Chapter 2192: Start of the Counterattack (Part 2)
......
The Malefic Swap was one of the high-level maps near the Oath City, which was filled with dark-type monsters that ranged from level 175 to level 185 while their ranks hovered between Elite and Overlord Ranks regularly.
Based on the attributes and characteristics of monsters here, it was quite clear that it was a perfect place for Demonic Players to establish the core altar.
This was the reason why Mister Jiang and Poseidon were keeping a close eye on this place ever since they had launched a battle against the demonic players had broken out.
Unfortunately, they did not have any Runemasters or players expert in Array and Formations, which was why they were unable to uncover the exact location of the core altar in this place despite having a solid suspicion.
It wasn’t until Hades arrived that Poseidon found a bit of breathing space, knowing that their most urgent problem would be solved with this guy’s presence.
...
A team of demonic players was scouting the area within the isolation formation, ensuring no one could enter when they approached the most crucial part of their operation.
They might have lost almost all the minor altars, which were supposed to provide the core altars enough slaughter energy that would be transferred to the main sacrificial altar that was being guarded by their most elite group.
However, the core alters were still able to gather all the slaughter energy that was filling the air after the constant clashes between their side and the allied force from the Oath City.
Even though it was much slower without the help of the minor altars, the intensity of the battles between the two sides made up for the loss.
Since they had lost the ’energy sources’ meant for the core altars, all they had to do was to increase the amount of slaughter energy lingering in the air, making it easier to gather.
They had to make sure that they would be able to guard this place properly to avoid any accidents from happening and further complicate the current situation.
Snap!
"Eh!?"
One of the scouts from the group seemed to have heard a snapping sound nearby, making him halt his steps.
Such a sharp and distinct sound was easy to recognize. It sounded like a dried branch when it was stepped on.
This sound made it extremely suspicious, especially when they were currently in a swamp, filled with tall grass and huge tree roots spreading everywhere.
If there was such a sharp and noticeable sound, then it was without a doubt caused by someone.
Realizing this, he suddenly became tense and swiftly put his guard up, while slowly approaching the direction from which the snapping sound came.
Seeing his actions, the others, who were nearby, swiftly adjusted themselves and slowly moved alongside him, maintaining their formation.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
They carefully cleared the tall grasses while slowly advancing.
However, despite advancing for quite a while, they were still unable to see the sign of anyone who was supposed to cause the earlier sound.
They had even made a huge clearing within the swamp after cutting off a huge area filled with the tall grasses, yet they were unable to find anyone.
Snap! Snap! Snap!
It wasn’t until this moment that they realized where exactly those sounds were coming from.
"Above!"
Shouted by one of them, making everyone within the group raise their heads.
That was when they saw a bunch of blazing eyes staring at them behind the dark shades that the tall trees cast over the entire swamp.
"What are those?" mumbled one of them while taking a closer look at those blazing eyes. Upon closer inspection, he immediately realized that they were eyes unique to undead creatures.
Not long after, he immediately realized what kind of undead they were. "Spider Hounds!"
Not only him, but his colleagues as well. They immediately realized that they were currently being ambushed by an unknown individual, who seemed to have stumbled upon this place.
"Found you~!"
There seemed to be a word from someone coming from one of these Spider Hounds, seemingly telling them this place had been exposed.
Roar!
They were about to make their move when the Spider Hounds jumped off the trees and started falling at them one after another.
Not only that, but they had also found themselves surrounded by Skeleton Hounds, which suddenly jumped out of the swamp’s water and sealed off their path of retreat.
Grr! Grr! Grr!
Most of them were bitten in different parts of their bodies, making it impossible to escape.
They also tried to fight back, but both the Spider Hounds and Skeleton Hounds possessed an undead venom that paralyzed their bodies to a certain extent, making it harder to properly move.
Quite a few of them managed to hold out for quite a while, but still fell under the relentless attacks from these undead creatures.
The quick-witted ones tried to contact their superiors, wanting to inform them about the exposure of this place.
Unfortunately, they suddenly revealed that the place was currently sealed by an Isolation Array, which blocked off any type of communication.
What made it even worse was that the opposing side did not kill them. They were left barely hanging on to their lives while being paralyzed by both the undead venoms and the critical status of their health bars.
They could only curse their luck for encountering such a ruthless opponent.
Outside the array, Hades could be seen standing in a leisurely yet dignified manner. He was constantly giving orders to his undead creatures, which were keeping the demonic players paralyzed.
Leaning on a nearby tree, Diablo was watching everything unfold with arms crossed before him. "Using his undead creatures to neutralize the scouts while isolating them from the outside. Such a standard yet clever way to prevent the other side from learning about us."
He then tilted his head to the side a little before asking. "But don’t you think that this will only make it more suspicious that they cannot contact their scouts?"
"That is something that we can’t avoid," replied Hades before adding. "But it will at least buy us some time."
It was at this moment that Loki, who was sitting leisurely at a quite tall tree root sticking out from the swamp, suddenly clicked his tongue. "Tsk! Tsk! Why are we bothering with all this trouble?"
"You should just in and slaughter everyone, destroy the altar, and proceed to the next location," he added, hating these kinds of complicated stuff.
Given his skills and profession, it was not hard to just sneak inside his enemies’ ranks and assassinate the strongest enemies and leading figures before slaughtering everyone else after.
He could also play them by disguising himself as other people, having his fun before killing them one after another.
"We can also do your style if you want to," said Hades, understanding Loki’s temperament.
Hades himself was known for his stealth abilities as well, which was something that made him unique among all the necromancers in the game.
A Necromancer that was capable of sneaking into his enemy’s ranks before summoning his army of undead to slaughter everyone.
It was also one of his signature styles that made his name resound throughout the virtual world.
"However, that will make our opponents fully aware of our presence," he added while turning to Loki.
"Don’t worry. I will give you some free time to do whatever you want later. Just wait patiently until we are clear about their movements," he continued.
Hearing this, Loki could not help but feel a bit excited, pointing at Diablo. "Will you let me fight this guy then? He is more interesting than those demonic players!"
The corner of Hades’ mouth when he heard this before saying. "That will have to be done until we fully stop those demonic players from doing whatever they are plotting."
He then turned to Diablo before adding. "And it depends on our friend here whether he will accept your challenge or not."
Diablo ignored the latter part of those words before asking. "So, what’s the plan next?"
Hades made sure that he had dealt properly with the scouts from the camp of the demonic players and captured them with the prison prisms that he had brought before answering. "Are the two of you interested in competing at another form?"
Hearing these words, both Diabo and Loki immediately realized what he was trying to say.
Swoosh!
Poof!
The two did not even reply and swiftly moved.
Diablo turned into a dark shadow, melding into the shadows covering the entire swamp, while Loki disappeared into smoke, indicating that he had entered stealth as well.
Seeing the two move decisively, Hades shook his head along with a bitter smile.
He first thought that it would be a challenge to keep the two in check, especially Loki, who was always eager to fight against those with a similar profession.
But who would have thought that it would be this easy? A simple hint was more than enough to make them move.
...
