In order to maintain stability and prevent public panic towards the fungal mat and mushrooms, Fa’er initially planned to obfuscate the truth about Lambert’s parasitism, downplaying its impact.
However, the developnt of the situation obviously exceeded his expectations.
The fact that Lambert was parasitized by strange mycelium had already attracted a lot of curiosity and attention from adventurers.
And when he "accidentally" established an invisible link with two ordinary Puki and was able to issue simple instructions to them, the adventurers’ gossip and exploratory desires were completely ignited.
Although those were just two basic Puki commonly seen on the streets of Mushroom Town, without any combat capability, it was "controlling Puki"!
And it was done completely without using any contract scrolls or magic items!
Soon, among the onlooking adventurers, soone excitedly proposed: whether those special combat-capable Puki in the Underground City could also be tad?
Lambert considered that he was already assigned the task of continuing to explore the parasitic condition on him.
Therefore, when Mira Belle received orders from Fa’er to try to remove Lambert from the public’s view, he had already re-entered the Underground City, encouraged and surrounded by a group of excited adventurers.
And when they erged from the Underground City, the Puki following Lambert had changed from the initial two "whiteboards" to over a dozen various types and functions of Puki!
In the Underground City, different fungal mat areas generate different kinds of Puki.
After so trials, the adventurers discovered a pattern: as long as they offered the corpse of a demon in the corresponding fungal mat area, there was a certain probability that they could gain control of one of the Puki that was about to mature and fall off.
Of course, not every sacrifice was successful, as there was a significant elent of randomness involved, but for the adventurers, it was rely a matter of hunting a few more demons.
These tad Puki could understand Lambert’s simple commands and even coordinate with him in battle, a scene that made the surrounding adventurers green with envy.
No need for contract tools to have battle pets!
Accidental deaths could be replenished very easily!
As for the insufficient combat power of individual Puki, quantity could compensate!
At this point, no one could sit still.
Many began to try every possible ans to inquire about the specific source and all side effects of the parasitic mycelium on Lambert.
Bound by the agreent with the Guild, Lambert did not disclose the whole truth, only vaguely claiming that he encountered a teleportation trap on the Eighth Floor and beca like this after waking up.
However, people’s enthusiasm was unstoppable.
Soon, inford individuals dug out that Lambert was initially brought out of the Underground City by Vera’s team.
And Vera and others, who hadn’t been warned in ti, eventually revealed the scene and details of discovering Lambert under the enthusiasm and inquiries of the crowd.
Consequently, the rumor quickly evolved: Luck-favored Lambert was chosen by Puki at the brink of death, and after rging with it, he not only survived but also unexpectedly gained the ability to control Puki, with the only cost being a slightly foolish appearance and the need for continuous supply of so magic power.
At this point, Fa’er’s plan to lock down the information completely fell apart.
Contrary to Fa’er’s initial concerns, people not only did not feel fear towards the fungal mat but instead developed great interest, with many even eager to try.
Of course, this was not what Fa’er wanted to see, but he could no longer stop the situation from fernting.
Don’t be fooled by Lambert currently only controlling over a dozen Puki, a well-commanded force could exert combat power not inferior to Silver Level!
High Tier powerhouses might disdain this, but for the vast number of Silver Level and Copper Level adventurers, this was extrely tempting.
As for the side effect of becoming ugly, in the face of tangible strength enhancent, it wasn’t sothing that couldn’t be considered. After all, in the adventuring profession, few relied on looks to make a living.
So were even originally ugly and could attribute their ugliness to the pursuit of Puki’s power.
The reason why there was still no second "Puki controller" was simply that everyone wanted to continue observing to see if there were any potential hidden risks still unmanifested on Lambert.
...
Lin Jun observed people’s reactions thoroughly.
Everything was proceeding according to plan!
"Auxiliary personnel" like Lambert were granted the lowest level of authority in the Fungal Network. Apart from commanding the few designated Puki, there were practically no other functions.
Lin Jun had no intention to engage with these people who hadn’t officially joined, letting them develop on their own sufficed.
The frontline wars against humans were unfavorable, which for Lin Jun, represented both a crisis and a huge opportunity.
Given the previous unpleasant encounter with the Empire, it was entirely conceivable how the Demon Race would treat the within-border fungal mats and Puki once they truly defeated humans.
At that ti, perhaps he could huddle within the Underground City, even slowly expand deeper underground.
But continuing to enjoy sunlight on the surface, that might be out of the question.
Humans are different, to fight against the Empire, they need mushrooms, not only mushrooms, eventually they would need Puki too!
For this, humans would inevitably make compromises and concessions in certain aspects!
Then, his fungal mats might even have a chance to spread to the front line!
"Hehehehe... Hahahaha!"
Norris instinctively shrank his neck when strange laughter suddenly echoed in his mind, but he wisely didn’t ask any further questions as he gradually got used to it.
Lin Jun also didn’t forget to address so side issues brought about by the plan, such as a demon spy who had seen Dylan’s true appearance and likely had so bad associations...
...
On the edge of the crowd, Rita looked at Lambert, who was flaunting in the streets, surrounded by a flock of Puki, her gaze particularly lingering on the white mycelium winding across his face for a long ti.
This appearance... the more she looked, the more familiar it seed, similar in only color to Dylan?
Doesn’t that an Dylan is actually human?
What’s going on here?
Perhaps, the mycelium on this human is part of so secret plan by a certain Duke?
Rita didn’t know for sure, but it was clear so information should be reported.
She quietly retreated, squeezed out of the crowd, planning to et up with her partner first. However, after just a few steps, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.
Not far ahead, Dylan was chatting and laughing with that little clerk Bianca while buying supplies.
After a brief mont of thought, Rita turned and slipped into a narrow alley beside her, deciding to take a detour.
Dylan might not be a problem, but it’s always wise to be cautious.
Quickly traversing through the newly built stone houses, the clamor of the crowd was soon left behind.
Puki—
A faint noise ca from behind.
Rita’s expression didn’t change, her pace undisturbed, but the hand tucked in her sleeve had already transford into a claw.
The sound of wind behind her guided her; she suddenly turned around and swung her claw.
With a soft "shh," a severed, bladed tentacle appeared out of thin air in the air!
"It’s invisibility..."
Rita’s heart tightened, she imdiately pushed off her feet, leaping lightly backward, trying to create distance to disengage.
Yet, just as she landed, a piercing pain erupted from her back!
Her chest was pierced through, blood outlining the silhouette of a tentacle.
"Ugh..."
This was swiftly followed by several more attacks, slicing her throughout her body, including her throat.
Rita collapsed powerlessly in the pool of blood, her exterior gradually lting, reverting to the gray, gelatinous form of a shapeshifter.
It was only at this mont that those Puki previously in invisible states around her finally revealed their round, plump figures.
Before her consciousness completely subrged into eternal darkness, she vaguely heard an evil voice: "Don’t go spilling poison recklessly in your next life."
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