C26 The Death Domain Appeared!

He casually remarked that taking down the Kiss of Death was a walk in the park.

The group's expressions turned to awkwardness.

After all, it took over a dozen of them to confront the Kiss of Death, yet Zhang Ze dispatched him with ease!

"If there's nothing else, I'm on my way." Zhang Ze wasn't fond of interacting with the Devil Domain Bureau staff, so he readied himself to head to the fourth level.

"Hold on, Mr. Rakshasa!" Judgement of Heaven intercepted Zhang Ze, saying, "There's something important I need to discuss with you."

"What's that?" Zhang Ze inquired, looking at Judgement of Heaven.

With a grave look, Judgement of Heaven informed Zhang Ze, "Do you realize who the Kiss of Death you eliminated was?"

Zhang Ze shook his head.

"He belonged to a sinister organization within the Devil Domain world called Dawn. Despite the seemingly noble name, the members are notoriously brutal."

"Dawn's members have been involved in kidnappings, robberies, assassinations, and a slew of other criminal acts. They're essentially the epitome of evil."

"The Devil Domain Administration has been on their trail for some time. But they're elusive, and each member is both powerful and sly, which has left us without any significant breakthroughs."

Judgement of Heaven sighed before continuing, "You've taken out one of their own. They're likely to seek vengeance, so you must be extremely cautious!"

Zhang Ze nodded, "Noted. Thanks. I'll be as careful as possible."

"Last time we spoke, I asked if you'd consider joining the Devil Domain Bureau. Have you given it any thought?" Judgement of Heaven asked eagerly, rubbing his hands together with hopeful anticipation. He was eager to bring a promising talent like Zhang Ze on board.

Regrettably, Zhang Ze remained unmoved. He waved farewell to Judgement of Heaven and stepped through the stone door to the fourth level.

"I'm not giving up on persuading you! Someday, I'll have you in our Devil Domain Bureau!" Judgement of Heaven called out, undeterred and full of enthusiasm.

His subordinates exchanged perplexed glances. They couldn't fathom why their Section Chief placed such importance on a mere Adventurer.

Crossing through the stone door, Zhang Ze found himself at the altar on the fourth level of the Devil Domain, surrounded by a multitude of people.

"What's happening here?" Zhang Ze was taken aback. Soon after, he heard a wave of protests erupt from the crowd around him.

"Why are the Devil Domain Administration staff preventing us from leaving? The Devil Domain is ours. We have every right to come and go freely!"

"I haven't finished the task my boss assigned me today. If you block me from battling the monsters, I'll face fines and termination. Who among you will take responsibility for that?"

"The staff claim that a Death Domain has emerged on the fourth level. I don't buy it. They're definitely plotting something in secret! I demand to protest!"

The crowd was seething with anger, teetering on the brink of losing control.

Zhang Ze's brow furrowed as he pondered, "What's the connection between this situation and the Devil Domain Administration? Someone mentioned the Death Domain earlier. I have an invitation to the Death Domain in my backpack. Could there be a link?"

With that thought, Zhang Ze pushed his way through the crowd to the outskirts of the altar. He saw it encircled by a group of people standing rigid, their faces devoid of emotion. They simply stared at the Adventurers on the altar, offering no explanation, resembling statues more than humans.

Clearly, these were the Devil Domain Administration staff members.

The Adventurers stranded on the altar grew increasingly incensed by the staff's indifference. A few, driven to extremes, launched attacks on the Devil Domain Administration personnel, desperate to break free.

But they were no match for the Administration's staff. These were high-level Adventurers who easily subdued the assailants with minimal effort.

"Everyone, please, no rash actions!"

Just then, a middle-aged man in a black robe emerged from beyond the human barrier. He gestured to the crowd and spoke, "The Devil Domain Administration employees are dedicated to preserving the peace and stability of the Devil Domain, as well as ensuring your safety. We are your allies, not your adversaries."

"The reason we're restricting access to the fourth level of the Devil Domain today is due to the imminent emergence of the Death Domain. I realize many of you may not be familiar with the Death Domain, as it's not mentioned in the Devil Domain Guide. Allow me to explain it to you all."

Zhang Ze turned his gaze to the middle-aged man, noting that in the Devil Domain, he was known as Wine and Coffee.

Wine and Coffee spoke with deliberate calm, "The Death Domain is essentially an alternate space. Our understanding of it is still incomplete, but we do know that it appears randomly within certain levels of the Devil Domain from time to time."

"When the Death Domain manifests, the creatures of that particular level become extremely aggressive! Moreover, their strength multiplies several-fold! To give you an idea, tackling the monsters on the fourth level now is as challenging as taking on those on the tenth level!"

"That's precisely why we're preventing access to the fourth level—it's simply too perilous! We're counting on your understanding."

The crowd fell into a hushed silence, though a few skeptical adventurers piped up.

"You claim that the presence of the Death Domain makes the monsters irritable, but there's no proof. For all we know, you could be deceiving us!"

Hearing the challenge, Wine and Coffee gave a nonchalant shrug and replied, "If you're skeptical, I'm willing to let you see for yourself. Just remember, you'll be responsible for whatever happens."

The adventurer hesitated, taken aback by Wine and Coffee's acquiescence. With a huff, he declared, "Fine, I'll go out. I don't buy a word you're saying."

After his declaration, the adventurer pushed his way through the crowd. The surrounding staff cleared a path for him to exit cautiously.

But it wasn't long before he came scrambling back, his face ashen with terror. Shaking, he recounted, "It's horrific out there! The monsters have become aberrant, relentlessly pursuing me! Had I not been quick on my feet, I'd be dead!"

Witnessing his return, the other adventurers cast aside their doubts about Wine and Coffee's words.

"Anyone else care to venture out? I'm willing to let you," Wine and Coffee offered, arms outstretched in a gesture of resignation.

Silence enveloped the crowd. No one was eager to tempt fate.

"It seems you all appreciate the Devil Domain Administration's concerns. I advise against visiting the fourth level for the next few days. Once the Death Domain has vanished, it will be safe to return." With that, Wine and Coffee turned and walked away.

The adventurers gathered at the altar exchanged bewildered glances before dispersing. Some ventured off to explore other levels of the Devil Domain, while a few chose to log off and take a well-deserved break.