Mystical Journey

“We Blood Breeds are immortal, to begin with. Why do we still need that mask?” a female Death Apostle grumbled through the blood orb impatiently.

“Naturally, as this is not noteworthy towards us Blood Breeds at all, no one goes out to collect these masks,” the Lion Mother said impassively. “However to the humans, obtaining immortality is definitely one of their greatest desires.”

“Are you suggesting that the Holy Fist Palace is currently collecting these masks?” the Death Apostle Scarlet Moon asked softly.

“The Holy Fist Palace…!” the sound of grinding teeth accompanied the first blood orb’s speech. Wellington was one of the victims that had suffered a defeat at Garen’s hands, which was why he had a very strong impression of him. If Ashen hadn’t arrived in the nick of time, he would have been killed repeatedly to the point where he would have to respawn on one of his bloodlines. The pain and torture that he experienced, the sensation and incredible pain each time he had been pulverized into minced meat by a single punch from this human had completely traumatized him.

“Are you saying that the legend of this mask is real?” Scarlet Moon asked.

“It’s real,” the Lion Mother nodded. “According to what I know, the Holy Fist Palace has already collected six masks. When they collect all twelve masks, they will be able to activate the last mask. Once Garen wears the Primal Mask, he will most likely turn into the Original Blood Breed that once roamed this world.”

“The Original Blood Breed?” a few Death Apostles didn’t really understand what it was.

“Legend has it that the Sleepless Faces masks are actually one mask that gave life to the Original Blood Breed. However, a legend is just a legend. I’ve done my research back in the days and it’s true that the mask does possess a mysterious power. The Sleepless Faces are able to allow people to be immune to all sorts of illusions and supernatural interference from the dream world. This is the origin of how it had gotten its name, the Sleepless Faces.”

“This means that once Garen has obtained this mask, his body may become that of a Blood Breed and also possesses the immunity to all of our dream interference and illusions. Does that mean we can only handle him in the normal material world!?” the female Death Apostle’s tone turned sharp.

“Damn it!! Fight him in the material world? Do you guys know how ridiculously strong that guy is in the material world?” Wellington shouted.

“Patience is a virtue. Actually, I still have another important thing to announce,” the Lion Mother shook her head.

“I believe that once Garen has become the Original Blood Breed, he will have the ability to track down the locations of the Death Apostle’s dreams.”

The moment it was announced, the whole cave was thrown into quietness.

No one spoke as these Death Apostles had realized that they were in grave danger.

After a while, Scarlet Moon started speaking once more.

“If it really has this capability, why had nobody attempted to search for it before?”

“Because I’m the only one left who knows of this secret…” the Lion Mother replied calmly. “I’ve been alive for so long and I’ve already forgotten where I’d learned this secret. Do you really think no one attempted to search for it before?”

“In 1871, a countess from Europe managed to collect five masks but passed away while she was on a search for the sixth mask. In 1544, the king of Greece Melsa once sent a huge army to search for the mask and managed to find six masks as well. I’ve been keeping an eye out for this mask and these are just examples.”

She said calmly as the history was just a small part of her life.

“Everyone who tried to collect the mask would usually halt their progress when they collected six masks. There are no exceptions. However…”

“What?” one of the Death Apostle raised a question but no one seemed to care as they poured all their attention onto the Lion Mother.

“However, the Holy Fist Palace may very well be the first one to exceed this amount.” the Lion Mother continued softly. “The seventh mask was in the hands of the moon river’s protector, which has been killed by someone.”

“According to what I know, Garen should have six masks including the one from the moon river, which does not exceed the amount you mentioned yet,” Scarlet Moon said calmly.

“Another mask is in the hand of someone else,” Lion Mother’s words made everyone quiet down.

“Are you really sure the Sleepless Faces is able to turn someone into the Original Blood Breed? Furthermore, that person will be able to locate where our dream worlds are?” the Death Apostle asked once more.

“The Blood Breed’s bloodline originates from one ancestor, which was created from a miracle of life via dark magic when the humans were in search of immortality. Perhaps I should say that it was an alteration, as I’ve done a detailed research regarding the origin. The Original Bloodline should be able to sense every descendants’ location. Perhaps there is an area of effect, but by no means, it is very small scale.” the Lion Mother responded.

“I need to go and read up the old database,” Scarlet Moon’s blood orb dispersed and he had left the area.

“I need to head back and do my research as well,” the female Death Apostle said softly. “My household’s Holy Weapon, the Original Eye has stored information that spanned several millennia back. I should be able to find some hints.”

“I’ll go with you,” Wellington voiced out.

“Sure.”

Two of the blood orbs dispersed as well.

The cave became quiet once more.

A flicker of unease could be seen in the Lion Mother’s eyes.

“The world is turning more chaotic… The Holy Fist Palace… the source of all chaos,” she muttered as her face was filled with sadness.

***********

Garen was sitting on his knees inside the secret chamber.

He looked at his attribute pane.

His potential point had increased from 64 points to 174 points. This mask had provided him a decent amount of hundred plus potential points. Although it wasn’t considered much among the other masks, it was enough for him to increase his last Intelligence point.

Without any hesitation, Garen focused his gaze on Intelligence in the pane.

Since his Intelligence already had eleven points, he would require just another point to revert back to his strength when he was at the Totem world. After achieving twelve points, he would be able to obtain the unique effects from his physical attribute, Doublecast.

In an instant, his potential points dropped by a hundred, leaving behind 74 points. His Intelligence then increased from eleven points to twelve points.

Garen, who was sitting on his knees, jolted his body suddenly. He could feel a very agile and light feeling swelling inside him. He felt that his body had given him the illusion of an agile body by merely increasing one Intelligence point.

He reached out his hand and punched straight with all his might.

Pew pew!!

The air in front of him boomed as two white puffs of air appeared out of thin air as his fist thrust forth, landing on the secret chamber’s wall. This resulted in two deep blade marks on the wall. ( )

“When I release my basic strength, the Doublecast will be activated and it will make me stronger.”

It was a weird sensation similar to one releasing all of their strength, only to realize that one still had enough strength to release it once more after that.

He stood up and took the mask off his face. He then changed into a new one as the former mask had been slightly damaged while he fought against Ashen.

“I’ve finally obtained the Doublecast. I should focus on obtaining the remaining masks next,” Garen’s goal was clear as day. “No matter what trick Nadia has up her sleeves, I will be able to isolate her trace as long as I am able to collect all the masks, evading all dangers from her.”

************

At the headquarter of the Bailey Group.

On the nineteenth floor of the Merlot building.

Boom!

The floor’s entrance was kicked open and a team of black-shirted police entered the place swiftly. A ‘safe’ secret signal was then broadcasted immediately from their communication device.

The nineteenth floor of this building was filled with office tables and chairs that have not been used for a long time. The leftover documents spread about everywhere and there were a few documents on the ground looked like they had been wetted before they opened the window.

The entire nineteenth floor, which was able to fit hundreds of people, was completely empty.

At least ten special police members positioned themselves strategically while they remained on full alert.

Xander, who was in a black cloak, entered the room with two of his best subordinates, a woman and a man, following behind.

He had an unlit cigarette hanging from his mouth as he scanned the whole floor.

“Looks like it’s been abandoned as well. The Bailey Group sure is something,” he took out his cigarette and said calmly.

“Boss, we will definitely be able to track the core members of the Bailey Group if we go to the airport’s train station,” the woman behind him spoke calmly.

“I’ve already told someone to do so and I believe I should be receiving the news any moment…” before Xander finished his sentence, he immediately aimed at the window with a silver gun that no one saw him take out.

Bam!

Bam Bam!!

Three gunshots were fired in a manner as if they had all been fired instantaneously.

Suddenly, two gunshots could be heard from the opposite building and two bullets were flying towards him.

The wall and the windows were shot through, leaving two clear holes. Two bullets went towards Xander at lightning speed from two different angles. He was under the impression that he couldn’t avoid it at all.

He then raised up his gun and shot as well. His aim was so amazingly accurate that he managed to hit one of the incoming bullets slightly on the right. This shifted the bullet’s projectile path and it ricocheted into the wall and vending machine beside him.

Xander moaned as he quickly held onto his left shoulder tightly. He didn’t manage to evade the other bullet and had taken a hit. His shoulder was immediately dripping with red blood.

His face turned pale instantly as the opponent had fired an armor-piercing bullet from an anti-material sniper rifle! With that shot, a hole instantly appeared on his shoulder and he was completely defenseless against it.