Hitman with a Badass System

1224 The level before the final level

"It's so good to be back." Michael calmly cracked his neck and said. His voice carried the weight of his newly acquired power, resonating with the authority of a level 3 Greater God. As he took in his surroundings, his gaze fell upon the Minotaur, now sleeping deeply from the exhaustion of absorbing a goddess's soul. He then turned his attention to the mummified remains of Marli's body and chuckled, a dark amusement in his tone. "I regret not killing her with my own hands," he mused, his regret laced with a hint of satisfaction at her demise.

His focus shifted to Raphael, who was recovering from the Minotaur's assault. With a deliberate pace, Michael began to walk toward him, his presence imposing and his intent clear. "What should I do with you?" he pondered aloud, the question hanging in the air as a threat. As Michael was walking toward Raphael, Gaya joined Michael's side. She glanced at the sleeping Minotaur and sarcastically remarked. "Let's not wake the baby, huh? Wouldn't want to deal with that shitstorm again." Though laced with humor, her words carried an underlying sense of relief at having survived the ordeal.

Sharing in the momentary levity, Michael smiled at Gaya's comment. His attention then shifted back to Raphael, who was still on the ground, visibly weakened from the ordeal of having the grace he absorbed forcefully taken by the Minotaur. Michael's approach was measured, his presence dominating the space as he neared the fallen enforcer of the pantheon.

Raphael, recognizing the gravity of his situation, prepared himself for what came next. Despite his weakened state, there was a resolve in his eyes—a determination to face his end with dignity. "I was prepared to do my duty, even if it meant my end. I'll face death honorably," he stated, his voice firm, accepting the fate he believed was imminent at the hands of the now more powerful God of Darkness.

Michael squatted down near Raphael, his movements deliberate and poised. He unsheathed his dark sword, the blade emanating an ominous glow, and placed it gently against Raphael's throat. The cold metal barely touching the skin served as a stark reminder of the precarious situation Raphael found himself in.

"Normally," Michael began, his voice steady and contemplative. "I'd kill anyone who dares to cross my path without a second thought." He paused, his gaze fixed on Raphael, searching for something within the enforcer that might justify a different outcome. "But for some reason, I'm having second thoughts about killing you."

"Just kill him, human. He's been chasing you, trying to capture or kill you. Why hesitate?" Her words, laced with conviction, underscored the danger Raphael represented as an enforcer of the pantheon.

Hearing Gaya's insistence and observing her earlier transformation into her Naga form, Raphael's realization dawned upon him. This young woman, so fiercely protective and powerful, was none other than the Goddess of Monsters, the wife of the God of Darkness. "So, the Goddess of Monsters has joined the God of Darkness, huh? It's a real party," A snicker escaped Raphael's lips. His tone was laced with a mix of respect and resignation, recognizing the significance of their union and the potential shift in power dynamics it represented.

After having the dark sword pressed against his throat for a while, Raphael's patience wore thin.

"Don't waste my time. Just kill me already." His voice carried a mix of defiance and acceptance, fully prepared to meet his end under the sword of the God of Darkness. Yet, Michael shook his head. "I'm going to let you live," he declared, his voice firm. "But not without leaving a mark." With a swift, deliberate motion, Michael's dark sword lightly cut across Raphael's cheek. A thin line of blood drizzled down his face, a physical reminder of this encounter and a warning.

Taken aback by the sudden pain, Raphael couldn't help but curse under his breath at Michael. The sting of the cut was a minor wound, but the implication of being marked was far more significant.

"Go tell the pantheon," Michael continued, sheathing his sword as he stood up. "The more they try to chase me down, the more gods will die." His words were a clear threat, a declaration of his readiness to defend himself and Gaya against any threats that dared to pursue them.

"You're playing a dangerous game," Raphael retorted, wiping the blood from his cheek. "a game you lost five thousand years ago." His words hinted at ancient conflicts and the complex history between the God of Darkness and the pantheon.

"Let's talk about Uncle Silvaris's plan for you all in this level," Silvaris's voice rang out, capturing the attention of everyone present amidst the snowy expanse. "This level is the simplest and easiest of them all," he claimed, a statement that immediately drew skeptical murmurs from the crowd.

"Yeah right, he's screwing with us," one of the Aurumvale elves muttered, his distrust evident. The sentiment was shared by many, their experiences in the dungeon thus far having taught them to take Silvaris's words with a grain of salt.

Undeterred by their skepticism, Silvaris continued. "You lazy idiots only have to climb or fly to the top of this ice mountain and take the map for the next level." His words, though straightforward, did little to alleviate the adventurers' suspicion.

They all frowned, puzzled by the new objective. "What map is that?" someone shouted, seeking clarification amidst the growing confusion.

"The next and final level of mine contains countless treasure chests and, of course, traps. This map provides a detailed view of where the traps and treasures are located," he explained, painting a picture of the potential rewards that lay ahead. "So, the one who gets their hands on the map will leave the dungeon not only very rich but also powerful. Those who don't will have to gamble on their luck and hope they don't mistake a trap for treasure."

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