Hitman with a Badass System
chapter-1016

After receiving the startling revelation about the presence of a Fallen God within the Sea Serpent Hall, Michael found himself reevaluating his approach to the impending encounter. During his journey from the House of Halrid, nestled in the depths of the Arctic hall's underground ocean city, to the Sea Serpent Hall, he had ample time to reconsider his strategies. Equipped with his specially designed armor, Michael possessed the ability to withstand the immense pressure of the underwater depths and breathe comfortably. As he ventured closer to his destination, his skull-faced mask materialized over his visage, concealing his features with meticulous precision. The mask not only added to his formidable appearance but also housed a contraption that generated a steady supply of breathable air, allowing him to navigate the underwater terrain effortlessly.

As Michael drew nearer to the Sea Serpent Hall, the three concentric rings that comprised the city's architecture glimmered under the radiant light emanating from the energy dome. Each ring held its own allure, contributing to the city's ethereal charm.

At the center of the city, the third and innermost ring housed the pinnacle of power and authority—the royal palace. This grand structure, crafted from gleaming white coral and adorned with shimmering pearls, exuded an air of regality and prestige. Its towering walls and majestic archways spoke of the king's dominion, while its interior boasted opulent halls and chambers adorned with exquisite artworks and ornate furnishings. It was within these hallowed walls that King Serpent and his court held court, making decisions that shaped the destiny of the Sea Serpent Hall.

As Mutrad had informed him, the elusive wind tunnel that would lead him closest to Widow's Down was said to be hidden within the Serpent King's castle. If Mutrad's words were to be believed, the Serpent King himself had obtained divine grace and ascended to the status of a god, albeit a fallen one, trapped within the mortal realm due to the previous Dark Lord's barrier.

A mixture of disbelief and curiosity laced Michael's voice as he uttered, "Is that...?" His words trailed off as he caught sight of a familiar figure in the distance, surrounded by a translucent energy dome that shielded him from the crushing pressure of the sea. To his astonishment, it was none other than Evan Clark. Memories flooded back to Michael, reminding him of the last time they had crossed paths. It had been during the tumultuous period when Michael unleashed his fury upon Thusia, and Evan had joined the Guardian Guild, fighting alongside Xanali in a desperate attempt to quell the chaos.

What took Michael by surprise even more was the ethereal aura enveloping Evan, reminiscent of the Orc who had been possessed by a sliver of Rudra's divine grace. Furthermore, Evan's cultivation power surpassed any scale Michael had encountered before, making it difficult for him to gauge its true extent. Although momentarily taken aback by Evan's formidable power, Michael did not perceive him as a significant threat, even with the grace. Unlike Evan, whose godhood level would remain stagnant unless he amassed millions of loyal worshippers in both the mortal realm and the realm of gods, Michael possessed the ability to level up his own godhood rapidly. He only needed to locate and absorb the seeds of darkness, as well as eliminate individuals to earn experience points and advance his power. This unique method of progression made Andohr, the ruler of Hell, consider Michael a far greater threat to the gods and the realm of gods than even Dagon himself.

Keeping himself concealed amidst the towering coral reefs and massive coral structures, Michael silently observed as Evan entered the City of Serpent and began his journey toward the castle.

"Stop right there!" The earthen guards, resembling graceful carp or catfish, called out to Evan as he approached the castle. Their shimmering scales caught the light, and their two arms, each with three fingers, enabled them to interact with their surroundings. Some of the guards had small feet that allowed them to walk on land, while others floated above the ground with an air of fluidity.

From his hidden vantage point behind the coral structures, Michael continued to observe Evan's encounter with the guards. One by one, more royal guards, positioned in various stages of cultivation, emerged to surround Evan. To Michael's surprise, these guards were at either the Fusion stage level 10 or the Half Immortal stage, showcasing their formidable power. When Michael utilized his X-ray vision to scan the castle, he discovered the presence of several Immortal stage guards within its walls. The sheer strength and number of these guards astonished him. However, something seemed amiss to Michael. The energy radiation emanating from the guards appeared unstable and violent, as if they had utilized unconventional methods to accelerate their cultivation at a pace that their bodies and souls could not fully endure.

Unbeknownst to Michael, the Serpent King, after attaining godhood, had used his grace to strengthen his army, resulting in the unstable energy radiation Michael now observed.

"If this fallen god has any grudges against me, imagine the experience points I could gain by slaughtering his army and absorbing their souls once the system is online," Michael couldn't help but savor the thought of the potential experience points that awaited him.

"Stand down. I am here to see your Serpent King," Evan declared with an authoritative tone, exuding immense self-confidence and authority granted by his godhood. This assertion caused Michael to chuckle, reminiscing about the time he had sent Evan flying with a single punch, rendering him unconscious.

"You have no right to be here, human. Leave now, or we will take you down," one of the earthen guards responded sternly, his voice filled with authority.

Evan, growing impatient, clenched his fist and issued a warning to the guards. "Guys, I don't want to do this. But I am on a tight schedule here. So stand down, or I will make you."

Despite Evan's threat, the guards remained resolute, refusing to back down. Their determination was unwavering, and they stood their ground, prepared to defend their post. Meanwhile, Michael, observing the situation from his hiding spot, devised a backup plan to handle Evan.

Just as the tension filled the air, a thunderous voice reverberated throughout the entire Serpent Hall. All eyes turned toward the source of the voice, and Michael raised his head, catching sight of a figure emerging onto the balcony atop the castle. The presence commanded attention, exuding an aura of power and authority.

As the figure stepped onto the balcony, the grandeur of his presence became apparent. He was a Mermon, standing tall and regal, his upper body exuding an otherworldly beauty reminiscent of the elven kind. Adorned in kingly robes that billowed around him, he commanded attention wherever he went. The crimson red trident held firmly in his hand showcased his authority and power.

A crimson red crown adorned his head, its intricate design resembling the hood of a cobra. The crown curved gracefully, framing his face and accentuating his noble features. Atop his head, a part of the crown extended upward, resembling the head of a cobra ready to strike, adding an intimidating touch to his appearance.

His muscular physique, evident even beneath the flowing robes, spoke of immense strength and power. Every movement he made seemed effortless, displaying a sense of control and dominance. His eyes glimmered with anger and arrogance as he looked down upon Evan, his gaze filled with superiority.

With a commanding presence, the Serpent King surveyed the scene below him, his gaze fixated on Evan. Every fiber of his being exuded authority and dominance, leaving no doubt that he was a force to be reckoned with in the Sea Serpent Hall.

"Serpent King, I come before you with a pressing matter that requires your assistance. We must speak at once," Evan spoke with determination, hoping to convey the urgency of his request. However, his words were met with a mocking laugh from the Serpent King, further fueling Evan's surprise and curiosity.

"You think me a fool, human. I am well aware of your intentions. You seek to use my wind tunnel to reach Widow's Down," the Serpent King responded, his voice laced with a hint of disdain.

Evan composed himself, maintaining his calmness despite the unexpected revelation. "If you know why I need to reach Widow's Down before the Dark Lord, then you understand the gravity of the situation. Time is of the essence," Evan explained, emphasizing the urgency that hung in the air. The mention of the Dark Lord's name stirred unease among the soldiers, their whispers betraying their fear. Yet, it was the Serpent King's reaction that surprised both Evan and Michael. The Serpent King's eyes blazed with anger, his body trembling with pure rage at the mere mention of the Dark Lord's name.

"The Dark Lord will not set foot in my kingdom and leave unscathed," the Serpent King spat, his words dripping with venom and hatred.

Realizing the precarious situation and the imminent danger posed by the Dark Lord, Evan tried to reason with the Serpent King. "If I have learned that the quickest way to reach Widow's Down is through your wind tunnel, then the Dark Lord may have discovered it as well. Every moment wasted brings him closer to your castle. Let me assist you, Serpent King," Evan pleaded, hoping to find a compromise.

The Serpent King's expression twisted into a sneer, his anger unyielding. "You wish to help me? Then bring me the Dark Lord's head, and I shall grant you access to my wind tunnel. Until then, you can fuck off," the Serpent King coldly declared, turning away and dismissing Evan without a second thought.

A sneer crossed the Serpent King's face as he turned away, dismissing Evan's request.

"You leave me no choice," Evan clenched his fist, his eyes beginning to glow with a golden light. The earthen guards surrounding him became aware of the low hum emanating from Evan, a clear sign that he was about to unleash his power. Sensing danger, they braced themselves, knowing that Evan was about to strike.

True to their expectations, Evan unleashed a powerful shockwave of golden energy, propelling the guards backward and leaving a trail of chaos in his wake.

With a swift and fluid motion, Evan unleashed a barrage of spells and physical attacks upon the earthen guards. Brilliant bursts of blue and golden light illuminated the surroundings as powerful spells erupted from his fingertips. The air crackled with energy, and the ground trembled with each devastating strike.

The people in the vicinity suddenly became aware of the fierce conflict unfolding before them. Panic ensued as they scattered in all directions, seeking safety from the escalating confrontation. The peaceful atmosphere shattered as the sound of crashing spells and the clash of steel reverberated through the air.

In the midst of the chaos, the Serpent King halted his steps, his curiosity piqued by the commotion behind him. He turned around, his crimson eyes fixated on the spectacle before him. A twisted smile played across his face as he observed Evan, a mere human, daring to challenge his guards.

Michael, hidden among the coral structures, watched the fight unfold with a mix of surprise and anticipation. The display of Evan's power intrigued him, and he studied every move, spell, and strike with keen interest.

Evan's attacks were relentless and precise, each blow landing with pinpoint accuracy. Guards were thrown into the air, crashing into buildings with bone-shattering force. Spells tore through the air, leaving trails of destruction in their wake. The guards fought back valiantly, their roars of defiance echoing through the battlefield.

Citizens, shocked and confused, watched the unfolding spectacle with wide eyes. "What is happening?" one person gasped, clutching their loved ones tightly.

Amidst the chaos, the guards bellowed at each other, their voices filled with determination and anger. "Take him down!" one guard growled, swinging his weapon with all his might. "Protect the Serpent King!" another shouted, their voice filled with loyalty and unwavering dedication.

The clash between Evan and the guards intensified, with each side unleashing their most devastating techniques. The guards coughed up blood as they crashed into buildings and the unforgiving ground, their bodies battered and bruised.

As the battle between Evan and the guards raged on, the Serpent King's eyes narrowed with a mix of irritation and amusement. With a sudden movement, he raised his crimson red trident, channeling his power into a concentrated beam of energy. The beam shot forth, colliding with Evan and sending him hurtling through the air, crashing into a nearby structure with a resounding impact.

Hovering effortlessly in the air, the Serpent King slowly descended from the balcony, his presence exuding an overwhelming aura of authority and power. His eyes glowed with a malevolent gleam as he approached Evan, a wicked smile curling upon his lips.

"So, you dare to challenge me, human?" the Serpent King taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance. "I suppose I should thank you for providing me with some entertainment. It has been far too long since I've had a good battle to stretch my muscles."

In a display of unfathomable power, the Serpent King's form began to transform. His body elongated and contorted, his once regal appearance taking on the shape of a giant crimson red cobra. Majestic wings sprouted from his back, and his fangs grew longer and sharper. A red mist emanated from his serpentine form, swirling around him with an ominous presence.

The Serpent King, now a colossal serpent with immense wings, towered over the battlefield, his crimson scales glistening under the ambient light. His piercing eyes locked onto Evan, radiating a hunger for victory and dominance.

With a voice that echoed through the air, the Serpent King hissed, "Prepare yourself, human. You shall witness the might of a true god!"