The Herb King



Zachary's task was to help the Lion Fang Tribe and The Blood Wolf Tribe in destroying the nearby Underworlder settlement. There were more than fifty thousand Underworlder soldiers in that settlement, but they were annihilated by the combined might of the two Barbarian tribes. Moreover, experts like Argus and Zachary were there to lead the army together with the Shadow Guards and elven warriors. The Underworlders were decimated and they weren't even able to call for reinforcements. Because of this, the two tribes were safe while the Engravers were making the Transportation Rune. 

"It's almost done, Sir Zachary." An assistant reported in a joyful tone. 

"Good! How much time do you need to complete the rune?" Zachary asked.

The assistant pondered for a moment before he replied. "We should be able to make it within six hours." They didn't have a Level 5 Engraver like Elder Gild so it would take them more time to complete the Transportation Rune. 

"Six hours?" Zachary furrowed his eyebrows upon hearing this. "You may leave." He waved his hand and stared into the distance. He could sense a powerful aura from afar and his instincts were telling him that it would be dangerous for them to stay here for long. 

"Do you also feel it?" A calm voice drifted into his ears. He turned his head and saw Argus looking in the same direction with a solemn gaze. 

Zachary nodded his head grimly. "There should be a late stage Level 5 Underworlder in that direction. Hopefully, that guy is not at the peak stage or we would be in trouble." He was only a mid stage Level 5 Esper and his power was comparable to ordinary late stage Level 5 experts. However, he wasn't confident enough to face a peak stage Level 5 expert. 

Argus shook his head calmly. "There isn't just one of them. If I'm not wrong, there are more than ten Level 5 Underworlders in that direction. I'm not certain about their specific levels since their auras are too congregated." 

"What?!" Zachary's eyes widened at his words. Argus was the number one expert in the Heavenly Might Rankings and his perception was stronger than his own so his words were reliable. The power of their army combined couldn't stop an army of Underworlders led by ten Level 5 experts. They would be seeking death if they choose to fight such a strong force!

"You don't have to worry. They seemed to have no intentions of attacking at the moment. That place might be their gathering spot. It should take them a few weeks to gather all their forces. We still have some time to transport all the Barbarian tribes before they would march." Argus muttered. One of his eyes flashed with golden radiance as he activated an ocular skill that enhanced his spiritual perception. What he told Zachary was true, but he didn't disclose something to him. There were already more than five million Underworlders gathering in that location and their numbers are increasing slowly! 

Zachary's expression eased up as he nodded. "Alright. I'll send more men to scout the area. You should take a rest while you still can." He walked away after saying those words. He felt a sense of urgency when he learned that there were ten Level 5 Underworlders from the distance. 

After Zachary left, Argus remained standing in his spot. His left eye flashed with golden radiance as he observed the situation from afar. Suddenly, he felt a sharp prickling pain and he immediately shut his eyes in agitation. Blood trickled down from his left eye as he muttered in horror. "There is actually a being that exceeds the power of a peak stage Level 5 Esper?!" 

Just then, he noticed a peculiar aura in the location of the Underworlders' gathering point. When he was about to observe this aura, a powerful energy attacked his spiritual perception which almost blinded his left eye! 

Argus was already a peak stage Level 5 Esper and no one should be able to damage his spiritual perception so easily. That means the person who attacked earlier was so much stronger than him! 

"I should keep this a secret for now. Those guys would only panic if I tell them this. However, I need to inform Aethelwolf about this." Argus muttered while bandaging his bleeding left eye with a special cloth. This was a special item that could speed up the recovery from an injury. 

***

Meanwhile, in the darkest corner of the Northern Region, a towering creature with the head of a bull and the body of a human narrowed its eyes as it looked in the direction of the Lion Fang Tribe's camp. This creature was so massive that he made all the Underworlders look like dwarves. He was Gozgel, one of the three Underworld Kings. His power was only beneath that of Bralgorach, the Ancient Lord of the Underworlders! 

Gozgel's power has already surpassed the threshold of Level 5 Espers! He was a true Transcendent being! Experts like him had already trained their bodies and souls to the limit, making them incredibly powerful. Their might has already exceeded the limit of the Regalis Continent! 

At this moment, Gozgel was staring in the direction of the Lion Fang Tribe. There was a trace of amusement in his eyes. "Not bad! That little fellow should be comparable to a peak stage Level 5 warrior. He's got an interesting ocular ability." His laughter caused the ground to shake and even the nearby Underworlders felt nervous when the ground started trembling.

Suddenly, a Level 5 Underworlder walked toward s Gozgel and kneeled respectfully. "Lord Gozgel, we have already gathered five million soldiers. Do you want us to start attacking the nearby territories?" This Level 5 Underworlder was a seven-meter-tall beast with a lion-like head and a humanoid body. However, he was still like a child compared to Gozgel who has a massive figure of about twenty meters! 

Gozgel looked down and stared at the kneeling Underworlder beneath him. "No! Although the Regalis Continent is filled with weaklings, there are still a few exceptional individuals among them. We can't rashly act without making necessary preparations. Wait until we gather a hundred million soldiers. By then, I will let you guys play however you want!" He muttered in a guttural voice. 

The lion-headed Underworlder was itching for a battle, but he didn't dare disobey Gozgel. "As you command, Lord Gozgel." He lowered his head deeply before he excused himself. 

Gozgel stared at the lion-headed Underworlder deeply and chuckled. "My warriors are becoming restless. The fertile lands of the Regalis Continent must have aroused their desires. Hahaha! This place will be ours soon!" 

***

Argus searched for Zachary in the camp. After looking for a while, he saw the guy hovering in the sky with a grim look on his face. 

As if noticing his presence, Zachary muttered. "Why did you follow me here?" 

"Can I borrow your Communication Rune? I want to speak with Aethelwolf. It is urgent." Argus replied in a grave tone.

Zachary turned his head and saw Argus' left eye wrapped in bandages. Many thoughts flashed in his mind when he saw this, but he didn't ask him anything. He took out his Communication Rune and tossed it to Argus. "Return it to me after your call." He said before descending back to the camp.

Argus activated the rune and looked for Aethelwolf's name. He then pressed the call button.

"Zachary, why did you call me?" Aethelwolf's calm voice sounded from the device. 

"It's me. I borrowed his rune since I want to speak with you." 

"Argus? Alright. Tell me what's going on." Aethelwolf was surprised when he heard Argus' voice. He wondered what he was going to tell him.

"In the depths of the Northern Region, a large army of Underworlders is slowly gathering. There are five million of them at the moment and it is still increasing, but that's not what I called you for... I sensed the aura of a Transcendent being from their gathering point!" There was a trace of fear in Argus' voice, but Aethelwolf was so shocked by his words to notice this.

"What did you say?! Say it again!"

"You heard me right. I'm ninety percent sure that there is a Transcendent being leading the Underworlders. Aethelwolf, we don't have much time. You should report this to Estes and tell him to conclude the competition soon so that we can enter the Frigid Snow Dimension. We can't win against that creature without the help of the Ancient Fairy's ancestor. We have to unseal her no matter the cost!" Argus didn't bother to hide the agitation in his voice. 

"Alright. I'll inform him immediately. Later, I'll send you the spiritual mark of my Communication Rune so that you won't need to borrow Zachary's rune. Just wait for my news." Aethelwolf said before he disconnected the call. 

Argus' face was calm, but multiple waves surged in his heart. "The prophesied calamity is near..."