Chapter 1134 - Bizarre Transforming Object (2/2)

“Hmm?”

While Rhode observed Thomas as he ran around in circles anxiously, he suddenly felt like something was amiss. A few seconds ago, he sensed something within the palace moving as though a presence that had been hibernating just let out a yawn. Although it was only for an instant, the aura exuding from it put Rhode on the alert. The aura was rather gloomy as though carrying a certain smell of death. Not only that, but it also left Rhode astonished… He was unfamiliar with this aura, but it somewhat startled him as though a sleeping monster that could devour them all was right beneath them. As soon as it widened its mouth, it could wipe out all humans above it.

At this thought, Rhode’s heart sank. However, he wasn’t afraid as he had never witnessed any enemies who could overthrow Lydia and Erin at their peak even in the Dragon Soul Continent. Even though he didn’t have his dragon essence right now, he had nothing to be afraid of with Mini Bubble Gum and Canary around. On the other hand, although the real Canary and Mini Bubble Gum weren’t strong, Rhode had followed his younger sister’s instructions to adjust their strength using the system before they left Earth. If they were in a battle, the strength of their projected selves would be copied to them as soon as Rhode used his powers. When that happened, Rhode could be considered to have formed a top-notch seven-man raid team. With this powerful team, as long as he wasn’t facing a dragon soul heir, he didn’t need to be afraid of anyone. Although he felt unusually odd and concerned about what was underneath, he wasn’t all that alarmed yet.

But before he considered any further, Thomas ordered helplessly. It seemed like it was impossible to open this door anymore and they could only continue moving deeper to find other ways to leave this huge palace. Fortunately, Thomas used the satellite to scan the entire location once before entering, which gave them a clear image of the specific locations of the passageways. Thereafter, everyone headed toward the pitch-black passageway under the escort of the soldiers.

This time, no one was in the mood to admire the scenery along the way. The entire palace was several meters tall and had no windows, apart from the colorful sunroof on the dome above. But everyone knew not to rely upon it. Putting aside the fact that Thomas and the others couldn’t climb that high, whether they could even make it out even if they succeeded was another issue. Instead of taking the risk, they might as well continue advancing and perhaps find another exit.

Meanwhile, Rhode’s group felt increasingly strange the deeper they headed. Ordinary people like Thomas and the others didn’t realize it, but Rhode, Lydia, Erin, and the rest sensed the growingly dangerous aura. It was like an everlasting aura of death that had existed for millions of years, rolling around them with dense murderous intent. It was so strong that even Mini Bubble Gum and Canary couldn’t handle it. If it weren’t for Rhode who urged them repeatedly to restrain themselves and not do anything suspicious to be discovered by Thomas and the others, perhaps Mini Bubble Gum would have already cast a defensive barrier. But even so, everyone remained on high alert.

“The aura of death here is so strong, Your Majesty.”

Gazing at the surroundings, Erin lowered her voice and said vigilantly to Rhode.

“Frankly, I stayed in the Country of Darkness for a long time, but have never been to a place with such a strong presence of death. What makes it strange is that this aura of death doesn’t seem to be left by humans. Instead…”

“Ahhh!”

Before Erin completed her sentence, a scream from the front interrupted her. Everyone was taken aback immediately. They lifted their heads and looked at where Thomas and the others were. Right there, a soldier who was holding up a flashlight and shining the path ahead shuddered as though he were bitten by something and quickly dragged away. Everyone merely witnessed the radiance of his flashlight flitting across the darkness and he vanished to nowhere.

Looking at this scene, the others were flabbergasted. Before Thomas was able to give a command, he heard yet another blood-curdling scream. Three to five of the soldiers who escorted the civilians were immediately dragged away by some mysterious presence from the darkness. After several screeches and gunshots, there were no more movements. At that moment, everyone tensed up instantly. The captain of the soldiers waved his arm and the soldiers quickly surrounded Thomas, Rhode, and the rest in the middle. Then, the well-trained soldiers tossed flash bangs ahead one after another upon the captain’s orders. In an instant, the dark surroundings lit up like daytime, but no mysterious presences were seen. Apart from the surrounding walls, there was nothing. Rhode’s group witnessed several shadows dart across the place the instant the flash bangs burst, but didn’t get to witness their true identities.

Shortly after, the blinding radiance of the flash bangs faded away. At the same time, Rhode keenly sensed the eruptions of death aura from all directions as they ambushed his group.

“Attack!”

At this moment, Rhode was no longer interested in putting up an act anymore. He didn’t wish to become the protagonist who was chased by monsters in sci-fi thriller films. In fact, the reason why Rhode and his group put up a disguise was to prevent other countries from figuring out what they were up to. But now, his goal was considered achieved after entering the ruins. That was why he didn’t disguise himself anymore. He dashed forward and a burst of light erupted from his hand where a dazzling sword appeared. At the same time, Lydia, Erin, Canary, and Mini Bubble Gum also made their moves, launching attacks on the enemies from all directions!

First to attack were the two Mini Bubble Gums. As clerics, their first move was undeniably to set up strong defenses. They had held back for so long after abiding by Rhode’s command and now, they couldn’t tolerate it any longer. As soon as they heard his command, they cheered and tossed aside the self-restraint of a BOSS, attacking at the same time. A golden radiance flickered in an instant. White runes scattered in an explosion to form two barriers that protected everyone. Meanwhile, the dark aura of death arrived, pouncing on the spiritual barrier before retreating swiftly after.

At the same time, Rhode, Erin, and Lydia carried out their attacks.

Even though the aura of death was deadly to ordinary humans, Lydia wasn’t afraid of it at all as an archangel. She laid out her blades in a crisscross stance where several golden blade rays flickered, slicing and shredding the dark mist effortlessly. Shortly after, in the sound of anguished wailing, the death aura rolled back, desperately fleeing from her holy brilliance.

But they didn’t expect Erin to be waiting patiently at the side. She didn’t release her aura, but drew in the air with a finger instead. The scattered dark shadows around her transformed into razor-sharp blades with this action of hers and clinched the death aura, devouring them entirely. As the princess of the Country of Darkness, Erin wasn’t any less experienced than Lydia in dealing with undead creatures. In a few moments, a huge mass of the peculiar dark shadows disappeared.

Meanwhile, Rhode’s hand flashed in a white radiance. A white card appeared out of thin air and flew toward the enemies ahead!