Chapter 262: Court Mage
On the altar's platform, more than thirty ghostly sentinels crowded together, with a single spectral mage among them—larger than the rest, its features indistinct, its entire form shrouded in darkness.
Zhou Ning also noticed that on the broad platform stood a tall statue of a figure wearing a crown, holding an open book in its hands.
The compass, which could not point north, spun once before strangely pointing straight toward the altar. Zhou Ning wondered how that survivor had managed to reach the platform through the encirclement of so many ghostly sentinels.
From where Zhou Ning stood, the statue's face wasn't very clear, but the long ears revealed it to be an elf. The figure looked exceedingly majestic.
Within the field of occult studies, spellcasting spirit-type monsters were far more likely than ordinary ghosts to possess intelligence and the ability to communicate with humans. Because of this, Zhou Ning didn't plan to attack directly but instead walked toward the altar.
Even if communication failed, he was confident he could retreat unharmed.
"What is he trying to do?"
At that moment, not only the players but even the well-traveled Richie Burke and his companions found his actions difficult to understand.
Under their watchful eyes, Zhou Ning stepped forward again, climbed the altar's steps, and tried calling out in ancient Falric:
"Who are you? What are you doing?"
But the moment the words left his mouth, he regretted it. Most likely it would be like talking past each other. Even if the spirit had intelligence, it should be speaking Ancient Elvish—surely a ghost wouldn't be fluent in foreign tongues.
Just as Zhou Ning was debating whether to withdraw or launch an attack, the ghostly mage atop the altar actually answered him—using standard Ancient Falric.
"I am the Scholar of the Elven Kingdom, Court Mage Gran Vaughn."
"I am overseeing the security of this area, and I must ensure that no humans intrude here."
The response was stiff. Though the ghost still had some intelligence, its mind seemed limited. Wait… if this Gran Vaughn really had been a court mage in life, then could these ghostly sentinels all be transformed from the living?
Zhou Ning's thoughts shifted. He asked nothing more but steadily climbed the steps until he reached the platform's edge.
By then, Richie Burke and the others had cautiously approached as well. Just as they were about to speak, Gran Vaughn suddenly snapped his head around, glaring at them with sharp vigilance. He shouted:
"Intruders! Who are you?"
The moment his words fell, every ghostly sentinel wandering the altar simultaneously turned their heads, countless cold eyes locking onto them.
A moment later, the sentinels swarmed toward them. Gran Vaughn instantly appeared before the group, his staff sweeping through the air. In that instant, thick layers of ice encased their bodies, legs, and feet. Frost spread all around, the air dropping sharply in temperature.
"So strong!"
Zhou Ning's eyes narrowed. He felt his body frozen, his movements slowed. At the same time, red and golden flames entwined, igniting on Gran Vaughn's staff and surging down upon them.
Richie Burke's eyes tightened. His ring flared brightly, casting a protective shield around the group. It was clearly another defensive-type unknown artifact.
This Richie Burke certainly had many trump cards…
Without hesitation, Zhou Ning thrust his right hand into his pocket. With his observation haki at its peak, his fingers emerged already holding a card—"Whirlwind."
Through the Stand effect, the card's surface instantly turned blank. Compared to the storms summoned by the Sword of Cortés, the conjured whirlwind was smaller in range but equally powerful—and far less taxing to use.
With a roaring gale, a violent whirlwind surged toward the flames, sweeping up stones and gravel from the ground and driving the fire back. Seizing the opportunity, the meteorologist scattered a cloud of powder into the winds.
With a booming blast, the fire roared upward, reversing course. Gran Vaughn staggered, caught off guard by the gusts, unable to dodge as fire clung to his body. The flames rippled outward like waves, scorching the ground black. His form flickered.
But his spellcasting continued almost instinctively. White lightning leapt at once from his staff.
Damn, what is he, Misaka Mikoto?
Before Zhou Ning could curse aloud, his pupils contracted sharply. Through observation haki, he saw Gran Vaughn unleash a chain lightning—an area attack.
Sure enough, a massive forked bolt shot from Gran Vaughn's staff, streaking straight toward them.
"-899!", "-479!", "-788!"
The great shield shattered instantly, white lightning tearing across the area in a storm of thunder. Arcs of electricity leapt between them, dazzling with numbers of damage. In a flash, five players were obliterated into white light. Over a dozen Northland sailors had their health slashed to a fraction.
Zhou Ning had no intention of enduring the lightning head-on. He activated the Traveler's Ring, blinking forward to close the distance. Black Ebony and white Ivory appeared in his hands, and he pulled the triggers.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three golden flame bullets pierced the darkness, striking Gran Vaughn. His ever-present ice shield shattered with the first shot. The second bullet crashed into his head. The third tore a split across his skull, forcing a shrill wail from his mouth as a sonic wave rippled outward.
"Damn!"
Richie Burke had just regained clarity when his head buzzed again, his body stiffening as if petrified. He could only stare as Wayne Sturwell and Gran Vaughn battled.
He had already tried to overestimate Wayne Sturwell's strength, but reality showed he had still underestimated him. More frightening than his oppressive power was his ability to seemingly anticipate every move of his opponent, playing them like a puppet.
Like now: Wayne Sturwell had clearly foreseen Gran Vaughn's reaction. In a blink, the distance vanished—not with ordinary teleportation, but a direct body-passing shift. He appeared behind Gran Vaughn, pressed the black gun muzzle to the back of his head.
Etched with piano keys and Ebony & Ivory's signature, the weapon flared. A luminous bullet shot through his skull, boring a bloody hole. Yet unexpectedly, it wasn't fatal. Gran Vaughn's health merely dropped to 47%.
The ghost mage still stubbornly turned, reaching toward Zhou Ning, his staff glowing with milky-white arcane light.
Zhou Ning didn't relent. He fired again and again, bullets slamming home.
As a boss-tier caster, Gran Vaughn had over 6,000 health. After seven shots, the eighth finally exploded his head completely. His essence scattered, his body collapsing with a crash.
[You have slain Ghostly Mage Gran Vaughn (Lv65). You gain 48,000 experience points.]
[Progress for killing or defeating 10 boss-class creatures Lv60+: 3/10]
Just then, several players returned to their bodies and caught the end of the fight. They looked at Zhou Ning with open admiration.
Exhaling, Zhou Ning wasted no time. He rummaged through the corpse, picking up Gran Vaughn's staff. Luck was with him—an unknown artifact, useful for auction or dismantling into materials. The ghost mage also left behind a dark crystal, clearly another component for crafting extraordinary items.
"Thanks… you saved us again." Richie Burke hobbled over, eyeing the materials in Zhou Ning's hand. Forcing a fearful smile, he said, "I know a craftsman in Darkland who makes extraordinary items. He's good, charges fair. My ring was made by him. If you need work done, look for him."
"Mm." Zhou Ning gave a slight nod. He had planned to return to Darkland to find a suitable craftsman among the Sunwatchers, but since Richie Burke already knew one, that step could be skipped. As for the cost, that was hardly a concern.
Lifting his gaze, Zhou Ning studied the altar. Only then did he notice an archway like a triumphal gate above it, with the statue standing before it. After a moment's hesitation, he stepped forward.