-black hood:

"Zangiel! This isn't about compensation. Your Troll Race is in Big Trouble!"

Big Trouble? The Troll Black Market's Leader, Zangiel, heard Urnos's words, which didn't sound like a joke.

Seeing that Urnos clearly had no intention of helping, he turned back and whispered a few words to a Troll who served as both sedan chair carrier and Bodyguard beside him.

The Bodyguard nodded and quickly ran towards the interior of the Black Market.

After a short while, the Bodyguard returned with over twenty fully armed Guards.

These Guards responsible for the Black Market's safety were nearly a head taller than ordinary Trolls. Compared to their obese kin, their bodies were covered in bulging muscles, and their arms were so muscular they were thicker than an adult's waist.

Even the most robust Bear-men and Lion-men among the half-orcs appeared much thinner when compared to them.

In terms of equipment, these Guards wore specialized leather armor all over their bodies, some of which were covered with an additional layer of human bulletproof vests.

Although these largest bulletproof vests looked like tight-fitting undershirts on them, coupled with the weapons in their hands...

The voices of the half-orcs gathered at the entrance lowered by several degrees.

Looking at the heavy machine guns, black and thick, held by this group of Trolls, and the long brass ammunition belts wrapped around their bodies, even the Elf Prince pulled his long spear back a bit.

To avoid unnecessary trouble.

"Mr. Urnos, times have changed. We are no longer the Troll Race from hundreds of years ago who only knew how to charge with great axes and flails!"

Having strong and well-equipped Subordinates helped the Troll City Lord Zangiel recover from his anxiety. He extended a thick finger towards Urnos and pointed to his head: "It's no longer the Middle Ages. We have machine guns, artillery, and even anti-aircraft missiles and tanks in my Troll City!"

"No matter who it is, anyone who dares to cause us trouble will pay the price!"

Over twenty Guards holding heavy machine guns stood behind the Troll City Lord Zangiel, seemingly adding more persuasiveness to his words.

Boom!

Zangiel's smug smile hadn't lasted long before a sound of heavy objects falling to the ground suddenly echoed from behind him.

Zangiel slowly turned his head.

"Hard fist, huh! Iron fist, huh!"

On the shattered wooden frame, a red-skinned, broken-horned demon was pressing a giant ape wearing armor against a pillar and frantically hammering its face.

Along with the thudding sound of heavy fists smashing into the face, the red-skinned, broken-horned demon kept cursing.

The poor giant ape's face was already bruised and swollen from the beating, blood was gushing from its nose, its eyes were somewhat askew, and it was hanging one arm, dazed and taking the beating—

"Wink!"

Anu gritted his teeth and sucked in air, enduring the pain of his teeth being knocked out, while pressing the giant ape's head in front of him with one hand and wildly swinging his fist upwards.

"Anu, be careful!"

The Elf Prince's furious voice and Abe Sapien's reminder sounded simultaneously—

A long spear cut through the air, stabbing towards Hellboy's back—

Anu, alerted by Abe Sapien, spun around and grabbed the Giant Ape Wink in front of him, using it as a shield.

Buzz! The vibrating long spear stopped in front of the Giant Ape Wink's chest, the sharp spearhead less than three inches from the giant ape's heart.

The transition of the long spear from high speed to stillness was done smoothly by the Elf Prince, without any strain.

Prince Nuada held the spear shaft with one hand and looked back with unfriendly gaze at the fishman in the crowd who had given the warning.

Abe Sapien the fishman instinctively shrank back into the crowd.

"Red-skinned monkey, let go of Wink!"

Prince Nuada turned his head back, slightly raised his long spear, and aimed it at Hellboy.

Anu grabbed the giant ape by the collar, using its body to block Prince Nuada's long spear again, while giving Prince Nuada a defiant glare.

"Pretty boy, it's fine, just stab away!"

Anu lifted the dazed giant ape with one hand, pulled a thick cigar from his pants pocket, and put it in his mouth.

Then he pulled out a lighter, lit the cigar, and provocatively challenged the Elf Prince while smoking the cigar with a somewhat smug expression.

Prince Nuada looked deeply at him, twirled his spear, retracted the long spear, and turned to look at the Troll City Lord.

"Zangiel, those two are investigators from the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (B.P.R.D.). They are investigating your Troll Black Market. You deal with it yourself!"

After speaking, Prince Nuada walked to the side, revealing the group of Half-orcs and Trolls behind him who were glaring menacingly.

"Look who it is! The famous Hellboy from the Bureau for Paranormal Defense, the only Dark Creature in the Underworld to receive the Honored Human title!"

The Troll Zangiel, sitting in his sedan chair, stared at Anu with cold, small eyes:

"Honored Human, what a glorious title. So, Mr. Human, is that black mist Outside your Bureau for Paranormal Defense's doing?"

"What black mist?" Anu was somewhat confused, not quite understanding what the Troll meant.

"Sir, we just came in to find someone. The black mist Outside has nothing to do with us!"

At this moment, Abe Sapien stepped out from the crowd and hurriedly explained to Zangiel.

"Find someone?" Zangiel slapped his fat hands together and lowered his head to speak to the Bodyguard beside him: "Capture them!"

"Anu! Run!" Abe Sapien, relying on his super perception, clearly heard the obese troll's instructions to his Subordinates.

He flashed, like a slippery mudfish, and darted directly into the crowd, running towards the Alley within the Black Market.

The loyal fishman didn't forget to remind Anu before running.

Clatter—

Hellboy Anu glanced at the Guards raising their heavy machine guns, and directly pushed the giant ape in his hands towards the Elf Prince beside him.

He himself also turned and ran towards the interior of the Black Market.

Da da da da da—

Several Guards didn't hesitate at all, raising the M249 squad automatic weapons in their hands and immediately spraying fire.

Bullets instantly riddled the wooden frame near where Hellboy had just been standing.

If the Elf Prince hadn't been quick-witted and pulled the Giant Ape Wink aside, this dizzy giant ape would have long been riddled like a honeycomb by these heavy machine guns.

After all, even Dark Creatures, if they are made of flesh and blood, most cannot withstand machine gun spray fire.

"You four go, catch those two little rats. The others, bring out the Big Guys from the Armory and blast Outside. I don't believe this black mist can't be blown away!"

Zangiel watched Hellboy and the fishman slip into the Black Market, waved his hand, and four Guards with machine guns chased after Hellboy.

As for the other Trolls, except for the Guards remaining by his side, they all went to the Black Market's Armory to get the Big Guys Zangiel was talking about! "Big Guy? Fatty, can you tell me what your Big Guy is? Tsk tsk—"

Just as these Guards had left, a slightly mocking woman's voice sounded nearby.

This instantly enraged Zangiel.

It was well known that although Zangiel, who weighed over a thousand pounds, wasn't affected in eating, sleeping, or even using the toilet (which had dedicated people to serve him).

But it was common knowledge that if one was too obese, the fat would squeeze the space for certain things. It wasn't a matter of size, but there was simply too much fat to find it.

Zangiel could have someone feed him, and goblin servants were responsible for wiping his rear when he used the toilet, but in that regard... well.

Although he had bought some fox-women, he usually only used them to watch singing and dancing, and to satisfy his oral desires.

The woman's voice that suddenly sounded might not have meant anything else, but this behavior was like making an OK gesture with one's hand in front of a South Korean man; for Zangiel, it was absolutely unacceptable.

"Who's talking? Get out!"

Zangiel looked at the dense crowd of Half-orcs at the entrance, trying to find the bastard who had spoken disrespectfully. A Blood Mist flew in from outside the iron gate, landing in front of Zangiel's sedan chair, transforming into a beautiful woman wearing a Middle Ages European court gown! "Fatty, you were looking for me!"

Amelia seemed completely oblivious to the Guns raised by the Bodyguards beside her, and directly reached out and patted Zangiel's belly. "Amelia? How did you turn into this ghostly appearance? Is the black mist Outside your Vampires' doing? Do you want to start a war with our Troll Race?"

Zangiel looked at Amelia, who had appeared in a strange way, his complexion gloomy, suspiciously looking at this acquaintance in front of him! The Troll Race and the Vampire Clan both lived in New York, so Zangiel had naturally interacted with Amelia, this Vampire Clan Elder.

However, if he remembered correctly, not long ago, the two Vampire Clans in New York should have been wiped out.

"Fatty, if I didn't hear wrong just now, you told me to get out—"

Amelia's sharp fingernails scratched across Zangiel's fat belly, instantly leaving a long bloodstain on his belly.

Clatter! Zangiel's sedan chair carriers and Bodyguards all raised their Guns and aimed at Amelia, while looking at Zangiel, asking if they should open fire.

"Kill this lunatic! The Vampire Clan has already been wiped out! What do you have to fight me with!?"

Zangiel felt the pain from his belly. Having always lived a life of ease, he had never received such treatment. He roared fiercely, ordering these Bodyguards to open fire.

Da da da da—

The Machine Guns of several Trolls, already aiming at Amelia, instantly pulled the trigger—

Four streams of fire instantly engulfed Amelia, aiming at her head and chest, these fatal positions.

At such close range, Amelia had no time to dodge and was directly hit by the focus fire of four Machine Guns, turning into a pool of blood water.

The splashing Blood instantly splattered all over Zangiel. Zangiel's face showed a look of satisfaction,

But soon, the smile on his face froze,

Blood water? These were Machine Guns, not meat grinders or juicers. How could they turn a person into blood water?

Just as he reacted, a Blood Shadow emerged from that pool of blood water, faint, like smoke. This Blood Shadow had just appeared when it split into four. Four Blood Shadows simultaneously pounced on the four Bodyguards holding Machine Guns—

"Da da da"

"Da da da"

"Da da da"

"Da da da"

Facing these Blood Shadows, which were some unknown ghostly things, several Bodyguards immediately raised their Guns and fired, but the Machine Gun Bullets were like hitting air. The Machine Gun Bullets passed through the Blood Shadows without any obstruct, directly taking down several unlucky Orcs not far behind the Blood Shadows in one wave! "Ouch!"

Among the unlucky ones, some didn't even groan and were directly hit in vital points by Machine Gun Bullets and taken out in one wave. There were also those who were either unlucky or lucky.

Bullets hit their arms and legs, taking away half of their limbs, but at least the "people" were still alive.

Amidst their cries of pain and wailing, the four Blood Shadows directly pounced in front of the four Bodyguards, passing through their bodies.

The four Bodyguards instantly became like sponges that had been drained of all moisture, leaving only skin and bones.

Thud, thud, thud, thud—

Four Troll Mummies, drained of all moisture, fell to the ground. Zangiel stared dumbfounded at his Subordinates lying on the ground, shriveled like mummies.

Then he watched as the four Blood Shadows merged together before his eyes. In the faint Blood Mist, they transformed back into Amelia, wearing an European court gown.

At this moment, in the Tunnel leading to the exit of the Troll Black Market, everyone was silent, watching this scene, as if everyone's throats had been choked at once.

Not only Dark Creatures like Orcs, Trolls, and Goblins, but even Black Wizards, known for their mystery, had looks of shock and uncertainty in their gaze.

Urnos tightened his grip on the White Bone Staff in his hand, and the phosphorescent fire under his cloak instantly surged. Clearly, he was also very shocked by the ability Amelia had displayed.

"Fatty, my Master wants to find a person in your Black Market.

You have twenty minutes to find the person.

If after twenty minutes, my Master doesn't see the person he wants to see, then these four will be your fate!"

Amelia's fingernails slowly traced across Zangiel's belly. This time, the Troll City Lord gritted his teeth and endured the pain without making a sound.

Amelia threw a photo onto Zangiel's belly, then looked back at the Black Wizard and the group of Dark Creatures in the Alley. Clearly, the last sentence was meant for them.

After throwing down the photo, Amelia transformed into a Blood Shadow and whooshed out of the iron gate, disappearing into the black mist.

The striped fierce tiger in front of Tang Song kept shaking its big head. It wasn't afraid of Tang Song.

Rather, on its body, a Little Black Snake was lazily coiled in a snake formation on its back, basking in the sun.

Tang Song stroked the big cat's head, preventing it from being too scared.

Although this Northeast tiger was considered a relatively powerful fierce beast,

Compared to the Little Black Snake, which was close to transforming into a monster, a Black Flood Dragon, the two were not on the same life level at all.

In the Jambudvīpa World, once a monster had transformed into a demon, it rarely regarded unenlightened beasts as kin.

"Boss, the matters are settled!"

A Blood Shadow shot out from the black mist formed by the Ghoul White Bone Banner, landed on the ground, and transformed into human form.

Amelia curtsied to Tang Song, who was stroking the tiger's head, then obediently transformed back into a Blood Shadow and disappeared into his shadow.

"Red Queen, Countdown!" Tang Song patted the tiger's head and instructed.

A countdown timer immediately appeared on the watch on his left wrist.

"20:00:00,

19:59:59

19:59:58

19:59:57

19:59:56"

Boss Tang's Countdown, counting in milliseconds, had begun. Meanwhile, inside the Troll Black Market, after Amelia's Blood Shadow disappeared, it took dozens of seconds for everyone to recover from their shock as if unfrozen.

Urnos, the Necromancer, immediately walked to a Troll Mummy and examined it.

"Blood, Bone Marrow, all the moisture in the entire body was sucked dry in an instant, even including the muscle tissue, leaving only skin and bones.

If it were just a pure vampire, they couldn't do this!"

Urnos stood up, waved his White Bone Staff, and a pale white light shot towards the Troll Mummy.

"The Soul was also devoured!" Urnos looked at the Troll Mummy, which showed no reaction under his Undead Revival, his tone becoming somewhat solemn.

Playing with Souls had always been the trick of Evil Gods and Demons. Even for a Necromancer like him, he only manipulated Souls. As for Devouring Souls, even in Necromancy, it was a taboo.

"Trash, a bunch of trash!"

The still-shaken Zangiel was scolding the Troll Black Market Guards who had just arrived.

"Do we still need to bombard the black mist Outside?"

Taking advantage of the moment Zangiel paused after yelling, a Guard carrying a rocket launcher foolishly asked.

"Nonsense, of course—" Zangiel cursed, just about to tell his Subordinates to take the Rocket Launchers and bombard the black mist area Outside.

The scene of Amelia transforming into a Blood Shadow just now flashed before his eyes, making him swallow the words he was about to say! What if these Rocket Launchers couldn't break the black mist, and Amelia came back? That trouble would be huge! Looking at the Black Wizards, it was clear they couldn't break Amelia's witchcraft either.

Thinking of this, Zangiel picked up the photo Amelia had placed on his belly.

Huh? Another acquaintance! Zangiel narrowed his small eyes, looking at the human elder in the black coat in the photo.

Alexander Corvinus!

The oldest investigator in the Bureau for Paranormal Defense, and also their head in New York.

The most important thing in doing business is having many friends. As the largest anomalous creatures black market in New York, Zangiel naturally had to deal with various parties.

Vampires, Werewolves, these Dark Creatures, and the Bureau for Paranormal Defense, this human department, Zangiel was well acquainted with them all. He hadn't given Alexander few gifts over the years.

Of course, his Black Market business had also received considerable care from Alexander, otherwise, the Dark Creatures coming and going here would have long been targeted by the Bureau for Paranormal Defense.

If he remembered correctly, Alexander had indeed been in his Black Market recently.

But now, facing the life-and-death crisis of his Black Market, what did an old friend matter? And it was clear that this Big Trouble was brought by Alexander! "You, go, find Alexander Corvinus for me, and bring him here!"

A group of Guards holding Rocket Launchers and Heavy Machine Guns heard their Leader's order and immediately planned to search within the Black Market.

"Don't use Rocket Launchers, use Guns! This is our own Territory!"

Zangiel looked at a Guard who was trying to shoulder a Rocket Launcher to aim, and was furious, scolding him.

Clang!

The dumbfounded Guard directly dropped the Rocket Launcher on the ground and ran into the Black Market holding a Machine Gun.

In the crowd, the Elf Prince heard Zangiel mention the name Alexander Corvinus, frowned, and quietly retreated into the crowd, following behind the Guards and also quickly running towards the interior of the Black Market.

Da da da da da—

Anu awkwardly used the Stalls and Shelves in the Black Market to dodge the bullets from the Guards behind him.

The Trolls chasing behind him, holding Machine Guns, sprayed fire at him as if Bullets were free.

As Anu ran, the rows of Shelves and Stalls behind him were all riddled by Machine Gun Bullets.

"These guys, isn't this Black Market yours?"

Anu faced the single-minded Guards who showed no mercy. His plan to use the things in the Black Market to make these Guards hesitate to shoot had failed.

Seeing that these big idiots were truly reckless!

The unarmed Anu could only dart and maneuver through the various Stalls and buildings in the Black Market!

Working overtime these two days, currently writing six thousand characters daily. I'll see if I can slack off and write a bit more. Oh, right, regarding the recent tips from you brothers, I'll organize them later and thank everyone individually.

I've been too busy recently!

(end of chapter)