The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

[Planet Korvel-3. Outer Mining Ring]

”Damn it. We have been here for 7 days already, but these fuckers don’t want to pay the ransom,” a thick blue-skinned young man with dark green eyes and a pair of thick horns said, throwing a stone at a snow hill.

Sitting beside him is another young man with peculiar features. This one had silver skin and a pair of rather large, human-shaped eyes.

The big-eyed young man nodded. ”This has been the longest and most uncooperative raid we have had in the past 30 years. It seems we will be leaving with only the minerals.”

”It seems so.” Blue Skin smirked. ”We have to just kill all the workers, or even take the beautiful ones away and sell them as slaves. That will earn some bucks.”

”The Crimson Star Raiders aren’t a weak bandit group after all. Lord Raukesh will make an example out of these fuckers if they don’t pay the ransom by the end of tomorrow.”

”I look forward to that. I, for one, would love to be away from this snow-infested, godforsaken planet by the close of tomorrow. There are better places to be than this stupid place.”

Big Eyes nodded, but he suddenly turned to his left.

”What?” Blue Skin asked, noticing the sudden movement of his friend. He has large eyes and a keen ability to see and sense things from a great distance.

Naturally, it was only right to see far if one possesses such big eyes. It was one of the reasons why he was assigned the role of guarding the entrance of the Outer Ring mine.

”I may be wrong, but I sensed someone move through the snow just a second ago.” Big Eyes shook his head and added, ”Maybe I am overthinking things.”

”You think maybe those hunters are back, or—” Blue Skin asked, but Big Eyes shook his head. ”I am not so sure. The last five who came were smashed to bits by Lord Raukesh. If they learned their lesson, they wouldn’t send more.”

”I guess you are right. But maybe we should check it out anyway.”

In the end, Big Eyes nodded, and they moved deeper into the snow.

When they left, a thin, carved sword appeared from the void and transformed into a stunning beauty. Seraya, now a weapon spirit, turned and looked in the direction Blue Skin and Big Eyes went.

She smirked and muttered disdainfully, ”Bunch of losers.”

As someone who was both a criminal and an assassin, she knew best not to abandon her post when there was any disturbance. She had used that method to get past many checkpoints, so she knew only losers would be fooled by it.

Seeing them go, the urge to strike them down, considering she is an Early Immortal while they are only Peak Empyreans, crossed her mind, but she ignored it.

The mission Klaus gave her is to map the mine and find a good place to hide. He would use the void to come to her, so she chose to let them go.

She turned and flew away, not even her presence being sensed by all whom she passed by.

The mine is huge, and considering there are 300 bandits and 12,000 hostages inside, it means she must work super fast and cautiously if she wants to get an accurate reading on things.

Klaus knew the mission description could be incorrect, considering the information was provided by the one who posted the mission and was updated by those who failed to complete it.

This was why, before he stepped into the mine, he would make sure he got his own accurate reading.

---

Meanwhile, inside the spaceship, Klaus sat in a relaxed manner, examining the Thunder Jade Essence Ore.

He had angered quite a lot of True Immortals in the process of acquiring it, so he was looking to see what was so special about it.

It is blue, with lines of ancient runes carved onto it. While its size is less than that of an adult’s fist, the power hidden within it is just too much to ignore.

’It is indeed worthy to spark such a spectacle at the auction hall. The amount of thunder law embedded in this thing is too much.’

Klaus could visibly see that the laws woven into the Thunder Jade Essence Ore were enough to take his lightning law comprehension to the Harmony stage.

Of course, he would need more than that to reach Absolute Lightning Law. But moving from Perfect Lightning—where he is now—to Harmony is just too much to pass up on.

[It was only after we purchased it that I realized it is a low-grade Thunder Jade Essence Ore. However, I have already started looking for the medium- and high-grade versions.

Although the master wouldn’t need it again to cultivate the Heaven-Defying Body, it is also the fastest way to increase the master’s comprehension of the lightning law.

So, when I find one, we will get it. Then, if possible, we would also find a way to get access to a thunder pool and help you create the Lightning Spirits too, as you did with the Flame element.]

Klaus smiled inwardly. ’You are the best Icon. However, maybe we should focus on finding a suitable planet with a lightning-rich atmosphere to undergo my tribulation, since the moment I absorb the Thunder Jade Essence Ore, I will break through to the immortal stage.’

[I have already located one. It is 600 light-years from this place. It has no intelligent life on it. But there may be immortal-level monsters, so the master would have to prepare well before going.]

’I will. Also, I suppose this mission, once completed by killing all bandits and saving the hostages, will earn me enough hunter points to become a C-class hunter.’

[Yes, master.]

Klaus was already hoping to become a B-rank hunter fast enough so he could take on more dangerous but rewarding missions.

Of course, he knew it would be a long stretch, considering that once he became a B-class hunter, he would be able to take on missions outside the star system he was in.

However, if he managed to become a B-class hunter, he would be able to gain access to some of the perks that come with being a hunter.

One is his reputation. In this modern era, reputation goes a long way. If he has enough reputation, he would be able to traverse the vast universe unhindered.

So, completing this mission and becoming an immortal is the next best thing he can do. But before that, he must first clear the bandits out.

Thankfully, Niva was generous enough to offer her help. She would stand guard outside the planet and stop whoever slipped up on Klaus.

---

[Two Hours Later]

’Lord Klaus, I am done mapping the mine and found a secure place for you to descend.’ Seraya’s voice entered Klaus’s relaxed mind.

’I will be opening the void portal when you are ready.’

Klaus sighed and stood up. He first turned to Niva and said, ”Be ready for anything.”

She nodded and turned away.

Klaus then turned to Maud. ”I might need your help, so be ready to act when I call.”

”Okay, Lord Klaus.”

’I am ready, Seya.’ Soon, Klaus vanished from the ship like a ghost.