Sacrifice's Rise: I Became Invincible After Entering Godslayer Temple Chapter 683 The True Objective

As moments passed, with Code 19 facing a looming threat, Roronora closed in as well!

Without a second thought, and making no move to save Ali, Roronora plunged his dagger directly at Code 19's visage.

It was an unpretentious, direct thrust, marked only by the ferocity and swiftness of a dragon emerging from its lair.

The twist of the wrist stirred the air, the powerful airflow, compelled by the force, condensed into a vortex at the dagger's point, promising to shred the target upon contact.

A successful hit would inflict harm far beyond mere severity.

Roronora aimed to leave Code 19 no avenue for recovery, seeking to obliterate Code 19's very brain.

Yet, did he not disregard Ali's peril?

The instant Code 19 perceived Roronora's intention, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his features, his gaze settling on Roronora.

Their eyes locked in a precise moment.

What sort of eyes were those?

Deeply crimson, utterly devoid of any emotional resonance, Code 19 was mirrored within them as if he were mere inanimate stone or decaying flesh.

Supreme composure, bordering on malevolence, pure logic dictated Roronora's every action.

As long as Code 19 could be vanquished, any price was acceptable!

Jelia's well-being stood as his paramount concern! In that fleeting second, Code 19 hesitated, a sliver of indecision creating an uncorrectable flaw.

The short sword, which ought to have been deployed faster, saw its action delayed by a mere fifth of a second, ultimately missing Ali as she contorted her body to evade.

The blade gradually realigned with the crimson path, and as Ali rolled clear, the sword's tip grazed Code 19's chest!

Concurrently, Roronora's dagger hovered mere inches from Code 19's throat.

Despite his moment of hesitation, Code 19's reflexes proved unparalleled; at the very last instant, he leaned backward, seeking a fractional chance of survival.

But Roronora had foreseen this maneuver, his initial thrust aimed at Code 19's head redirecting to skim past his throat instead.

Without a pause, Roronora pivoted and delivered a kick, propelling Code 19 backward in a flying arc, a crimson trail of blood droplets streaking through the air.

Both the spilled blood and Code 19 impacted the ground almost simultaneously, with Ali touching down just moments before.

Drawing a ragged breath, she righted herself, sword clutched firmly, her gaze fixed upon the prone Code 19, a mixture of shock and disbelief clouding her eyes.

"I truly believed I was on the verge of death."

Having regained her breath, Ali tightened her hold on her sword and advanced a step.

"I'll go ensure he's finished. Just to be absolutely certain he is no longer breathing."

However, Roronora intervened, halting her.

"Hold back!"

His expression had shifted to one of grave seriousness, the prior icy detachment now tinged with a more human warmth.

"He is not deceased."

Moving to stand protectively before Ali, he extended his hand, his dagger twirling skillfully on his fingertip.

"That individual will not succumb so readily. My final strike felt... imprecise; though I grazed his throat, the wound is unlikely to be mortal."

While the throat is a vulnerable area, fatal outcomes usually stem from suffocation, unless a major vessel like the carotid artery is severed.

Based on the volume of blood Code 19 had lost, this scenario appeared improbable.

"Ha, ha—remarkably astute, aren't you?"

Code 19's voice took on a hollow, unnerving tone, punctuated by strained breaths.

"Worthy disciples of that particular man."

Struggling to rise, utilizing one hand for support against the ground, Code 19 stood unsteadily, his throat glistening with blood.

"Had that half-elf intervened just now, she would have met her demise."

The moment Roronora and Ali laid eyes upon Code 19's face, they recoiled in astonishment.

His eyes had rolled back, indicating he was clearly beyond consciousness!

Yet, astonishingly, the person who should have been rendered unconscious by Roronora's devastating blow was now standing, speaking, and moving!

An external entity was actively piloting Code 19's physical form! Ali's thoughts immediately turned to Gick.

If any individual possessed the capability for such an extraordinary feat, it could only be Gick! Code 19, who ought to have remained incapacitated by Roronora's powerful assault, abruptly opened his eyes, standing precariously with stiffened limbs and upturned eyeballs.

He was under external control, his very being invaded by a consciousness originating from afar.

Roronora and Ali exchanged wary glances, a chilling tendril of apprehension taking root in each of them.

This method of commandeering a person from an unseen source was perplexing, but it was evident that if the adversary could seize control of Code 19, they could potentially exert influence over them as well.

"You are not Code 19... Who exactly are you?"

Ali involuntarily took half a step back at Roronora's subtle tug, her gaze remaining locked onto Code 19.

She harbored a strong suspicion regarding the foreign consciousness inhabiting Code 19.

Gick.

In such circumstances, to achieve this outcome covertly and without detection, only Gick possessed the requisite mastery.

"Me? Have you not been seeking me all this while?"

Code 19 lifted a hand, drawing forth monochromatic mana from the surrounding ambient energy, coalescing it into a turbulent vortex.

"We met recently in Oak Village, have you already forgotten me?"

Gick!

It was undeniably him!

Ali's eyes narrowed, a dangerous kind of vigilance appearing on her face.

"Roronora, be cautious. This man orchestrated the assault on the village with those cloaked assailants, and Code 19 is one of his cohorts."

No additional clarification was necessary; with those statements, Roronora grasped the immense danger they were confronting.

Possessing the might to command numerous mages within the Silverwind Kingdom, Gick's influence rivaled that of any lord, even overshadowing some minor city lords.

This status was comparable to the city lord of Breeze City.

"What is it you want? I am merely a common adventurer!"

Ali genuinely did not comprehend Gick's original objective in hiring her.

If his initial plan was to attack the village, then diminishing the village's defensive capabilities would have been the sensible course of action.

However, due to Ali's intervention, a third of the attacking forces he dispatched were annihilated, and most of the village's inhabitants managed to survive.

While Ali couldn't claim sole credit, it was evident that without her presence, the complete annihilation of the village in a single blow was entirely feasible.

"What do I want? I merely seek power."

Gick, inhabiting Code 19's body, extended his hand and clenched it with such force that the veins on his hand bulged with the strain.

"Without power, everyone can only gaze upwards."

"And prolonged upward gazing will inevitably strain the neck."

Gick paused before continuing, "You may be unaware of the origins of that village."

"Are you intending to deliver a history lesson?"

Ali scoffed, her gaze locked onto Gick, who was concealed within Code 19's form. She contemplated whether a method existed to strike at his true self directly.

Mana is a potent force, capable of manifesting miracles; with proper application, it can achieve nearly anything.

"A history lesson? Well, that isn't entirely out of the question."

Surprisingly, Gick nodded, positioned himself cross-legged on the ground, and touched the injury on his throat.

Due to the air escaping his throat wound, Code 19 himself was unable to vocalize; the voice Ali and Roronora perceived was Gick utilizing mana to mimic his own.

"Since you possess no knowledge, allow me to illuminate you regarding the past of this land."

"Wait a moment!"

Ali abruptly cut Gick off.

Something felt amiss.

Wasn't the individual before them meant to be the ultimate antagonist?

It was peculiar enough that he appeared midway, but now he was commencing a lecture?

Why couldn't he simply wield a blade and engage in combat?

A quick confrontation, the blade entering clean and exiting bloody, and the matter would be settled.

"What is your true objective? You attack the village, arrange my assassination, and now you plan to 'educate' us right here? What do you take us for?"

"Wasn't it you who requested that I conduct a lesson?"

Gick rubbed his head, but upon lifting his hand, he realized the body was not his and lowered it again, resting his palm on his ankle, tilting his chin slightly upwards.

"I have stated my purpose clearly from the outset; I am in pursuit of power."

"You must have perceived what that village conceals. And no, I am not referring to a legacy left by some individual. While such a legacy might possess value, the utility of ancient knowledge in our current era remains questionable. I would not jeopardize so much for an uncertainty."

Not for the village's legacy?

Ali's brow furrowed, sensing the situation might be diverging from her initial assumptions.

Gick was aware of the legacy, but did he know Roronora was brought from within it?

Did he know Jelia had entered the legacy?

And, ultimately, was he speaking truthfully at this juncture?

Suddenly, Ali became apprehensive regarding Jelia's safety.

"Hmm, Monka clearly kept a significant number of secrets from the other villagers. Rudo might possess some knowledge, but it's certainly not comprehensive."

Undeniably, the indications pointed towards Gick having an unusual familiarity with the subhuman settlement, possibly even having resided there for an extended period.