Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Faced with Fromon's seemingly attentive but actually probing questions.

Cohen's eyes flickered slightly, and he did not answer immediately, but paused for a moment as if deep in thought.

Then, in a tone of confusion and wariness, he answered calmly:

"I was separated from my troops in the bloody battle."

Where is this place?

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible glint flashed in Mayor Flomo's eyes, and his fawning smile deepened as he quickly replied:
"This is 'Prism Town,' Your Excellency. May I ask which glorious nation in the human world you come from?"
Perhaps the town can offer some assistance.

Cohen seemed to hesitate for a moment before giving a name of a place that sounded rather remote and located in the prime plane.

Fromon's eyes lit up immediately, and he almost impatiently replied:
"Ah! What a coincidence!"
My hostess happens to be very familiar with that area. Why don't you let her give you directions?

"Her hostess is incredibly hospitable and will certainly treat you, a distinguished guest from afar, to a wonderful stay!"

However, Cohen slowly shook his head, a polite smile with a hint of detachment on his face.

"No need. It seems this isn't the place I'm looking for."

After saying that, he turned around without hesitation and walked away along the way he came.

Mayor Florom was clearly taken aback by Cohen's decisive refusal and paused for a moment before reacting, but Cohen's figure had already quickly disappeared into the distance.

After leaving the town, Cohen retraced his steps, but he soon realized something was wrong.

The surrounding scenery began to look eerie.

Even though I was walking along the path I remembered, the scenery around me seemed to be repeating and distorting itself.

The scorched earth, the jagged rocks, and even the ever-present blood-red clouds in the sky began to present an unnatural, overlapping feeling, like a reflection in a mirror.

He felt as if he were trapped in a huge, invisible maze, and no matter which direction he went, he would eventually return to a familiar starting point.

Faced with this bizarre scene, Cohen showed no sign of panic; instead, a slow smile curved his lips.

He stopped and looked up at the blood-red sky that was still twisting and changing.

After a brief silence, he smiled faintly and said:
"Eschbacher, war leader of the 'Face Thief' tribe of bewitching demons, low-ranking legendary."

Am I right? "

In this endless abyss where war and hatred burn eternally, every demon tribe follows a cruel and strict hierarchical system originating from the source of chaos.

This order, like an invisible shackle, firmly binds the fate of every demon and determines the rise and fall of the entire tribe.

Standing atop this pyramid is the tribe's supreme ruler—the tribal chief or, more powerfully, the abyss lord recognized by the will of the abyss.

They are the undisputed strongest in the tribe, possessing terrifying power that can crush everything.

Their will is the law of the tribe; a single thought can determine whether to launch a bloody war of conquest or to form an alliance with other powers.

The survival and development of the tribe depended entirely on their decisions.

Meanwhile, the legendary seductive demon Eschbacher, who is currently hidden in "Prism Town," holds the position of "War Commander," which is located on the second tier of this power pyramid.

The war commander is the direct controller and supreme commander of the tribe's military forces.

They were responsible for planning every attack against the enemy and organizing the tribe's bloody defense against external threats.

And in that eternal, bloody war, he personally led the raging demon army into battle.

Typically, in a demon tribe of medium size or larger, there are three to five war commanders at the same time.

They each controlled a portion of the military power, cooperating with each other while secretly competing with one another, together forming the core of the tribe's military strength.

Besides these war leaders who charged into battle, there were two other crucial roles within the tribal ruling class.

One of them is the "strategist advisor".

These demons are not usually known for their strength, but they are masters of all sorts of intrigue, negotiation skills, and how to set up deceptive contracts full of traps.

They are the brains and the blades in the shadows of the tribe, devising long-term strategies for the tribe and responsible for diplomatic activities with other tribes, and even powerful pit lords.

The second is the "Demon Priest".

They are the mortal representatives of specific pillar demons served by the will of the abyss or tribes.

They presided over various bloody and fanatical sacrificial rituals, exchanging power, knowledge, and protection for the tribe by offering sacrifices and pleasing that unspeakable abyssal being.

War commander, strategist, and demon priest.

These three elements together form the core of the demon tribe's rule, each wielding power: force, strategy, and divine authority.

Under the rule of the tribal chief or the abyss lord, the three powers check and balance each other and depend on each other, maintaining the tribe's survival and expansion on this cruel land.

At this moment, Cohen was facing Eschbacher, a shrewd and experienced war commander who commanded a large army.

Behind her stood a complete demon tribe with a strict power structure.

This also makes her far more dangerous than the average lone, legendary demon.

By exposing her identity, Cohen was essentially challenging the authority of her and the entire tribe she represented.

It was precisely because the other party was so eager to find a male consort that Cohen had the opportunity to strike and defeat them!

As Cohen calmly and precisely pointed out the name "Eschbacher" and his complete identity, the entire distorted, cyclical space seemed to be suddenly gripped tightly by an invisible hand.

The ever-changing scenes suddenly froze, like a shattered mirror.

A terrifying aura, a mixture of shock and anger at having one's secrets exposed, and chilling killing intent, emanated wildly from all directions in the void.

Immediately afterwards, the blood-red sky that was constantly twisting rippled outwards like waves.

A woman's face, a blend of exotic charm and deadly allure, slowly emerged.

On either side of his forehead were a pair of elegantly curved, jet-black goat horns, covered with mysterious spiral patterns that shimmered with a dark luster.

A long, thin, and powerful tail swayed nimbly behind her, as if it had its own life.

This face is enough to make any weak-willed mortal lose their mind instantly and willingly become her servant.

However, when faced with that imposing face, Cohen simply looked at it with interest, as if admiring an interesting work of art.

His gaze calmly swept over the other person's distinctive goat horns and alluring face, then he slowly shook his head and said indifferently:

"Although seductive demons and succubi are somewhat similar in their talents."

But compared to my princess, you are still far inferior.

"With your current ugly appearance, you can't tempt me."

"Ugly appearance!"
"The difference is too great!"
"It can't tempt me!"
These words, like a red-hot branding iron, were fiercely seared into Eschbacher's extremely arrogant and vain heart.

As a seductive demon who lives by enchanting and manipulating desires, and as the war leader of the "Face Thief" tribe.

What she is most proud of is her perfect body, which combines strength and allure.

The word "ugly" was the taboo she abhorred most throughout her long life.

Anyone who dares to question her charm will suffer her cruelest wrath.

Not to mention that Cohen deliberately compared her to other women.

"boom--!"

A tangible, violent rage erupted from Eschbacher like a volcano.

Those pupils, which were originally filled with an eerie and alluring charm, suddenly contracted into two dangerous vertical lines in an instant, and boundless killing intent, like an icy tide, instantly submerged every inch of the surrounding space.

The entire distorted realm trembled violently because of her rage.

With a sharp screech from Eschbacher, a mixture of rage and a sense of having been provoked, the entire distorted space underwent a dramatic and drastic change.

Cohen felt as if the scene before him was a shattered kaleidoscope, spinning and reforming wildly. The next second, he found himself in a bizarre and surreal maze!

As far as the eye can see, there are towering Gothic cloisters that constantly change shape and reach into the clouds.

The sharp arches and intricate carvings seem to come alive, slowly undulating.

The surrounding walls are inlaid with countless huge, cracked fragments of stained glass windows.

It refracted fragmented, dizzying light.

A thin mist, like golden dust, filled the air, and tiny specks of light floated slowly, adding to the dreamlike and unreal feel of this eerie space.

At the very core of the sky above this labyrinth, in place of the sun is a slowly rotating polyhedral crystal.

Crystal has countless perfectly cut facets, each of which refracts a completely different light.

What's most unsettling is that at the very core of that crystal, there seems to be a blurry silhouette of a soul that is constantly twisting and wailing.

This is the legendary realm of the seductress Eschbacher – the "Labyrinth of Paradoxes"!
And that multifaceted crystal suspended high in the sky is the embodiment of her legend—the "Thousand-faceted Prism"!
In this legendary realm, there are countless mirrors, some bright and some dark; they may be polished silver mirrors, some broken glass, or even a clear puddle.

Any intelligent being that enters this place and looks into these mirrors will not see their current appearance reflected in them.

Rather, they are real fragments projected from the future they most desire or the nightmares they fear most deep in their hearts.

At the same time, the high-hanging "Thousand-faced Prism" can actively sense the strong desires and hidden secrets of all intelligent beings within its range.

And this information was conveyed to her in a way that Eschbacher could understand, enabling her to carry out highly targeted, soul-searching whispered seduction.

This is the most terrifying ability of the seductive demon—to peer into people's hearts and manipulate their desires!

However, just as Eschbacher projected her perception onto Cohen in the field.

Something unbelievable happened to her!
She was horrified to find that the mirrors, which should have reflected Cohen's desires or fears, were completely empty, without any images!

There is no throne of power, no endless wealth, no beloved beauty, and no fear of falling!
There was only a pure, deep, endless shadow that seemed to devour all light! She tried to use the "Thousand-Faced Prism" to peer into Cohen's desires and secrets, but the information she received was like a stone sinking into the sea.

The "Thousand Faces Prism" seems to be facing an empty existence that has no inner world at all.

I cannot sense any strong fluctuations in desire!

Unable to glimpse any hidden secrets or thoughts!

How can this be?

Even the most ruthless devil, the most chaotic and insane demon, must have some kind of obsession or desire in their heart.

This is a situation that has never been encountered since the invention of the Thousand Facets Prism!

An unprecedented sense of unease welled up in Eschbacher's heart for the first time.

What is the true nature of this human being?
Why is it completely blank?
Or is it that his inner strength is so great that even a thousand-faceted prism cannot see through him?

What is the origin of this human?
For the first time, a look of uncontrollable seriousness appeared on Eschbacher's face.

However, she hadn't yet recovered from the shock of the unusual feedback from the Thousand Faces Prism.

A fierce and unparalleled power surged toward the Thousand-faceted Prism at the core of her domain!
She looked up abruptly and saw that the human who should have been trembling under her legendary pressure had actually transformed into a dark golden stream of light that tore through space.

It charged straight toward the legendary object hanging high in the center of the sky with an almost overbearing attitude.

"Unbelievable!"

A hint of disdain flashed in Eschbacher's eerie eyes.

He waved lightly in the direction Cohen was charging from.

"boom--!"

A vast and terrifying power belonging to the legendary level, mixed with the abyssal pressure that could freeze even the soul.

Like an invisible, towering mountain, it crashed down on Cohen!
This was a blow powerful enough to instantly crush an ordinary half-step legendary expert into dust.

In Eschbacher's view, this arrogant eighth-order human would turn into a pile of minced meat in the next moment.

However, what happened next horrified her.

Faced with this overwhelming and legendary attack, Cohen was not crushed as she had expected, and his forward speed did not even slow down in the slightest.

Counterattack Storm: Level 8. Wields weapon and enters an absolute defensive stance for five minutes. This skill can be activated at any time, stunning enemy units for ten seconds. (Absolute Defense: Immune to attacks of the same or lower tier, reduces higher-tier attacks by 80%)

A force containing the laws of absolute defense suddenly unfolded from the center of Cohen, like a perfect spherical barrier.

Under this five-minute "absolute defensive stance," although Eschbacher's legendary power was strong, 80% of it was directly neutralized by the invisible barrier.

The remaining 20% ​​of the penetrating power was nothing to Cohen, who had already tempered his body and soul to a level comparable to a legendary rank.

It couldn't stop him in the slightest.

And so, under Eschbacher's horrified gaze...

Cohen's figure tore through the remaining energy turbulence, his speed undiminished, crashing into the high-hanging "Thousand-faceted Prism" like a shooting star.

For extraordinary beings who have already stepped into the realm of legend, the destruction of their physical body and the annihilation of their soul in the ordinary sense cannot truly end their lives.

As long as the "legendary objects" they create based on their own understanding of the rules continue to exist in the realm of legend.

They can then use this as a coordinate and a source, and under the nourishment of the field, reshape their form and reunite their soul time and time again.

It is almost equivalent to some kind of immortal existence, and this is one of the most fundamental differences between the legendary rank and those below the legendary rank.

Cohen's mind was unusually clear.

He knew that although he had many trump cards and special abilities, he was able to contend with the legendary class for a short time, and even hold his own.

But he has not yet truly entered that realm.

Once the battle devolves into a protracted war of attrition, the situation will inevitably become increasingly unfavorable to him.

Moreover, the seductive demon Eschbacher before them was not a lone wolf; she was the war leader of the "Face Thief" tribe.

She must have countless powerful demon subordinates who obey her every command!

If the situation drags on, and she realizes something is wrong and summons her demon subordinates to form an encirclement, it will become even more impossible to hunt down her.

It must be resolved quickly!

While the opponent is still underestimating you and filled with doubt, before they fully grasp your true strength and trump cards.

With overwhelming force, strike at its core weakness, the "Thousand-faced Prism" suspended high in the sky, and completely destroy it. This is the optimal solution to break the current situation.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the maze...

Eschbacher was shocked that Cohen had withstood her legendary blow.

But there was no trace of panic on her face.

Her legendary embodiment is an existence woven and condensed from her profound understanding of the rules of "desire" and "illusion".

Even a legendary expert of the same level would find it impossible to shatter in a short time.

What's more, he's an eighth-order human who hasn't even stepped into the legendary realm yet.

Thinking of this, the slight surprise and doubt caused by the unknown in Eschbacher's heart was gradually replaced by an extremely strong curiosity.

She really wants to know who this mysterious human is.
What secrets does he hold?
It's incredible that he, at the eighth level, could display such an unbelievable ability!
She even began to look forward to what kind of "surprises" this human would bring her next.

In her view, the initiative in this battle remains firmly in her hands.

The other party was just a slightly stronger, more interesting prey.

However, she had no idea what terrifying trump card Cohen, who was rushing toward the "Thousand Faces Prism," possessed.

Underestimating your opponent is often the beginning of failure.

But a storm that could overturn all her understanding was about to descend!

While Eschbacher was still indulging in a playful and curious underestimation of his opponent,

Cohen's figure had already crossed the final distance in an instant, and appeared boldly in front of the "Thousand-faceted Prism" that hung high in the center of the sky.

A cold smile curved his lips, and his deep, clear words echoed in this eerie space like the pronouncement of death:
"Rule-based technique - 'Gate of Babylon'".

[Gate of Babylon, Rule Skill, Level 5: Simultaneously performs a Willpower check on 10,000 enemies. Success grants their weapons into the "Gate of Babylon," which can then be used as arrows to unleash 100% of their power.]

The moment the words fell, a vast and boundless power, seemingly originating from the very source of the universe, erupted from Cohen's body like a sleeping ancient dragon suddenly awakening.

At the same time, an even more ancient and desolate aura spread out.

Its aura contained the sedimentation of countless eras and the baptism of war, as if it had crossed the river of time and rushed towards us from a forgotten mythical age.

“This…this…what is this?!”

When this ancient aura touched Eschbacher's senses, all the composure and mockery on her alluring face vanished in an instant.

Instead, there was an uncontrollable horror and fear originating from the depths of one's soul.

Her heart sank suddenly, as if gripped tightly by an invisible, icy hand.

This vast and ancient aura made her sense the threat of death.

Cohen slowly raised his left hand, palm up, fingers slightly spread, as if he were grasping some invisible authority in the void.

Behind him, the space emitted a piercing, strained sound.

A pair of invisible giant hands brutally tore open the boundary between reality and illusion, creating a huge rift that stretched across the entire sky.

The rift did not reveal nothingness or darkness, but rather a projection of an eternal battlefield that seemed to have frozen time and the flames of war.

It was a weapon god's tomb standing atop a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood, built from the remnants of countless eras and fragments of divine weapons!
The next moment!
The phantoms of mythical weapons, each emanating from a different era, region, and possessing different power attributes, seemed to be summoned from the dust of history by an invisible hand.

As if they were ancient heroes forcibly awakened from the river of time, they couldn't wait to release their destructive auras that had been dormant for countless years as soon as they appeared.

In an instant!
Thousands of rays of light soared into the sky!

A demonic sword burning with hellfire, a holy spear coiled with lightning, a runic axe inscribed with ancient spells, and a serpentine dagger flowing with deadly poison!
Thousands upon thousands of phantom weapons, each with a different shape but radiating terrifying energy, instantly unfurled behind Cohen.

Whether they are unruly, cold, or violent, they together form a silent arsenal of judgment that makes heaven and earth pale in comparison.

The King’s Treasury – When the king opens his eyes, the stars are but dust in his treasure!
"Do not--!"

Eschbacher let out a piercing, distorted scream, finally realizing what was about to happen.

But it was all too late!
Cohen gently waved his slightly open left hand forward!
"boom--------!"

Thousands upon thousands of phantom weapons, like a loyal army commanded by a king, transformed into a destructive torrent, pouring towards the "Thousand-Faced Prism".

The light devoured everything!
Energy annihilated the rules!
Immediately afterwards, all living beings in the entire battlefield, whether they were demons and devils fighting each other or councilors far away in the Bronze Fortress, felt a violent tremor originating from the very source of their souls at the same moment.

The sky suddenly turned dark red, as if endless blood rain was about to pour down.

The abyss itself seemed to wail from the depths of the earth.

A crack in the rules, visible only to beings of legendary status or higher, flashed across the sky!
This is an extraordinary phenomenon that can only be caused by the fall of a legendary figure, a time of universal mourning!

All those who witnessed this scene understood a chilling truth:

A legendary-ranked warrior has fallen in the Bloodbath!

...(End of chapter)