Temporary Commander Of The Covert Operation

"Great job!" Yun Nitu whispered into Heian Ciemnosc's left ear with her right hand covering her mouth from the front. Heian Ciemnosc looked at her and slightly nodded. Yun Tang also nodded at Heian Ciemnosc before maintaining silence. Everyone waited until the Teams went to stand before and behind their organization's representatives before resuming the meeting. The Phosphorescent Flower Sect's Vice Sect Master stepped forth to stand half a step behind the Sect Master and commenced. She took a device with a hologram and a stick from her Covert Space bags to point at.

Piing~! The device ejected a hologram showing a few images. Some of them were from the well-known Expectre, and others from certain events through the past 1,000 years, showcasing a date, casualties, and strange phenomena that occurred in said event. Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes were stunlocked while his pale red lips opened slightly. ‘Aaahh~!’

Heian Ciemnosc felt a little helpless. He had just attained a higher level in his [All-Devouring Force Chronicles] where his Spirit Sense was strengthened, his nature reading evolved, and he could nearly feel the chance to directly discern a Craftsmaker's work on anything, even in the air.

His Spirit Sense had increased when he broke into the Breaking Point realm to 2,000,000 kilometers, but only after attaining the 6th level could Heian Ciemnosc read through a Third Step cultivator’s cultivation base to a more detailed degree than before. And his bodily strength had tremendously increased, too.

Heian Ciemnosc now felt 160,000 kg of bodily strength. It wasn’t a tremendous addition compared to his always-growing Spirit Sense, but it was more than most Godly cultivators could have, even after reaching the peak of the Godhood Step!

However, knowing what this was about, Heian Ciemnosc felt all that went to waste. He might not have achieved anything and remained as ‘less powerful’ as before. All that would matter in the upcoming covert operation was his knowledge and experience from past, unique, and even terrifying events.

“Expectres are poor, tormented Souls with no life. However, while all of you know how to deal with one, even when an Expectre is stronger than yourself, and how to protect yourself from them, it’s not the same when ghosts are your enemy.” The Vice Sect Master started, “They might be known in other ways depending on the Races who see them the most in an Existence. Nowadays, they are known as such.”

“The Semi-Space we’re sending you to is perhaps filled with these things. Our most advanced devices have concluded that not only are there many ghosts inside. Some are too enigmatic and unreadable. Even when we invited a being, they didn’t want to spend another extra minute nature reading through the fog. You must avoid those more powerful ghosts and focus on finding our goal.”

“We have no information about these things besides Mr young black monster. We only know to keep quiet and not use violence against them. It’s a strange situation, and nobody has been able to study them. It is said even Fifth and Sixth Step cultivators avoid them. And even when they wish to study them, they cannot find a location where to. Your only hope for survival and accomplishing this task is Mr young black monster.”

The Vice Sect Master looked at the representatives and chillingly said, “This is your opportunity to decide whether you’ll participate. If you refuse, you’ll remain here until the covert operation ends. Otherwise, you’ll join the rest into the Semi-Space with the rest.”

“... Good,” the Vice Sect Master nodded after no representative raised their voice. Everyone accepted to help, and nobody was chickening out. A well-desired outcome. The Vice Sect Master turned around and returned to her place beside the Grand Ancestor. Then, the latter stepped half a step forth and looked at the representatives before beginning.

“Remember, the Phosphorescent Flower Sect will exchange a fortune for every treasure you bring, other than whatever the coffin might hide. We are putting your lives at risk with this covert operation, but we still demand that any knowledge, record, writing, or drawing from within can be exchanged with us. Even if the price is high… my Sect wishes to avoid any possible conflict.” The Grand Ancestor amicably said.

“It’ll be a great opportunity to find allies, too,” he said, looking at Heian Ciemnosc. “The new Change is coming. More events are occurring, and everything seems to move. If you guys keep steady and well-behaved on the spot, how can you thrive?! Go ahead, depart! To your task!!”

“Hua!!” The crowd echoed throughout the central command. It elicited a cheerful response from a few piloting experts. The Sect Master nodded at their antics before turning around and returning from the hidden entrance she used to get here. The Grand Ancestor watched the organizations’ groups depart, and at their backs, before joining the Sect Master and Vice Sect Master.

“Hey, Heian Ciemnosc! I heard a little about your experiences with ghosts from Yun Tang. Can you tell me more?” Yun Nitu rushed to Heian Ciemnosc’s back and hugged his left arm. Her people following behind were startled, but seeing their male boss not react, they relaxed. On the other hand, Heian Ciemnosc’s Eternal Return Team looked at him as if he was a cheater who destroyed his wives’ trust. Besides, they had an inkling to whom Heian Ciemnosc was married.

The thing was, the other Crimson Team knew that as well. When they saw a beauty and future Sect Master of an Overlord organization so close to young black monster, they passively looked at Heian Ciemnosc in disdain. It was as if they were waiting for Heian Ciemnosc to fuck up and prove them and their past actions right.

“Sure, let me introduce you to my new Team,” Heian Ciemnosc turned around, spinning with a wild Yun Nitu hugging his arm, and showed them her beauty. “She’s an old pal. We never fought, but I beat the one everyone believed would beat her. She’s also my wife Elena’s girlfriend.”

“H-hi,” Yun Nitu blushed slightly. She raised her left hand and waved them at the nodding fellas before lowering her head slightly. That was when Heian Ciemnosc mercilessly stabbed her heart, back, and trust. “She’s Yun Tang’s girl.”

“Waaaaaaah!” - “Sup, girlie. Looking fine!” - “We have so much to talk about.” - “Nice meeting you, lady.” - “Is it true what they say about super tall guys? Wait! It has 2 myths… I was referring to- wait, never mind. Any answer is fine~.”

Yun Nitu: (◕︿◕✿) …┃(・ω┃

… 10 minutes passed since everyone exited the hangar, chatted a little, and went to see Heian Ciemnosc up close. The representatives’ groups were notified about Heian Ciemnosc’s role in the covert operation and, as expected, were slightly confused. But all of them also gained interest in this acclaimed young black monster.

After Heian Ciemnosc returned to the hangar, his Faction was settled in. He got everyone to enter their Fighters and prepare to come out at any notice. The Fighter Teams hovered above the hangar’s floor and silently waited while Heian Ciemnosc ran through the timer and rapidly prepared himself. He was going into a dangerous place with unknowns. He had to do some… things.

“Things are ready, move out.” Heian Ciemnosc calmly said. His order was immediately abided by his group. They neared each other’s Fighter Team tight and moved as one. Their formation’s volume was flat, and as they flew into space, they were noticed by the other representatives’ groups. The insane discipline without a battle array formation and such synchronization surprised and left them temporarily breathless.

“That’s the Crimsonbreaking Faction for you…” - “Tsk, just a space genius. What can he do in real matters concerning everyone’s lives? We’re doomed.” - “Tsk-ah! We can do better without him. Let’s go!” - “He’s so professional…” - “His formation is random, isn’t it? It looks so nice, though…” - “That precision, wah, I think we’re in good hands~.”

Discord wasn’t avoidable. But if it was, it didn’t matter. Heian Ciemnosc led his group towards a platform where a few purple-clothed Sect members were waiting for them. It was enough for 500 Fighters to descend. Heian Ciemnosc was one of the last groups to join them. As the other groups descended, they stored their Fighters and formed before the Sect members.

As one of the last groups to arrive, Heian Ciemnosc ensured everyone else was ready and formed up before walking over with his Crimsonbreaking Faction group. The Sect members looked at Heian Ciemnosc as he arrived and nodded. Then, a Godly cultivator who seemed the strongest among the others turned and utilized a ring, which, according to Heian Ciemnosc’s senses, threw off a Relic’s aura.

“This will be open for 6 weeks. You must return before it closes. I know my leaders have told you to save yourself first, but here I ask of you…” The person turned around again and faced everyone. He wore a stern expression as he finished his words, “Return in glory, even if tragedy and loss torment you. Not empty-handed and worthlessly.”

“It’s prepared,” the Godly cultivator didn’t wait for any answers and stepped to the side. The space before the platform started glowing, showing signs of something marvelous happening. A pale, starry golden bulb slowly emerged from an invisible state. It became ethereal, but its glow was shortened to a meter into the platform’s floor. The Godly cultivator added, “You can go in now.”

“...” Although the Godly cultivator spoke without looking at them, Heian Ciemnosc felt those words directed at him alone. He took a step forwards, and before entering, he turned and gazed at them like the Godly cultivator had done, only closer to them and with his pale front overshadowed by the glow and not at the same time. Heian Ciemnosc’s voice loudly echoed at their sides and into their brains, sounding calm.

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“We’re entering a dangerous ‘half-a-world’ Semi-Space. I will tell you some rules that will be followed from now on. I might be unable to execute them all on my own, but take it as my warning beforehand.” Heian Ciemnosc’s words gained everyone’s undivided attention, although he completed his words inside his mind. ‘I’m just that nice to you.’

“When we enter there, don’t speak unless I signal you that it is okay to even utter a noise!” Heian Ciemnosc’s words were absurd, but somehow, they drilled into everyone’s brains as if they were important enough to consider. He continued, “Do not move outside where I pass through and guide the rest to step on, fly through, or even drag their bodies from and to.”

“If any of you disobeys these rules and others or put anyone in danger, including anything that belongs to that place. I will kill you at my sight’s decision!” Heian Ciemnosc’s words echoed through space, making some faces frown. But the Godly cultivators at the side looked at this casually, some with their arms crossed. In their eyes, some glints of approval flashed in an instant.

“We’re moving…” Heian Ciemnosc’s serious words dropped before he turned around and advanced. His Crimson Teams followed after unquestionably. The Godly cultivator in charge lightly muttered, “Good luck.”

Step, step, step, step, step, step… tshuuwaaaanng~~... … … …

. . .

2 minutes later. Inside the other side from the outside world, in the Semi-Space half-a-world.

“...” Heian Ciemnosc looked at his group and nodded towards them after they slightly did the same in reaffirmation. Heian Ciemnosc then walked through the crowd as they reunited in what seemed a golden hall, more related to godliness than another world lower than the real one outside.

Like an ethereal smog always present, their sides were endlessly filled with a golden, dust-like chasm that stretched from below to the sky at their sides. It also served as a roof. One above the platform they stepped onto, enough for a few thousand people to stand at once. They had many options to choose smaller platform paths to walk into. All were tightly hugged by the goldish smog. The platform was a rare, whiter, platinum color with square tiles. It had to be built and not made by the Semi-Space’s nature and laws.

“...” Heian Ciemnosc silently moved through the silent, startled, curious, and frowning crowd as they entered the Semi-Space. They noticed Heian Ciemnosc but ignored him and kept him for now. Heian Ciemnosc was followed by a cultivator in the later stages of the Mythical realm from the Phosphorescent Flower Sect and the Golden Terra Sect. They were with him to ensure his safety… and orders.

“Are we there yet?” A voice echoed, making Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes focus on him. It was a Mythical realm 4th stage cultivator who, after noticing Heian Ciemnosc and looking around, became surprised and relaxed. Enough to speak despite the warnings.

“...” The already silent area became even more quiet. Half the cultivators looked at the young man who spoke, and this latter person realized what he did. For a moment, just one moment, he felt he had fucked up and felt stunned. But 2 seconds later, he calmed down and relaxed, knowing nothing had happened and that even if it did, Heian Ciemnosc wouldn’t do anything either way.

Heian Ciemnosc walked and stood 5 meters before the young man, who, for whatever reason, no longer dared to utter a noise again despite believing everything was fine. Heian Ciemnosc’s guards looked at Heian Ciemnosc, waiting for any instruction. Heian Ciemnosc retracted the right corners of his lips and made a motion to indicate he slightly munched on something. His guards nodded and walked to the young man.

“Wa- wait, wait, wait! I didn’t- no! I didn’t do it on purpose! Hey! You can’t do that!” The young man nervously exclaimed. When Heian Ciemnosc’s guards took his hands and wrists, trying to force him down on his knees, he struggled to no avail. The young man’s team members chipped in, lightly attempting to make Heian Ciemnosc enter reason. “Wait, you really can’t do this!” - “Can’t you just let it be?” - “We’re on the same side, aren’t we?!” - “Hey!!” - “Please, stop!”

They could doubt Heian Ciemnosc’s capabilities and leadership, specifically since so little is known about him other than space battles of small scale. But they could not doubt the severity of this covert operation. Their lives were in danger, and they knew it was momentous to keep the hierarchy… but how many of them knew about ghosts and how terrifying they can be?

Step… step… step… step… Heian Ciemnosc walked forth, ignoring their pleas as the others watched. His guards held the young man without obstruction, and the onlooking cultivators weren’t sure what they were watching. Each of Heian Ciemnosc’s steps helped him walk forward more than a meter. He stopped when he was just half a step from the young man.

Pshift- click! Heian Ciemnosc’s arms were down. Suddenly, his right hand darkened, and dark individual claws appeared instead of his nails. They were 8 inches long, 2.3 inches wide at the center, and .8 centimeters thick. This was their new maximum limit after he attained the 6th level of the [All-Devouring Force Chronicles].

Heian Ciemnosc didn’t show his dark fangs, but his darkest eyes suddenly became terrifying as the young man felt his body weakening by the bodyguards holding him down. His defenses were faltering, and at these moments, Heian Ciemnosc held his right claw with his left one. Dark, liquefied Neutral Energy dripped from the 5 long dark claws, mimicking blood on a blade after a raw massacre.

“...” Heian Ciemnosc still said nothing, but everyone could see where this was going as Heian Ciemnosc seemed to prepare to strike as the young man’s body weakened further. Heian Ciemnosc lowered his shoulders ever so slightly, faced the young man a few heads’ worth of distance in between, and folded his right arm.

“...!” Slowly lifting his arm, Heian Ciemnosc gave the young man a look to his death’s doors in his darkest eyes. It was as if it was decided. Nothing could stop it. But he still wanted to live! “N-no, pl-”

The cultivator forgot his superior cultivation base, only feeling terror. His Team watched as the 5 dark claws struck down immediately. A clean stabbing motion, penetrating the head and crushing downwards through his neck and sternum, and sending a wave from a sudden palm strike while still within the young man’s body.

Phhshk!!- crack-... Ckrsheeeeeerrrrr~!! Bugsh!! Bugsh!! Bugsh!! Pah!! Bugsh!!...

The young man’s body rapidly lost life before Heian Ciemnosc even triggered that palm strike. After the palm strike, the cultivator’s torso imploded, sending more flesh lumps to fall beside the others that fell when Heian Ciemnosc was still swiping his right dark claw down the young man’s neck.

“!!” - “!!” - “!!” - “!” - “!”

The crowd looked at this happen before their very eyes! They couldn’t believe what they just saw. Heian Ciemnosc began cleaning his claws after mutilating one of his people’s bodies. Before the young man’s team members and team leader could say a word after staring hard at Heian Ciemnosc, his Vocón Link exited from his right thigh and encompassed the remains, eating them whole.

“You… there isn’t even a risk to talk here, is there?” Someone asked from behind. Heian Ciemnosc’s guards were unbothered as they returned to Heian Ciemnosc’s sides, ensuring he could come out from the middle of all these peak Second Step and Third Step’s Mythical realm cultivators.

“...” Heian Ciemnosc turned his body around after glimpsing at the person who just spoke with a twist of his neck. The owner of that voice was the gal who spoke before, in doubt of Heian Ciemnosc’s capabilities, was the first. She stared at Heian Ciemnosc directly, unafraid. Heian Ciemnosc looked at her before indifferently narrowing his eyes and saying, “No.”

“...” The gal’s eyes widened. She visibly coldly sweat and stepped back into the crowd to disappear among the rest. The other cultivators became apprehensive and suddenly noticed… they could not play shit under this person, under this… young black monster.

“It’s safe to speak here. Go ahead.” Heian Ciemnosc said before stepping towards the front. Suddenly, voices started slow but rapidly became sonorous as Heian Ciemnosc shamelessly walked back with his head straight. The guards on Heian Ciemnosc’s sides sweated a little, following their leader with extra alertness.

Heian Ciemnosc glared at his Team members, who rolled their eyes and shook their heads. They weren’t bothered about his actions, although they felt surprised. Heian Ciemnosc gestured to the Yuns to wait a little longer as he summoned his Ornament and stood atop it. Heian Ciemnosc’s actions were still unnoticed by the chatty crowd until he demonstrated his dark Neutral Energy and overshadowed the goldish smog around and above them.

Pshiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiifffffffftttt~~!! Whoooooosh!!

“... … …” The crowd went silent again as they turned towards Heian Ciemnosc. The shameless young black monster still saw himself as their leader and didn’t even seem nervous to face hundreds of Mythical realm cultivators.

“What happened was a demonstration. What I want to tell you now is entirely your choice. There are many ways to go from here. Choose your path if you’re unwilling to follow the main group to search the coffin.” Heian Ciemnosc briefly spoke, aiming at the various platforms around them with his right arm waving around.

“We’ll depart in 15 minutes. Anyone else who doesn’t want to follow me can leave now,” Heian Ciemnosc said before dropping from his Ornament and storing it into his Covert Space bags again. Heian Ciemnosc’s dark coat fluttered as his irresistible handsome visage was kept down as he walked to form a larger group with the Crimsonbreaking Faction and the Sects’ Teams.

“Heian Ciemnosc, are you sure it’ll be fine to… move like this?” Yun Nitu didn’t waste time and asked him. She asked cautiously, looking worried and posing her hand in the air, gently facing the platform. Heian Ciemnosc looked at her with calm, darkest eyes and replied. “They won’t survive to take away whatever they find. It will return to this place. And you might find more methods or have practiced enough after learning from me next time you enter this Semi-Space.”

“Are you sure? Even then, everyone here might…” Yun Nitu said, still worried. Heian Ciemnosc sat on the floor, surprising everyone except his Eternal Return Team, who followed suit, subsequent by the Crimsonbreaking Factions, and ‘comforted’ her. “Nobody here who doesn’t follow me will survive. It never happens and never will. These people aren’t prepared and don’t care about me or honoring their deals to the letter.”

“Nitu, they never survive. I’ve seen far too many allies fall when we were in the same situation for these cases. They didn’t follow me once, and they ended up dead. Everyone else… it’s always the same.” Heian Ciemnosc complemented his words, holding Yun Nitu’s right forearm.

“Okay…” Yun Nitu held his pale hand and gently spoke, “I’ll trust my people’s lives to you, blackie.”

“...” Heian Ciemnosc looked at Ruo Wei, looking for answers. All Ruo Wei did was shrug and smile smugly. Then, Yun Tang chipped in to say some corny shit that only made one person feel contented. “Hey Heian Ciemnosc. I’m leaving Yun Nitu’s life in your hands. Protect her well!”

Heian Ciemnosc: ( - 、- )

…