A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1179: This Is Just The Beginning

Archer watched as the violet wave washed over the Lionheart people, who were shocked. Lioran turned to him with a grateful expression, ”Thank you, brother, they needed the help.”

Following that, he waved his hand and a pile of food appeared on a nearby table before speaking, ”Hand this out to the people, Iʼm going to rest for a while. Is there a secluded spot?”

The lion-man gave a firm nod, then gestured deeper into the cave. ”Thereʼs an underground waterfall down that path. Itʼs a serene spot, perfect for some peace. Apollonia will guide you there.”

Archer glanced at the pink-haired woman who was staring at him with a strange glint in her eyes that caused his heckles to raise, ʼWhat the fuck was that?ʼ he thought before shaking his head.

Apollonia approached him with a smile. ”Follow me, Iʼll take you to the waterfall. Youʼll like it,” she said before walking off.

Lioran motioned for him to follow with a knowing grin, causing Archer to give him the middle finger before catching up with the young woman. While getting deeper into the cave, his gut feeling told him to leave.

He scanned his surroundings with Aura Detector, but nothing stood out, which confused him. ʼWhat is this bad feeling?ʼ

Following that, it wouldnʼt away, causing him to send a message to the harem as a warning as Apollonia spoke in a sweet voice, ”Iʼm sorry for the way I spoke to you while we were at college, it was wrong of me.”

”Donʼt worry about it; the whole ice princess troupe is adorable,” he replied casually.

The pink-haired woman turned to him, her glowing blue eyes locking onto his as she spoke. ”I liked you back then,” she admitted, her voice soft yet steady, ”but I hated the fact that loads of beautiful girls surrounded you. I never had the chance to be alone with you like this.” When Archer heard that something felt off but he ignored it and gave the woman a charming smile, ”Then will make up for lost time and get to know each other better,” he said as the two walked down a dark path.

It was lit up by feint mana lamps that he quickly filled up. After that, the duo walked side by side through the dimly lit tunnel, the sound of distant rushing water growing louder with each step.

The cool air carried a faint mist, clinging to their skin. After a short trek, the tunnel widened, and they stepped onto a rocky ledge. Archer paused, his breath catching as he took in the sight before them.

ʼWhat is a place like this doing underground?ʼ he thought while glancing around.

Below, a glittering waterfall cascaded into a crystal-clear pool, the water glowing faintly in the cavernʼs ethereal light. The roar of the falls filled the air, blending with the quiet ambiance of the underground oasis.

Apollonia smiled, her eyes reflecting the shimmering light. ”Beautiful, isnʼt it?” she commented, her voice barely audible over the rush of water.

When Archer heard that, he agreed with a nod before she revealed something in a sad voice, ”Itʼs a shame that weʼre not back in the college, too much has happened since then and I have lost many family members.”

He turned to her and noticed she was crying as her shoulders shook, causing him to speak in a caring voice, ”Iʼm sorry for your loss, war is horrible.”

Apollonia looked up at him before asking in a quiet voice, ”Can I get a hug, please?”

Something deep inside warned Archer against it, but the sorrow in the young womanʼs eyes was impossible to ignore. Ignoring his hesitation, he stepped forward and wrapped her in a -comforting embrace.

Her voice trembled as she spoke, raw with emotion as her body shook. ”The monster who took my parents from me still roams free... and I will get my revenge.”

”Who was it?” Archer demanded, his voice steady, but unease prickled at the back of his mind as the atmosphere shifted.

The air grew heavy, an oppressive weight that made the hair on his neck stand on end. Instinctively, he prepared to cast Blink, but he was a moment too late. His gaze locked with Apolloniaʼs, and this time, her eyes glowed a menacing red.

Before the realization could dawn, she struck. The cold steel of her blade pierced his throat, freezing him in place. With a flick of her wrist, she sliced it open, and blood sprayed, painting her face in crimson.

Her lips curled into a smug grin as she sneered, ”It was you, Demon. Weʼve finally caught you! The Terravian King will reward me for this!” Her voice echoed through the tunnel, dripping with triumph.

Archerʼs hands shot to his throat, desperate to stem the torrent of blood, but something was wrong—his Regeneration wasnʼt working and his body grew weak within seconds. His vision blurred, the world fading to white, but he let out a defiant roar.

Summoning the last of his strength, he clenched his fist, mana crackling as he unleashed a devastating Nova Punch. The impact sent Apollonia hurtling into the stone wall with a bone- shaking crash, but his body weakened, collapsing to his knee while covering the deadly wound.

As Archerʼs world blurred and dimmed, the faint sound of Lioranʼs voice cut through the haze, desperate. Yet it was too late. Apollonia raised her hand, and a swirling portal tore open beside her.

From its depths emerged several towering Terravians, their auras radiating overwhelming power. Apolloniaʼs voice dripped with cold malice as she pointed toward him. ”Kill the others! Iʼm going to torture this Demon.”

Archerʼs weakened form lay helpless as his vision swam, but he could still see his friends charging into battle. Outmatched in both strength and numbers, they clashed with the Terravians, their every move defiant despite the odds.

The air hummed with the clash of steel, bursts of magic, and desperate cries, a chaotic scene of valor in the face of impossible odds. Archerʼs unfocused eyes swept across the battlefield, where his friends battled furiously against the enemy.

ʼFuck! This was my fault. How could I fall for such bullshit!ʼ he thought.

A devastating spell sent the girls flying, their bodies crashing into the cavern walls. Archer winced, his heart sinking as his comrades fell. Cian and Alaric fought fiercely, but they too succumbed to the relentless onslaught.

Finally, Lioran stood alone, bloodied and exhausted, but unyielding. He turned to him with a tired smile, his resolve shining despite the odds. ”Iʼve got you, brother,” he said, his voice steady despite the tremor in his limbs. ”Your girls will come... and theyʼll deal with these

fools.”

He tried to stop him, but the lion prince charged at the approaching Apollonia as the other Terravians stood back. His friend put everything into his attack, but the pink-haired woman dodged it before hitting him with a powerful punch.

He watched as Lioran was sent crashing into the waterfall and swept away, causing Archer to get angry, but he couldnʼt stand or talk thanks to the deep slash as he thought with a clouded mind, ʼWhere are the girls? They should already be here.ʼ

When Apollonia saw this she giggled before revealing, ”Not use trying to fight against it Demon, it took us nine years to create this potion and at a substantial cost.”

The young woman slowly approached while her red eyes glowed. She started speaking in a voice full of pain once getting close, ”You killed my uncles, aunts, cousins, siblings, and finally, my parents since we showed ourselves, but I held back, waiting for the perfect opportunity to get you away from your annoying sluts.”

Anger surged through Archer when he heard the words, but before he could react, Apollonia struck him with a punch. In one quick motion, she drove a blade into the side of his mouth,

piercing through and tearing through his cheeks.

ʼArghh! Fuck, this dumb bitch.ʼ

A surge of searing pain shot through Archerʼs body as she yanked the blade free, her smile

widening with a maddening glint in her eyes. ”Can you feel the poison burning through you, Demon?” she taunted, her voice laced with madness. ”This is just the beginning. Iʼm going to make you beg me for death.”

Archer spat in the womanʼs face before casting Eldritch Blast into her chest, which caught Apolloniaʼs chest. This caused the other Terravians to rush in and start attacking him as she recovered and called them away, ”Back off now! The king said I could have him.”

She hobbled toward him with an evil smirk while speaking, ”I heard pointy ears are sensitive.

Letʼs put it to the test.”

Seconds later, Apollonia sliced the top of his right ear clean off, making Archer grit his teeth against the pain. Without hesitation, she continued her assault, slashing at him again and

again.

He blocked out the agony as the memories of his childhood flowed back in, causing him to ignore the pain. ʼFuck her, they will come,ʼ he thought.

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