Versatile Mage

Translated by XephiZ

Edited by Aelryinth

“Did you use your soul as another bargaining chip?” Mo Fan asked Mi Bai.

“Mm, I convinced him to let me choose the pieces so you, Sharjah, the Black Dragon Emperor, and Asha’ruiya were on the same side. Asha’ruiya and the Black Dragon Emperor were supposed to be on the other side, while Su Lu was on yours,” Mu Bai said.

In other words, Mu Bai had risked his soul just to make sure Mo Fan’s friends were on his side. If he lost, he would also be going to Hell!

Mo Fan did not know what to say. After a long silence, he finally said, “Sorry for dragging you into this mess.”

Mu Bai had used his soul as a bargaining chip!

It would not be just a simple death. If Mu Bai lost, he would be tortured in Hell too. He had already been to the Dark Plane once. He knew how terrifying it was.

Even death was better than giving his soul to the Lord of Darkness!

Even though Mu Bai was describing the best of three matches calmly, Mo Fan could imagine how difficult it was for him to escape from the Lord of Darkness.

It was like playing chess under a guillotine. A wrong step meant his head would be chopped off. The process was already a torture, not to mention having to win two matches after losing the first.

Mu Bai had agreed to play chess with the Lord of Darkness again in order to save Mo Fan’s life. He had even offered his soul to prevent Mo Fan from having to fight his friends.

Mu Bai had bet everything he had. How could Mo Fan not feel touched or sorry?

“Don’t even feel sorry for me. Old Zhao and you found the Night Amethyst on Tianshan Mountain, giving me a second chance. It’s just a game of chess. If I could beat him twice, I can beat him again this time. Besides, even if there’s only a ten percent chance you are going to win, I’d still stand on your side and put you, Sharjah, the Black Dragon Emperor, and Asha’ruiya together. You went to Dubai alone. Everything you did has earned our respect… don’t worry, you are not fighting this battle alone,” Mu Bai replied.

Mu Bai was unable to go to Dubai with Mo Fan, but he would do everything to save Mo Fan when he was in trouble!

It was not just Mo Fan’s battle. They were obliged to overthrow a dictator like Su Lu!

Mu Bai did not feel like he had been dragged into the mess out of nowhere. He was honored to be involved.

He was able to help by playing chess with the Lord of Darkness. Mo Fan was willing to give his everything to serve justice for his country. Why would Mu Bai not dare to accept the Lord of Darkness’ challenge?

The game of chess would decide the fate of almost ten thousand travelers. It would decide the fates of Mo Fan, Sharjah, the Black Dragon Emperor, and Mi Bai, too.

It was tied to a corrupted kingdom ruled over by Su Lu, something even filthier than the Dark Plane.

He was honored to be the player who had a say in the outcome. If he did not step forward now, when would he ever become a reliable man?

—

Mo Fan nodded grimly. He understood Mu Bai’s feelings.

Everyone who played chess knew the pawns were just as important as the king, as they might decide the outcome of the game if they were used properly.

Mu Bai was good at studying and a fan of strategy games. Mo Fan had faith in him.

The chess pieces and players had to give their best. They would be sharing the glory of winning and the humiliation of defeat together!

——

The game had begun.

The Lord of Darkness’ rules were strictly applied to every creature on the chessboard.

Mu Bai breathed calmly. Not only was his soul at stake, the souls of many people who were important to him were in danger here.

Su Lu had so much power. If Mo Fan, Sharjah, and the Black Dragon Emperor all ended up in Hell after challenging him, who would ever go up against the Asia Magic Association again?

Su Lu would continue with his rampage and pose a threat to many countries!

“It’s your turn, Mu Bai. You better think carefully before making every move. Those who die in a battle will not be revived,” the Lord of Darkness reminded him in a mocking tone.

Mu Bai was not bothered by it. He looked at the pawns.

The Lord of Darkness was very aggressive. He had sent the Dreadful Curse Cerberi forward. He clearly wanted to kill all of Mu Bai’s pieces.

“Sawtooth Formation!”

Mu Bai aligned the pawns diagonally and moved the knights and rooks to protect his pawns.

His intention was clear. If the enemy pieces ate his pawns, he would eat the pieces in return.

The mantis stalked the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!

Mu Bai was not going to waste any of his pieces. He even added an extra layer of safety to his pawns with the rooks and the knights.

“Unfortunately, I do not want the game to last for too long,” the Lord of Darkness remarked.

He suddenly ordered the Dreadful Curse Cerberi to attack Mu Bai’s pawns.

The game of chess was strictly following the rules, but the clash between the humans and the Dreadful Curse Cerberi was like a real battle!

“Focus, we are in this together. Even if there’s only a slim chance of making it out alive, we shouldn’t give up. The terrifying rumors you have heard about Hell are true, and the real thing is definitely scarier than the rumors you have heard!” the single-eyed old man yelled.

He had been motivating the people ever since they were placed on the chessboard.

He was most likely an old general from some country. The way he was motivating others to fight with everything they had showed he was determined to make it out alive!

“The Dreadful Curse Cerberi are coming.

“Stay in position and don’t panic. They are pawns just like us, so we should be able to match their strength. We can still survive, even if they are the attackers!” the old man yelled.

Each pawn was made up of around a thousand people. They immediately lined up in a Formation under the old man’s command.

Plants emerged from the ground and formed a thick wall with their trunks. The outer layer was covered in thorns too, turning the wall into a special trench.

“Oh, I forgot to mention a rule…” the Lord of Darkness grinned coldly.

A huge black cloth appeared above the tile as the Dreadful Curse Cerberi stepped into it.

Illusionary strings fell from the black cloth and attached to the human Mages. Every Mage in the tile was tied to the strings like a puppet.

The people were confused. They had no idea what the strings were.

“The strength of the piece that is being attacked will be reduced by thirty percent, but the strings will disappear over time,” the Lord of Darkness informed them.

The strength of the chess pieces would decide the outcome of the clash.

However, the skill of the players still mattered a lot!

The thirty percent strength reduction was critical to the outcome of every battle!