"Shepherd's Proxy?"
I unconsciously repeated the name, sensing a hint of mystery.
"In the name of the Shepherd, they are the most elite servants, and the most powerful force of the Du'an tribe."
"Each of them is raised from childhood, and after countless brutal training, they are cultivated into killing machines by the High Priest praying for the Shepherd's power!"
"They are a bunch of lunatics! They usually don't appear before the tribespeople, and many may not see them even once in their lifetime."
"They are the High Priest's most loyal dogs, and they are everywhere."
As Ada spoke of the Shepherd's Proxies, he lowered his voice subconsciously, a trace of fear creeping into it without his own awareness.
Damn, so the assassin from yesterday had such a formidable background!
As Ada recounted, I found myself feeling a sense of déjà vu, as if I had encountered something similar before.
It wasn't until I casually glanced at the wolf tooth necklace on my chest that it suddenly struck me – wasn't this just an assassin version of the Sea God's attendants?
Those abominations had almost killed me when I was still weak. Fortunately, Zhuo Ya and I had managed to escape into the temple of the Sea God Kijie and survived.
The so-called Shepherd's Proxies now were no different in essence from the Sea God's attendants back then; they were all inhuman!
Thinking of this, I couldn't help but feel a little proud. To have made a Shepherd's Proxy retreat in defeat last night was no small feat.
"If the one who tried to assassinate me last night was indeed a Shepherd's Proxy as you say, then we cannot act rashly."
My fingers tapped rhythmically on the table.
"This assassination attempt is no longer just about me; it even involves the conflict between the Great King and the High Priest."
"Last night, when the Shepherd's Proxy attacked me, I kicked him in the abdomen. I know my strength, and he was severely injured."
"We must find this Shepherd's Proxy so that we can launch an offensive against the High Priest."
My brows furrowed, my eyes filled with coldness.
"But the Shepherd's Proxies are very secretive. Even the Great King doesn't quite know their whereabouts. How can we find them!"
Ada scratched his head, looking distressed.
If it were about chopping down a few people or catching a wild beast, Ada would be in his element. But when it came to using his brain to solve a problem like this, Ada was completely at a loss.
"You don't need to worry about that. Since the first assassination attempt failed last night, there will naturally be a second one. We will have our chance."
I placed a hand on my chest and confidently explained my analysis to Ada. Then, I sent him out to gather any leads from the tribe.
As soon as Ada left the tent, I could no longer maintain my composure and slumped onto the bed.
In fact, while talking to Ada, a burning sensation had been spreading through my chest, growing stronger and stronger.
The black spider pattern of the Fierce Dog on my chest was my biggest hidden danger. I didn't dare to reveal even a hint of it to Ada, so I sent him away first.
With a forceful tear, I exposed my chest to the air.
I fumbled for a small mirror in my backpack and examined my chest.
When I left Kasabdo, only two legs of the black spider pattern on my chest were dark.
Now, at some point, the third leg had been completed, and even the fourth leg was half colored.
Its details were rendered with lifelike precision, and even the fine hairs on its legs were clearly visible, as if an unseen artist was meticulously sketching it.
Damn it!
I instantly understood that the dream I had just had was the work of this black spider pattern on my chest!
From causing me to hallucinate initially, it could now affect my dreams.
The black spider's influence on me was deepening, and this was not a good omen!
The burning sensation on my chest gradually subsided. My gaze inadvertently fell upon the hunting knife tucked into my waist.
I'll see what you can do to me!
With a hardening of my heart, I drew the hunting knife and lightly slashed at the newly formed leg.
Hiss!
I endured the pain, large beads of cold sweat pouring down my forehead like water.
In an instant, I had cut off a small piece of skin.
Since I had no way to stop you from growing for now, I'll just use brute force to peel you off my body!
But to my utter surprise, that blinding black color had already penetrated deep into my muscles, not just staying on the surface of my skin.
Crap! All for nothing!
Helpless, I had to take out a roll of simple bandages from my backpack and meticulously cover the black spider on my chest.
Just as I put on my jacket and stepped out to find Ada, I saw a Du'an tribesman walking towards me.
This man was one of Ada's subordinates. Upon seeing me, he sternly pounded his chest.
"Batu, the Great King summons you!"