"It's a simple request. If you happen to discover the Headhunter Syndicate's guild leader's location before I do, I would like you to contact me instead of engaging in battle. The player who goes by the name Vault—I will take care of him personally. As long as guild leader Meng Jiang agrees to these terms, I don't mind handing this small batch of pills over to Sacred Beasts." Izroth stated.
"Sure. Since Palace Master Izroth feels so strongly about it, how can I deny your request? Although I have to admit that it is somewhat regrettable. I was really quite looking forward to punching that arrogant leader in the face a few hundred times." Meng Jiang's replied with a radiant smile.
Izroth inwardly shook his head. He wondered how someone could say such vicious words with that kind of look on their face. If this were a player's first time meeting Meng Jiang, they would not believe a sentence like that would leave the mouth of such a beauty.
Izroth handed the bag containing forty Evil Cleansing Pills to Meng Jiang, who wasted no time distributing it to the members of her Sacred Beasts.
For Izroth to go so far as to willingly give away such valuable pills, Meng Jiang knew that whatever grudge existed between him and the Headhunter Syndicate's guild leader, Vault, was not simple.
Truthfully, Meng Jiang would never leave the disposing of an enemy to an outsider. After all, it was more than mere revenge against the Headhunter Syndicate who dared attacked them in their own territory. Their pride as a top guild was on the line! If they did not strike back, others would look at them as weak or easy to step over if rumors were to spread.
That's why even though the pills played a part in Meng Jiang's agreeing to Izroth's offer, it was mainly his skills that convinced her to give way. Not to mention, Meng Jiang knew that maintaining a friendly relationship with Izroth and the Mystical Realm Palace would only prove beneficial in the long run.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what other surprises you have in store for me, Mr. First Place." Meng Jiang internalized.
…
Around 45 minutes later…
Woosh!
A strong gale of wind blew past the Sacred Beasts members as a humanoid figure emerged from out of thin air.
Hundred Lakes returned and immediately went to meet with Izroth and Meng Jiang. There was a look of excitement on his face that could not be contained.
"Leader—the effects of this Evil Cleansing Pills are amazing! I've never seen anything like it!" Hundred Lakes stated. He then went on to explain what happened when he entered the blood mist.
According to Hundred Lakes, the Evil Cleansing Pills instantly dispelled the overbearing effects of the blood mist!
The last time Hundred Lakes stepped into the blood mist, he and the players in his party died after only being exposed to it for less than five seconds. By the time they noticed the effects of the blood mist, it was already too late. Even after they rushed out, their HP continued to rapidly fall despite their best efforts to sustain their health.
Those under the blood mist's effects had all healing they received reduced by 80%. This heal reduction debuff paired with the blood mist inflicting damage over time due to its poisonous nature—it was impossible for healers to keep up with the pace.
However, this time was different. While the Evil Cleansing Pill did not completely eradicate the blood mist's detrimental effects, it made it so that Hundred Lakes could survive through the initial damage it inflicted. Since he lacked healing-type skills, Hundred Lakes had to use a high-grade potion to ultimately survive. Still, this was huge! Last time, even a high-grade potion was not enough with the heal reduction debuff. Of course, Hundred Lakes added that if they wanted to go through the blood mist to reach the other side, they would still require enough healers to do so.
The Evil Cleansing Pill may have made the effects tolerable, but the blood mist was still not something just anyone could stroll through.
Meanwhile, after listening to Hundred Lakes, Izroth became even more interested in this blood mist.
'Even the Phantasmagoria in the hardcore Great Sea Palace raid was purged by the Evil Cleansing Pill. The fact that this blood mist can overpower it to a certain degree—how interesting.'
"You've done well, Hundred Lakes. If we can advance through the blood mist, not only will we cut our travel time in half, but we will not have to concern ourselves with enemy traps or stray soldiers. Going by your recount of events, the number of healers we have on hand should be sufficient as long as we manage our potion intake correctly." Meng Jiang stated.
She then turned to Izroth and continued, "We don't know what lies within the blood mist; however, I believe the potential benefits outweigh the risk. If Palace Master Izroth is prepared, we will take our leave at once."
Izroth gave a slight nod and replied, "It seems I will be in your care for a while, guild leader Meng Jiang. Lead the way."
Following Izroth's confirmation, Meng Jiang gathered the members of her Sacred Beasts together and informed them of the plans. A few of them were a little skeptical; however, the fact that Hundred Lakes personally went to test things set their minds at ease.
After a few minutes, Meng Jiang and Sacred Beasts all equipped a black cloak created by their guild's Tailor. They also made sure to provided Izroth with a cloak.
'Oh? Isn't this the same player who made my Attire of a Silent Night? Since they were selling a rare outfit in the auction house, I assumed they were not attached to any guild; however, it turns out the world is a small place. It appears there are more to Tailors in RML than simply making clothes that look presentable.'
Name: Moonlit Concealing Mantle(Rare)
Creator: Divine Needle
Description: A mantle threaded with the wings of a Moonlit Forest Fae that, once equipped, allows the user to blend into their natural surroundings, making it increasingly difficult for those more than ten meters away from the user's position to detect their presence. It is crafted from finer materials by a skilled and talented tailor.
Special Note: When this outfit is worn, all other equipment, excluding the wearer's weapon(s), becomes automatically hidden. The wearer can choose to keep certain equipment pieces visible.
If this cloak had such an effect, Izroth wondered what secrets his Attire of a Silent Night hid; after all, it did mention having a few built-in hidden effects in its item description. However, Izroth had yet to come across any of these so-called hidden effects.
'I will have to ask Meng Jiang to introduce me to this Divine Needle so that I can ask them directly. For now, there is a more pressing matter at hand.'
"Remember, we are heading into enemy territory! Even if we have the Moonlit Concealing Mantles, do not let your guard down!" Meng Jiang declared.
"Yes!" The members of Sacred Beasts responded in unison.
"Good! Now—let's teach the Headhunter Syndicate what it means to offend our Sacred Beasts!" Meng Jiang stated with a smile as her gaze turned cold.
…
Approximately one hour later…
Izroth, Meng Jiang, and the members of Sacred Beasts had been moving nonstop through the Demilitarization Belt. There were a few close calls along the way; however, they managed to slip deep into enemy territory undetected thanks to the Moonlit Concealing Mantle.
At the moment, the group had just arrived before a towering chasm of a large rocky terrain that stood more than two hundred meters high. The chasm spanned roughly five meters across; therefore, not much room was available to maneuver freely for a group as big as theirs.
Though what stood out the most about this chasm was not its height or limited space but rather the blood-colored mist that filled every corner of it. Just being close to the mist made one feel uncomfortable.
"We're here." Meng Jiang said as she stood a couple of meters away from the entrance to the chasm. This was her first time seeing the blood mist in person, and it was the same for most of the other Sacred Beasts members as well.
At the same time, Izroth stood with a solemn expression in front of the chasm.
'Oh? What's with this unnatural amount of bloodl.u.s.t?'
The instant Izroth stepped near the entrance to the chasm, an unbelievable amount of bloodl.u.s.t and killing intent washed over him that caused even his Soul Sense to be momentarily overwhelmed! But, more than anything, he was amazed at how none the Sacred Beasts members, Meng Jiang included, seemed not to notice its presence!
