Nest Beasts’ hair parasites require some time before they can turn a person into a nest.

Generally, during this period, pressing various parts of the body would reveal small black dots.

As long as there are capable priests nearby and the black hair parasites haven't been present for too long or in large numbers, a cure is possible.

However, once the black hair pierces the brain after a certain time, the individual becomes controlled by the Nest Beast, officially turning into one. At that point, unless they are a deity, rescue is nearly impossible.

But now, this latent period has vanished. This content belongs to novel fire.net

“How is this possible?” Benjamin cursed that he didn’t have extra legs to run faster. He sprinted desperately, fleeing while awaiting rescue.

The current situation was beyond his comprehension. Although Nest Beasts were dangerous, they were just creatures with a unique parasitic method; their parasitism and spread always required time.

“This can’t be right. Even deeply mutated Nest Beasts shouldn’t have this ability!” Benjamin glanced back and was instantly terrified. Seven or eight parasitized people were moving in unison, synchronously chasing him.

These people even used “ranged weapons” and tactics.

Some picked up scattered pieces of flesh and blood from the ground and threw them at him.

Among them, black threads writhed, obviously containing Nest Beast hairs.

Regarding tactics, some chose to circle around and encircle him, trying to herd him toward the village outskirts. If Benjamin hadn’t been a frontline gray-market dealer with years of running experience, he might not have noticed.

Within just a few seconds, their bodies underwent distinct changes; their speed and strength increased as they entered a temporary outbreak state.

“The person behind them—he can control the Nest Beasts!!” Though unwilling to believe it, this was the only explanation for the current circumstances.

Nest Beasts under control became far more dangerous.

Previously, those parasitized still had a chance; now, once parasitized, those black hairs would likely penetrate the brain instantly, and control would follow immediately.

“Is the whalehide ore situation really this deep?!!!” Benjamin tried repeatedly to use breathing techniques to boost his speed, but the Sin Nails embedded in his chest restricted his breathing, gradually pushing him into a dangerous predicament.

He couldn’t understand it at all. The whalehide ore problem wasn’t too severe. Though it was a controlled resource, compared to other non-renewable resources that fundamentally harmed the Floating Whale, this was renewable.

As long as it wasn’t over-mined, allowing the Floating Whale to adapt somewhat, the worst would be some instability in the whale’s flight, perhaps causing dozens or even hundreds of deaths.

But considering the scale of over a million people on the Floating Whale’s back, such incidents weren’t worth drastic measures.

Would such a situation warrant the deployment of a transcendent capable of controlling Nest Beasts, something he hadn’t even imagined?

To some, the value of this matter was far greater than some whalehide ore.

“There’s no escape!” Benjamin caught a glimpse of black flashing by the corner of his eye. Pain surged in the back of his calf—he had clearly been hit.

“Once the intelligence was exposed, we became too passive.” Benjamin’s heart sank into despair, then calmed because of it.

Neither Isabella, Jacques, nor himself had expected to be exposed so quickly, and that the enemy would seize the moment he was away from the two, decisively launching an attack.

And such a highly dangerous attack.

He could feel something rapidly drilling from his calf toward his body.

“Beiqi Village must harbor a great secret. What Op is doing is definitely more than just whalehide ore.”

“In this situation, if Isabella discovers some secret, Op might risk everything and attempt to murder clergy!”

“I... absolutely cannot let Priest Isabella be in danger!” The image of Isabella rescuing him during peril, gently asking if he was alright, flashed through Benjamin’s mind.

Then, with a sudden resolve, he grabbed one of the Sin Nails in his chest and forcefully pulled it out.

In this chaotic era, everyone was like the Floating Whale itself—carrying burdens and living under various restrictions beneath this sky.

Their hearts were just as unsteady, making it hard to find someone who truly cared for them or was worthy of their care.

Perhaps only at critical moments can a person see who they truly are.

“I, Benjamin, grew up in the slums, thinking everything was about deals and interests. But in the end, I actually chose feelings!”

As one Sin Nail was pulled out, Benjamin’s whole body trembled; a massive electric current surged through him, stiffening his limbs and nearly freezing his thoughts.

That black hair was also affected, its upward movement halted.

Yet at this moment, Benjamin miraculously remained active.

He suddenly stabbed the Sin Nail into his thigh. The Sin Nail’s power erupted, restricting everything nearby with minimal harm, including that Nest Beast hair.

Pain forced a muffled groan, but it also pulled him out of the numbness.

Sweating profusely, Benjamin took a deep breath. With one Sin Nail removed, breathing techniques were no longer restricted, and he fully activated his breathing method.

He quickly felt strength spreading through his body; his complexion flushed like a baby’s, and the thigh pain seemed to vanish.

He rolled and dodged a parasitized person trying to control him, then sprinted swiftly to another direction.

He needed to notify Priest Isabella, to make her understand the seriousness and prepare to escape.

At this moment, his resolve grew especially firm.

“My thigh is torn apart...” The thought flashed briefly. The Sin Nail embedded in his thigh, combined with his violent running, naturally caused this, but Benjamin no longer cared.

“I’m almost there; I’m about to see...” Various thoughts passed quickly. Benjamin was left with only one thought.

“Something just brushed past...” He sensed a subtle feeling near his neck.

At the same time, his body felt hollow, as if he were flying, unable to feel his own body.

“Is it an illusion?”

“No, I really am flying.”

“But it’s just my head...”

His flying head spun midair, and his vision rotated accordingly.

Behind him, his headless body collapsed.

Behind that, a thin blood-stained rope twitched slightly, then quickly vanished.

Naimes stood in the shadows, his fingers trembling slightly as the blood on the Oath Rope was flicked clean.