Darian?
The name of Shadow Eleven might sound unfamiliar to some.
But Mike remembered it clearly, the words appearing before his eyes:
[Darian, originally the corps commander of the Blood Sea Corps, a six-tier Lord.]
[While stationed in the Blood Sea Abyss, he was ambushed by the demon race, resulting in over half of the Blood Sea Corps being killed or injured, nearly leading to its reformation. Corps Commander Darian died in this battle.]
[Darian’s most famous and beloved disciple was Terenas.]
[Terenas’ son once used Darian’s story as an example to persuade Terenas to betray the human race!]
Mike had a rough idea of why Darian called himself a ‘sinner of the human race.’
First, as the corps commander, Darian was caught off guard by the demon race’s ambush, causing over half of his corps to be killed or injured.
The death toll from that battle exceeded 100,000.
The Blood Sea Corps, named for its experience in the Blood War, held special significance but was nearly reformed after that battle!
Such hatred had to be avenged, blood for blood!
Maxen single-handedly stormed the Blood Sea Abyss, completely destroying it.
This battle was also one of Maxen’s famous battles.
The immense loss of the Blood Sea Corps weighed heavily on Darian’s heart.
Even with Shadow Nine’s help in ‘reviving’ him, Darian couldn’t forgive himself.
Seeing his former comrades, like himself, turned into half-human, half-ghost beings, neither dead nor alive, barely clinging to life.
Darian found it hard to forgive himself.
Secondly, if it were just negligence and being outsmarted by a demon god, Darian could have found an excuse for himself.
Even an Ultimate Lord could fall to a demon god’s attack, and he was only a six-tier Lord at the time, the gap in rank was too great.
It was Terenas’ betrayal that completely broke Darian’s spirit.
He never expected his most hopeful and highly regarded disciple to commit such a heinous act!
Joining the demon cult, betraying comrades, and using the demon god to upgrade to Lord…
If anyone else had done this, Darian would have wanted to tear them apart.
But when Darian woke up, Terenas had already made a grave mistake.
After becoming a Lord, Terenas learned some human secrets and met his master.
Terenas knew his sins were deep, and he only sought death.
Darian intended to kill Terenas first and then commit suicide to atone, feeling unworthy to live in the mortal realm.
Shadow Nine merely watched coldly, showing no intention of intervening.
Then, a white cloud appeared.
What Apollo and Terenas talked about, Shadow Nine didn’t know.
But Shadow Nine was sure of one thing: Terenas would eventually die by his own blade.
For betraying his comrades, Terenas had to pay with his life.
After that day, Terenas’ strength rapidly increased, quickly becoming a nine-tier Lord and taking the position of the fourth demon cult Leader.
Darian worked tirelessly within the Guardian Shadow, eventually taking the position of Shadow Eleven, guarding Professor Gregory for decades.
Time flew by until one day, the Tower of Truth announced an SSS-level rating conquer.
A new potential Supreme Being of the human race had emerged.
Terenas knew the day had come.
It was time for him to die.
That night, the fourth demon cult was defeated, and the fourth demon cult Leader was severely injured and fled…
This led to everything Mike experienced afterward.
Of course, only Apollo, Shadow Nine, Terenas, and Darian knew these details.
Mike didn’t know.
He could only piece together the truth from the fragmented information at hand: Terenas’ changing attitude was likely related to Darian!
Shadow Eleven’s identity revealed some secrets within the Guardian Shadow to Mike and also unraveled part of the mystery surrounding Terenas.
It now seemed that a significant number of people within the Guardian Shadow might be those who had ‘died’ for various reasons.
Shadow Nine, through some means, forcibly helped these people extend their lives. But these ‘revived’ individuals had souls that were ultimately damaged, different from ordinary people, and could only live in the shadows.
Because of this, the Guardian Shadow placed great emphasis on the study of the Soul Element.
Mike nodded slightly, already forming a plan in his mind. Next time he changed class, he had to find a way to obtain the Soul Element!
With the help of the Eye of Truth, Mike’s achievements in the Soul Element would undoubtedly exceed expectations.
The prerequisite was that his talent needed to undergo a Second Awakening!
There was no need for more words.
Cedric led the way, and Mike supported Gregory, walking forward, not forgetting to turn back and wave to Terraon(Amari) and Darian.
Their figures quickly disappeared from view. Shadow Eleven’s face was once again covered by black mist, returning to silence.
The two were about to take out their communication crystals to contact Shadow Nine.
A red shadow swiftly flew across the sky, a woman’s voice unusually urgent, “Shadow Ten, where’s Thor?”
Shadow Ten was stunned for a moment and honestly replied, “He went with Professor Gregory and Cedric Blackwell to see Ares.”
“Idiot!”
Shadow One stomped her foot in anger, cursing, “The real reason you were assigned to guard Thor was to make sure he didn’t get a chance to be alone with Professor Gregory, and certainly
not to meet Ares.”
Shadow Ten fell silent, no longer responding.
Shadow One couldn’t tell if Shadow Ten genuinely didn’t understand Shadow Nine’s
intentions or was just playing dumb!
Fuming, Shadow One could only fume more. “You’ve ruined Shadow Nine’s plans!”
The red shadow began to change colors rapidly, turning red, then white, then black.
“This is bad, if Shadow Nine gets angry, the consequences will be severe.”
“Maybe I should discuss with Shadow Two and Shadow Three about running away with the
Tower of Truth…”
Amari silently looked in the direction where Thor had disappeared.
As a Guardian Shadow, there were things he couldn’t tell Thor; it was his duty.
But Professor Gregory could.
Or rather, Gregory was the only person in the entire human race who could tell Thor this.
…
Supporting Professor Gregory, Mike coughed lightly and cautiously asked, “Professor
Gregory, should I take off my mask?”
Professor Gregory chuckled,
“You have a human skin mask under your mask. Whether you take it off or not, what’s the
difference?”
Mike fell silent.
Being with Professor Gregory had one downside: it always made you doubt your own
intelligence.
It was a terrible feeling.
Mike felt he needed to communicate more with Shadow Seven and Blaze Morrow to regain his
confidence.
Professor Gregory didn’t continue to tease Mike and said seriously, “You want to ask that
question, right?”
Once in the Suture Abyss, Professor Gregory had said, ‘Next time we meet, I have something
to tell you about Shadow Nine.’
Since then, they had met several times, but Professor Gregory had never said that sentence.
Given Professor Gregory’s intelligence and character, he hadn’t forgotten the sentence. There
was another reason he couldn’t say it!
Mike had figured it out long ago because… the Guardian Shadow was always nearby!
What Professor Gregory wanted to say was related to Shadow Nine, and if he said it, the
Guardian Shadow might interrupt!
But Ares’ side didn’t allow the Guardian Shadow to be present.
This created the space for Professor Gregory to say what he wanted to say but couldn’t!
Mike’s attitude was respectful, “Professor Gregory, please enlighten me.”
“Thor, this is important, you must remember it.”
As Gregory Blackwell began to speak, Cedric Blackwell, leading the way, stopped and asked,
“Son, are you sure you want to tell him now?”
“Yes, I must tell him.”
Professor Gregory insisted, “Apollo once told me that Thor’s growth rate is different from
every previous one. He must be prepared in advance.”
“As you wish.” After speaking, Cedric Blackwell looked behind him, where a red shadow was sneakily
following.
“Take one more step, and you can try.”
The long sword on Cedric Blackwell’s back trembled slightly, eager to strike. The red shadow
was reluctant but had no choice but to retreat.
Shadow One wasn’t afraid of Cedric Blackwell, mainly Ares!
Here on the Abyssal battlefield, Ares truly held the power of life and death.
If Shadow One offended Ares and was killed, it would be a pointless death.
“Speak, you have five minutes.”
Cedric Blackwell stepped aside, leaning against a wall, eyes half-closed.
“Thor, listen carefully. First, you must remember that Shadow Nine has no intention of
harming you.”
Listening to Professor Gregory, Mike nodded.
He could tell whether someone was good or bad.
Shadow Nine might have a bad temper, but he was actually a good person.
Professor Gregory continued seriously, “Shadow Nine has always wanted to obtain something
from potential Supreme Beings, something called the [Supreme Mark]!”
“But Shadow Nine failed with Ares and Apollo. Knowing him well, he won’t give up.”
Supreme Mark?!
This was the first time Mike had heard of it.
Professor Gregory continued,
“The Supreme Mark is now with Apollo. But after Apollo’s battle with the Supreme Demon
God, he will pass the Supreme Mark to you.
At that time, it will be Shadow Nine’s only chance. You must guard the [Supreme Mark] and
not let Shadow Nine get it!”
Hearing this, Mike’s expression became slightly serious.
The Supreme Mark, as a legacy between Supreme Beings, was understandable.
But what it did, Mike didn’t know.
Why Shadow Nine wanted it, Mike also didn’t know.
The Eye of Truth hadn’t undergone a Second Awakening and couldn’t provide answers on this
matter.
Mike had many questions, but Gregory shook his head, saying helplessly, “I’m weak, and this
is all I know. I can tell you two more things.
First, most of the beings in the Guardian Shadow are alive because of Shadow Nine. If Shadow
Nine dies, they will cease to exist.
“Second, my speculation… if the [Supreme Mark] falls into Shadow Nine’s hands, aside from
the other Guardian Shadows, Shadow Nine will surely die, with no chance of revival!”
Mike fell silent, and a silent prompt appeared before his eyes:
[His speculation is correct; both things are true.]
Seeing the prompt, Mike nodded slowly and said solemnly, “Alright, I promise, even if I die,
Shadow Nine won’t get the Supreme Mark.”
Because Mike wouldn’t die, Shadow Nine would never get the Supreme Mark.
Any issues? No issues!