Chapter 959 The Next Challange In the hidden chamber, the darkness-infused crystal shattered with a resounding impact, mirroring the demise of Sylvana earlier. The room's somber atmosphere seemed to echo with each fragment that fell. "Another one bites the dust." a voice murmured, its tone a mixture of resignation and bitter acceptance. As if summoned by the events, the ominous figure emerged once again from the shadows, their presence as disquieting as before. "Even Zolvik has fallen. He should have been the one to at least halt their advance." the figure lamented, frustration evident in their words. The weight of their mission and the constraints imposed by their circumstances cast a shadow over their intentions. A deep exhalation seemed to carry the weight of centuries of longing and restraint. "Damn this curse. If not for the restrictions placed upon us by the God's Domain…" Their voice trailed off, bearing the frustration of being a prisoner within their own desires. "I myself would have gone and dealt with them already. Yet, I can't even leave this castle because of this wretched curse," they continued, their tone tinged with both bitterness and longing. The passage of time, marked by multiple Conclaves of Heroes, weighed heavily on them. "No… I can't afford to fail again." Their resolve was palpable as they spoke, a determination driven by a long-held purpose. As the figure's words continued, an anxious edge crept into their voice, hinting at their intense desire for retribution. "This time, I will ensure that the Hero of Nature from this new generation meets their end." Their vow hung in the air, charged with a mixture of anticipation and urgency. The figure's intentions remained cloaked in mystery, a dark undercurrent to the unfolding events within the castle and the realm beyond. Subsequently, he activated the communication artifact that had previously served to establish contact and issue commands to Zolvik. "Even Zolvik has met his end. Their mastery of countermeasures against multiple elements and manipulation of the battlefield has proven to be an obstacle for our cause. Underestimating their capabilities is a grave mistake. Presently, only the four of us remain." On the receiving end of the communication, a response echoed forth. "Understood, your lordship. I shall proceed with caution, avoiding unnecessary actions." The inquiry continued, probing into the strategy. "How do you intend to address this situation?" "The usual methods," came the confident reply. Acknowledging the statement, the dark silhouette offered a cryptic response. "I see." "Ensure that your approach is methodical and systematic. Their ranks contain individuals whose skills and experience exceed the surface impression. Among them, there may be one whose potential poses a greater threat than even the Hero of Nature." The assurance was met with a pledge from the other side. "I will appear before you only when I have promising news to share, sire." With these words, the enigmatic being departed from its cavernous dwelling, leaving behind an aura of intrigue and an unfolding plan that remained veiled in shadows. Its form was a grotesque fusion of elements – a quadrupedal body, two wings extending like twisted appendages, and a human-like visage crowned with the jagged horns of a bighorn sheep. A sinister hiss punctuated the air, emerging from a serpentine tail that bore the menacing head of a snake, complete with piercing golden eyes. The humanoid countenance bore an otherworldly aura, its eyes cloaked in darkness with a vivid yellow iris that seemed to glow. A wild, mane-like growth reminiscent of a lion's framed this disconcerting visage. "It has been too long." the being intoned, its voice a mixture of eerie anticipation and malice that seemed to permeate the very air around it. With an unsettling declaration, its words dripped with a sinister edge. The chilling tone resonated with an unmistakable sadism, heralding the start of a disturbing game that only this creature could conceive. "It's time to have some fun." ---------------- Kahn showed only the head. As for the body, he completely absorbed it using Energy Plunderer. However, he was surprised to see that Zolvik had no core at all. As if he wasn't a living being but a living corpse in perfect health without a heart. "Is this who I think it is?" asked Maximus. "Correct. He is the guardian of these lands." responded Atreus and threw the head on the ground. "Then that Darkness elemental barrier that I sensed a while ago… was his doing?" asked the Hero of Nature. "Correct again. He is a darkness elemental assassin and this entire land is his playground. I had a hard time even finding him. But this idiot attacked me because I was alone and seemed like an easy target." stated Atreus. "Is that why you left by yourself?" asked Maximus. "Come on! Stop reading my mind already. People will think we're dating or something." said Kahn in a sarcastic tone. "How did you manage to defeat him, then?" inquired Rolakan, curiosity lacing his voice. Kahn's gaze turned sharp, his eyes locking onto the basilisk mage, and an unsettling chill seemed to permeate the air. Shiver! The involuntary tremor ran through Rolakan's entire frame, a stark reaction to the potent and unsettling stare he was receiving from Kahn. His tone shifted dramatically as he quickly adjusted his approach. "How did you defeat him, sir?" he asked, now adopting a respectful tone and bowing his head slightly in deference. Kahn's lips curled into a sly grin, the change in his demeanor palpable. "Ah, my dear snaky, you have already experienced the power of my illusion abilities firsthand. Merely locking eyes with me allows you a glimpse into what I'm capable of, doesn't it?" he spoke, his words carrying a hint of wickedness. The memory of the torment Rolakan had endured at the hands of Atreus's illusion ability rushed back to him, the sensation of all his darkest fears and nightmares converging upon him. The recollection left him almost frozen in place, the impact of that skill still vividly etched in his mind. "Atreus, as much as I appreciate you making bold moves for the sake of the party… I would prefer if you didn't risk your life so thoughtlessly." said Maximus, his expression full of concern. Even as the leader of the group, the Hero of Nature thought of Kahn as a reliable ally and an honorable comrade compared to the rest. He was the only person in this group that Maximus considered as his equal ever since the fenrirborne joined the party. "I will have to disagree, Lord Hero." spoke atreus in a dismissive tone. "We're not here to play friends or family. Our task is to protect you and also get rid of any potential obstacles that stop you from entering the God's Altar. If you die, all of us are good as dead anyway. Hence, I took the initiative and got rid of an enemy I was confident in taking down. It was a calculated move from my side." explained Atreus and sat down on a stone slab. "Just don't be surprised if I do it again or vanish somewhere to get rid of potential threats." he declared. Sigh! Maximus sighed and accepted this proposition. Although he was reluctant, he couldn't refute Atreus' logic. This was the true reason behind forming the Hero's Party in the first place. He couldn't just tell them to not do their job. Not when their own lives were linked to his fate. He shifted his attention to Atreus, a sense of anticipation in the air. "Did he say anything of note during your... encounter?" he asked, and the rest of the party members leaned in, waiting for Atreus to shed light on the situation. "The guy wasn't much of a talker. And I could hardly make a decent conversation as he was attacking me from all directions. However… I did find the exit towards the next region. We should move soon." he revealed his intentions. Sylvana and Vikaat's corpses were kept by Speki in his space ring. This was as per the imperial orders. They couldn't just leave a Saint's corpse or their core in God's Domain. The empire wished to preserve them. Even if there was a funeral held for them later, the cores would still be kept by the Imperial Rule for helping other saints to breakthrough to the next level and fill the void of power left by the fallen saints. Finally, the party stopped in front of a secret tunnel that was previously hidden by an Illusion Barrier. As they traversed through the secret tunnel, the atmosphere seemed to shift with each step, growing increasingly oppressive. It was as if the very air weighed heavy with a sense of foreboding. The party members could feel the tangible shift in the surroundings, a subtle distortion that unsettled their senses. With Maximus and Kahn's warning, their focus sharpened, and each step became more deliberate, every corner checked for potential threats. And as soon as they exited the tunnel, looking at the next region... Kahn and Maximus shared a solemn exchange, their expressions mirroring the gravity of the situation. Kahn and Maximus' gaze turned somber. "Do you sense it as well?" asked Kahn to Maximus. "Yes. This land is filled with…" spoke Maximus and his body and mind went on high alert. "Chaos Element."