The City Beneath The Forest

Chapter 82 — The City Beneath the Forest

The explosion had come from the eastern district.

People were already running through the streets.

The elder shouted orders.

"Close the eastern gate!"

Warriors rushed toward the tunnels.

Aether and his group followed.

They reached a massive stone gate.

Beyond it was a long tunnel leading toward the surface.

Several Verdant warriors were trying to activate a barrier.

Then black energy exploded from the tunnel.

The barrier cracked.

A group of armored men walked through.

Blackridge.

Aether recognized their insignia immediately.

The leader stepped forward.

He was a middle-aged man with dark armor and a massive axe.

The elder's expression hardened.

"How did you find us?"

The man smiled.

"Your people aren't as invisible as you think."

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His gaze moved toward Sylvara.

"And there she is."

Sylvara stepped backward.

Aether moved in front of her.

The Blackridge leader looked at him.

"You again."

Aether's expression remained calm.

"Apparently."

The man's eyes narrowed.

"We don't want a fight with you."

Aether laughed.

"You came into their city."

The man raised his axe.

"Give us the Verdant Key."

"No."

The response was immediate.

The leader's expression darkened.

"Then die with them."

The Blackridge warriors charged.

Aether moved.

His weapon struck the first warrior across the chest.

The man fell.

Lyra attacked another from the side.

Aria blocked a spear aimed at Sylvara.

Seris released Life Essence across the battlefield.

Evelyn's silver blade flashed.

Five Blackridge warriors fell within seconds.

The leader roared.

"Kill them!"

Aether's eyes became cold.

The man had made his choice.

He stepped forward.

Their weapons collided.

BOOM!

Aether was pushed backward.

The leader was Stage 7.

Aether's eyes sharpened.

The man's axe descended again.

Aether blocked.

The ground beneath him cracked.

"You're strong."

The man grinned.

"Stronger than the last commander."

Aether smiled.

"That won't save you."

He activated Shadow Step.

His body disappeared.

The commander swung toward the shadow.

Too late.

Aether appeared behind him.

His weapon pierced through the man's back.

The commander froze.

Aether pulled the weapon free.

The man collapsed.

The remaining Blackridge warriors immediately lost their courage.

Some raised their weapons.

Aether looked at them.

"Drop them."

They hesitated.

One attacked.

Aether killed him.

The others immediately threw their weapons down.

"Leave."

They ran.

The elder stared at Aether.

"You killed their leader without hesitation."

"He was attacking me."

Aether looked toward the tunnel.

"And if Blackridge keeps coming, more leaders will die."

Sylvara quietly looked at him.

There was no fear in her eyes.

Only growing trust.

The elder turned toward the city.

"We owe you a debt."

Aether shook his head.

"Keep your city safe. That's enough."

The elder nodded.

Then his expression became serious.

"There's something you should know."

Aether looked at him.

"The Verdant Key isn't the only key Blackridge has found."

Evelyn immediately stepped forward.

"How many?"

The elder looked toward the deeper tunnels.

"At least one more."

Aether's gaze sharpened.

"Then we're running out of time."