The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

Klaus walks back and answers the call.

Like before, a hologram of Darius appeared, and yet again, his expression is sour.

”Everything alright, sir?” Klaus asked, sensing that something wasn’t right. Darius should be happy, considering he managed to save Ophelia for him.

”Where are you currently, hunter renegade?”

[Just passing through the Yhunix Flower Field, about 8 Days out from the coordinate he gave us.] Icon spoke into Klaus’s head.

”The Yhunix Flower Field, sir. About 8 days out from the coordinate you gave me.”

”Turn around. I have sent the new coordinates to you. I have heard from a credible source that assassins have been sent after the package, and so you can’t head for Planet Teye.

Your new destination is Planet Baski, about 6 days from your current location.”

”Oh, so it seems they aren’t done yet,” Klaus said under his breath, taking a sidelong glance at Ophelia and her guards, who seemed panicked.

”As a matter of fact, yes. I cannot send hunters to you, as that would expose your location prematurely, and I cannot send them as a distraction, since the mission hall does not send its hunters to their deaths willingly.

”So you would have to handle this on your own. It is no longer a rescue mission; it is an Extraction. Do you think you can handle that?”

It is the same as saying there are terrifying Immortals coming your way, but since I am not being paid enough for this shit, I can only tell you they are coming.

Klaus isn’t too bothered by that. As Darius said, if he were to send more hunters to their aid, it would be either that they would be walking into danger or bringing more danger to Klaus and his package.

The best course of action is to keep a low profile and hopefully arrive on the planet on time. If something were to happen, Klaus would have to handle it.

However, that also won’t be simple, not in the slightest. With how advanced technology has become, finding them is only a matter of time.

So, regardless of how Klaus sees it, he would have to kill his way out of this.

Darius seems to think he can handle it. However, they both know it wouldn’t be that easy.

”May I know the strength limit of the assassins coming and the name of at least one of them?” Klaus asked first, and depending on the answer, he would know which reply to give Darius.

He was about to raise his shoulders and think he could handle Immortal Lords.

”This is confidential, but the package is in possession of something that everybody wants. However, the item leads to a place that only True Immortals and below can go.

”So I have reasons to believe the enemies coming are within that range. However, be prepared for anything, as this is a world full of individuals who are not shy to be shameless.

”As for the assassins, I have again heard from a credible source that a group of assassins called Blood Shadows is coming.”

[The Blood Shadows are an elite female-only assassin group led by a deranged Immortal Lord–level assassin called the Black Widow. They are recognized as deadly and extremely resourceful in completing some of the most difficult assassinations in this galaxy.

They answer only to the highest bidder, and they do not stop until they have completed their task. One last thing: they can find just anyone if they want to, so the master should be ready for anything.

Additionally, I will conduct some investigation on the dark Uniweb for information on this bounty. That would help us know which kind of killers we will be going against.]

’Do that, Icon.’

Klaus didn’t want to jinx it, but he knew things were about to get more difficult. ’I would need Maud for this.’

Turning to the side, Klaus gave Ophelia and her guards a glance. Since they heard what Darius said, they all turned pale, fear gripping them.

They’ve heard of the Blood Shadows, and they know what they are capable of.

Ophelia even lost one of her brothers to their deadly daggers, so she knew all too well the kind of danger she was in. This made her start regretting her dumb life choices that had landed them in this situation.

If she weren’t too much of a bitch, she wouldn’t have exposed her location that stupidly, leading to Desmond and his men finding her.

Now, they have gone and done it, and the result is the Blood Shadows, along with many others following in on the bounty posted.

Darius looked at Klaus, unsure of what he would say. He himself knew asking a Level 7 Empyrean to go against Immortals in space, all in the name of saving a dumb bitch, was too much of an ask.

However, right now, Klaus is his best bet. If Ophelia is saved, not only would his relationship with Star-Lord Victor strengthen, but he would gain more recognition in the Milky Way Mission Hall and even the entire Human Universe.

So this is a big deal for him.

”Looks like I have no choice but to show these Blood Shadows who is the boss.” Klaus smiled and looked straight at Darius, saying, ”Rest assured, sir, I will deliver the package to Planet Baski alive and untouched.”

”Good. Do that, and your rewards will be great.”

Klaus smiled and nodded. ”I like rewards, so don’t worry. Let me handle things here.”

Darius nodded and hung up.

Klaus turns and looks at the faces staring at him and chuckles. ”Why the foul looks? It isn’t like you five are going to die or anything.”

”You don’t get it. There is no escaping from the Blood Shadows or even surviving them. Our best bet is if we manage to find somewhere and hide, and then call for help,” Ophelia said, visibly shaking.

Klaus smirked. ”Young lady, I may not have lived long enough like you, but trust me, I have lived longer. And in those years I’ve lived, I faced dangers more threatening than a bunch of assassins dressed in bunny costumes.

They will come, and I will be ready for them, so just sit there, keep quiet, and let me handle this on my own.”

Ophelia and her guards turn quiet, their expressions turning even darker.

”Do you really think you can protect us?” Erasmus asked, trying to sound more confident.

”I don’t think, I know, so relax and watch how it is done... son.”

Under different circumstances, Erasmus would have been pissed if he were called son by a mortal. However, this mortal is their saviour, so he could only swallow his pride.

Klaus formed a hand seal and produced five red scrolls. He brought them to the five people.

”What is this?” Estelle asked, looking at the scrolls before her.

”These are Blood Bind contracts. To save your lives, I am going to do and show things I wouldn’t want you five to air out. So sign it and be sure to abide by the content of the scroll, else your souls would be Blood Mammoths to claim.”

Klaus chuckled. ”You can read first and then sign with your blood afterwards.”