World Online

Jake clenched his sword as he looked at the opening from which the ninth follower was going to come through.

It was clear that the labyrinth had acted to make sure that the evil beasts would be able to get to the center easily, while Jake and the others would suffer.

Jake looked at the ground, which darkened. And then, there was a boot visible.

Black as night could be, a boot appeared at the bottom of the entrance. And then, the man that wore it appeared.

It was a cloaked man who had appeared. His hood on which created a shadow that cast itself onto the ninth\'s face, completely hiding it.

His robes were also black, and the only thing that wasn\'t black were his two shriveled hands that were barely visible. And even they were a grimy gray.

"Your god is quite strong even though he retreated like a coward. To think that he is strong enough to suppress all of us to the first tier, especially in this place." The ninth chuckled as he said.

"Why the stupid formalities? Come and fight. I will make sure that Evil god will only have eight humans under him after this day." Ganshin scoffed and said.

"Eight humans? Do you really think that the nine of us are the only humans left under his banner? Humans are greedy, young sword master. You know that. Humans are the easiest to turn." The ninth started laughing, his laugh cold enough to make Jake shudder.

"And would you look at that. All of you are also forced to stay in that same level. You are also suppressed. Looks like your god isn\'t all powerful, quite unlike ours." He said, chuckling.

Ganshin wanted to attack, but he didn\'t. He kept his distance, waiting for the right time to pounce. Jake noticed that.

Jake had noticed that Ganshin was not taking the bait. He wasn\'t losing his composure even though his words might have proven otherwise.

"Now then. Hand over the rock that you have over there. I have been coveting it for quite some time, but master made us promise that only after it has been removed by some stupid idiot would anyone be allowed to take it for himself." The ninth said.

"With this rock, I can finally hope to break through to the eight tier. I can\'t wait." He said, rubbing his hands together.

"He doesn\'t even have the rock. How is he so damn confident?" Jake wanted to say, but his mouth remained closed.

This was not a fight where he could afford to make even the slightest mistake. The moment that the ninth follower moved, he would have to defend with his strongest move.

"And this boy, this boy here is quite interesting." The ninth glanced at Jake.

"To think that the God of Light would actually work with one of the knights of sin." He said, shaking his head.

"How much have the gods fallen. To think that they would allow a fallen order such as that to fight under their banner. And yet they call out god evil." The ninth clicked his tongue and shook his head.

Jake was piqued by what the ninth had said. After all, this knight of sin, that was his class! And apparently, there were more? This was a revelation that just couldn\'t be put aside.

"The god\'s decision cannot be questioned. Especially not by a fool like you. You betrayed your race and went over to the other side, offering fellow humans as sacrifices. You don\'t deserve to say a thing. You don\'t even deserve to live!" Ganshin declared.

"I was the one who betrayed the humans?" The ninth shook his head as he slowly lifted his hand.

His right hand grabbed the clock and pushed the hood back, revealing his face.

Jake gasped slightly as he looked at this monstrosity. He was looking at what was shaped like a human head, but was not.

What he was looking at was a mangled block of flesh.

There were scars all over the gray head, without a speck of hair, neither on his scalp, nor where his eyebrows were supposed to be.

There were brown patches of skin elsewhere, and Jake had only one thought when he looked at this head.

"Was he through a fire or something?"

"This is what your dear humans did to their own. Do not lecture me on selflessness and loyalty. I have none toward humans. To have done this not to their enemies, but to a kid just because they wanted that stupid gold from his father, and yet you think these humans are deserved of life?" The ninth shook his head.

"None of them deserved to live. At the least, their life was a little useful because they were allowed to help the greatest god in the world rise one more. And now, he will. He will show the world what the true evil god is." The ninth started laughing, almost like a maniac.

"You… what are you talking about? Just because of the actions of a few, you want to eradicate entire kingdoms? Destroy cities and kill so many women and children?" Ganshin asked.

Jake saw in the corner of his eye that Ganshin\'s hand was behind his back, ruffling through his robes. He was looking for something within his robes and was trying to distract the ninth.

"Why should I show mercy? Those who have not said a single thing, they are as guilty as the ones who did this to me. Why would I do- Wait, what?" The ninth stopped talking as he looked up in the air.

His eyes of pride and arrogance were replaced with fear.

"As you wish, My Lord. I shall complete the task that you have given me." He nodded. He then looked at Ganshin.

"You vile human. Distracting me from what I came here for. I will have your head!"

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