336 Ambush

"What's going on?!"

Seeing the sudden turn of events, Gordes was dumbfounded and exclaimed in panic.

Under the gaze of everyone, how did this homunculus die? Moreover, it happened without any of them noticing.

*Thud* *Thud* *Thud* *Thud*

Just as everyone was puzzled, without any warning, four more homunculi fell to the ground, their deaths exactly like the first, with large holes in their backs.

Seeing the homunculus corpses on the ground, everyone couldn't help but feel a chill rising from the depths of their hearts.

"Everyone, be careful!" Darnic roared. "This is Assassin's ambush!"

With highly skilled concealment techniques and lethal assassination methods aimed at the heart, the identity of the assailant had undoubtedly been revealed—Assassin of Black, Jack the Ripper!

""Hihi... Haha...""

Innocent laughter, akin to that of a fairy, echoed from all directions, making it impossible to determine the exact location. Everyone huddled closely together, nervously scanning the surrounding darkness.

Among the seven Servants, Assassin posed the greatest threat to Masters, especially in the current situation where none of their Servants were guarding their sides. With just mages and homunculi, they were as defenseless as lambs to the slaughter before Assassin.

"Wow, there are so many, so many delicious-looking ones! Hmm, it's really hard to decide, who should we start with."

Jack's voice echoed continuously in everyone's ears, fear's tendrils creeping into their hearts like branches. Though there was only one voice, they felt as though countless pairs of eyes lurked greedily in the darkness, watching them.

"Alright, decision made, we will start with you."

Thick fog surged suddenly from nowhere, like a fierce beast choosing its prey, swallowing everyone whole.

*Cough!* *Cough!* *Cough!* *Cough!*

Intense pain, like sparks bursting, suddenly shot up from the depths of everyone's noses, causing them to instinctively kneel in agony on the ground, coughing painfully.

"Careful! This fog is poisonous!"

Darnic roared, simultaneously attempting to dispel the fog with his magecraft. Unfortunately, this fog seemed unlike anything he had ever seen before as his magecraft seemed futile against it.

With fog and nightfall, this place had become Jack's playground.

Just as Fiore struggled to repel the encroaching fog with her magecraft, a voice as sweet as sugar suddenly echoed in her ears.

"Such a pretty big sister, can you be our mother?"

Intense fear exploded in Fiore's heart in an instant. Still, how could she possibly react in time to Assassin's words? The moment Jack's words fell, a glinting dagger was already at her abdomen.

*BANG!*

A spark flashed and a gunshot rang out.

Jack, sensing the imminent danger, abandoned her current target and redirected her dagger to block an incoming attack.

*DING!*

The sharp dagger clashed with a dead finger, creating a dazzling spark. Seizing this brief moment, Fiore swiftly activated her mechanical spider-like leg, striking behind her.

"Ugh... failed again..." Jack muttered softly, agilely evading the mechanical leg's attack before leaping back into the concealment of her fog.

*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*

Accompanied by crisp footsteps, a tall figure slowly emerged from the fog, appearing before everyone.

"Shishigou Kairi?" Darnic's eyes showed a hint of surprise. If he remembered correctly, this necromancer belonged to the Red Faction.

"Let's save the talk for later."

Kairi said calmly before tossing out several black spherical pills from his jacket. A strange, sinister blackish-blue gas rose from these pills, blending with the surrounding fog.

These gases seemed to contain some peculiar substance, mysteriously neutralizing the toxicity of the fog and improving everyone's situation.

However—

"Ugh... such a foul smell..." Gordes bent over, vomiting.

The stench was akin to rotting corpses left out in the sun for days, festering and rotting!

The rest also wore expressions of discomfort.

This odor was truly testing their tolerance to the extreme.

"Let's endure it for a bit. Compared to our lives, this is just a minor problem, no?" Kairi shrugged his shoulders casually.

"I feel like we're just as likely to be suffocated to death as we are to be poisoned to death." Caules quipped.

"That's why, the only way out for us now is to deal with Assassin as soon as possible." Kairi responded calmly.

"What can you do?" Darnic asked, unsure why this necromancer would help them, but as he had said, Assassin was now the biggest problem they faced.

"What can I do? I'm just an ordinary necromancer, dealing with a Servant is beyond my capabilities." Kairi shrugged his shoulders again. "The only ones who can deal with Servants are Servants, after all."

After saying that, he raised his hand, and the crimson glow of command spells inscribed on the back of his hand lit up.

"With this command spell, Saber, I command you to return to my side immediately."

*Whoosh—*

Surging magical energy caused the surrounding air to tremble uncontrollably.

Amidst the dazzling light, a golden-haired figure clad in silver armor with red patterns, wielding a crimson thunderous sword suddenly appeared.

Seeing this, Darnic instinctively stepped back. At this distance, if Saber of Red attacked them, they wouldn't have time to react.

"Holy crap! What the heck is this smell?! Master, you didn't summon me into some sewers, did you?" Mordred gagged, promptly putting on her helmet.

"I'll make it up to you later. For now, let's deal with the trouble in front of us." Kairi responded.

"Darn it, just when things were getting exciting over there, suddenly got dragged over this side... Tch, what a killjoy..."

Mordred grumbled before raising her sword toward the fog ahead.

"So, you get it now, Assassin? I'm not in the best mood right now. If you come out peacefully, I might just give you a quick end. Otherwise, I can't promise I won't be ruthless."

*Swish!*

Instead of a verbal response, a swiftly approaching dagger was the answer.

*DING!*

The dagger struck Mordred's armor, instantly deflected.

"Hehehe..."

From the depths of the fog came Jack's clear and innocent laughter.

Mordred looked at the dagger on the ground in silence for a moment, then suddenly let out a sneer.

"Heh, looks like this is your answer, yeah?"

*BOOM!*

A surge of magical energy suddenly erupted, raging crimson thunder wreaking havoc on the surrounding fog.

Mordred raised her sword high, a cruel smile hidden beneath her helmet.

"Well then, get ready to face hell you fucker!"