After dealing with the guards, Mike encountered a new problem.
"How do I purify this Abyssal Core?"
[Requirent for purifying an Abyssal Core: a human Nine-Star Lord.]
That requirent alone was a dealbreaker.
He was only level 499, not even a Chief, let alone a Nine-Star Lord.
"Does it have to be a human Lord?" Mike frowned, confused.
[Other races will be corrupted and assimilated by the Abyssal Core.]
According to the Eye of Truth, anyone other than a human attempting to purify the core would beco a "candidate for the Ninth Demon God."
If the current Ninth Demon God were to perish, these candidates would receive the favor of the Ninth Abyss's source, their power skyrocketing as they vied for the vacant position.
Mike could ask Vladimir or Dracula to purify the core, but the price... might be gaining another Demon God as a sidekick.
"That doesn't sound too bad, actually."
Dracula would probably refuse, but Vladimir would jump at the chance.
He decided to shelve that idea for now. He wasn't ready to get entangled with the Abyss.
As for the Abyssal Core, he couldn't store it in his private space, nor could he show it to Master Fool.
To demonkind, Abyssal Cores were delicacies, capable of significantly boosting their power. Accidentally creating a Demon God within his private space would be a disaster!
Shadow Three... wasn't a viable option either.
It wasn't that Mike didn't trust him.
It was that he couldn't convince Shadow Three to help.
Shadow Three wouldn't even consider touching an Abyssal Core of this level.
After weighing his options, Mike was left with only one choice:
"Ti to call for backup."
He encased the Abyssal Core within Thor's Sea and quickly retreated from the underground lair, resuming his demon-kiting routine on the surface.
As he ran, he pulled out his communicator and issued a simple request.
"Get Maxen!"
"If Maxen's unavailable, send any Nine-Star Lord!"
...
At the human defense line, heavy artillery roared, raining down fire and fury upon the approaching demon army.
Previously, they had been conserving ammunition, prioritizing ore conservation.
But with the arrival of a certain black-clad young man, a new order had been issued: "Blast those bastards!"
B-grade ore, usually considered a precious resource, was now being fed into the cannons with reckless abandon.
Several demon detachnts, overwheld by the sheer firepower, scattered and fled.
Ace, before he could even take a sip of water, received a new assignnt.
"Thor's in trouble," the Iron Vanguard Corps Leader reported, standing behind him. "He needs a Nine-Star Lord to purify an Abyssal Core."
Ace frowned. "Any candidates?"
"Master, you know this isn't a simple matter," the Iron Vanguard Corps Leader said in a low voice. "The Nine-Star Lord we send can't be too powerful. They'll be interacting with Thor directly. Sending the wrong person could put his life at risk."
Ace understood.
Thor hadn't reached level 500 yet. Allowing a high-ranking Nine-Star Lord to interact with him in the real world could lead to unforeseen complications.
It wasn't just a matter of trust.
There was another factor to consider:
[Those who approach the Supre invite calamity.]
Whoever they sent needed to be tough.
Otherwise, they might die, or worse.
There were precedents.
A Nine-Star Lord, while serving under Ares, had been plagued by whispers from the Supre Demon God, tempted to betray humanity. The consequences had been nearly disastrous.
Even Ares, in all his might, couldn't completely shield those around him from the Supre Demon God's influence.
Thor was even more susceptible.
Under normal circumstances, Maxen would be the ideal candidate.
He possessed the strength, the background, and the unwavering loyalty.
As a Supre Son, he had extensive experience interacting with Supre Beings.
Unfortunately, Maxen wasn't in the Ninth Abyss.
"After considering all factors, we've selected this individual." The Iron Vanguard Corps Leader revealed the chosen candidate. "We believe he's the only one who can safely interact
with Thor."
"He's in the Ninth Abyss?" Ace chuckled, intrigued by this unexpected developnt.
"Send a ssage to Thor, arrange a rendezvous point."
"There's no ti to waste. Let's move."
...
Receiving the ssage from the base, Mike felt a wave of relief wash over him.
He glanced back at the relentless demon army, maintaining a safe distance as they continued their bizarre ga of cat and mouse.
He had even tried charging towards the horde, and they had actually retreated!
Clearly, the mastermind behind this demon army had a different objective in mind. They weren't in a hurry to kill him.
This took away any desire Mike had to engage them. He focused on reaching his destination.
"Shadow Three?" Mike looked down at his shadow, his voice barely a whisper. "For so reason, I've had this uneasy feeling ever since we entered the Ninth Abyss."
Shadow Three scratched his head. "Uneasy... what does that feel like?"
"You've never felt uneasy?" Mike asked, surprised.
Shadow Three shook his head.
Mike tried to explain. "Like... that feeling you get when you're facing Apollo?"
Shadow Three shook his head again. "That's not unease. That's reverence."
According to Shadow Three, he was just a step away from reaching level 1,000.
Therefore, he held Apollo in high regard.
Mike tried again. "Like... that feeling of being watched, of having a target on your back. Have
you ever felt that?"
"Yes!" Shadow Three nodded, his voice earnest. "I felt that way when I first t Shadow
Nine."
Mike: "..."
"By the way, Shadow Three, how did you join the Guardian Shadow?"
Now that they were on the topic, Mike's curiosity got the better of him.
When uneasy, people tended to be more talkative.
A little conversation, a distraction, could help alleviate the anxiety.
In Mike's experience, Shadow Three was an honest individual.
He usually spoke the truth.
After a mont of silence, Shadow Three decided to share his story.
"I was sleeping at ho. Shadow Nine woke up while chasing a Demon God."
Mike: "..."
That opening line was packed with information.
What had Shadow Three been doing before joining the Guardian Shadow that allowed him to
witness Shadow Nine chasing a Demon God?
Shadow Three continued, his words simple and straightforward. "Shadow Nine was wielding
a giant, sharp blade, hacking away at the Demon God while asking if I wanted to join the
Guardian Shadow..."
Mike could practically picture the scene.
He nodded slowly. That sounded exactly like sothing Shadow Nine would do.
Shadow Three recalled Shadow Nine's words from that day:
"If you join the Guardian Shadow, we'll be family. From now on, I'll have your back, no matter
what."
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