I Know the Secret to Surpass Level 100-Chapter 494: Fooled

Right behind the secret door disguised as the guild’s quest board was an underground tunnel that led to the different parts of the city. The tunnel included Francoise’s workshop and Isabelle’s gem shop.

It also led to various restaurants where they bought their food as they traveled to Solaguer. Frederick only brought the prominent members of the guild with him, knowing that the rest can’t do anything in front of Death.

"Death is not just an ordinary demon, right?" Elliot mentioned to Frederick. "Since he’s from under Malice’s realm, Hell, then he’s a Behemoth."

"Behemoths are still just demons," Frederick said coldly. "Only demons have tendencies to do good while Behemoths do not."

"I don’t think Death would ever shed any conscience," Luck added. "That man, just by looking at the darkness of his aura, you could tell. He’s not just someone we can negotiate with."

"But what if we can," Elliot stopped walking. "If you remember, Death said that he found something in this realm that he wanted to protect. There must be a way to talk to him."

"That was a blatant lie," Aquarius sighed. "Just like everything else he said before."

"What if it’s not?" Elliot argued. "Death has a lot of time in his hands, but I don’t think he would save a village from the attacks. There must be someone that he’s trying to protect."

"But how do we know that he’s telling the truth?" Lance asked. "Elliot, there’s no way around this. We either have to fight or we don’t fight at all."

’Come to the west village called Reyne,’ Irus spoke in Elliot’s head, making his eyes widen. ’Mother will meet you there. Death does not know of our connection yet, so hurry.’

’Why are you only talking now?’ Elliot asked, trying to figure out why Irus did not speak anything before.

’I was afraid that Death would suspect me if you try to move right away,’ Irus replies. ’But it has been a few hours. You have to go to Reyne now.’

Irus cut their link before Elliot could say anything. Getting the message, Elliot looked up to look at his friends in the eyes. "The demons are on our side. Irus wants us to meet Madam Locraine in a village."

"No," Aquarius said. "What if it’s a trap?"

"Then we’ll come along," Lance said. "Elliot doesn’t need to be alone. At least with the five of us, we stand a chance against any enemy."

"What if it’s Death that’s waiting there?" Frederick asked, narrowing his eyes to watch his guild members’ reaction. "What if Irus is actually a traitor and he just used your connection to trap you."

"That wouldn’t make sense because they could’ve just killed us before. When Death took the demons, he could’ve annihilated the guild," Elliot pointed out. "I bet there’s something else that’s going on, and I have to find out what it is."

"Then go," Frederick said. "If Death is indeed the one that’s waiting for you there, we’ll evacuate Solaguer and buy us time as much as you can."

"But Frederick–"

"No," Frederick cut Aquarius off. "This is good. If they can pull this off, our job would become much easier. I know these kids won’t die easily. And besides, they’re not part of my guild anymore. Whatever their guild master wants, goes."

"Thank you, Frederik," Elliot said. "Guys, come on."

While the others headed north, Elliot and his gang headed west. Lance knew Reyne as a village filled with flowers and he still faintly remembers the direction there.

"Are you sure that’s you’re making the right decision?" Luck asked his best friend. "You know how dangerous for us to split up right this time, right? It’s too narrow for the rate of our survival now."

"We don’t have a choice," Frederick sighed. "And besides, knowing those kids, they’re probably in a safer path than us. Let’s go."

Frederick who led his own group were on their way to Solaguer. Thanks to the gem boost that Isabelle casted upon them, their speed was three times faster. They should reach the capital city in a couple of hours.

"Is Elliot going to be alright?" Jameson asked. "I’m worried about him."

"I’m sure he’s going to be just fine," Katarina reassured. "We literally saw him rise from the dead before. If he can do that, Elliot can do anything."

Jameson remembered the time where they fought the Deathly Sins and they kept Elliot’s body in a room. They saw his cold corpse, lying on the ground lifelessly, then it came to life and attacked them.

This was the moment that he promised himself that he would dedicate his time into helping Elliot. The boy was the reason why he achieved a lot of his goals, even when he had so many restrictions as a prince.

Elliot taught him power, kindness, and most importantly, freedom. Elliot did not treat him respectfully because he was a prince, he treated him respectfully because he viewed him as a friend, as a human being.

"You’re smirking widely," Katarina teased. "Remembering something?"

"I just remembered the conversations between Elliot and I," Jameson said. "I was always upset because I was never used to be talked to informally, especially those who are not of nobility. Then there’s Elliot."

"He affected us all, yes," Frederick said rather bitterly. "But now, we have to face the tragedy in front of us."

The group watched the city from the mountain. They could only watch in shock on how much has changed in a matter of hours.

Solaguer was the capital city, so everyone in the kingdom would visit there often. There would always be people in the streets, vendors on the sidewalk, and joyful music in every corner.

But in just a matter of hours, the city turned gloom and dark. There wasn’t anyone in the streets although no building was damaged except for the palace.

"This is terrible," Aquarius said. "Death really did made a mess of this kingdom."

"He sure did."

Everyone turned around after hearing Leviathan’s voice. The man was hovering in the air along with Mammon and Saitan who were grinning.

"Hey y’all," Mammon said. "Death said to take you down."

"How did he know we’re here?" Isabelle gasped. "Jameson and I hid our presence well. Nobody should be able to detect us."

"Oh," Saitan pursed his lips. "Maybe because Irus knew Elliot’s location and he saw you move. Now, he’s waiting for them."

"What?" Frederick grit his teeth. "What do you mean by that?"

"Make me tell you," Mammon hovered lower. He finally stepped on the ground and grinned. "If you can make me kneel on my knees, then I will tell you without any hesitation–"

In a blink of an eye, Frederick, Luck, Midnight, and Sun surrounded Mammon. The demon’s eyes widened but before he could react, the back of his knees had been kicked and both of his shoulders were slammed to the ground. Mammon laid face flat on the ground, eyes still wide in shock.

"Where are they?!" Frederick growled.

"Irus will kill them," Mammon grinned. "Good luck."

–

"No," Elliot coughed. "Irus, why?"

He was on his knees, blood dripping from his forehead. There was a thin cloud of dust around him after receiving a powerful blast from the demon. His friends were unconscious, scattered around him.