god of tomorrow

Gao Wen looked ahead in the direction of the flashlight beam but couldn't find the shadowy figure. Just as he was on guard, he suddenly heard Fan Weiqi's voice from behind.

"Holdon talked too much, that's been dealt with. Everything else is normal, proceeding according to plan."

"???"

The sudden sound was like a ghost, startling Gao Wen so much that he almost shuddered. He slowly nodded, his mind racing, wanting nothing more than to get away from the ghost. He quickened his pace and protected the two female students behind him.

His previous stance showed a narrow perspective; this is a more gentlemanly approach.

Also, what plan? Where did this plan come from? He and Van Welch have a plan, how come he doesn't know?

What does it mean that Holden was dealt with? Does it mean the literal meaning?

Horton!

Gawain mingled in the crowd, suddenly finding himself on the same side as the BOSS. Far from feeling safe, he became even more uneasy. First, 'himself' was assassinated, then there was the inexplicable professor and his plan. This trip was shrouded in sinister intent, and it was definitely not a place to linger.

Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, running away is the best!

Running away is shameful, but it's useful, especially for the weak, helpless, and pitiful Gawain; it's practically the perfect solution.

"We've arrived, everyone, please go inside!"

Fan Weiqi had somehow appeared at the very front of the group, his figure almost blending into the shadow of the rock wall. He pointed to the cave beside him and urged the trainees to hurry up so they could finish earlier and get some rest that night.

The students also felt something was amiss, but the lights coming from inside the cave and the complaints from the people carrying goods reassured them somewhat, and one by one they headed towards the credits.

"..."

Good heavens, this is a one-way trip!

Gao Wen didn't want to go in; he just wanted to turn back before it was too late. But Van Vich was looking at him, and not only looking, he also chuckled and nodded.

His eyes seemed to say, "The actors are all in place, this is a sure thing, tonight will be a success."

A chill instantly ran from the soles of Gao Wen's feet to the top of his head, as if the other party had seen through his intention to run away.

That old man is ruthless and elusive; he comes to the canyon as if it's his home, and I managed to escape from him...

To be fair, without exaggeration or bias, Chicken Bro has a higher chance of securing a solid defense!

Gawain gritted his teeth. He had no choice now. He braced himself and walked into the cave step by step, hoping that he really was Vanvich's great-uncle and that he was an indispensable member of the plan.

He didn't have the chance before, but now he wants to be the boss's underling.

So, what exactly is the plan?

Chapter 3 I, Gawain, make a wish to myself

The cave was initially very narrow, with cold water droplets seeping from the damp rock walls, making it difficult to find a foothold. After walking several dozen steps, the cave suddenly opened up.

The male trainees who had been moving things earlier were still there. Several high-powered lights were set up, and they were fiddling with precision instruments. When they saw the main group arrive, they called out to help.

Besides Holden, who knows where he's gone, late at night in the middle of nowhere.

Gawain didn't lend a hand. He was the boss's right-hand man, second only to Van Wechs in wickedness; he'd never be given such menial tasks. He stared intently at the cave, about ten meters high and unusually spacious, seeing neither a grave nor a coffin, only wondering if there was a path to escape.

There was only one way in, and Vanvich was standing there.

Countless stalactites of various shapes hung from the cave ceiling, casting distorted and grotesque shadows under the light, resembling ghostly hands reaching downwards. The ground was remarkably smooth, without any loose stones, and the air was filled with a faint, strange smell, like a mixture of sulfur and decaying grass.

Seeing the trainees performing their duties, Gao Wen stood to the side with his hands behind his back, and Fan Weiqi slightly curled the corners of his mouth before striding toward the center of the open space.

He pulled down the brim of his hat to conceal the barely suppressed excitement in his eyes.

Seeing this, Gao Wen silently retreated, then retreated again, and continued to retreat, until he stood in the same spot where Van Welch had just been.

He could easily turn around and run away, but he didn't know how far he could escape. He estimated that he probably wouldn't make it, but out of respect for life, he decided to give it a try.

What if!

In the center of the open space, Vanvich pulled out a seemingly empty magic wallet from his pocket and poured out a bunch of obscure magical materials.

The dried-up, blackened leg bones, the still slightly pulsating dark red flesh, the ashen mist encased in transparent crystal, the blood-red knight's helmet engraved with cursed runes...

It quickly piled up into a small mountain as tall as a person.

Van Vicki's hands didn't stop moving as he painfully watched his collection, accumulated over many years, spread across the floor. This was his entire fortune, the result of a lifetime's investment of wealth and energy. Several of the treasures were forbidden items he had risked his life to acquire, and tonight they would all be leaving him...

No, the treasures didn't leave; they just stayed by his side in a different way.

Everything is worth it!

Items were poured out and scattered on the ground haphazardly, causing the trainees to crane their necks to look, their eyes filled with confusion.

I don't understand, I've never seen this before, but I've learned something.JPG

The bizarre display resembled a museum of the bizarre. Not to mention Gawain, a magic novice, even the senior students in the group who were already formal mages were frowning, unable to make any sense of it.

What the hell is all this?

"Wait, dried snakeskin, sacrificial sheep skulls, and blood jars... these are all symbols of black magic!"

A senior student abruptly stepped back, his face turning deathly pale, his voice trembling: "This is a dark magic ritual! He's preparing a sacrificial ritual!"

A word to awaken the dreamer.

The students were shocked, realizing the gravity of the situation. If they were right, the offerings Vanvich had prepared were not only the magical materials in front of them, but also the living people themselves.

Fear spread like a plague among the crowd. Some instinctively wanted to flee, while others wanted to shout out their questions, but they were too slow, or rather, Vanvich was too well-prepared.

"Foolish children, today is your last lesson, and this is not black magic!"

Vanvich slowly raised his head, a chilling fanaticism appearing on his sinister face: "What is black magic? This is the stairway to the throne of gods!"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly raised his right foot and stomped heavily on the ground.

Buzzing—

A piercing sound came from deep underground. Centered on Vanvich, several scarlet light patterns spread across the ground, instantly outlining a complex and massive magic circle.

Immediately afterwards, the red light turned gray, and grayish-white mist gushed out from every rune node of the magic circle, rapidly rising and converging to transform into twisted and ferocious mist hands.

Before the students could even gasp in surprise, those misty hands had already descended instantly.

Ignoring the magical shields erected by the students, they materialized into physical shackles, instantly imprisoning everyone in place. Whether struggling, screaming, or trying to escape, they were all like insects encased in amber, unable to move, unable to even bend a finger.

The court fell silent, save for VanVleet's soft chuckle.

Gawain stood at the edge of the magic circle, without any mist swirling around him, which was understandable given his important role in the plan.

If we don't run now, we'll have to wait...

"The time has come, my master. The stairway to chaos has been opened. Please descend!"

"..."

Gawain stared in disbelief at Van Vicki, whose face was filled with an almost pious expression, his eyes were fervent, his arms were outstretched, and his body was leaning slightly forward. His posture did not resemble that of performing an evil sacrifice, but rather that of welcoming some great being.

The direction they were heading was right towards Gawain!

What the hell? Am I the master?

Me, I'm the BOSS?!

The twist was so absurd, like a sledgehammer hitting Gawain's head, leaving him reeling. He had thought a lot, infinitely exaggerating his importance in the plan—not just as a participant, but as a core member—but he never expected that he would still underestimate his own significance.

He wasn't just important, he was extremely important, irreplaceable, and directly determined the entire plan!

So, should we proceed as planned, or terminate the plan?

Gawain's gaze swept over the students who were imprisoned in place by the gray mist, their eyes filled with terror at the impending death. So many lives lost; continuing the plan would be too inhumane.

His upbringing wouldn't allow him to do such a thing!

While Gawain continued to suffer setbacks, lamenting that everywhere was a dog-eat-dog society that wouldn't change just because you had magic or everyone had a gun, VanVleet had already lost patience.

"Please come here, my master."

Vanvich narrowed his eyes, slowly suppressing the flamboyant fervor on his face, replacing it with calmness and greed. He raised his hand, and the gray mist transformed into a large hand that enveloped Gawain, drawing him into the center of the magic circle and hovering in front of Vanvich.

"As expected, my master, you did notice."

"..."

Gawain's lips twitched.

That's more like it! He's as pure as a little white flower, how could he possibly be the BOSS!

Even so, Gawain, who was in a dangerous situation, knew he couldn't show any weakness at this moment. He smoothly assumed the role of the master and coldly and authoritatively rebuked, "Vanwich, are you going to betray me?"

"It's not about betrayal. Opportunity only comes to those who are prepared, and I have to seize it."

Vanvich grinned menacingly, “You provided crucial information about the fragments of the Underworld, which led me to this place. I have brought out all the wealth I have accumulated over the years, but this is far from enough to satisfy Chaos’s appetite. If I want to open that door and obtain the power of eternity, I still need you, I need the flesh and blood of you, the Son of the Stars.”

Child of the Stars, what kind of rare ingredient is that?

Also, did you know that your son of the stars was assassinated right under your nose and the assassination attempt was successful?

Van Vicki knew Gawain's background and knew he wasn't qualified to provoke him, but after tonight, everything would be reversed. Once he crossed this threshold, he would no longer be a servant pawn struggling to survive in the cracks; he would climb to the top, standing atop the stars and looking down upon all living beings.

Success is a long and winding road, and Van Welch has already taken ninety-nine steps. He doesn't want to waste time on nonsense and stumble at the last step.

He closed his eyes, muttering incantations, softly reciting a deep, obscure ancient melody, calling upon that unknown being dwelling on the edge of the universe, outside of order.

Chaos Sacrifice!

As the incantation was chanted, the air seemed to freeze, and then a loud bang suddenly erupted.

boom!

It didn't explode; it simply collapsed.

Centered on the magic circle, the solid rock ground shattered, leaving no foothold below. It was a desolate, pitch-black void, thick and tangible, spewing forth like endless deathly magma.

The Black Abyss, the entrance to the underworld, greedily opens its gaping maw, waiting to be fed.

The group was supported by the magic circle and did not fall into it. On the contrary, the magic circle launched a reverse charge, with large gray mist hands extending downwards and rapidly enlarging as they frantically attacked the black abyss.

Instead of being fed, the abyss was visited by predators.

At the same time, a group of trainees shrouded in gray fog fell into a deep sleep. Their life force was rapidly plundered, and their young and vibrant bodies, like punctured balloons, lost their luster at a visible speed, turning sallow and withered.

Muscle atrophy, sunken eye sockets, and the overflowing magic was forcibly drained away as if a dam had been broken.

In just a few breaths, the group of students turned into withered skin and bones. Then, the bones were drained dry, leaving not even a trace of ash.