abcnovels
Chapter 529 530-Survival
Chapter 529 530-Survival
Chapter 529 Chapter530-Survival
Under normal circumstances, the field of vision is entirely adequate, but for someone like Code 19 moving at high speeds, obstacles that wouldn't normally pose a threat become potentially fatal hazards.
Thus, the usual breadth of vision is simply not sufficient.
The best approach would likely involve integrating mana sensing, hearing, touch, and vision to form a comprehensive image directly in the brain.
This is a skill enhancement magi must master to advance to higher levels.
At this juncture, the second utility of the seemingly insignificant spell Mist Wall becomes apparent.
It can disrupt mana sensing within its range of mana mist.
Although this interference does not discriminate between friend and foe, it's clear that for an enhancement magus, such disruption is decidedly more lethal.
Without the support of mana sensing, it's impossible to construct a comprehensive image, forcing the enhancement magus to either take risks or slow down.
Whichever choice is made, Ali's pressure is undoubtedly significantly reduced.
Conversely, this is also the best and only strategy Ali can think of to counter an enhancement magus like Code 19.
Beyond this, the remaining spells are all defensive or counter-attack types.
If Code 19 chooses to leave, Ali won't try to detain him, as that would merely be courting death.
What a dire situation.
Ali slumped to the ground, surrounded by a layer of mana film entirely composed of runes.
The light from the outside world is distorted the moment it passes through the film, making it impossible for anyone outside to see Ali's presence.
Lifting her hand to wipe away the blood near her nose, Ali smacked her lips, tasting a metallic tang rising from her throat.
It seemed her internal organs had been jarred; she hadn't fully evaded Code 19's attack.
Though not a direct hit, Ali was still injured.
Coupled with the prior overextension of her mana to shape spell matrices, Ali was now essentially defenseless, vulnerable even to a child just beginning school, who could easily kill her with a knife.
This was a true predicament.
This standoff between Code 19 and Ali was a gamble, with her life as the stake! Should Code 19 pinpoint her location, her death was certain.
Conversely, if Code 19 failed to find her swiftly, he'd have to consider the likelihood of Rudo and the village hunters arriving.
The distance from the subhuman village was not far, and the commotion from their fight was unmistakably loud.
Even Rudo in the village should have sensed the burst of mana.
In such a secretive place, a magus making such a move would easily lead Rudo to suspect Ali was under attack.
The attackers could only be those who assaulted the village!
Once this connection was made, Rudo could not stand idly by.
Whether motivated by a simple desire to help or to gather more information about the attackers, they could not allow Ali to die.
Thus, the outcome of this gamble hinged on time: would Rudo and his group find her first, or would Code 19 discover her actual location?
Ali slowed her breathing, sensing a figure slowing down just outside the mana mist.
Code 19 was hesitating.
He was well aware of the impact mana mist could have on him, and perhaps also acutely aware of the current situation.
Thus, whether to take a risk or to opt for safety, the choice once again fell into his hands.
The fully mutated figure halted on a branch, the crimson eyes observing the area shrouded by mana mist.
Without a doubt, Ali was likely hiding within that small expanse of land, no more than a dozen square meters, veiled by fog.
However, as a pure enhancement magus, wide-ranging attacks and versatile mana abilities were exactly what he lacked!
In this scenario, he could either rely solely on vision to search within the mist, or he could depart and wait for another opportunity.
Gick had not specified a timeframe; eliminating this adventurer before the final phase of the plan was sufficient...
This thought flickered through Code 19's mind, taking root and spreading like wildfire.
Everyone fears death, and faced with an immediate and unknown life-or-death crisis, how many could remain without hesitation?
Code 19 made a choice any rational being would make.
He did not reverse his mutating but instead chose to turn and leave.
While the process of mutating is reversible, if undone, it cannot be initiated again within the same day without causing irreversible damage to the body.
Moreover, upon reversing mutating, an enhancement magus would enter a state of weakness lasting several hours.
During this period, Code 19 would possess virtually no combat capability.
Without assurance of being in a safe environment, Code 19 would not risk reverting from the mutating state.
...
The presence vanished.
Had Code 19 left?
While in the invisibility state, Ali, invisible to the naked eye, conversely, couldn't directly observe her surroundings.
She could only faintly discern the external situation through her severely disrupted mana sensing.
Just moments ago, she sensed a figure pausing, then turning and leaving after a few seconds.
She couldn't confirm if it was Code 19, but based on the current circumstances, it likely was.
Should she risk emerging to check?
Ali asked herself.
The answer was already clear.
When Ali finally reunited with Jelia and Roronora, the sky had darkened completely.
The two hadn't moved but waited in the cave for her return.
Thus, a warm fire and Jelia's subtle gaze welcomed her.
"You... were attacked?" Jelia inquired.
"Yes." Ali nodded.
"The person is named 'Code 19', probably a codename, likely sent by Gick to kill us." Ali explained, "He's very strong, his combat abilities might even verge on that of a level 1 magus. An enhancement magus."
Jelia furrowed her brows, "Then how did you manage to escape?"
With the combat power nearing that of a level 1 magus, and Ali's current strength not even up to a level 2 magus, there seemed no plausible way for her return.
"I used some tricks, but that's a one-time solution," Ali admitted.
The combination of Shape-shifting and Mist Wall was effective but only the first time around.
In any future encounters, Code 19 would undoubtedly leave a mana marker on her.
That way, even if Ali turned invisible, Code 19 wouldn't be left blindly searching like a fly without direction.
In the face of life and death, any meaningless risk appears reckless and foolhardy.
Ali remained in place for nearly an hour afterwards.
In the first half-hour, Code 19 returned to the clearing three times at varying intervals!
Had she emerged even a moment too soon, she likely would have become a wraith under Code 19's claws by now.
At life's critical junctures, cunning and deceit no longer matter.
"The situation sounds dire." Jelia said, stroking her chin, "So, regarding Gick, do you have any plan or method in mind?"
Settling on a rock warmed by the fire, Ali wiped her face with a clean cloth, "There's only one plan."
"A direct assault! No need for any excess disguise or deception, just a direct attack!"
If it was for revenge, then spending twenty years of her lifespan would be worth it after all.
In the end, it's the disdain for those who sit high above, toying with the lives of others, that she couldn't stand.
To activate "Brave", then make her way straight into Oak Village, dyeing her sword red with blood, and finally, decapitate Gick before leaving with a flourish.
That's what it means to be an adventurer.
Even for someone like Gick, the likelihood of having a level 1 magus as a personal bodyguard was slim.
"Reckless! How could such a haphazard plan ever succeed? Have you lost your senses in fear?"
Without any hesitation, Jelia outright rejected Ali's plan.
"If you truly intend to proceed with this, then Roronora stays behind! I won't let him accompany you to certain death."
Allowing Roronora to go, regardless of Howard, would be something Jelia couldn't forgive herself for.
Despite having endured much darkness and despair before, Jelia, at heart, still yearned for happiness and light.
If her hands were stained with blood, would she still be worthy to hold Howard's hand?
"I knew you wouldn't agree. And to think I believed I had come up with a decent plan."
With a spread of her hands, Ali glanced at Jelia and then at Roronora, silent as a wood carving in the corner, and said, "It seems Howard's influence on you is indeed significant. If it were the you from the beginning, desperate to survive, you'd surely support this plan, wouldn't you?"
Not letting go of any chance, that was the experience Jelia had garnered growing up alone in Lorinda.
It wouldn't be too far-fetched to call it a creed of life.
As long as there's a non-zero chance of success, it's worth a try.
The worst-case scenario is death.
This was the final defiance and resistance of a half-orc caught in the throes of despair.
She wanted to live, but death would not be unbearable.