The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

Chapter 1003: Black Mission

[58 Days Before the Awakening]

What Asha didn’t know was that Nadia actually had three Domain stage demon puppets. The Angel and Vlad are but the first two, with the third, Maud, being the strongest of them all.

Maud is a level 7 Domain stage Demon Puppet.

Klaus sensed her presence when Vlad appeared, but due to Asha’s state of mind at that moment, he chose not to make things more heartbreaking for her.

So instead of allowing Nadia to mess with her some more, Klaus suggested to Nadia through telepathy that she should let Maud remain hidden.

She did, and that was when Klaus came up with the plan to help Asha.

The Underworld Stone Berries aren’t something he can easily give out. If one of them were to appear in the universe, many would fight over it.

It is extremely valuable, which is why Klaus knew that using them alone as the main ingredient wasn’t enough to create a perfect warrior. And since Klaus wasn’t looking to create his own Death Agents, he chose to give the fruits to Asha.

The reason he chose to give it to Asha was that the 12 Death Agents would benefit more than he would if used in his own project. The Berries are better to upgrade than create.

So Asha was the best person to have them.

Also, Klaus has more than 12 Underworld Stone Berries, considering there is a whole tree of them inside his 6th core, where there is only darkness and death.

However, the moment Asha is gone, Maud appears.

However, never in Klaus’s wildest expectations did he expect his death inheritance to resonate with Maud that fiercely.

Of course, when he sensed her, Klaus could sense the aura of death on her. However, he didn’t expect his unawakened bloodline linked directly to death to resonate with her.

So in a way, Klaus wasn’t planning on taking Maud from Nadia. However, he had to, considering that the moment the bond between her and Nadia had been severed, a new one had formed between him and Maud.

Naturally, she had now become Klaus’s subordinate, which is sad when considering Nadia’s current mood.

Although she wasn’t in a fierce league with the overly competitive Asha, she enjoyed teasing her, and so she was planning on using Maud to tease her more when she was done upgrading her 12 Death Nights.

But now, it seems she wouldn’t be able to do that.

Klaus smiled, looking at her beaten-down expression. ”You don’t have to look so sour, Nadia. I will be sure to make you a Nether stage expert, which I believe will open the third level of the Demon Spirit Storage if there is one.

When that happens, you will have more than two Domain stage puppets.

But before that, I will help you increase your current soul strength by at least five times, which will allow you to have more Puppet Demons under your control, even before you break through to the Nether stage.”

Nadia nodded.

Klaus smiled and walked closer to her, placing his index finger on her forehead as he transmitted the technique to her.

”You can learn it in the few hours we have before we enter the dungeon. When you are done, I will give you enough Soul Cores to cultivate your soul.”

Nadia nodded. ”Thank you, love.”

Klaus turned to Maud, and she also stared into his eyes. Klaus’ eyes then landed on the Zither behind her and smiled.

”I will be giving you the first two forms of the Death Song. Learn it and integrate it into your domain within the next 50 days. It’s been a long time since the universe last heard the Death Song.”

”I will not disappoint your expectations, Lord Death.”

Klaus nodded and transmitted the song to Maud. ”You can stay here if you want, though I have a much better place for you to get much closer to the aura of death.”

Naturally, Maud chose the second option, and Klaus sent her into his Sixth Core (Star), which has only darkness and death.

Nadia showed Klaus all the amazing changes that had happened to her Puppet Workstation before Klaus left. She would be staying to learn the soul cultivation technique Klaus gave her.

In a few hours, they would be entering the dungeon, so she knew she had to hurry.

After Klaus left, he chose to relax for the few hours remaining before they entered the dungeon.

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[Planet Acra - Humming Noise Mercenary Guild Headquarters]

Planet Acra is a major mercenary-dominated planet in the Abyss Planetary System. It is very big and has billions of mercenaries coming and going every single day.

Although there are over a hundred mercenary guilds, it has only three powerful guilds that are recognised outside Planet Acra.

In a way, these three mercenary guilds are the face of Planet Acra to the rest of the universe.

The Humming Noise Mercenary Guild is the strongest of the top three guilds. It has powerful warriors and a high success rate among the top three.

Three days ago, a request from a mutual friend reached them, causing great chaos to descend on their headquarters.

In the universe, there are three recognised types of missions known to all warriors/mercenaries.

There are the White Missions, where the mission is mostly not that dangerous. Most of these missions involve retrieval, escort, and the like. They pay less but are much safer.

Then there is the Blue Missions.

The Blue Mission is, in a way, dangerous but also less deadly. Many prefer blue missions because, aside from the relatively high pay, the risk is small.

Then there are the Red Missions, where the risk is high but the reward is also high. Only powerful mercenaries take these missions, and in most cases, only a few return alive.

Naturally, there is another category, which is the Black Mission. But those ones are just too deadly, so nobody posts them, nor is anyone crazy enough to dare pick them. In a way, black missions are extremely rare and only the best of the best dare take them.

However, it is said that whenever a black mission appears, that is when you will see the best of the best come out.

Three days ago, a black mission emerged with a payout that shattered every warrior’s greed, prompting thousands, if not millions, to start picking it.

The amount of Universe Coins promised to those who could complete the mission was already too enticing for people not to be drawn in.

Inside a large hall, a metal-faced man with skin so thick that no weapon could penetrate it sat in a futuristic throne. Around the throne, blood of different beasts could be seen in small glass chambers attached to the throne.

There were thin tubes connecting the blood inside the chamber to the man.

If one looked closely, one could sense a thin layer of domain covering his body. Though not visible, if one were perceptive, they would see horrors beyond one’s understanding.

His eyes were closed.

However, his silence was shattered when a figure entered the room and knelt down.

”Slaughter King, a black mission has been posted at the Humming Noise Mercenary Guild. Thousands have signed up, including Mourning Sword, Void Spear, and your enemy, Blood River.

Nobody knows the content of the mission, but it is somewhere in the outer regions.”

The man who spoke had his head down, not daring to look at the Slaughter King.

Slowly, Slaughter King opened his eyes and looked at the man kneeling.

”When is the deadline to accept?” he asked.

”50 days, Slaughter King.”

”Then remind me again in 50 days. Also, keep an eye on how many old Monsters will be applying. However, the moment the Damned Demon Swordsman signs up, alert me.”

”I will do as you say, Slaughter King.” The man retreated, and the Slaughter King sighed in his chair.

”Black mission, huh. Who would be so unfortunate enough to incur the wrath of a black mission?” The Slaughter King closed his eyes and went back to his cultivation.