The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 1416: A chilling message

At the break of dawn, precisely as Klaus had orchestrated, the remains of all 17 assassins were discovered, each marked by evidence of a savage end.

The report raced through the region like a tempest.

In a flash, the identity of the killer became known to all. Yet, even with the certainty that Klaus had slain them all, no one possessed the power to lay a hand on him.

It was common knowledge that a bounty hung over his head, meaning that those who perished while hunting him counted as legitimate self-defense. Still, if individuals grew angered and sought retribution for a slain relative or companion, this remained Planet Yahmir; the laws held no authority here.

Naturally, plenty grew enraged and clamored for Klaus's execution. A few even stormed to the very hotel where he lodged, insisting on vengeance.

Still, the hotel barred their path, for on Planet Yahmir, establishments like this provided one solid benefit: even a murderer guilty of wholesale slaughter could book a stay and receive full protection within its confines.

Their misfortune lay in the fact that this inn belonged to an Immortal King, and with Immortal Kings reigning as the mightiest forces on Planet Yahmir, no soul dared provoke such a figure.

Yet, mirroring the events of the day before, as the hour hit 7 a.m., Klaus strolled forth as though he hadn't unleashed a string of killings just hours earlier.

"You bastard, give me my brother’s life back!" bellowed a Real Immortal, his blade shining with a blue glow as he charged at Klaus from the right the moment he exited the structure.

Klaus paused and pivoted to face him. Noticing the intense fury twisting his assailant's features, he flashed a faint smile and flicked his wrist.

To the crowd's horror, an array pattern emerged upon the earth, and right as the Real Immortal closed to four meters distance, iron chains exploded upward, clamping onto his arms and legs.

His form froze solid in that very moment.

Shocked inhales rippled across the gathering, with thousands shuffling backward. Given the influential figures entangled in the night's carnage, hordes had assembled to observe how Klaus would navigate the repercussions.

Witnessing the effortless way he subdued the Real Immortal, those eyeing an opportunity to strike suddenly reconsidered their bold intentions.

Klaus advanced toward the restrained Real Immortal, and once within reach, he queried, "Which one of them was your brother? I happen to have killed quite a lot, so they all turn blurry."

"You bastard. Let go of me and face me in a fair fight."

Klaus let out a derisive snort. "Fair fight? Are you trying to make me laugh?" He broke into genuine laughter.

"You are one funny loser, aren’t you? I have categorically told everyone what would happen if they came against me, yet they did not listen. Even now, there are some here who still think 10 billion Heaven Crystals is far more valuable than their lives.

Personally, I do not mind doing the work of the Grim Reaper by transporting their souls to the underworld—that is, if they are worthy of having such an easy death." A sly grin spread across his features.

He reached out his palm, where ghostly white flames flickered into existence. "Since today happens to be a good day for me, I will use you to send a second message, one that I hope with every fibre of my being will resonate with all.

I have never done anything wrong aside from existing. I was happy living my life, only for a whole Supreme to think I am someone else. Now, I am being forced to kill just to keep my life.

While it is shocking how some of you are stupid, unable to see the scheme the Warrior Tower is cooking by pairing criminals together, all in the name of 10 billion Heaven Crystals, I want to live, so despite knowing they want us to kill each other, if you come after me, I will kill you.

Or do you think I would come to this planet without preparing, knowing an entire Supreme wants me dead to prove a point?"

Contempt twisted his expression as he closed the final distance to the Real Immortal and slammed his palm onto the man's torso.

The white blaze poured into his core and assailed his soul without delay.

"AaaaarrhHHHHH!" His agonized cry echoed to all as Klaus seared his essence with the Soul-Fury Flame. Within less than a minute, the torment overwhelmed him, leading to his demise as his soul winked out eternally.

He pivoted to regard the onlookers with a gaze of sorrow. "Even if you are born stupid, at least know that the Righteous Faction wants to use me to kill most of you. They posted a bounty on my head, so I have no choice but to kill those who would come after me.

However, now that you know and still think coming against me is what you want, you are welcome to try. Until then, get the fuck out of my way before I start a massacre this planet will never forget."

Following this bold exhibition of dominance, he departed, striding toward the Arena where the remaining contests awaited.

The assembly could merely observe his retreat.

On this occasion, his declaration truly struck a chord. They started recognizing their grave mistakes, and certain individuals who had arrived with motives akin to the slain 17 began to rethink their choices.

"There is just no way a fellow criminal would post such a huge bounty on a mere Early Immortal, even if he is Blood Sword.

This means we were indeed played by the Righteous Faction, and that pisses me off. Looks like we have to send a message back to them."

"Yes. We have to tell them that messing with the Underworld comes at a cost."

"That is indeed a good move."

Numerous voices rose in condemnation of the Warrior Tower's audacity. Indeed, the group yearned to clash with the Warrior Tower for sparking the demise of 17 True Immortals, each of whom had forged a formidable name within the criminal underbelly over countless years.

Merely twenty minutes after Klaus issued his second proclamation, a covert profile from the Demon Universe posted a roster on the dark web, listing 120 infiltrators seeded by the warriors into the underworld.

In truth, these 120 operatives answered to Supreme Elder Juo. As the compilation exploded in popularity, criminals throughout the cosmos who viewed it launched pursuits against those named.

By the next day, more than 40 had fallen, their deaths broadcast on the dark web. The survivors either vanished into seclusion or turned informant to preserve themselves.

Piling on the outrage, fourteen hours following the list's emergence, a crime lord of Supreme caliber declared his intent to eliminate 10 deities from the Warrior Tower.

This bold statement rattled the Warrior Tower, instilling dread among its ranks. It became clear that Klaus's rhetoric had pierced so profoundly that a notorious Supreme, infamous for his villainous deeds, chose to retaliate fiercely.

Klaus, having spent two hours to set this chain of events in motion, came back from the Arena bearing a satisfied grin. He hadn't anticipated that a Supreme would seize upon his words so readily, without query.

His initial aim had been to wound Supreme Elder Juo through the loss of his agents. But with a Supreme now engaged, Klaus realized his status in the criminal realm stood poised to surge dramatically.

"Ah, there is nothing better than a plan..."

"Coming together,"

Another voice completed his thought, jolting Klaus upright from the bedding.