[Psychokinetic] Eyeball Pulling - Chapter 173 (Patreon)

“In four seconds, the guards will shift.” Daniel said as multiple lines flashed within his eyes. “It would be better to use your illusions then.”

Can he even see the future? Astrid thought, but

Nodding, Astrid waited for the opportune moment, then casted her illusions outward. She doubted the guards could sense them even with the watchmen gazing in her direction.

But as the leader, Daniel’s job was to make sure everything went as smoothly as possible. If he could lower the chances as much as he could–he would do it.

The image of her illusion was an exact replica of the entire surroundings. Unless they had a powerful mage on the Level of Avemoth that was adept at detecting illusions, she wasn’t worried. She confidently sauntered out into the open.

Despite her being out in the open, there were no further movements up on the towers. Whether she meant it or not, the grinning mask on her face grew wider.

The others witnessed her remaining undetected so they joined her and rushed toward the sewer grating. Rebirth also had one, but the arc in front of them was obviously of a lesser design. Rudimentary and made in a rush, it wouldn’t have been able to resist the harsh seas of the world.

That much was evident when she gazed at the half rotted metal. It was as if the arc in front of them was only created as a test subject. However, she was curious about what it looked like on the inside.

As they entered, Astrid frowned. She wasn’t the only one. Daniel crouched down and glanced at the flowing fluid down the tunnel. It wasn’t what Astrid thought it was going to be. There wasn’t a smell of faeces, or other fluids, but it smelled like chemicals that had gone bad.

“What is it?” Daniel turned to Astrid.

Sighing, Astrid was forced to place her finger into the liquid, then used Identify.

Lerolap: ???

“Lerolap?” Astrid said, confused as to what it was.

“Lerolap; It’s a flower.” Rachelle curled her lips at the dirty walls. “It’s commonly used as a form of poison by alchemist classes, not sure why it’s being used here though.”

“Well isn’t it obvious they’re making poison?” Brett scoffed.

“I’m well aware one-arm.” Rachelle spat. “I was more meaning that poison of Lerolap’s quality has no effect on any monster worth its weight.”

“Hey that’s too far.” Brett pouted.

“Then it’s going to be used against humans?” Calum asked.

“It also goes for humans with a certain Constitution thresh-hold.” Rachelle put on a pair of gloves, scared her hands would dirty from the age-old rusted walls. She continued. “Once the Stat is high enough, it easily combats the poison. It’s the lowest quality of them all, so I’m confused on what their uses for it is. To my knowledge, there hasn’t been another discovery for the plant. In other words; it’s useless.”

“How do you know so much about poisonous flowers?” Astrid

“Why do you think?” Brett added with a sly look to Astrid.

Rachelle’s eyes flashed with greed. “Because poisonous plants around the towns can fetch a pretty penny. It’s the duty of any adventure worth their salt to learn about the myriad of different resources Classes have the need for. If it’s worth money, I'll pick it up.”

“That makes sense.” Calum nodded, taking it to heart.

“Easier said than done.” Bellona shook her head.

“Why’s that?” Calum asked.

“Well, because it requires you to actually use your brain.” Rachelle teased. “Something Brett and Bellona don’t know how to.”

“I use it. Occasionally.” Bellona shrugged.

Just as the others were bantering with each other, something in the distance of Astrid’s Psych Domain walked into view. It was human, or so it looked like it. However, they weren’t on their floor, but instead the human was above them. Judging by the distance, it was at least around five floors above.

“Shh.” Astrid silenced the others, then nudged her head in the direction of the humanoid.

Daniel nodded and took out his weapons. The others copied him.

They turned quiet and stalked through the rusted tunnel. Astrid was trying to find the best time to hand Brett the new arm, but surprisingly, it was a difficult subject to approach.

She didn’t know much about it, but if it was a living metal then wouldn't it permanently attach to his arm? If that was the case, then he couldn’t have it regrown. It would have to be one or the other.

As Astrid was thinking, her arm brushed up against Brett’s own. A strange feeling tugged within her Void Storage. Something was moving within.

Nothing can live there. Astrid almost jumped in surprise as she sunk her mind into her Void Storage. Within, the black metal arm wriggled around like a flopping fish. Oh shit.

Not wanting to keep an alien arm of unknown origin practically stored within her body, she took it out. Noticing the dim purple light emitting from her hand, Brett glanced at her in confusion.

With the arm in hand, the entire thing almost leapt out of her hand at Brett. He jumped back in surprise at the living arm in shock.

“What the hell is that thing?” Brett whispered.

“I think it likes you.” Astrid chuckled. “Do you want it?”

Astrid told him of the benefits and his eyes widened. He took a closer look at the arm and something flashed within his eyes. Then, he grabbed it without thinking too much about it. Ripping open his shirt, he placed it against his stumpy arm.

“What the shit.” Rachelle grimaced as thread like tendrils shot out the base of the arm, and penetrated Brett’s flesh.

He grit his teeth for a moment, then, the arm moved exactly to his commands. Opening, then moving this way and that. The once red lines from when it was freshly forged glowed from the cracks of the metallic arm.

Hey, that’s my primal fire. Astrid thought as she looked at the vivid red and orange coursing through the arm. However, it didn’t last long. Only a few seconds later, the red disappeared. Astrid guessed that it was because it wasn’t in use at the minute.

“How is it?” Astrid asked.

“It’s incredible.” Brett said in amazement. He gripped hold of his dagger, then slashed it in the air. From the shadow of his cut, a primal fire raked across the air like a phantom blade. He turned to Astrid in shock. “Where did you get it?”

“That doesn’t matter.” Rachelle looked at the arm in fervour. “What rarity is it? How much is it worth? Can we sell it?”

Her rapid fire questions elicited a laugh from Astrid as she shook her head. She really was a loot goblin, famed throughout the adventurers.

“No we can’t bloody sell it.” Brett spat. “Look, it’s attached to me now.”

“If we cut it off in the first place, then we can do it again, no?” Rachelle said with a crazed look in her eyes.

“Get away from me, psycho.” Brett turned and quickened his pace. He cradled his arm. “Did she make you feel uncomfortable?”

“Please tell me you didn’t just talk to your arm?” Bellona shot the assassin with a look of disgust.

“Well, it’s alive,” Brett said.

What, no way. Is it like a blob? “Wait, it talks to you?” Astrid asked in emergence.

“No, now that would be crazy.” Brett shook his head in denial. It looked like he was telling the truth. Besides, the assassin that could take a life without a second glance was a horrible liar.

Astrid took a relieved breath. It couldn’t be a black blob, so it must be something else. She wondered if it even had any sentience. But from Brett’s expression, it was clear he just meant because it moved.

Thankfully thanks to her floating eyes and crazy appearance with her mask, the others soon calmed down at the appearance of Brett’s new arm.

It wasn’t just the appearance of it that Brett liked. Of course, Astrid knew the amount of stats it brought him. His steps were lighter, and it was clear he was getting used to the newly added strength as he flexed his arms.

From the sewer tunnels, they opened the service door, and entered a new set of tunnels. It was filled with spurting air, and some sort of green goop dripping from the hard pipes tucked into the corner of the walls.

“I wonder what it is?” Calum asked, curious.

“Whatever it is–don’t touch it.” Lisa reminded the still young adventurer.

Despite Lisa’s caution, Rachelle squatted down for a closer look. She thought for a moment before standing back up. “It's a congealed liquid from grinding the Lerolap flower.”

“No need for me then.” Astrid added from the side.

“So where is everyone then?” Bellona’s hands twitched as she turned to Astrid.

“Bellona,” Daniel said. “This is a covert operation. That means we don’t get seen, and we definitely don’t try to kill anyone.”

“What if they start it?” Bellona tilted her head in expectation.

“Then let loose.” Daniel couldn’t help but let out a slight chuckle.

Astrid channelled her mana into Psych Domain and gazed into the distance. Above and below. Above, there were twenty or thirty humanoids. She could tell because the beating red hearts gave them away. If she was merely relying on seeing their matter, it would be impossible through the different layers of material that obstructed her vision. But the red was vivid.

“They're all on the upper floors. Most of them are congregated within a single room, while others are patrolling around that floor.” Astrid said with her eyes hazed over from using her Skill. “Wait–” Astrid frowned.

She didn’t know what happened, but a flood of red entered her vision. Hundreds of red hearts filled the entirety of a different room. They were clustered all over the walls and floor, as if they were all huddled together.

Astrid made sure to tell Daniel, but even he didn’t know what it could be as he shook his head.

“I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Daniel shrugged his shoulders. “Astrid, you take the lead. It will be easier to act on their position with your scouting abilities. I’m giving you the reins.”

“Got it, boss.” Astrid said with a smile as she led the way.

With Psych Domain, she was able to perfectly navigate the hallways. Once they were out of the service tunnels, it was clear the arc was but a mere shell. There were individual walls that created rooms, but there was nothing within them.

Nothing was decorated, and even the walls were like skeletons. It was the foundation, and that was all.

Next up was the stairwell that led to the enormous room that had all the red hearts, but it was currently being patrolled by a group of six guards. It was the same situation with the other stairwell on the other side. It seemed that it was the only way up and into the room that they were guarding.

The guards stood at the edge of the stairs and aimed their bows down toward where the entrance was. Unluckily for them, Astrid was a master of illusion.

Astrid focused, then sent her illusion through the stairwell, and covered the guards completely.