The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 676 A Bounty and Ruthless Killing (1)

"Tsk! As expected from Nolan Lorian—you're truly perceptive, exactly as mentioned in that letter."

A mocking and grating voice echoed. Nolan and Seira instinctively whipped their heads around, spotting a black-cloaked figure striding toward them.

Short, hideous, and ghostly pale, his body bore innumerable scars.

The most horrifying feature was the eye smack in the middle of his forehead. It squirmed like a maggot, evoking sheer terror and disgust.

"Nolan, he…"

Seira's hold clenched harder, her breaths turning ragged. Normally, she wouldn't judge by looks or shun anyone for their appearance.

Yet now, a deep revulsion hit her hard at the mere sight.

Waves of dread and sickness washed over her, prompting her to avert her face swiftly.

Nolan gently patted her thigh to soothe her, then spoke evenly, "How long have you trailed us?"

Halting roughly ten meters distant, the man flashed a toothy grin and answered teasingly, "From the very start. What, shocked?"

Nolan's face stayed impassive. He saw through the lie instantly—no tail had shadowed him and Seira from the outset.

Only after they escaped the valley did Nolan detect this creep's aura.

Nolan averted his eyes briefly, then pivoted leftward and remarked coolly, "Not tired of lurking there yet?"

Moments later, a shrill cackle pierced the air.

"Hahaha! Sis, check it out—he spotted us despite your artifact cloaking our auras! This so-called worthless prince ain't quite the loser everyone claims."

"True enough. He could be concealing his strength. Be on guard."

Emerging from the tree shadows, two black-cloaked women advanced on Nolan and Seira.

Beauty marked them both, yet an eerie vibe clung to their looks. A crimson tattoo sprawled over the right one's face like tangled webs.

Her right eye gleamed blood-red, pupilless and utterly frightful.

The left woman sported a dark floral tattoo blanketing half her face. Her left eye matched the other's right—pure scarlet.

Their faces mirrored each other perfectly, revealing twin sisters.

"Oh? Black Rose and Red Rose here too? Don't tell me you're chasing the reward as well?" the scarred man exclaimed, astonished.

They shot him a look, offering subtle smirks.

"Looks like the prize has your attention too, Venom," Black Rose mocked.

Venom bared his teeth in a grin. "Naturally. Two hundred million Rune coins plus a shot at a top-grade artifact? Chances like that don't repeat. I couldn't ignore it."

The sisters just smiled silently.

Matching Venom's aim, they were determined to seize it at any cost.

As their prey, Nolan stayed utterly composed, unfazed by the trio's arrival.

"Enough chit-chat. Eyes front—more are closing in. Hey, show yourselves!" Nolan bellowed.

The three stiffened. Glancing ahead instinctively, they beheld ten—or maybe more—figures emerging from hiding.

Monstrous looks defined every one. Horns sprouted on some, others towered near three meters, and a few resembled beasts outright.

Black Rose, Red Rose, and Venom all scowled.

Long had they ambushed outside Nethravel Valley, certain they'd be sole hunters for the bounty.

Never imagining extra rivals stalking the identical marks.

"Sis, grabbing that prize won't be easy now," Red Rose murmured icily.

Black Rose dipped her head deliberately. "No worry. We strike amid their chaos. Thoughts?"

Red Rose creased her forehead, pondering her sibling's intent. Seconds passed before realization dawned, drawing a sly grin.

"Gotcha. Smart plan."

Their words rang clear to Nolan. Yet he couldn't be bothered to meddle. He peeked back instead.

"Sister, shut your eyes," he commanded.

Seira complied with a nod, squeezing her eyes closed while hugging Nolan's waist tighter.

Nolan raised his hand a touch rightward. Suddenly, a unseen shield sprang into existence, enveloping his sister protectively.

Pleased, he whipped his stare ahead, glaring icily at Venom, Black Rose, Red Rose, and the rest.

"Here to claim my head, right?" he queried, grinning broadly. "Bring it then. Linger too long, and others might snag it first."

His declaration ignited the flames even further, like fuel dumped on a ferocious blaze. Greed flared wildly in every pair of eyes, making Nolan and Seira perched on their horse seem like the tastiest morsels imaginable.

"Hahaha! I'll be the first to make a move!"

A massive brute bellowed in laughter before lunging straight at Nolan.

"Want to go first, huh? Like hell I'll let that happen!" Another thug sneered, charging ahead too.

Not to be outdone, the rest—including Venom—yanked out their blades and bolted forward, vaulting toward Nolan.

Surrounded by assaults from every direction—front, rear, sides—Nolan displayed zero fear.

In his perception, their motions dragged on painfully slow, resembling footage slowed to half its pace.

With enemies nearly close enough to grab him and Seira, Nolan serenely closed his eyes and clapped his palms.

The very air nearby him solidified in a flash. Assailants mid-leap dangled motionless in the sky.

"W-What's happening?" Venom cried out, voice laced with dread.

He strained to shift his hand, yet nothing budged. Control over his form had utterly vanished.

His companions fared no better. Horror and alarm twisted their features. Faces drained of color while they thrashed wildly, desperate to shatter the invisible grip holding them fast.

Nolan's eyes snapped open, a sly smile curving his lips.

"Where's your confidence?" he teased lightly.

Realization dawned on them all at once about the source of this phenomenon.

"N-Nolan Lorian… you've been hiding your power!" Venom shrieked in abject terror.

The idea that this prince, dismissed for ages as trash, harbored such monstrous might had never crossed his mind.

They were ensnared in his scheme now, with flight seeming utterly hopeless.

"Pfft!" Nolan snickered. "You're only realizing it now? Too late."

Honestly, sharper wits would have spotted he wasn't some average fool.

Consider how he and Seira strolled from Nethravel Valley without a single scratch.

Regrettably, the fat reward from that shadowy bidder had clouded their judgment completely.

"Alright, enough chatter. You're all being way too noisy."

With those words, Nolan balled his right fist tight.

Their forms crumpled inward in a heartbeat, and then…

Boom!