Chapter 403: Horse Talisman Unlocked!
"Jenny..." Silas chuckled softly. He knew the true strength of the Shadow Generals beneath him better than anyone.
At her current level, Jenny was indeed no match for the fake Kingpin. Barring any surprises, Kingpin was destined to take the top spot. However, this Kingpin wasn't quite suitable to be a leader; he was too arrogant and lacked the steady, calculating composure of the original Wilson Fisk.
"I hope you can give me a surprise," Silas whispered, his gaze shifting to Rei.
After all, Rei had inherited the power of General Ikazuki. How could she lose to Kingpin? She is my Great General Ikazuki, after all. Thus, Silas decided to secretly give Rei a little "extra help."
In the Shadow Realm
Rei, who had previously felt her chances of winning were slim, suddenly felt a surge of endless power emanating from her Shadow Mask. Her slightly fatigued body was instantly revitalized, reaching its absolute peak in the blink of an eye. Not only that, but her power continued to break through its previous limits.
"This... this power... it's so strong!" Rei sheathed her blade and stared at her trembling palms.
Nearby, John noticed something was off. "What's wrong with her? Her hands are shaking. Is she actually afraid?" He quickly dismissed the thought. Rei was the one who had proactively challenged the hierarchy; there was no way she'd be scared of a duel.
While Jenny and Kingpin had been fighting—two behemoths clashing—Rei had sat cross-legged with her eyes closed, shutting out all distractions to steady her heart.
"I am General Ikazuki! The successor of my power must not lose to anyone!" The image of Ikazuki's towering, majestic silhouette flashed through Rei's mind.
"Don't worry. I will not disgrace the name of the Great General. I, Rei, swear it upon the Way of the Sword." She stood up slowly, drawing her cursed blade. John immediately felt the shift in her aura. It had become unfathomable.
At that moment, Kingpin knocked Jenny off the stage. He hadn't held back. Jenny was covered in bruises, her lip was swollen, and blood flowed from her nose.
"Impressive. Next time, I'll pay you back double," Jenny muttered, exhausted. Her pet, Five-Six-Seven, licked her wounds and hissed at Kingpin.
"I'll wait for you to recover," Rei said, jumping onto the stage. Kingpin turned to look at her, and for the first time, a flicker of fear touched his heart.
Above the Arena
"Now, this will be a good show," Silas said, reclining in his floating chair. He was eager to see what sparks would fly between the empowered Rei and the massive Kingpin.
However, a sudden thought crossed his mind. The Horse Talisman...
"These clues are such a headache," Silas sighed. The system was stubborn. If he actually got dusted by the Snap, what would happen to the system?
"Honestly, it's just like Strange—stubborn as a mule..." Silas froze. A light sparked in his eyes.
Wait! A skillful doctor. Stubborn. Needs the guidance of a herdsman.
That described Stephen Strange perfectly! He was the "Doctor Horse." And while he initially shirked his responsibility, he eventually chose to become the Sorcerer Supreme to protect Earth, literally annoying Dormammu to death with his persistence.
The Ancient One was the "Herdsman"...
[Congratulations, Host! You have deciphered the Horse Talisman clues. Unlocking the Horse Talisman!]
[Please head to the New York Sanctum and find Stephen Strange.]
"You don't have to tell me twice!" Silas had no mood to watch the duel anymore. He vanished instantly.
New York Sanctum
"Alright, what are you doing here now? Another round of free tea?" Strange asked, not looking up from his magic tome.
"No, no, no!" Silas rushed forward and gave Strange a big hug. "Thanks, you stubborn doctor. You healing horse!"
"Wait, what are you talking about?" Strange was completely bewildered.
Whish!
A glowing blue Horse Talisman slowly drifted out of Strange's chest. It was brilliant, emitting a warm, soothing aura. Strange stared in shock; he felt the surge of magic, but he hadn't known he was carrying such an item.
"The Horse Talisman." Silas reached out and grabbed it. Crack! He crushed it, and the magical essence flowed into his body.
"Only... two left!" Silas felt the warmth invigorating his body. One step closer to full completion.
Strange was left staring at his chest in a daze. "Wait, what just happened?!" He began poking his pectoral muscles. Was that some kind of tracking spell Silas had planted?
"Nothing, just came to say thanks. I'm off!" Silas didn't bother explaining. He patted Strange on the shoulder and disappeared into a shadow portal.
"I... I need to get a check-up," Strange muttered, looking at the spot where Silas had stood. "Wong!"
Queens
Silas returned to his room and immediately entered his System Space. He needed to hurry. If he had all twelve, he might not be able to solo Thanos, but he could certainly survive a Snap.
"Unlock the next clue. Hurry!" Silas was riding a high of excitement.
[Unlocking Talisman Clues... Success!]
Squeak! Squeak!
"Rats?" Silas heard the sound immediately. Are you serious, System? You're leaving the Dog Talisman—the one I want most—for the very last?!
A swarm of rats appeared on the horizon, a sight that would make anyone with a phobia faint. Then, they turned into starlight, forming the Rat Talisman symbol.
[The Rat turns stillness into motion because it possesses the power to turn the mundane into the miraculous.]
"Wait! Don't tell me it's Strange again?" Silas guessed, before even buying the next clue.
[Negative, Host.]
"Fine, give me the usual two more clues."
[Turning stillness into motion may be miraculous, but it can also grant a creature its original power.]
[The Rat Talisman's magic is unfathomable, so it requires a vessel capable of carrying its essence.]
"Hmm..." Silas frowned. Like the Horse clues, these were vague. However, he decided to put the puzzle aside for a moment. Right now, he wanted to test the power of the Horse!
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