?828 Chapter 828: Not for you
Karyk's smile sent a chill down the assassin's spine. He couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as he grasped the meaning behind his words.
"You can't go there! Even the Celestial City Lord wouldn't dare! There's a reason that place is called the forbidden land! No one who entered that place has ever returned alive. Not even a General from the Capital would dare go there!" the man exclaimed, his thoughts frozen in fear.
The thought of venturing into the forbidden area of the Elzerian Empire, known as the Land of Chaos, filled him with unease. He didn't want to die there.
"If you think following me there will lead you to death, do you think refusing my offer will lead you to life? I can kill you right now. What's better? A confirmed death at my hands or the potential death in the Land of Chaos?" Karyk asked as he stepped out of the hall. "Why don't you ask your friend what he would've chosen if he had an opportunity?"
The assassin subconsciously glanced at his lifeless friend, feeling a pang of regret. It was true that the Land of Chaos held a certain reputation, but he couldn't deny that potentially dying later was better than dying right now.
If he were to die in the Forbidden Land, at least he would die knowing the mystery of that place. But if he died here, he would've died as an assassin who had failed.
Despite fear, the choice was clear for him. Sighing, he followed Karyk through the dimly lit corridors of the mansion.
As they made their way towards the mansion's exit, Karyk explained his plan to the assassin. "I believe there is more to this Celestial Dynasty than meets the eye. And to help me, I need a guide. Although you've never been there, you can still be helpful in many other ways."
"Are you planning on using me as bait if we come across any danger?" the man asked, his expressions filled with concern.
Karyk was strong on his own, and when it came to the forbidden forest, his knowledge was limited. So the assassin knew he wasn't very helpful. There was only one thing he could be of use for someone as strong as him, and that was to cause distraction. At least that's what he thought.
Karyk shook his head. "For now, I have no plan to use you as bait, but everything will depend on how you behave. If you try to use any tricks, I might use you as bait just for the sake of it."
Relieved by Karyk's response, the assassin's tense shoulders relaxed slightly. "Since we're both going to die anyway, at least I'll feel glad that I'm going to die with you."
"Do you hate me that much? You'll be relieved if I were to die?" Karyk couldn't help but laugh. "Shouldn't an assassin control his emotions? You do realize that I control your life, right?"
The assassin sighed. "Since I'm technically a dead man walking, what's the use of controlling emotions? I would rather curse you even the moment I'm dying."
He couldn't believe he was caught in this mess. All he wanted to do was act as a spy in the city and report everything to the higher ups. He never expected to be caught and then forced to accompany the person who caught him to a suicide mission, all to satisfy his curiosity.
"But do you even have a plan? It's forbidden for a reason, and the dangers there are unimaginable. What if we die right after stepping in there? Won't it be tragic?"
Karyk shrugged. "I've never been there and I don't know what that place is like. How would I have a plan? We will see what's in that place and deal with the matters as we gain more information."
The assassin's lips twitched uncontrollably.
"Well, that fills me up with more confidence," he stated, filled with sarcasm.
Karyk laughed. "Well, it can't be as bad as what I might have to face in the future. Though if you want to help, I won't mind if you give me a plan."
They reached a hidden door at the end of a corridor. Karyk pressed his hand against the door, tracing the intricate patterns carved into its surface. The door shimmered with a faint glow, and a soft click echoed through the corridor as it swung open.
As they stepped into the hidden passage, a sense of foreboding filled the air. The walls were adorned with ancient symbols and markings. The passage was narrow and winding, leading deeper into the heart of the mansion.
As Karyk entered the hidden passage, the assassin didn't know but someone who looked identical to Karyk was standing at the balcony, looking at the beautiful city, his face still covered in the mask.
Karyk and the assassin walked in silence, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The further they went, the darker and colder it became.
"What is this passage?" The assassin asked, slightly confused.
"As an information, shouldn't you have known about everything in the mansion? Anyway, this is the secret passage that leads outside the city. With this, I can leave the city without being seen by anyone."
"Are you worried that if someone found out that you're not in the city, they might cause another commotion? But did you not think this through? If you aren't seen in the city for some time, the others will definitely get suspicious." The Assassin rolled his eyes. "It's only a matter of time before everyone finds out about your absence."
"Who knows? Maybe they'll find out, or maybe not. That's not for you to be worried about," Karyk answered as he walked in the lead, without being concerned about getting stabbed in the back as if everything was in his control for now.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the end of the passage, appearing outside the Border City.
