At the entrance of the cave, there was a deep trench covered with a thin layer of wooden planks. As the Undead Guard walked on it, it made hollow sounds, catching his attention. However, just when he was about to see if there was anything below, something on the other side of the wooden bridge caught his eye.

It was a piece of pitch-black metal.

This fragment looked utterly insignificant, something that anyone would overlook. A dull gray piece, perhaps from a shattered pickaxe, a shovel, or part of an adventurer's armor; such things were all too common in an abandoned mine like this.

However, this shard immediately captivated the Messenger's full attention.

Ignoring the wooden bridge, he raised his hand, and an invisible force drew up the fragment, clutching it in his hand. The Messenger gave it a slight inspection and couldn't help but lift an eyebrow—as Fang Hong had guessed, someone like him was ever suspicious, and he might have earlier doubted that the fragment was a trap.

But upon holding it, he immediately realized that this was what he was searching for.

The Messenger almost took a deep breath, unexpectedly finding the fragment of "that thing" without much effort. While a single fragment might not signify much, it at least confirmed its presence underground.

He looked up and immediately found another fragment deep in the darkness.

If it had been earlier, he might still have been skeptical, but now with a fragment in hand, he couldn't help but believe it. Besides, he still had a trump card, so even if it was a trap to lure him in deeper, he remained calm.

He even somewhat intended to play along—

It was then that the Messenger stepped over the bridge. Although the wood creaked, there was nothing unusual. After crossing, he raised his hand again, preparing to retrieve that piece of metal.

But this time, his expression shifted slightly.

Upon closer inspection, he saw that the ground held not a fragment of "that thing" but merely an ordinary rusty iron piece.

And at that moment, the Messenger suddenly saw a shadow wavering in the darkness ahead.

With just one glance, he ignored all other features of the shadow, fixing his gaze on the purple crystal staff in the other's hand. "Rod of Rogsel!" The Messenger almost spat the words out through clenched teeth.

"So you are indeed here," he sneered, "Hiding for so long, finally showing yourself?"

But just as he finished speaking, the shadow clearly had no intention of engaging in small talk. It simply raised its hand, pointing the purple crystal staff at him.

The Messenger was taken aback, not expecting the other to immediately take action without a word. He hadn't even had time to take out the silver snuffbox from his hand and instinctively dodged backward.

But as he retreated, a dark shadow flashed past the spot where the shadow pointed, suddenly exploding. This explosion was entirely unexpected for the Messenger, and the shockwave nearly swept him right into it, flinging him against the cave wall.

Fortunately, he had a magic shield, the black light around him just managing to offset the first explosion's shockwave. "What kind of spell is this!?" The Messenger was aghast, as he had never seen such an undead spell—neither requiring gestures nor incantations. Even for super magical skills, this casting speed was too fast.

And its power was by no means inferior.

However, due to the preconceived notion of the purple crystal staff, he had no doubt in his mind, merely assuming it was some new kind of undead spell. Thankfully, he wasn't entirely unprepared. Capitalizing on the moment's reprieve given by the magic shield, the Messenger thrust the Skeleton Staff on the ground, erecting a gray shield.

This was an active shield, naturally thicker than the passive shield of a Magic Guided Reactor.

Though the 'shadow,' under Fang Hong's control, persistently summoned more explosions within the cavern, it struggled to pierce through this active shield. The Messenger, feeling discomfort at the strength drain, summoned a towering ghoul to shield him.

A Level 25 or so tank-type undead creature stood before him; though its skin was equally shattered by the blasts, it completely isolated its master from the shockwave.

Seeing this through the Clockwork Fairy, Fang Hong did not let the 'shadow' slow its 'spells.'

Of course, the shadow wasn't actually a sorcerer-ghoul, merely a phantom conjured by a Mirrorer. And what it used wasn't any spell, but instead the fire giants hidden in the dark.

Fang Hong estimated that in this probing attack, he lost seven fire giants, resulting in no significant outcome.

The Level 25 BOSS undoubtedly had some resources; both the massive ghoul and the opponent's shield were troublesome. To inflict real harm on this 'Messenger,' it was clear these two hurdles needed to be passed.

But this was the thought process of an ordinary person.

According to Fang Hong, perhaps it wasn't necessary to pass them.

Perhaps bypassing them might also be an option.

"Miss Natural Historian's spell failed," an Imperial Guard Swordsman sent through, "The opponent suffered no losses—"

Fang Hong read the message in the dark and responded with a nonchalant sound.

He didn't intend to expose the fire giants, so he attributed the earlier spell effects to Gita. Anyway, like the Combat Artisan, few knew what spells a Natural Historian had.

He remained calm, considering that this was a Level 25 BOSS and not expecting a complete victory in one strike.

Fang Hong gently clasped his hand back, directing the Mirrorer to have its phantom retreat.

In the A3 area.

Just when the Messenger managed to regain the initiative from the fierce onslaught, he saw that shadow unexpectedly trying to turn and run—unaware of Fang Hong's plan, only one thought crossed his mind: "It knows I have that thing!"

With this realization, he certainly couldn't let the opponent escape. Without a second thought, he raised the silver snuffbox in his hand and hurled it with all his might at the shadow.

Fang Hong watched as a silver light streaked through the Mirrorer's illusion.

He hesitated for a split second before understanding. Hastily, he had the Mirrorer control the illusion to collapse as if falling apart. While he didn't know what it was, he could deduce it from previous speculation.

That must be the opponent's trump card—

He held his breath, hoping that the phantom's reaction wouldn't exceed the other's expectations.

"Just a little closer..."

Fang Hong thought silently to himself.

...

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