"I have no idea."
Yugen put on an innocent face, looking around in confusion.
"I've been waiting here for half a day, haven't seen anyone else coming. Is there someone else joining us?"
"Tch."
The Demon Realm Overlord spat.
"Such unreliable bunch, the quality of the current Divine Envoys is declining. I always said the organization should have improved the screening... Forget it, the situation is urgent, we can't wait any longer, a few less doesn't matter.
We'll settle accounts with them naturally when the mission ends. Let's go."
The Demon Realm Overlord surprisingly asked nothing, just turned and waved for Yugen to follow.
Before the mission even started, three teammates were dealt with. Yugen had originally prepared to expose himself again and take down this Demon Realm Overlord together. Unexpectedly, this person asked nothing and acted decisively.
So Yugen thought it over and temporarily put aside the thought of causing trouble on the spot to win the card deck, deciding to go deeper first to take a look.
The card deck will come, no rush.
Besides, the card decks of these Evil Elves could be sold for money, but the valuable cards within a deck aren't necessarily many. Currently, Yugen's card library isn't lacking; he is more interested in that Dark Artifact than the cards.
If it really is the Millennium Puzzle that can summon the Pharaoh's return, it would certainly cause a seismic impact on the entire structure of the contemporary Dueling Realm.
The Demon Realm Overlord remained silent all the way. Following him through the woodland, they came to a valley. An ominous dark aura enveloped most of the valley, and the pitch-black mist looked like thick ink flowing between the valleys from a distance.
The entrance of the valley had long been turned into a stronghold, with many Elves gathered there. Yugen followed that overlord and mingled into the team, and no one checked or asked anything, the discipline looked quite loose.
And the leader among them was a guy dressed as a red-robed Mage, under the magic robe was a dark figure, resembling a zombie.
Death King - Great Monarch of the Witch Lich, Six-star Undead Race, Attack Power 2400.
He seemed to be the highest Level among all the Elves present, and there was a Hexagram mark on his forehead representing Orichalcos, apparently showcasing his status within the organization.
"Everyone present, is a messenger chosen by God. You all have the talent for dueling, destined to serve the organization and the great God.
Now, the cave ahead is filled with unknown obstacles. The obstruction of the souls' power, the barrier of dark forces, and mind-twisting powers... These may be very dangerous to you, but I know you all are ready."
Yugen understood.
So, gathered here are just cannon fodder to scout ahead and step on traps, right?
"But the organization has confirmed through a prophecy ritual that the 'Sealing Artifact' is inside here." The Great Monarch of the Witch Lich said loudly, "Whoever can bring out the 'Sealing Artifact' will gain the favor of God and be promoted three ranks within the organization.
And even if some of you unfortunately perish here, God will remember you. Your souls will always be remembered by God, your names will always be inscribed on the stone tablet of merit..."
And then God will eat your soul with tears as a form of remembrance, right?
Yugen thought, but he already started to lead with a punch: "We serve the organization not for fame and glory, but for firm belief! Even if we are shattered, we willingly do so!
For Orichalcos!"
The Elves present were all stunned by his declaration until he yelled again, "For Orichalcos!"
Only then did the Elves around realize, and quickly imitated, "For Orichalcos!"
But the voices were chaotic and still undisciplined.
It seemed that many present were unwilling to be cannon fodder to step on traps initially. It's just that now there's a hothead leading with a slogan, they dare not not follow.
If you don't shout? Does it mean you're unwilling to be shattered for the organization?
That's a matter of principle, a big issue. No one dares to bear that sin.
The Great Monarch of the Witch Lich soon fixed his attention on Yugen, quite satisfied with the little envoy's performance, and unexpectedly realizing how he had overlooked such a promising, committed talent before.
So he smiled and asked, "This envoy here, which team are you from?"
Yugen decisively pushed forward his superior, the Demon Realm Overlord who had just led him here.
"This is our captain."
"Good." The Great Monarch of the Witch Lich nodded satisfied, "Then today, your team shall take the lead and enter first as an example. After bringing out the 'Sealing Artifact' today, I will report your merits, and the organization will credit you with the first achievement."
"Thank you very much!"
Yugen had wanted to rush in first anyway. After all, he, using the Link System, wasn't afraid of any traps and dangers in the Elf Realm. Instead, if left behind, the Divine Artifact might just fall into the hands of other lackeys, and if they bring it out to present to the organization, it becomes a problem.
He couldn't ask for better than to enter first.
However, the Demon Realm Overlord who brought him was now feeling terrible.
At this time, he only looked at Yugen bitterly, thinking, are you freaking insane?
Can't you see it's a suicidal mission? Do you have to show off your devotion to the organization here?
You're devoted and all, but involving me in this, are you brain-damaged...
Though swearing internally, he couldn't show any discontent outwardly, having to put on a "I'm happy," "I'm willing too" face, nodding heavily: "Understood!"
So Yugen got his wish, following the Dark Demon Realm Overlord to lead the charge, entering the cave under the admiring gazes of the many Elves behind.
The Demon Realm Overlord sighed.
Think back before Orichalcos' forces invaded, he used to be an Overlord with some influence. Who would have thought he ended up downgraded to front-line cannon fodder...
Upon entering the valley, after a few steps, the cave mentioned by the Great Monarch of the Witch Lich appeared right before them.
A damp cave, the entrance overgrown with weeds. The grasses were uneven and varied; some stood tall like swords, others curved like snakes, with leaves dripping in early morning dew, shining with a crystalline glow, as if forming a natural barrier, cleverly concealing the naturally narrow entrance to the cave.
Without passing through the black mist and parting the grasses, it was indeed not easy to find.
Upon initially entering, the passage remained narrow, with a moist breath rushing in. The entrance was irregularly shaped, its edges eroded into unevenness by time.
But after a few more steps inside, it quickly opened up, revealing a whole different world.
A similar black mist from outside swept in again.
Yugen quickly realized, this might contain something akin to sound that creates illusions. The moisture grew heavier, as if the air itself was becoming increasingly heavy.
Some sounds began to appear near his ears, like the giggling of female Elves and a soft whispering voice, "Why so tense? Come and relax together~"
More absurd scenes started appearing around him.
A wide avenue ahead, with countless banknotes on one side and a mountain of cards on the other, symbolizing wealth and power.
And at the end of the avenue, he could even see the Silent Magician, who always kept a cold face, smiling at him like a glacier melting, with a thin blush on her pale face...
Break.
The mist receded, and the illusion shattered quickly.
Yugen's steps were light, unobstructed, and he remained internally unbothered.
Such minor temptations couldn't shake the battle-hardened steel mind of someone obsessed with cards.