Chapter 545: Brethren In Darkness
Northern appeared right where he had sensed the presence stronger. The ground he was standing on was directly above the point it was.
However, now...
'Seriously...'
There was no presence anymore. Or rather, he couldn't feel it like he would've with Chaos Eyes.
'I wish my stamina would gain a tremendous boost so I can use Chaos Eyes anytime I want.'
It could be easily solved by severe physical training, but Northern had a nudging feeling this wouldn't be the case for him.
Still, he considered dedicating himself to intense training and sharpening the blunt edges of his skills that had the tendency to become weaknesses.
He was strong... but he wasn't strong enough. Not yet.
"I can't get complacent. I have to resume training after all of this is over," Northern muttered inaudibly.
He raised one leg and was about to stomp the ground when a Chaos vision flashed before his eyes.
His face became cold and he dropped his leg. Then, the next moment, a tremendous vibration resounded through the earth.
Taking advantage of the vibration that streaked through the earth, Northern plunged his feet into the ground, easily breaking into the stratum below.
The problem was, the vibration had such a strong intensity that the floor Northern broke weakened all other parts and began to cause an earthquake Northern really didn't plan for.
He looked up and saw the grounds above begin to crumble, the cracks running even further forward like rabid dogs.
'Oh shit... that's sad...'
A moment later, however, he shrugged and looked around him.
He was surrounded by thick darkness. Even the brightest of flames would barely illuminate a dot in this darkness.
It was like a cloth, forcibly leeching onto every part of the air. The darkness was oppressive and almost sentient.
Luckily, Northern was not a stranger to darkness. In fact, darkness was his ally.
He smiled crookedly and extended one hand.
"You guys would have to do better than this if you think you want to hide from me."
The figures in the darkness suddenly began to falter, all of them looking at each other.
'Their reaction is amazing. Were they expecting me?'
Despite the fact that the debris from the ground above had suddenly disrupted them, they had managed to react quickly and hide themselves perfectly in the darkness.
All of them were scattered around, skillfully surrounding the intruder like a pack of predators ganging up on a single but powerful prey.
They had a careful demeanor added to every inch of their disposition.
Northern could tell that none of them were underestimating him in the slightest, which is why even after speaking, none were coming out.
'They are supposed to be elves, after all... it'd have been disappointing if they didn't have this level of coordination.'
He extended both hands up, locking his fingers together as he stretched his body up, then sideways, announcing:
"Alright then. Since you don't want to reveal yourselves, thinking there's no way I'd probably be able to see in such unnatural darkness, I will just come after every one of you and save the strongest for last."
He finally finished stretching. A twisted glee danced evilly on his face for a moment, then none of them saw him.
Swoosh.
"Yelp..."
"Arrghhh."
"...Gah."
"Hel-"
Northern's hand plunged out of the darkness to suddenly grab another's face, Chaos flames igniting on the face and causing him to dance around in darkness, screaming.
"Ahhhh!"
Before that, all others had lost consciousness before they saw the attack coming at them.
Northern accurately hit them with the blunt side of Stainless.
His eyes sparkled with a malicious blue light as he watched the dark-robed man dance around
in agony, sinister yet astonishing bluish-black flames burning his head.
The hues of his flames reflected on his face for a moment, displaying the visage of a vicious arsonist adoring the crude art he had created.
Northern's eyes turned cold and blank the next moment as he locked eyes with the next target -the man suddenly staggering back as his eyes met Northern's.
"You still won't believe me? Until I kill all of you."
Suddenly, the veil of darkness began to soften and slowly dissipate.
In a few moments, the underground cleared. Several men in dark robes stood scattered
around, their faces covered by the hoods of their sinister clothing.
However, green glows like orbs shot out of the darkness beneath their hoods with sharp bloodlusts-not sharp enough to cut, however.
Northern leaned the Dark Mortal over his shoulder as his eyes pivoted to a single man standing amongst all of them.
It was the strongest essence he had felt amongst them when he used Chaos Eyes.
The man spoke.
"Young human. Who are you, and what do you want?"
Northern pointed the sword at the man.
"You have my mother with you. Give her to me, and I can freely walk out of this place with no
problems."
The man lingered. He turned his head to his comrades, seeming puzzled, then he turned his head to Northern.
"Human. You are very mistaken. I am sure we do not have your mother," the man responded
with a kind tone.
Every other one of them was silent, but their gazes were burning viciously.
Northern could almost feel their anger pelting his skin like cold stones, causing him slight
discomfort.
'Shit. They are no joke.'
He carefully sized all of them up based on the quantity of their essence, then he trailed his
eyes back to the man.
"An elf with a newborn. Or maybe she gave birth while you guys kidnapped her. This is how much I am going to say. Bring her out, and I will leave peacefully with her."
The man Northern was pointing his sword to was grimly silent this time.
"Young human. Who sent you? Do not be a schlemiel. You cannot-"
The man stopped abruptly as Northern's sword was suddenly arching towards him from below. He vanished just in time, the black blade cutting through his afterimage.
Northern clicked his tongue in irritation.
'He's fast.'
Missing the attack left a really bad taste in his mouth.
All the robed individuals suddenly flung away their robes, revealing sheen and sparkling sleek
silver armor.
They manifested different weapons: some greatswords, others bows and arrows, and all
aimed at Northern.
The man himself slowly walked forward, his golden-blonde hair brilliantly falling down his shoulders, to his back and front.
A small crown-like large ring adorned his forehead, and his narrow, monolid eyes glowed with a cold and experienced fury.
"Young human. Your foolishness shall now be rewarded with a grave and gruesome death. For
our brethren that you have fallen, you shall suffer greatly."
"Tsk." Northern glanced around them with a tired and stressed expression.
He was motionless and blank for a moment, then he glanced at all of them, his eyes glowing
softly.
They suddenly widened, a sinister grin spreading on his face.
'What the hell? These are really useful talents!'