Free Web NovelChapter 52: Chapter 52: The Soundless Attack
The Silent Lake Drowners attacked without making noise.
That was the most disturbing part.
Their webbed claws struck the wooden barricades, but the impact produced only a dull, swallowed vibration. Their mouths opened wide, yet no scream came out. Even when Qin Yuheng’s sword cut into the first creature’s throat sac, the sound of tearing flesh was strangely muted.
It felt as though the lake had wrapped the entire battlefield in invisible cloth.
"Do not rely on hearing!" Qin Yuheng said.
Or rather, he tried to say it.
His voice came out weaker than expected, swallowed halfway by the air.
Qin Yuchen understood from his gesture and shifted closer.
Qin Lian moved along the left barricade, striking at the Drowners’ spine joints. Qin Mo activated one of the repaired sound lanterns.
A clear bell tone rang out.
This sound did not vanish.
It spread through the camp in a silver ripple.
The Silent Lake Drowners stiffened. Their bodies trembled, and the water coating their skin steamed faintly.
Qin Yuheng seized the opening.
Thunder flashed along his Black Thunder Pattern Sword.
One slash broke the first Drowner’s throat sac.
A second pierced the spine of another.
Qin Yuchen followed with precise thrusts, while Qin Lian eliminated those trying to crawl over the side wall. Qin Mo controlled the lantern pulse, releasing sound only when several creatures grouped together.
The first wave was not large.
Only twelve Drowners.
But because they attacked silently and tried to drag defenders toward the lake, they were dangerous. One nearly caught Qin Mo’s ankle through a gap in the barricade. Qin Mo responded by activating three Defensive Talismans and stabbing downward with a formation needle.
After the battle ended, the camp panel updated.
[Lake creatures defeated: 12 / 20]
[Camp Integrity: 78%]
[Lantern Sound Barrier: 72%]
Qin Mo leaned against the bell post.
"I dislike enemies that do not announce themselves."
Qin Lian wiped lake water from her dagger.
"They announce themselves through movement."
"To you."
Qin Yuchen inspected one corpse before it dissolved into water mist.
"They are not fully physical. The throat sac controls their connection to the lake."
Qin Yuheng nodded.
"That means if a stronger version appears, target the sound or water organ first." frёewebnoѵēl.com
He collected the drops.
[Silent Lake Membrane x6]
[Water-Silence Core x3]
Both were eligible for evolution.
The Water-Silence Core interested him.
[D Grade Water-Silence Core]
[Effect: Can be used in sound barriers, stealth equipment, or water-attribute formations.]
[Eligible for Evolution.]
This could help Qin Lian.
A silence-related material for stealth equipment was valuable.
He stored it.
After the first wave, they continued repairs. Qin Mo used two Water-Silence Cores to strengthen the sound lanterns. Qin Yuheng quietly enhanced one core behind a cabin.
[D Grade Water-Silence Core]
↓
[B Grade Silent Water Resonance Core]
When offered to the bell post, the barrier improved sharply.
[Lantern Sound Barrier: 84%]
Qin Mo stared at the panel.
"That core was better than normal."
"Yes."
"Reward resonance?"
"Yes."
Qin Mo looked at him for a moment.
"That family explanation is becoming very convenient."
Qin Yuheng smiled faintly.
"Then use it."
The second attack came near midnight.
This time, the lake did not send Drowners first.
It sent reflections.
The water surface showed images of people standing at the shore.
Qin Yuze.
Qin Xue’er.
Qin Zhengyuan.
Qin Wanshan.
Each reflection stood silently on the lake, staring toward the camp.
Qin Yuchen’s expression changed when he saw Qin Yuze.
Qin Lian stiffened at the sight of several Qin family members.
Qin Mo immediately turned away.
"No. Absolutely not. I refuse emotional manipulation."
Qin Yuheng’s eyes became cold.
The reflection of Qin Zhengyuan looked pale and wounded. Dark-red seal lines spread across his face. He raised one hand toward Qin Yuheng as if asking for help.
The water beneath the reflection rippled.
A hidden panel appeared.
[Memory lure detected.]
[Warning: Approaching reflection may trigger mental clarity loss and lake binding.]
Qin Yuheng took a slow breath.
"Do not move toward the lake."
His voice was swallowed again, but this time he used a hand signal they had prepared.
Qin Yuchen closed his eyes for one breath and opened them again.
Qin Lian bit her tongue lightly to clear her mind.
Qin Mo sprinkled Clear Mind Spirit Powder under his tongue.
The reflections began speaking without sound.
Their mouths moved.
Their eyes pleaded.
Then the lake erupted.
The reflections split open, revealing long, eel-like creatures wearing human faces made of water.
[Memory Eel]
[Level: 13]
[Type: Mental lure lake creature]
They shot toward the camp.
Qin Mo activated the sound lantern immediately.
The bell tone shattered several false faces.
Qin Yuheng used Thunder Shadow Flash, crossing the left wall and cutting one Memory Eel before it could reach Qin Yuchen.
Qin Yuchen’s eyes were cold now.
He struck the second eel through its core.
Qin Lian moved like a shadow, cutting the water faces apart before attacking the true bodies.
The battle was short but mentally exhausting.
After the last Memory Eel died, the side mission panel updated.
[Lake creatures defeated: 20 / 20]
[Side Mission Completed.]
[Mental clarity status:]
Qin Yuheng: 91%
Qin Yuchen: 78%
Qin Lian: 81%
Qin Mo: 74%
Qin Mo looked offended.
"Why am I lowest?"
Qin Lian said, "You complain the most."
"That should increase clarity."
Qin Yuheng checked the lake. freewebnovёl.ƈom
The reflections had vanished.
But in the distance, far beyond the lantern light, something large moved under the water.
The main threat had not appeared yet.
And dawn was still far away.
