Draco, Richard…
Two different names, but they seemed to point to the same individual.
This revelation sent Mike’s mind reeling.
What was Shadow Nine’s true motive behind this arrangement?
What if this wasn’t Shadow Nine’s doing at all?
There were too many unanswered questions surrounding James, questions that also involved Terenas, Michael…
Michael’s dying words had been directed at James.
Who had instructed Michael to deliver those words?
Apollo.
And who had sent Mike to the Ninth Abyss?
Apollo…
This wasn’t Shadow Nine’s game!
As Mike pieced together the puzzle, the spatial rift began to close, their conversation nearing its end.
“Ace, I need to tell you something important.”
Ace approached cautiously, unsure of what Thor was up to.
Mike put his arm around Ace’s shoulder, leading him towards the spatial rift.
Then, he slammed his palm into Ace’s back.
“Go!”
Ace was no match for Mike in a straight fight.
Even with his guard up, he couldn’t withstand Mike’s lightning-infused palm strike, amplified by Charge Up!
The moment the attack connected, Ace’s [Near-Death Power Up] activated, propelling him through the spatial rift.
The portal closed behind him.
“One less liability to worry about,” Mike said, feeling a sense of relief. “Time to travel light!”
The upcoming battle would involve beings at level 990 and above. Ace wouldn’t stand a chance.
This was the perfect opportunity to send him back to safety.
“This is where the real heavy hitters come out to play!” Mike declared, his voice brimming with confidence.
The Ninth Demon God, Shadow Three, Thor…
They were too powerful. Anyone else would just get caught in the crossfire.
“Um…” Joseph, hesitant to interrupt Thor’s enthusiasm, spoke up. “I’m still here…”
Mike turned around and saw Joseph standing awkwardly in place, his expression freezing.
He had completely forgotten about Joseph!
But Joseph was a Nine-Star Lord. Surely, he had some tricks up his sleeve.
As Mike tried to reassure himself, the Demon Emperor’s Hall began to tremble.
The Ninth Demon God chuckled, his voice a low growl. “The passage is open.”
“My fifth brother is coming. They’re coming…”
Mike looked towards the entrance.
[The death-seeking Fifth Demon God is approaching!]
[The Progenitor of Ghosts is approaching!]
[Current survival rate: 100%!]
Just as Mike breathed a sigh of relief, the Eye of Truth delivered a surprise.
[Current survival rate: 99.99%]
???
Why lower the survival rate right before the battle?
…
In the Fifth Abyss, under Draco’s protection, James had managed to break through the demon horde.
He had survived, not because of his own strength, but because the demon army had a more important objective.
He lay hidden among a pile of rubble, the demon horde a mere stone’s throw away.
If discovered, his fate was sealed.
He remained vigilant, his gaze fixed on Draco.
“Senior, are you alright?”
“By Shadow Nine’s command…” the crimson-eyed shadow replied, its voice a monotonous drone.
James frowned. He had tried communicating with Draco several times, but the shadow only repeated that single phrase.
He needed a new plan.
Fortunately, he had a contingency plan for this situation.
“Send a distress signal. Hold your position and await rescue.”
Following protocol, James pulled out a flare, preparing to launch it.
*Fwoosh*
Before the flare could reach its apex, an invisible hand snatched it from the air.
James’s heart sank. He gripped his weapon, scanning his surroundings.
“Well, well, well. Look what we have here,” a sultry voice purred. Several figures emerged from the shadows, surrounding the rubble pile.
“Come out and play, handsome guy. It’s been ages since I’ve encountered such a young one.”
Six individuals.
James’s gaze swept over them, noting the demonic energy swirling around their bodies. He instantly recognized them as members of the Demon Cult.
Those who betrayed humanity and joined the Demon Cult often fled to the Abyss once their identities were exposed.
These six individuals had clearly been residing in the Abyss for quite some time. “You’re James, right?” A voluptuous woman with a particularly impressive backside stepped forward, her voice a honeyed trap. “The promises our lord made still stand. All you have to do is agree, and your power and status will skyrocket. And as a bonus,” she winked, “I’ll be your personal plaything.”
Her gaze was predatory, filled with amusement.
She looked at James as if he were a toy, a mouse caught in a cat’s playful grasp.
James scoffed. “And if I refuse?”
“Refuse?” A hulking brute roared. “Then you die!”
He swung his massive axe, aiming for James’s head.
*Clang*
Draco intercepted the blow, his form flickering as the axe struck. The blood-red hue
surrounding him intensified.
“Careful!” the brute warned. “There’s something strange about his shadow!”
“He’s a Blood Shadow!” one of the Demon Cult members exclaimed. “Why is a Blood Shadow
on the battlefield?”
“Is the Guardian Shadow that desperate for manpower?”
|| 11
The Demon Cult members exchanged uneasy glances, their apprehension growing.
The voluptuous woman spoke again. “James Sterling, how about we make a new deal?”
“Oh?” James eyed her warily, feigning interest.
“We have four Lords, two Chiefs, and a horde of demon creatures at our disposal,” she explained. “You have a single Chief tier shadow protecting you… We have the upper hand.”
James didn’t deny it.
She was right.
Draco, despite his strength, was no match for a Lord.
Moreover, after their prolonged battle, Draco’s condition seemed to be deteriorating. He was
clearly reaching his limit.
This wasn’t the time for heroics. He needed to buy some time.
“We’ll let you go,” the woman offered. “Leave the Blood Shadow behind. We’ll pretend this never happened. You can return to the human world and continue being their hero. We won’t hold it against you. And maybe we can even collaborate in the future…”
She paused, sensing James’s hesitation. “Let’s be honest, once he fully transforms into a
Blood Shadow, he won’t be able to distinguish friend from foe. He’ll be more of a threat to
you than a protector. Hand him over, and we’ll put him out of his misery. Consider it a mercy
killing, hahaha…”
The Demon Cult members erupted in cruel laughter, their voices devoid of empathy.
This offer was their twisted form of charity.
They were tempting James, testing his resolve.
In their experience, human resolve was a fragile thing.
“Well?” the brute with the axe demanded. “Spit it out!”
“If you refuse, I’ll kill you first, then force him to fully transform into a Blood Shadow,
condemning him to an eternity of suffering!”
James’s face paled as he listened to their threats.
He glanced at Draco, who stood protectively by his side, oblivious to the conversation.
James looked down at the Blood Sea badge on his chest, the Demon Cult’s countdown echoing
in his ears.
“Three!”
“Two!”
“One!”
Just as they were about to attack, James spoke.
His face was pale, his voice trembling with anger as he glared at the six smug Demon Cult
members.
“Fuck you all!”
