The Shadow Death Guard's quarters were much like Lucian's VIP room, packed with all kinds of training equipment and an array of colorful food, lavish to the extreme.
Naturally, all the beauties had been driven out by the Shadow Death Guard. He had something important to discuss.
"Sit wherever you like."
The Shadow Death Guard took a seat on a crystal stool and gestured for the other two to sit as well.
Blood Shadow Tiger and Technorg exchanged a glance before sitting down across from him.
"Shadow Death Guard, why did you call us here?"
A trace of surprise flashed through Blood Shadow Tiger's silver eyes.
Technorg scratched his head. "You're not inviting us over for dinner, are you?"
The Shadow Death Guard lifted a cup filled with green liquid, took a light sip, and spoke slowly, "Gentlemen, I think you already understand what I'm getting at."
Blood Shadow Tiger frowned. "Is this because we lost today's match?"
"Exactly." The Shadow Death Guard nodded, his golden eyes sharp and bright. "We lost the match and embarrassed Slix Vigma. He won't let us off easily."
"Then what? Is he going to kill us?" Technorg asked, his voice thick and heavy.
"A new Grand Champion has already emerged, and he's stronger than all of us…" Blood Shadow Tiger's expression shifted uneasily. "Slix Vigma has always been a master schemer. He'll never continue allocating resources to us. To save himself a few meals, he might even silence us permanently."
"That makes sense." The Shadow Death Guard nodded. "After all, we're former champions. We don't even participate in regular matches anymore."
"Wait."
Blood Shadow Tiger suddenly became alert and scanned the room. "The three of us gathering like this… won't that bastard notice?"
The Shadow Death Guard let out a scoff. Purple soul energy faintly seeped from his armor.
"Relax. I activated my shadow power a long time ago. Every camera in this room is covered. He can't see us, and he can't hear what we're saying."
Blood Shadow Tiger looked up at the cameras shrouded in purple energy and finally let out a breath. "Good."
"But if Slix Vigma really decides to kill us, what do we do?" Technorg asked anxiously.
The Shadow Death Guard sneered. "Then we strike first and kill that damn bastard."
Back on Cleotog Planet, he had lived a carefree life. His overwhelming combat power made him stand out among his peers, and he had been on the verge of ascending the throne.
But a single crimson beam from Slix Vigma had taken everything from him and dumped him into this hellish place.
If not for his lingering fear, the Shadow Death Guard would have fought Slix Vigma to the death long ago. Fortunately, his strength allowed him to win the arena championship, granting him endless food and women, and he had gradually adapted to life here.
But now, the situation was growing worse by the moment. He knew he had to act first and seize the initiative.
Blood Shadow Tiger pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Even if the three of us join forces, we're still no match for Slix Vigma."
"Yeah," Technorg chimed in. "That guy's way too mysterious. Feels like he can do anything, and he controls a ton of robots. Just the three of us…"
"We can incite the other aliens," the Shadow Death Guard said. "They've been imprisoned here for a long time. Their resentment runs deep. Every one of them wants to tear Slix Vigma to pieces."
His golden eyes burned fiercely, like blazing furnaces.
"Do you really think that'll work?" Blood Shadow Tiger asked, resting his chin on his hand.
Technorg slammed his fist down, smashing the table into fragments. He burst into laughter. "Perfect. Then it's settled! I've hated that dead-fish-eyed bastard for a long time. You two wait here. I'll head to the cafeteria and start rallying those little brats."
"But there's one problem…" The Shadow Death Guard hesitated.
"What problem? Say it. This isn't the time to hold anything back," Blood Shadow Tiger pressed.
The Shadow Death Guard pointed behind Blood Shadow Tiger. "Every one of us has an electrical control device installed in our bodies. The real problem is figuring out how to remove it."
Even after becoming champions, those devices were still embedded in them like brands burned into ancient criminals.
The moment they showed any sign of rebellion, the red robots would immediately press the trigger, activating the device and releasing a terrifying surge of high-voltage electricity.
Blood Shadow Tiger clenched his fists in fury. "That damned thing. I tried ripping it out before, but the second I used any force, it triggered and discharged a horrifying amount of electricity."
Technorg nodded in agreement.
They had all tried removing the controller, and every attempt ended in failure. No one could withstand that level of voltage.
"Unless there's someone who isn't afraid of electricity and can pull it out for us," the Shadow Death Guard sighed. He knew it was impossible.
If such a being existed, they wouldn't be imprisoned here in the first place.
Blood Shadow Tiger and Technorg lowered their heads in defeat. The fighting spirit they had just regained was instantly extinguished.
Were they really going to sit here and wait for death?
Was there truly no other way?
Suddenly, a hoarse voice echoed through the room.
"I can help you remove the controller~"
A figure slowly took shape out of thin air. Ghostfreak emerged from the void.
The three of them jolted in shock and immediately assumed combat stances, staring in disbelief at the terrifying figure before them.
Pale skin crisscrossed with pitch-black cracks, a single violet eye glowing ominously, cold air spilling from his body.
"When did you get here?" Blood Shadow Tiger snarled, clenching his iron fists.
If this thing reported them to Slix Vigma, they would be as good as dead.
Technorg raised his meteor hammer, murderous intent surging as he prepared to strike Ghostfreak.
"Wait!" the Shadow Death Guard shouted.
Surrounded by swirling purple soul energy, he stepped forward, lotus-like patterns blooming beneath his feet. He stopped in front of Ghostfreak and asked calmly, "You said you can help us. Are you telling the truth?"
"Of course," Ghostfreak replied with a sinister smile.
Blood Shadow Tiger crossed his arms and snorted. "You're the current Grand Champion now. You have endless wealth, status, and more beauties than you could ever choose from. Are you really willing to give all that up and work with us?"
"Exactly," Technorg added, scratching his head sheepishly. "So many beauties. I wouldn't want to leave either. Especially that lizard girl… I still can't forget her, hehe…"
Hearing their doubts, Ghostfreak let out a cold laugh. "No matter how good the food or how beautiful the women are, they'll never compare to home. Besides, I don't want to spend my entire life trapped here, waiting to be slaughtered."
"…That makes sense." Blood Shadow Tiger's attitude shifted completely. He muttered thoughtfully, "I miss my tigress back home…"
This ship had captured tigresses before, but none of them were from his own race. They simply weren't to his taste.
After a long silence, the Shadow Death Guard raised his head and looked at Ghostfreak solemnly. "Alright. I'll trust you. But show us your sincerity first. Help us remove the controller."
"Easy~" Ghostfreak said hoarsely, tapping the Omnitrix on his chest.
Thud!
Ghostfreak's pale skin rapidly changed, turning pitch black. Yellow plug-like connectors protruded from his claws, and two long antennae sprouted from his head.
"Feedback!"