Chapter 171 Please Wait Here for a Moment
2023-10-23 Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
Orin Vale flew through the sealed space, his scanner working nonstop as he surveyed his surroundings.
Another hidden domain within the Fallen Realm, this one looking like some kind of mountain cave. Thick rock formed this place, surrounding it like a sturdy barrier.
The dry air was filled with an inexplicable, scorching heat. A mysterious glow from an unknown source shone through a rift into the stone chamber, illuminating every corner of the cave. The stone walls were draped with hanging moss and unfamiliar roots, like green waterfalls.
But the magical energy readings had spiked. This anomalous space had likely interfered with the previous readings. The group's target on this trip, the divine artifact known as the "Eye of Argo," was very likely in this place.
However, the scan picked up more than just a magical anomaly; there were also life signs.
Temperature readings indicated this was a domain where most normal creatures could not survive. So, obviously, whatever was here was not a normal creature.
There was a werewolf with sharp fangs, a roaring, giant stone statue, a massive gorgon covered in armor-like scales, and more.
And amongst this group of monsters, a spot in the center had even been left open. The dull thud of footsteps echoed in the darkness, each step sounding like a mountain valley rumbling, causing the stone walls to crumble and dust to fly.
A giant.
An incredibly tall giant, clad in sturdy armor, its muscles as hard as iron. On its head was a single, fierce red eye, blazing with a menacing light. In its hand was a huge iron hammer.
Legend has it that the first Cyclops possessed the bloodline of the Titans, a divine race that once ruled the world before the Olympian Gods. The first generation of Cyclops had been an ally of Zeus, assisting him in overthrowing the rule of the Titans.
Of course, myths were just myths and could only be taken as a reference in either DC Comics or Marvel.
"Roar!"
The giant roared, brandishing its iron hammer.
The language barrier was no great obstacle. Telepathy helped Orin Vale quickly understand its meaning.
To guard the Eye of Argo—that was its mission here.
One of its subordinate werewolves was the first to lose its patience. With a great howl, it bared its fangs and claws and charged at Orin Vale, looking as if it intended to devour him whole.
And Orin Vale... calmly threw a punch.
Boom!
The thunderous explosion triggered a chain reaction. The exaggerated boom reverberated within the cave, as if the entire space was responding to that incredible power. The punch kicked up a massive shockwave, and the airflow swept through the area like thousands of long whips. The roar was like a heavy hammer striking a mountain.
The Cyclops: "!?"
The giant froze, its large, single eye filled with shock.
On one hand, it was utterly astonished by the incredible strength of that casual punch.
On the other hand, it was baffled.
*Seriously, what does an overpowered individual like you need that useless eye for?*
The Cyclops wasn't smart, but it was clearly one of the few fierce beasts present with any intelligence. The remaining Henchmen had yet to grasp the severity of the situation. Seeing its companion killed in an instant, one of them only grew angrier, and with a snarl, it prepared to lunge forward.
However, Orin Vale didn't even have to act.
*Splat.*
The Cyclops's heavy hammer fell, smashing the monster that intended to attack into a meat paste.
This sudden development stunned the remaining monsters. They turned their heads one by one to stare blankly at their boss. A few of them froze mid-roar, their mouths hanging open, stuck in an awkward position where it felt wrong to either continue roaring or stop.
"Roar!"
The giant slammed its hammer against the stone wall again, sending fragments of rock showering down.
Orin Vale understood its meaning through telepathy.
It was roughly: *What are you all standing around for? Go and bring the Eye of Argo to our distinguished guest!*
The Cyclops seemed to hold some prestige in this place. Although some of the monsters were displeased, they still timidly split up and went on their way.
He hadn't expected the locals to be so hospitable. It saved Orin Vale the trouble of exploration.
He then saw the giant turn its head, hoist the iron hammer onto its shoulder, and blink its huge, single eye, giving him an honest, simple smile.
"Roar."
The meaning was: *Please wait here for a moment, the Eye of Argo will be here shortly.*
"Diana!"
Wonder Woman turned at the sound of the voice and saw Superman flying out of the purple-black void to land beside her.
"Superman."
"I just met one of your brothers. He's a pretty nice guy, very enthusiastic, and especially warm. But in the end, he seemed a bit angry with me..."
"My brother?"
Diana was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head.
"Let's not talk about that for now. I followed Mr. Orin here. This should be where the Eye of Argo is. Some strange space sucked him in. But I haven't found..."
She was only halfway through her sentence when Diana's pupils shrank. Her warrior's instinct kicked in, and without a second thought, she spun around and crossed her arms to block.
Two magic blasts shot toward her in a sneak attack. Diana reacted swiftly, deflecting them with her bracelets.
And Superman...
As usual, Superman was caught completely off guard and sent flying. He flew back a moment later, covered in black smoke but with zero HP lost.
"Circe."
Diana recognized the red-haired witch and frowned slightly.
"An old friend of yours?" Superman looked at her.
"The kind I'd rather not see," Diana said.
Circe giggled. "So cold, Your Highness. I, on the other hand, have been missing you terribly... And I brought a few new friends."
With that, she snapped her fingers. Her magical energy surged, and after a purplish-red smoke screen dissipated, Lex Luthor and the gorgon Euryale appeared out of thin air.
"Luthor," Superman frowned. "So how did you get mixed up with them?"
"To drive you aliens off my turf, I naturally need all available resources," Luthor scoffed.
"Be careful, don't look at the gorgon's head," Diana warned.
Superman nodded. "I know."
Last time was a first-encounter kill because he was careless. But now that he was wary of her strange ability, it wouldn't be so easy for her to catch him with petrification.
"Do me a favor, Princess, just for today, stay out of my way." Circe held a magic array in her hand, which pulsed with a dangerous red glow. "I have more important business today. We can settle our score later."
"If your so-called 'more important business' involves the Eye of Argo, then that's a shame."
As Diana spoke, she drew her sword with a sharp *shing*.
"You know how this will end."
Circe shrugged. "Just like every other time. Nothing new."
Superman also said to Luthor, "If your goal is also to gain power, then I'm sorry, but I can't let you pass. There's only one place you belong, and that's a prison, Mr. Luthor."
"I knew you'd say that." Luthor sneered, his battlesuit emitting an eerie green light. "But I also anticipated we'd have another fight. Perfect. I was just wanting to test some new modifications to my armor on you..."
"Then there's nothing more to say, ladies and gentlemen."
Circe's voice rose sharply. A blast of magical energy shot from the magic array in her hand, which Diana cleaved in two with her sword.
"Now... we fight!"
(end of chapter)