Mechanical Alchemist

The scenery around Su Lun changed, and when he focused his eyes again, he had already appeared in an independent space with black and white squares.

There wasn't the slightest bit of surprise on his face.

He lifted his hand to try, and he could still create ripples in space.

That meant, from the beginning, this chessboard space had no restrictive effect on someone who had mastered "Spatial Ability."

Hmm...

That is to say, for him, Su Lun, it was utterly useless.

However, certain law restrictions meant he couldn't retrieve anything from his Space Ring, that kind of inferior spatial storage device.

For anyone else faced with this situation, they'd probably have to fight this guy based on brute strength alone.

But this did not limit Su Lun's folding space.

Even though, he didn't need to take out anything to kill this guy.

Just as well.

He had cast the bait for so long, and this guy had finally brought this treasure with him.

[Stanitz's Chessboard]

Description: Chess should be a fair one-on-one duel.

Characteristic: By using this chessboard, you can forcibly select a lifeform target and engage in a one-on-one duel within a restricted space until one side dies or voluntarily releases the duel; it's not a cursed item, but once you contract to use the chessboard, the residual regrets of that old lich will haunt you in your dreams, compelling you to play chess. If you can't beat him, then keep him company for more games.

Detailed Explanation: This is a soul container for ancient alchemy known as 'Mishael Toxter', who, through dark magic and necromancy, transformed himself into a lich; it's an artifact from the Dawn Era, the time is too far gone, the lich's soul is shattered, and the curse characteristics have lost much of their power; perhaps its value isn't just the chessboard itself, that old lich who constantly mutters to himself that he is the 'King of the Talcro Empire,' chat more with him, and you might learn some secrets of the Dawn Era.

"Forced spatial restrictions... what a great item," Su Lun scanned the information identified, which was almost what he had known beforehand.

No wonder that 'Trickster' Lloyd was obsessed with it even at death, this chessboard was indeed well-suited for Puppet Masters.

Equipment's worth isn't in its strength, but in how well it aligns with one's professional abilities.

Though it appeared the chessboard held no offensive power, it could forcibly keep the target in this confined space for a 1V1 duel, with no escape.

With an ability like [Puppet Theater], which covers an area with puppets, it's indeed hard to find an equal within the same rank.

No wonder Young Master Danze was so confident.

Theoretically, this thing could really restrain Su Lun.

But in reality... it was of no use.

....

Young Master Danze had waited for this day for a long time.

Since that encounter with "Su Lun" at the Dawn Camp's marketplace where he had a few hairs stolen, his smooth-sailing life began to encounter frequent frustrations.

In the battle at the White Monastery, this guy snatched his opportunity, killed his guards, leading to his family's loss of face; afterward, during an ambush, again he killed his teacher and ten secondary-order masters along with a hundred elite fighters, causing huge losses for the Olli family; just a few days ago, the audacity to challenge him to his face...

Time and again, Danze had bottled up anger—unless he personally killed this guy, he felt he couldn't swallow that anger.

Looking at Su Lun in front of him, his sorcerer's seals in his hand shifted rapidly, his eyes filled with hatred as he said, "You think you're worthy of opposing me?"

Just an outer city lowlife bullying others with banned items.

Hmph, now without your scythe, let's see how you die!

Listening to these rather juvenile words, Su Lun slightly lifted his eyelids.

He was very familiar with those sorcerer's seals—it was the preparation for [Puppet Theater].

The proficiency was quite good; it was clear that it was taught by a master.

It's probably because these spoiled young masters feel they need to say a few words to showcase their sense of superiority.

If it were somewhere else, Su Lun might have been interested in bantering with the young master for a while.

But now, with all the excitement outside, he had no interest in wasting time here.

The moment the thought occurred, he too began forming sorcerer's seals with his hand.

It was with this action that Danze's gaze rigidly fixed on him.

How could he not be familiar with this action?

"He... how does he know [Puppet Theater]?"

Although he knew that Su Lun had the detailed scrolls of this Puppet Mastery technique, how could one possibly master it without years of arduous training?

Shock crossed Danze's face not only because Su Lun was using the same move as him, but also because Su Lun's seal formation speed was even faster than his own!

What's going on...

Danze was greatly alarmed in his heart.

[Puppet Theater]'s Mystic Art required a total of thirty-six sorcerer's seals.

He had the first move, so logically, he should have an absolute speed advantage in executing the technique.

But just when he was halfway through the seals, Su Lun's movements suddenly caught up with his?

Sorcerer's seals were not just about changing hand gestures; the more complex the seals, the more intricate the energy manipulation.

One must be not only fast but also precise, or else the effort would fall short.

Yet, the guy before him was even more adept?

Seeing that proficiency, Danze felt like he was seeing the shadow of his own teacher.

At that moment, he even doubted his own eyes.

But reality didn't give Young Master Danze the chance to think further.

One after another, almost simultaneously, the last seals were formed.

In the sky, two blue Hexagram Arrays lit up at the same time, both astoundingly invoking "Puppet Mastery · Puppet Theater"!

As the Formations appeared, two massive crosses slowly emerged in the air.

When the same Spell appears in a limited space at the same time, a situation of "energy domination" occurs.

The stronger side would easily demolish the other's Spell.

When the two crosses appeared at the same time, one of them, indeed, rapidly disintegrated.

"I... I'm actually losing to him?!"

Young Master Danze's complexion changed drastically; even if he forcefully added a handful of cursed crystals to supplement the energy of the Hexagram Array under his feet, he couldn't prevent the collapse of his Spell.

This overwhelming momentum was a sign of a crushing difference in rank.

This also meant that, whether in terms of the laws or the understanding of Spells, there was a crushing gap between the two of them!

Is he a third-level?

How could that be possible...

Danze's face turned ashen.

The ultimate killing method that he had eagerly prepared for so long had unexpectedly resulted in this outcome?

....

Su Lun paid no attention to Young Master Danze's shock.

As the cross formed in the sky, countless threads cascaded down like a dense curtain.

Young Master Danze also wanted to rely on his own threads and puppets for defense, but whether it was the quality of grafting, strength, dark spiritual power, or proficiency in Spellcasting...

Or anything else,

The gap between the two was too great.

When thread met thread, there was no contest; they disintegrated upon contact.

Danze could only defend passively, using the threads of his graft to protect his body.

Su Lun gave him no chance at all, with a grasp into the void, he manipulated the threads to tightly wrap the fellow into a silken cocoon.

Seeing that he was about to be subdued, Young Master Danze hurriedly opened the space of the chessboard and let out a desperate cry, "Save me!"

Kill him?

No, Su Lun did not intend to do so.

As long as Young Master Danze was alive, the Oliver family's guards would keep coming to rescue him.

This was much more convenient than chasing down each one to kill.

Su Lun looked around at the collapsing chessboard scenery, licked his lips, and the ferocity in his eyes grew even more intense, "Now... it's just the beginning."

....

Mr. Zorro suddenly transformed into the SS-ranked fugitive Su Lun, and amidst the shock of Lena and Butler Anthony, there was also a hint of anticipation.

Just a moment ago, Su Lun, who had single-handedly slain Ibn Jaliad, the Blade of Night, had demonstrated a level of power that could truly be described as astounding.

Moreover, with the sealed scythe, it had to be said, they even had a chance to turn the tide.

But unexpectedly, in their first encounter, that Mr. Danze suddenly produced a chessboard treasure and teleported people away?

Without question, Young Master Danze must have been confident he could counter Su Lun, which is why he would do such a thing.

This sent a chill through the hearts of Kai and the others.

"Mr. Kai, take the lady and go! I will hold them off!"

"Alright!"

"..."

With the situation being urgent, there was no room for hesitation.

The old butler had already made up his mind for a do-or-die resistance; with a roar, his entire being transformed into a robust Black Wool Demon Sheep, standing directly in the line of gunfire. Even alchemical bullets that hit him were deflected away with a "clang."

However, the high-ranking professionals from the two great families were not weak either, and a group of them swiftly gathered around.

In the front was the third-level Thunder Sword King Nero, behind was the Three Disasters Elder from the Mysterious Association, with more than twenty second-level professionals and nearly a thousand elites...

In an instant, countless Spells poured down like a torrential downpour.

Even though the Demon Sheep's body and rune armor could withstand artillery, with one encounter, it was bombarded with intensive attacks, causing it to vomit blood.

The old butler, with the thought of delaying them for even a moment, aimed to attract the majority of the fire to create a slim chance of escape for Kai and Lena.

But unexpectedly, before he had a chance to fight with all his might, he suddenly heard a scream that echoed through the prison,

"Save me!"

The despairing cry for help, which seemed to belong to Young Master Danze, was ear-piercing.

Looking again, Danze, once protected by black threads, was completely wrapped into a cocoon by silver threads.

With enormous pressure squeezing like a python, the young master let out a cry, spewing blood from his mouth.

This scream also seemed to hit the pause button on the fierce battle.

The troops engaged in battle were momentarily stunned.

What was going on?

The fight had ended in just a few breaths?

The "Puppet Theater" spell in the sky hadn't even dissipated, and looking at the silver threads on the cross, the "Thunder Sword King" Nero's face turned dark as he instantly understood something.

He was well aware of the function of "Stanitz's Chessboard," so Danze had been defeated within that restricted space?

At the same time, he was filled with disbelief and alarm, "This... how does Su Lun also know this spell!"

Before the crowd could ponder further, at that moment, Su Lun, who had reappeared, suddenly pulled out several scrolls and spread them out in the air, crying out, "Release!"

The scrolls exploded, and their fragments filled the sky.

Looking again, the gloomy prison corridor suddenly filled with hundreds of red-faced rune dolls.

They wore sinister, eerie smiles on their faces, and their lower jaws trembled incessantly, emitting a low-frequency, hair-raising strange noise.

There were ones with single heads, double heads...

Ones with two arms, four arms, six arms...

Like kites, over a hundred bizarre puppets floated in the air, staring directly at the enemies surrounding them.

By this moment, the red glow in Su Lun's eyes had gradually become apparent.

Even those of weaker perception could feel as though he was a burning flame, his special spiritual power radiating from his body, like spreading ripples, causing onlookers to feel somewhat dazed. Stay tuned for updates on empire

Su Lun revealed his teeth in a wide grin, his lips curling up in a mad and excited smile.

He let out a beast-like, deep and soft cry from his throat: "Secret Technique·A Hundred Tricks at Night!"

....

Is this still a Puppet Master?

Seeing Su Lun controlling a hundred puppets at the same time left everyone stunned.

It was only now that the people from the Olli and Clark families realized how ignorant their previous thoughts had been.

The SS-wanted felon Su Lun they knew from reports, and the one before them with such combat power, were simply not on the same level!

Not just Young Master Danze who had underestimated the enemy; before this event, almost everyone thought Su Lun was just a wanted felon who was lucky to have mastered a method to evade the repercussions of the Black Scythe Curse and had escaped repeatedly by chance.

But reality struck them a heavy slap, waking them up instantly.

Putting aside the combat prowess of the hundred puppets, the mountainous, oppressive sensation of death emanating from Su Lun at this moment was definitely not fake.

It was the kind of feeling that made even second-tier professionals' scalps tingle.

Who else among their peers could make them feel as if they might be killed with just a glance?

Just from the sensation alone, they knew this guy's true strength was absolutely terrifying!

Even the lone third-tier professional, the "Thunder Sword King" Nero, turned very solemn upon seeing Su Lun.

"Such strong spiritual power, no wonder he can control so many puppets..."

Seeing this, the eyes of this veteran third-tier harbored nothing but solemnity.

He didn't believe for a second that these hundred-plus puppets were mere bluffs.

The intuition of Nero told him that he should kill that "Su Lun."

But with Butler Anthony desperately holding him back, he simply couldn't free his hands.

....

With Su Lun's entrance as a Puppet Master, one man turned into an army, forcefully bridging the huge gap in numbers that was previously in the opponent's favor.

Although there was still a disparity in numbers, the puppet army's momentum was in no way inferior to the two great families.'

As soon as the puppets entered the fray, Su Lun didn't give the enemy any time to react as he controlled the eight-armed spider spear.

Originally, even if Su Lun's skills were high, it would be impossible for him to precisely control a hundred puppets at the same time,

but now, things were different.

Su Lun gradually released those suppressed emotions, his thoughts expanded, and a whole new world appeared before him.

Joy, anger, sorrow, thought, grief, fear, shock...

Those suppressed emotions were like different "Su Lun's", helping him multitask in controlling the puppets.

When it came to killing, "they" were all very interested.

His senses became clearer and clearer, feeling as though he was drawing out threads in a dazed state, yet also feeling ecstatic...

Indulgence in his emotions brought his body to the pinnacle of pleasure.

Su Lun licked his lips, growing more and more enamored with the sensation of extreme excitement and pleasure.

With a flick of his finger, hundreds of puppets surged wildly toward the crowd.

"Click" "Click" "Click"...

The friction of the wooden puppet joints formed a harrowing symphony of sounds.

Watching those terrifying red-faced puppets flying towards them, people from both the Olli and Clark families raised their guns in unison, and gunfire erupted.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Snap!"

"..."

The two great families were not without sharpshooters, and many puppets were hit.

But in an instant, they found that ordinary bullets were almost useless against these puppets.

Bullets rattled against the puppets' bodies, but these seemingly wooden creatures had become indestructible thanks to the enhancement of high-grade runes.

These cunning dolls were no longer the crude creations Su Lun once made.

Ever since he stripped a fifth-level professional of their Soul Shard, Su Lun's understanding of second and third tier runes and enchantments had surpassed most of Old Lington's "rune masters."

All the dolls were enchanted and written with second-tier runes, some even with third-tier knowledge.

In the realm of alchemy, the division of rune tiers signifies the might they possess.

Second and third-tier runes meant the strength of their offense and defense was of second and third tier as well.

Even if alchemy bullets occasionally penetrated the puppets, what of it?

The troublesome part about Puppet Masters was that as long as the controller didn't die, all fighting was meaningless.

Even if they were reduced to mutilated limbs, the puppets could still kill!

....

"Kill that guy!"

"Be careful, don't use area attacks. Save the young master first!"

"..."

Yet it was with Su Lun's pull on the thread that the first round of gunfire failed to stop the puppet army, the fearless puppets pouncing into the midst of the crowd like hungry tigers upon sheep.

The puppets' daggers were inscribed with third-tier runes like "Armor Piercing," "Sharpness," and "Magic Breaking"... able to effortlessly slice through metal and stone.

For first-tier professionals, apart from those in heavy armor, it was almost one stab, one bloody hole.

At first encounter, the puppets charged into the crowd, killing with screams everywhere.

And moreover, the true horror began when those cunning dolls got up close!

The most troublesome aspect of the rune puppets was the spiritual power runes within them.

"Nightmare Dolls" could cause visual and auditory spiritual confusion, and once someone got within ten meters, the effects would intensify.

If the dolls managed to get close, even second-tier professionals would suffer greatly.

Caught off guard, they would be stabbed to death by the puppet in a moment of dazed expression.

Cluster attacks were even more formidable.

Su Lun's puppet legion caught these people entirely off guard.

Soon, members of the two great families realized the problem.

The commander screamed hoarsely into the communicator.

"Don't look at the puppets' faces, there's a visual illusion technique!"

"Don't listen to..."

"Spread out..."

But,

Knowing is one thing,

But what of it?

Most professionals relied on vision and hearing to catch their targets. If they didn't look at the puppets and closed off their hearing, how could they fight?

This was precisely the troublesome part of the rune puppets.

For a moment, this group deeply experienced the terror of being dominated by rune puppets.

....

The strength of the "Puppet Theater" lay in its almost unstoppable power within a certain range!

Within a radius of a hundred or so meters where Su Lun stood, he had absolute control.

The puppet manipulation was extremely flexible, and with their group attacks, there were no equals in their wake.

However, Puppet Masters also had their weaknesses.

Control distance was a significant issue.

The members of the two great families were almost powerless against the puppet legion, and the experienced commanders issued retreat orders, with everyone hastily backing off.

Su Lun watched those guys run far, the puppets unable to catch up.

He didn't waste the effort.

He directly brought the tightly bound Young Master Danze to his front, the binding threads were partially loosened to reveal his head.

Then, Su Lun stabbed the guy in the buttocks.

The Young Master Danze cooperated with a painful cry, "Ah... save me!"

The screams echoed through the prison corridors, lasting a long time.

PS. There's one more chapter; I'll post it later.