Puppet Master Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Cooperation

Read chapter 64 of Puppet Master by PeName on NovelPedia.

Working together, the two cultists tried to buy as much time as possible for the dark priest. “River Veil” The water mage poured a vast amount of spiritual energy into conjuring a flowing river that blocked every incoming strike. “Bone Wall” Following that, the necromancer unleashed his defensive magic. A wall of white bones rose, halting the advance of those who sought to attack them. But before they could even catch their breath, the two cultists heard a loud shout: “Iron Strike” Part of the bone wall was cleaved apart, opening a path straight toward them. The one who delivered the blow was Will, who had just crushed a high‑level undead and joined the battle. His appearance was terrifying: eyes wide and bloodshot, fresh blood streaming from his nose and across his skin, as though he had bathed in it. These wounds were not inflicted by the undead but were side effects of the drug he had taken earlier. That drug granted Will immense physical strength, stamina, and regeneration, but at the cost of his own lifespan. By drinking it, Will had already accepted that this would be his final battle. Yet if he could slay the cultists here and ensure his young soldiers survived, then the sacrifice would be worth it. With unstoppable resolve, Will raised his sword and charged at the fiend who toyed with human corpses. But before he could strike, a sudden twist left him stunned. The chests of both cultists were pierced and torn apart — by none other than the dark priest they had been protecting. “Why…?” they whispered, before their voices faded forever. Ignoring their dying words, the dark priest lifted the two corpses with his grotesque demonic hands — the very same that had impaled and killed them. Blood streamed from the bodies, rising into the air instead of falling, staining the statue of the god like a living tattoo. Immediately after, a violent tremor shook the ground beneath everyone’s feet. Yet upon closer look, it was not the earth that quaked, but their very bodies. The pressure radiating from that statue intensified, striking directly at both the bodies and minds of everyone present. It made even standing firm difficult and forced the Mage to struggle to cast their magic. Then, the statue raised its hand slightly and pressed downward. Two soldiers standing nearby were instantly crushed — flesh, organs, and armor mangled together. On the ground where they had stood, a massive handprint was imprinted, as if the statue’s hand had truly slammed down. Witnessing this horror, panic spread among the ranks. They now seemed like helpless swine awaiting slaughter. Under the crushing aura of the statue, only six were strong enough to remain able to stand and fight: three priests of the Solvaris Church, guild vice‑master Erik, commander Will, and finally, the puppet Mage Tris. * * * * * * * * * * The sudden empowerment of the statue was something even Tris had not foreseen. Or perhaps, more accurately, it was the heretical god pouring more of his power into it. ‘Because of the level of the sacrifices? No… that’s not what matters now.’ Tris pondered briefly, then set aside the thought to focus on survival. The statue’s increased strength had expanded its sphere of influence. As a result, Tris, who had been in a safe zone, was now dragged into danger. His retreat was cut off. To live, he too would have to destroy the statue. ‘If retreat is impossible, then the only path is forward.’ Resolving himself, Tris quickly devised a strategy. ‘We must make full use of the manpower we have.’ With that conclusion, he cast the magic “Echo,” silently linking himself to the other five fighters… * * * * * * * * * * The statue’s hand moved again, pressing down toward Will. A violet projectile sliced through the air, aimed at the statue’s face. Once more, a barrier rose to block the devastating strike. But at the same moment, Erik launched his own spell at the statue’s fist. The result: the fist veered off course, smashing the ground near Will instead o