Meng Jiang was surprised by Izroth's words. As a top guild, they did not lack resources and had numerous methods at their disposal; still, nothing they did worked against that blood mist!
If it was something that even they, a top guild, could not solve, what hope was there for anyone else?
However, Meng Jiang knew that Izroth was someone with many secrets. Even if she discovered a few, Meng Jiang could not help but feel that she barely scratched the surface of the player called Izroth. Not to mention, after what she just witnessed not too long ago with the cauldron, there was a decent possibility that he really did have a way to get past the blood mist!
"Hundred Lakes." Meng Jiang called out.
A few seconds after Meng Jiang spoke, a player walked out from one of the nearby groups.
"You called, leader?" The one who approached was a young man who appeared to be in his late teens to early twenties. He had short orange hair, silver eyes, and a scar in the shape of a cross mark on his right cheek. The scar on his cheek peeked out from beneath the black mask that covered the bottom half of his face. On his sides were a pair of sai, and he donned all-black armor that looked like a hybrid between cloth and light leather.
This young man was one of the core members of Sacred Beasts, Hundred Lakes.
"Our friend seems to have an important task for you. Think of it as a reconnaissance assignment." Meng Jiang stated.
"Reconnaissance? What did you have in mind?" Hundred Lakes asked. He also took a moment to size up Izroth.
Hundred Lakes had recently returned to Rosentarus after completing a war objective for the War Intelligence Group; therefore, he was not present during his guild's fight against the Failed Chimera.
When he returned from his mission, Hundred Lakes was shocked to discover that the Headhunter Syndicate would be so bold as to try and steal the prey of his Sacred Beasts. But, what surprised him the most was the stories he heard about one particular individual who was not even a member of Sacred Beasts. This person was, of course, Izroth.
Super speed? Teleportation? A 300,000 damage critical hit against a field boss? It sounded like an exaggerated story that someone would tell while drunk one day at some random bar. If not for the fact that the guild leader was there personally and his guildmates were trustworthy, Hundred Lakes would have never believed their words and merely written it off.
"So, this is the current first place holder in the event. He's not what I imagined…" Hundred Lakes internalized. He thought the person in first place would look a bit more… experienced, to say the least. But, the young man before him gave off a calm and carefree aura that made him have some doubts. However, he knew that Izroth's player name matched the current first place holder, so he was definitely not an imposter.
"Well, it's fine. I'll get a chance to see his skills firsthand for myself soon enough." Hundred Lakes thought to himself.
"Travel to the blood mist and take this with you," Izroth said as he removed a small bag from his inventory.
He then continued, "Do not take it until you arrive at the blood mist. Once there, step inside, and then return."
"Blood mist..?! Are you asking me to die voluntarily?!" Hundred Lakes could not believe his ears! He was among the original group who first discovered the blood mist in the Demilitarization Belt, and so, he understood its deadly effects better than anyone. They had tried countless methods to pass through this blood mist, but everything was useless. Now, this person wanted him to willingly walk into that blood mist?!
They were getting ready to attack the Headhunter Syndicate soon. If he died, not only would he lose experience and an event life, but he would also be weakened for several hours as a penalty for dying. In the end, no matter how Hundred Lakes looked at it, there was no upside!
"I heard about your speed from the guild leader and my guildmates—why don't you just go there yourself to test it? Wouldn't it be faster? Or, can it be that you're okay with risking my life, but not your own?" Hundred Lakes declared.
"My situation is a bit unique. If I were to test it myself, the effects might not be as clear. Of course, if you are afraid, that's fine. But, I will tell you now—even if you die, it isn't necessarily a loss on your part." Izroth said as he tossed the small bag towards Hundred Lakes.
"Hm? What are you-" Hundred Lakes frowned as he checked the contents of the bag. As he did so, his eyes widened in shock.
"This effect is…! I see, yes, maybe that would work…" Hundred Lakes muttered to himself.
The small bag contained a single grade three pill. This was not the first time Hundred Lakes had seen a grade three pill. After all, he had already taken one of each of the grade three pills sold at the Mystical Realm Palace. But, this was his first time seeing this specific grade three pill.
Even though the Mystical Realm Palace was located in Amaharpe's capital city, there was no way their information network would fail to mention the appearance of a new pill. This meant that the pill in his hands right now was not yet for sale in the Mystical Realm Palace. In other words, it was something one could not buy even if they wanted to! Plus, the effects of this pill were life-saving—something any top player would be happy to acquire. It was just as Izroth stated, even if he were to die, it would not necessarily be his loss!
Hundred Lakes carefully placed the bag into his inventory. He then faced Izroth with a serious expression, cupped his fists respectfully, and said, "Leave this task to me. Whether I am successful or not, I will make sure to bring back a clear answer."
He turned to Meng Jiang, "Leader, I'll be going now."
Woosh!
A gale of wind encompassed Hundred Lakes as his figure turned blurry, and he vanished into thin air!
"Your skills of persuasion are frightening, Mr. First Place. I have never seen Hundred Lakes have such a rapid change of heart. I'm curious as to what you have given him to invoke such a response." Meng Jiang said with a smile and transparent curiosity in her tone.
"Since guild leader Meng Jiang and Sacred Beasts will be working close to my Mystical Realm Palace in the near future, I suppose it does not hurt to let you view this in advance," Izroth said as he handed Meng Jiang a small bag that contained the same pill he gave to Hundred Lakes.
Meng Jiang accepted the bag as she briefly examined the pill inside.
"I understand now. This Evil Cleansing Pill is certainly above the potions and skills we've tried. It not only gives the user resistance to some forms of poisons and illusions, but its true strong point is its ability to cleanse negative effects. The cooldown is a bit long, but that brief moment is all it takes to decide life and death at critical points. There is no guarantee it will work on the blood mist; however, since the effects are permanent, I can see why Hundred Lakes was suddenly so willing to accept the assignment." Meng Jiang said calmly.
She then continued, "So—will you sell some of these to my Sacred Beasts?"
"Unfortunately, the ingredients for these grade three pills are a bit more challenging to come by than the ones for sale in the Mystical Realm Palace. However, a small batch may be possible to spare. Forty pills—it's the most I can do at the moment." Izroth answered.
Forty?! Since he said small batch, Meng Jiang was not expecting any more than five or six pills. Forty was well beyond her expectations!
"I'll buy them all." Meng Jiang said without hesitation.
"I don't have the gold coins on me now, but I can get someone to-"
"You're mistaken, guild leader Meng Jiang. You must know as well, right? There are things that one cannot buy even with gold coins." Izroth stated.
Thanks to the Mystical Realm Palace, Izroth had plenty of gold coins at his disposal. But, alas, not everything could be acquired through the auction house or just because one had gold coins.
"Did Palace Master Izroth have something in mind?" Meng Jiang questioned.
