Nightmare Paradise : Starting as a Doctor

Chapter 105: Sinister Smile

Lynn's eyes sharpened as they fixated on an individual positioned in front of the macabre structure. The figure stood tall, merging seamlessly into the unsetting scene. The scant illumination provided by flickering candlelight offered a mere glimpse of his obscured features.

The man had his back turned, completely unaware of the stealthy intruder's presence. His attention was captivated by the intricate and elaborate ritual that was unfolding before him.

Once opulent and resplendent, his robes now bore the marks of neglect and disarray. They hung loosely around his form, their once vibrant colors faded and tarnished.

There was no doubt that this man was Knott—the enigmatic person who had orchestrated the series of devastating monster attacks, causing panic in the town and leaving a trail of chaos in his wake.

No longer did this wealthy merchant exude the noble air that one would expect from a person of his stature. Instead, an unsettling aura of madness and obsession enveloped him, palpable even from a distance.

With his head tilted back, he faced the altar, muttering indiscernible words under his breath. Though the exact content of his speech remained elusive, the cadence and rhythm of his voice possessed an uncanny hypnotic quality.

Lynn couldn't help but observe the mysterious mastermind for a moment, and to his surprise, the figure seemed visibly feeble and delicate, a stark contrast with the imposing persona he had previously envisioned.

The mental image he had constructed portrayed a cunning and formidable adversary, someone who exuded power and control. This unexpected contradiction unsettled him. It stirred within him a feeling of unease, a whisper of doubt that something was amiss.

However, he understood the danger of underestimating an opponent based solely on their physical appearance. Looks could be deceiving, and disregarding someone due to their outward fragility could lead to disastrous consequences.

Beneath this seemingly disheveled exterior, there could be a reservoir of extraordinary power and knowledge. Perhaps this apparent weakness was part of an elaborate ruse, a deliberate ploy to deceive.

As the chant continued, wisps of shadowy energy began swirling around in Lynn's spiritual vision, as if summoned by the relentless incantations. These ethereal tendrils danced and twisted in the air, creating an eerie and otherworldly atmosphere.

Despite the perfect opportunity for launching a surprise assault, his curiosity and caution compelled him to stay hidden and continue observing, hoping to comprehend the nature of this ritual.

Suddenly, the previously dormant altar, which stood at the center of the ritualistic space, began to exhibit unsettling behavior. It pulsated with an alarming intensity, its surface undulating as if it were a living entity.

A ghastly sight unfolded. The twisted mass of bones and sinew convulsed and contorted. It appeared as though something alive was squirming within its core, fighting to break free from its macabre prison.

Lynn's eyes widened, unable to tear his gaze away from the grotesque spectacle taking place before him. He witnessed a bulge beginning to form atop the altar, growing with an unnerving rhythm.

Then, in a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, a final gut-wrenching crack shattered the silence. The bulge ruptured violently as if a dam had burst, and a putrid flood of vile fluids gushed forth with an unstoppable force.

From the midst of the grotesque eruption emerged a deformed creature, its misshapen form coated in a slimy veneer of mucus-like secretions. It slithered and wriggled, struggling to free itself from the remnants of its birthplace.