Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 557: Underground

The moment he appeared within the hallway, his photon clone, which he left at the inventory for Emovirae organs, immediately communicated with him, ’right on time,’ Asher thought to himself with a smirk, he immediately quickened his steps as he headed back towards that particular room without hesitation.

Upon reaching and entering the room, his purple eyes immediately fell on a shelf that had shifted to the right, and from it, a long staircase that pushed downwards could be seen. Three members of this organisation could be seen walking down this staircase as the shelf shifted back to its original position, concealing the hidden passage once more.

’Perfect,’ Asher thought to himself, his gaze moving towards the photon clone, he wanted to immediately remove it as he had no more use for it, but he decided not to, he would keep it on this floor in case anything unexpected happened or if he required immediate diversion.

With that, he immediately walked towards the shelf and phased through it, his legs coming to a stop before the staircase, Asher didn’t hesitate as he immediately walked down, the moment he walked, the first thing that slammed into his senses was an immense presence so heavy and crushing that the air itself trembled faintly under its invisible pressure.

Asher’s eyes narrowed as his steps halted the next instant, ’A Wavestar Life Ranker,’ Asher thought as his eyes widened in pure shock. Asher’s mind couldn’t help but spin rapidly, although he had defeated Grave Rank monsters before, and even fought a Firmstar Life Ranker before, both which were ranked 6th on their respective rankings, there was a huge and overwhelming difference between the 6th rank and the 7th rank.

There was a massive and nearly incomprehensible difference between the Wavestar Life Rank and the Firmstar Life Rank, calling it lightyears apart was the only way to describe it, as words like a chasm or worlds apart couldn’t even begin to do justice to the terrifying gap in power, might, and existence itself.

And judging from the immense and suffocating weight of the presence, Asher could tell it wasn’t some random or newly advanced Wavestar Life Ranker, the person was probably at the peak of that Life Rank and was about to cross into the next Life Rank, which was a Voidstar Life Rank, a realm that represented an even higher transcendence.

Asher couldn’t help but ask himself if he could defeat an opponent of this calibre, someone whose very existence radiated such overwhelming dominance. But the next moment, a faint smile appeared on his lips, how would he know if he didn’t try? He would use that guy as a whetstone, sharpening himself through battle, and if his life was in danger and he was way in over his head, he would immediately call for help without hesitation.

Asher exhaled slowly, he decided to tighten his control over his Star Energy to the absolute peak, just because the others above didn’t detect him didn’t mean this particular enemy of such calibre couldn’t perceive him. Asher’s heart beat steadily in his chest as he raised his guard and caution to the peak, his senses extending outward while his presence shrank inward, with that, he walked down the stairs with calm, silent, and deliberate steps.

A few doors stretched before him, their presence simple yet concealing unknown horrors, Asher didn’t waste time, he simply stepped into one of the doors, and the next moment the first thing he saw were Emovirae chained the same way the Adventurers were chained, as even their Astra energy had been cut off completely, but their chains were thicker and stronger, forged with greater care, since they naturally possessed more powerful physiques than humans.

All types of Emovirae were here, be it Positive or Negative, both were present, and they were all Rank 4 minimum, as it seemed as though the organisation didn’t want anything weaker, ensuring only powerful specimens were kept. Asher could see the hatred and malice that burned endlessly in their eyes despite them being caged, their instincts refusing to submit.

These beings couldn’t be beaten or caged into submission for whatever reason, and everyone in Crymora knew this undeniable fact, some roared with primal fury, some screeched with maddening intensity, some thrashed around violently as though they had endless stamina and strength to keep on going for days without pause, their rage undiminished.

Asher didn’t waste much time here, there was nothing much to see that he didn’t already understand, he phased through the wall, and just like above, a few people were keeping watch and guard over these Emovirae, their attention vigilant and disciplined. Asher glanced around for a moment, committing everything to memory, then turned away as he phased through the wall and into the next chamber without disturbing anything.

Within this chamber, the so called guards that Asher usually sensed that were always hidden inside shadows were here, some stepped out of a shadow and then took off their masks and clothes, revealing tired expressions, then climbing onto a bed to rest as though turns were taken to guard those scientists around the clock without interruption.

’At least now I know their rank is around the Swiftstar and Firmstar Life Rank,’ Asher thought to himself, carefully evaluating their strength and presence. Although he thought this, the numbers still seemed against him, after all, there were over 50 of these people, and they were all strong and experienced. But Asher didn’t care in the slightest, numbers alone did not determine the outcome of battle.

His head tilted slightly towards the wall, if he phased through this wall he would step into the next room, but Asher didn’t dare to, the Wavestar Life Ranker stayed in there, and if he entered there carelessly, Asher was sure the chances of him being caught would spike drastically, he didn’t dare to test his luck unnecessarily.

He simply allowed his Sense Dome and Star Sense to scan the room through the wall, but the room was covered in pure darkness as though nothing was inside, a darkness that seemed unnatural and deliberate. Although Asher couldn’t truly see anything visually, he didn’t mind, all he wanted was to know if there was any other presence aside from the man.

And he confirmed the man was the only presence within the room, his existence dominating the entire space alone. After all, Asher couldn’t possibly take on two Wavestar Life Rankers, let alone a Voidstar Life Ranker, such a confrontation would be reckless beyond reason.

’Before I begin in earnest, I should also scan outside to know if there are guards outside this building,’ Asher thought to himself, planning his actions with precision. He didn’t dare manipulate gravity to fly, what if the Wavestar Life Ranker sensed the disturbance, so he used Star Energy to fly upwards silently and phased through the roof.

Asher let his Star Sense and Omni Perception scan everything, his awareness expanding outward like an invisible web, he flew within a two kilometre radius around the building as he took note of every single guard that protected the building, each of them hiding within trees, bushes, underground burrows, and even water bodies, as the building was situated within such a concealed and strategic area.

’Time to begin,’ Asher thought to himself as he was done gathering information, his mind calm, his body ready, and his intent... murderous.

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AUTHOR’S NOTE: Is this fast enough? Asking those who said I should increase the pace...