Chapter 198: Ants

Asna could sense that this group was planning something significant. Inside Base 27, she saw many high-energy facilities, filled with devices brimming with magical energy. Yet, she didn’t recognize any of them.

Looking around, Asna felt puzzled. “It seems there’s no one stronger than Lord Helag here…”

To Asna, if Helag unleashed his true bloodline power, he could single-handedly annihilate everyone present. This convinced her that Helag was hiding his strength for a reason.

After Parker finished speaking, he glanced around and said, “Anyone who captured spellcasters or prisoners, please register them. You can sell spellcasters to me or keep them. Remember, no prisoners can leave the base.”

“It’s best to sign a master-servant contract. If you don’t have one, you can buy it from me.”

In the wizard plane, capturing prisoners and taking elf maidens as servants was common at various bases.

After registering Asna with the base’s population manager, Helag took her to his room.

“You know the rules. Don’t even think about leaving here, understand?” Helag warned.

Asna nodded, “Understood, Master.”

***

The next day, Helag, David, and Reese were stationed in the hidden forest within the Lim Mountains. They had only eliminated the first wave of adventurers yesterday. Based on the information gathered, more adventurers were expected in the coming days. They needed to remain hidden throughout the Lim Mountains, ready to eliminate any who entered.

The adventurers’ only chance was to turn back at the entrance without entering. After sunrise, more adventurers arrived, unaware of last night’s events or the danger lurking. Dozens entering the Lim Mountains was like a drop in the ocean, unnoticed.

Today’s adventurers were fewer, mostly those who had arrived the previous day. The newcomers had likely seen the mission after returning from outside.

Helag watched a group of seven enter a valley. Leading them was a great knight with a large sword, followed by two knight-level members and four ordinary individuals. Among adventurers, this was a strong team, but weak compared to Helag.

Standing up and stretching, Helag said, “Time to get to work. It’s been a while since I stretched my muscles.”

“I can handle it,” David offered.

Helag shook his head, “I’ll do it. It’s been too long since I had some action.”

“Absolute Defense.”

A multicolored shield appeared around Helag.

“Blood Bull’s Wrath!”

Helag smeared blood on his palm, casting various enhancement spells on himself.

“Giant’s Body!”

Helag’s body rapidly expanded, his clothes shredding, leaving him naked.

“So big!” Reese blushed, unable to look away.

“Dark Armor!”

A black mist enveloped Helag, forming a glistening black armor on his body. Now over three meters tall, Helag, clad in black armor, exuded an oppressive presence.

“Keep watch here. I’m going down for some action.”

Helag glanced at the group in the distance and strode towards them.

In the valley, an assassin asked, “Williams, why haven’t we seen anyone else? Weren’t there many here yesterday?”

Leading with a large sword, Williams replied, “The Lim Mountains are vast. It’s normal not to encounter others. We need to hurry; those who arrived earlier might have found clues.”

The assassin twirled a dagger, “No worries. If someone found clues, we’ll just take them.”

With a great knight and two knight-level members, they had confidence. As long as they didn’t encounter spellcasters, they could handle anything. Ordinary adventurer teams were lucky to have one knight-level member. They had two, plus a great knight.

Williams shook his head, “I don’t think it’s that simple. We can’t be careless.”

“With you here, who can stop your sword?” Williams’ teammate reassured him.

In past adventures, Williams was nearly invincible. He’d once slain a spellcaster with his sword, even though the spellcaster was already injured. That battle made him famous.

Williams remained serious. Since entering the Lim Mountains, something felt off. His great knight instincts sensed lurking danger, so he stayed cautious.

He checked the map; after the valley, they’d reach the patrol area.

“Let’s hurry to the patrol area,” Williams instructed, pocketing the map.

The group quickened their pace, aiming to cross the valley swiftly.

“Since you’re here, don’t leave,” a deep voice called out.

A giant in black armor emerged ahead.

Seeing Helag, Williams’ heart trembled. A sense of impending death surged, nearly overwhelming him. As a great knight, his senses were sharp, giving him a direct impression of Helag’s power.

The others, however, were merely wary of Helag’s imposing figure, unaware of his true strength.

“We have no quarrel with you,” Williams said, adjusting his stance, not daring to draw his sword. He sensed that drawing his sword would mean death.

Helag nodded, “No quarrel, but I don’t need a reason to crush a few ants.”

“Arrogant!” the assassin snapped.

Ants? Us?

How arrogant could this man be?