Chapter 55

It has to be said, the tone of Rod's words was really overbearing, leaving Shana and the others stunned on the spot. They had originally thought that the two sides were just collaborating, but with these words—this was equivalent to making them his subordinates.

As for Rod's words, the reactions of the others were varied.

Old Walker crossed his arms and watched the commotion with a smile. Throughout their journey, he had gained a considerable understanding of this young man's strength and command ability. In his view, this kid was well-informed, with excellent command and adaptability. It was just that his mouth was too blunt, saying what he meant without giving anyone a chance to argue. Rod's words clearly indicated that Shana and the others were too weak, and he didn't trust them, preferring to command them himself for peace of mind.

While this was essentially true, the slap in the face was really... loud.

Compared to Old Walker watching the show, Marin had a look of matter-of-factness. She didn't understand the intricacies of mercenaries, but in her view, the four of them had made it here unscathed under Rod's command, while the others, despite their numbers, had fared much worse. It was only natural for them to follow Rod's orders, right? As for the other side's greater numbers? Heh, mages never believed in the power of numbers...

Liz was somewhat embarrassed, as she was the only one among them who was friends with the other side. Now, to suddenly change from friends to subordinates, and with Rod's words being so blunt and disrespectful, Liz didn't know what to say. But the girl wasn't stupid; she knew it was best to keep quiet at such a time.

As a seasoned mercenary leader who had experienced many things, Shana quickly regained her composure. She looked at Rod but didn't know how to start.

To be honest, Shana didn't want to agree to this condition. After all, the two sides were different, and in such a situation, her people might be pushed to the front as cannon fodder. But Rod's attitude was so firm, leaving no room for negotiation. If she didn't agree, the road ahead would be very difficult.

While Shana was thinking, a voice suddenly sounded from her side.

"Hmph, why should we listen to your command! Boss, don't listen to him. We have more people, they should be the ones needing our help!"

A young mercenary in leather armor, wielding a two-handed sword, stepped forward, glaring at Rod.

"Barney, you have no right to speak here!"

Hearing the young mercenary's complaint, Shana felt a headache. She waved her hand, signaling him to back off. However, it was clear that the young mercenary named Barney wasn't about to give up.

"But Boss, this guy is really over the top... He's clearly sending us to our deaths while he reaps the benefits! Such a despicable person, we..."

"Despicable person?"

Before Rod could get angry, Marin couldn't help but speak up.

"So this is how mercenaries treat their saviors? If it weren't for us, you would have died in this cursed place long ago."

"Even without you, we could have survived!"

Barney gritted his teeth in response, but Marin snorted and turned her chin up, ignoring him. In her view, as a noble, speaking to commoners was already a favor. Since the other side was so ungrateful, she didn't need to lower herself to waste time with such a person.

Clearly, Marin's dismissive attitude infuriated the young mercenary. He spat and was about to say more when Shana finally lost her temper.

"Shut up, Barney! If you say another word, you're out of here!"

"Boss..."

Looking at the angry Shana, Barney felt deeply wronged. So what if she was a noble? We worked hard to get here, and now these despicable people want to use us as cannon fodder. There's no way that's going to happen! We mercenaries have our dignity; we can't be pushed around! Maybe the Boss is afraid of these nobles, but I'm not! Even if they have power and money, I'll fight them to the end! No compromise!

"I agree to your terms, sir."

Shana had also come to a decision. After all, no matter what, they were indeed struggling against the undead. Initially, Shana had been at a loss on how to deal with that damned necromancer, but this young man seemed very confident. So, letting him handle it wasn't a problem.

"I need to ensure that everyone follows my orders completely."

After getting Shana's assurance, Rod spoke again, his tone as calm and unyielding as ever. He looked at the mercenaries standing behind Shana.

"As long as you follow my orders, I will do my best to ensure your safety. However, if anyone refuses to follow my orders... their fate will be their own concern."

Saying this, Rod looked at the young mercenary standing next to the red-haired female swordsman, who stubbornly raised his head and stared at him.

"If anyone is unwilling to follow my orders, step forward now. I don't want any trouble during the battle."

"Hmph!"

Noticing Rod's gaze, Barney snorted but didn't step forward. In his view, this cunning noble was clearly trying to sow discord among them. He couldn't let himself be manipulated. Besides, he wasn't leaving. If this young noble tried any tricks, he could stop him in time.

No matter what you do, I won't let you succeed!

The young man clenched his fists and silently vowed.

With Shana and the others joining, their progress speeded up, and they soon reached the lowest level of the underground tomb.

"Boom, boom, boom!!!"

Under the barrage of lightning, the undead were blasted into the air, then fell to the ground in pieces, no longer a threat.

Their strength is indeed formidable.

Watching Marin, who wielded her staff with ease, and Rod, who calmly commanded from the front, Shana couldn't help but think. If she had any doubts about Rod and his companions at the beginning, those doubts were now gone. Marin's powerful magic and Rod's precise commands made the undead, which had once given Shana and her team a hard time, seem as easy to deal with as straw.

This young man is indeed strong.

Thinking this, Shana couldn't help but look at Rod, who stood at the front, accompanied by a black hound. Although she had been present at the mercenary evaluation, only through personal experience did she realize how formidable his skills were.

"Almost there."

Unlike Shana, Rod didn't relax his attention. After eliminating another wave of ghouls, he warily surveyed the surroundings and took out a ring from his pocket, putting it on his finger. The ring was set with the soul-binding stone he had obtained from the old house. After getting the stone, Rod had cut it into three equal parts and set them in silver rings he had bought. Although his alchemy level wasn't high, he could still manage this level of work.

The size of the soul-binding stone was proportional to the strength of the soul it could bind. A small stone couldn't bind a powerful soul, while a large one would be wasteful. The current size was just right. The reason Rod took out the soul-binding stone at this moment was obvious.

"Swish!!!"

Just as the dust was settling and the area was about to return to silence, several black shadows shot out from the dust, attacking the group.

If it had been before, everyone would have been surprised and shaken by this sudden attack. But this time, with Rod prepared, the attack had no effect. As Marin chanted, a spinning vortex of wind formed a barrier, dispersing the black shadows.

Only then did everyone see that they were sharp bone spikes.

"Hehehehe..."

At the same time, a cold, grating voice echoed from all directions, carrying the chill and evil of the dead.

"I didn't expect you to make it this far..."

"It's a necromancer!"

Shana shouted, raising her longsword. Soon, red flames enveloped her sword, a fire-attribute magic weapon she had obtained long ago. Although it was only a rare-grade magic item, it was the most powerful weapon in her small mercenary group.

"Follow my orders, don't forget what I said."

Compared to Shana, who was treating the situation as a major threat, Rod was much calmer. He held his sword, narrowed his eyes, and carefully observed the surroundings. The darkness had thickened, like an invisible, heavy curtain enveloping them. In such a situation, danger could come from any direction, making it hard to guard against.

Only Rod knew the danger came from one place.

He raised his sword.

In the next moment, everyone saw Rod's sword cut through the darkness, piercing straight into the deep darkness.

At the same time, the thick darkness instantly collapsed, and a necromancer in black robes retreated hastily. He held a staff made of bones and skulls, looking at Rod with suspicion and uncertainty.

How did this young man see through my darkness spell?

But before the necromancer could find an answer, Rod raised his sword and attacked again.

"Follow the plan!"