Hitman with a Badass System
chapter-1020

As Evan moved closer to the submerged structure, Michael floated helplessly in the ocean, bound by the golden ropes that encircled him. He locked eyes with the eel, their silent connection speaking volumes. Understanding Michael's unspoken command, the eel swam away, disappearing into the depths of the ocean, seeking safety.

Meanwhile, Evan's clenched fist radiated with a golden glow as he summoned his power. With unwavering determination, he unleashed a powerful punch, striking the cubic structure. The cracks that already marred its surface widened and multiplied with each forceful blow. Evan's relentless assault continued until the structure shattered completely, revealing its hidden contents.

To their astonishment, an ancient-looking scroll awaited them within the shattered remains of the structure. It was encased in an ethereal air bubble, surrounded by a mysterious dark mist. The mere sight of it signaled to Michael that it was indeed a seed of darkness, a powerful artifact of untold potential.

However, before Evan could reach out to touch the spell scroll, Michael's voice cut through the air, stopping him in his tracks. Evan turned to face Michael, his curiosity piqued by his unexpected interruption.

"Not so fast, Evan," Michael's voice carried a mischievous undertone as a beam of light emanated from the skull on his chest. The beam formed an image of Victoria, Evan's fiancée. The sight struck Evan like a bolt of lightning, freezing him in place.

His eyes widened with shock as he beheld the distressing scene before him. Victoria, bound to a chair, bore the marks of a fierce struggle. Her golden hair was disheveled, and her once pristine white armor was stained with blood. Bruises marred her delicate features, a testament to the battle she had endured. Behind her lay the lifeless bodies of several guards, their broken forms strewn across the marble floor.

Evan's heart raced with a mix of fear, anger, and concern for his beloved. The image etched into his mind, driving him to a moment of agonizing indecision. His desire to obtain the seed of darkness clashed with his overwhelming need to protect Victoria.

As the gravity of the situation sank in, a tense silence enveloped the ocean depths, the weight of their choices hanging heavy in the water.

Evan's anguished cry reverberated through the water as he locked eyes with his gagged and restrained fiancée, Victoria. The sight of her, bound and helpless, fueled his rage, causing him to lash out impulsively at Michael, seeking vengeance.

"What have you done?!" Evan's voice echoed with a mix of desperation and fury, the ripples in the water mirroring his tumultuous emotions.

But just as Evan lunged towards Michael, a woman's voice cut through the tense atmosphere, halting his advance. Gaya, the Dark Queen, emerged into view, her presence commanding and sinister. With a dagger dripping with blood, she stood behind Victoria, issuing a chilling ultimatum.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Evan," Gaya's words carried a deadly warning, her gaze fixed on Evan. She demanded the release of Michael, threatening to slit Victoria's throat if her demands were not met.

Reluctantly, Evan shifted his attention from Michael to the dire situation unfolding before him. The weight of the decision bore heavily upon him as he reached out to remove the golden ropes binding Michael. As his hand grasped the ropes, they loosened, freeing the Dark Lord.

"I'll take this,"

In a twist of fate, Michael took hold of the golden ropes, his sly grin betraying his amusement at the turn of events.

"Just because you're stronger than me doesn't mean you can defeat me, Evan. They call me the Dark Lord for a reason," Michael taunted, his words laced with a hint of arrogance as he lightly tapped Evan's cheek, a taunting gesture of superiority.

Unbeknownst to Evan, in the moment of their encounter, Michael had secretly communicated with Gaya. He had instructed her to infiltrate Evan's house in Bredia and take his family hostage, using them as leverage to manipulate Evan. However, Michael had not anticipated that Victoria would be present at the house. While Evan's parents made for suitable hostages, Victoria, his beloved fiancée, proved to be an even more enticing pawn in his sinister game.

As Michael approached the spell scroll, his curiosity piqued, he turned his attention back to Evan, his voice laced with a hint of suspicion.

"Who do you work for, Evan?" Michael's inquiry hung in the air, his gaze penetrating as he studied Evan's reaction.

Evan's heart raced, his mind torn between protecting Victoria and confronting Michael. He met Michael's gaze with a resolute expression, firm in his response.

"No one," Evan replied, his voice strained with emotion.

But Gaya, reveling in her sadistic control, interjected with a chilling snicker, her grip on Victoria tightening. The dagger pressed against Victoria's throat, drawing a thin trickle of blood, a cruel reminder of the imminent danger.

"Don't play games with the life of your beloved, Evan," Gaya taunted, her voice dripping with amusement. Evan's heart skipped a beat as he witnessed the crimson trail staining Victoria's skin.

"Let her go. She had done nothing to you!"

Fury surged within Evan as he pleaded for Victoria's release, his voice trembling with desperation and rage. But Gaya, displaying her deranged nature, merely snickered and playfully pouted, displaying her utter disregard for Victoria's life.

"Evan, my dear, I have killed my own father and crippled my own sister. Do you think I give a flying fuck about this bitch?" Gaya's words struck Evan like a dagger to the heart, leaving him paralyzed with anguish and helplessness.

Evan's gaze darted between Gaya, Victoria, and Michael, his mind racing for a solution. He longed to stop Michael's actions, but Gaya yanked Victoria's hair back, exposing her vulnerable neck, and reminded Evan of the knife poised against her throat. This terrifying threat silenced his desperate intentions.

With determination in his eyes, Michael unleashed a powerful punch, striking the air bubble that surrounded the spell scroll. The bubble shattered, dissipating into thin air, as Michael swiftly grabbed hold of the ancient scroll. A dark mist, tinged with an otherworldly aura, emanated from the scroll and slowly coiled around Michael's hand, its tendrils intertwining with his very being.

As the dark mist seeped into Michael's body, a surge of energy coursed through his veins. Veins protruded from his skin beneath the armor, pulsating with an ethereal glow. The power within him intensified, radiating with an intensity that Evan couldn't ignore.

Evan's gaze fixated on Michael, his senses heightened as he observed the sudden rise in Michael's energy radiation. The aura surrounding Michael became more ominous, shrouding him in an aura of darkness and power.

[Congratulations to the host for acquiring another seed of darkness]

[The host now acquired three seeds of darkness]

[The experience points harvester function is online]

[The host will receive experience points for killing from now on]

[Once the host reaches the Celestial stage, the system will come online permanently]

[The host can now absorb powerful artifacts and turn their energy into experience points]

[Rare and more powerful artifacts will give the host more experience points]

Michael's vision became hazy as the system notifications flooded his awareness. A surge of joy swept over him as he realized he was getting closer to permanently awakening the system. Amidst the flurry of notifications, he couldn't contain his excitement upon discovering that he could absorb artifacts and gain experience points once again. Lost in the sea of notifications, a particular message caught his attention.

[Congratulations for acquiring the seed of darkness - shadow teleportation]

Michael's astonishment echoed in his mind. He was well aware that each seed of darkness possessed unique properties, granting him distinct powers and advantages. His armor, for instance, was a seed of darkness that provided him with formidable protection. Now, the spell scroll had bestowed upon him a new ability - the wondrous gift of shadow teleportation.

[The Shadow Teleportation is a powerful spell that grants the user the ability to instantaneously transport himself to any location within his line of sight where a shadow is present. By harnessing the connection between shadows and travel, the host can seamlessly navigate through space, utilizing shadows as gateways to move from one point to another effortlessly]

Curious about his newfound ability to absorb energy from artifacts, Michael reached out for the golden ropes that had bound him moments ago. Closing his eyes, he focused his concentration on the ropes, feeling the surge of energy coursing through them. A soft hum resonated in his senses as he experienced a slight resistance from the ropes. Slowly but steadily, the golden strands transformed into tiny specks of dust, drifting into Michael's being, converting into valuable experience points.

[Absorbing Legendary level Ropes of Harving]

[Absorbing energy…]

[Converting the grace energy into experience points…]

[Experience points converted 300,000]

[Experience points converted 700,000]

….

[Congratulations to host 'Michael' for leveling up. The current stage is Half Celestial stage level 4]

Host: Michael

Cultivation Level: Half Celestial level 4

Godhood: Fledgling God ( Have three seeds of darkness. Need two seeds for the upgrade to level 2 godhood- DemiGod)

Experience Points: 1,000,000/12,000,000

Badass Points: 75,000,000

Skills & Spells:

Wind Blast - LVL 6 Ultimate form level 1

Eyes of Doom - LVL 5 Ultimate form level 1

Responsive Shield - LVL 8

Environment Scanning - LVL 8

Ignitia - LVL 8 Ultimate form level 1

Silenes - LVL 1

Meteor - LVL 1

Lightning Dash - LVL 6 Ultimate form level 1

Energy Devouver - LVL 5

Soul Eater - LVL 5

Soul Stare - LVL 4

Death Range - LVL 3

Shadow Teleportation

Eyes of Darkness (normal) - Can sense the cultivation level of others

Eyes of Darkness (Lucifer) - Can sense the cultivation level of others, Can see through illusions

Cloud of Darkness (Lucifer) - Weak-willed enemies will lose their courage completely and surrender. Death Range will be 50% more powerful, and if activated in darkness, the host's cultivation level will be boosted 4 levels up regardless of the stage barrier.

Wordless Spell Caster(Lucifer) - In full Lucifer form, the host just has to think of the spell to cast it.

Techniques: Swords of Destiny - 98% Mastery

Ring of Fire - 96% Mastery

Serpent-Maga - 98% Mastery

Occupation: The Guardian of Sunrise Sect

The Dark Lord

The God of Darkness

Status: Healthy

Goals: Control the world

Grow the Order of Death

Utility Function:

Banker - LVL 5 (Ratio - 1000 gold coins: 40 badass point(s))

Runic Teleportation

X-Ray Vision (Also integrated with Eyes of Darkness)

Wealth: 25,000,000 Gold

Special Trait: 6-Star Alchemist

5-Star Blacksmith

5-Star Inventor

Subordinates: Gaya - Warrior (loyalty level 100%)

Raylene - 5-star Chef (loyalty level 99%)

Aria - Queen of Shadows- Assassin (loyalty level 92%)

Adelia Wraith - (loyalty level 94%)

Maxine - Queen of Power. - Warrior (loyalty level 98%)

Tiberius - King of War- Warrior (loyalty level 85%)

Sadie - Queen of Whispers- (loyalty level 70%)

Ricky (loyalty level 95%)

Titus and Optimus - Kings of Supplies (loyalty level 80%)

Gibson - King of the Skies (loyalty level 90%)

Corey - Queen of the Seas (loyalty level 90%)

The Silent Reaper Crew - Pirates (loyalty level 93%)

Saber - King of the Nightwalkers ( loyalty 82%)

Trista

Lenora

Base of Operation: The Abyssal

The Crypt

The Dark Ocean

Familiars: Nightmare (Royal Dragon) ( Dead )

Vedora (Three Headed Hydra)

Elemental Manipulation: Wind (40% Mastery), Fire (40% Mastery), Lightning (50% Mastery), Darkness (50% Mastery)

Michael surveyed his updated system status with a sense of satisfaction. With the restoration of his ability to gain experience points through taking lives and absorbing artifacts, he knew there was much work ahead of him. Taking a deep breath, he exited the system and directed his attention back to Evan, who had witnessed the disappearance of the spell scroll, unaware of its true power.

"Let me ask you one more time, Evan. Who do you work for? You are a follower, not a leader. So who do you follow?"

In a cold and commanding tone, Michael addressed Evan, demanding to know the truth behind his allegiances.

"Lie to us one more time, and I will end her life,"

The threat of ending Victoria's life loomed in the air, voiced by Gaya with deadly authority.

Evan, torn between his loyalty to Salesi and his love for Victoria, made a difficult choice. Realizing that lying would jeopardize Victoria's safety, he confessed the truth to Michael.

"It's Salesi, the former Queen of Nagaland," Evan revealed. Finally, the veil of secrecy surrounding Michael's shadowy adversary began to lift.