Chapter 81: Life Must Be Repaid (1)

The Envoy’s eyes narrowed at his figure. ’Who exactly are you?’

Swoosh.

At once, his figure disappeared from his original position.

Winds burst forth from the Envoy’s previous position as currents quickly formed their way through the surrounding air, traveling through the various giant tornadoes like snakes slithering towards their prey.

The zombie Ironfeather Eagle, who had only now managed to stabilize its own body in the sky, suddenly darted its eyes towards the ground.

Even though it was a monster with powers similar to the Envoy and could perceive and manipulate wind currents to some degree, its giant and heavy body made it simply too difficult for weaker currents to support it for long periods of time.

This was also the reason why Ironfeather Eagles often chose windy areas as their homes and usually flew at heights where the winds blew the strongest, allowing their massive bodies to remain suspended in the sky without constantly having to waste their strength fighting against gravity.

However, right at this instant, the eagle sensed a new current rapidly forming near the ground.

By the time its eyes could even track the exact mouth of this current, it had already crossed several hundred meters of distance.

At first, the eagle believed that the Envoy was coming back to counterattack.

Thus, to prepare itself for his attack, the eagle flapped its wings once, putting a few more meters of distance between them before spreading its enormous wings in the sky, almost as if it were mocking the envoy to attack it.

But to its surprise, the Envoy didn’t attack.

By the time he reached the eagle’s position, he didn’t stop but instead sped past it, continuing to ride the wind currents towards the distant cave.

For a moment, even the eagle was taken aback.

It was surprised by the Envoy’s actions and couldn’t understand why he had suddenly ignored it after spending so much time fighting against it.

Feeling suspicious, the eagle immediately turned around, only for its eyes to widen instantly.

Although blurry due to the enormous distance between them, it could still see the Envoy rapidly riding the wind currents and reaching the entrance of the cave.

There, a familiar jade-green zombie had just stepped out.

At once, the eagle understood the envoy’s target and immediately panicked.

It had signed a Soul Agreement with Ethan to protect him and his subordinates from the enemies that appeared in this place. Once the agreement was completed, the eagle would regain its freedom and be able to leave this place without being restricted by Ethan any longer.

That was their agreement.

However... What if it was unable to save them?

Could it still become free?

The eagle heavily doubted it. After all, ever since signing the Soul Agreement, it could constantly sense the invisible constrictions tightening around its mind. Although it couldn’t see them, it could clearly feel the restrictions placed upon its soul.

If Ethan died before the agreement was completed, what would happen?

Would the agreement simply become meaningless?

Or would it remain trapped forever?

At once, it flapped its wings and dived towards Ethan, hoping to make it in time.

The split-second passed like an eternity as the eagle’s eyes continued to be filled with helplessness.

It had only reached half the distance, while The Envoy had already reached near Ethan.

The distance between them was rapidly shrinking, and the moment the eagle saw the Envoy extend his hand towards Ethan, its heart almost sank.

’Too late...’ Merely at an arm’s distance from Ethan, the Envoy grinned smugly before extending his right hand.

A current of wind rushed out from his palm, circling itself as he pushed it towards Ethan with overwhelming force.

The Envoy had won, or... so he thought.

Bzzzt!

Just then, a bright yellow lightning crackled into existence within the corner of his eyes.

Naturally, the Envoy’s eyes rolled towards the light, and his pupils suddenly shrank.

Something hard had appeared against his palm as the wind current he had just released collided against it, dispersing in all directions as the force behind his attack was forcefully stopped.

For a moment, the Envoy didn’t understand what had happened. Then, without even looking, he understood who it was.

His body stiffened in its place as a large amount of nox was immediately released from his body. The wind currents that enveloped him suddenly became unstable, violently twisting and spreading in every direction.

The more this situation dragged on, the more the Envoy was losing his calm.

He had already suffered an embarrassing injury because of his momentary distraction, and now, when he had finally managed to reach his target, someone had appeared in front of him at the exact moment his attack was about to land.

It was too coincidental.

No, it was too familiar.

Ethan, who had been completely unaware of the incoming attack, was suddenly shaken by the metallic sound that rang close to his ear.

His eyes opened wide while his heartbeat took a steep hike.

He didn’t even understand what had happened. One moment, he had been leading his Blood Ants away from the nest, and the next, an unfamiliar figure had appeared beside him, blocking an attack that could very well have injured him.

From behind, Eris immediately called out in a worried tone. "My lord!"

Ethan didn’t answer since his gaze was fixed on the figure standing before him.

Yellow lightning continued to crackle around the person’s body, making his silhouette appear strangely familiar.

However, before he could properly understand it, a familiar voice suddenly resounded in his ears.

"My lord?" The voice carried a strange mixture of surprise and disbelief.

Then, the figure slowly turned his head towards Ethan. His eyes met the jade-green eyes of the zombie standing behind him.

For a moment, the surroundings seemed to become completely silent.

The figure’s expression changed slightly as he stared at Ethan, as though he had finally confirmed something he had suspected for a long time.

"So you really are Noah Reed," Jake called out, sparing Ethan a glance.