Chapter 32

  ( They Do Not Die )

  The Path of Life…

  Walk alone to emerge from the pit of death into life.

  The Path of Death.

  Walk with those you love to emerge from the pit of death into life

  (Warning… the steps of death will not depart without taking a companion with them to death.)

  Along the path, these strange words were written.

  The gate was at the end, surrounded by dozens of knights.

  They wore silver armor and wielded various weapons…

  Nothing could be seen from beneath their helmets except their flaming eyes and an aura thirsty for blood.

  Ian smiled as flames revolved around his fists…

  “Let’s play.”

  Elemental Boxer Class.

  You have reached Level One.

  The Legendary Class Skill Tree has been unlocked.

  You have obtained the skill (Hell Fist).

  Hell Fist

  (Legendary Level)

  Attributes: Delivers a heavy punch with enough power to flatten the ground and shake mountains, targeting a single enemy.

  The soldiers halted.

  Ian descended upon one of them and crushed him.

  Booooooooooom—

  The strike was heavy enough that the knight turned into nothing but fragments scattering left and right…

  Death piled up.

  The black aura returned to surround him, and the battle began.

  Voices rose from the ship as Ian rampaged among them…

  Unstoppable!

  The only problem… was that the dead began to gather again and stand back up.

  Ian’s blows were heavy and powerful.

  But… the knights kept returning to life again…

  Worse still, their numbers began to increase.

  Pressure mounted on Ian, and he retreated.

  He knew survival was impossible if this continued, so he withdrew.

  On the ship.

  Ian breathed calmly.

  “Strange… even though they don’t die, their strength isn’t enough against Dooby and Nour… even Lisa seems strong enough to kill them all before they revive… so why didn’t they leave… or is there something else?” Ian thought in confusion before returning to the shore.

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  “You’re here?” Dooby was surprised for a moment.

  “I’m just wondering what’s below,” Ian said.

  “Why didn’t you leave?” the man asked.

  Ian laughed. “And leave a group of fat fish like you?”

  Dooby was startled, then burst into laughter. “Hahahaha… you really are a Lord. But aren’t you afraid we might be too strong for you to control?”

  “And why would I control you? I’ll get you out of here, and you’ll work for me. What do you think?”

  Dooby smiled. “That’s an impossible endeavor.”

  “What if I manage to do it?” Ian asked.

  Dooby looked at him strangely. “Before I answer… where does your confidence come from?”

  “I simply have it. That’s what a Lord must be. If I were weak or lacking confidence… would I even deserve the position of Lord?” Ian said firmly.

  Dooby looked at him. “You truly possess a strange aura, boy… but fine. I promise you—if we get out of here, we will work for you.”

  “Good. Now tell me about the thing below that’s stopping you,” Ian said.

  “And… tell me honestly, has anyone ever left before?”

  “Yes. Someone did leave!!!”

  “Who???”

  “Me,” Dooby said, startling Ian. “And I returned.”

  “For her,” Ian gestured toward Lisa.

  Dooby shook his head. “Lisa wasn’t here at the time… but… when one person leaves, the tunnel closes. Two can never leave. The thing below will not agree. That’s why I returned… and since then, we’ve been here.”

  “And what is the thing below?”

  “The Guardian of Death… Cerberus,” the man said anxiously.

  “Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!” Ian screamed.

  He had been searching for that monster for a long time because of the empty den, and now it was right in front of him…

  *****

  “Noa… explain in detail what happened to the Lord,” Chris demanded forcefully.

  Behind him stood the entire army, even the three knights.

  “The Lord transformed into a fish, then descended into the lake, and after that… the skill’s duration passed and he didn’t return,” Noa said.

  “And how did you let him go down alone?” Chris roared and stepped toward Noa.

  He was fierce and tyrannical—for his Lord, he could even kill Noa.

  Noa stepped back in fear.

  “General Chris… calm down for a moment. What you’re doing won’t help the situation,” Yora said calmly. She had come with Chris to reassure herself.

  “And are you pleased with what you’re hearing?” Chris shouted.

  “Of course not, but it happened. Now we must return to work at full capacity, carrying out the Lord’s orders,” Yora said.

  “What orders?”

  “Before leaving, the Lord ordered the following… regardless of his situation or location, the village is to operate at full capacity—100%. Any negligence will be dealt with personally by the Lord,” Yora said, lying.

  “And Where is the Lord now?” he asked.

  “He is fine… that is what I can guarantee, and you as well, because of our connection with him… therefore we must trust that he will return, and work until he does and finds the village at full capacity,” Yora said.

  Chris frowned. “And what if he doesn’t return?”

  “Watch your words, General. The Lord will return safely,” Yora said seriously.

  “That’s not what I mean. I mean—why don’t we go down and search for him?” Chris said.

  “General Chris… according to custom, I am the commander in the Lord’s absence, and my orders are as follows: carry out the Lord’s orders in full until he returns. Any negligence will not be tolerated—neither by me nor by the Lord once has he returned!”

  Chris fell silent and did not reply.

  “What’s wrong, General? Are you refusing orders?” irritation crept into her voice…

  “What’s going on? Why the shouting?” a voice they all knew very well appeared.

  “Lord!!!” they all shouted and turned, finding Ian standing behind them… in his hand a small egg, and beside him three people… Dooby, Nour, and Lisa—standing there completely frozen in shock.

  “Make way for the Lord!” Chris shouted and bowed…

  Everyone bowed behind him.

  “Stand,” Ian ordered, then looked at Dooby. “I got you out. It’s time to finish your side of the deal.”

  Dooby fell silent, stared at the sky, and calculated. “Twenty years… it was two years…” He sighed. “It seems there is no escape from fate… and no escape from a word.”

  Dooby took something out and placed it in Ian’s hand, then said, “I’ll leave this thing with you… but my wife and I cannot join you.”

  Ian frowned. “You promised me.”

  “I didn’t believe you would get me out,”

  Dooby sighed and spoke the truth. “Also, the rate of time here and there differs greatly, and because of that… believe me, my presence with you would bring you disasters. Consider the stone compensation for my word. I know it’s not enough, but… and don’t worry, I won’t forget your favor. You can come and look for me at any time—I am Domino, and there are millions who will point you to me. Though I’d prefer you not ask about me… what you learn would shock you. ”Domino laughed, ascended into the sky, and disappeared.

  Ian felt a chill run through his veins… he wiped the sweat from his forehead and stared at the trio who began to rise into the sky without resistance, as if this were something natural.

  His mind… Ian’s mind was screaming in fear now…

  Flying… they are… they are at least fourth level… how?

  I… I was negotiating with someone capable of sweeping through the entire Forest of Horrors.