The moment Maxen appeared behind Thor, the Guardian Shadows fell silent.
These top-tier entities were well-versed in the origins of the [Guardian Shadow], a concept initially proposed by Nathan. Nathan had not had the chance to bring it to fruition before he headed off to fight in the Supreme Abyssal.
The real founders of this organization were Morpheus and Shadow Nine-Maxen’s godfather and his father’s talent, Shadow Nine.
In a sense, Maxen was the rightful heir to [Guardian Shadow], though the fact that Shadow Nine left the Shadow Sigil to Thor signified a designated change.
From Amari and Terraon, Mike had learned that [Guardian Shadow] comprised two types of members: those like them, soldiers who died on the battlefield, and those strong in the Shadow element.
Now, it seemed that “strong” might deserve quotation marks- at least none of these top four before Mike were from the human race.
With Maxen standing behind him, he quipped, “Well, why stop talking now?”
The atmosphere tensed up for a moment. Touched by Maxen’s loyalty, Mike joked, “Stone, for that, you don’t have to pay back the money you owe me!”
Maxen was puzzled: When did I ever owe you money?
Now confident in his trump card, Mike turned again to the top three of the Guardian Shadow. With sincerity, he suggested, “Let’s hear your demands, everyone.”
Cedric gave Mike a surprised look. This tone was uncharacteristically genial for the Thor he knew.
Stunning Woman spoke first, “I only have one slightly excessive request-when you reach the 50th floor of the Tower of Truth, help me out with a small favor.”
After hearing her condition, Mike looked towards Bad Woman and Bad Man, who preempted, “We had an arrangement with Shadow Nine!”
Bad Man nodded in agreement, “Right, you can’t kill me. Whether you kill her, I don’t care!”
Bad Woman’s expression darkened, and she began yanking at Bad Man’s hair, shouting, “Go to hell, you jerk!”
Before any external conflict arose, Bad Woman and Bad Man were already at each other’s throats.
After their brief skirmish, Shadow Two laid out his terms, “Shadow Nine used to teach us life lessons every week! We’d like to stick close and learn how to be a human!”
Listening to Shadow Two’s request, Mike nodded slowly, “No problem, that’s entirely within my power.”
At least that was something Mike could handle.
With Shadow One and Two sorted, only Shadow Three remained. The burly man grinned and said, “I’m different from them. I’m not scheming; I just do whatever Shadow Nine tells me to do.”
“If you could,” he continued, “please give me a name. I’ve gone years without one, and when I die, I won’t even know what to put on my tombstone.”
Mike nodded, understanding. Given his words, he must be the most deeply hidden member of Guardian Shadow, aside from Shadow Nine himself.
Among these shadows, Shadow Two was the easiest to deal with, Shadow Three the most complex, and Shadow One the most mysterious.
“I’ve heard all your requests,” Mike declared, looking around. “And I plan to agree to none of them.”
The shadows: …
Cedric and Maxen nodded in approval. This was the Thor they knew.
“All fair negotiations must be based on equal strength,” Mike reiterated their earlier statement.
This rebellion by the four shadows had ended before it even started. The dust settled.
From behind Cedric, another Guardian Shadow stepped forward. Shadow Four glanced at everyone present before walking straight up to Thor, “This is a letter Shadow Nine left for you, detailing many arrangements within [Guardian Shadow].”
Mike opened the letter from Shadow Nine. What would the old trickster say to him this time?
As he read, Mike nodded occasionally, smiled at parts, and at one point, shook his head in disdain.
The shadows craned their necks, trying to gauge the letter’s content from Thor’s reactions. After finishing, Mike tucked the letter away and addressed Shadow One, Two, and Three, “Go about your business.”
“If I’m not mistaken,” Mike added, “you all have your daily tasks, right?”
“Yes!” Shadow One nodded emphatically. “My task is to stay by Shadow Nine’s side.”
“That’s easy to handle,” Mike remarked, looking towards the swordsman who hadn’t gone far. “Shall I call back Ares to reopen the Supreme Abyssal for you?”
Sending someone in shouldn’t be a problem.
“Travel expenses are on me,” Mike offered earnestly.
Inside, Shadow One cursed, “Might as well settle my funeral expenses too!”
To Mike, Shadow One said with a grin, “Look at my memory, I just remembered, I need to supervise a few demon gods.”
With that, Shadow One didn’t wait for Thor’s nod and took off.
Bad Man grumbled, “Not one reliable teammate!”
Bad Woman retorted, “Idiot, you’re the least reliable, always thinking of betraying me!”
After arguing with himself for a while, Shadow Two turned to Thor and stated seriously, “My task is to play fake Thor at the summer camp.”
“Alright, you’ve put in a lot of effort,” Thor acknowledged.
Pleased with the real Thor’s approval, Shadow Two left in high spirits. The mood couldn’t
have been better for him/her!
The immensely powerful Restroom Titan had left with Shadow Nine to the Supreme Abyssal. At the summer camp, no one could bully him/her anymore!
Thinking this, the usually cheerful Shadow Two suddenly put on a mournful expression,
crying out,
“Wah wah wah! Shadow Nine has gone to the Supreme Abyssal, Thor’s level isn’t high yet, what will we do if the demon gods come to kill us, boo hoo hoo!”
“Cry quieter, don’t spill all your thoughts; I hear Thor holds grudges!”
“Ah right, right!”
Mike: …
[Guardian Shadow] wasn’t quite what he had imagined.
Shadow Nine seemed more like… he had gathered a bunch of misfits/demons/god knows what, and in his own way, given them a home. Although this home was rather shabby, not quite shielding from the elements or even remotely airtight, it was still a home. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
The earlier farce of a rebellion was not serious for any of the Guardian Shadows present. It was more about gauging Thor’s stance.
Mike, knowing the room, let each shadow state their terms. Both sides were smart.
These conditions weren’t for the current Mike to fulfill but for a future where he could meet them. Then, both parties would return to the negotiating table, chips in hand, ready to strike
a new deal.
Watching Shadow Two’s retreating figure, Mike was pensive. Other Guardian Shadows might study Soul Element content to see the light of day again. Shadow Two funded Soul Element research likely to cure his/her mental illness.
After sending the first two off, Mike looked towards the last one with a slight headache- Shadow Three.
Seeming the most straightforward and honest, he held the most secrets.
After second awakening, the [Eye of Truth] clearly revealed more secrets from Shadow Three.
For example, the bone ornaments draped on Shadow Three are actually made from the bones
of a demon god.
Politely, Mike inquired, “Excuse me, what task did Shadow Nine assign to you?”
With a guileless smile and a scratch of his head, Shadow Three replied, “Shadow Nine ordered
me to closely protect a potential Supreme Being.”
Looking at the new bodyguard applicant, Mike asked, “Out of curiosity, can you beat an
Ultimate Lord?”
Shadow Three nodded, “Yes.”
Mike: ?! Shadow Three added, “As long as you allow me to ascend to 990 level.”
Mike, collecting his shock, followed up, “What’s the highest level you can reach?”
“999… I guess?” Shadow Three seemed uncertain, “I’ve never tried level 1000, but maybe…
it’s possible?”
Mike, Maxen, Cedric: …
All three were speechless.
Maxen, surprised, realized that being by Thor’s side exposed him to a different world. There
were many details in Guardian Shadow he hadn’t noticed before.
For instance, Shadow Two was actually a demon creature! However, Maxen knew the relationship between him and Shadow Two was extraordinary.
Maxen was sure that in the past three hundred years, Shadow Two had not harmed a single
human and had even made significant sacrifices for them.
What he hadn’t expected was for Shadow Three to be so deeply hidden!
But it was strange…
Why had Shadow Three, hidden for so many years, suddenly revealed his trump card in front
of Thor?
As Shadow Three admitted his strength, he said in an inquiring tone, “Little Shadow Nine, telling you this, I aim to make a deal.”
“Hold on, I find the nickname ‘Little Shadow Nine’ a bit awkward,” Mike interjected, waving a
hand. “Just call me Fourth Bro from now on.”
Shadow Three readily agreed, “Alright, Fourth Bro.”
Shadow Four: ???
Mike nodded, “Continue.”
Shadow Three slowly said, “Fourth Bro, whatever you discern about me in the future, please
keep it confidential.”
Mike hesitated but ultimately nodded, “Alright.”
Shadow Three was always ready to ascend, capable of reaching up to level 999. As a personal bodyguard, his qualifications were undoubtedly sufficient.
Also, Mike was well aware that unless it was a genuine life-or-death situation, he would
never agree to let Shadow Three ascend. Not even Shadow Nine had permitted it during his time. If Mike agreed, it could bring even greater trouble!
Instead of dwelling on issues of strength, Mike switched topics, “Since you’re so powerful,
why humble yourself as Shadow Three instead of Shadow One?”
Indeed!
Maxen was also curious about this.
Faced with Mike’s question, Shadow Three’s face broke into a simple smile, his right hand
scratching the back of his head sheepishly as he explained, “When Shadow Nine recruited me into Guardian Shadow, he let me choose between Shadow One, Two, or Three.” Shadow Three thought back seriously, “I even asked Shadow Nine which number he was, and he said he was Shadow Nine. I figured the higher the number, the stronger the position!” Spreading his hands wide like fans, Shadow Three showed a helpless expression, “So, I chose Shadow Three!”