Hero of Darkness

Kaaldrum drew his final breath, accepting his defeat and acknowledging that it was his own negligence that had allowed the infiltrators from the Hero of Nature's Party to exploit his weaknesses.

"So, he was a Lukion." Atreus remarked as he finally uncovered the archer's identity beneath the hood.

This species was one Kahn had encountered previously in the Zivot Empire as Legolas Ragnarsson, where his Misthios Mercenary Guild had been commissioned to safeguard their lands from a monster outbreak. 

At the time, he had learned that the Lukions possessed a natural affinity for the Metal element, allowing them to manipulate metallic objects using mana. 

This unique trait made them the most skilled race in Blacksmithing within the entire Elven Empire.

Consequently, Kahn, who had conducted business with them before, retained a vivid recollection of this particular species.

Crack!

Shatter!

Kaaldrum's remains scattered like fragments of glass on the metallic floor as Atreus' permafrost had successfully invaded and crystallized every cell within the now-defeated guardian's body.

The Hero's Party had triumphed over the fifth guardian of God's Domain, but the final guardian remained shrouded in mystery.

As Maximus contemplated their next move, he acknowledged the unknown nature of their last adversary.

"The last guardian... we know nothing about him." Maximus remarked, his gaze fixed on the remnants of Kaaldrum's weapons and clothing.

Kahn, drawing from his extensive experience, added his perspective. "Given how his eyes appeared in the region before, he is probably aware of everything and knows how we killed the rest. 

He is most likely to be well-prepared and not fall for any of our antics or mind games. I reckon he will fight us as a Saint from the very beginning."

[Thankfully, I didn't reveal anything more than my immunity against Darkness element when I fought Zolvik in the 3rd region.

So my identity is safe for now.] thought Kahn.

"So are we going in blind for the next guardian?

We have no reliable intel on him and neither do we know anything about the terrain of the next region." spoke Borat with an incredulous gaze.

Nearly half of their group was already killed and the remainder wasn't confident to face the last guardian that protected the God's Altar.

Thus, this concern was indeed a pressing matter. 

But unlike the rest, Maximus and Atreus did not even have a shred of fear or reluctance on their faces.

After looking at their dejected faces, Maximus spoke to the other four members of the group…

"We have come so far based on our skills and abilities as well as our teamwork.

The last guardian might be the strongest opponent we would have to face but if anything this journey ever since we entered Babylon has taught us…

We will survive if we keep persisting till the last moment." said the Hero of Nature in an uplifting tone.

However, the very next moment…

"Like hell we are!

That Assassin in the 2nd layer killed 2 of us while that Psychic chimera made 2 more to commit suicide!

  And that High Vampire almost killed us all for fun while controlling our bodies against our wills." spoke Conan, his voice frightened.

"He is right. All of us could have been dead if not for our luck. 

But do you guys really think that we could just survive against an enemy who will be at his full power and is possibly at a higher saint rank compared to all the others we faced so far?" asked Speki with a discouraged countenance.

His logic was sound and also true in a sense based on what transpired so far.

"We barely survived so far with our strengths and abilities sealed at Semi-Saint rank.

It will be too stupid to simply charge in to fight the last guardian without any preparation." said Rolakan with a slight hint of unwillingness to move forward.

"That last guardian… that's the Endgame for us. 

How are you guys planning on beating that?" asked Borat, trying to muster his courage.

"Together." replied Maximus in a stern and firm tone.

"We'll lose." said Conan, still unwilling to participate in the upcoming battle.

"And we'll do that together too." replied the Hero of Nature without any sense of hesitation in his eyes.

The entire surrounding turned grim and the tension was palpable as their hearts raced.

But right then…

"Ah, fuck these cowards. We should go by ourselves." Kahn spoke as he rolled his eyes up.

"This guy is a pussy." he spoke while pointing his finger at Conan, the tigerkin.

"This guy is a chicken." he continued while pointing at Speki, the peacock-kin.

"And this guy is a goddamn snake." he concluded as he pointed at Rolakan, the basilisk-kin.

"Let these losers stay here. We also won't have to look after them in the next area.

That's better since we won't have to hold back or feel the need to save their asses during the fight." he proclaimed in disdain.

Kahn was tired of thoughts and opinions at this point because he was never the type of person who gave up on a mission right when he was close to the finish line.

Hence, this sudden turn of cowardice among the members of the party seemed nothing more than a waste of time to him.

Clink!

RUMBLE!!

Right then, the realm started changing after it detected Kaaldrum's death at last and a pitch-black 10-meter-tall gate emerged from the scattered remains of his corpse out of the ground.

This was their cue to leave for the last battle.

"We're leaving, whether you come or not." spoke Maximus with a slightly disappointed gaze.

"Wait, I'm coming too." spoke Borat.

Unlike the rest, his expression was composed and his mind resolute as he gathered courage on his own to face the Last Guardian.

[Will they come?] asked Maximus to Atreus telepathically.

[Of course, they will. Because they have the highest chances of survival with you around them.

They will change their minds because in the end, if you die… their lives are also forfeited.] responded Kahn.

The trio reached the gateway to the final region and as Kahn anticipated, the rest 3 remainder members followed them with hesitant expressions.

----------------

Meanwhile inside the black castle where the last guardian resided… a bizarre phenomenon occurred.

"While alive, all of you failed to do what was expected of you.

Now, do not disappoint me in death." spoke a slim figure in green and golden hooded attire and majestic robes.

Before him, were 5 different colored heaps of crystalline cores.

Green, Black, Red, Yellow and finally Gray.

Squirm!

Suddenly, the shattered cores started squirming like a school of fish on the dry floor.

And in upcoming moments, those massive crystals started transforming and finally, five new figures arose.

A Dryad, a Gargoyle, a Chimera, a High Vampire and lastly, a Lukion. 

All the guardians that the Hero's Party previously killed were now alive again.

And this time, every single one of them had pitch-black eyes with web-like veins spread across their faces.

"Let's see how they fare against me using all the guardians as my subjects.

Let me test if the current Hero of Nature's party can last against me…" spoke this figure as he finally took off his hood.

A figure of a handsome and enigmatic man was revealed as the Last Guardian revealed his class.

"The Puppeteer."