'Even if their sense of perception is lacking, it should not be to the extent that those from Sacred Beasts are unable to feel this amount of bloodl.u.s.t and killing intent.'
Izroth doubted that the Sacred Beasts members decided to purposely feign ignorance as there was nothing to gain by deceiving him. Not to mention, the number of people in this world capable of hiding their intentions from his eyes could be counted using one's hands alone.
'For whatever reason, it seems that I am the only one who can feel its presence. But, it's strange. There's no doubt that this feeling is bloodl.u.s.t, yet there's a certain emptiness to it.'
Izroth scanned the inside of the chasm with his Energy Vision Sense; however, there was nothing unusual or out of place. In fact, everything was abnormally peaceful, excluding the killing intent. Besides that, there were no signs of anyone or anything within the chasm.
"Healers, be sure to keep your eyes on those who have been assigned to your group. Everyone else, to make the healers job easier, be sure to manage your potion intake correctly." Meng Jiang commanded.
She then continued, "Since we have no idea what's lurking within this mist, One Shot Brick and Passive Shield will move at the head of the group."
Meng Jiang turned to face Izroth and said, "I'll be counting on you to watch our backs as the rear guard, Mr. First Place."
Izroth gave a slight nod in response as he kept his attention on the blood mist.
"Let's proceed." Meng Jiang ordered as One Shot Brick and Passive Shield, the two main tanks of Sacred Beasts, led the way into the chasm.
"Is there something troubling you?" Meng Jiang asked after the last of her guild members stepped into the chasm.
She noticed that Izroth had not taken his gaze off of the blood mist since their arrival. The blood mist was undoubtedly a sight to behold; however, she felt that Izroth's interest in it was more than a passing curiosity.
"This mist contains unusual properties. It's not alive, but it gives the illusion that it is. The air it exudes is also one of danger and uncertainty." Izroth stated as he walked into the chasm, accompanied by Meng Jiang, who was also acting as the rear guard.
"Danger and uncertainty? Then, I suppose we will just have to keep our wits about us. After all, how can my Sacred Beasts have climbed our way to the top ranks if we turned away every time we were face to face with danger? I'm sure you understand quite well that great benefit is more often than not intertwined with risk and uncertainty." Meng Jiang commented.
"Guild leader Meng Jiang is correct. However, it is important to remember one thing. Risk is only relevant when one lacks the strength to face those uncertainties head-on." Izroth said with a carefree expression.
"I see. Basically, what is considered dangerous for us may not necessarily be dangerous for you, is it?" Meng Jiang recited as her lips curled into a smile.
A brief wave of silence descended after Meng Jiang spoke as they headed deeper into the blood mist.
…
'So it can even endure this. It seems I've underestimated its limits. Still, it's far from perfection.'
Due to having consumed the Evil Cleansing Pill and the Poison Resistance II passive from his Heavenly Golden Body, Izroth's body completely neutralized the blood mist's harsh effects. However, even though he received no damage as those from Sacred Beats did, it seemed that he was still affected by the healing reduction debuff.
As they continued deeper into the blood mist, several moments later, Meng Jiang was the first to break the silence.
"You know, ever since we first crossed paths, I've been thinking about an interesting story I was once told as a child. It's about a powerful dragon that resided at the top of the highest mountain in the world. One day, the dragon decided to descend its mountain to visit a little village located near the edge of a forest. The villagers there worshipped the dragon as a deity. With a single breath, it could summon the winds. With a single tear, the dragon could bless the land with rain. Needless to say, the dragon was quite popular." Meng Jiang released a slight giggle; however, it soon ceased as her expression turned solemn.
"Unfortunately, the village was not a peaceful place. In the forest was a fox. This fox was nowhere near as powerful as the dragon that descended from its mountain, nor was it as wise. However, the fox was extremely cunning and full of wit. It used these traits it was naturally gifted with to terrorize the villagers for its own gains, and so, the villagers asked the dragon for its help to bring judgment upon the fox."
"Hearing of the fox's misdeeds, the dragon agreed to help the villagers and entered the forest to hunt the fox. Do you know what happened next?" Meng Jiang asked.
"It's typical in stories like this that the fox would find a way to outwit the dragon. Realistically, however, such wit is useless in the face of absolute power—the fox would perish at the hands of the dragon." Izroth said calmly.
"As I thought, your outlook is different from others I've told this story to, Mr. First Place. Indeed, the dragon does manage to catch and punish the fox for its misdeeds. In the end, no matter how much wit the fox possessed or how cunning it was, in the face of absolute power, it could only resign to its fate. The dragon returned to the village to inform the villagers of the good news. Afterward, it returned to its mountain. Then, a couple of weeks later, the dragon decided to descend its mountain once again to pay a visit to the village; however, the dragon arrived only to find remnants of what was once a normal village."
"Unbeknownst to the dragon, after it eliminated the fox, a power struggle occurred amongst the entities that resided in the forest to fill the void in power left behind by the fox. As a result, the village was dragged into their dispute and ultimately destroyed."
"Ambition gives birth to greed. Greed is amplified by human nature, and human nature at its core is to survive. If that's how it is, what happens when one ties their very survival to ambition and greed? An old saying goes power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. For the dragon who carried with it absolute power, is it fated to be corrupt? I say this because you, Izroth—you are a dragon that sits atop the highest mountain. One day, you will come face to face with a fox upon your descent. At that time, I am curious to see what path you will take. Will you, too, punish the fox for its misdeeds? Or…" Meng Jiang spoke unhurriedly as her words drifted into still silence.
'Is that a story someone even tells to a child? Regardless, it's an amusing tale.'
If one thought about their current situation, it was easy to believe that Meng Jiang was referring to Izroth's conflict with the Headhunter Syndicate's guild leader and the top guilds balance of power being disturbed; however-
Chiiiii…. Chi… Chi…
All of a sudden, the sound of a strange and faint eerie laughter echoed throughout the chasm. But, there was something off about this sinister laughter.
At the same time, a bone-piercing chill invaded the atmosphere as the blood mist became denser.
"It's getting more difficult to see our surroundings. We will have to slow our pace a few steps." One Shot Brick slowed his steps, which caused the members of Sacred Beasts to follow suit.
"What is this sound…? Hm? That's…" Passive Shield muttered as he narrowed his gaze.
In the near distance, Passive Shield saw a blurry silhouette; however, when he blinked, it was no longer anywhere to be found.
Passive Shield frowned, "Did I just imagine i-"
Chiiiiii…
Passive Shield felt a cold shiver run down his spine. That sound—this time, it came from right next to him!
Woosh!
Passive Shield quickly lifted his shield to defend himself; however, the attack he expected never occurred.
"What are you doing?" One Shot Brick questioned with a frown.
"Eh? You didn't hear that just now? Something was just here… Right?" Passive Shield had a slight look of confusion on his face.
"Hear what? Hey, don't tell me you're getting scared just from some mist. Honestly…" One Shot Brick sighed as he shook his head.
He then continued, "It's good to be on guard, but don't lose your cool head, man, or-"
"Ah…!" One of the Sacred Beasts members issued a sudden startled cry from the center of the group!
