However, the profile captured by the nun's spiritual empathy talent was "traces."
She could feel that the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower was slowly "swaying" at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, her perspective smeared by a vague, elusive fluctuation.
How to describe that feeling? It was as if one were submerged at the bottom of the sea, watching sea anemones or feather-duster worms sway their appendages with the surging tidal waves.
"Sister Haida, what's wrong? Is there something unusual about the Stellar Abyss Society's bell tower?"
Seeing Haida beside her holding her breath and staring intently, Vivian asked with some confusion.
She had previously tried to observe the bell tower using the Calling Bird's perspective. The crow Munin's color vision was richer than a human's, but she still hadn't noticed anything special.
"It's just a strange feeling... as if it's maintaining a rhythm of breathing."
Haida shook her head, dispelling that peculiar impression.
While this talent was practical, its state was difficult to maintain for long periods, and overuse could easily lead to undispellable illusions. In the Secrets-Hunter records, there were also some hunters who possessed this talent... most of them suffered from hysteria in their later years, haunted by relentless nightmares.
"Sister Haida, your descriptions always send chills down my spine..."
Vivian licked her lips, unconsciously narrowing her eyes.
At that moment, the two were at the city outskirts boundary of Foy, hidden in the bushes of a forest beside an unnamed coastline.
Although this coastline was wide, the shallow waters were extensive and strewn with jagged reefs, making it unsuitable for a port. It wasn't even very convenient for fishing boats to set sail... Furthermore, since the establishment of the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower, this area had been designated as forbidden.
"There are Star-Tellers from the Stellar Abyss Society patrolling ahead, and further in there are watchtowers equipped with searchlights. Munin can fly in... but it will be somewhat difficult for us to infiltrate."
As she spoke, Vivian was closing one eye, sharing vision with the Calling Bird in mid-air.
The coastline was remote, originally home to many animals and seabirds, and moreover, the crow's dark feathers helped it blend perfectly into the night. Therefore, Munin hardly had to worry about being discovered.
"And the vegetation has been cleared for several hundred meters ahead. Within two hundred meters of the bell tower, there's basically no cover."
Listening to the intelligence provided by Vivian, after brief consideration, Haida formulated the next course of action.
"Evade the patrolling Star-Tellers, let's first get as close as possible."
This nun was quite experienced in traversing and hunting in the wilderness. While she felt her way forward, she didn't forget to clear the traces left behind along the way.
"Vivian, what's the general layout of their patrols?"
"Eight teams patrol simultaneously, covering four directions. Each team has about ten personnel, visibly armed. Also, the watchtowers have very wide fields of view, and the searchlights for illumination are activated."
Vivian replied briskly, then added some details.
"The good news is, they don't have hounds, so we don't have to worry about exposure by scent."
This was only the outer perimeter of the bell tower; the interior was certainly more tightly guarded.
The current situation gave Haida some difficulty. If this were an Evil Spawn nest or a heretical cult hideout, she could charge right in. But the Stellar Abyss Society clearly couldn't be categorized as such... and rashly initiating conflict could likely lead to discord between sects.
"If possible, have Munin get as close as possible to the main structure of the bell tower. We'll remain dormant on the outskirts."
"Mm."
This was also Vivian's thought. She then directed Munin to carefully avoid the lights and approach the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower further.
"Approaching the window ledge at the top floor of the bell tower. All observable windows are sealed shut. Currently searching for an entrance... Wait, what is that?"
As she spoke, she suddenly furrowed her brow, the one eye that remained open revealing surprise and doubt.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing the sudden strange expression on Vivian's face, Haida immediately pressed.
"Something is emerging from the coastline, and there are quite a few of them..."
The top of the bell tower was undoubtedly the highest vantage point in the area, but its location was some distance from the beach. Therefore, even with Munin's avian vision, it required extreme focus to discern the specific forms of those things.
At times like these, Vivian envied Supervisor Silver Wing Locust. Apart from the crow, she also kept a grey falcon, very suitable for long-range reconnaissance work.
"Tentacles, scales, jointed limb-like legs... I see clearly now, it's a cluster of Abyssal Sea devils."
Hearing this, a flicker passed through Haida's grey-hazel gaze as she fell into thought.
Abyssal Sea devils appearing at the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower...
That is to say, the Abyssal curse during Gormouth's full moon still exists, it's just that the target of the attacks has shifted from the city to the bell tower? The function of this building isn't to suppress or dispel the devils, but to attract them. Like a lightning rod.
Following this logic, the reason the Stellar Abyss Society is conducting such tight patrols and defenses today isn't because they are guarding against spies... but against "external enemies."
"Sister Haida, our current position is still relatively safe. The Abyssal Sea devils are landing from the coast, heading directly for the bell tower, with no tendency to spread into the woods."
"But proceeding further would risk contact."
Vivian diligently provided real-time descriptions of the scene, striving not to miss any updates.
Reconnaissance, spying, concealment – Confidential Division agents were well-versed in these arts... after all, Calling Birds could easily occupy the best vantage points and provide panoramic information. This gave them an advantage unmatched by ordinary people, whether acting as snipers or observers.
"Let's wait here for a while."
Haida ultimately decided not to advance further, maintaining the status quo to observe how events unfolded.
From Munin's perspective, several Star-Teller teams from the Stellar Abyss Society converged on the Abyssal Sea devil landing site with remarkable coordination. They used some kind of standard-issue weapons, launching a fierce barrage of firepower against these eerie creatures swarming onto land.
The entire process was orderly and methodical, carrying a sense of practiced familiarity, as if executed countless times before.
Abyssal Sea devils were clad in hard, overlapping scales and secreted a slippery mucus that coated their bodies, making them more troublesome than ordinary Evil Spawn. Moreover, their average size was only that of a human head, making aiming somewhat difficult.
However, as long as the firepower net was dense enough, the aforementioned problems would be easily solved...
The sharp reports of gunfire and the sound of flames burning continuously echoed. Moments later, Vivian reported the current situation.
"Sister Haida, the Abyssal Sea devil cluster is beginning to retreat."
"So quickly?" Hearing her words, Haida couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled.
During the past Plum Moon in Norlington, she had engaged an Evil Spawn horde summoned by Red Cup fanatics. According to the Skin Creed's Crimson Visage, that was a "Carnival Feast." Each Evil Spawn was catalyzed by extreme emotion; apart from complete annihilation, all other interception methods were ineffective.
They reveled in pain, the shattering of limbs, and utter annihilation.
Even the secondary Evil Spawn in Norlington were so dangerous... why were these Abyssal Sea devils here so easily dispersed?
Haida sighed softly, regretting not having brought a portable telescope when preparing in Norlington. Otherwise, she could have seen the situation on the coast with her own eyes now.
"Those devils, after approaching within a certain range of the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower, seemed to fall into confusion. Their mobility and aggressiveness significantly diminished, and their movements became very sluggish."
Watching the strangely behaving Abyssal Sea devils in the Calling Bird's field of view, Vivian's expression also showed some bewilderment.
"That expression, it's like... intoxication?"
This word triggered a certain alertness in Haida. Even though she couldn't see the specifics, she still looked towards that unnamed coast where flames burned.
"So, besides attracting Abyssal Sea devils, the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower has another effect."
If before, this nun was merely surveying the area at Dr. Fran's request, now she had genuinely developed an interest in this bell tower.
From Munin's perspective, several squads of Star-Tellers were currently clearing the remaining devils at the coastal pass. Besides those holding standard firearms, a small group charged onto the coastline, joining the fray in person.
Although the Stellar Abyss Society also revered the Cup-phase spirituality representing sensory desires, their membership consisted mostly of astrologers. Logically... there shouldn't be people as keen on close combat as the heterodox hunters of the Secrets-Hunter Cult.
The strange situation piqued Vivian's curiosity. She directed Munin to sweep over the coast from high altitude, wanting to observe the situation in more detail.
Munin turned its jet-black pearl-like eyes, fixing its gaze on a certain black-robed figure who was constantly tearing apart Abyssal Sea devils.
His clothing was tattered and ragged, and he wore an extremely long hood, his face and limbs concealed beneath the garments, difficult to glimpse. But Munin did not give up. It cautiously lowered its flight altitude and once again looked into the shadows beneath that person's robe.
For a moment, the pale, cold full moon cast a sliver of clear, faint light through the cloud cover. It illuminated the face of a black-robed figure.
Beneath the hood was a chewing mouthpart resembling that of an insect, and dirty scales covering the entire face. Furthermore, one could vaguely see countless unhealed wounds slowly oozing plasma, sticky as mud, deep red bordering on black.
Within those wounds, spherical objects were wriggling.
Munin saw it, Vivian saw it too... those were several fleshy eyeballs.
At that moment, their pupils were simultaneously focusing on Munin's location, their gazes almost meeting.
"Hah..."
Witnessing this scene, a sudden chill rose from Vivian's heart, and she opened the eye that had been tightly closed all along.
"Sister Haida, those helping to clear the Abyssal Sea devils near the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower aren't just Star-Tellers; there are also many humans with Evil Spawn characteristics. Specifically manifested as insectoid mouthparts, scales of Abyssal creatures, and countless wounds..."
As she spoke, she tightly furrowed her brows, showing some unease.
"Munin might have been discovered; I've already recalled it. Should we prepare to withdraw now?"
After listening, Haida simply fell silent, processing the newly obtained information, feeling how deeply entangled the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower was.
Insect and scales, and wounds representing the "Door"... could it be the Ant-Scale Door? According to the Burial Court's provided materials, only some among those Ant Mother believers could still maintain pure faith, while others had fallen to become followers of the Worm, turning into fanatics who abandoned their human form.
For the Stellar Abyss Society, which always valued its reputation, to have ties with them was truly bizarre.
"Now is not the time to confront the Stellar Abyss Society. We really should leave."
With that, she decided to withdraw along the original route for the time being.
Simultaneously, Vivian once again shared vision with the Calling Bird. Soon, she saw that the Ant-Scale Door believer who had just been on the coastline was heading straight for Munin's direction.
Their speed far exceeded that of ordinary people, and their running movements carried an unnatural, strange quality. It was as if what they used for movement weren't legs with joints, but some kind of tentacular appendages.
"Sister Haida, they're catching up!"
Vivian said in a hushed voice. However, before her words finished, Haida had already scooped up the Confidential Division agent, efficiently hoisting her onto her back and beginning a swift sprint.
Her figure was agile and nimble, like a swift black shadow, swiftly weaving through the gaps between the trees in the forest.
"Now, um... they've already climbed up the hillside, about fifty meters left before entering the woods..."
Even while being carried, Vivian still dutifully described the Ant-Scale Door disciples' movement trajectory. However, she already had a tendency towards seasickness, and now she was constantly swaying back and forth in high-speed motion, making her somewhat dizzy.
Although her head felt a bit woozy, she didn't experience that desire to vomit from esophageal spasms. It seemed that ever since taking Dr. Fran's seasickness medicine, she hadn't felt the urge to throw up again...
"Mm."
Haida quickly acknowledged, then posed a question.
"Only the Ant-Scale Door disciples? Are there any Star-Tellers from the Stellar Abyss Society alongside them?"
Vivian forcibly suppressed her dizzy head, analyzing the situation of the pursuers.
"The Star-Tellers are slower, and they don't seem to have the desire to pursue... most of them are just observing near the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower now."
"Just as I thought."
A sharp glint flashed in Haida's grey-hazel eyes. Although she said nothing, Vivian on her back inexplicably sensed an emotion quietly spreading, like ignited tinder, blazing intensely.
It was the emotion called "excitement."
The Star-Tellers' role was that of guards; their primary duty was to protect the Sands of Slumber Tower. Therefore, they wouldn't be inclined to pursue... meaning, only the Ant-Scale Door believers were giving chase.
Confirming this, Haida abruptly stopped.
After setting Vivian down, she drew the power sword "Nirvana" from her back and crouched, hiding amidst dense vines.
About a minute later, she caught the scent of salty blood in the air, along with several wisps of tainted, dissipating spirituality.
"It really is the stench of Evil Spawn, utterly nauseating..."
Feeling that all too familiar sense of filth, the chill in Haida's grey-hazel eyes deepened, condensing like white frost.
In an instant, three Ant-Scale Door believers had arrived nearby. They occasionally let out low, pleasurable growls, as if savoring the post-battle hunt, treating it as some amusing pastime.
—The next moment, a pitch-black sword light suddenly manifested from the shadows, accompanied by a clangorous, wild metallic hum.
Three heads fell to the ground in response, producing heavy, fleshy thuds.
—
For an excellent hunter, what is the most core quality? Caution, decisiveness, or efficient and ruthless decision-making?
... In reality, it is a special kind of insight.
A hunter must constantly analyze the situation of themselves and their enemy, keenly judging the shifts in the balance of power between the two sides.
Only in this way can they avoid, due to some oversight, causing a reversal of roles. From being the pursuer initiating the hunt, to becoming the cornered prey awaiting slaughter.
"Hah—"
Haida let out a soft exhale, then relaxed the tense muscles in her wrist, dissipating the residual force from that previous sword strike.
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