Chapter 853 -838: Those Who Uphold the Way Gain Many Allies

The Flame Demon had fallen for many years, yet its nest was not deserted.

In the cave at the intersection of the tenth layer and the depths, the fluorescent glow clearly outlined the figures lingering within.

Each one possessed extraordinary skills, with differing expressions, united only by the mycelium-formed “D” mark on their bodies.

Above the cave, a narrow passage slanted downward, where Lin Jun once spied on the fierce battle between the Flame Demon and the Silver Thorn Squad.

Now, Ocas stood here, barely exposing his mushroom cap, quietly watching the figures waiting below.

“A powerful enemy will invade from here. If any of you can injure the enemy, you will obtain freedom.” This was what the Mushroom Lord told them three days ago.

Not just the few days’ worth of “freedom experience card” that required risking one’s life, but “true freedom”!

In this terrifying playground where death was not the end, no D Level personnel could resist the allure of this promise.

Hence, even though they all knew the enemy wouldn’t be simple, they still gathered at the passage.

As usual, Ocas quickly picked out a few fresh faces from the crowd, selecting one to be a shield, stepping stone, or rather… a partner.

The playground was never short of newcomers; he could always find someone unfamiliar with the rules to serve as a stepping stone, while the prohibition against private duels spared him worries of retaliation.

Using this method, he had gained numerous benefits with seldom failure.

But this time, his cute Puki exterior and enthusiastic social tactics did not yield the expected results; the Blood Race target he set eyes on completely ignored him.

After several fruitless attempts, just as Ocas was about to give up and switch targets, a loud “thud” echoed as something fell from the distant passage!

In the cave, the front row near the passage was composed of the fewest D Level personnel.

Everyone knew the enemy would be tough, and to wound the intruder, one must advance, but timing was crucial.

If too forward, facing an enemy at their peak might result in being killed without causing any harm; if too backward and the intruder was weak, they might miss the chance for freedom altogether.

Thus, the majority of D Level personnel stayed at a mid-range distance, while those confident in their strength stood at the forefront.

Former empire blood race, Duke Levi was one of those at the front row.

After mere months in the playground, the torment he endured surpassed the total over centuries of life; he struggled with all his might just to preserve his body, avoiding becoming a Puki.

Yet, he knew he was nearing his limit; this promise of freedom was akin to his last lifeline!

He continuously focused on the passage opening, and the instant the intruder “thudded” to the ground, he attacked.

Blood Claw pierced through another eager D Level member beside him, draining the victim’s blood entirely amid their shock and rage.

[Blood Manipulation: Ten Thousand Arrows]

Countless blood arrows shot towards the passage where a stranger human stood from Levi’s perspective.

Just then, someone recognized the intruder and murmured his name: “Link…”

“What? Who?”

Levi’s eyelid twitched, instinctively looking around, seemingly wanting to ask clearly.

But he quickly realized it was foolish to be distracted in battle.

Yet, when he refocused his momentarily diverted gaze, all he saw was a sword edge gleaming under the cave’s fluorescence…

The battle commenced with Levi’s head soaring high into the air.

In an instant, a multitude of attacks clashed against Link’s impenetrable sword light; the cave trembled with each frenzied collision.

For this interception, Lin Jun specifically unleashed restrictions, enhancing the D Level personnel to a great extent.

And in pursuit of Lin Jun’s promise of true freedom, even though all who rushed up died under that terrifying light, each fought fearlessly, striving to inflict a wound on Link.

However, this suicide squad formed by various masters merely slowed Link’s progress slightly.

Well into the cave’s depth, after Link fought for a while, the Demon King descended with the Yellow-covered Book from above the passage.

Witnessing the scene before him, the Demon King’s mucus-composed expression became more solemn.

The Demon King stepped out of the passage, halting abruptly: “Magic Power…!”

Around, magic power was unprecedentedly scarce!

He glanced at the fungal mat spread throughout the cave, instantly understanding the situation.

But what truly worried him wasn’t the magic power issue, but rather that the opponent seemed to be aware of their raid.

“Was this its cautious arrangement? Or…”

As the Demon King pondered, a blood blade whistled towards him, but the ice pillar beneath him grew, freezing the blood blade mid-air before it made contact.

He didn’t turn to look at the sealed weapon but directed his gaze sideways—towards the figure Ocas had earlier tried to recruit.

“Darean.”

“Lord Demon King.” Darean slightly bowed, his etiquette impeccable, but upon rising, he commanded the blood from the fallen D Level personnel around, consolidating more blood martial forces, ready to strike.

The Demon King asked, “Will you also fight for it?”

His response was a swift blood shadow.

The blood blade heavily struck the newly erected earthen wall, nearly severing it, causing stones to scatter.

Darean’s voice followed, no longer calm as before: “It was you who abandoned the empire, abandoned us! Why?”

His eyes churned with confusion and anger: “I once thought you had come to save the empire, to lead us out of our plight. Just like hundreds of years ago, as long as we followed you, we could rebuild that…”

“Rebuild a prosperous, happy kingdom?” The Demon King interjected, slowly shaking his head, “That is merely an unattainable ideal. At least, in this world, it’s unattainable.”

His gaze fell upon Darean’s face, with guilt evident but unwavering determination: “I’m sorry, Darean, I have forsaken you all.”

“How I wish you were defeated rather than… abandoning.” Darean’s body trembled as the guess was confirmed, then steadied himself anew; he looked sorrowfully at that pristine figure, “You are always wiser than everyone, perhaps, even this time, you are right. But… we live here.”

Above the cave, a giant axe formed from the convergence of countless blood soared in the air, with blazing blood light, it crashed down on the Demon King with overwhelming force.

The cave cracked, stones flew, numerous passages collapsed in this destructive clash.

In the apocalyptic scene, countless D Level personnel, the Demon King, and Link danced amidst the chaos!

…

Long after, the soil from a collapsed passage spontaneously shifted open, allowing the Demon King and Link to emerge.

Link bore a few minor wounds, while the Demon King’s white garments were further marred with rips beyond the earlier severed sleeve, losing its spotless appearance.

Clap, clap, clap—

“Foolhardy Demon King and Hero, truly commendable of you to venture here.” At the center of this cave, a Puki gradually appeared, rhythmically clapping with its tendrils, as telepathy spread, “But, your journey ends here!”

“Foolhardy? Ends here?” Looking at the unthreatening band of Puki before him, Link was perplexed by its words.

After all, he had traversed through Layers Nine and Ten, fought against the D Level personnel collective, barely exhausting energy, not even sustaining minor injuries.

“Aiding benevolence, losing fate!” From within the fungal mat emerged a second Puki, gently raising the first one until a third Puki lifted the first to a height surpassing the Demon King and Link, pointing tendrils at them, “Demon King! Your defeat stems from lacking my loyal companions!”

The Demon King showed no reaction, yet Link frowned in puzzlement.

Not to mention, this description didn’t resemble “companions,” more crucially… Link remembered those cannon fodder D Level personnel, unable to stifle his twitching mouth.

However, this was a misunderstanding by Link.

D Level personnel were unqualified to be Lin Jun’s “companions”.

As the Puki tower stacked five layers high, a tendril waved wildly: “Come forth, my companions!”

From several passages ahead of the Demon King and Link, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed.

Soon after, Bado, Eco, Alama… numerous elite warriors from humanity, dwarves, and elves emerged from the shadows of three different passages, blocking their path.

Their expressions were serious, but their eyes were resolute.

The elevated Puki gathered strength for a leap, its mushroom cap spreading as it slowly descended to the forefront of the troop.

“You two, how will you defeat the entire world?”

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