Chapter 575: Chapter 291: Inferior Demon
This was Abi’s first time entering the Mist Forest alone.
Although he’s been part of the "adventurer" trade for a while now, and has completed quite a few tasks for the association.
But previously, he was always with the seniors of the team, roaming around the outskirts of the forest, dealing with some small Goblin Tribes.
Never before had he gone this deep.
He felt a faint uncertainty in his heart.
"Don’t worry, with me here, even those with the sharpest noses won’t smell you."
"Besides, haven’t we already been in the forest for two days? See, we haven’t encountered any danger."
The hoarse magnetic male voice echoed reassuringly in the skull cavity.
Over several days, the subtle mental control relaxed Abi’s tense body slightly in response to the devil’s words.
"You’re right, I... I just feel a bit nervous."
"Lord Saloyan, may I ask how much longer until we reach our destination?"
"No rush." The male voice lightly echoed, as if containing some magic, soothing the young man’s turbulent heart, "Soon, we’ll be there soon."
Their goal, naturally, was the goblin nest deep within the Mist Forest, which had already been eliminated by a team of advanced adventurers according to Saloyan’s information.
According to the original plan, he was supposed to have Abi venture closer to the main passage near the core area of the Mist Forest where the nest was located.
But given his weak strength and slower pace, even with his cover, such a long journey might encounter unexpected events.
Thus, Saloyan modified the destination, focusing on another branch of the goblin nest located at the junction between the outskirts and depths of the Mist Forest.
They would then use the underground passage left by the previously massive goblin settlement to reach its core.
As he observed the young man tightly gripping the Iron Sword, clutching the Ironwood Shield with his left hand, cautiously moving forward step by step, with an almost laughable display of caution.
Saloyan thought of urging him further, asking him to quicken his pace.
Then considered the current pressure seemed quite overwhelming for this relatively inexperienced young man, that further pressure might force him to make some unwise decisions under great stress, affecting the subsequent plan, so he decided not to push further and instead showed concern for the other with a gentle reassurance.
Speaking of which, under normal circumstances, any ordinary person with some ability to think and remaining sanity would never agree to such dangerous demands to venture alone into the Mist Forest.
Let alone adventurers living in River Valley Town, who deal with forest demons all year round.
Abi might not be that experienced, but he wasn’t a fool.
If Saloyan had stated his true intentions from the start, he would never agree.
But as a Hell Demon skilled in manipulation, Salayang knew well:
The leap from 1 to 10 is too large for most people to accept.
But if it’s from 1 to 3, then from 3 to 7, finally from 7 to 10, such a gradual progression, following the nature of intelligent beings, would achieve the desired result.
Using Gold Coins as bait, under the effect of repeated victories on the card table, gradually establishing an image of "harmless," "considerate of others" authority in the young man’s heart.
With some Magic Power blurring his perception, weakening his psychological defenses, converting from "as long as you believe the point he states, you can win Gold Coins" to "as long as you obey, you can gain benefits."
Building a causal connection between "obeying orders" and "reward".
Alongside some guided rhetoric and "painting a picture" leading to optimistic expectations for future life.
Abi lost his judgment capability, becoming a puppet under the devil’s control.
With a slight persuasion, he decisively entered this dangerous area not meant for humans alone.
This made it possible for his mere temporary spiritual thought to bridge spatial barriers, reaching the goblin nest.
Magic Particles with a faint sulfur scent floated in the air, concealing Abi’s presence.
While driving away those small creatures acting purely on instinct, it also isolated him from the perception of most powerful demons.
A profound and exquisite use of magic power.
As a result, even during the night’s camp for rest, Abi hadn’t encountered any attacks these past two days, moving as smoothly as never before.
However, despite his relatively healthy, energetic body, he grew increasingly fatigued and disoriented mentally from constant vigilance and high concentration.
Exactly as Saloyan intended.
.....
Abi wasn’t deceived, after a two-day journey, they were already close to the destination.
After walking for just over two more hours, Abi stopped in response to Saloyan’s reminder.
"Is it there, Lord Saloyan?"
Panting slightly, the young man holding the Iron Sword looked nervously at the cave between the woods ahead, trying to lower his voice, he asked cautiously.
"Yes, here it is, but..."
Saloyan’s voice paused, as if sensing something.
The mental thought of a demon noble from the Bator Nine Prisons spread silently downward.
Soon, a large bloated figure emerged within his perception.
"It’s... a Petrified Lizard?"
Saloyan couldn’t help but feel troubled.
The information did not mention that this goblin nest, which had become increasingly dilapidated following the annihilation of the goblin’s stronghold, had been occupied by another demon.