Chapter 1361: Chapter 1361

The young Nightwatchman adamantly refused Jenkins's demand for them to leave, reaching out to help pin down the ghoul. It was clearly a special specimen, its skin a darker shade than a typical ghoul's and its strength extraordinary. Indeed, only Jenkins, with his [Titan's Power], was able to hold it fast.

“I can get out of here whenever I want! I was prepared before I even entered this Mysterious Realm!”

Jenkins insisted. Less than a minute remained of their ten-minute window.

The Gravedigger cut the young Nightwatchman short, pulling him by the hand toward the radiant portal:

“Can't you see? Mr. Candle is a believer of the Lying God. They know how to handle these disasters. I even suspect he's not the same Mr. Candle that Mr. White Cat knew. That group is far too skilled at disguise. Who knows who he really is...”

As he spoke, their figures disappeared into the white light of the portal.

Jenkins breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to properly assess his opponent. The ghoul was an Enchanter of some exotic species, a full level seven, yet the power it was exhibiting barely matched that of a level four.

“So, you swallowed the key, did you?”

Jenkins demanded, his words coming in a rush as he stood firm, drawing power from the very ground beneath his feet.

“You're a believer of the Lying God?”

The ghoul demanded. Its accent was so thick that Jenkins could barely understand it, but the creature had evidently understood the two church Enchanters perfectly.

As he spoke, Jenkins slammed a fist into the creature's gut. A ghoul's tolerance for pain far exceeded that of any normal creature, but the heavy blow was still enough to nearly make it regurgitate its breakfast from the cemetery.

“How can you be here? It's impossible! The divination said the believers of the Lying God wouldn't be in Nolan all day!”

With that, the ghoul spun around and lunged for the portal behind them, but Jenkins instantly yanked it back.

“Your divination seems quite professional,” Jenkins said conversationally. “But did you happen to notice the time? It's two in the morning. I suspect the 'today' in your prophecy was referring to yesterday.”

He drew his White Bone Holy Sword and, with one clean stroke, severed the creature's neck. It was a fatal blow, even for the undead. The round, sparsely haired head rolled across the floor, still sputtering threats. “I'll... curse you...”

Jenkins paid it no mind. Fighting back a wave of revulsion, he sliced open the ghoul's stomach with his sword, rummaging through its esophagus and rotting gut in search of the key. But it was too late.

“Never mind. I've already stopped this incursion into the Mysterious Realm. Getting this final 'little prize' doesn't really matter.”

With that thought, he abandoned his search for the C-03-0921 [Silver Spoon]. He brought his sword around in a backhand swing, shattering the ghoul's head, then leaped into the glowing portal. Follow current novels on novel※fire.net

Fluorescent green fluid oozed from the shattered skull, a stark contrast to the crimson glow that bathed the strange corridor.

A moment later, the old demon ambled over, holding an hourglass, its sands completely run through. It glanced at the corpse on the floor, plucked the key from its intestines, and with a hearty laugh, tossed it into the portal.

Then, it flipped the hourglass once more. The entire building grew transparent, the surroundings slowly dissolving into a vast, crimson field. With a booming laugh, the demon began walking backward, ascending step by step into the deepest recesses of the dark red sky.

(Chocolate is running...)

The night wind whistling through the Nolan alley helped clear Jenkins's head as he emerged from the Mysterious Realm. He braced a hand against the wall to steady himself, only to feel it press into something vile.

He hastily pulled out a piece of paper to wipe his hand, then rinsed it with some water. Only then did he notice Mr. White Cat waiting for him a short distance away.

According to the rules of the Mysterious Realms, exits back to the real world were always in completely safe locations. This explained why Jenkins had appeared next to Mr. White Cat, while the other three were nowhere to be found—they had likely been deposited in their own separate, safe spots.

“Mr. Candle! I knew you could do it.”

Mr. White Cat exclaimed excitedly as they regrouped. Standing in the shadows, Jenkins simply nodded.

“Tonight's affair should be resolved. Assuming there isn't another wave of creatures from that other world, we've successfully prevented the newest disaster threatening Nolan. Now, come with me. Mr. Hood is waiting.”

The city-wide lockdown hadn't been lifted, so getting to Mr. Hood's house from their current location would not be easy. Fortunately, both men were Enchanters well-versed in navigating the city by night, so it was hardly an insurmountable obstacle.

As they moved, Jenkins covertly checked his inventory and his still-developing abilities. He discovered that, in addition to the white pearl that seemed to contain a swirling cloud, the C-03-0921 [Silver Spoon] was now also in his pocket. His [Disaster Poem], however, still only had two white gems; tonight's events hadn't added another.

This gave him pause. He wasn't sure if his theory about the ability was wrong, or if the night's crisis wasn't truly over.

It was four in the morning, but a light was still on in Mr. Hood's house. Their knock was answered instantly; just as they'd thought, he had been waiting up for them.

Seeing Mr. White Cat was unharmed, Mr. Hood embraced him warmly. He seemed ready to hug Jenkins as well, but Jenkins, considering the other man's arm was still in a sling, politely refused for the sake of his recovery.

“I'm so glad you're both safe,” Mr. Hood said, his relief palpable. “Honestly, I was worried sick. I was just thinking that if you didn't return soon, I'd have to ask Mr. Magic for help. I know where she—ahem—he lives... It's just good to have you back. Did anything happen on the way? And Mr. Candle, did you find Mr. White Cat inside the Mysterious Realm?”

None of the three felt the least bit tired, so they lit the gas lamp in the living room and brewed some hot tea. Jenkins and Mr. White Cat gave a brief account of what had transpired. Jenkins also took out the boat ticket and returned it to Mr. Hood. At first, Mr. Hood refused to take it back, but he relented at Jenkins's insistence.

Mr. White Cat, however, presented Jenkins with a different gift. After all, Jenkins had gone to all this trouble tonight to rescue him, so he felt the reward shouldn't come from Mr. Hood.