Chapter 179: Return

Helag knew the secrets and what Feigal had done.

But he was powerless to act; informing the Land of Dawn’s wizards would only endanger himself.

If Helag dared to notify them, they’d likely silence him before repairing the array.

The sealing of the planar rift was a secret, and Helag’s knowledge meant death.

He considered subtly alerting others but dismissed the idea.

Wizards had too many means; he couldn’t ensure he’d remain undetected.

As Helag pondered, the red beam vanished, the runes disappearing, everything returning to normal.

Feigal stood, glancing around, then looked skyward, lost in thought.

The next moment, Feigal vanished.

“Teleportation?” the surrounding wizards exclaimed.

In the Death Swamp, one typically had to wait three days to leave.

Feigal hadn’t entered by normal means, using some special method to teleport out.

Helag realized he needn’t worry so much.

When the sky falls, the tall will bear it.

His priority was to strengthen himself, adapting to change.

If he grew strong enough, even an abyssal invasion wouldn’t threaten him.

Helag always knew his role; he wasn’t a savior, just striving for self-preservation.

Sounds of conflict came from the beam’s location; Helag knew a fight had erupted.

With so many creatures and wizards gathered, chaos was inevitable.

Helag had no interest in joining, returning to the wraith’s tree.

“Increase vigilance. Alert me of any approach,” Helag ordered, resuming meditation.

The wraith dutifully patrolled, its massive form floating around.

The Human-Faced Monkey, though weak, was agile and fast, guarding the surrounding forest.

Two days passed quickly, battles raging throughout the Death Swamp, many perishing.

Helag stayed in the wraith’s domain, avoiding exploration.

Occasionally, someone approached, but the wraith drove them off.

Some were killed, others injured and forced away.

As time neared, Helag stood, summoning the wraith and Human-Faced Monkey.

“I’m leaving. Don’t reveal anything about me, understand?” Helag instructed.

“Understood,” the wraith replied solemnly.

The Human-Faced Monkey nodded vigorously, unable to speak.

Helag continued, “I’ll disguise as a human. I intended to kill you to keep the secret, but you’ve served me well. I’ll give you a chance. If you’re here when I return, I’ll take you to the abyss to serve me.”

Departure time approached, and Helag needed to revert from his bloodline form.

Returning in his current state would invite wizard attacks.

He had to deactivate the Thunder God Ancestor’s bloodline power.

But with two abyssal creatures present, deactivation might provoke them.

Feigning mystery, Helag claimed he needed to disguise as a human.

His words worked; the creatures believed him.

The wraith bowed, “Thank you for your mercy, my lord. Baramog will await your return, ready to serve.”

In the abyss, a superior’s word could decide a subordinate’s fate; the wraith didn’t question Helag.

Helag’s words increased the wraith’s reverence.

The wraith had some intelligence, unsure why Helag came or left, but certain he was an abyssal noble.

Helag’s mystery suggested a grand purpose.

The wraith knew it was a minor creature, hoping to rise by serving Helag, executing his orders flawlessly.

Helag deactivated the bloodline mark, returning to human form.

The wraith was stunned.

So lifelike! Truly human-like!

The noble’s disguise was perfect, indistinguishable from a human.

Even his aura and bloodline matched those of a human.

He even feigned weakness, as if a single Death’s Withering could kill him.

The wraith was shocked, banishing such disrespectful thoughts.

“Baramog, how could you be so rude?”

The wraith wished to punish itself for such thoughts, guilty of disrespect for sensing a weak human aura.

The Human-Faced Monkey, familiar with Helag’s human form, wasn’t surprised.

The wraith adjusted its mindset, bowing respectfully, fearing any disrespect.

A purple glow enveloped Helag. “I’m leaving,” he said.

Then he vanished.

The wraith and Human-Faced Monkey bowed toward where Helag had disappeared.

Helag blinked, finding himself outside the purple gate.

“Helag! Are you okay?” Brack noticed him immediately, having waited by the gate.

Though unlikely, he hoped Helag would return safely.

“Mr. Brack! I’m fine,” Helag replied.

Brack sighed in relief, “Good, or I’d have trouble with your teacher. If anything happened to you, my nephew would blame me. Did you handle the Human-Faced Monkey?”

Helag nodded, “Yes, I used some tricks, and it reverted. I tried to find you but got lost. Luckily, I found a safe place to hide and gathered some resources.”

“Seems you’re not only talented but lucky. Most who get lost don’t make it out,” Brack remarked.

“By the way, Mr. Brack, how did it go?” Helag asked, glancing back.

Originally a group of seven, only four remained, including Helag.