"Then please lead the way."
Reilo still had no intention of letting the Nine Yins Rat Demon go, and made a courteous gesture, inviting it to lead.
It struggled to suppress its anger.
The Nine Yins Rat Demon felt as if it were sinking, step by step, into a trap from which it could not escape.
Everything it had done was only to ensure that Nine Pools Dark Valley would survive the end of the Underground World. Now that all the elders were gone, if it left as well, the valley would be doomed should another unforeseen disaster strike.
It probably hadn't even realized that everything it did was for the sake of a civilization that had yet to fully mature.
"What, did you think I'd trust the safety of your route so easily without you personally leading the way? As for True Flame Valley, if your information is accurate, I've encountered plenty of Superhumans on the surface. Even if I force my way through, I'm sure I'll have a decent chance."
Reilo spoke bluntly.
His words amounted to an ultimatum. The other party had to make a choice.
On one side was the seemingly gentle courtesy of his gesture; beneath his words, however, lurked a threat of deadly force.
Deep down, the Nine Yins Rat Demon didn't quite believe Reilo would really risk a fight to the death over this. It would rather give up some insignificant benefits. But as it looked into Reilo's eyes, the words died on its lips.
Plop.
The Rat Demon abruptly stepped into the vortex.
Seeing this, Painted Skin, who had been watching warily, sneered. After glancing at Reilo, she followed him into the vortex, which was spewing vast quantities of poisonous gas.
A powerful force pressed them backward, while the crushing pressure from