Chapter 11: Wing Crystal Clan

A spell barrier identical to Ali's rose around Father Owen's body.

It was likely an item that auto-protected its owner, shielding them before they could react.

But times had changed; bolstered by multiple spells, Rod only wanted to say he could even cleave the stars themselves!

Every muscle on Rod's body bulged high, his ferocious aura as crushing as a dragon's, impossible to breathe through.

Pfft!

The barrier shattered at the sound.

The steel sword's swing carried on as if nothing had hindered it, chopping straight down from the top of the opponent's head.

Anyone who saw that frenzied strike would have believed without a shred of doubt that it would split the man in two.

Father Owen reacted.

But only in time to dodge the fatal spot of his skull.

The steel sword cut in from his shoulder, all the way down to his chest.

Had it not been for the extraordinary-quality book in his hand jamming the blade, that strike would surely have cleaved him clean in half.

"Aaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!"

Blood spurted out as if it cost nothing.

Ping!

Father Owen's face twisted savagely as he twisted the thick book in his hands, snapping the steel sword lodged inside his body.

Then he poured a magic potion into his mouth while retreating frantically.

Rod's face was splattered with blood, his gaze locked tightly on his opponent the whole time.

His right hand flicked sharply, and the broken blade shot straight into Father Owen's thigh.

Seizing the moment when the man staggered, he drew his spare steel sword, his legs exploding with tremendous force as he leaped and closed the distance to right in front of him.

Father Owen was gravely wounded and could no longer react in time.

He could only watch helplessly as the steel sword hacked into his unusually thick neck.

Psssh!

Fresh blood splashed out.

A thick, sticky sensation traveled up the hilt; halfway through the cut, it became hard to push further.

Looking at his neck, there was a neck-guard shimmering with a faint spiritual glow.

"Don't even think of blocking me!!!"

Rod was already worked up, transformed into a berserk state.

At this moment, the two hearts inside his body were pumping at their absolute limit.

His body temperature rose, faint wisps of steam rising off his skin.

At the same time, the strength in his arms surged once more.

Father Owen sensed the force on his neck.

The relief that had just risen instantly turned into boundless terror.

He didn't understand — he didn't even know why the man before him wanted to kill him!

"No!!!!!"

"Die for me!!!"

Slickk—

The head hit the ground.

Under the tremendous inertial force, Rod spun half a circle on the spot.

The spurting blood rained down from midair, crimson instantly filling his vision.

Tally on one side had already reverted to her true form.

She gazed at her master's figure.

She couldn't help clamping her thighs together, pressing a hand over her heart that was pounding wildly.

Her full, moist lips shimmered with a faint purple glow; the demon's black eyes narrowed slightly, the thick mist of lust within growing ever denser, nearly dripping out.

"Such rich, delicious essence — even if you asked me to stay by your side for a lifetime, what of it?"

Rod's kill had gone smoothly, and he breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Seeing Tally's lovesick expression,

he decided to play the dashing rogue, sweeping his right hand through his loose hair from his forehead all the way back.

Tally shrieked, leaping over and pawing at his pants.

Rod got a fright and hurriedly pinned her down.

"You're the one who came on to me first."

"Wait till we get home — once we're home, you can do whatever you want with me."

Having swallowed the big cake he'd drawn for her, Tally finally quieted down.

Rod didn't bother sorting the loot on the spot, stuffing the whole lot into his spell satchel.

"What about that Young Lady? What are you planning to do with her?"

Tally transformed into a tall, striking rock spirit, her body adorned with deep obsidian and vivid rubies.

She said it helped suppress desire.

"Don't worry about her. The priest said her sister is coming to rescue her."

His main purpose in coming here was to eliminate the threat.

Personally, Rod didn't really want to show his face in front of those noble lords.

He really liked the job of forest ranger, and hoped to keep this peaceful life going.

These noble lords each hold their own territory, widely recruiting retainers—given the state the Etheron Kingdom is in now, who knows if they harbor rebellious intentions.

Also, damn the Yige Sect, I hope they stop eyeing this place.

"Let's pull back."

"I can't walk anymore, keeping you hidden in my shadow the whole time—I'm exhausted~"

". Then what do you want."

"Carry me~"

The succubus had been a great help tonight, and Rod was willing to indulge her once.

He took off his blood-soaked clothes and wiped the blood from his face.

Then he turned his back and gestured for her to climb on.

Tally shifted back into her true form, rushed over, and clung tightly to Rod's back.

She giggled coquettishly.

"Not suppressing your desires anymore?"

"When have you ever heard of a succubus needing to suppress her desires?"

The two chatted and laughed as they were about to head down.

"Please wait!"

From the direction of the labyrinth's back door, a distant call rang out.

Rod was instantly on guard.

But as the other party drew closer, he realized it was actually a Wing Crystal tribesman.

The Wing Crystal tribe is a fairy race only as tall as a human head, fond of staying in places like mineral caves with special metals.

Two pairs of crystalline golden wings grow on their backs, fluttering in an interlaced fashion during flight, scattering little motes of spiritual light.

This Wing Crystal tribesman was a young boy.

His face wore fear and hope.

His body was filthy, and his cloth shorts were tattered in many places.

Rod understood.

"You're a resident of the labyrinth."

The Wing Crystal boy flew up to him, panting.

He nodded frantically.

"Don't worry, people will be here soon, and they'll deal with the bastards who wrecked your home."

"No, Mr.!"

The boy took several deep breaths and calmed down.

"On behalf of the Wing Crystal tribe's Blue Ice Clan, I commission you to kill every race inside the labyrinth before the human army arrives!"

"Hmm?"

Rod quickly caught on.

The stone gate inside the labyrinth.

They didn't want humans to come, didn't want anyone to discover the stone gate, and likewise wanted to kill anyone who discovered it.

"If Mr. is willing, we will offer you a generous reward."

"You seem to trust me quite a bit?"

Rod countered.

Total strangers, suddenly coming out to commission me—it's pretty suspicious.

"Mr. carries the scent of a tree spirit—it's a fragrance tree spirits deliberately leave on those they favor." The boy gave a wry smile. "We've always had a good relationship with the tree spirit race, and we trust their judgment."

Oh?

Vivian left a scent on me?

But so what, no one to corroborate it.

Seeing him still hesitating, the boy immediately swore:

"I swear in the name of the Emerald Fairy that I absolutely have no intention of harming Mr., and every word is true."

Rod didn't really understand the fairies' faith.

So he looked at Tally on his back.

She nodded.

"The Emerald Fairy is what all little fairies aspire to become—swearing by that name can be trusted."

Rod turned to the boy.

"Tell me about the reward."

"Behind the stone gate is a labyrinth currently being reborn. We're willing to develop it together with you."

The boy paused, then added: "Its former owner was a Wing Crystal tribesman of the Blue Ice Clan; only with the permission of a Blue Ice Clan descendant can one enter."

A newly born labyrinth?

When a labyrinth first appears, the number of aberrant monsters inside is far fewer, and it first affects the environment—plants, minerals, and so on.

These affected plants and minerals are all extremely precious materials.

Rod thought it over.

He decided to take the commission.

He let out a sigh.

He really didn't want to get too involved in noble affairs.

But there was no helping it — what he offered was simply too much.

"I'll take it, but there's a VIP inside — she cannot die."

"That mind-controlled human lady? That can be done. From the moment she entered the labyrinth, her mind was in a sealed state — she doesn't know about the stone gate."

(End of chapter)