Chapter 118: Unexpected Encounter
The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Cultivators exchanged whispers and glanced around, sizing each other up.
Leon noticed that many of them were seasoned fighters, their battle-hardened faces reflecting years of experience. These were no mere amateurs; they had come for the dungeon, knowing full well the dangers that awaited inside.
Leon was awed by what he saw, with all these preparations, he knew that the dungeon they were about to raid was definitely not an ordinary dungeon compared to the goblin dungeon he raided back then, it definitely won't be of thesame rank...
Leon's eyes scanned the crowd, noting the palpable tension in the air.
This wasn't just a casual raid—this was a life-and-death struggle where only the strongest would survive.
A quiet determination settled within him as he prepared himself mentally for the challenges ahead.
But then, something caught his eye.
Standing on a raised platform at the front of the crowd, flanked by a group of men who exuded authority, was none other than the Young Master he had developed so much hatred toward.
Leon's eyes widened in surprise at the sight before him, his body tensing as an overwhelming surge of killing intent rippled through him like a violent storm.
It was rare for him to feel such pure, unbridled anger, but seeing one very person again brought it to the surface with a force that threatened to consume him.
His hands clenched involuntarily, nails biting into his palms, as memories of their past encounters flashed before his eyes. Your next chapter awaits on мѵʟ
There were few people in this world who could provoke such a visceral reaction from Leon, and this young master—Fredrick, who dared to covet Amelia—was at the top of that list. The very sight of Fredrick made his blood boil, each heartbeat a pounding drum of rage in his ears.
The Young Master, Fredrick, noticed Leon at the same time. His eyes narrowed for a moment in surprise.
'Its unexpected that I'll meet you here' As he thought this, he clenched his first tightly feeling his heart tighten with the rage boiling deep inside him.
a solemn look surfaced before a sinister smile crept across his face. This was perfect. The dungeon was the ideal place for Leon to die—away from prying eyes, where any excuse could be made for his disappearance. 'I couldn't kill you last time because of the Ice Queen, but now... you're dead. Dead indeed,' Fredrick thought, barely able to contain his excitement.
This perfect opportunity sent a shiver of dark excitement down his spine. He clenched his fist tightly, the tension in his knuckles reflecting the rage that boiled deep within his chest, threatening to explode. His breath hitched as his heart hammered, driven by a seething hatred he had nursed for so long.
Fredrick almost let out a laugh but quickly reined it in. He knew he had a role to play here—addressing the cultivators about the upcoming raid. But the thought of finally getting rid of Leon was too satisfying to ignore. He imagined Amelia's sorrow when she learned of her fiancé's death, and the thought made his grin widen.
With Leon dead, he'll finally be able to fulfill his fantasies of him and Amelia.
Beside Fredrick stood a man with a goatee beard and a matured, calculated face. This was Lord Rynar.
This Lord Rynar, had quite a high position in the Deathbringer Mercenary Squad. He had noticed the heated gaze of the Young Master and followed it to see Leon standing in the crowd. It didn't take much for him to sense the enmity between the two.
"Cough," Rynar said, aiming to bring Fredrick back to the present. "Young Master Fredrick, you're about to address the cultivators. If you waste time, you might end up losing face."
Fredrick coughed, dismissing the words with a wave of his hand. "I want him dead," he said coldly.
Rynar raised an eyebrow. "The silver-haired guy? Consider it done, Young Master. But I'm curious—what's the story between you two?"
Fredrick hesitated for a moment, but then decided to share. "He's Amelia's fiancé. With him gone, she'll have no one but me."
Rynar sighed, shaking his head slightly. "Ah, the young... always driven by passion," he muttered under his breath "Do you plan to stay and watch his death yourself?"
"Of course not," Fredrick replied, suppressing his killing intent. "Despite my hatred, Father is waiting back at the capital. I have great expectations for the sect entry examinations this time around. That's why I'm leaving this to you. Let him die at the hands of a vicious beast in the dungeon. Make sure not even his corpse remains.
It'll be nice to comfort Amelia when she hears of his tragic death."
Rynar nodded. "As you wish, Young Master." He then glanced at the crowd, noticing their growing restlessness. "But for now, it's time to address the cultivators."
Fredrick nodded in agreement, took a deep breath, and stepped forward to address the crowd. He cleared his throat and raised his voice to command the attention of the gathered cultivators.
"Esteemed cultivators!" Fredrick began, his voice firm and commanding. "Today, we stand at the threshold of an extraordinary opportunity. The dungeon before us holds immense treasures, rare cultivation resources, and powerful artifacts. But it also holds dangers beyond imagination. Only the strongest will survive. Only the most determined will claim the rewards within!"
His words were met with a wave of murmurs and nods of agreement. The crowd's energy began to shift, becoming more focused and intense. Fredrick continued, expertly tapping into the emotions of the gathered cultivators.
"For those of you who walk this path alone, know this: the Deathbringer Mercenary Squad welcomes all who prove their worth. After this raid, if you seek a place where your strength will be recognized and rewarded, consider joining us. The benefits are vast—rare spirit stones, cultivation resources that are impossible to find elsewhere, and the camaraderie of fellow warriors who walk the same path.
Together, we can rise to even greater heights!"
As Fredrick spoke, his eyes momentarily locked with Leon's. A smirk played on his lips, and Leon knew, without a doubt, that Fredrick had something planned for him. The tension between them was palpable, but Leon remained calm. He would deal with Fredrick when the time was right.
Suppressing his desire to gloat further, Fredrick shifted his tone. "Now, let me introduce the one who will be leading this raid—a man whose name strikes fear into the hearts of his enemies, the one and only Lord Rynar!"
Rynar stepped forward with a confident stride, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the square. His voice was deep and resonant as he addressed the crowd.
"Warriors of the cultivation world!" Rynar's voice boomed. "Today, we embark on a journey that will test our strength, our will, and our resolve. The Verdant Maze is no ordinary dungeon—it is a living, breathing entity, filled with nature-affinity beasts that will stop at nothing to protect the treasures within. But we are cultivators! We are the ones who forge our destinies with our own hands!"
A cheer erupted from the crowd, their blood boiling with excitement. Even Leon had to admit that Rynar was talented at rallying the masses. The mercenary leader had a way of instilling confidence and courage in those who followed him.
Rynar continued, his eyes sweeping over the crowd. "We fight not just for wealth, but for power! For honor! For the chance to ascend to greater heights in our cultivation! Together, we will conquer this dungeon and claim what is rightfully ours! And to those who prove themselves in battle, the Deathbringer Mercenary Squad extends its hand in fellowship.
Join us, and together, we will dominate this world!"
The roar of approval from the crowd was deafening. Rynar's speech had achieved its intended effect—everyone was ready for battle, their minds focused on the dungeon ahead.
Leon remained silent, standing at the edge of the crowd. He could feel the eyes of Rynar and Fredrick on him, but he showed no reaction. He knew that he had to tread carefully. This was more than just a dungeon raid; it was a battle for survival, and enemies were watching his every move.
As the crowd began to move toward the dungeon entrance, Leon followed at the back, blending in with the other lone cultivators. He had his own reasons for entering the Verdant Maze, and he wasn't about to let anyone get in his way.