After a while;
In the skies of the Ixitus Empire, Zan Rong was seen flying on the top of an undead drake while closely being followed by Mark in his suit. The Divine throne was resting in Mark's inventory as his companion had to lead him to their next destination.
Mark manipulated Zan Rong to abandon her original path and made her follow his way by revealing all the details he could conclude from the quests. As for how he knew all the details? With a straight face, he blatantly lied to her that he extracted memories from the elf before killing him.
Zan Rong also believed him as she knew Mark was someone capable of achieving unimaginable feats. Furthermore, she had to rely on him now that their world has fallen and she wasn't sure if her allies are still alive or not.
Hence, despite her disgust toward undead beings, she still cooperated with him and flew on top of the undead drake and acted as the guide.
With Zan Rong taking the lead, they made their way to Osyhlona city, which is not more than a 30-minute journey considering the fact that the undead drake's flying speed exceeds 300 km/hr.
Much like the previous one, Osyhlona city also looked quite desolated with ruined buildings everywhere, undead beasts aimlessly roaming around, and little to no signs of life around.
It means there would be no problem if Mark goes all out and destroys everything he sees.
Or so this weapon seller thought at first, but then, a notification from the system changed his mind.
As they reached the skies above the city, Mark ordered Zan Rong to stop as he stared at the notification screen before him.
*Ding! Your Quest "Find the Princess" has been updated.
Quest: Save the princess
Description: The Princess is in captive of an Elven lord named Kragen. Defeat him and save the princess.
Reward: Rank-7 Android
*Ding! You received a new emergency quest
Quest: Free the slaves
Description: Hundreds of elves were imprisoned by Kragen and were used to mine Orichalcum ore lying on the outskirts of Osyhlona city. Give them the freedom.
Note: the mission is considered successful as long as more than 70% of them successfully escape with their lives intact.
Reward: Upgrade stone (normal)
Accept?
***
Mark's smile beneath the suit widened in excitement. Seeing him clenching his fist, Zan Rong misunderstood that her companion was probably shaken by something he saw in the city.
She doesn't know what that is, but since she is already in the boat, she had to make it her business. Not to mention the fact that she had to display her true strength so that Mark stops thinking that she is a person that needs his protection.
Without waiting for Mark's approval, she summoned her semi-divine weapon and jumped from the back of the undead drake, startling the weapon seller. "This woman…" He cursed under his breath and followed behind her while telepathically ordering the drake to target the undead.
*Thud*
A small crater was formed as Zan Rong landed on her foot while a layer of ether energy protected her legs. Her grip on the staff was tightened as the nearby undead monsters smelled her presence and rushed toward her as if they found a delicacy.
She raised the staff above her head and ether energy flew into the staff, making it glow before she slammed its bottom tip onto the ground with a roar.
"Die"
Mark was stunned for a moment as dozens of unknown tree roots that were as thick as 2ft-4ft erupted from the ground and shot toward the incoming monsters.
"Damn, she has got some skills. No wonder she acts arrogant," He muttered under his breath.
In an instant, atleast thirty of them were captured by these roots and then were squashed into bits of pieces. The remaining three of them successfully evaded the attack and lunged at their prey.
Just as Mark was about to take action to save her, he saw ether energy was pushed out of his companion and transformed into a suit of armor, blocking their attacks.
Zan Rong then swung her staff like a baseball bat, blasting them away for atleast a hundred meters. They crashed onto the walls of the buildings.
"Hmpf, weaklings," Zan Rong let out a snort and then raised her head to look at the floating figure above her. She looked at him as if she wanted some sort of praise as a comment.
However, Mark didn't react as she expected. Instead of confronting her for being reckless or praising her for her power, he just spoke indifferently, "You can keep having fun here. I'm going after the main boss and finish this quickly. The undead drake will take care of your back."
After informing her of his decision, he flew toward the fort built on top of a hill at his fastest speed, hoping that his enemy would be there.
Quite surprisingly, when Mark neared the fort, he saw the enemy was already waiting for him. An elf with demonic horns was seen silently flapping his large red wings and calmly looking at him as if he wasn't surprised by Mark's exoskeleton suit.
With a look at his details, Mark realized that this was Kragen, one of the five dukes of the empire. His cultivation level might be at low-9-circle but he is a high elf, which is considered royal bloodline and that also means his ether quality is at the peak grade and has the knowledge of unique skills. Furthermore, he appears to have dual cultivation paths. One of them is a mage and the other is a Seer.
Usually, his identity and calmness would make his opponents wary but Mark was different from the rest. He doesn't think much of anyone below Saint Realm (12-circle) because of the trump cards he possesses.
Stopping a few meters away from the enemy, Mark then spoke, "You are Kragen, I suppose?"
The Duke of Reiren calmly commented in response, putting forth a proposal, "I'm waiting for you, the human from the mortal plane. You, who have the bloodline of a divine beast, are not an enemy of mine. So, I shall give you what you want as long as you shall not involve in the affairs of His Majesty. You can take the princess and return to your world with her."
Mark was slightly taken aback by the unexpected proposal from the enemy in their first meeting. But then, as he took another look at the holographic screen where Kragen's profession is written, Mark felt like the guy probably saw this coming.
The question is to what extent. The one who knows the future often has the leverage and Mark doesn't want to risk anything that can jeopardize his rewards.
After thinking for a bit, Mark replied with a nod, "Alright. As long as you release the princess, I swear I will return without making any trouble."
It was then the Duke of Reiren suddenly raised his hand. Mark became alert and thought the enemy is going to attack. Instead, Kragen snapped his fingers and an unconscious figure appeared in his arms. The beautiful lady has some sort of energy collar around her neck.
"This collar is my leverage, human. You make one mistake, and she dies. I hope you keep on your word," spoke Kragen as he released her.
The unconscious lady slowly started floating toward Mark as the latter instantly activated his ocular powers because of how easy this mission was going. A person like Mark wouldn't even easily believe the words of his mother, much less a stranger and that too, a corrupted elf.
The reality surprised him once again as the floating lady indeed the princess of the royal family of Ixitus Empire.
She didn't appear to be corrupted either and her status showed that she is only unconscious, not afflicted with any curse. As for the collar, it wasn't even the skill. It is just an application of the control of ether energy.
Nevertheless, Mark didn't let down his guard, remembering how his overconfidence cost him several days' worth of life force. Eventually, he grabbed the lady and turned his attention back to Kragen.
The Duke of Reiner then said, "I hold up the end of my bargain. You can now leave our world. The nearest teleportation formation is located 50 kilometers to the east, on a small island in the middle of Reiner Lake."
*Ding! You completed the quest. The reward has been sent to the inventory. "Seriously?" Mark couldn't just believe how easy the quest was over without lifting a finger. He could barely control his excitement as he opened the inventory to immediately check what kind of android he received.
It was at that moment, all of a sudden, mysterious markings appeared on the energy collar over the lady's neck at once and released a sealing technique onto Mark.
"Fu*k…"
Mark was struck by a mysterious force and lost consciousness instantly.
*Ding! The divine power of a True God (peak-14-circle) invaded the host's body and mindscape. The system is going offline in 5 seconds to protect its secret.
*Ding! The host's cultivation is sealed by the foreign power.
*Ding! The host memories are locked to protect the secrets of the system.
Mark and the elf started free-falling onto the ground. Kragen quickly flapped his wings and flew toward them and caught them.
Landing on the ground, he threw away the princess without a care and then looked at Mark in seriousness, "I wonder what kind of seal was that and which god handed such power to His Majesty."
"We too wonder the same, Mr. Kragen."
Two unfamiliar voices were heard behind Kragen, taking him by surprise as he didn't sense their presence until now. When he did, he realized that both of them are in the same realm as himself.
Just as he turned his head around in shock, his eyes witnessed the blurriness of a blade before it sliced his neck, separating his head from the rest of his body.
