92: Chapter 92: Advance into the Dark Abyss 92: Chapter 92: Advance into the Dark Abyss Vampires’ mansions never scared Leon, he just barged in alone, let alone with company.

Although that person just had a fight, punching someone to the ground, moaning pitifully with a blood-covered face, he still sat there unflinchingly and drank.

Leon walked over with his drink and sat across the so-called Evil Wolf.

Of course, Evil Wolf wasn’t a wolf; it was just a name.

He was human, with coarse short hair, messy sideburns, and a stubbled chin.

His eyes were deep brown, sharp and profound, his face had strong lines, and his arms were covered with scars, possessing a bit of the aura of Wolverine, the uncle.

Evil Wolf, hearing the footsteps and the sound of a stool moving, lifted his head wanting to spit some harsh words, only to see the person sitting across from him having a pair of backward-swept horns, eyes blazing like flames, and cheekbones covered with crimson scales, presenting a terrifying predatory appearance.

His lips moved without making a sound, and when he spoke again, his voice was two notches lower: “Who are you, and what brings you here…You didn’t come to pick a fight, did you?”

Eventually, Leon retracted his wings and tail for a simple reason—big wings looked cool, but they made it inconvenient to lean against the wall.

The big tail was tiring to lift and would fall to the ground when lowered, and the streets of Crossroads City were messy, the Flower Garden was not too bad, but the Lower District was truly littered with dung and urine everywhere.

Otherwise, Evil Wolf’s voice might have dropped by another two notches.

“Let’s cut to the chase,” Leon raised his cup and drained it, “I want you to take me to the Dark Territory.”

Evil Wolf crossed his arms, his voice somewhat low and hoarse, asking: “Who told you that I’ve been to the Dark Territory, that I can take you to the Dark Territory?”

“Betty,” Leon said, “a Female Dwarf Mage.”

“Aha, so that crazy old lady sent you here,” Evil Wolf glanced at Leon, “Do you know the Dark Territory is dangerous?”

The Dark Territory is collectively referred to as the underground world.

Although it is underground, it doesn’t mean it’s cramped…

although some tunnels indeed shrink so narrow that even Halflings struggle to squeeze through, but most are quite large, with the largest caverns resembling a miniature surface world, complete with hills, valleys, underground rivers, and lakes.

As long as one can transform into Dragon Form in the Dark Territory, many dragons mix and mingle there, so Leon had nothing to worry about.

“What dangers could there be in the Dark Territory… Gray Dwarf, Dark Elf, or Mind Flayer?” Leon shook his head, saying, “Not afraid.”

“It seems you already have some knowledge about the Dark Territory beforehand, not like many people who come to me for guidance to the Dark Territory without any preparation…” Evil Wolf leaned back in his chair, crossed his hands behind his head and propped his feet on the table, “Since that is the case, I won’t say much more; I am not working here for free.”

“Of course.” Leon nodded slightly, understanding that receiving money for services is the natural order of things.

“Ten gold coins, upfront, and the full amount,” Evil Wolf gazed at Leon, “Otherwise if you die in the Dark Territory, who will I ask for the rest?”

Regardless of the country, the currencies in circulation all have similar specifications, differentiated by the metals used in minting which assigns their value.

Gold coins are not often directly used in transactions but are a common unit for measuring wealth.

A skilled craftsman, working hard for a day, can earn one gold coin, which can buy a goat or be exchanged for ten silver coins, each of these silver coins could hire a laborer for half a day or provide a day’s rest in a modest inn.

Evil Wolf demanding ten gold coins was not high, but neither was it low, but since Leon had money, mostly acquired through looting, he didn’t mind spending it, reaching out and placing ten gold coins on the table.

Evil Wolf, seeing Leon directly pulling out ten gold coins, obviously startled, licked his lips and said, “Let me emphasize, I’m only responsible for guiding, nothing else.”

“No problem,” Leon said nonchalantly.

Evil Wolf simply reached his hand out and took all the gold coins, smiling, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll just run off with the money?”

“It’s not worth losing my life over ten gold coins,” Leon laughed.

Evil Wolf felt a chill on his back looking at Leon’s smile, and said, “Don’t worry, I have principles; everyone in Crossroads City knows I’m the most honorable.”

Leon was noncommittal and asked, “When do we leave?”

“Anytime,” Evil Wolf whistled to summon a waiter, handed over a gold coin, “Get me a beef platter; don’t overcook it, I like it juicy.”

Refined gold and Whisper Tree Bark just ahead, Leon couldn’t wait to head to the Dark Territory.

Evil Wolf, satisfied after devouring a large platter of beef, needed no further preparations and led Leon out of the city.

Getting to the Dark Territory is not so straightforward; first, one must find a deep hole leading to the Dark Territory, and these holes are often in desolate places, surrounded by dangers…

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“We need to go through the Dark Territory, so we must cross the swamp ahead.” Evil Wolf suddenly sniffed the air, “Wait, I smell Lizardfolk.”

Lizardfolk are primitive reptilian humanoids lurking in swamps and jungles around the world.

Only fools regard Lizardfolk as scaled humanoids because their desires and thoughts are driven by a set of fundamental principles different from warm-blooded animals, characterizing their mysterious thought processes.

“In Crossroads City, there are Lizardfolk who indeed are loyal and reliable allies, but these Lizardfolk are not; they’ll just think of you as a freshly roasted steak,” Evil Wolf nodded at Leon, “Now that you know, let’s go.”

Narrowly defined, swamp emphasizes the presence of peat, whereas broadly, it refers to all wetlands.

Arriving at the low-lying swamps, Leon finally had the chance to use his Water Walking Technique.

Walking on water in such a place is very useful as he moved across the swamp with ease, finding an opportunity to attack the closest Lizardfolk.

Leon in human form was not as powerful as in Dragon Form, with significantly weakened strength and constitution, but when faced with some Lizardfolk, the human form didn’t really matter, as it was as easy as chopping vegetables – he easily killed that Lizardfolk.

Stealth operators excel in killing unseen.

A quick cover of the mouth and a slash across the neck could end a life without others noticing.

However, Leon was not a Stealth operator; rather, he could be considered a Magic Knight as he used Spells.

Killing one Lizardfolk would certainly not go unnoticed, alerting other Lizardfolk immediately.

Alert them if it happened; weak Lizardfolk, even their leader’s Challenge Level, might not equal a Vampire Derivative.

Leon didn’t care, slashing each Lizardfolk as they came, using an immobilization spell to hold a Lizardfolk motionless for minutes, unlike facing an Efreeti or Vampire which could only be briefly paralyzed.

Meanwhile, Evil Wolf had already walked some distance in the swamp.

Hearing a shout, he looked back and saw Leon amidst a thrashing of Lizardfolk, almost done with them all.

“What are you doing?” Evil Wolf looked at the bodies of Lizardfolk on the ground, “Why did you kill them all?”

“Weren’t you the one who said we must go through the swamp to get to the Dark Territory?

How can we go if I don’t kill them?” Leon said matter-of-factly.

It wasn’t weird for him to think like that; in his eyes, Lizardfolk were not people but monsters, and from his past gaming experiences, he was used to killing, more so now that he had transformed into the Red Dragon.

Evil Wolf’s expression twisted, baring his teeth, “Better anything more rather than anything less, just bypass them, that’s it.”

“I didn’t think that way…

I’ll pay attention next time.” Leon said with an awkward smile, “Anyway, the killing’s done, didn’t take much time.”

“What do you mean ‘almost’?” the Dark Territory is dangerous, and Evil Wolf didn’t want to lose his life there.

He glared at Leon warningly, “Lizardfolk aren’t strong, I can kill them too, but there’s no need…

We should conserve our strength for the Dark Territory.”

“If you love to kill so much, I’ll let you have your fill in the Dark Territory, but only if you’re still alive to do it,” Evil Wolf was still not appeased.

“Alright, I understand,” Leon was amiable; he still needed Evil Wolf to lead the way.

Leon was the employer, and undoubtedly powerful, so he had to be shown some respect.

Evil Wolf just mentioned it briefly and did not elaborate further, “I tell you, if you want to go to the Dark Territory, you have to listen to me…

Alright, I’ll also be more careful next time, and be more detailed.”

After this small episode, the two continued forward.

They came upon a ruin deep in the swamp, currently occupied by a group of Lizardfolk.

“The entrance to the Dark Territory is inside that ruin, you can see it once you enter,” emphasized Evil Wolf, “We now need to stealthily move in…

using your best method.”

Evil Wolf bent down, adopting a stealth stance, glanced back at Leon, and carefully walked into the ruin, using the broken walls to avoid the Lizardfolk’s sight…

His stealth skills were formidable, making no noise as he walked; quickly vaulting over windows and walls, moving with ease into the depths of the ruins.

Not sure how long that guy will take, hopefully, he won’t be discovered halfway through and end up fighting.

As he thought this, Evil Wolf heard a familiar voice.

“This hole in the wall leads straight to the Dark Territory, doesn’t it?”

Evil Wolf looked up at Leon, then turned back and said, “How are you ahead of me?

Even with Invisibility Technique, you still have to move; you can’t be faster than me.”

Leon wasn’t adept at stealth, so he chose to use the Gathering Form and Scattering Energy, which not only rendered him invisible but also increased his movement speed, “I have my ways.”

“Don’t want to say, then don’t, everyone has secrets,” when he mentioned ‘secrets,’ Evil Wolf chuckled, “You’re really good; I’m glad I don’t have to nanny and wipe butts anymore.”

“I hate wiping butts the most,” Evil Wolf cursed, it seemed he had suffered greatly before.