A chat group for a certain tower warlock

"This... I'm afraid that won't work!"

"Oh why?"

"Because... the gatekeeper of the last floor should be our Rhodes Island operator who was kidnapped."

Chapter 221: The Crimson Troupe's Information Recorder - The Hermit

Looking at the Doctor across from her, Laurentina rebuked him with great dissatisfaction: "As the world representative of Terra, you can't even protect your own subordinates, and your base was raided! What are you doing? My Lord has given you so many resources, it's such a waste!"

Upon hearing Laurentina's accusations, the Doctor awkwardly pursed his lips. It would have been better if he hadn't brought it up; now that it was out, he felt quite embarrassed, as his trump card had been completely outmaneuvered.

Looking at the Doctor, who had become like a quail, Laurentina shook her head and sighed helplessly. She took out a chip from her pocket and threw it in front of the Doctor. "Here you go, insert it into the crystal board yourself!"

"Hmm? What is this?" The doctor slowly inserted the chip with some skepticism and asked curiously.

"This is information on powerful individuals I've collected over the years. You can try recruiting them to help you. Oh, and remember to pay them and be polite!" Laurentina walked slowly towards the machine, saying without turning her head, "Those inside are all top-tier Terra experts!"

"If you really piss them off, I might not be able to stop them!"

Upon hearing Laurentina's words, the Doctor immediately began to examine the crystal plate in his hand. This was truly a great help. With this group of experts around, how could they not break through the Crimson Troupe? The summoning fee was just a little Originium, which was easy. He managed thousands of Originium mines, so he could have as many as he needed!

Thinking of this, the doctor suddenly felt much more confident. Problems that can be solved with money are not problems at all!

"By the way, Laurentina," the doctor said, running up to her with the crystal plate in hand and squatting down beside her. "Do you know which of these strong individuals... are more willing to help others?"

"No, everyone is very busy."

"I'm talking about being willing to help others for a fee."

"There are quite a few. See those with Originium Medals? They're all old poor bastards. If you can afford it, you can basically call them over," Laurentina said casually, pointing to the crystal plate.

"How could someone this strong be poor? That can't be! Is the competition in Terra really that fierce?"

Hearing this, Laurentina scoffed and said sarcastically, "These people deserve to be poor. They have no concept of financial management. The universe isn't a place where there's war everywhere. Mercenary work also has peak and off-peak seasons. During the peak season, they have money and spend it lavishly. When the off-peak season comes, they run out of money, so naturally, they go wherever their sugar daddy is."

After hearing Laurentina's explanation, the doctor's eyes immediately lit up. These people were simply the best mercenaries! He liked these kinds of temporary workers who were both capable and had immediate enjoyment. During the off-season, he could get them for just a little money. They were undoubtedly the most cost-effective mercenaries!

Will they put in the effort?

"This is the professional ethics of a mercenary."

"I understand!" The doctor nodded readily, then began searching for suitable recruits. He returned to Kal'tsit's side with the crystal plate, and the two began gesturing at it.

After a long while, three spatial portals appeared in the air, and three masked figures with very different appearances walked out of the portals.

Looking at the three people behind him, the Doctor calmly took out three bags of Originium Ingots and threw them into their hands. "This is a deposit of 100 Originium Ingots. As long as you can help me break through this place, I will give you the rest of the commission with both hands."

The three exchanged a glance, nodded in agreement, and then dispersed to guard a corner of the battlefield.

Looking at the three of them, the doctor nodded with satisfaction. "See, that's what you call professional!"

After a quick cleanup of the battlefield, the group left the third floor and arrived at the fourth floor. With three certified experts by Laurentina, the previous levels were no challenge at all. The group advanced like a hot knife through butter, and those ridiculously strong monsters were nothing more than lambs to the slaughter in the hands of the three.

Watching the gate slowly open in the distance, the Doctor looked at Kal'tsit beside him and asked in a low voice, "What do you think about recruiting these three long-term?"

“I don’t think so.” Kal’tsit shook her head decisively, rejecting the Doctor’s suggestion. The three people in front of her were indeed very strong, but she could tell that these people were more or less related to the gods of the Dream Realm. Their bodies were highly corroded by the energy of the Dream Realm, and some even had a not-so-light Oripathy.

This kind of person is clearly an unstable factor, and Rhodes Island's medical department has already exhausted her.

"Why……"

"If you don't want three more 'living saints' of unknown deities to appear on Rhodes Island, then go ahead and invite them."

"Then let's forget about it." Upon hearing this, the doctor immediately gave up, but he was still somewhat unwilling.

"Even if you really want to recruit them, you have to guarantee they will absolutely listen to you, otherwise..."

Seeing that the Rhodes Island team had finished cleaning up the battlefield, the Doctor led the group forward. He looked at the three people at the front and said with a smile, "Thank you for your help!"

“…Of course.” The masked man holding the horse-slaying sword spoke his first words upon arriving. Looking at the surprised doctor, he thought for a moment and then said, “Having taken your money, we naturally have to help you out. We’ve already made preparations.”

"Um... what preparations?"

"Prepare to die here," the masked man holding a knight's longsword said coldly.

"There's no need to be so pessimistic." Upon hearing this, the doctor forced a smile and said, "The three of you don't need to be so pessimistic. It's just a theater."

The three exchanged a glance, all seeing the pessimism in each other's eyes. As believers of the God of Illusions and Dreams, they could sense that behind this troupe was definitely a powerful deity!

They've stumbled into a god's lair. They think it'll be difficult for them to get out alive!

The group continued forward. As soon as they pushed open the door and entered the battlefield, the masked man standing at the forefront, holding a heavy shield and a long sword, suddenly sank down and slammed the heavy shield forward. A thick layer of Armament Haki bio-energy instantly covered his entire body, while Originium Arts enhanced his body at the same time.

"Ding-dong!"

Before the masked man's terrified eyes, a dagger pierced his shield, the sharp blade tearing downwards, threatening to slice the entire shield and his left hand in two!

Seeing this, the masked man with the heavy shield immediately stepped back, casually unleashing a burst of sword energy from his longsword, forcing the attacker back and buying himself time to retreat.

Upon seeing the sudden attack, everyone immediately went into battle mode, forming a standard defensive formation. The Doctor and the Medic were protected in the center of the formation, while Kal'tsit stood at the very front.

As everyone knows, Kal'tsit is not a healer; she is a summoner, or rather, the scabbard of Mon3tr.

"Clap clap clap!"

A round of applause came from not far away. Everyone looked over and saw a handsome young man with two daggers at his waist, wearing heavy armor full of sharp edges, clapping lightly, praising their combat reaction.

"As expected of the team that broke through the first three levels, their strength is indeed formidable!" the man said flippantly.

"who are you?"

“Me? I’m the troupe’s information recorder, the most inconspicuous one. You can call me the Hermit.” The man said with a smile, “My job is to record the names of guests who come to the troupe or are invited by the troupe, and also to record their final destination. Do you know where you all end up?”

"Appreciate further details."

"It's a pity that you will be staying here forever!"

"Then we'll see if you have the ability!" The doctor sneered, pointing at the hermit. "Make your move!"

Chapter 222: My trump card is my Observation Haki network!

At the Doctor's command, Rhodes Island's ranged units immediately began to move. Within seconds, several explosive shells and more than a dozen arrows mixed with various Originium Arts or bio-energy were launched. The front-line operators also charged forward, with three masked men taking the lead.

But soon, their steps came to a halt. A large number of enemies, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, blocked the melee team's path. Meanwhile, the hermit standing on high ground remained unmoved by the rain of arrows and explosive bombs.

“bong!” ×n

The explosion and smoke instantly engulfed the Hermit, while the Doctor and the others stared intently at the direction of the explosion. He didn't expect to kill the Hermit with a single bomb; he had seen how fierce the opponent was, having pierced through the masked man's shield with a single strike and almost dismembered him. He just wanted to see how effective it would be.

At the very least, they should at least blast a small crater into his armor; if that's not possible, even a crack would do!

Amidst the tense gazes of the crowd, the smoke and dust dissipated, and the hermit stood quietly at the center of the explosion, unharmed except for slightly singed hair.

Seeing this, the doctor's heart sank. This was troublesome. Their shells were completely ineffective against the enemy, while the enemy could easily break through the defenses of their core forces.

Looking at the hermit opposite her, Laurentina finally became interested. She smiled and asked, "Do you need me to deal with him?"

"Can you beat them?" The doctor turned to look at her, a little worried. He was afraid that Laurentina might accidentally make a mistake and get beheaded by the other side, which would be a huge problem, and his boss would definitely go crazy!

"It's a bit tricky, but it's doable!"

"Alright, you go ahead. I'll get a few more people to help you. Go together and try to keep him here!" The Doctor thought for a moment and immediately made a decision. He looked at Red, Black, and Lappland, who had been doing nothing behind him, and said, "You three, go with Specter and take that guy down!"

"Yes, Doctor!" Hei nodded calmly, took out his heavy crossbow, and stepped out of the formation.

"Haha!" Lappland laughed a couple of times, a little neurotic, and drew two longswords to follow.

As for Red, as an experienced hunter, she has already taken the plunge.

Seeing the four people who suddenly appeared beside him and surrounded him, the hermit looked around with interest and asked with great enthusiasm, "So you're the decapitation squad that was sent here... You're really not polite! You attacked without saying a word, and that angle of your blade was really ruthless!"

Gently deflecting the parried short blade, the hermit gracefully turned and retreated, simultaneously dodging Lappland's sword aura. "Your composition is truly complex. It's amazing that such a complex group can cooperate! Commander, you're quite the character!"

As he spoke, he began to recite the names of the dishes, "The one in red is the wolf hunter, the one in white is the Syracuse Lone Wolf, the one in black is an assassin, and as for you!" His voice suddenly rose, and his short blade turned pitch black. He trembled slightly as he held the constantly spinning chainsaw, his eyes filled with savagery.

"You're an Agorian! No... you're a living saint!" The hermit suddenly retreated, looking at Laurentina with apprehension as she casually wielded her chainsaw. Living saints were incredible monsters, capable of drawing upon the power of their gods on a large scale, and even summoning deities to descend to earth. They were not to be underestimated!

Especially the living saints of Iberia and Lateran, they were simply inhuman. I still remember when they assassinated an Iberian living saint, the overwhelming golden divine light that wiped out everything at the last moment!

If the troupe leader hadn't intervened, he would have died in Iberia long ago, his soul even banished.

Thinking of this, he finally put away his previous frivolous expression, his eyes became extremely sharp, and jet-black Armor Haki bio-energy surged from his body, instantly covering his entire body. At this moment, the strange armor he was wearing finally revealed its true form, and the gaps between the edges were actually energy circuits.

This is a powered armor suit that is powered by bioenergy!

"You've finally put your turtle shell to use!" Laurentina remained leisurely, swinging the chainsaw in her hand, lazily looking at the hermit, and yawning. "I was almost asleep!"

"..."

"Whoosh~~ Clang!"

This time, the hermit remained silent. Facing a living saint, his chances of winning were too slim. He had to go all out, get rid of the other troublemakers as soon as possible, and then deal with her!

The Hermit got serious, and the three Reds couldn't hold on any longer; the opponent was too strong!

"Ding-dong!"

The dagger covered in Armament Haki in Red's hand was cut in half by the Hermit's blade. Her eyes turned serious, and she suddenly retreated. Meanwhile, Black and Lappland attacked simultaneously, their sharp sword energy and powerful arrows forcing him back.

Laurentina remained nonchalant, her chainsaw relentlessly slashing at the hermit. The power, enough to cleave the deep sea and the sky, rendered him... completely unmoved, even giving him only a slight advantage.

Looking at the hermit before her, Laurentina sneered, "I'd like to see how long your armor can last!"

"Hmph!" The hermit pulled back, the Armament Haki energy on his armor almost overflowing. Then, he suddenly took a step forward and slashed forward with the short blade in his hand. The astonishing energy even tore a small spatial rift in the air. This attack successfully repelled Laurentina.

Looking at the chainsaw with a deep scratch in her hand, Laurentina's face darkened. She slowly raised her head, and her tone became serious. "You really do have some skill!"

Upon seeing this, the other three immediately launched an attack, but whether it was sword energy, heavy arrows, or throwing knives, they would automatically break or disappear when they reached three meters in front of the hermit.

"You don't need to stay here, go help the people below!" Laurentina held the chainsaw, staring motionlessly at the opposite side. Her hand, which had remained unchanged since she arrived, suddenly turned pitch black. Armament Haki energy, as dark as the night sky, instantly covered the entire high-speed moving chainsaw.

She said solemnly, "Your attacks can't even break through his dissipated Armament Haki energy. Don't stay here, all of you, leave! Leave this to me!"

"..."×3

The three exchanged a glance, then reluctantly left the battlefield and joined the battle below.

Seeing the group leave, Laurentina breathed a sigh of relief. She was afraid that these people wouldn't listen to her advice, and she wouldn't have the mind to take care of them during the upcoming battle. This guy on the other side was a bit troublesome!

"You...are you ready?" The Hermit stared at Laurentina, whose entire body was also covered in Armament Haki, and said in a hoarse voice, "Then let's begin!"

Before he finished speaking, he charged forward instantly. The short blade and the chainsaw clashed together. The two stared intently at each other, their eyes filled with a variety of emotions. The hermit's eyes were filled with a resolute determination to kill, while Laurentina's were filled with a cold calm.

The hermit is indeed very strong, but he's still far inferior to her!

With a casual flick of her chainsaw, Laurentina deflected the hermit's short blade and swung the chainsaw toward his wide-open front. The hermit, however, executed a somersault, simultaneously kicking her away.

Looking at the hermit opposite her, Laurentina continued to attack with her chainsaw. She always felt that the other party was not using his full strength and must still be hiding his trump card. As for why, look at his eyes, he still has such confidence!

As Laurentina pressed closer, the hermit finally couldn't hold back any longer. He used all his strength to repel Laurentina once again, then bent over slightly, panting, and asked, "What... exactly do you want?"

"I want to kill you!" Laurentina said casually, a bloodthirsty smile on her face. "If you have any trump cards, hurry up and show them, or you're dead!"

"...As you wish!" The hermit remained silent for a moment, then nodded resolutely. He then activated his martial artist-exclusive perception, the Observation Haki mental perception network. Instantly, an evil and venomous mental energy swept across the entire battlefield!

That's right, his trump card is his Observation Haki network, which has been activated after devouring the souls of countless powerful individuals and being baptized by the energy of the Dream Realm. He doesn't even dare to use it normally!

Chapter 223: How did you explode?!

Looking to the side, Laurentina quietly watched the hermit trembling not far away. She tilted her head in confusion. This person's trump card is really strange. His entire Observation Haki is too weird. Judging from his appearance, activating it just like that almost made him die of pain.

The sensory network doesn't cover a large area, but its destructive power is more terrifying than Armament Haki energy, and it's very strange, like a living thing, a disassembled, united living thing.

The hermit looked at Laurentina opposite him, smiled with a twisted expression, and then instantly swallowed the previously spread-out Observation Haki network into his body, merging it with his own. Immediately, a wisp of black smoke filled with wailing faces emerged from above his head, drifting into the air and condensing without dissipating.

Laurentina was stunned as she watched the hermit in front of her devour her Observation Haki. She had traveled the world for so long and this was the first time she had ever seen such a peculiar Observation Haki. It turned out that Observation Haki was not only for perception, but could also devour other people's souls and be used as a trump card!

Indeed, Terra is so vast, there are all sorts of wonders to be found!

Seeing the Hermit's strength suddenly surge and his entire body swell up from being filled with a massive amount of soul energy, Laurentina couldn't help but extend an olive branch to him, "Would you be willing to abandon darkness and join us? You're quite talented to have developed this kind of Observation Haki. I don't want to kill you."

"Heh, you don't want to kill me?" The hermit slowly straightened up, looking at Laurentina opposite him. He wanted to say something, but couldn't. The soul flowing in his veins, baptized by the energy of the Dream Realm, was like barbed balls scraping against the walls of his veins, causing him immense pain.

Rather than killing Laurentina, he now preferred to end his own life by stabbing himself; the pain was unbearable, and he desperately wanted to sever his nervous system.

"Are you in so much pain that you've gone mad?" Laurentina asked the hermit opposite her, her voice uncertain.

"Kill you, kill you!" Upon hearing these words, the hermit went mad instantly. He grabbed the two short blades at his waist and ran towards her. Only battle, blood, and soul could make him forget his pain.

Looking at the hermit who had been driven mad by her own Observation Haki, Laurentina shook her head. She picked up the chainsaw in her hand, took a step forward, and clashed with it. The ear-piercing sound of metal clashing echoed throughout the entire battlefield!

"Ding-dong~~Ding-dong~~Ding-dong~~!"

The short blade and the chainsaw clashed repeatedly, sending out bursts of sparks. In this battle, Laurentina was at a disadvantage. Hermit's absorption of Observation Haki had enhanced her too much, and coupled with her combat instincts, her combat power was not affected by the loss of her sanity.

Laurentina stared at the hermit hidden amidst a flurry of flashing blades, her expression grave. This time, the hermit wasn't just troublesome; he had become extremely troublesome.

The crazed hermit kept closing in, completely ignoring her chainsaw, which made it impossible for her to use her long-handled chainsaw effectively. Coupled with the opponent's impenetrable swordsmanship, she couldn't find any opening!