Chapter 120: The Dark Blood Bats (Part 1)

"Dark Mist isn't easy to construct," Holmes admitted with a slight shake of his head. "I once tried to build the spell model for Dark Mist but gave up after several attempts. It was just too complex."

Holmes had once attempted to construct the spell model for Dark Mist, only to abandon it in the end.

Generally, the more powerful a spell, the harder its model is to construct. Merlin was able to build a stable, powerful model with the help of the analytical capabilities of the "Matrix." When he initially simulated the Dark Mist spell model in his mind, he realized it was the most complex model he had ever encountered.

No wonder even a four-element caster like Holmes lacked confidence in building it.

"It was just luck," Merlin replied with a calm smile, glancing around at the surrounding elemental swordsmen, all of whom were Level Three or higher. In the past, facing such numbers would have been overwhelming, but now, a single Dark Mist spell could send them all into an illusion, rendering them vulnerable. Merlin was quite satisfied with the effectiveness of Dark Mist.

"By the way, are you here to investigate the Dark Blood Bats?" Marquis Barossa suddenly stood up, excitement flashing on his face.

Holmes took a step forward, nodding coldly. "Yes, we are here for the Dark Blood Bats. Do you know anything about them?"

The marquis hesitated, frowning slightly. "The Dark Blood Bats appeared about three months ago. At first, we found over a dozen mutilated corpses near the outskirts, their bodies drained of blood. I initially sent some men to investigate, but before we uncovered anything, reports of more bodies kept coming in.

"Eventually, I assigned Mage Palio to investigate, and he identified the creatures as Dark Blood Bats, a type of dark elemental monster. So I instructed him to take some Ice Swordsmen to destroy their nest. They left only half a day ago."

Holmes exchanged a glance with Merlin and the others, then murmured, "Our mission is to understand the situation with these Dark Blood Bats, but we'll need more than just this information to complete it. It seems we'll have to venture into their nest to find out more."

The others nodded. The difficulty of this mission lay precisely in the need to assess the Dark Blood Bats fully. Entering their nest could lead to a dangerous encounter with a large swarm.

Turning to the marquis, Holmes said, "Marquis Barossa, we'll need a guide to lead us to the Dark Blood Bats."

Marquis Barossa was eager to help. He had heard of the Dark Spirit Realm and knew its spellcasters were powerful, far stronger than the wandering mages he had recruited.

Contemplating the situation, the marquis looked at the thin mage beside him and said, "Mage Damber, you're familiar with the Dark Blood Bats. Please guide these mages."

Mage Damber nodded after casting a brief glance at Merlin and the others.

"Let's go. The sooner we figure out the situation with these Dark Blood Bats, the sooner we can return," Holmes said, his tone calm as he spoke to Mage Damber.

With a respectful nod to the marquis, Mage Damber led Merlin and the group out of the castle.

---

*Bang, bang, bang!*

Violent sounds of impact echoed through a clearing in the dense forest. Over a dozen mutilated corpses lay strewn across the ground, their limbs torn and blood drained. Swarming over these bodies were bat-like creatures with a faint red glow. As they emitted crimson beams from their mouths, the corpses rapidly shriveled, every last drop of blood drawn into the bats' mouths.

"Ice Slash!"

Suddenly, a blast of freezing energy enveloped several bats, freezing them in place before they shattered against the ground.

The scene was one of brutal battle. Two mages, a powerful Level Five Ice Swordsman, and a dozen Level Four Ice Swordsmen were struggling to hold their ground.

"Damn it! These Dark Blood Bats are too many. We can't break through. Mage Palio, what do we do?" Marshal Warton, surrounded by a chilling aura, shouted.

Mage Palio's face was grim. Seeing their dwindling numbers, he suppressed his rage and, after glancing at two dark caves nearby, said, "If we can't break out, then we should enter the caves. These must be the Dark Blood Bats' nests. If we destroy them, we might stand a chance."

"Go!"

Mage Palio and Marshal Warton led their remaining men into one of the caves, forced by the endless assault of Dark Blood Bats.

The red-glowing bats shrieked, "Screech, screech," and surged into the two deep, mysterious caves, leaving behind a gruesome scene of mangled bodies outside.

---

A short while later, two figures appeared quietly near the cave entrance, their expressions tense as they looked at the blood-soaked ground, the air heavy with the stench of blood.

"Capes, what do we do? It seems Father and Mage Palio are in danger…" These two were Capes and Kathleen, who had secretly followed Palio's team. They had witnessed the fierce battle and saw that Palio and his men were forced into the caves.

Bold as she was, Kathleen looked pale and terrified at the sight of so many bodies scattered around.

Capes, a towering figure, was slightly more composed. Glancing at the dark cave entrances, he said solemnly, "Mage Palio and Father are in serious trouble. They had to retreat into the caves. We must get back to Eastlin quickly and inform the marquis so he can send reinforcements to save Father and the others."

Kathleen, who was out of ideas, nodded quickly. "Yes, let's hurry back to Eastlin. If we're too late, Father could be in grave danger."

"Screech, screech."

Just as they were about to leave, sharp sounds came from the depths of the caves, and a horde of red-glowing Dark Blood Bats poured out, charging straight at Capes and Kathleen.

"They've spotted us! Run!" Capes shouted, drawing the large sword on his back and grabbing the trembling Kathleen as they dashed into the depths of the forest.