173 The One Reborn (2/2)

”Do as we planned. Be careful.” Throwing one last advice, the group split completely, each assassin moving toward a different direction. Even if they couldn't know where they were heading, the complete plan of the mountains had already been obtained by the blood of their kin. In fact, they could hardly see farther than 10 meters away from themselves.

Taking the most dangerous path, the leader was rotating his claws slowly, as he was prepared for any attack from anywhere around him. But as the seconds passed, the movement in his hands almost stopped, as he was clearly perturbed and confused. The only explanation he could have was the fact that the injured lich probably didn't heal in that time. But the moment he thought about this, he felt the air moving in a weird manner right in front of him.

SLOOSH

Barely crouching in time, he avoided the dark fireball that passed right above his head. ”LICH!” Shouting this, he only hoped the rest of them did not suffer a successful surprise attack. Grabbing another small cube of metal, he infused it before throwing it at the hidden threat. Sliding to avoid more spells, he did not wait for the explosion before jumping away. As a result, he stepped back in a hurry when something moved with great speed toward him.

Plock

Gazing at the broken tibia that landed at his feet, he kept moving before encountering more undead. The liches that were present only used those dark flames, capable of inflicting pain in their souls. The worst part was the fact that it left their corpses completely intact, which caused a lot of issues early on. Meeting resurrected assassins were never a thing they expected, and caused the downfall of too many ratmen.

Spotting a lich that was targeting one of his subordinates, he did not waste any time before taking a small knife on his waist and launch it toward its core. Seeing the small gem exploding and making the body of the undead crumbled, he didn't even look if the ratman was alive. A ballet of death, between bombs, knives, and flames could be heard anywhere in this vast cavern. Only at the end of it was the result known, for everyone.

Minutes later, only three ratmen remained, that cleanly executed every lich that was approaching. And when the last dead finally landed on the ground, immobile, it spelled the fact that no one else was coming. Looking one last time at the graveyard that welcomed five other demons in this day, the leader entered the final step of their travel. No more servants will be present, and by the looks of it, they did have a pretty good shot now.

Sometimes, there were so many liches that the assassins had to retreat without even crossing the room. So, it was a good journey, all things considered. And maybe, some survived and just decided to retreat temporarily. Anyway, if that was the case, it would also mean those that were near him were doomed. For the two that were blocking the large horde of undead would understand someone coming back as a failure, and therefore will escape.

No matter what was the case, they had ten more minutes before being overrun. That was the time limit for the mission, even if it was a success. Picking up multiple knives in preparation, the assassins watched the path opening on a stone door, that seemed oddly similar to one they could encounter in their daily lives. In fact, it was pretty much the same. Carefully using the handle, the large block of graved stone moved without a sound.

Starring at what was happening in the inside, they could see a form leaning above a corpse. Compared to the ones of the demon orcs, this one was far bigger, almost 3 meters tall. Complete covered into purple fur, his face could be described as the one of a goat if they had seen what a goat was. The two horns were engraved with mana inscriptions, and the body of the monster in fur was completely naked and open at the level of its stomach.

In every corner of the room, the three ratmen could see more corpses similar to that one, and also some belonging to the orcs or the ratmen. As for the form that was engrossed with the organs of the body, he only raised his head afterward, a bit surprised to have visitors. ”Oh, you are alive?” The underline surprise did not escape the ears of the three living beings, but it was not that they cared.

Rushing forward, dozens of weapons were thrown in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, none reached their targets, as the form only raised his hand and stopped it magically. Knowing that it would happen, the assassins disregarded their own safety before jumping on the One Reborn, hoping to take him down. But like the still levitating knife, they were immediately stopped merely a few meters away.

”The Demon Emperor sends his regards!” Smiling as he was saying this, the leader ignited the metal cubes in his bag, before throwing them toward the corpses that were hanging in the room. Not expecting those ratmen to not target him but his collection, the undead was half a step slower, only witnessing the complete destruction of his lair. Before he could unleash his fury on those pesky rodents that ruined everything, he saw what remains of them, mere traces of mana in the air.

”Wait for this thing to arrive on this plane and you won't be as happy. And again, everything is ruined. Those ratmen, always bothering me.” Not really complaining, the One Reborn merely patted the dust away before looking at the corpse he studied mere moments ago. Fortunately, it was not that damaged, only having one horn broken and half of its face in horrible shape.

But just as he approached it, he felt something weird, prompting him to look behind him. But there was nothing, besides the opened door, leading to the dark tunnel beyond. Only at that moment did he realized it was not right. He should be able to see in that obscure path, so why it was not possible anymore?