Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

Simply put, he coveted Bashium's body and wanted to devour the big guy, but he was unable to hunt it himself, so he had to pay Ishtar to act as his henchman.

Despite the fact that dragons are often depicted as the ones being slaughtered in numerous myths, biographies, and epic tales, this is not a simple matter.

The Dragon Bloodline is known as the strongest debuff that draws aggro and attracts special attacks!

However, in the real Age of Gods, the named dragons were genuine top-tier beastly deities.

Unless you're a chosen one or a ridiculously overpowered hero with maxed-out buffs, anyone who dares to mess with the dragon is basically just feeding.

Therefore, if Ishtar had a change of heart, actually went to slay the dragon, and handed over Bashium's remains as evidence to him.

Then, he could easily obtain some precious dragon bloodline and his strength would increase by leaps and bounds.

As for whether that goddess will keep her word, then we'll have to uncover the fourth layer of this mille-feuille.

Following the trajectory of history, Uruk will be in grave danger in the future as major disasters intensify.

Ishtar will be tricked by King Gilgamesh into becoming his henchman in exchange for 30% of the minerals in his treasury.

Although this is an empty promise based on the premise that the hero king does not die, there is a lot of room for maneuver if we obtain the right to negotiate.

When they meet again, Ishtar will return many times over what she stole.

Haha, you're making a deal with this ancient serpent and still thinking you can make money? Do you even know what a demonic contract is?

Samael's lips curled up slightly, increasingly pleased with the name he had come up with in a flash of inspiration.

"Hey, what are you thinking about? That laugh is disgusting..."

In the firelight, Shamhat hugged his arms tightly, feeling a strange chill run down his spine, as if he could vaguely see the shadow of a giant snake, slithering and moving in the darkness.

"It's nothing, just thinking about what to do next."

The ancient snake, whose reverie had been interrupted by this troublesome woman, rolled its eyes in annoyance and gave a casual reply.

The two sides are currently only in a cooperative relationship, and he has no need to reveal all his secret thoughts to Shamhat.

After all, this holy prostitute belonged to Uruk and had a close relationship with Gilgamesh.

Samael was currently thinking about how to steal 30% of the negotiation funds from the Hero King's treasury, so how could he be foolish enough to tell the truth?

Shamhat, unsuspecting, offered his advice.

"No need to ask, of course we're going to Uruk to meet up with the King!"

"If anyone can save Mesopotamia, then that Hero King is probably the last hope in the world."

Samael raised his hand and stroked his chin, remaining noncommittal.

After all, in the future, even Gilgamesh could not stop the destruction of Uruk. He did his best, but he only left behind a spark of inheritance for the Sumerian civilization.

However, it seems that the goal is to dismantle the alliance of the three goddesses and create conditions for the return of the mother goddess Tiamat.

He was determined to join Uruk's side, to help Tiamat, who had fought against instinct in the Imaginary Sea and made immense sacrifices for humanity, by quietly building his reputation and winning people's hearts.

However, before heading to the Absolute Demonic Beast Front, it is necessary to conduct thorough intelligence gathering in order to make plans with peace of mind.

Tsk, I still don't have enough chips in my hand. Every step I take is like walking on thin ice, and it's very mentally taxing.

If only we had the power to sweep everything away.

The ancient snake tapped its temple and muttered helplessly.

Just as Samael was carefully organizing his thoughts, his animal instincts made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up and his snake-like pupils shrink to the size of pinholes.

"Look out! Something's coming!"

Shamhat, equally vigilant, also issued a warning, and then decisively transformed into a wisp of mist, disappearing into the ghost cage.

"Roar!"

Almost simultaneously, from the deep darkness behind them, a ball of gold mixed with brownish-red flames lunged fiercely.

Samael's serpentine eyes narrowed, narrowly avoiding the attack by a hair's breadth. At the same time, his waist sank, silver light swirling around him, and he channeled his power into his elbow, slamming it hard into the abdomen of the ferocious figure.

boom!

The monster that had followed the light source flew out like a cannonball, crashing into the mound and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Ulridim the Furious Lion? Sorry, but I know your body structure very well!

The ancient serpent watched the large, golden-brown cat struggling several times in the pit, its breath growing weaker due to its broken waist, and sneered.

A few monsters managed to flank the Babylonian defenses and reach the heart of the territory, indicating that the situation in Uruk is not optimistic.

Samael, perceptive of the subtle signs, frowned slightly as he contemplated the uncertain future ahead.

Forget it, just take it one step at a time.

Perfect timing! I'll absorb these readily available materials to replenish the magical beast spirit base within my beastly powers.

The ancient serpent gazed menacingly at the half-paralyzed, roaring, and biting lion, and slowly approached with ill intent.

However, after taking only a few steps, a strong wind arose around them, and one after another, scarlet "lights" appeared in the darkness.

Samael's breath hitched, and his expression froze.

Damn it! Lions are social animals, and Ulidim has retained that trait!

Are the Uruk people of the Babylonian defense line all blind? The monsters that crossed that barrier are appearing in droves deep within the territory!

The ancient serpent looked around at least a dozen angry lions scattered about, its face darkening, and it cursed inwardly.

woo woo woo woo!

Amidst the low, booming roar of the wind tearing through the air, more than a dozen angry lions bared their fangs and charged toward Samael in front of the fire.

"I'll fight to the death!" In this desperate situation, Samael hardened his heart and prepared to unleash the full power of his beastly abilities, his flesh and blood beneath his body writhing and deforming.

"Get down!"

At the critical moment, a clear and tender cry echoed across the wilderness. The ancient snake, who was prepared to fight to the death, had a slight change in its mind and immediately crouched down to defend itself with its head covered.

At the same time, serpentine chains stretched out in all directions, binding all the monsters that rushed across the wilderness.

Immediately, a purplish-red blade flashed through the air, and a torrent of foul-smelling blood sprayed freely from the severed throats of the victims.

Beneath the pervasive aura of blood, a hooded, petite figure gradually approached the flickering fire, exuding a mysterious and eerie beauty.

Chapter Thirty-Four: When Colleagues Meet, They're Busy Stabbing Each Other in the Back

"Are…are you okay?"

The girl, wearing a black hood and having swiftly and decisively dealt with more than a dozen angry lions, seemed to have some reservations and did not immediately step forward.

She stopped beside the fire, lowered her head and spoke in a soft voice, her eyes looking down at the ground, seemingly unwilling to make eye contact.

As the Sumerian traveler who had been rescued from the pit got up and approached, the girl subconsciously retreated, as if she were very shy.

However, since she did not sense any hostility, she did not want to be rude, so she simply tensed up slightly and stood still.

"Thank you! You've been a great help, young lady!"

Samael pounded his chest with his right fist, nodded in acknowledgment, and spoke with great sincerity.

"By the way, could you tell me your name? I need to remember this kindness!"

"Anna..."

After a moment's hesitation, the girl uttered a response as faint as a mosquito's buzz. Had the ancient snake not possessed keen senses, he would have almost thought the girl hadn't uttered a sound at all.

"Anna, right? I've got it!"

"The monsters have all been dealt with, so there shouldn't be any threat for the time being. Come, come, sit here."

"You saved my life, at least let me find a way to treat you, okay?"

Samael was very enthusiastic and, without saying a word, pressed her shoulder, trying to get her closer to the fire.

But the child was very reserved and seemed at a loss, his eyes pleadingly fixed on the outline of a withered tree in the wilderness.

"Oh dear, it seems I won't be able to continue observing Anna's shy demeanor."

In a languid yet magnetic murmur, a handsome man in a white robe adorned with purple ornaments, his loose silver hair cascading down his shoulders, and his purple eyes filled with a smile and a dreamlike quality, walked out of the darkness, holding a staff.

Samael watched the spy who had suddenly appeared from behind the tree warily, his muscles tense, displaying an instinctive defensiveness.

"Merlin, die!"

The purple-haired girl under the black hood frowned and hummed softly.

The white-haired magician smiled nonchalantly, took a few steps forward, bowed slightly, and gave an elegant salute, his every move exuding a regal air.

"Friend, relax. I'm just a kind older brother passing by, Merlin."

"In addition, my companion is a bit shy, and she was a little uncomfortable with being too enthusiastic."

For some reason, although this guy was almost impeccable in both his language and body language, he exuded a lazy vibe.

Another thing is that the smile on his face has a kind of detached, cynical look that makes him seem really annoying.

"Of course, if you still want to express your gratitude up close, I, your big brother, don't mind getting close to something beautiful."

To ease the tension, the white-haired magician chuckled and teased.

Hmm, those words were so flippant, it made me want to punch him. That's definitely the guy.

The ancient serpent twitched its lips slightly in the shadows, being extremely cautious of this nightmare hybrid descendant from another era.

Historically, the alliance of the three goddesses was formed, and Uruk was powerless to resist the gradual encroachment from three directions.

While the hero-king Gilgamesh was indeed powerful, he was also overwhelmed with other matters.

Therefore, in order to ensure the survival of Uruk, he sacrificed his unparalleled combat power and instead awakened and solidified his magical potential, summoning seven heroic spirits from another dimension through a secret séance ritual.

It is divided into seven classes that span the mysterious history of mankind: swordsman, spearman, archer, assassin, cavalryman, mage, and berserker.

Among them, the heroic spirit who filled the position of magician was Merlin, the great sage who nurtured King Arthur in Celtic legend.

It is said that this flower magician possesses the bloodline of nightmares, and her greatest skills, besides illusion, are deception.

In a sense, Samael has met a kindred spirit.

Moreover, Merlin was Gilgamesh's ally in carrying out his plan, as well as his eyes and ears.

To successfully infiltrate the power structure of Uruk and influence the judgments and decisions of that Hero King.

Dealing with this master swindler is undoubtedly a test.

At this moment, Samael nodded slightly upon seeing Anna, confirming the authenticity of his white-haired companion. His outward wariness gradually subsided, and he invited the two of them to rest by the fire. However, his mind raced as he subtly considered his words and actions.

Whether his beastly qualities are good or bad is another matter, if we only consider the Nightmare Bloodline.

Historically, this guy used illusions to deceive Tiamat when he first appeared, tricked Quetzalcoatl into betraying the alliance of the three goddesses in the middle stage, and even impersonated an internet idol in the future to deceive the legendary human incarnation of King Solomon.

This series of achievements is enough to prove that the great sage Merlin is extraordinary in terms of intelligence.

When people in the same industry meet, they're busy stabbing each other in the back.

From the fact that only the little girl Anna made a move and that a certain succubus hybrid was hiding behind a tree and spying, Samael could vaguely tell what was going on.

Merlin was suspicious of this traveler who dared to wander alone in the wilderness late at night.

If I don't want to be a respected elder from the Sumerian era, taught a lesson by future generations who lack martial virtue, and then suffer a humiliating defeat that leaves a dark mark on my history.

The ideal state is one that is relaxed on the outside but tight on the inside.

Through conversation, the three got to know each other briefly, and the atmosphere on the surface seemed very harmonious.

Sandwiched in the middle, Anna glanced wistfully at Samael, the Sumerian traveler, and Merlin, the kind older brother, sitting on either side of her. Her wrinkled nose twitched slightly.

For some reason, the purple-haired girl sensed a homogeneity between the two men who were talking so eloquently.

Perhaps this young girl will understand once she has gained more life experience.

This is... a very pure... very pure scumbag smell.

Just as they were tentatively approaching the campfire, enjoying themselves immensely, dozens of kilometers away on a hill, a series of ferocious figures crouched down below, emitting suppressed growls and whimpers.

"Oh? A sector of magical beasts has lost contact?"

"What about the location, distance, and area? Be more specific!"

A solitary figure stood tall in the cold wind, hidden in the darkness, gently brushing against the flame-like mane of an angry lion, and murmured a question.

"Woooo..."