The Last King Of Darkness
Chapter 279 - 199 Death Mission

Chapter 279: Chapter 199 Death Mission

Rod met his teammates in the hall of the Military War Department.

There were only two people, "The Undefeated of Iron Furnace City," Demetri, and a green-skinned man named Tomman.

But the hall was full of high-ranking officials and attendants, showing the Royal City’s emphasis on this mission.

Demetri was a silent and muscular man who answered the senior officials’ questions only by nodding or shaking his head.

Tomman seemed quite frivolous and unreliable, slouching on the bench and ignoring the people around him.

A high-ranking official announced loudly, "Everyone has arrived, and we don’t have much time left, so get ready to set out."

Demetri nodded, standing up.

Tomman didn’t want to get up and spoke out loud, "Lord Herman! This guy looks like he barely has any hair, is he really up to this?"

The senior official said sternly, "He is a complete Spiritual Visionary."

Tomman spat, "So what if he’s a complete Spiritual Visionary? It’s such a dangerous mission, we don’t have the time to protect him, he must be able to protect himself; Lord Herman, look at him, he looks like he just started school, does that really work?"

Herman spoke sharply, "This is the King’s order."

"Fine fine fine, but don’t blame me if the mission fails, and not a penny less of the compensation should be given."

Herman’s face became very unsightly, but fortunately, he didn’t continue speaking and got up and walked out of the hall.

"Let’s go, big guy, little demon, it’s our time to make a heroic sacrifice, for the Holy Fire, for Humanity, for Trolian, charge!"

He shouted blandly, almost as if he was sarcastic.

Rod frowned and asked, "What’s up with this guy?"

Herman sighed lightly but said nothing, only saying, "Let’s depart."

They walked out of the hall, and a Floating Spirit Car had been waiting for them outside the hall.

Rod stepped onto the Spirit Car, and the three of them set off.

No send-off, no blessings, the people from the Military War Department stood outside the hall, silently watching them leave.

The Spirit Car stopped at the City Gate of Royal City.

From there, they had to walk by themselves.

The three of them were empty-handed, possessing only a Star Disk to guide their direction, and brought nothing not even the necessary Spirit Lamp.

"Here!"

The green-skinned man, Tomman, shoved a Red Tear Stone into Rod’s chest.

"Just one, when it’s used up, just wait for death."

Rod frowned and asked, "Why aren’t we bringing a Spirit Lamp?"

"Ha!" Tomman sneered, "Looks like you really are a newbie. What crime did you commit to be sent here to die?"

Demetri spoke gravely, "We can’t alert any existence lurking in the darkness. No spirituality item bearing any mark of fire can be carried, residual glow, Residual Fire, all are direct projections of the Power of Fire, and can’t be brought along."

Tomman scoffed coldly, "Kid, it seems you have never left Trolian for missions. That is the truly dark world, filled with countless terrifying beings, and we won’t have any support. The slightest carelessness could result in instant death. It’s not too late to turn around now, you might still save your life."

Rod casually said, "No need, it’s to die anyway."

"Suit yourself, but if you can’t keep up with us, you should just go home and be a baby."

Tomman spat out and took big steps towards the west.

He was fast, but Rod had specifically trained for long-distance escape and short sprints, and now his Spiritual Energy had greatly improved. Although the King said there was no change, he felt it very clearly; he took a step forward and could leap out dozens of yards, staying firmly behind the green-skinned man.

Tomman’s face turned green, yet he couldn’t shake off Rod.

After walking for a while, Demetri suddenly said, "Tomman, I’m tired."

The green-skinned man immediately stopped, "Then let’s rest for a while."

The three settled down right there. In the dense Black Fog, only a faint red human shape was visible.

Demetri placed the Star Disk in the center, from which countless glowing lines extended.

His thick fingers traced one of the lines.

"We will go west, cross Wind Fury Cape, and then arrive at Eternal Sealed Land from Sword Bay, these here and here are the key points, we just need to place sixty tons of Corrosive Material at these two points to complete the mission."

Rod looked around.

"Where’s the sixty tons of Corrosive Material?"

Gaspering for breath, the green-skinned man, Tomman, said, "It’s with me."

"His characteristic is Space movement, he can move substances from a specific space to his side."

"Oh."

Rod finally understood why they had set off directly, as the supplies had apparently been prepared in advance.

No wonder such an important mission included such a person.

Unexpectedly, apart from him in the Royal City, there was another person possessing the capability to store items in a space.

Demetri continued.

"We must reach the target location within twelve clock hours, or the position of the monster horde will change; particularly, the Corrosive Bug Swarm from Sigles will render the Corrosive Material ineffective," he said.

"The two nodes are respectively 330,000 yards and 360,000 yards from us, and according to tactical principles, our pace should be 70,000 yards per clock hour."

Tomman sneered, "Big guy, stop the nonsense. Just tell us what to do and we’ll listen. After twelve clock hours, if we all drop dead, the 100,000 silver coins for compensation won’t be missed one bit. Why care so much?"

Rod frowned; it was his first time meeting such a teammate.

"If you’re so afraid of dying, then why take up this mission?"

Tomman yawned, lying down on the ground: "What can you do about it? There’s no one stronger than me at spatial teleportation in the Royal City."

Demetri said, "Spatial teleportation has three factors: object size, weight, and distance. He is the unique teleporter with seven Fireworks, capable of transporting a 60-ton, 30-yard high Corrosive Material from 360,000 yards away to his side."

Tomman sighed, "Can’t help it, capable people tend to die early."

Rod frowned, "If this mission is so important, why not send more, stronger people to complete it?"

Tomman scoffed, "Naive."

Demetri said in a grave voice, "The node is to the west where the defense circle is just a narrow segment to the west. Any location over 100,000 yards completely leaves Trolian’s territory. A very powerful individual would generate powerful waves of Spiritual Energy, which in the silent Dark World, would alarm more unknown horrors. Once a battle ensues and the disturbance escalates, the mission would undoubtedly fail."

Tomman scoffed: "So what’s the use of tirelessly training to become so strong? Can you be stronger than the monsters? In my opinion, we might as well not strain ourselves. Wouldn’t it be nicer to live happily and die contentedly?"

Rod’s expression darkened: "If you don’t want to do it, bring the Corrosive Material now and I’ll do the rest."

Tomman let out a mocking laugh, ignored him, and turned over, giving Rod his back.

Demetri, as if nothing had happened, continued.

"I have six Fire Sparks, one of which can reduce our disturbance by one level, and another can achieve optical invisibility. Once we leave Trolian’s territory, I will use these two capabilities to hide us. Please try to avoid fighting and only act out of absolute necessity," he advised.

Rod suddenly asked, "Can we fly there?"

Demetri shook his head, "No, after leaving Trolian, the sky becomes a restricted zone. Under no circumstances should we be more than one hundred yards above the ground."

"What about the Spirit Realm?"

"Spirit Realm travel is extremely unstable, and disturbances within the Spirit Realm ultimately reflect back to the material world, causing unknown disasters."

Tomman sighed, "Nothing is possible; that’s just our situation."

Rod frowned, "Why are you so sure we’re going to die? Can’t we return alive and claim a handsome reward, leading a happy life thereafter?"

Tomman’s scornful voice almost burst through his nostrils.

"The grand heroic story of overcoming dark monsters and triumphantly returning home. Even kids don’t believe that anymore. When you’re chopped to pieces, your guts spilling out, when you’re corrupted and your consciousness is chaotic, you’ll realize that all these are lies fabricated by the nobles to send you to your death."

He sat up, pointing to his nose.

"Let me tell you, everything in this world is false, only money is real. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the 100,000 silver coins of compensation; this mission is doomed from the start."

Rod sneered, "What use is money if you’re dead? What does others’ happiness have to do with you? Let me tell you, everything in this world is false, only staying alive is true. We will definitely succeed in this mission and we will definitely return alive to Royal City."

Tomman snapped, "Fine, then you live well!"

Afterward, the two did not speak on the matter again. Demetri went over the details of the mission once more, and the three of them then silently hastened on their way.

Demetri led at the front, maintaining a pace of 70,000 yards per clock hour.

This pace posed no pressure on Rod, but it was quite challenging for Tomman, needing a rest every half clock hour to continue.

Their route bypassed any strongholds, with endless darkness all around.

And while they occasionally glimpsed the lights of outposts, these were fleeting.

About one and a half clock hours later, they officially left Trolian’s range.

Completely free from the influence of fire, the rolling Black Fog became even more intense, sinister, and filled with malicious intent.

The Red Tear Stone was no longer completely protective; Rod noticed his Humanity was declining, evidently already eroding.

Demetri activated his Fire Spark ability; all three became invisible, their presence fading, leaving only a faint red light which was easy to overlook.

Demetri whispered, "From this point on, we must be cautious. Ahead lies Wind Fury Cape, home to many Soul Devouring ghosts, and rumors say a very powerful Soul Devouring Demon slumbers deeper within. Do not stir them; Rod, you and I will lead the way and try to avoid all monsters. Tomman, stay close."

Tomman weakly acknowledged.

The three slowed their pace, proceeding cautiously forward.