The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 1490: Jade Ant Queen’s Rebirth (3)

Inside the Jade Nest, no one had anticipated a ferocious fight to erupt.

From the outside perspective, the Jade Vault was slated to open in three months, the date when its seals would naturally weaken and shatter.

However, barely two months after entry, the battle that would seal everyone's fate commenced, and casualties began to mount rapidly.

Klaus and his contingent found themselves clashing with the four assassin squads belonging to the Green Paradox. The demise of the green-masked assassin had incited their fury, compelling them to discard all caution and launch their assault.

Every combatant present was an Immortal Lord; thus, save for the initial surprise that led to the green-masked assassin's end, subduing the remaining foes required considerable exertion.

Klaus understood the necessity of going all out, lest he face a swift demise.

Yet, even as he was encircled by nine assassins, a smile touched his lips, signaling he harbored no fear of his predicament.

Naturally, he wasn't about to be reckless. Indeed, all ten of his immortal rings were activated, each functioning to prolong his survival until the formation reached completion.

Rory was locked in combat with an assassin wielding a short sword, while another circled her, persistently seeking an opportune moment to strike.

Slate, Omen, and Echo had also engaged their respective adversaries.

Princess Evren and her team were equally embroiled in fierce battles, their clashes sending tremors reverberating through the surroundings.

Klaus had never imagined the seemingly delicate princess possessed such prowess in close-quarters combat. Witnessing her wield a sword and engage the assassins, he could discern she was far from merely ornamental.

Undoubtedly, victory would be a challenge given she wasn't a seasoned warrior. However, Klaus was confident she would endure—at least long enough for his formation to mature.

On another front, the nine demigod beasts, leading their own animalistic armies into the valley, had collided with the corrupted warriors, and their conflict had already taken a grim turn.

In the short span of their engagement, over a hundred beasts had fallen, without a single corrupted warrior among them meeting the same fate.

This grim tally astonished Klaus. The battle had raged for merely five minutes, yet the casualty count was already staggering. More chillingly, the two corrupted demigods were locked in a fierce struggle against all nine demigod beasts.

Until this day, many had spoken of calamity beasts as creatures of immense power. Now, it seemed they were mere novices compared to these corrupted warriors.

Even if these calamity beasts were not from the actual calamity zones, their status as calamity beasts should naturally signify a certain level of threat. However, that was clearly not the case here.

Their ongoing demise was profoundly shocking.

If anything, Klaus recognized that the true peril had been unveiled, and it lay with the corrupted warriors, not the Qilin Mercenary Legion.

The Qilin Mercenary Legion was already stretched thin.

Beast Goddess Beyhos was engaged with True God Eric, while Kaz found himself locked in a duel with the other True God.

Beast Gods Merle and Reis were occupied holding back two of the remaining three gods, while, unexpectedly, Crux and another demigod from Beast God Kaz’s domain were confronting the last god.

This unexpected turn resulted in the demigods on Klaus's side being reduced to ten. Consequently, they now faced a confrontation with twenty-four demigods, a feat that, in Klaus's estimation, was utterly impossible.

Unfortunately, he had no immediate means to alter this dire situation, leading to the beasts being decimated at a more rapid pace than he had anticipated.

Still, he held onto the hope that they could somehow hold the line for the time being. If they could endure just a little longer, he would be able to render assistance.

He, on his part, also needed to neutralize his own adversaries before they could overwhelm him...

"It's quite disheartening to realize your existence has been diminished to the point where you cannot perceive you're being manipulated," Klaus remarked as he blocked a dagger aimed directly at his heart.

He deflected the thrust and, pivoting his body, retaliated with his spiked boot, striking a female assassin squarely on the shoulder.

She was repelled, blood welling from the spike-inflicted wounds on her shoulder.

Another assassin darted behind him while a second and third attacker approached from either side, their daggers poised for a lethal strike.

A smile spread across Klaus's face as he dropped low, landing heavily on the ground.

The impact instantly caused metallic spikes to erupt from the earth, launching towards the three assassins. One, caught off guard, was struck. Nevertheless, he managed a swift sidestep, redirecting the spear's impact to his shoulder.

Even so, he was forced back and wounded, dwindling the number of active attackers to seven.

"I have no knowledge of who commissioned your pursuit of me. What they failed to inform you, however, is that my demise is not easily achieved," Klaus retreated, swinging his scythe to intercept an incoming dagger from another assassin.

Just as he advanced to deliver a punch, a shadow moved past him with lethal swiftness. He barely had time to raise his shoulder and pull to the left, just enough for the attack to graze his shoulder instead of severing his neck.

<You have been poisoned with the Dantura Nightshade Toxin>

Klaus's brow furrowed as he took in the message. His body instinctively moved, dodging a dagger aimed at his torso, yet a swift follow-up strike found its mark on his left leg.

<You have been poisoned with the Dantura Nightshade Toxin>

His eyes narrowed once more, his expression darkening. Nine assassins stood before him, and as far as he could ascertain, none had evaded his gaze. This raised the question: who was striking and poisoning him unseen?

He had no time to ponder this, as five of the assassins were already closing in, their daggers mere inches away. Klaus paused briefly, his innate Poison Immunity kicking in to neutralize the toxin. However, the process wasn't swift enough. Before he could evade the five simultaneous attacks, his left arm was struck again.

The same notification appeared, yet the source remained invisible to him. Fortunately, he managed to evade the barrage of five attacks, even managing to injure one of his assailants in the process.

‘Icon, how long until the poison becomes lethal?’

[Dantura Nightshade Toxin lethality Level: 22%]

‘And how fast is my immunity handling it for now?’

[Not fast enough, master. However, by my calculation, you have about 30 minutes minimum and 45 minutes maximum to figure out who keeps attacking you and take them out.]

Klaus gave a curt nod.

He glanced at Rory, noting she was holding her own perfectly. On the other side, Slate, Omen, and Echo were also faring well. Princess Evren had sustained a cut on her left arm, but aside from that, she and her team were managing.

A smile touched Klaus's lips upon observing this. ‘It is truly a pity to have to slay such fine warriors,’ he mused. His eyes, previously golden, shifted to a crimson hue. Instantly, a potent blood aura erupted from his body and his scythe, causing the nine assassins engaged with him to falter momentarily.

The aura surrounding Klaus had transformed, and an unsettling sense of danger washed over his opponents. To emphasize this, Klaus thrust his scythe forward. From the ground, the spilled blood of slain beasts, along with some from fallen humans, began to stir and move towards it.

As the first drops of blood entered the scythe, it emitted a low hum. Klaus released the handle and drew a black sword. He then looked at the scythe with a smile. ‘Feast, my friend. By the time you awaken, I shall have nine fresh immortal bloods for you to devour.’

Taking a decisive step forward, Klaus's form dissolved into a crimson mist. In the very next moment, a scream echoed from one of the assassins. His left hand was severed, flying through the air as blood erupted violently from the shoulder.