Chapter 817 - Almost Within Reach (1/2)

A group of 60 or so Variant Lord Warriors, Mages, and Thieves stood outside the entrance to the inner section of the temple. They were gathered in groups of twos and threes and chatting together. Unknowingly, a Mage in red robes had mixed in among them.

Nie Yan was so close to these Variant Lords that he could clearly see their faces.

After brushing past several Variant Lords, Nie Yan found himself in the middle of their group. All around him were Variant Lords. His heart raced, worried his disguise would be seen through. He couldn’t help but take a deep breath to calm himself down. Acting like he belonged there, he continued walking forward.

None of the Variant Lords noticed anything amiss.

After brushing past the last of the Variant Lords, Nie Yan ascended a flight of stairs and entered a corridor. There were at least several hundred Level 180 Variant Lords here. He couldn’t imagine how much manpower would be required to clear this place.

I hope I can get Abak’s Leg Guards of Focus without alerting these guys, Nie Yan thought.

After entering the inner temple, the Holy Stone in Nie Yan’s bag started glowing brighter. This confirmed that the last piece of the Tyrant Abak Set was nearby!

Finding his way through multiple corridors, Nie Yan entered a wide open hall roughly 500 by 500 meters in size. It looked extremely lavish. The floor, walls, and pillars were all made out of pure gold. Before him lay a red carpet stretching out the entire length of the room. At the very end, a flight of stairs led up to a raised platform on which stood a tall, burly giant. Clad in golden armour, he patrolled back and forth, occasionally sitting down on the throne behind him. He looked like an imperious king.

Nie Yan was around 400 meters away from the giant. So, he couldn’t inspect him yet.

Since the monsters outside were all Level 180 Variant Lords, this giant had to be even more frightening. Nie Yan didn’t dare to get too close. He dispelled his disguise and entered stealth.

Nie Yan climbed up to the top of one of the pillars and looked at the raised platform. Next to the throne behind the giant were three chests. He couldn’t help but wonder about their grades.

Abak’s Leg Guards of Focus was probably inside one of these three chests. Nie Yan rubbed his chin. Let’s try and open them.

Nie Yan summoned his shadow clone, which he ordered to sneak toward the giant. Meanwhile, he crawled along the walls and headed toward the three chests from a different direction.

After approaching within 100 meters of the giant, Nie Yan could finally get a good look at his appearance. He was middle-aged with a five-meter tall frame and bulging muscles, wielding a large golden greatsword.

Death’s Kiss Bandit Chief Bencroft (Demonified Lord): Level 180

Health: ???/???

Nie Yan couldn’t see Bencroft’s health. He estimated it was at least over a hundred million. This giant was only a bandit chief of Death’s Kiss, but he was already a Level 180 Demonified Lord! He was probably the strongest monster in this outpost.

When Nie Yan approached within 90 meters of Bencroft, he finally had a reaction. He abruptly stood up and swept his gaze across the hall.

Seeing Bencroft looking over in his direction, Nie Yan’s heart trembled. It was time to get to work!

Extreme Vanish!

Nie Yan dashed toward the three treasure chests.

After discovering Nie Yan, Bencroft was about to charge over, only to abruptly lose track of him. He knitted his brows.

At this moment, Nie Yan had already arrived beside the treasure chests and crouched down. There were three chests, a red, blue, and green one. Apart from the colour, they were identical. The outside was studded with gems. They looked quite elegant.

A hundred meters away from the throne, the shadow clone suddenly showed itself.

“You rat! How dare you show yourself here!” Bencroft rushed over toward the shadow clone with large strides.

Nie Yan immediately had the shadow clone turn and flee.

“Die, you wretched Thief!” Bencroft slashed down with his blade and sent a sword beam flying towards the shadow clone.

The shadow clone avoided the attack with Gale Step and escaped toward the exit of the room.

Finding the pray take the bait, Nie Yan thought for a moment before choosing to open the red chest.

Opening chest… Progress: 30%... 50%...

About 20 seconds later, Nie Yan received a notification that the shadow clone had been killed.

Reviewing the shadow clone’s final moments, Nie Yan learned that Bencroft had locked it down with Intimidate, then charged over and cut it down with one slash.

Bencroft was heading back towards the throne.

Nie Yan glanced at the chest. It was almost opened. He definitely couldn’t give up now!