Chapter 417 - 413: The ’Holy Shit’ in the Sage’s Mind

Chapter 417: Chapter 413: The ’Holy Shit’ in the Sage’s Mind

Although they all realized the Demon was likely after the Book of Oaths, the first reaction of the four who could still move was to raise their guns.

WHOOSH—

The shadowy Magic Creature vanished before their eyes in a trail of smoke. It was clearly aware of the power of a Magic Steel Hand Cannon loaded with Anti-Magic Bullets, choosing the safest method despite having the upper hand.

"It’s trying to wear us down to death!"

Hilbert clenched his fists, the pressure weighing heavily on him.

"Or rather, it just wants to use the other Demons to exhaust our ammunition... Such a cunning Demon, and it knows so much about us... It’s a shame. We’re probably not going to make it out of this alive..."

Zhao Kai panted heavily, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

"My only regret is that we can’t get this intelligence back. If only most of the association’s Sound Transmission Flowers weren’t tied up with important research right now, if only we had brought a Seed of the Sound Transmission Flower with us..."

Before Hilbert could respond to Zhao Kai’s funereal words, the hoarse, deep voice spoke again.

"Hilbert, the Book of Oaths cannot fall into the hands of Demons. While you still can, destroy me!"

These words made Zhao Kai feel immense guilt, as if his earlier actions had doomed them all.

Hilbert, too, was wracked with guilt. He believed his own impatience had doomed them; Zhao Kai had only done what any good comrade would have.

"Is there any other way to fix this, besides destroying you?"

Hilbert couldn’t bear to destroy his family’s treasure, nor could he resign himself to dying here. The glory of the Chakus Clan, the continuation of his bloodline, and the comrades at his side all forbade him from giving up.

"There is, but I don’t recommend it. The trapped Demon’s power is leaking out, and it will hinder you from releasing the Power of Oath. I am too weak, and there is little I can do to help you. The probability of success is too low. If we fail, my power will be completely exhausted, and there won’t be enough left to destroy the Book of Oaths."

"Will the Demon escape?"

Hilbert asked, unwilling to give up. He didn’t know what the Power of Oath was, but it seemed to be their only path to survival.

"The Demon is held within the cage Kuhan created. Even if my own power is exhausted, the power of the Oath itself endures. It cannot be released without the cooperation of a direct descendant of the Chakus Clan."

"Good. Then we don’t have to hold back! Zhao, the rest of you, stand guard!"

With that, Hilbert pulled the Black Leather Book from his utility pouch. A dark aura was still seeping from it.

The others watched their surroundings tensely. Fortunately, no Demons launched a sudden attack for the moment.

"But if you don’t manage to escape, I will fall into the Demons’ hands. If they manage to capture an heir of the Chakus Clan, they might find a way to open the cage."

Hilbert took out the scorching-hot pendant. Holding its chain in his left hand, he used his right to flip the book open to the thirteenth page. The bloodstain he’d left there had, surprisingly, not dried. Instead, it seemed to flow with an eerie life of its own within the black Magic Pattern.

"Hah... Don’t worry," Hilbert exhaled. "The Chakus Clan has no other heirs. If I fail, I’ll take them all down with me!"

Although Hilbert was unwilling to accept this fate, he did not fear death.

He had steeled himself for death, but the book’s voice fell silent.

BANG! A massive boulder fell from the sky, but Zhao Kai raised his hand cannon and shattered it with a single shot.

ROAR—

Two Demons charged, one after the other, like stampeding rhinos. The men raised their Magic Steel Hand Cannons and opened fire in a coordinated volley.

With four of their number immobile, the remaining few were almost all dual-wielding Magic Steel Hand Cannons.

Now, everyone was wounded. Zhao Kai, their best close-quarters fighter, had lost nearly all mobility. Engaging at close range would make them easy prey for the treacherous attacks of these cunning Demons.

BANG! BANG! BANG!...

The Magic Steel Hand Cannons thundered, but the book remained silent. Hilbert roared at it as he fired.

"What are you waiting for?! We’re running out of time! Do you want to be destroyed this badly?!"

"Look out!"

Fos lunged forward, shoving Hilbert aside. A blurry black claw flashed past, tearing a half-meter-deep gash into the ground where he had just been standing.

BANG! BANG!...

In that instant, Zhao Kai’s shots shattered the claw, severing a razor-sharp, meter-long section of an insectoid leg. Yet the Demon’s main body, with its unbelievable contortions, still managed to dodge bullets that looked like certain hits.

The Book of Oaths remained silent, as if it had reverted to being an ordinary book.

The surrounding trees were continuously snapped and broken by the Demons’ bizarre agility. It was as if they could crash through anything, yet were somehow able to dodge bullets.

The situation grew increasingly dire. The line of breaking trees advanced on them, drawing ever closer to their small defensive position.

Zhao Kai and Hilbert had never felt so utterly helpless. It was as if the hidden Demon was toying with them, secretly watching their futile struggles.

This was unbearable!

"Even if the bloodline of the Chakus Clan is destined to end here... the Lion’s Heart Blood has never lacked for courage! In success or failure, we never retreat!"

Hilbert roared these words, the latter half of which was the motto of the Chakus Clan.

He set down one of his Magic Steel Hand Cannons and drew a heavy longsword from his pouch. The Book of Oaths had not answered him, and Hilbert had no intention of begging it any longer.

’While my comrades behind me still have ammunition, I can at least use my close-combat skills to take some of these Demons with me.’

"You remind me of Kuhan! If you are the last of the Chakus Clan’s bloodline, then I shall witness its end as I saw its beginning. I will release all my remaining power to aid you. You must focus and complete the Oath. Remember, we only have one chance!"