Chapter Eighteen: The List

ICP Registration Number: Xiang B2-20100081-3
Internet Publishing Qualification Certificate: New Internet Publication Certificate (Xiang) No. 11
Network Culture Business License: Cultural Network License [2010] No. 128

When Lilith awoke, she was horrified to find herself submerged in a huge vat of medicinal liquid. Her entire body was soaked in a dark green potion emitting a strong herbal scent. Two slender tubes were even inserted through her nostrils, with a dark brown liquid flowing inside them.

“Oh my God, Hugh Eglair! What have you done to me?!” Lilith shouted angrily, struggling, but she was completely immobilized.

Hugh Eglair appeared before her eyes. “Don’t worry. This potion is meant to ease your pain. Ever since I last inscribed the magic runes, I’ve been trying to find a way to alleviate suffering. You know some pains in this world are unbearable for humans, yet to gain great power, you have to endure them repeatedly. If possible, it’s better to make yourself comfortable.”

Hugh crouched beside Lilith and cupped the thick potion in his hands. “These medicines are precious. You should be grateful that I used them on you to spare you from pain.”

“What exactly have you done? Why am I so weak?” Lilith looked at Hugh in horror and noticed a strange rune carved on her chest.

“On the contrary, I feel my entire body is brimming with power now,” Hugh smiled. He closed his eyes, savoring the sensation of the energy source flowing from the rune inscribed on him.

Lilith was not a true warrior in the conventional sense; her cultivation did not involve combat energy but rather the unique natural force of the elf tribe. This natural force bore some resemblance to natural magic but functioned similarly to combat energy. It was neither magic nor combat energy but an entirely new cultivation method.

This discovery made Hugh ecstatic.

Natural force was a lively power, different from combat energy—it did not rely on external energy projection for protection but emphasized internal cultivation. Those who practiced natural force were more sensitive to their surroundings, had heightened senses, and even gained some advantage in learning magic.

Consequently, Lilith also knew some natural spells.

People like her were best suited to be assassins, hunters, or killers roaming the abyss of night.

For Hugh, the influx of vibrant natural energy into his body clearly enhanced his combat energy.

He realized this might be the breakthrough he needed to surpass the barrier of Level Four.

After over three years of cultivating combat energy techniques, he had barely advanced from Level Two warrior to Level Three. Because of his many responsibilities, he had no time for extreme training. He wondered when he would ever reach Level Four or higher.

Lilith’s arrival and the special nature of natural force gave him a glimmer of hope for rapid advancement. He now knew he could use natural force to grow his combat energy cultivation. At this moment, he already possessed the power of a Level Four or even near Level Five warrior, though this strength was temporary and would vanish once Lilith left.

Previously, no one had been able to possess both energies simultaneously, as they were completely different cultivation paths. Yet, through the sacrificial rune, Hugh had inadvertently achieved possession of both powers.

Immersed in the exhilarating sensation of overflowing power, he enjoyed the feeling for a while before saying to Lilith:

“Don’t be surprised. This is a sacrificial rune. As long as you retain anger and murderous intent toward me, your power will continually transfer to me—and it transfers doubly. The more intense your rage, the more power you send me. So as long as you stay near me, you’ll be my power amplifier.”

Lilith was stunned.

Hugh continued, “This is the only way to prevent you from relentlessly harassing me. For Buckler’s sake, I won’t kill you this time, but if you try to kill me again or cause trouble, I can only tell you that you’re destined to contribute more to me than to harm me. So… give up.”

As he spoke, Hugh removed the thin tubes from her body. “You’re free now. You don’t have to thank me for my generosity or granting you freedom, but you must understand I could have killed you.”

He tossed her clothes back to her. “I suppose you won’t mind me helping you undress, considering I’ve already been where clothes can’t reach. Now put your clothes back on; I’ll take you away from here.”

“You’re a bastard, Hugh Eglair,” Lilith said, her face burning red. “One day, I will kill you.”

“I look forward to your next visit.”

Opening a spatial portal and using scout drones to locate the outside world, Hugh sent Lilith away.

Returning to his laboratory, Hugh opened a crystal ball and saw Lilith wandering aimlessly on the road home, evidently confused.

He smiled faintly and activated a communication crystal to contact Buckler. “Buckler, I have some news for you.”

“Go ahead. What is it?”

“Lilith came looking for me and tried to kill me. But I didn’t kill her—just gave her a warning. Buckler, you owe me a big favor this time. I sacrificed a lot to keep this woman from bothering me again.”

Buckler was silent for a moment, then said, “Thank you, Hugh Eglair. I will repay your favor. By the way, I just received a list containing information on the hunters after you.”

“Good. Have your people deliver it to the Wintergreen Forest entrance. I can see it there. I’ll come get it myself.”

“No problem. I’ll send Egl Ashlin over.”

That afternoon, on the outskirts of Wintergreen Forest, Egl Ashlin finally arrived.

The necromancer wore a black robe, exuding a mysterious aura.

“You’ve broken through?” Hugh asked, surprised.

“Yes. It took me ten years to reach Level Five,” the necromancer replied with a smile.

“What can Level Five necromancy do? I’m quite interested in necromagic. I’ve heard you can summon very powerful undead creatures.”

The necromancer chuckled. “People’s misunderstanding of necromancy often leads to misconceptions. In fact, necromancers can summon many types of undead, but there’s no so-called undead realm—at least, not that I’ve heard of. All undead summoning relies on possessing the remains of already dead creatures. As long as the necromancer has their bones, we can summon and control them. This has nothing to do with the mage’s level. Necromancy has its unique charm and progression line; it doesn’t depend on so-called summoning spells.”

“You can summon just by having the bones?” Hugh thought of the rodent he had killed.

“Yes, but it requires corresponding magical energy support.”

“What if the magic runs out?”

“They revert to bare bones.”

“That’s a shame. I mean, if we had powerful beasts, we could turn them into undead. But without sustained magical energy, they’re only good for one use.”

“You’re not the first to regret that. It’s why necromancers need alchemy knowledge. If we obtain the bones of a powerful beast, we combine necromancy and alchemy. We use necromancy to revive it, alchemy to stabilize its form, and even enhance its strength. How well we master alchemy directly determines the undead’s power. In your terms, it’s another method of creating undead puppets, but far superior.”

“I see.” Hugh finally understood why necromancers were considered closest to alchemists—it was because of necromantic summoning.

Ashlin laughed softly. “That’s also why I’m the one delivering the goods. Buckler told me you killed the rodent, Gavni. Incredible. I hope you didn’t destroy it completely.”

“I skinned it, took its magical energy source, teeth, claws, tail, and everything useful, then left the carcass there. Looks like we’ll need to recycle those bones. Tell me, Ashlin, if I ask you to turn that rodent into an undead, would you be interested?”

“Of course, but it requires your cooperation. I’m not as skilled in alchemy as you. If you want something worthwhile, you’ll have to invest in it. Also, you’ll need to hand over the teeth, claws, and tail again.”

“That sounds fantastic. Then…” Hugh thought for a moment. “Let’s confirm the payment first?”

Ashlin replied readily, “Give me at least one advanced potion formula, and I’ll handle it.”

“If it’s worth that, I’ll consider it.” Hugh nodded in agreement.

On the way to retrieve the rodent’s bones, Hugh received the list of his pursuers from Ashlin.

The first name he saw was Rashel.

Under Rashel’s name was a small note: Jason Rashel, 46 years old, born in Meteor City, Devonshire, commoner background, graduated from St. Georgia Law Academy. At 18, appointed local judicial agent due to outstanding performance, promoted and awarded the Rose Knight Medal. Five years later, transferred to South Wellington as a district agent, solved countless cases. Became nationally famous seven years ago after capturing the notorious Emmanuel Daz, a Level Six warrior, while Rashel was only Level Two. Shortly after, he offended a powerful figure, was accused but protected by the then Director of the Judicial Office, and finally assigned to Deep Harbor as the local security chief.

Appendix: It’s said he once solved the Wellington Magic Academy serial murder case of young girls, but this has never been officially confirmed.

Serial murder of young girls?

Hugh’s mind suddenly flashed.

He finally understood why the name Rashel felt so familiar.

On Purgatory Island, he had heard the name once but hadn’t paid attention, as he was then busy covering up a murder scene.

Yes, it was him—the old friend Paget mentioned, the agent who truly caught Pierre but let him escape.

It turned out to be him?

Hugh continued scanning the list, his brow gradually furrowing.

Several familiar names appeared: Chakley, Bailey, Charlie.

Although he already knew Chakley had joined the hunt for him, he hadn’t expected Bailey and the others to get involved.

“Ashlin, are you sure these names are those hunting me?”

“We paid a lot to bribe an official in the Judicial Office. We have his corruption evidence; he wouldn’t lie to us.”

Hugh exhaled deeply.

He was puzzled. If Chakley leading the hunt made sense, then Bailey and the others’ involvement made no sense.

The Judicial Office had its own agents and warriors. Chakley belonged to the Wellington Royal Guard as a knight commander; Bailey and Charlie were his subordinates.

Although for twenty years they handled the transport of Freedom Line goods, after the mission, there was no reason to place them under the Judicial Office’s jurisdiction.

One Chakley knowing him was enough; why send all the warriors from the Freedom Line?

Moreover, hunting fugitives was always thankless and risky. Especially for an alchemist like Hugh, who could disguise himself extensively to avoid detection if he wished, but he chose not to.

Joining the Judicial Office’s hunt for Hugh was a long-term commitment with little reward and great risk—Abrith was proof of that.

From what Hugh knew about Chakley and Bailey, they didn’t seem like people who enjoyed such thankless, dirty work. Bailey and the others didn’t even need to work; the benefits they gained over the years could support them for life.

What drove them to join the hunt for him?

“Could it be their conscience?” Hugh sneered at himself.

Why would Chakley and Bailey tirelessly pursue him? Why would they obey the orders of Rashel, a mere Level Two warrior?

Could it be for…

A flash of insight struck Hugh. He suddenly realized an important factor in his arsenal he had overlooked!

He cursed himself for his stupidity.

Fortunately, he realized it in time.

Staring at the list, Hugh placed his finger on the names of those warriors, a triumphant smile flickering in his eyes.

“Lies always deepen the darkness, and plugging holes only creates bigger ones. If my guess is right, then… I’ve caught you!”