Chapter 237: Final key

Robin Hood fell silent after seeing the seriousness in Shaan's expression. He listened carefully as Shaan explained his plan, never interrupting until he finished.

[Your idea is quite brilliant.] Robin Hood stroked his chin. [But isn't it too risky for you?]

"I know, but we don't have another choice."

Shaan tightened his grip around his dual short swords as the Doppleshade started moving toward him. "I have to lure this thing into position. No matter what."

[All right. I understand.]

"Now it's time to move."

Shaan sprinted toward the large hanging lamp he had spotted earlier. The Doppleshade noticed his movement and chased after him at full speed.

"Good. Everything is going according to plan." Shaan glanced over his shoulder. The creature remained close behind. 'I need to keep it following me.'

He pushed himself harder until he reached the spot directly beneath the lamp. Then he stopped. Shaan waited, keeping his eyes on the approaching Doppleshade. He needed the creature to stand directly beneath the hanging lamp.

'Just a little closer...'

'Just a little more, and this thing will fall right into my trap.'

Shaan's heart was pounding as he watched the creature draw closer and closer to him. He took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. He had to execute this plan perfectly.

If he made even one mistake, everything could fall apart.

"Calm down, Shaan… everything will be okay."

Only a few steps remained. The Doppleshade finally moved directly beneath the hanging lamp. Shaan raised his hand, ready to give Robin Hood the signal. The daemon hid behind a pile of rubble not far from him, waiting for his command.

"Now!"

Shaan snapped his fingers, and instantly Robin Hood released his arrow. The arrow whizzed toward the chandelier, and a massive explosion followed, bringing the chandelier crashing down just as the creature stood beneath it.

"CRASH!"

Shaan threw himself to the side and rolled across the floor, narrowly avoiding the falling lamp. The massive structure slammed into the Doppleshade, pinning its body beneath it. The creature struggled desperately, trying to free itself.

"Got you." A faint smile crossed Shaan's lips. He stepped closer as the Doppleshade continued struggling beneath the wreckage. "Now, it's time to kill this thing."

Shaan swung his sword, ready to finish off the creature. However, just as he tried to slash at Doppleshade's shoulder, the creature instantly transformed into a giant lizard. Swiftly, it swung its tail to the side and struck Shaan.

"Argh, d-damn it." Shaan slowly got back on his feet and reached for his dual short swords lying nearby.

"I have to—"

[Shaan, look out!]

Shaan looked ahead, and his whole body froze. His face turned pale as he saw that the terrifying creature had already destroyed the trap he'd set up earlier.

'Th-This is bad. That's impossible.' Shaan tightened his grip around his dual short swords as the Doppleshade charged toward him. 'How did it break free?'

[Shaan!] Robin Hood drew his bow and aimed at the approaching creature. [I won't let this bastard hurt Shaan!]

Robin Hood released his arrow, and it shot toward the Doppleshade in an instant. Just before the creature leaped toward Shaan, Robin Hood's arrow embedded itself in the Doppleshade's body and exploded. Its body crashed into a pile of twisted metal and concrete, leaving it momentarily pinned among the wreckage.

'This is my chance.' Shaan gritted his teeth. 'I have to kill it now!'

Shaan dashed toward the Doppleshade and slashed its head off. Dark Purple fluid sprayed into the air.

The Doppleshade's body convulsed violently for several seconds before finally going still.

[You have defeated 1 Mutated Doppleshade.]

[You have obtained 20 Dark Crystal Shards.]

"Ah... Thank goodness."

Shaan dropped to the floor and wiped the purple fluid from his face.

"At least that damn thing—"

[Holly Molly] Robin Hood ran toward Shaan with a wide grin. [That... That was freaking awesome! You really sliced that thing up like a butcher!]

„Thanks. But we've got to catch up right away—"

'Boom!'

[What the hell? What was that?]Robin Hood froze. He turned toward the sound. [The sound came from...]

"From the room where the portal is." Shaan clenched his fists. His brow furrowed. "We have to go back right now."

Without wasting another second, Shaan and Robin Hood sprinted toward the portal room. The moment Shaan entered, he froze. His legs suddenly felt weak. His lips trembled. He couldn't utter a single word when he saw Theo lying helplessly near a chunk of concrete.

"Theo!" Shaan rushed toward him. "Oh, no... What happened to you?" His eyes darted around the room. "Where's everyone else?"

"Th-that bastard..." Theo coughed up blood. "He's... so..." His voice faded. Theo's eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness.

"Hey, Theo!" Shaan frantically patted his face. Theo didn't respond. "Damn it." Shaan rose to his feet. "I need to find the others—"

A mysterious hand suddenly grabbed Shaan's leg from behind. "Chelsie...."

"Miss Daisy?" Shaan turned around, seeing Miss Daisy lying there unconscious. "Damn it. Where—"

'No. Father…'

'T-this isn't you!"

Shaan immediately turned his gaze toward the portal. "Chelsie!"

"Well, well." A mocking voice came from the other side. "Another hero has arrived." The Resistance leader smiled as he stared at Shaan's furious expression. "This is getting more interesting."

"Sh-shnn...." Chelsie's eyes glanced toward Shaan before she finally lost consciousness.

"Damn it! Let her go!" Shaan glared at the Resistance leader. "Let her go, or you'll regret it."

"Hmm... Fine." The Resistance leader released Chelsie without hesitation, letting her drop to the floor like a piece of trash. "I was getting tired of listening to her anyway."

"You bastard!"

Shaan lunged forward. He unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes, swinging his dual short swords at the Resistance leader from every direction. Yet not a single attack landed.

'What the—'

The Resistance leader immediately landed a powerful blow, sending both of Shaan's dual short swords flying. He instantly grabbed Shaan by the throat, just as he had done to Chelsie, leaving Shaan completely helpless.

"L-let me go, you bastard."

The Resistance leader leaned closer. His eyes turned completely black. "An insignificant nuisance like you will never stand in my way."

With one motion, he hurled Shaan across the room. Shaan's body slammed into a stone pillar. Pain exploded through his back as he collapsed onto the floor.

The Resistance leader turned away from him. He walked toward the black box nearby, then turned the second key still attached to it. "Now, no one will be able to bother me." He glanced back, the corners of his mouth curving slightly as he looked at Shaan. "Everything ends now."

A violent tremor instantly engulfed the area. All the lights began to flicker incessantly. Small chunks of concrete scattered around the shaan continued to shake unceasingly. Slowly, the giant portal in front of the shaan emitted a swirl of golden-yellow light, which grew wider and wider as time went on.

"It's time to conquer Earth."