Chapter 372: The Ninth Apostle

Chapter 372: The Ninth Apostle

"They're all Archmages, but they seem a bit weak!" Lu Wu muttered as he emerged from the flames, making his way towards Number 67.

Number 67, immobilized by the Celestial Cloud Sword, couldn't move, but the Evil Thunder Snake beside him seemed unaffected.

"Retreat!" Number 67, knowing he couldn't win, ordered the Evil Thunder Snake to carry him away. But it was too late.

"Since you're here, don't even think about leaving!" Lu Wu grinned menacingly and pounced, grabbing the snake's tail and swinging it violently.

He slammed the over ten-meter-long Evil Thunder Snake onto the ground with tremendous force, creating a shocking scene.

Lu Wu's brutality knew no bounds as he charged forward, stomping on the snake's head with extreme violence, his fists glowing with electrical energy. He mercilessly pounded the Archmage-level Summoned Beast to death with his bare hands.

As the Evil Thunder Snake was killed, Number 67's face turned pale, clearly suffering from severe backlash.

Meanwhile, during the commotion, the followers of Number 67 and Number 71 who had accompanied them were all suppressed by Granny.

With that, the unexpected attack came to an end.

Covered in snake blood, Lu Wu stood up and slowly approached Number 67, looking like a demon lord from the depths of hell.

Lu Wu couldn't fathom the situation.

Was he not cautious enough?

Or had his good looks become a curse, attracting trouble even when he stayed at home?

Even if he hid, his charm would still break through the heavens, and people would still come to fight him just because of his appearance?

Why, after less than half a month in Zone 12, had someone already come knocking on his door?

Today, he had to make these people pay!

"Come on, let's have a little chat," Lu Wu said, his eyes gleaming with malice.

Number 67 couldn't help but swallow nervously as he faced the demon-like man before him, his expression a mix of humility and flattery.

"It's all a misunderstanding! We're not bad people; we really meant no harm! We were just playing a little joke on you."

"That's not what you said before. The one you killed said you weren't good people and didn't come here with good intentions.

And according to you, is it that I don't understand humor and can't take a joke? Should I, with my lack of humor, apologize to you?" Lu Wu grinned menacingly as he stepped in front of Number 67, grabbing him by the neck and lifting him up.

"Stop wasting my time! Who are you, and what's your purpose? I suggest you be honest and cooperate; I'm not a nice guy either. I've endured punishments far worse than you can imagine.

I'm sure you don't want to experience them all."

"No, no, no... I'll tell you everything!" Number 67 seemed even more spineless than Lu Wu had anticipated, confessing everything at the slightest intimidation.

"We're from the Zero Organization. I'm the 67th Apostle, and the one you killed was the 71st Apostle.

We came here on a mission. We were sent to investigate a powerful evil aura in this area.

If it's an item, we're to retrieve it, and if it's a person, we're to recruit them and bring them into our fold."

Lu Wu's eyes narrowed at this revelation.

The group's connection to the Zero Organization was evident, and hearing it confirmed from their own mouths made him want to kill them even more.

After all, Lu Wu's downfall to Zone 12 was largely due to the Zero Organization.

However, the priority now was not revenge but resolving the issue.

"Recruit? Your recruitment methods are rather unique," Lu Wu said with a hint of sarcasm.

"It really was a misunderstanding... I swear!" Number 67 pleaded.

"Enough talk. Who assigned this mission?" Lu Wu demanded.

"The Ninth Apostle!" Number 67 blurted out without hesitation, answering even before Lu Wu could ask.

"The Ninth Apostle is the head of the Zero Organization in Zone 12 and is said to possess strength nearing the Epic level.

She was supposed to come herself but was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, so she assigned this task to us.

The Ninth Apostle takes this mission very seriously.

She instructed us to report to her immediately after completing the task. If I don't report back promptly, she will come here herself."

Lu Wu gave him a cold glance.

Number 67's thoughts were laid bare, and they weren't subtle in the slightest.

As Li Wu turned away from Number 67, Granny approached, her brows furrowed, clearly having heard Number 67's words.

Number 67's words were undoubtedly bad news for Li Wu and his group.

They never imagined that just a few days after arriving in Region 12, they'd catch the attention of the Zero Organization.

It was as if one problem was solved, only to be followed by another, leaving them with no respite.

But despite the challenges, they had to find a solution. Granny was the first to offer a suggestion: "They must be after that thing, right? Let's leave it behind and get out of here."

Granny didn't explicitly say it, but Li Wu knew she was referring to Old Tsukimura's body.

This group's target was precisely what they were after.

Given the current situation, Granny's suggestion seemed like the best option.

Even Number 67, who was being held by Li Wu, eagerly agreed: "Yes, yes, the Ninth Apostle wants that evil artifact. If you leave the artifact and spare our lives, the Ninth Apostle won't pursue the matter."

Li Wu smirked: "Is that so? Is the Zero Organization so easy to negotiate with? Are the lives of Apostles so worthless?"

"That's why I'm asking you to spare my life. If you let me live, I'll buy you time by reporting to the Ninth Apostle. By the time she arrives, you'll already be gone, and she won't hold it against you."

Number 67 was desperate to save his own life.

Just as he finished speaking, his necklace around his neck glowed briefly.

Li Wu furrowed his brows, while Number 67's eyes lit up with excitement, and he offered Li Wu a suggestion: "The Ninth Apostle is probably checking on the mission's progress. Let me take the call and buy you some time."

Li Wu and Granny exchanged a glance, and Li Wu eventually nodded.

"Go ahead!"

With Li Wu's permission, Number 67 answered the call on the artifact communicator.

"Ninth Apostle!"

A voice filled with enchantment came through the necklace: "Number 67, how's the mission going?"

Number 67 respectfully replied: "Reporting, we've been delayed on the way, and it'll take about an hour to reach the destination. Please grant me 60 minutes, and I guarantee mission completion."

"Hmm!"

The other party responded with a nasal sound and then hung up the call.

Number 67 lifted his head, his eyes filled with flattery as he looked at Li Wu: "You see, if I just give her another call in 60 minutes, I can buy you more time!"

Li Wu and Granny exchanged a glance, and Granny spoke up: "You take her and go, I'll stay here to watch him! Wait for sixty minutes, then leave!"

Li Wu shook his head, declining the offer.

"No, I'll stay."

Although Granny was at the peak of the Archduke level, she was old and her combat strength was significantly lower than most at her level.

With the severe injuries she had sustained, it was uncertain if she still possessed the combat strength of a 1-star Archduke. Leaving her to stall for time would be sending her to her death, so Li Wu refused without hesitation.

Number 67 wanted to say that they could all leave, and he would behave.

But he didn't get a chance to speak, so he obediently sat in a corner, becoming a mere backdrop.

Granny still wanted to negotiate, as staying behind to hold off the enemy was extremely dangerous.

However, Li Wu didn't give her a chance to discuss it: "No more talking, we don't have much time.

You take her and head to District Eleven, it's relatively safe there. Here's a map to District Eleven.

Once you reach District Eleven, find a place to hide. I'll come find you after I'm done here."

As Li Wu spoke, he took out a map to District Eleven and handed it to Granny.

After all, Granny was Granny.

She was nearly a hundred years old, and her experience was vast.

She had witnessed all sorts of situations, and she knew that further discussion would be pointless, so after a deep glance at Li Wu, she took the map and left to prepare.

After Granny left, Li Wu turned his attention to Number 67.

Since they had to wait for 60 minutes anyway, Li Wu decided to make use of the time. He took out Old Tsukimura's body and began absorbing and refining the evil aura within, all while chatting with Number 67.

Li Wu was quite interested in the Zero Organization.

His interest, however, was more focused on how to eliminate this organization. But to destroy them, he needed to understand them first.

With an opportunity presented before him, Li Wu was determined to make the most of it.

On the other67's side, he was doing his utmost to save his own life, and his sincerity in chatting with Li Wu was palpable.

Li Wu asked, and 67 answered, even volunteering information without being prompted.

From the structure of the Zero Organization, its distribution of power, to the secrets he possessed, 67 was an open book.

One could say that he truly embodied the principle of sharing all he knew.

Thanks to him, Li Wu gained a certain understanding of the Zero Organization.

Externally, the organization was known for its madness and cruelty.

They often committed acts that defied human nature.

During their conversation, 67 revealed the reason behind the organization's actions.

The Zero Organization was founded with the purpose of destroying the current world.

Indeed, it was established with the goal of world destruction.

However, their concept of destruction differed from the usual understanding.

Perhaps 'restart' would be a more fitting description than 'destruction'.

The core objective of the Zero Organization was to seize the Gate and restart the world.

Their aim was to return the world to a state without Summoned Beasts.

This was the founding principle of the Zero Organization, etched into its doctrine, and every member was expected to understand it.

"The leader says that this world has become distorted due to the existence of Summoned Beasts," 67 explained.

"As long as they remain in this world, it will forever be a place of survival of the fittest, where people prey on each other.

Countless individuals are destined to live at the bottom, without any hope for their entire lives.

This is not the world he desires, and the world should not be this way.

Therefore, we, the Zero Organization, aim to find the Gate and restart the world, returning it to an era without Summoned Beasts.

We want to free people from this world of cannibalism."

67 spoke without any emotion, and it was evident that even he, as an Apostle, did not fully agree with this doctrine.

One could say that perhaps 99% or more of the entire Zero Organization, including the leader, did not truly take this doctrine seriously.

However, once this doctrine was established, the organization could justify any heinous act.

After all, they were destined to restart the world.

With the world on the brink of a restart, what could possibly hold them back?

Li Wu, upon hearing this doctrine, scoffed, not taking such nonsense to heart.

His concern was not the doctrine but the structure of the Zero Organization.

How did one join, and how did it operate?

How powerful were they, and where were their bases?

Although 67 was not particularly talkative, he did provide this information.

Joining the Zero Organization was simple; all one needed was to be a Dark Summoner and memorize the doctrine.

You didn't even need to seek out the organization; if you made a name for yourself, they would come to you.

Once you joined, climbing the ranks was even easier; all you had to do was defeat those above you.

Choose your target, and if you win, the position is yours.

As for the organization's operations, that was a more complex matter.

67 only discussed the 12th Region with Li Wu.

The 12th Region had a smaller territory, and the highest leader was the Ninth Apostle.

She was the head, and everything in the region followed her commands.

Her word was law.

67 seemed to intentionally gloss over the operational details, but he was more willing to talk about their bases.

He even revealed the location of their headquarters, demonstrating his willingness to share everything he knew.

As they conversed, time flew by, and before they knew it, 60 minutes had passed.

Li Wu, noticing the time, asked 67 to send a message to confirm his safety.

With this, Li Wu's task of delaying was 90% complete. Once 67 sent the message, Li Wu could kill him with a single slap and leave.

However, just as Li Wu instructed 67 to send the message, 67 raised the corner of his mouth and said, "I think there's no need for that."

"Why?" Li Wu was taken aback.

"Because I've already arrived!" 67 declared.

A voice filled with enchantment sounded from the side.

Then, a terrifying aura erupted, rushing towards Li Wu as if to crush him...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end