CHAPTER 118: CHAPTER 118, THE MIST IN THE DARKNESS_1

Caroline: "What’s going on?"

Jiang Chen: "I’m on a mission, facing a Dark Mage who can resurrect newly deceased warriors to use in battle. Is it like you?"

Caroline: "Yes, Dark Summoners possess a Soul Sacrifice Skill that allows them to turn deceased Demonic Beings into their pets. The more powerful the pets, the stronger the Dark Summoner becomes. What mission are you on?"

Jiang Chen: "To kill Demon King Elliot."

Caroline: "Are you insane? Demon King Elliot is a Demon King under the Evil God, very powerful. How did you get involved with him?"

Jiang Qiu: "Have you reached the first stage?"

Jiang Chen: "Not yet."

Xueli: "Be careful. Dark Mages aren’t that scary; just watch out for their Summoned Beings."

Caroline: "Jiang Chen, the truly fearsome aspect of Dark Summoners lies in their ability to store Summoned Beings. If it’s a powerful Summoned Being, you need to attack its Soul Flame."

Jiang Chen: "I know."

Caroline: "If you kill Demon King Elliot and he drops a Skill Book, don’t forget about me, dear brother."

Jiang Chen turned off the Legion communication. "It’s just as you said; Demon King Elliot is a Dark Summoner. But I have a question—why would a Demon King under the Evil God possess a Hero’s skills?"

Black Phoenix explained, "They belong to a different faction. They don’t just have Summoners; they have other professions too, growing just like us."

A different faction, huh!

Black Phoenix continued, "In our world, there are many who haven’t successfully changed their profession. Some of the Evil God’s minions infiltrate, take them away, and turn them into slaves, into monsters—much like the Philin warriors you’ve encountered."

"It can work like that?"

Black Phoenix nodded. "Just like the last siege they launched. They invade to enslave people. Those who disobey become food, and the obedient ones turn into slave warriors."

Black Phoenix went on, "It’s called assimilation. If one day we’re caught by the Evil God’s minions, we’ll either become food or Dark Creatures."

"Do they still retain their memories then?"

"What do you think!"

The group continued on their way.

Soon, they approached the palace. They observed the towering structure, cloaked in an aura of darkness, appearing as if hidden within a dense fog.

Jiang Chen’s figure flashed, darting into the fog for a moment before retreating.

Jiang Chen said, "There’s a dark presence inside. Venturing into the fog is fraught with danger. You can’t see your hand in front of your face; it’s like a labyrinth."

Black Phoenix frowned.

If you can’t see your hand in front of your face, how are we supposed to kill Demon King Elliot?That guy is hiding inside the palace—does that mean we have to give up?

But giving up simply wasn’t an option. Once a mission was accepted, it persisted, even in death.

Black Phoenix was starting to regret it. If only she’d chosen a difficult-level mission instead.

After a moment of contemplation, Black Phoenix said, "I won’t give up. Jiang Chen, you take Ruo Li and leave. If I don’t come back, take good care of her for me."

Jiang Chen was about to speak when Ruo Li nodded. "Don’t worry, Jiang Chen will take good care of me. You go!"

Black Phoenix rolled her eyes.

What the hell? I’m your husband, and you’re telling me to go?This woman really wants me dead.

Jiang Chen chuckled. "I’m not going to take care of her; she has her cucumbers."

"Can we please not mention cucumbers?"

"Cucumbers are hydrating."

Angelina stomped her foot in frustration. "You two, stop flirting! What time do you think it is? Still in the mood for jokes?"

Jiang Chen turned to look at Angelina. Black Phoenix isn’t even worried, so what are you anxious about?

Jiang Chen said, "There are two options now. The first is for me to go alone to kill Demon King Elliot. I’ll kill him and bring you his heart."

"However, if I do that, you all will be in danger, especially since you’re with two burdens."

Ruo Li was displeased. "Hey, who are you calling a burden?"

"When did I become a burden, Jiang Chen? You better explain yourself!"

Black Phoenix pondered. The first option was clearly unsuitable; it was her first-stage assignment, and she didn’t want to put Jiang Chen in danger. Moreover, Ruo Li and Angelina had no offensive power. If monsters attacked, they would easily die. This was not an outcome Black Phoenix wished to see.

Black Phoenix asked, "What about the second option?"

"The second option," Jiang Chen explained, "is for us to go together, but we must hold hands. In the fog ahead, it’s so thick you can’t see your hand in front of your face. If we get separated, we’ll easily be attacked."

"Hold hands? How would you attack?"

Jiang Chen said, "You don’t have to worry about that. My Sword Qi doesn’t require using my hands to attack; it’s a mind-controlled attack."

Angelina chuckled. "We could wait for the Dark Fog to disperse, then we can go in."

Jiang Chen shook his head. "It’s not as simple as you think. This fog has obviously been around for a long time. It won’t clear up even if you wait for a year or more."

Black Phoenix said, "Jiang Chen, just take Angelina and Ruo Li. I’ll follow behind you, matching your steps."

"And I’m a warrior. As long as I’m not killed instantly, I’ll be fine."

Jiang Chen considered it for a moment. That could work.

Luckily, his Dragon Slayer skill didn’t require hands to cast; otherwise, this trip could have been very troublesome. Angelina held Jiang Chen’s left hand, and Ruo Li held his right.

Ruo Li’s little finger playfully drew a small circle on Jiang Chen’s right palm.

Jiang Chen’s right hand trembled. He turned his head and glared at her.

Senior, can you not mess around at a time like this? It’s a matter of survival! Can’t you be a bit more serious?

Jiang Chen felt that Ruo Li’s hand was very fair, smooth, and soft... as if made of water.

Ruo Li smiled. "Why are you staring at me? Haven’t you seen a beautiful woman before?"

"Stop it."

Ruo Li giggled. "Now, I believe it."

"Believe what?"

"That you’re a pure man."

Damn it...At a time of life and death, you’re saying this to me...

Black Phoenix watched the two holding hands and flirting right in front of her. She’d have to deal with this woman properly when they got back.

Black Phoenix was actually quite pretty; even her Heavy Armor couldn’t hide her curvaceous figure. It was just that deep down, she possessed the boldness of a man. She was born with the makings of a man; it was a pity she was a woman. As for why Black Phoenix got involved with Ruo Li, it was because Ruo Li had led her astray.

Ruo Li stopped her hand; she had only been teasing him. This was a matter of life and death; she knew when to stop. She just enjoyed holding Jiang Chen’s hand. If Angelina weren’t there, Ruo Li might have thrown herself into Jiang Chen’s arms.

Jiang Chen didn’t have time to dwell on this; instead, he was closely monitoring their surroundings. In a place where you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face, only a Perception Skill would be effective. Who knew how many monsters were hiding nearby!

Neither Angelina nor Ruo Li had the ability to protect themselves, so Jiang Chen had to be extra cautious.

Just as the four of them entered the palace, the surrounding stone statues opened their eyes. Pieces of their stone bodies began to fall away. Their pupils were black, and holding weapons, they advanced towards Jiang Chen and his companions.

Black Phoenix asked in confusion, "What’s that noise?"

"I don’t know, but it seems like danger is approaching."

Jiang Chen said, "There are monsters getting closer to us."

With a thought, Jiang Chen unleashed his Sword Qi. Dozens of Sword Auras struck swiftly, sweeping through the surrounding monsters. But to Jiang Chen’s surprise, the monsters didn’t die after the impact.