Desolate Mage: A Legend Reborn!

He sneered in triumph as his trap was successful - he had converted the entirety of his defensive layer of mana into a tremendously potent sand blast that had so far destroyed every enemy he had faced thus far!

"I"m sure you would have never thought that my posing as a close ranged fighter was all to lull you into a sense of security! You"d never have guessed that my specialty and finis.h.i.+ng move is a ranged attack! Even though you are truly a worthy enemy... There can only be one victor!"

"Hahahahahaha!!! Mwagahahahah-AGH!!!??" Byrus could only gape in shock as he saw an unbelievable scene.

The black sword was still in Susano"s hand - but was at his throat!

The quivering dark blade glinted dangerously in the dim lighting, the only source of light being from the opening above them where sunlight shone through. But even then, Byrus was sweating - he could see just how sharp and deadly the blade was, notwithstanding the fact that his layer of defensive s.h.i.+elds had been consumed for his ultimate attack!

He kept silent, waiting to see what the panting Susano would do. He was not unscathed, in fact, if they were forced to fight another round from the start again, Byrus was confident he would come out victorious! Bloodied and battered, Susano was panting in exertion and bleeding all over from escaping the attack!

Byrus couldn"t help but ask as he faced his fate of sure death.

"How... How did you escape my attack...?"

Susano did not smile despite being the victor in this clash to the death. He merely looked fatigued and as if he had once more aged, his grey hairs turning more white. He retained his serious look and focused to ensure the bandit did not pull any more tricks as he gave a simple explanation.

"The Susano you had seen since you entered the sewers... Was just my shadow clone. Though in exchange for it keeping all of my strength and abilities, I still receive most of the damage it takes..."

Byrus nodded slowly. As expected, there was another trick behind the happenings. No matter. In the world of cultivation and combat, each combatant usually had 3 or 4 specialty moves - and anyone who had survived to the Grandmaster level and the age of their 40s or 50s was no pushover.

The leader of the Sand Crabs closed his eyes. Despite being unable to avenge his blood brother, he was not worried even if he died.

After all, after being reunited with Raghu in the afterlife, his killers Susano and Lars would soon join them - as his master, Elder Goingsteady of the Earth Core Sect would bring his enemies to the grave with him!

So Byrus smiled and said, "I see..." as he closed his eyes and prepared for the end.

"Don"t think you"ll get off so easily! We have countless treatments to ensure you remain in a state of undeath, wis.h.i.+ng you could die but unable to ever have that release! Now tell me! Who is behind you and that boy!? Why are you opposing us of the Underworld!? Do you belong to Duke Valentine"s faction?"

Susano was not done yet. He had not fought so hard and pursued the pair of a.s.sumed master and disciple just to kill them and let them off so easily. His brows were furrowed together as he asked his questions fiercely.

Upon hearing this, it was Byrus" turn to furrow his brows. What was this man talking about...? Since when had he... Oh! He still thought that the kid was his disciple. No matter; he just had to clarify that.

And since the man said he would not kill him and would torture him... Was it that he did not know his ident.i.ty from the start...? Perhaps this had been a misunderstanding all along!

And so Byrus sucked in a deep breath as he prepared to say his part and explain his ident.i.ty.

"I have no idea who is behind that kid! I am not related to him in any way except as an enemy - I, Sand Crab Byrus pursued the killer of my blood brother, Sword King Raghu of the Sand Crab raiders! I came to Gorun City as my lieutenants caught his trail leading here; once I got here, I sought out my master, Elder Goingstead of the Earth Core Sect! However, as he just began his travels, I instead referred to Elder Light Breeze of the Great Tree Sect for information instead! You can verify this with Elder Light Breeze, I"m sure you know who he is, right?"

Susano frowned even deeper upon hearing this, unsure whether he was to believe what the fierce man was telling him. But based on what was said, it was something truly easily verifiable - his worry was just that all this was just a delaying tactic to buy time, as the boy was currently loose with his whereabouts unknown!

So Susano contemplated and ruminated over it seriously for a moment before making his decision.

"Very well. I have decided to give you a chance - for now! But one false and move and I will immediately and quickly cut your throat, no questions asked! Now come, lead the way! I, "Blacksword" Susano of the Four Paths of the Underworld will follow you to see Elder Light Breeze and verify your story!"

After those words, Susano"s eyes narrowed and grew sharper, emitting a palpable killing intent that could only come from one who had slain enemies in the four digits, and breathed out a slow and steady, low-voiced threat.

"...And if it proves to be false, don"t expect that anyone can come to save you! The Four Paths of the Underworld has not only me to reckon with, and the Laughing Man who presides over us all has long earned the right to sit at the same negotiating table with the Four Great Families and the Duke"s Household! Now go! Lead the--WHO"S THERE??!"

The a.s.sa.s.sin Lord of the Underworld cried out in shock as he suddenly realised that an enemy had sneaked right up behind him - and he was defenceless to fight back as he had to commit 99% of his focus to keep Byrus at sword"s point!

Which meant that... If this person were an enemy, he, Susano was done for!

Susano sweated buckets even as Byrus watched on with intrigued eyes full of expectation - whether or not the newcomer was on Susano"s side or not, Byrus was certain that he could make use of this chance to escape!

And so he tensed up his muscles and channelled his mana inconspicuously as he made ready for any chance to flee!

The Blacksword and Sand Crab looked on cautiously and with trepidation as a large, hulking figure dressed completely in black emerged from the shadows, yet still somehow could not be made out clearly, blending into the darkness around him! The figure rippled with muscles and moved gracefully despite it"s immense size. It was dressed completely in black gothic clothes that looked to be incredibly high quality, emitting a black glossy sheen in the dark surroundings - all black, except for hints of white along the fringes which threw the two men off their guesses of the person"s ident.i.ty!

But they could only observe the new visitor for just a moment before they were rendered immobile - for to their horror, the towering black shadow flickered momentarily... Before penetrating both of their defences and guard to lock it"s hands onto their throats in a lethal claw grip, just one jerk away from shattering their windpipes!

Barely able to breathe and not daring to make the slightest move for fear of antagonising this new foe, Byrus croaked out a soft, "Who are you!??" while Susano"s eyes bulged in horror, fear and gasped as he recognised who had just captured them!

Demon Maid of the Underworld, Sharon, protector and personal maid of the powers that be above even the Laughing Man, her eminence Redmane Seline!

"D-D-Demon Maid S-Sharon...! W-what are you d-doing!?? Why are you holding me c-captive as well!! We"re on the same side, right! Let me go at once, I mean, my lady, p-please l-let me go...?" Susano turned whiter and whiter as he spoke raspily and out of breath as he saw the Demon Maid"s expression grow colder and colder at his words...

Almost as if he were digging his own grave deeper and deeper as he said more!

"W-what are you doing!?? Help!!! HELP!!!!?" "NOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Both men flailed about frantically but did not dare to strike out as her hands constricted around their throats and cut off oxygen to their brain. They were fighting with all they had because of the horror that was occurring before them...

"Hi boys~~! Good to see youuuu both here~~~!" The now 2.5 metre tall Sharon who was continuously growing displayed her graceful and exquisite new mannerisms, fruits of her diligent practice at acting feminine, causing both the men to almost puke as they were crushed against "her" chest in a bear hug!

They struggled against Sharon"s strength but found that they couldn"t move an inch - the demon maid was too b.l.o.o.d.y frickin" strong!!

Were they... Going to be ravaged to death at the hands of this muscle-bound maid...?!!

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"

The two men screamed mentally and began to froth at their mouths in the scar-faced man... Woman"s sweet embrace, even as "she" giggled cheerfully and playfully in "her" deep, rough and booming voice... While trying to use her falsetto to sound more feminine.