Chapter 311 Chapter310-Darkened Lands
"Thank you for the information, Niel... We'll be departing soon. This time, those damned vermin will meet their end."
A hint of ruthlessness resonated in Saphir's voice, showcasing his readiness to exact his revenge.
Though concern painted Niel's features, he chose not to dampen Saphir's spirit further.
Placing a comforting hand on Saphir's shoulder, he intoned, "Above all else, your safety is paramount... 'A green hill remains, no fear of no firewood'. Only by staying alive can you truly fulfill your desires."
Saphir pursed his lips, his sturdy frame tense, determination etched across his face.
"Rest assured, I won't be reckless. Having come this far, it's unlikely I'd falter at the last hurdle. Over the years, in pursuit of revenge, I've prepared for countless scenarios. Now is the time for those cursed rodents to pay..."
Listening to the exchange, John remained silent.
He recognized the importance of the burning passion within Saphir at this moment and believed that it would play a pivotal role in their mission against AGHHO.
He had faith in both Saphir's prowess and unwavering resolve.
Soon, Saphir and John stepped through the gates of Cloud Sea.
An overwhelming aura of murderous intent emanated from Saphir, signaling his readiness to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Gazing northward towards the region known as the "Darkened Lands," his eyes shimmered with an unyielding spirit.
For a decade, he relentlessly tracked his adversaries.
In pursuit of vengeance, he'd sacrificed and given up much, but he never relented.
Now, armed with knowledge of his enemies, he saw his chance, the culmination of his destiny.
"Captain, let's move on," Saphir urged, turning and striding purposefully northward.
John followed closely behind, embarking on the path to the Darkened Lands.
After several hours of travel, the duo reached the brink of the Darkened Lands.
Directly ahead, a shadowy forest loomed.
Trees withered and barren, and a foul stench wafted towards them.
The desolation of the place felt as if the land itself was cursed.
[System Notification: You have entered the Darkened Lands (Restricted Zone)]
"This place truly emanates an eerie and menacing aura," John remarked, surveying their surroundings.
Saphir silently nodded, gripping his weapon tightly as magical energy surged around him.
After a brief discussion, they decided to split up to expedite their search for AGHHO's base.
Both were well aware that upon venturing into the Darkened Lands, they might encounter assassins dispatched by AGHHO, and they must tread with utmost caution.
Swiftly activating his invisibility skill, John's figure gradually vanished into the dark forest.
Silently navigating through the trees, he sought any concealed entrances.
On the other hand, Saphir chose to project his presence, aiming to intimidate any lurking foes and divert their attention.
His very being radiated a chilling intent to kill; if AGHHO's assassins were hiding nearby, they would undoubtedly sense this powerful aura.
One conspicuous and one concealed, they progressed rapidly.
As they ventured deeper into the Darkened Lands, an increasing number of malevolent creatures began to emerge.
These beasts glared at them with ferocious eyes, seemingly eager to tear them apart.
Carefully avoiding these entities, John remained ever vigilant.
He knew that maintaining stealth and prudence was key to successfully locating AGHHO's base.
It wasn't that confronting them directly posed a challenge, but rather that assassins, adept at skulking and fleeing, might be alerted and escape.
Saphir, however, confronted the malevolent beings without hesitation.
For him, the notion of hiding bore no relevance.
He didn't possess John's aptitude for complete concealment; it made more sense to face adversaries head-on.
Besides, even if the assassins noticed him, they wouldn't perceive him as a threat...
Brandishing his wand, Saphir unleashed potent spells, effortlessly defeating each malevolent entity.
As minutes ticked by, the two navigated through the Darkened Lands, earnestly seeking the entrance to the base.
They drew closer to their objective but simultaneously encountered even mightier adversaries.
High-ranking assassins from AGHHO began to emerge, exhibiting swift agility and sinister, venomous attacks.
Saphir had no choice but to fend them off at full force, enduring a series of intense combats.
The physical pain began to accumulate on him, but he didn't falter. Instead, his resolve to fight only ignited further.
Meanwhile, John remained silent, always in the vicinity but never actively engaging.
It was a strategy they'd agreed upon before their journey.
John wouldn't intervene unless it was a matter of life or death, so as not to alert these skittish assassins.
Finally, behind a shadowed thicket of trees, the duo stumbled upon the entrance to the base.
It was a cunningly concealed portal, nearly imperceptible to the unsuspecting eye.
Only with meticulous observation could one discern the gateway.
Saphir and John exchanged glances, determination gleaming in their eyes.
They had, at last, found their destination.
"What do you think? Enter together or split up?" Saphir whispered, his face betraying an undeniable excitement.
John pondered for a moment, "Let's split up and ensure we don't miss any AGHHO member."
Saphir concurred.
Once inside the cave, John opted to search the left pathway, while Saphir took responsibility for the right, hoping to find the elusive '54'.
After progressing a bit further, John found himself in a more serene chamber with a mirror embedded in its wall.
Delicate tendrils of energy emanated from the mirror, suffusing the entire space.
And the source of this energy appeared to be an adjacent room, its door tightly shut.
John's divine power reached into the room, and the scene revealed caused him to raise an eyebrow in concern.
He surmised that this might be the chamber where AGHHO drew its energy for the base and decided to venture inside for a closer look.
Pushing open the door, John swiftly entered.
He found himself in a dimly lit room, where light barely seeped through the windows, just enough to discern the surroundings.
The air in the room was thick with dark energy, as though every corner pulsated with a malevolent presence.
Several individuals were shackled to the room's corners, chained, bearing scars, and exuding exhaustion.
They were being forced to supply AGHHO with wicked spells and dark power.
A stir rose in John's heart. Approaching these innocent souls, he softly reassured, "Fear not, I've come to rescue you."
Their fatigued and despondent eyes lifted, growing restless upon seeing John.
One among them, trembling, inquired, "Are you a warrior from the Empire? Please, save us. We've been forced to serve AGHHO for far too long."
John nodded, responding in a calming tone, "Rest assured, I'll do everything in my power to free you."
Without delay, he cast a spell to break their bonds, liberating these common folk from the chains that bound them.
A warm surge of strength revitalized them, and their bodies gradually regained freedom. With gratitude in their eyes, they offered to assist John against AGHHO.
Yet, John declined their earnest offers, subsequently departing from the room, pushing further into the depths.
Simultaneously, Saphir also entered the cavern.
He found himself in a gloomy corridor where the walls were inlaid with gems, emitting a sinister red glow, radiating an eerie aura.
Surveying his surroundings, Saphir could sense lurking perils at every turn.
Suddenly, a cadre of AGHHO assassins burst from the shadows, launching an assault on Saphir.
Facing them with composure, Saphir raised his wand, swiftly chanting a potent magical offensive.
The assassins, upon the initial confrontation, were gravely injured by his attack, but they persisted, surrounding Saphir with wolfish tenacity.
The magical aura emanating from Saphir intensified, forming a protective barrier, effectively countering the assailants' onslaughts.
An overwhelming intent to kill surged within him, instilling a fearlessness against the onslaught. Drawing from his formidable magical prowess, he dispatched the assassins one by one.
After the fierce battle, Saphir successfully subdued all the attackers.
Gasping for breath, weariness weighed on him, but he knew this was just the beginning of the fray.
Continuing his journey, Saphir navigated the corridor to find himself in an even more unsettling chamber.
His eyes glinted coldly; darkness and the stench of death permeated the air, as if signaling the presence of 54.
Rounding a corner, Saphir's gaze immediately locked onto a shadowy figure clad in black robes, standing silently at the room's center, head bowed.
A searing rage engulfed Saphir at the sight; he knew this silhouette all too well.
A memory that would haunt him for life!
His eyes sharpened like blades, focusing intently on 54, the nemesis who had once claimed the lives of his wife and child.
A cunning smirk graced 54's lips as he stared defiantly at Saphir, a sharp dagger in hand, emanating a chilling aura of malevolence.
"Saphir... it's been a while, hasn't it? I heard you've been searching for me these past ten years. Seems you've finally found me," 54's voice dripped with icy sarcasm. "Your wife and child, their screams under the shadow of death's wing... quite entertaining."
A frostier glare settled in Saphir's eyes, his grip tightening on his flame-engulfed wand.
"You have no right to speak their names. Today, I'll see you burn in penance for your lifetime of sins!" he spat vehemently.
A burst of flame shot forth from Saphir's wand, hurtling towards 54.
With nimble agility, 54 sidestepped, evading the attack effortlessly.
Extending his hand, a surge of dark energy erupted, targeting Saphir.
Swiftly, Saphir cast a fire wall spell, trapping the dark energy behind a barrier.
Given that assassins inherently possess a dark affinity, 54's aura bore a striking resemblance to the abyss, albeit without its grotesque distortions.
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