The city lord's expression soured as he saw the scene in front. It was a massacre and one-sided one at that.

Hundreds of leaves danced around Erik's body and fluttered as they intercepted arrows, blocked swords and took lives. He never knew the thin leaf blade could be so sharp. The impressive armor the soldiers wore was a paper defense against these fluttering leaves, which slit throats all around.

Finally, the city lord couldn't watch the meaningless slaughter and raised his hand.

 - All of you, retreat.

The soldiers obeyed unconditionally. Nobody rose an objection. They were thoroughly scared. No matter how many came, they would just be foolishly throwing their lives away.

The smile lingered on Erik's handsome face as he stopped slaughtering.

 - You guys retreat as well. 

The beauties nodded their heads and left their master and the city lord facing each other.

- You've got quite a heartless followers there.

The city lord taunted.

Erik grinned in response.

- You're wrong, I'm the heartless one. They're just obedient.

Morses's ring flashed and two brown leathered gauntlet adorned with red gems on top appeared in the air. He put the gauntlets on with a single motion and clutched a fist. The bone crackling sound rang.

 - It's been a while since I've gone all out.

Erik responded with disdainful words.

 - Even tigers go all out to hunt rabbits, is it? How unimpressive, this young master is disappointed.

The city lord didn't take it to heart.

 - I wouldn't dare underestimate someone from The Devil's Candle.

Erik didn't dally any longer and jumped back, but the fluttering leaves flew forward. The surface of the leaves started reddening.

 - Summer leaf: Incinerate!

*Boom!

In split second, the city lord was enveloped in hundreds of leaves, which exploded into dark red flames.

Erik didn't dare slacken his focus as he watched the smoke and the flame disperse.

The fire caught the nearby trees but didn't manage to spread far as the heavy rain quickly put the flames down.

The faint humanoid figure could be seen walking out of the subsiding flames.

*Crack, crumble~

The layer of earth shell crumbled away from the city lord's skin. He didn't seem injured in any way.

Sensing the dangerous fluctuation around the city lord, Erik quickly dashed away into the forest.

The city lord grinned like a predator and clutched his fist, which was enveloped in the brown glow.

- Earthern dust: Molding coffin!

 - Huh?

Erik's body felt as heavy as a lead. His eyes widened when his magic perception noticed unnoticeably small specs of earth dust started covering the surface of his body.

''That's bad!''

He thought alarmed and chanted the skill before he was completely petrified.

 - Autumn leaf: Wither!

The nearby leaves detached themselves from trees and fluttered in Erik's direction. The leaves changed colors and took reddish-yellowish glow. Hundreds of leaves quickly covered his whole body.

The earth dust quickly crumbled under the withering aura of hundreds of leaves and soon, he was freed.

 - Too slow.

The figure of grinning city lord appeared right in front of him. Erik's eyes constricted and made the nearby leaves intercept the city lord's closing fist.

*Bang!

However, the leaves couldn't intercept the city lord's heavy strike and were quickly tore through. The hammer-like fist struck his chest and made him fly several meters away. His body flew like a kite, tearing through 2 tree trunks along the way.

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 - Guh, cough, cough, cough~

He started vomiting blood upon coming to stop. He felt his whole ribcage was shattered. The city lord was truly a monster of his own realm.

Erik's trembling hand clutched the grass as he forced himself to stand.

''I can't die, not yet!'

 - Spring leaf: Rejuvenate!

The light green glowing leaves enveloped him and started healing his wounds, but they weren't quick enough.

The demonic figure of city lord was approaching unhurriedly.

Erik wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and straightened his trembling body up.

''Will I be able to hold out long enough?''

He thought bitterly.

 - Winter leaf: Death!

The surrounding vegetation started decayed and shriveling. The city lord stopped mid-track and didn't dare advance carelessly.

Erik grinned as gloomy aura started to spread around the area.

*  *  *

The city looked gloomy. The streets were full of blood and corpses. The eerie silence enveloped the houses. No sound could be heard, except for the creepy howling of the wind and the sound of rain.

The demonic figure enveloped in dark green light flashed from house to house.

Everything ended in split second. No commotion rose, because nobody had the time to react.

The city was dying.

The dual blades of Mantis shook as he finally finished slaughtering greater half of the city.

Silence!

His ring flashed and several grotesque items appeared around him.

*CHI

The blood sprouted from his finger and dripped to the ground. The creepy items gave a dark glow and the dark formation circle started taking shape on the ground below.

The river of blood started moving towards the formation and disappeared inside. The corpses scattered all around the city had their blood awakened. The blood moved like an endless tide.

The ghostly shrieks could be heard from around the formation.

Mantis felt his soul shake as he turned pale, but grit his teeth and held on.

Finally, it was done. The formation disappeared without a trace. Only the bloodless corpses were left in the city.

*Clank

Antique looking small metal fragment appeared in place of formation.

Mantis picked up the fragment and felt his blood turn cold.

''Hell gates key fragment.''

He thought solemnly.

 - Dark ritual, success. Good, the quality was high enough this time.

The eerie voice sounded from behind.

 - I'll take that.

The fragment disappeared from Mantis' hands.

 - Faceless.

Mantis muttered solemnly.

 - The big shots will be drawn out, but no worries, there's no need to flee.

Faceless laughed hoarsely.

 - Isn't it useless? There's no way the upper echelon will come. What's the point then?

Two indents and the creepy line appeared on Faceless' empty grey face. He shook the fragment in his hand.

 - At least we got this.

Mantis sighed with dejection.

 - Who will be sent?

The creepy smiley line widened on Faceless' grey face.

 - Crane.

Mantis flinched, then started trembling.

 - Fuck! Are they really sending that crazy woman?

 - That's not for us to decide.

Faceless faded into nothingness. However, it's creepy smile lingered even after its disappearance.

*  *  *

 - Go back. 

The order was transmitted to him.

He could only smile wryly in response.

His body was sprawled on the ground. Blood covered his clothes and face. The city lord was unhurriedly approaching. His gauntlet was covered in blood.

Erik forced his trembling hands to push his body up a little. However, there wasn't much strength in them.

He could only lean against the tree while taking big gulps of air.

 - Any last words?

The city lord asked with a stoic face. 

Erik grinned as he panted with less sound.

 - You...can't kill me.

The city lord gave him a look of pity.

 - Are you dreaming?

Erik smiled a little and stared back at city lord's gaze.

 - I can't die in...your hands. I...I can't break...my promise. 

His breathing got weaker as he said these words.

 - The ones who...hate me the most should be the ones giving an end to my life. Huff, huff, won't you grant a dying man's wish?

Erik looked at him pitifully. The city lord's expression fluctuated as he thought of something. He closed his eyes and nodded his head.

 - Very well. However, I'll see you to the end.

 - Haha...

Erik laughed weakly and attempted to stand up, but failed.

 - Can you give me a hand?

The city lord looked at him strangely, but seeing his expression, he helped him up in the end.

 - Thank you.

Erik spoke sincerely and started walking slowly. The city lord was following him from behind. A strange sense of sorrow enveloped his heart as he saw the young man, who could barely hang on life moved forward in the woods. The sound of heavy rain also increased the gloom.

The city lord could leave him alone and Erik would survive, but he couldn't do that.

The death of several big shots weighted down his back. The only way to survive the wrath of higher-ups was by killing this young man, which would be a huge merit.

Erik also knew his position. He could no longer be saved.

 - Don't you resent me?

The city lord spoke up with guilt.

 - Haha...You've listened to my last wish, what more can I ask?

The sound of rain once again enveloped the surroundings. The duo advanced slowly.

 - Can I ask for a favor? 

The city lord nodded his head.

 - Take care of my loved ones. They're not branded like I am.

Morses nodded his head.

He had a strange feeling that the young man walking in front wasn't there. He seemed transcendent, otherworldly as if he...no longer belonged here.

Finally, a bare hill appeared in sight. The surrounding area was devoid of trees. Only gloomy sky could be seen looking down from above. 

Erik's face brightened as he saw his beautiful harem standing on a hill, waiting for him. Their beauty seemed even more transcendent than before.

Erik hugged and kissed the girls one by one. His eyes were full of tender love.

 - You're free now.

* Splat, splat

4 blades pierced his chest. The blood leaked and joined the rainwater.

Such was the last order of slavemaster Erik.

The hollow eyes of the girls regained color.

Erik's pale face still had a lingering smile left. His eyes slowly closed. He could no longer support the weight of his body.

The city lord also couldn't help, but tear up a little.

''Death in lovers' embrace, what a way to die.''

This was the end of the nightmares of the poor girls. However, the horrifying things he did were forgotten at this moment. They held Erik's corpse and mourned. Their wailing was heart-wrenching.

The brand of ash glowed on Erik's neck. His body faded into ashes and turned into nothingness.

The city lord sighed as he approached the mourning girls, who have dropped to their knees with a heavy heart.

''Life itself is the greatest sorrow of life. What great words. Hopefully, you can find peace in death.''