Chapter 171: Another Deal, Or Something Else

"You are wrong, I am not here because I want to be." Darion revealed, placing his arms behind him. His white outfit shimmered like spun glass, absorbing the dim torchlight of the grand chamber.

​"Huh?" Asher was stunned. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

​"Of course, I am not saying you lowly humans have someone who could trap me, not after that war... But there is an artifact, and this Artifact placed that seal on the dungeon gateway." He revealed, his words stunning Asher in place. The sheer revelation that an item possessed enough energy to bind an Ex-Rank entity sent a chill down his spine.

​"What is the Tier of that artifact, oh right, Supreme Mythic-Tier." He said, nodding his head with a cold, matter-of-fact rhythm.

​Asher blinked, lowering his gaze to the two daggers in his grip, his heart pounding in a rhythm of absolute horror.

​’Don’t worry, Master. The moment you entered this hall, we sealed our energy... He won’t be able to detect it.’ The little girl’s voice sounded clearly in his mind, tight with protective tension.

​’You guys are smarter than I thought... But, his words revealed something drastic. There is another person with a Supreme Mythic-Tier Artifact,’ Asher thought, swallowed his apprehension, and looked up at him:

​"Why are you telling me all this?"

​"I need you to be my slave."

​".....?!"

​Asher raised an eyebrow, his jaw tightening slightly.

​"In your world, there are some families who call themselves Ancient families... One of these families has control of this Supreme Mythic-Tier artifact. The artifact’s main powers target sealing abilities, and eradicating darkness... I only need you to infiltrate these families, locate the weapon, and escape with it. Once you’re a good distance away, summon me, and I’ll handle the rest." He explained, his voice entirely devoid of doubt.

​"You want me to betray my race? Without that Artifact, all seals on any SSS-RANK Dungeons will shatter." Asher pointed out, staring at him in shock. If those gateways fell, hundreds of thousands of high-rank beasts would flood human territory in a matter of hours.

​Darion narrowed his eyes, his gaze locking onto Asher like a vice: "You are my slave, no monster will attack you after everything is settled. You will kneel before me and watch as I rule that world... Giving you your life is a good deal." He said, the sheer weight of his Ex-Rank Aura pressing against the stone floor.

​Asher was silent. Doing this was akin to destroying his world, and although he wouldn’t die, what about his wives?

​Noticing his hesitation, Darion continued, adding sugar to his offer with a faint, manipulative curve of his lips:

​"Accept, and I will spare your life and those closest to you. Your family and friends won’t be touched... I will also make you the ruler of any chosen region you choose. All you have to do is be my slave, and serve me like a loyal dog."

​Asher listened quietly... Now, his wives were saved, and the offer wasn’t so bad.

​The whole world had abandoned him and his wives anyway, leaving them forgotten in the void of suffering. So giving up that world for long life and absolute regional leadership was a remarkably good deal.

​He stood upright, adopting an air of compliant submission: "I understand, I will agree to this, but I can’t leave this dungeon without clearing it... You see, some people are waiting out there for this, if I fail to clear it, I will die the moment I step out."

​Darion held his jaw, pondering the human’s words: "You are already stronger than most Humans in your world, why would they want to kill you?"

​"SSS-RANK Dungeons are appearing more than usual in our world, as one of the strongest, I was sent here to clear this dungeon, with the deal that I must clear it; or die trying." He explained without a pause, his voice steady, painting the picture of a desperate pawn trapped by human politics.

​Darion was silent, staring at Asher with a small frown. He knew SSS-RANK Dungeons were appearing on that world with increasing frequency, and what the human before him said wasn’t far-fetched; humans could be exceptionally cruel at times.

​After some moments of silence, he nodded his head: "Alright, then you’ll temporarily clear this dungeon."

​"Temporarily clear?" Asher was getting even more confused.

​Darion closed his eyes, and Asher watched in utter disbelief as the terrifying ocean of aura around him began to condense and implode inward. His strength and stats started dropping drastically, the process freezing Asher in place as the air pressure rapidly normalized. After a whole minute, the terrifying drain finally stopped.

​{Name: Darion.}

​{Titles: Ancient God’s Chosen. Great Hand. Undefeatable. Immunity Body. Sovereign Of Shape Shifter. Merciless. Slaughterer. One strike.}

​{Rank: SSS-Rank.}

​{Species: Superior Human.}

​{Class: Special Boss.}

​{Agility: 800,000.}

​{Demonic Energy: 5,000,000.}

​{Defense: 50,000.}

​{Health Points: 1,000,000.}

​{Physical Attack: 5,000,000.}

​{Magical Attack: 5,000,000.}

​{Skills: N/A.}

​’His stats might be down, but his Attacks are still terrifyingly high... One hit, and I’m done. Seems I don’t have a choice,’ Asher thought, and slowly nodded his head:

​"Wait... Before I give you this reward." Darion pointed a pale finger at Asher, and before he could react, a beam of red light shot out, striking his right shoulder.

​"....?!!"

​Asher turned to the glowing light on his shoulder in shock. It wasn’t physically painful, but the light moved rapidly down his skin towards his wrist, burning into a distinct, ominous red skull tattoo.

​{Master has been marked by the God’s Chosen.}

​’Marked?! You’ve got to be kidding me!!’ Asher exclaimed inwardly, his mind racing as he stared at the crimson brand glowing upon his wrist.

"That should suffice; with that on you, I can always keep an eye and watch how things are going." He said, lowering his hand, and continued:

"Now, you just need to attack me with your strongest Ability. No worries, I also don’t have stages." He explained, his tone completely indifferent, as if offering himself up as an immovable wall.