The two groups stared at each other for a few minutes, seemingly allowing the sounds of dry winds to fill the silence.
Using his [essence sight] and [inquire] abilities to measure the strengths of his opponent.
Name: Lennar Blackthorne
Level: Ascended
Soul core potential: Feral
Innate ability: shadow conceal [Conceal himself as well as others with shadows.]
Ascended ability: Essence control [Transport himself along with animate or inanimate things]
Skills: [shadow cloak] [Presence conceal] [Shadow door] [Area detect] [Child of shadows]
'Hmm, the support-type spy.'
But it was the younger individual who actually had Kael a bit worried, at least until Serin arrived.
Name: Novak
Level: Awakened
Soul core potential: Monster
Innate ability: Umbra spikes [Create shadow fog into solid spikes.]
Skills: [Ultra Instinct] [Dark Nail] [Child of Shadows]
Stats
[Strength: 78]
[Stamina: 68]
[Endurance: 55]
[Agility: 65]
[Intelligence: 56]
[Essence: 79/95]
"So are you just going to keep staring at us, or will you finally say what you're here for?"
Kael knew they didn't wait all through their intense fight just for entertainment; they wanted something.
He had already thought of multiple possibilities the encounter should lead to; while not at the top of the list, conflict was certainly not ruled out either.
Lennar wore a gentle but strangely disturbing smile on his face.
Just going by their stats, only Serin would be able to go toe-to-toe with these guys.'
He just couldn't relax; the aura emanating from the younger guy was suffocating.
He looked at the novak again; a drop of sweat ran down his neck.
'Seriously, this isn't the strength an awakened is supposed to possess.'
"You don't have to be hostile to us; we didn't actually come around here for you."
"I understand; you simply just happened to be on top of that mountain before the fight started and also just happened to wait through the whole thing so you could come over and have a chat, right?"
"That's actually mostly correct; we were tracking the pack of hounds you fought."
Lennar added.
"What caught our attention is that it's very rare to see people around these parts, especially strangers from other realms."
"Please, could you explain to us why that's so rare? Couldn't we also have simply come from your settlement?"
'Getting information is the main priority right now.'
Before giving a response, he noticed Serin's expression changed immediately when he mentioned "settlement?"
'Perhaps there's a bit more to find out.'
"With all the abyss creatures roaming outside the gate, getting here is nearly impossible.
The stretch between here and the wall is split into territories by 4 different creature types, some of which are defiled, and rarely even a wretched one would appear.
Meaning the only option is coming through the western gate, which is the only way an elf would be with you."
"But why is it so rare that people come from other realms?"
Novak was about to respond to that question when Lennar interrupted him.
"Anyways, since you seem to be heading to the settlement as well, why not come with us?
It would save you a lot of trouble, time, and even death."
He looked at Kael's wounded foot.
"Also, you wouldn't need to move that injury too much."
Instead of accepting, Kael looked even more suspicious.
Things were moving too fast, and they were cooperating too easily.
They didn't even try to take any of the soul stones, of which there were a lot.
Meaning, they either desperately wanted something they knew he and his companions had, or…
His thought was interrupted by Serin as she grabbed his hand gently.
He turned to look at the elf and noticed her hands trembling slightly.
He talked past her, towards the two strangers.
"It's about what you wanted to tell me earlier, right?"
She nodded.
A slight grin appeared on his face.
"It seems you're in quite a hurry to get us into your 'settlement.' Could there be a reason for that?"
Novak's jaw noticeably tightened, but Lennar remained calm.
"If you want our help so much, you can just ask."
He turned to Novak, who had regained his composure.
"Even if it's about leaving this realm."
This time, even Lennar—who was calm since the conversation started—was clearly surprised.
"What are you talking about?"
By now, the calm and gentle demeanor Lennar had portrayed had cracked to reveal an uneasy expression.
Just then, the grip and his face turned to a gentle smile.
"Nothing. Excuse me, but I need to have a word with my colleagues for a moment.
He pulled Serin and walked towards a large rock a few meters away.
Novak turned to his partner.
Should we move closer to listen in on them?"
"No, don't even think about it."
'Just how did he figure it out?'
Novak looked at his visibly disturbed partner for a few moments, just letting the now gentle wind fill the silence.
Standing by the rock, Serin was still visibly uneasy.
"Okay, is there something I should know about these people?"
There was a short pause before the conversation continued.
"Yes, there is a bit of a problem."
Kael had anticipated that there might be some sort of dispute between her and them since she'd moved around for quite a long time and possibly even lived with them at some point.
"You see, the town has a very strong barrier that doesn't allow any corrupted creature to get inside.
Because they believe the corruption can spread between people."
"If that's the case, then does that mean you got corrupted after leaving this settlement of theirs?"
Kael was already piecing together the scenario that occurred.
"No, I got corrupted during a hunting trip I made outside the barrier..."
Before she finished the statement, a realization hit Kael.
His blood suddenly began to boil, and an unexplainable feeling of rage began creeping up his body.
"Don't tell me they left you outside to die."
Tears began to roll down the girl's porcelain cheeks, and Kael could do no more than embrace her in his arms.
Nyx watched the scene and waited a few minutes before speaking.
"Sorry to break this sad moment. What do we do about those guys out there?
Should we take them on?"
Kael gently wiped her tears with his hands.
"No, we won't.
They'll be useful for many things."
Nyx looked at the blue-eyed, calculating figure standing in front of her.
'Something's changed.
His very demeanor is slightly different.'
He held her round face in his hands, looking the teary-eyed elf in the eye.
"Don't worry; it'll all be okay."
She held his hands.
"Wait, Kael, you don't have to—"
He signaled for her to be silent.
Turning to Nyx, he paused for a few seconds before speaking.
"Nyx, I'll need you to do something very important for me."
"What is it?"
He looked back at Serin, his eyes as calm as ever.
"I'm going to tell you the truth about something, but I really hope you don't hate me for it.
It was being cautious."
"What is it?"
He smiled.
"I lied to you about my powers.
My innate ability is actually referred to as the "negotiator" ability.
It allows me to form any contract with any creature aside from intelligent beings for now."
There was a brief period of silence, which made his lips twitch in anxiety.
His body became tense.
"Aren't you going to say anything? Aren't you upset with me for lying?"
Serin paused for a bit, her face looking rather calm, then followed her usual gentle smile that seemed to radiate light in this dark world they found themselves in.
"Well, I kind of felt you didn't tell me everything.
I mean, it's pretty much who you are, so I'm definitely not upset."
He felt the tension that had gripped him, his whole body finally relieved.
"Then let's move; I'm sure they're already tired of waiting for us."
"Now, Nyx, about that important thing…."
As they moved closer to the pair standing just about two meters away from them, Serin suddenly pulled Kael's sleeve.
"What is it?"
"Nothing, even though I suspected it before—I'm glad you finally told me yourself."
She smiled once more, making Kael's heart jump once more after what seemed like a long time.
He turned away to hide his slight blush.
"No worries."
"Well, I see you took your sweet time discussing."
Kael smiled.
"We're sorry, my friend here had a minor inconvenience to sort out."
Lennar moved closer and placed his arm on Kael's shoulder.
With his gentle smile still plastered on his face, he exerted a significant portion of his ascended strength on the white-haired young man.
Kael nearly bent under this immense pressure.
Serin wanted to intervene, but Nyx stopped her.
He simply smiled.
'Ascended sure are scary, but if he only knew that the different pressures I've witnessed in my short life are on a different level to this.'
His voice was cold, and he whispered into Kael's ear:
"What do you know about our plans?"
Without reducing his smile even by a millimeter, he replied.
"Just stop throwing a tantrum and let's go."
The pressure weighing on his shoulders finally softened.
He nearly stumbled while taking his next step.
If he hadn't seen Lennar's flow of essence and instinctively concentrated his internal essence to reinforce his body, his legs would have broken.
And it still wasn't enough.
It only caused further damage to his wounded foot.
Nyx supported his shoulder to help him stand upright.
Novak looked at Kael in disbelief.
"Lennar, he – "
"I know."
'Just how did he withstand that?'
Pressure exerted by an ascended was nothing to scoff at, even though he wasn't combat-oriented.
The gap between him and any awakened was by no means small.
"Are we leaving or what?"
An awkward smile appeared on Lennar's face.
"Yes."
Just then, a small door appeared in the shadow on a boulder close to them.
"Wow, pretty convenient."