Chapter 222 – Incomprehensible Notions

No matter who it was, upon hearing of Sin’s actions, they would naturally come to one thought.

That is, why are they doing this?

Awakening the sealed King of Phantom Demons, reviving the terrifying species that once turned the surface world into Hell – no human in their right mind would want to do such things.

Because that is the common enemy of all humanity, the most terrifying enemy, the deadliest foe.

Phantom Demons are humanity’s natural predators.

They survive on human blood, are addicted to bloodshed, view humans as food, even as a source of power, hunting and killing indiscriminately.

Humans and Phantom Demons can hardly coexist, as they exist in the relationship of prey and hunter, food and eater, nourishment and nourisher – beings at opposite ends of the food chain.

Therefore, even Su Ming and Xu Qianqian hesitated when they saw Little Hai’er severely injured, and in the end, Su Ming had to plant a bomb in the mermaid girl’s heart using the Demon Binding Spell Formula before they could feel somewhat at ease about saving her.

This shows exactly what the relationship between humans and Phantom Demons is like.

And the terrifying species at the pinnacle of Phantom Demon evolution is the great Devil King that can make all humanity tremble with fear, the true Incarnation of calamity.

This is a truly terrifying existence capable of overturning the world with individual power and exterminating all of humanity.

Awakening such a being, for a human, is no different from actively triggering the apocalypse and pushing one’s own race into the fire pit.

What benefit could there possibly be for a human in doing this?

Apart from self-destruction, Gao Xu and the others couldn’t think of any other outcome.

Even if they were Underground Professionals from the underworld, a group of desperate outlaws and evildoers, awakening humanity’s greatest enemy and overturning the survival of the human race remains incomprehensible.

Yet Sin did exactly this, and with complete unity of purpose, without the slightest hesitation.

This is truly puzzling, perplexing, and infuriating.

However, facing Gao Xu’s questioning and the enemies’ anger, the four Underground Professionals from Sin remained unfazed.

“You definitely wouldn’t understand, would you?” Scarface said with a sinister grin. “You can’t comprehend the feelings of those like us who were driven out of the Base Cities, forced to drift into the underworld, struggling desperately to survive.”

“That’s right.” Baldy also spat and said, “You so-called great Families who think you can control everyone’s fate, tightly grasping the power in every Base City, putting bounties on whoever you want, exiling whoever you want – as victims, aren’t we allowed to fight back?”

That’s what the two of them said.

But such arguments only made people angrier.

“You committed grave mistakes, did things Professionals shouldn’t do – is there anything wrong with putting bounties on and exiling people like you?” Duan Xiaofei laughed in anger. “Or do you think it would be right to let you do whatever you want in the Base Cities?”

Duan Xiaofei’s words were met with what sounded like a matter-of-fact response from the other side.”Why can’t we?” Gloomy said indifferently, “We are Professionals, Upper-Rank Professionals at that – the strongest among our kind. In this cruel world where the strong prey on the weak, doing as we please is only natural.”

“You say we’ve committed grave mistakes, done things we shouldn’t have, but we don’t see it that way.” Enchantress was even more direct: “We possess power. We’re the ones fighting Phantom Demons. So why should we be bound by nonsensical rules that forbid us from killing a few civilians and weaklings?”

Such beliefs were actually quite common in this world.

Even in times of peace, there existed bullying, oppression of the weak by the strong, wealth disparity, and class struggles – let alone in a world with supernatural powers.

Many Professionals, even if they didn’t voice it openly, secretly considered themselves superior to civilians, believing their worth far exceeded that of common folk. They saw themselves as humanity’s treasures and Treasure Troves, unlike those Mortals who could accomplish nothing and could only seek protection from Professionals within Base Cities.

They provided protection, but since they were sheltering these Mortals, shouldn’t the civilians be grateful and worship them like deities?

Professionals holding such views weren’t rare – in fact, they constituted the majority.

Consequently, many Professionals looked down upon so-called civilians, much like nobles despising lower-class citizens, always considering themselves the elite.

Among these individuals, the more radical ones completely disregarded civilians and weaker Professionals as human beings, routinely oppressing and humiliating them at will. Some even arbitrarily slaughtered civilians based on mere whims.

Such Professionals, once exposed, would inevitably face warrants and exile.

Unfortunately, most of these individuals became Underground Professionals, their dispositions growing increasingly savage. This resulted in Underground Professionals consisting not only of desperadoes but also brutal individuals who treated human lives as worthless grass and viewed civilians and weaklings as livestock.

This could be observed from how these ‘Sin’ Upper-Rank Professionals belittled lower-rank Professionals in their words and deeds, looking down upon those from rural Base Cities.

To such individuals, the Major Base Cities’ decision to issue warrants and exile them over worthless civilians – forcing them to become Underground Professionals struggling for survival – was utterly detestable.

Hence, today’s events unfolded.

“We members of ‘Sin’ all believe the current systems and existence of Major Base Cities are flawed,” declared the four Underground Professionals.

“We Professionals are the main force against Phantom Demons. Ordinary humans should revere us, and humanity as a species should prioritize Professional privileges over outdated human rights.”

“Why should we Professionals, who have contributed to resisting Phantom Demons, face sanctions because of useless ordinary people?”

“Therefore, we shall resist. We will reform humanity’s survival policies and reshape this world into one with proper order.”

Thus did the four ‘Sin’ Underground Professionals articulate their thoughts, their philosophy, their ambitions.”Is that all for this?”

Bai Ruxiang could hardly believe her ears.

Even Xu Yanyan never imagined there could be someone in this world harboring such dangerous ambitions, momentarily stunned into speechlessness.

“To create a world where you can do as you please, to rebel against the major Base Cities—so you intend to awaken the King of Phantom Demons and use the power of the Terror Seeds to overthrow the Base Cities’ rule?”

Gao Xu’s face darkened, his grip on the Qilin Blade so tight that veins bulged on his hand.

“You’re absolutely insane!”

Duan Xiaofei’s evaluation was even more succinct.

Such thoughts were something they wouldn’t dare entertain.

It could only be said that this was a method of societal revenge conceived by desperate outlaws—ordinary, rational people would never engage in such self-destructive actions.

This came as no surprise to the four Underground Professionals of 『Sin』.

“Of course you people from the great Families wouldn’t understand, because you are the power holders of the Base Cities, the maintainers and architects of the existing system.”

Scarface wore an expression of utter disdain.

“You can arbitrarily decide the life or death of anyone in the Base Cities, so naturally, you can’t comprehend the feelings of those like us who have been sanctioned by you.”

Baldy’s words were filled with bitterness and resentment.

“Many in our organization hold grievances against the Base Cities that exiled or issued warrants for them. Wanting to overturn this situation and teach you all a lesson is perfectly normal.”

Gloomy stated it more objectively.

Enchantress was even more direct.

“Simply put, whether others live or die has nothing to do with us. Even if half of humanity perishes and the surface is overrun by Phantom Demons, it makes no difference to us.” Enchantress let out a malicious laugh. “Why should we be the only ones to taste the hardships of survival? Of course, everyone should experience what we’ve been through!”

Perhaps this was the true reason behind 『Sin』’s actions.

Understanding this, there was no need to continue the conversation.

“Indeed, you Underground Professionals are nothing but a bunch of heretics and demons—selfish, wicked felons who thrive on chaos!”

Bai Xuefei stood up, raising her Sword to point at the four members of 『Sin』, her voice ringing out clearly.

“Enough talk! Let’s eliminate these dangerous elements here and now, before they can harm anyone else!”

Bai Xuefei’s indignant cry, though somewhat displeasing to some, prompted Gao Xu and Duan Xiaofei to prepare for a desperate fight.

Bai Ruxiang and Xu Yanyan exchanged a glance before silently rising to their feet.

They lacked the strength to contribute much.

But if the worst came to pass, both were mentally prepared—one would stay behind at all costs to hold off the enemy, while the other would escape the Ruins and report everything that had happened.

Finally, even many of the Bai Family Huntresses, who had been groaning on the ground, struggled to their feet, gritting their teeth in determination.

As women of the Bai Family, they did not fear death in battle.

To the enemy, this scene was particularly grating.

Especially Enchantress, who, upon seeing the Bai women’s resolute demeanor, let out a hateful laugh.

“How touching. You don’t actually think this makes you good women, do you?”As she spoke, the Enchantress turned her gaze to Bai Xuefei, her phoenix eyes flashing with a trace of jealousy as she observed this woman who, like herself, was an Upper-Rank Professional, yet clearly far younger and more beautiful.

“So young. To become an Upper-Rank Professional at such a tender age—you must be the object of admiration for many in your Family, with countless admirers drawn to a woman as youthful and powerful as you, right?”

The Enchantress raised her hands, fitting a pair of iron claws over them, her eyes fixed on Bai Xuefei’s face, filled with envy and Killing Intent.

“Why not let me tear that face of yours off and keep it as a souvenir?”

It must be said, the female heart can be the most venomous. At times, a woman’s malice and jealousy arise so inexplicably that no one can comprehend it.

Bai Xuefei coldly regarded the Enchantress, saying nothing more as she silently raised her weapon.

The Upper-Rank Professionals on both sides once again fell into a standoff, preparing for a final struggle.

Until the arrival of an uninvited guest.

“Well, isn’t this lively.”

With the utterance of this deliberately humorous voice, the tense atmosphere shattered.

“Who…!?”

Gloomy and the Enchantress instantly shifted into a state of alert.

“That voice…”

Gao Xu, Duan Xiaofei, and Bai Xuefei froze in place.

“Lord Ming Wang…!?”

Bai Ruxiang, Xu Yanyan, and the other female Hunters of the Bai Family trembled, their faces lighting up with overwhelming joy.

“What!?”

Scarface and Baldy, however, paled drastically, their eyes flooding with terror.

“Whoosh—!”

A gust of wind swept through, as if whisking away the dust, passing by in an instant.

Su Ming’s figure emerged within the wind, his back turned to Gao Xu and the others as he faced the quartet of Underground Professionals across from him, his expression beneath the mask brimming with amusement.

“Sister Ruxiang!”

Wang Yihan came running from the distance, heading toward Bai Ruxiang and Xu Yanyan.

But by now, the quartet of Underground Professionals could no longer pay attention to this valuable sacrifice.

“Wh-why are you here?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be fighting Lord Crow!?”

Scarface and Baldy both took a terrified step backward.

Gloomy and the Enchantress also stiffened, finally realizing who had arrived.

Without a doubt, the person before them was the formidable and mysterious expert that Scarface and Baldy had spoken of—someone of the same rank as themselves, yet capable of slaying a peer with a single strike and engaging in fierce combat with Lord Crow.

And now, he had appeared here, while Lord Crow, who should have been fighting him, was nowhere to be seen.

What did that imply?

Gloomy and the Enchantress dared not even contemplate it.

And Su Ming had no intention of offering an explanation.

“It seems you’re the last enemies in these Ruins.”

Su Ming continued in his playful tone, speaking with deliberate affectation.

“Let me see if you can hold out better than that big oaf and the so-called Lord Crow.”

With that declaration, Su Ming slowly raised his right hand.

On his unshielded right hand, an eerie blue light once again seeped from the cracks, making it appear as though his arm were covered in sinister, azure patterns.

Flame-like mana burned.

A surging, torrential force gathered.

The sight not only filled Gloomy and the Enchantress with a sense of foreboding but also sent Scarface and Baldy—who had witnessed the power of Su Ming’s right hand—into utter despair.

“Run!”Scarface let out a hoarse roar before desperately fleeing for his life.

Without a second thought, Baldy immediately followed, looking as if he wished his parents had given him two extra legs.

Only Gloomy and Enchantress failed to react quickly enough to keep up with the two.

Rather, they had no intention of escaping at all.

“I want to see for myself whether you’re as sinister as they say,” Gloomy said, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

“Me too,” Enchantress added, unwilling to be outdone.

A powerful Aura began surging from both of them.

Unfortunately, they had made the wrong choice.

(End of Chapter)