Chapter 512
"I know I'm handsome, but I only love the female Snow Demon."
"Get lost, who's going to talk to you about this?" Yuki blushed instantly, grabbed it, and demanded, "What legends are there about the Great War? Tell me everything."
"There are just too many legends. Where do I even begin? Besides, the Divine Race have detailed records; there's no way they can be faked."
The Divine Race do have detailed records, down to the details of hundreds of battles. While there are certainly some embellishments, the accounts are still credible.
This war lasted for hundreds of years, causing the Earth Collapse. Under the leadership of the six main gods, humanity slaughtered the demon race, subdued the dragons, and became the masters of the land. Now, hearing the Snow Demon's story, Yuki can add to the story of this Great War.
Before the war even began, the main gods were already on par with each other, somewhat like a final battle. The earlier part of the story was even more exciting, but it was erased.
"You should mention things that weren't mentioned in the records."
"Uh, let me think." The Snow Demon was also educated; it should be said that every demon who abides by the new order must read the history of the Great War to atone for their sins. After a brief comparison, he actually found one.
"'Shadow God' Morgas was the first demon to become a god. I remember Dad saying he was a traitor."
It's Morgas again.
Epic-level players almost all have photographic memories, Yuki's mind is like a computer, quickly retrieving the relevant information.
Morgas, the epic doesn't say it became a god, but it is greatly praised for standing on the side of light and Justice, turning its guns against its own kind, and playing a decisive role in a major battle.
That's not right. The trials to become a god were formed after the Great War. Judging from the six main gods, the rules for becoming a god back then should have been simpler and more direct. No, the 'gods' back then didn't have the same definition as they do now.
"Are you sure it became a god during the Great War?"
"How can I be sure? Maybe Dad exaggerated. Anyway, there are a lot of demons who don't like it." The Snow Demon didn't care. Its eyes darted around, and it lowered its voice. "Why don't you stay a few more days, and I'll continue telling you stories?"
Three days have passed, and the Hunting Beacon has disappeared. Mithius came once along the way, searched the mountains, and then went back to call for reinforcements. The northern mountains are too large and hide many demon tribes, so it is difficult to find people if the Hunting Beacon is not visible.
Asking the demons for help was impossible, and these prey were too precious to kill; they should be kept for the trial. Mithius didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble.
"I told you not to be afraid, just hide quietly, and whatever you do, don't go looking for your kind in the mountains. You'll be safe once things calm down." Yuki saw through the Snow Demon's plan at a glance, and seeing that he was still worried, he smiled and said:
"The Hunting Beacon needs to reunite in a year, and you can't wait that long."
Yuki didn't believe any mission could take a year; he thought it would only take a month at most to get results.
"But the Hunting Beacon was created by the god of conflict; if He were to act personally, it wouldn't take more than a year..."
"I know that," Yuki interrupted Snow Demon. He had already heard this from Isaac. Yukima never left obvious loopholes in his actions. "The God of Conflict is asleep, not even answering the prayers of his direct deities. How could he possibly care about a nobody like you..."
Yuki's speech slowed down, and his pupils contracted as he spoke, because before he could finish, the golden arrow reappeared above the Snow Demon's head, reflected in his eyes.
That doesn't make sense!
At this stage, Yuki is rarely confused anymore, but when he saw the light and shadow, his mind Blank for a moment. How could a god who even Isaac couldn't wake up possibly take action for a nobody?
Shan Jing saw the reflection in Yuki's eyes and subconsciously touched the top of its round head. It was even more confused because it saw a crack split open in the distant sky.
It was the Demon-Hunting Army, several times larger than before. Their armor reflected the sunlight, like a moving silver wall, and their banners blotted out the sky, making all the demons in the northern mountains tremble.
Yuki turned his head. Such a large-scale operation was within his expectations. The Snow Demon was not important, but the Sea Demon and the players behind it were very important.
So many people are actually useless. After being beaten up, the Snow Demon was almost dead and his aura was very weak. He could just dig a hole and bury himself. He didn't believe that the Demon-Hunting Army would need several months to turn over the entire mountain range.
Should he proceed with the trial? Should he continue with the plan? But he never expected the God of Conflict to intervene personally.
He shouldn't have intervened, nor was there any need for him to. Isaac confirmed that He was asleep. Could He be lying to me? Impossible, He has no reason to lie to me.
Yuki's mind was a bit confused, but he quickly came to his senses. Now was not the time to get to the bottom of things, so he grabbed Snow Demon.
"Run! Run now!"
"But... but where can we run to?"
Yuki paused slightly. Yes, where could they run? The Demon-Hunting Army were clearly prepared, and it would be too risky to continue protecting the Snow Demon.
Reason told him that he should kill him now, at least to avoid being targeted by the Divine Race. As long as he died without any evidence, he could complete the trial and no one could do anything to him.
But as the Eternal Night descended, the body made its own choice.
He tried to use the same trick again, but this time, the golden arrow seemed to have increased in brightness, unable to even engulf the Night Capital, and was even torn apart in the opposite direction.
It was changing; the arrow split open in the middle, and a golden eye seemed to break free.
The Eye of God? The God of Conflict himself has intervened!?
As Isaac also mentioned, when hunting the most heinous demons or other very important targets, the god of conflict Niels, would personally intervene and direct the target.
Yuki, a bunch of gods from the Conflict Pantheon are constantly seeking an audience, and the city-states under your jurisdiction are endlessly praying, yet you're pretending to be asleep, and you're personally taking on some nobody, huh?
"It's no use, Mr. Crown. I don't know what terrible crime I've committed to be personally targeted by the God of War."
The Snow Demon stopped him at this moment, his mouth splitting open, clearly laughing in anger.
The God of Conflict rules over killing and war, and has the most followers among the demons. In order to accuse Him, many demons even cut their own throats as a sacrifice.
There was absolutely no response, so how did I suddenly wake up?
Yuki was speechless. This had gone beyond his plans and caught him completely off guard. He needed to think of a solution.
"Don't think about it, Mr. Crown. You're a man of great things, a true hero. I can't help you much. But I know these tricks and conspiracies won't stop you. Sooner or later, you'll find the truth."
The Snow Demon was still laughing. He stretched out his branch-like hand, and without saying a word, pulled up Yuki's left hand and pointed the spear at his forehead.
"Time is limited, and I don't have much time to say goodbye. Remember to find the truth and let me know."
There was no nonsense, no time for sentimentality, and no flashbacks. With a sudden push from his two short legs, the spear Piercer his Yuki, and the momentum carried him several meters away, his back gently slamming against the rock wall.
With his strength, he wouldn't retreat even half a step if a mountain crashed into him. To grab his hand, one would need to be at least of epic level, but Yuki didn't say a word, appearing more like a mortal without any power.
He simply leaned against the rock wall, staring at the spear piercing his forehead, bright blue blood dripping from the shaft.
The Snow Demon died; it didn't even wait for an answer, nor did it seem necessary to wait for a guarantee or oath.
This is just a duplicate character, a duplicate character I've only known for less than three days.
There was no sadness or nostalgia in Yuki's eyes; he was just staring at the deep blue blood, seeing a mouthful of sharp teeth, a smile that could only be described as ferocious.
Evil?
Except for its head, the Snow Demon's body was melting.
As the Eternal Night dissipated, Yuki raised his head and glanced once more at the overwhelming Demon-Hunting Army.
The forest spontaneously combusted without fire, the Eternal Night receded with the Stand, and the violent energy shattered the earth, as if a deadly battle had taken place here.
Ha! Justice!?
Chapter Ten: I'm so angry!
"They ran away?"
Minutes later, the army pressed in, with nearly ten thousand silver-armored warriors standing in the sky, their banners obscuring the sun.
Mithius looked down at the Yuki engulfed in the afterglow, and at the Snow Demon's head in his hand. The golden arrows were disintegrating; this time it was definitely real.
But the Snow Demon is no longer important. His Majesty's orders are to find the Sea Demon and the outsiders, especially the Sea Demon. Even if we can't capture them alive, we must determine which one it is.
"Yes, my kind is very skilled in using spatial abilities, making him difficult to capture," Yuki replied expressionlessly, but he did not hand over the Snow Demon's head, which was against the rules, but it didn't matter now.
Nonsense, if I weren't skilled in spatial abilities, I would have been caught long ago.
Mithius looked at Yuki with some suspicion. This guy was definitely up to something. He'd made such a simple trial so complicated, and there was even a suspicion that he was putting on an act with that outsider.
But he hunted down the trial target; an investigation can wait.
He glanced at his colleagues; there were six deities with divine authority alone, clearly indicating that he valued them highly.
"We can't afford to make a wasted trip; we won't get very far from our target."
"Yes, we cannot afford another disaster." A deity in a purple robe, with a wise expression and holding a book, spoke, turning the pages of the book, and golden light covered dozens of kilometers.
The world seemed to have been put on rewind; the flames went out, the mountains reassembled, and finally even the Night Capital that obscured the view covered the earth.
This is a divine spell that rewinds time. You can see the Eternal Night dissipate, revealing the Yuki in the center of the battlefield, and then the black mist moves eastward.
The gods watched intently, only to see the black mist suddenly dissipate, leaving behind a silent forest.
"What a powerful spatial magic! It vanished into thin air without leaving a trace." The purple-robed god was shocked. Logically speaking, any spatial magic would create a hole in spacetime and leave some clues.
Nonsense, I simply recalled my clone, and the Eternal Night Domain that was given to him vanished instantly, leaving no trace.
Yuki's cheeks twitched slightly. Seeing the gods looking at him, he raised his head and pointed to his tactical goggles. "Our power system is different from yours, and you can't use my detection tools."
The characters in the story obviously cannot use Chaos Item, nor can they know that these tactical goggles have no tracking function at all.
"The trial is complete. May I take my leave?"
"No," Mithius said instinctively, then, realizing he was now in a position to ask for help, he coughed lightly and slowed his speech. "Precisely because our power systems are different, we need your help."
"What's the benefit? Outsiders can't be used as trial targets, right?"
"I've found the target, how about I arrange a second trial for you right away? You should know how many benefits there are to participating in the trial, right?" Mithius didn't even hesitate. It was precisely because of the benefits that he didn't suspect Yuki too much.
Outsiders are more greedy than anyone else; they always need a benefit to do anything, unless the benefit offered is greater. And this Snow Demon has already given them a taste of the sweetness of success.
Yuki nodded; he had already received the reward for the side quest.
[Player Yuki, you have passed the first Trial to Godhood. Reward: 4 Specialization Points, 4 Enhancement Points.]
The reward is quite good, and this side quest will definitely keep improving, but for Yuki, directly killing the god seems to be riskier, but also more rewarding?
"Okay, tell me how to find it."
Mithius ignored him, arrogantly raising his head and loudly proclaiming, "All troops, listen to my command! Divide into teams of one hundred men each and search the entire mountain range. Anyone who obstructs us, kill them! Once the target is found, kill them without mercy!"
He had every right to be arrogant; commanding Demon-Hunting Army of ten thousand was an unparalleled honor, generally reserved for the right-hand men of gods. He felt a thrill at the sight of his colleagues' envious expressions.
"Gentlemen, each of you will be responsible for a region, extending across the mountains into the plains. Inform me immediately if you have any news." As he spoke, he looked at Yuki, "Crown, please come with me."
"Mithius, how dare you send us away and claim all the credit for yourself!?" The God of Time suddenly lost his wisdom, sending them away and taking his 'Hound' with him. He's really not even putting on an act anymore.
"Look at what you're saying. I'm the commander-in-chief, so of course I have to take charge of the most difficult tasks. Do you really think that outsider is weak?"
"Hehe, I think you're thinking of taking over the position of the right and left hands of the Earth Pantheon, aren't you?" A charming red-haired woman laughed. Gods need merit to advance, so who would be willing to share the credit?
"Same here, the positions of the gods on either side of the Oceanic Pantheon are also vacant." Mithius retorted in a loud voice, his expression turning serious. "By order of His Majesty, this battle cannot be lost. As the commander-in-chief, I also have the right to punish. Gentlemen, do you want me to petition His Majesty to deduct your merits? If you really mess things up, you will be judged."
There must be both rewards and punishments. Even after becoming a god, one cannot slack off. He used his power to suppress the gods, and although the surrounding gods were indignant, they dispersed while grumbling.
Like a flock of birds scattering, the army of ten thousand men split into hundreds of groups, forming a net that enveloped the entire mountain range. Various divine arts and magics rose and fell, as if dressing the thousands of miles of mountains in a neon cloak.
"Lord Crown, let's go." Mithius landed with his guards, causing Yuki away.
"You don't trust me?"
He discovered that these guards were far stronger than the ordinary Demon-Hunting Army, almost all of them were at the monster level, and even a hundred of them, even if they were Monster I, was quite an exaggeration.
"That's not true. I can send that Demon-Hunting Army over with just a signal. No one can harm us." Mithius's square face was full of a simple, honest smile, but every word was a threat. "Use whatever abilities you have to help me complete the mission, and you won't be shortchanged."
The stranger's whereabouts Arcane Grade, yet Yuki was able to pursue him for three days; he must have some unique skill. He doesn't care about the reason, as long as he can find the person.
"Why kill them? Wouldn't it be better to find them and investigate?" Yuki asked casually. He noticed that the gods' attitude had changed; before, Jade had mainly wanted to capture them alive.
"This is His Majesty's order, and it's not your concern." How could Mithius explain? He said sternly, "Give me a straight answer: are you going to do it or not?"
"Okay, I'll take care of finding it, you guys take care of capturing it. I don't have much energy left, so I won't participate, but I need the weapons it drops."
"No problem, we can't use your stuff anyway."
After making the deal, the two immediately set off. There was nothing shameful about it; they each got what they needed.
The area is characterized by continuous mountain ranges and complex terrain. Players frequently encounter demons, some of whom are refugees who have fled and have a deep-seated hatred for the Divine Race.
Mithius didn't even glance at him, simply ordering his guards to eliminate the threat. He followed closely behind Yuki and found the man to be surprisingly honest.
Without any strange behavior or unusual mental fluctuations, he flew through the air, searching from valley to valley while wearing glasses.
Forget about conspiracies, they didn't even have any external communication.
I knew it! Since we're participating in the trial, there's no need to be half-hearted. There are many benefits and little risk, which is also a good thing for these outsiders.
He gradually felt reassured and then focused his attention on the target, which, judging from the current situation, was no small matter.
Nearly ten thousand Demon-Hunting Army conducted a thorough search. Even if the northern mountain range was enormous, there shouldn't be any hiding places, but they couldn't find anything, not even a sliver of space.
"This person is hiding too well; you can't find any clues?"
"A powerful and cunning fellow assassin, with spatial skills at the legendary level or higher." Yuki removed his Psionic Tactical Glasses, rubbing his temples. "Actually, I don't want to make an enemy of him. A powerful Epic Tier III assassin would give anyone a headache."
Mithius didn't understand the technical terms, but he grasped what Yuki meant: the target was very strong, the kind that could take a person's life even in their sleep.
"It reminds me of the fallen god of assassination; he was the left hand of the gods in the Conflict Pantheon."