Chapter 654: The Follower

Clyde realized there was something hunched over in the corner of his vision.

With his current perception missing something like that was almost impossible. The figure was alive. He could sense its presence clearly, and he was certain it was watching him.

So Clyde decided to approach.

The burning guardian pursuing him was not a serious threat. It was powerful, certainly stronger than the undead they had encountered on the surface, but Clyde knew he could kill it if he wanted to. For now however, he still needed the creature as a distraction.

Clyde suddenly accelerated toward the figure.

He expected the hunched figure to run the moment he approached. Instead, it remained exactly where it was.

It did not move. It simply sat there with its body curled forward, its head slightly raised as it continued staring at Clyde. Almost as if it had been waiting for him.

Clyde narrowed his eyes. That made things interesting.

He continued fighting while keeping the figure within his sight.

The figure was small and thin, its back curved beneath a ragged cloak that hung almost to the ground. Its exposed arms looked unnaturally thin, with pale, wrinkled skin stretched tightly over its bones. His long fingers rested against the scorched ground, with dark and cracked nails.

Its face was mostly hidden beneath the hood. Only its eyes were clearly visible. They followed Clyde. Not with hostility or fear. But with curiosity.

The figure watched every movement Clyde made as if it were studying him.

Clyde continued circling the burning guardian.

The monster swung its arm toward him. Clyde stepped aside without looking. The claws passed harmlessly behind his back.

He immediately swung his longsword and cut across the guardian’s ribs.

At the same time, his eyes remained fixed on the figure.

The guardian roared but Clyde didn’t react. He had already memorized its attack patterns. He did not need to devote his full attention to it anymore. His body moved almost automatically, guided by his senses and instinct.

When another strike after strikes came Clyde ducked or stepped backward.

The guardian’s fist slammed into the ground where he had stood, scattering chunks of burning stone.

Clyde countered with another slash while his attention remained on the hunched figure.

The figure continued watching.

It did not seem surprised by Clyde’s strength.

It did not seem frightened by the guardian.

It simply watched him with that strange, almost childish curiosity.

Clyde became increasingly impatient now. He wanted answers.

If the figure could speak, he needed to talk to it.

He had already spent enough time playing around with the guardian.

Clyde’s movements suddenly changed.

His pace increased.

The guardian swung at him, but Clyde slipped beneath the attack and drove his longsword into its abdomen.

The creature roared and tried to grab him.

Lightning erupted from Clyde’s free hand. White-blue electricity exploded across the guardian’s body.

The creature convulsed. Its entire body lit up beneath the charred flesh.

But it still resisted. It staggered backward, flames pouring from the cracks across its body, then charged again.

Clyde’s eyes narrowed in annoyance.

The guardian swung both of its arms.

Clyde jumped backward and landed several meters away.

The creature charged again.

Clyde met it with lightning already gathered around his body. The surrounding flames flickered violently as lightning magic energy spread across the ground.

Clyde accelerated. His sword flashed in a single deadly slash that split the guardian’s shoulder open.

He slashed again and Its arm fell away.

The creature roared and tried to bite him.

Clyde stepped to the side and drove his sword through its neck.

The blade cut deep but failed to sever the head completely.

The guardian staggered.

Clyde did not give it another chance. He gathered more strength into his body and swung again.

The longsword slashed completely through the guardian’s neck. Its head fell onto the ground. The body remained standing.

Clyde immediately stepped forward. Lightning gathered around his hand. He thrust it into the creature’s chest.

The electrical force ripped through its body and punched through the molten core buried inside.

The guardian finally stopped moving. Its flames began to fade.

Clyde pulled his hand free and allowed the corpse to collapse completely.

Then he turned toward the hunched figure.

He walked toward it at a calm pace.

Before getting too close, Clyde glanced over his shoulder.

Samuel and the others were still fighting.

The surrounding flames were enough to obscure most of the battlefield, smoke and ash filled the air between them. No one seemed to have noticed or saw him.

Clyde turned back to the hunched figure who was still watching him.

He stopped a few meters away.

"Who are you?" Clyde asked.

For the first time, the figure moved. Its head slowly tilted to one side. A faint smile appeared beneath the hood.

"I am a follower of Demon King Asmodeus."

Clyde stared at it. The corner of his mouth lifted.

He had expected to search this Ruin for hours before finding anything useful. But the clue he had been looking for had walked directly into his path.

"So you recognize me?" Clyde asked.

The flames continued roaring around them, casting flickering light across the scorched ground. Heat rippled through the air.

"I... sense familiar energy from you," the figure answered slowly. "It is the same energy my master keeps with him."

Clyde smiled faintly. That confirmed his suspicion.

"Give me something that I can use to contact Asmodeus."

The figure frowned beneath its hood. Its eyes narrowed as it studied Clyde. "I do not know why I should do that. You may not be the person I think you are."

Clyde’s expression darkened. He stared at the figure for several seconds before letting out an annoyed sigh.

"Then just deliver a message to him then, and tell only him. Clyde is back."

The figure stared at him.

The name clearly meant nothing to ithim Confusion crossed his face as he tried to understand why Clyde considered those words important enough to deliver.

Still, after a moment, he slowly nodded. "I will deliver it."

A faint ripple of energy suddenly appeared behind the figure.

A dark portal opened.

The figure stepped backward into it without another word.

The portal closed.

Clyde standing alone among the flames. He had finally found a way to reach Asmodeus. Now all he had to do was wait for the Demon King to answer.

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