Chapter 83: Chapter 19: Recruiting a BOSS Underling
The young [Fighting Master] drained his glass of snake fruit liqueur and began to speak of the past.
"As you can see, I am a [Fighting Master]."
"A [Fighting Master] from the underground fighting pits of the Saintisman Sacred City."
His voice was low and lodious, filled with wine and stories.
"In my years there, I would knock down at least three enemies with my fists every night, basking in the cheers of the crowd."
"Most of the ti, my opponents fell to my fists."
"Of course, I was occasionally knocked down by powerful fighters myself. But as you can see, I possess a will of steel. I would always get back up, again and again, until I had exhausted every last ounce of my strength."
"I am powerful. I am fearless."
"But... I always felt like sothing was missing. Do you know what I an, my friend? It’s a truly terrible feeling."
"Then one day, I heard a story from the distant Northern Border Region—the story of a [Fighting Master] and a [Rat King]."
"A [Fighting Master] who fought for hours deep underground against a [Rat King] as terrifying as a mountain of flesh."
"Even after being sent flying countless tis, he always managed to get back up heroically."
"Besides that, I’ve also heard that Ogrande City is ho to many mysterious and powerful beings... and that even terrifying Evil Spirits have appeared here."
"A terrible storm is brewing here."
"When I arrived and saw the terrifying haze of calamity hanging over Ogrande City..."
"I felt it. I’ve co to the right place. This is where I’ll make a na for myself!"
"I’m going to use my fists to let everyone here know that I have arrived!"
Alvin Burke, the [Doomsday Shadow Stab] and Boss of the Poison Horse Mafia, who was sitting across from Zorn, gulped down his Kum Quat Liqueur. He was utterly stunned by this shoddy performance.
"Where the hell did you crawl out from, you bastard?"
He growled through gritted teeth.
"Of all the people I know, you’d rank in the top three for bullshitting."
"Also, my friend! Before you start bragging, you should at least fix that damn Ogrande accent of yours. You’re a local, not so damn out-of-towner!"
"Hahaha..."
Zorn couldn’t help but roar with laughter.
"But you understand my purpose, don’t you, my friend?"
"The backyard!"
[Doomsday Shadow Stab] Alvin Burke downed the Kum Quat Liqueur in front of him and said crisply.
"Using a dagger would be bullying you. I’ll make you leave this place crying with my jab!"
「In the tavern’s noisy backyard.」
’Spacious and stacked with crates of liquor. This is just like a boss battle stage!’
’A boss battle, not bad!’
’But sorry, I’m the real boss here!’
In the hazy light from the back window, the two stood in opposite corners.
Zorn suddenly clenched his fist.
BUZZ! A powerful energy vibrated from him.
"My fists carry the attribute of a Broken Spirit. My attacks will strike your very soul!"
As soon as the words fell, Zorn used Thousand Streams·Gale Step to launch a frontal assault.
[Doomsday Shadow Stab] Alvin Burke had a certain weakness in his Spiritual aspect.
But at the sa ti, the guy loved to fight.
Zorn’s strategy was simple.
He would deliberately lure the man into a fight.
Then, during the battle, he would slowly use his Evil Spirit Authority to infiltrate and influence him.
At the sa ti, with certain heavy punches, Zorn would increase the infiltration power of his [Evil Spirit Authority].
Until... his opponent completely succumbed.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG...
Their fists crossed rapidly, the sounds dull yet possessing a beautiful sense of power.
In the noisy, bustling rear courtyard of the tavern, the two fought back and forth relentlessly.
Although [Doomsday Shadow Stab] Alvin Burke possessed decent combat skills and even had the special template of a BOSS, it was a pity.
His opponent crushed him in every aspect.
Under the influence of the [Evil Spirit Authority], Zorn applied a "Favorability" effect.
Although the Level Three Peak [Doomsday Shadow Stab] Alvin Burke was at a disadvantage in the fight, the more he fought, the more agreeable he found the man before him to be.
This further fueled his passion for battle.
Moreover, he could feel that by fighting this enemy in the dark, every aspect of himself was rapidly improving.
’After all... I’m fighting a World-level BOSS. The gains from this battle are of the highest efficiency. Although, occasionally, when his opponent’s fist lands, I feel a slight stinging pain deep in my soul. But I know it’s just that so-called ’Broken Spirit’ attack attribute of his. It’s sowhat of a threat, but not a major one.’
The battle between the two quickly reached a fever pitch.
Sensing the ti was right, Zorn finally bared his bloody fangs.
The [Evil Spirit Authority] was unleashed at full power in an instant.
VMMMM...
In that mont, [Doomsday Shadow Stab] Alvin Burke’s vision filled with stars, and he felt as if he were seeing his own grandmother.
’This damn bastard is trying to control !’
As his muscles convulsed, Alvin Burke clenched his jaw, swiftly drew a dagger with doomsday patterns from behind his back, and slashed down violently in front of him.
The blade fell, tearing a rift in the darkness.
With a stiff roll, he barely managed to tumble into it.
The next mont, the vicious blade, carrying the sulfurous scent of doomsday lava, swirled at the tip of Zorn’s nose.
The blade hacked down viciously toward Zorn’s skull.
Alvin’s blade had not yet fallen when a massive fist rapidly filled his vision.
Invaded and influenced by the [Evil Spirit Authority], the [Doomsday Shadow Stab] had lost most of his strength.
THUD!
Alvin Burke was sent flying, crashing through a wooden shelf nearby.
Zorn flipped him the middle finger.
Shortly after, the Double-Ringeded Snake and chains of Black Mist wrapped Alvin up tightly, completely immobilizing him.
"You despicable bastard! You only know how to use such low-down, dirty tricks!"
"Tear off your disguise! Let
see who you really are!"
Immobilized, Alvin Burke cursed in a low, furious voice.
Zorn, unhurried, retrieved a monster-hide suitcase he had prepared earlier from the corner and opened it.
While taking out ritual components from inside, Zorn began to speak in a calm voice.
"Have you heard of the Death Row Prison on the Saint Jia’en Misty Plateau?"
"Whenever a batch of prisoners is sent there, Wizards who specialize in the Sheep Transformation Technique use the [Sheep Transformation Technique] to turn them into highland sheep, completing the Lock Ring process."
"This ans that for the remaining decades of their lives, they will live like sheep—herded by sheepdogs from one pasture to another, and sheared of their wool every spring and autumn, creating one last tiny bit of value for this World!"
"And that... is what will happen to you after you’re caught!"
"And that’s only the kindest part of the Death Row Prison."
"Yes, you heard
right. The kindest part."
"You know how it is. There are always so crazies among the Wizards."
"When those sheep get old, they get slaughtered by those crazy Wizards."
"You know sothing?"
Zorn chuckled softly.
"A sheep that was once a person tastes the sa as a real sheep!"
The demonic whisper made Alvin Burke’s soul tremble.
"Luckily for you... you don’t have to worry about being eaten by your own kind!"
"Because... you will be redeed by . I will save your soul and baptize it!"
Zorn’s words, naturally, provoked an even more furious torrent of curses from Alvin Burke.
As a BOSS Sequence, [Doomsday Shadow Stab] Alvin Burke was rather difficult to baptize completely.
At a ti like this, so extra power was needed.
The Essence from so of the "Ghostly Assassins" among Zorn’s four Guardians would serve as a dium.
A ritual would be held for him.
Only then could the official enslavent of [Doomsday Shadow Stab] Alvin Burke be completed.
He would be completely turned into a devout Believer of the great [Lord of Holy Witch].
Capturing these BOSS Sequences was more troubleso than dealing with ordinary Transcendents.
But the rewards would also be much richer.
After all, this was a BOSS Sequence.
Soon, Zorn initiated the guidance ritual.
A large amount of viscous Calamity Black Mist surged forth as Zorn infused a portion of the [Ghostly Assassin] Essence into the body of [Doomsday Shadow Stab] Alvin Burke.
Using his [Evil Spirit Authority], Zorn began a deep baptism.
’I have to say, BOSS Sequences really are durable.’
Any other Sequence would have long since lost control from such an infusion and reshaping—they would have either mutated or exploded. In any case, death would be certain.
But the [Doomsday Shadow Stab] BOSS Sequence was still resisting Zorn’s Authority.
After Zorn slowly perford a dozen deep ritual baptisms, the Sequence Spirituality and spiritual will of [Doomsday Shadow Stab] Alvin Burke finally, slowly, transford into the state Zorn required.
"Great... Mas... ter..."
His voice was slightly dry and hoarse.
But on the level of his spiritual will, he had already submitted to Zorn.
But Zorn didn’t let his guard down.
He continued to increase the power, probing ever deeper.
Only when his opponent’s Sequence Spirituality showed slight signs of instability did Zorn finally stop the deep baptism.
By now, the night had grown deep.
But the tavern inside had only grown more lively and raucous.
The two sat on a bench in the backyard passage.
Mottled, swaying light and shadows fell across them.
[Doomsday Shadow Stab] Alvin Burke’s expression was respectful and humble.
"...And that’s how we manage to get the ’herbs’ out of the deep valley and process them into highly profitable potions underground."
Alvin Burke was explaining the black-market chain he controlled.
"That valley is indeed an extraordinarily fertile land, but from now on, you no longer need to grow those herbs that will get you filled with lead."
"You can grow these instead."
As he spoke, Zorn took out a piece of paper he had prepared beforehand and handed it to Alvin Burke.
The large Mist Valley that Alvin Burke controlled was a place where mystical Essence flowed, making it extrely fertile.
It could absolutely be used to grow the large quantities of dicinal herbs needed for the Steam-Potion Factory, serving as a source for the raw materials.
Over the next period of ti, Zorn would also gradually use his [Evil Spirit Authority] to redeem and baptize all of Alvin’s n, enslaving them as loyal Believers of the [Lord of Holy Witch].
They would follow Alvin Burke and beco the top-level herb suppliers under Zorn’s control.
"Yes! My Master!"
Alvin Burke said respectfully.
Zorn glanced at Alvin Burke.
"From now on, just call
Lord ssenger."
"Yes! Lord ssenger!"
Currently, Zorn had only enslaved "Poisonous Horse," one of the three "Horses."
For now, Zorn had no plans to move on the other two Horses.
They were BOSS Sequences, after all, and the Sequence Spirituality of the other two Horses had no defects.
Zorn would need to be Level 4 or even Level 5 to perfectly enslave and control these minor bosses.
If cultivated properly, these minor BOSS Sequences could also grow to beco powerful assistants for Zorn.
’First, I’ll get this Assassin BOSS completely under control. Then I’ll plot against the next one. A big BOSS has minor bosses under him, and the minor bosses have nurous industrial chains and underlings! Now that’s what a real big boss should be like!’
Lost in thought, Zorn looked at Alvin Burke again.
"Also, during this ti, you need to go to this location and conduct detailed surveillance..."
Zorn began giving detailed instructions.
As a [Doomsday Shadow Stab], Alvin Burke possessed an extraordinary Talent for covert surveillance, observation, and tracking.
If Zorn hadn’t known this guy so well and set up a specific plan, then even another from the Evil Spirit Sequence might not have been able to capture him.
After all, BOSS Sequences were often highly resistant to control-type abilities and had extrely strong escape and survival skills.
"Understood, Lord ssenger. I am very good at scouting out a target’s situation. I guarantee I won’t disappoint you."
Receiving an order from the ssenger, Alvin responded with the utmost seriousness.
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