Backstab Combo with Bonus Critical Damage 3/4
Two weeks later, one morning.
A figure silently traversed the deep valley. Just as it was about to break through the blockade of the dead fog and enter the path leading directly to Mount Epiph, the Crypter froze at the crossroads and stopped in its tracks.
In the awkward and strange atmosphere, those raised, blood-red, serpentine vertical pupils gazed longingly at the precipice ahead.
To be precise, they were two beautiful figures standing side by side on the cliff.
"What a coincidence, you're out for a walk so early in the morning?"
Samael's eyes darted around, and the smile on his face appeared slightly stiff.
Ereshkigal and Ishtar glanced indifferently at the ancient serpent blocking the road, their downward gazes filled with scrutiny.
"Oh right, I haven't made breakfast yet. You guys go ahead, I'll head back now."
Samael tapped his head, somewhat regretful, and prepared to turn around.
However, two packages were thrown down from the cliff and landed in front of him.
The ancient serpent glanced at the Magic Crystals, rune tablets, and other travel essentials peeking out from the gaps in the package, and smiled as brightly as a chrysanthemum.
"Aha, so you know I'm going to the ground to help Siduri handle government affairs, and incidentally assist in the assessment of that Sumer king."
"They've prepared everything you need for your trip. They're so thoughtful. Don't worry, I'll be back soon after I finish this."
Standing atop the cliff, Ishtar crossed her arms and gave a disgruntled snort.
"Come on! Siduri has already been replaced. You requisitioned a Noah's Ark and even transported it to a port on the Persian Gulf along the coast of the observatory."
"Where do you plan to take the King of Blades exam? Overseas?"
Sacrifices have misled me!
Gu She's eyes twitched. He couldn't believe that the handsome and loyal minister had so easily revealed all the secrets he had been entrusted with.
"Alright, since I can't hide it anymore, I'll tell the truth! It's..."
Samael watched the two figures slowly approaching from the narrow mountain path, took a deep breath, and his eyes were filled with solemnity.
"... Teacher Shamhat!"
"She and King Gilgamesh hoped that I would travel far overseas and invite some reclusive sages."
"Survivors of the Golden Age of humanity, like Mr. Ziusudra, were blessed with long lifespans and broad knowledge, and many of them are still alive today."
"Even King Gilgamesh's search for the Immortal Herb and the successful completion of Noah's Ark were thanks to their help."
"Mesopotamia is currently in dire need of rebuilding, and the city-states are desperately short of talent. Perhaps there is an even more suitable king among them."
Ishtar had a strange expression. She put one hand to her forehead, somewhat unable to bear looking at the serious-looking person. She raised her elbow and nudged Ereshkigal beside her.
"You should say it."
The Underworld Goddess coughed lightly, her voice low and somber.
"We've felt something's been off with you these past two weeks..."
Ishtar rolled her eyes, put one hand on her hip and leaned forward, pointing the other at the ancient snake's nose, emphasizing her words.
"No, something's not right!"
"Listen to everything I say, and do whatever I'm told."
"Normally, he's either busy helping Ereshkigal cultivate the 'Yuan Grass' in Paradise Lost, constantly nagging her to make them bloom quickly, or he's actively dragging me to search for treasures in various parts of the Underworld, or he's teaming up with those ghosts to gamble."
"Furthermore, they prepared three different meals a day, and even consulted chefs both above and below ground..."
As Ishtar complained, Ereshkigal nodded repeatedly, and finally added her own comment.
"So, we asked Gilgamesh..."
"He said that since you're likely to run away, he wanted to do his best to make it up to us before you left..."
The Great Goddess of Uruk rested her chin on her hand, as if she had remembered something, and her smile was somewhat teasing.
"The guy buried in the mud slabs even said he could offer rental services."
"If binding is required, one can invoke the Lesser Chain of Heaven through the Gate of Babylon."
"It's just that that Gilgamesh doesn't want to lose out in anything he does, and the rent he asked for was too high. Otherwise, we might have been able to borrow it."
Gilgamesh, I'll fuck you!
The ancient snake's face darkened, its smile stiffened, and it inwardly grumbled.
All I did was trick you into serving as the judge in the underworld, deciding the good and evil of souls.
I've tried my best to get you this kind of treatment: a permanent position, 9-to-5 work hours, meals and accommodation provided, housing while you're alive, and burial services provided when you die.
You ungrateful scoundrel, you must have done it on purpose!
The victim was furious and his mind was filled with thoughts of how to make excuses and salvage the situation.
At this moment, Ereshkigal patted the ancient serpent on the shoulder with sympathy and added the final touch.
"Well, Shamhat told us that if you wanted to escape, you'd probably take this route..."
"So, Ishtar and I waited here in advance."
I fucking swear!
Backstabs with combo attacks and critical damage! You guys are amazing!
Samael was on the verge of tears, squatting on the ground and drawing circles in his mind, feeling a dull pain in his back and his entire spine cracking.
"I think those guys were afraid you'd really run away."
"After all, there aren't many people left who can be spoken to..."
Ishtar rested one hand on the ancient serpent's shoulder, her contemplation carrying a deeper meaning.
"Fine, I accept my fate. Let's go..."
Seeing that his escape attempt had completely failed, Samael stood up dejectedly, raised both hands in front of him, and pretended to be bound.
The plan is so rotten it's practically a sieve; what secrecy is left?
Moreover, apart from Shamhat and Siduri, he had never fought any of them before.
If you don't accept your fate, what else can you do?
Are you going to get a good beating and then be dragged back home like a corpse?
"Smack!"
The impulsive Ishtar slapped away Samael's outstretched hands and gave a cold snort of annoyance.
"What are you thinking! If you want to leave, then leave. We don't care!"
Ereshkigal raised her pretty face, her fingertips gently tracing the side of the ancient snake's cheek, as if recalling that outline in her memory. She pursed her cherry lips and murmured softly.
"At the very least, you should say something. I don't want you to leave without saying goodbye like last time."
Samael looked up in surprise and slowly lowered his fingers.
"So, you've come here..."
"Of course it's a farewell! Do you really think we're going to capture you and hang you at the door to dry like a snake?"
Ishtar, her voice dripping with mockery, turned her head away.
"Feel sorry..."
Samael looked apologetic, took a deep breath, and thoughtfully explained his reasons.
"The world of Mesopotamia had already taken shape and began to sink to the surface, and the Age of Gods could no longer survive."
"I think the reason the Mother Goddess was rejected was probably due to her lack of inclusiveness."
"Based on everyone's deductions, if we choose to go back to a World Bubble where the gods were more prosperous and had greater plasticity, and establish an anchor point there, perhaps the Mother Goddess could return again."
"I must do this!"
The ancient serpent solemnly raised its head, revealing its resolve to Ereshkigal and Ishtar.