John couldn't help but marvel at the dominance the dark elves must have once held.
Unfortunately, now they had been nearly exterminated by the Dark Humans.
He shifted his gaze to the man's body on the altar. With a thought, the man's figure vanished, successfully stored within Death Land.
"It works!" John exclaimed in delight. He had discovered a new, powerful ability.
However, there was a caveat: the target must be unable to resist.
If they fought back fiercely, it would be impossible to store them in Death Land.
Ping!
John received a private message.
It's Ritchie.
Ritchie: "Boss, I got set up. I lost the artifact."
John frowned, his gaze turning icy.
He noticed that Ritchie's level had dropped to 1, sending him back to the novice village.
A first-tier player usually only dropped to level 10 upon death, avoiding demotion.
But multiple deaths could send them back to the novice village.
Godslayer: "Who did it?"
Ritchie: "Gaia! That bastard set me up. I was heading to the Imperial City to see them establish their city, but I got ambushed!"
John sighed, realizing this was partly his oversight.
The allure of the artifact was too strong. He had underestimated these players' desperation, still thinking with the mindset of his past life.
Godslayer: "Level up first. In two days, we'll take revenge."
In two days, Gaia would establish his city.
Having colluded with the Dark Humans, the monster tide attacking would be under their control, just for show. Success was assured.
But John planned to intervene.
Buzz!
With a flash of light, John activated the Death Land Token and entered Death Land.
The area was still shrouded in mist, with fierce winds howling.
However, John no longer took damage.
The body of the dark lord lay quietly nearby, emitting a faint aura but showing no other signs of activity.
John took a deep breath and ventured deeper into the mist.
Clang, clang...
The sound of chains clashing echoed, accompanied by furious roars.
John was stunned by the scene before him.
Deep in the mist, chains bound hundreds of powerful beings.
There were strong entities from various races and fearsome beasts, totaling over seven hundred, mostly ranging from tier four to tier six in strength.
Under four tier beings had likely been consumed by the eerie mist, leaving only bones behind.
John's arrival drew their attention.
Clang, clang...
Chains rattled, and a formidable aura filled the air, causing the surrounding mist to churn and twist!
"Let me go!"
"Despicable dark elves, once I'm free, I'll make you wish you were never born!"
"Filthy dark elves, your existence taints the elven race. I curse you to live in darkness, tormented by its embrace forever!"
...
The creatures spat insults and curses, their voices filled with rage and contempt.
"Huh, you're not a dark elf?" A massive, menacing blood-red demon wolf noticed John's difference and exclaimed.
"So it's a cute human." A seductive succubus with an alluring figure and charming looks winked at John and said seductively, "Human, free me from here, and I promise to repay you well!"
Clang!
The chains rattled as a snow-white, red-eyed demon ape nearly pressed its face against John's, speaking coldly, "Human, release me, and you will earn the protection of the Blood-Eyed Demon Apes!"
"Human, let me go, and I will kill one person for you, no, a hundred, even a thousand if you wish!"
"Little brother, save me. You don't want to see me trapped here forever, do you?"
"Boy, release me at once, or I'll devour you whole!"
...
Various pleas, temptations, and threats echoed around him.
John felt as if there were countless flies buzzing around his ears and roared, "Everyone shut up!"
Several creatures frowned, glaring at John with malice.
But given their current predicament, they suppressed their killing intent and pretended to cooperate.
Satisfied, John nodded and took out the Soul Contract Scroll. "I can release you, but you must sign a soul contract with me."
Laughter and curses erupted around him.
"Kid, are you joking?"
"Hmph, even dark elves couldn't make me submit, let alone a weak human like you."
"My patience is limited. Release me immediately, or I'll make you experience the torment of imprisonment!"
...
John ignored them. He only had one Soul Contract Scroll and needed to bind the most powerful being to intimidate all the other creatures here.
Blood-red demon wolf, Succubus, Blood-Eyed Demon Ape...
These creatures were all peak tier-six beings, but their strength was similar, unable to dominate each other.
"Hmm? A tier-seven being!" John was drawn to a nearby giant tortoise that resembled a small mountain.
This giant tortoise had reached tier seven and was not bound by chains.
John grew cautious. His current strength was no match for a tier-seven being, especially since the creatures imprisoned here by the dark elves were all at least elite bosses.
The giant tortoise sensed John's gaze, extended its neck slightly, and raised its massive head, speaking calmly, "Boy, I'm here voluntarily. Death Land cannot confine me, so don't even think about it."
"Hmph, coward!" The blood-red demon wolf sneered with disdain.
Boom!
The ground trembled as the giant tortoise stood up, its limbs like stone pillars, its massive body resembling a mountain. A terrifying aura spread as it looked down at the blood-red demon wolf, saying coldly, "Just because I'm patient doesn't mean I have no temper. Insult me again, and I won't hesitate to crush you!"
The blood-red demon wolf was unfazed by the giant tortoise's threat. "Aren't you? Gods Descend, the Dark Humans invade, and ravage our world. Yet you, like a cowardly turtle, hide in your shell, clinging to life. Even those despicable dark elves knew to resist."
The surrounding powerful beings looked at the giant tortoise with disdain.
The giant tortoise's eyes flickered, its expression shifting repeatedly before it finally sighed in resignation. "Say what you will. I just want to live."
With that, it lay back down, pulling its limbs and head into its shell, ignoring the outside insults.
John was somewhat impressed by the blood-red demon wolf. However, he was uncertain about which creature to make a soul contract with to intimidate the others. He found himself in a dilemma.
"Master!" a weak voice called out. It came from a black dragon, resembling a lizard with wings on its back.
"A tier-three beast?" John was surprised. This black dragon was the only tier-three creature here.
It likely at the peak of tier three, but it was on the verge of death.
The black dragon spoke weakly, "Master, I am willing to sign a soul contract with you. Please release me from here."
Scornful and mocking glances were cast its way, but none of the others spoke up.
John ignored the black dragon, putting away the Contract Scroll. Signing a soul contract with these creatures was impossible; he needed another plan.
After some thought, he spoke, "I'll give you one last chance. Agree to do three tasks for me. They won't be suicide missions, nor will they go against your racial ethics. Complete these three tasks, and you'll be free. Otherwise, you'll be trapped here forever, left to your fate."
The creatures fell silent, staring at John.
Finally, the succubus spoke up, "Alright, human. I believe you. I swear on the name of my succubus clan to do three tasks for you."
"I agree too!"
...
With someone leading the way, other powerful beings also agreed to John's terms, except for the giant tortoise.
"Very well. In two days, I will release you," John said with satisfaction. Then he turned to the black dragon. "Become my pet, and I will take you out of here."
The black dragon, on the verge of death, wouldn't last two more days. It agreed without hesitation.
[You have obtained the pet black dragon, Avis, currently ranked number one on the pet and mount leaderboard.]
John checked the dragon's attributes.
Avis, level 100, peak tier-three, epic dragon.
The pet leaderboard updated, placing John at the top, surpassing Gaia's pet.
"Let's go." John released the chains binding Avis and, with a thought, left Death Land.
...
Two days later.
Western Continent, Imperial City.
This was a newly established city.
Below the city walls, 100,000 players gathered.
Leading them was a tall white man, holding a giant shield and mounted on a massive earth dragon.
Guild Master of the Imperial Guild, Gaia!
Gaia stroked the giant shield affectionately; this was the artifact he had taken from Ritchie, the Diamond Giant Shield.
"If only my mount, this earth dragon, were an epic flying dragon," he thought, recalling the recently crowned top-ranked pet on the leaderboard, the black dragon Avis.
The owner of Avis was Godslayer, ranked second on the level leaderboard with two items on the equipment leaderboard. His strength was undeniable.
Unfortunately, this enigmatic figure refused all friend requests, making it impossible for Gaia to contact him.
Rumor had it that Godslayer was on good terms with Ritchie.
But after stealing Ritchie's artifact, they were now enemies. Asking Ritchie for help was out of the question.
"Once I establish my territory, I'll be the first to have a domain. Then, I'll slowly track down this Godslayer..." Gaia's mind buzzed with plans as he waited for the monster tide, ready to make his mark.
[Announcement: Player Gaia is establishing Imperial City and will face a monster tide attack. Defend for 12 hours to succeed.]
...
Three consecutive system announcements echoed throughout the world of Gods.
It making Gaia and his Imperial City the center of attention.
Players gathered around Imperial City, eager to witness the event.
Gaia, filled with pride, wore a faint smile. He had already struck a deal with the lord of a level-three city, ensuring that the monster tide wouldn't be too strong.
Roar ...
Roars echoed, and the ground trembled as the monster tide appeared.
They were level-five monsters typical of novice villages.
The Imperial Guild members were all level 20 and above, making these monsters no match for them.
Standing atop his earth dragon, Gaia brandished his spear, exuding confidence. "Brothers, today's battle will go down in history. We will witness the rise of the Imperial Guild together. Charge with me!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
...
The hundred thousand guild members roared in unison, their war cries shaking the heavens. The surrounding players felt chills down their spines.
Gaia led the charge, and the weak monster tide army was quickly decimated, crushed like dry leaves.
...
In the forest behind the monster tide, a massive black dragon lay in wait, exuding a terrifying aura. Nearby beasts kept their distance, not daring to approach.
John and Ritchie sat atop a large tree, watching the battle unfold below.
Ritchie frowned in disappointment, "Boss, this monster tide is too weak. I could handle it myself. Besides, even with the black dragon, we can't take on the Imperial Guild's hundred thousand elite members."
"Be patient," John replied, not paying much attention to the battle below. He leaned against the tree, waiting for the right moment.
He planned to strike just as the monster tide ended, making Gaia experience the fall from heaven to hell.
The monster tide continued, with the strongest enemies being level 15 kobolds.
Soon, the 12 hours were almost up, and the defense was about to succeed.
John decided it was time to act. He turned to the anxious Ritchie and said, "Declare war."
"Boss, it's just the two of us..." Ritchie's words trailed off as he felt an overwhelming presence.
A spatial rift appeared, and powerful, menacing creatures began to emerge.
The skies darkened, and the earth trembled!