CHAPTER 270: MIND

The forest was dark, as the sun could not properly cut down to the lower grounds because of the trees that were as big as castles. The air stank deeply of rot, and the fog was like a scrap of metal against the skin.

If any ordinary human or animal stepped foot into the Dark Wilderness, they would be dead meat before they could even have their fifth breath.

The fog contains a high level of poisonous toxins that only magic inside could fight against. Everything around them was dangerous.

Like when something suddenly flew out from the fog, only for them to realize that they were a large group and turn tail. But Captain Amros would not let it go and destroyed them with spears of metal.

"Do we know where we are going?" Vacuse asked.

They did not know. According to the information, the Mind Stalk Apes move their nest constantly as they migrate around their territory.

"I’m tracking them. I’ve seen some carcasses scattered around, and that’s the current location we are following," the Magus Linthicu said.

"Carcasses? Describe them," Vacuse said.

"They are some kind of humanoid monsters at least twenty-five meters tall. Their skins are gray, but their heads have been ripped away, some half eaten with their brains missing. So far I’ve counted forty or so of them."

The hunters suddenly felt a chill. Something that could kill monsters of twenty-five meters and casually only eat their heads could not be something easy or simple.

Vacuse called the group to a stop. "I don’t like the tone of that. Let’s change direction. Besides, aren’t the Mind Stalk Apes said to be the average size of a short human? I doubt they could handle something like that."

Instantly everyone agreed.

Vacuse froze as he felt something was wrong. Usually it was not something that a lot of people picked up on, but he instinctively felt it when everyone agreed with him.

Why was everyone agreeing? Even if all of them heard what he said, why would all the hunters nod their heads?

Vacuse felt a chill crawl up his spine, but he kept a tight smile on his face. "So you all agree, right, that they shouldn’t be able to kill those monsters?"

Just like before, all of them nodded, but this time Vacuse was watching them intently and he caught something that left a bad taste in his mouth.

When they all nodded, they all did so at the exact same time.

’...ah, fuck...’

"Tell me, Linthicu, those corpses, how did their hands look?" Vacuse asked.

Linthicu smiled and answered, "All their hands are bloodied."

’...it seems they’ve really been caught by the Mind Stalk Apes. All of my hunters are already caught! But isn’t that just too fast? We didn’t even see any of the monsters and they had their minds hijacked...’

Vacuse swallowed and began to ask Captain Amros and Arch random questions, mostly about the Dragon Hunters. The two of them answered the questions easily and correctly, and they even gave suggestions on how they should proceed with the Mind Stalk Apes hunt.

He realized then that while the Mind Stalk Apes might have taken over their minds, those that were taken over did not even know they had been taken. They thought all was normal and usual.

Something struck him then: what if he had been taken over as well? The image of the corpses, as described by Linthicu, rose up in his mind and he could not help but shudder. Would they all tear their heads off by themselves and offer them to the apes? Would they think it was normal?

’...Rith, quick look at me. Do you think my mind has been taken over?...’

Rith seemed unbothered as he answered, ’...no. Vacuse, you’re a Dragon. Well, in some parts. Things like this can’t just happen to you. Have you forgotten that Titled Monster? A Dragon’s mental power is absolute...’

Vacuse remained skeptical. ’...I was forced into a dream...’

’...that was different! It’s a combination of physical and mental attack. And didn’t I get you out at the end?’

Vacuse sighed. "Let’s turn around and pass through another way."

Just as he expected, the aura the hunters were showing suddenly changed and turned chilly. Their bloodlust was instantly directed at him and made the air on his body rise.

Even Captain Amros and Magus Arch looked at him with murder in their eyes.

Vacuse was starkly reminded that he was in the midst of twenty-nine third-circle powers. If a fight should break out and he did not escape in seconds, he would die.

His heartbeat picked up and cold sweat covered his forehead. When last had he been in such a dangerous situation? Often, he would play it well and make sure not to surround himself with people who had the ability to kill him.

But now, he was right there in the middle.

Vacuse opened his mouth and he felt the entire hunting party tense as if they were one mind... maybe they were. Even the air went still. His next words would determine what would happen next.

"Why don’t we continue following the corpses? They’ll surely lead us to where we are going."

Everyone relaxed.

"You’re right, my lord," Captain Amros said.

"Don’t worry, Lord Vacuse, we’ll kill any monsters that try to stand in your way," Magus Arch promised.

Vacuse sighed softly as he himself relaxed. At least the immediate tense environment had been diffused for now. "I’m sure you will. Now, let’s go."

They began to move through the Dark Wilderness again, to what Vacuse strongly assumed to be the lair of the Mind Stalk Apes, where their doom awaited.

Vacuse began to plan furiously. ’..do you know how to break the mind control? These bastards are going to kill me!.’

That was the end goal after all, and it seemed the Mind Stalk Apes thought of brains as delicacies.

Rith snorted. ’..no. What do you think I am? This is not my real body, not even close. You’ll have to think of another way..’

Vacuse’s face turned flat as he saw the first monster corpses. What a terrifying sight.

’...Rith. I need you to tell me how to better use Sivan in this situation...’

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Thank you all for reading! Don’t forget powerstones!

Anyone want to share a castle (side looks)