Hawk felt increasing difficulties in breathing. As time passed the poison spread more and more, pain also continued to increase, he was almost at his limit of tolerance.
Blood Hawk was a famous mercenary group, their capabilities astounding to many. Hawk as the captain have led his team from many dangerous life threatening situations. He reached this position, this status, this power not through just luck.
If he used all his trump cards, he was sure he have more than 40% chance to kill Antonio and escape. For someone on Hawk's line of work, 40% was a lot considering the situation. But it will cause him to seek shelter from others. Even if he couldn't keep the Realm Crystal, by presenting the crystal he could recoup his loses and gain more.
But with the entry of this doubtful Maxim Level powerhouse he was almost driven crazy.
Lucas's heart raced, but he quickly regained his calm.
'Was my assumption wrong?'
'No, Desperate people will do desperate things. I need to quickly take control of the situation. If they would feel they are sure to die, they will even blow themselves up or do some drastic actions.'
'What should I do?'
Antonio was really afraid that, in a fit of anger the mysterious person will just outright kill them. Antonio was not sure whether the mysterious person is at Maxim Level or not, if he is not then the things will be easy, whoever he is he needs to be on his side or he should just get the hell out, the array is still in his control.
"Venerable, we are having a private duel and the Arsln Family have given their permission to act here, any outsiders are forbidden. If you have come here mistakenly I will be honored to show you the way."
Antonio quickly changed his tone and respectfully said. What was strange that his tone and actions were clearly opposite, his stance showed an offensive position.
Antonio was implying that Arsln Family is the controller of the area and intruders will be dealt by them.
In response the mysterious figure chuckled and said, "No need, I was just passing by. I will be quickly leaving after a job. Thank you for your concern."
'Din…..g! U…nlo….ckin..g….. 9'
Next instant the vortex expanded, Lucas's blood boiled and he felt something struggling inside. Lucas bit his lip and tried to forcefully clear his mind using pain.
Antonio and Hawk was panic-stricken, they hurriedly tried to get away. Terror filled their face, he was no ordinary cultivator, peace-loving my a**. They inwardly cursed Lucas.
Lucas didn't know what was happening, when tried to ask the system mentally, he only got a sluggish and broken response.
Lucas was in fear and trepidation. His only connection to earth and his cheat like ability is related to system, and if something happened to system he wouldn't know what to do.
Lucas tried to regain his bearing. Panic is of no use, it is important to be calm in a situation like this. But if observed carefully it would be seen that his hands inside the robe was shivering faintly.
As Antonio guessed, Hawk could also guess the mysterious stranger's possible identities.
If he was an Arsln family member, they would die for sure. If he was an Array Master, then his identity may of some use in negotiation. But deep inside he had a feeling that the mysterious person was not an Array Master and was weak. Hawk's combat sense and the instinct he cultivated in the life and death battles is loudly yelling at him that the person in front of him is weak, so weak that he could kill him with a snap of fingers.
But obviously the venomous spiral of poison says an another story. Maybe using some formation it would be possible to take control of the Six Directions Law Forming Earth transformation array, but it would obviously alert Antonio. The array still protected him from the toxic gas so he is still in control.
So the only option left is that the mysterious man is so overwhelming strong that even his instincts is fooled and he isn't even qualified to sense his true power.
Hawk unknowingly lowered his head with fear in his eyes. Antonio also had came to the same conclusion as he watched the slowly expanding poison vortex.
It's not like Hawk have never met a Maxim Level powerhouse. Once he went to Sky Imperium Palace to sell Brutal Demon Teeth Bug's carapace and there he coincidentally saw an Maxim Level expert, at that time Hawk felt like he was looking at a ocean of power, so strong, so deep and so far.
Hawk cut off his thoughts immediately and focused on the mysterious figure.
"I am interested in the little crystal of yours."
For a moment both Antonio and Hawk stopped breathing and stood still. There was only one thing on their mind for now.
'How did he knew about Realm Crystal?'
'Who told them?'
'Did he?'
The next instant both Antonio and Hawk whipped their head and furiously looked at each other.
'No, Not him'
They turned their face towards the mysterious figure. He became more mysterious for them.
Unknowingly their stance slowly turned defensive and they were preparing to run away.
Lucas liked his lips, he was trembling due to fear or excitement. An unknown sense, an unknown feeling he lost for years slowly emerged inside him.
He took a deep breath, instantly large amount of poison entered him through his mouth. An excruciating pain filled his body and he coughed.
"Cough, cough.... "
Lucas knew he slipped, he immediately said in a calm but hoarse voice.
"Give me the thing I want. In return I will satisfy your one wish."
Doubts quickly formed as a seed in both Hawk and Antonio's mind. But it was quickly extinguished by the rapid vortex.
Antonio was unwilling.
'Everything was so perfect, what happened in the end.'
His facial expressions and emotions kept on changing, from misery and sadness to anger. But he quickly kept suppressed his anger in his heart. The difference in power made him to do so. For some moments he was depressed but gradually he accepted.
Comparing to Antonio, Hawk was fairly calm on the surface. The turmoil in his mind never surfaced outside.
Hawk adjusted his stance and stood respectfully.
"I will accept the offer. Before that will you tell me your Esteemed name."
Lucas narrowed his eyes. I have made a mistake earlier, they would surely spot it. I have to solidify their fear and my position in their mind. If they decided to probe, my act will fail right away and the consequences will be disastrous. In a flash many plans formed and discarded in his mind.
Lucas concentrated and took a step forward.
"How rude of me, I forgot to introduce myself. You can call me Frankenstein, Dr. Frankenstein."
Antonio sharply inhaled, fortunately no poison was inhaled. Hawk was stunned and went still like a wooden block.
Lucas blinked his eyes. Doubts filled his mind, is my information wrong?
---------------------------------
Miles away from Lucas on the airport in City of Datura, many airships and airboats came and went. An emblem of a black snake twisted around a emerald coloured dagger can be noted on the flags in a large luxurious airboat.
Inside the airboat four people surrounded a rosewood table. Two old men wearing plain purple robes looked gleefully at the beautiful blue cracked sphere place on the wooden table. An middle-aged woman wearing a luxurious and striking red gown filled with white and gold patterns sat lazily on the couch nearby and said unhappily.
"Let's go. I am not feeling good after seeing that Longinus brat."
One of the old men looked at the mesmerizing Eye of the Sky and said while ignoring her. "Since we are already here, let's try it."
The lady furrowed her brows and asked suspiciously, "Didn't you tested?"
"It's okay to check one more time."
Both old men looked at each other and laughed loudly.
"Is it okay?" A small immature voice sounded from a youth fiddling with his SmartWatch near the table. "Is it okay using Eye of the Sky in City of Datura?"
One of the old men that looked serious said in a equally serious sound.
"Don't worry about that Levis, we will only be focusing on the battle going on with Blood Hawk mercenaries and will only be using low level inspection."
The middle-aged lady looked at them and asked with interest filled voice.
"Why are you interested in them.?"
In response he faintly smiled, "There is something off about all the running and chase."
"They are hiding something."
Now even the youth got interested.
The old man took a dozen of magic crystal and spoke. "The battle must be in their final phase. David I will need your lip reading skills this time."
From the shadow, a short thin man with mask emerged and nodded lightly
"I am at your command."
He was wearing everything in black. Black clothes and black mask, if didn't observe carefully you wouldn't notice anything.
No one seemed surprised at the abrupt presence in the room. They collectively ignored David.
"Let's find out what they are up to."