Chapter 505 - The Dark Goddess

In a hidden cave in the Dueling Lands, a female candidate found a shrine. With the weak light in her hands, she read the words carved on the sides of the shrine.

“Offer a million Dark Stones to obtain the affection of the Dark Goddess.”

She had already encountered several shrines and had offered stones to receive their blessings; thus, she was aware of the law regarding the shrines.

“A million Dark Stones isn’t much. The Dark Goddess shouldn’t awaken from it,” she murmured, commanding her units to gather a million Dark Stones to be offered to the shrine.

Soon, under the dim light, the Dark Goddess absorbed the Dark Stones.

At the same time, a voice seemed to whisper in her ear. The candidate placed her head close to the shrine to listen more closely, but couldn’t make out its words.

A pair of hands suddenly grabbed her head.

Panicking, she tried to pull herself out to no avail. She was soon dragged into the shrine.

After some time, another figure emerged from the shrine.

This figure would’ve been indistinguishable from the candidate if not for her deadly allure.

“Time to find my Darkness Ego,” the Dark Goddess murmured with a smile. “My dear mousey, I’ve caught your scent.”

Exiting the cave, she swiftly turned all the units outside into her slaves using her allure.

Meanwhile, far from the cave, Han Wu was roasting the leg of a Drake.

The fat sizzled as it dripped into the fire. The mouthwatering smell of barbecue filled the air.

Eight Earthsunder life forms guarded him fiercely as he cooked. Any who dared to disturb his meal would be shredded in an instant.

The Umbral Mouse was huddled beside him, staring at the roasted thigh. Saliva ran down its cheeks. “That looks delicious...”

“Of course. I’m the one grilling it after all.” Chuckling, Han Wu took out a small knife and shaved off a small piece to feed to the Umbral Mouse.

The Umbral Mouse happily nibbled it as it mentally praised, “You’re so nice, it’s a blessing to follow you.”

Han Wu burst into laughter. Feeding it some meat was enough to turn him into a good guy in its eyes! The Umbral Mouse was too naive! No wonder the Dark Goddess could trick it so easily!

The Umbral Mouse ate happily. Suddenly, its body froze, its heart racing. A terrible foreboding came over it, leaving it without its appetite. “I feel... bad. I feel like my heart is going to jump out of my chest.”

Han Wu quickly used his Life Aspect to inspect it. Nothing appeared wrong with it, but the Umbral Mouse's unusual movements also didn’t seem fake. He couldn’t figure out why it was acting this way.

As the Umbral Mouse’s consciousness slowly faded, it mumbled in its mind, “She’s here... she’s here...”

“Who?” Han Wu asked.

But he received no answer.

Just in case, Han Wu ordered his Earthsunder life forms to stay on high alert and prevent anything from approaching. It didn’t take long for an oppressive darkness to close in.

The entire sky turned as dark as night.

Squinting, Han Wu saw a shadowy figure in the distance and shouted, “What are you trying to pull?”

“What a handsome young man,” replied an alluring voice.

Han Wu used his second Divine Authority to shine a beam of light filled with Life and Light at the figure. It was a woman in a black dress.

At first glance, he thought she looked familiar, and after racking his brain, he faintly recalled that she was one of the 500 candidates.

“I just want to huddle for warmth and talk to you. Handsome man, why are you stopping me?” the Dark Goddess asked coyly, stopped in place by his Divine Authority.

The lady was clearly trying to avoid the light, keeping to the darkness.

Trembling violently, the Umbral Mouse unconsciously dug its paws into his arm.

Noticing the Umbral Mouse in his hands, the woman’s eyes lit up. “Handsome man, that pet in your arms is adorable. Can I pet it?”

Han Wu eyed the woman suspiciously. Although he couldn’t put a finger on what exactly was wrong with her, the Umbral Mouse’s blatant fear and earlier words before passing out were more than enough for him to guess at her true identity.

Smiling, he lifted the Umbral Mouse to her. “Sure, come and take it from me.”

The Dark Goddess, wary of his second Divine Authority, stopped in her tracks. “Can’t you please give it to me through your units? I’m slightly afraid of you...”

Han Wu noted how bashful the lady was and signaled his Earthsunder life forms to surround her.

“Hey there, young boy, are you trying to surround me?” asked the Dark Goddess. “You can’t defeat me with so few Earthsunder life forms.”

Finally deciding to drop the act, Han Wu took the Umbral Mouse into his embrace. “Why don’t we try?”

The eight Earthsunder life forms acted immediately. Darkness, lightning, wind, and fire rained down on the Dark Goddess.

A black barrier appeared to shield her from the powerful elemental attacks.

“You aren’t strong enough,” she mumbled. “Do you want to see me defeat your units?”

Turning into a shadow, she dove into the darkness and attacked the eight Earthsunder life forms with incredible speed.

Bakir was the first to be attacked, then Karot. Alpheus, Erebard, and even Smog. Meanwhile, none of them managed to land a hit on her in return.

Han Wu couldn’t bear to see his units getting hurt and decided to attack her head-on.