Realm of Myths and Legends (WN)

"Huh? Isn't that Niflheim? What's he doing here?" Halls commented as he saw Izroth standing together with Niflheim.

"Niflheim? Ah, the tank from the raid that got cut short. Tch, just remembering how shameless those Blue Oasis bastards were still makes my blood boil..! But this Niflheim guy isn't too bad. At the very least, he's a man who keeps his word. Plus, if he's here with our brother, it must mean he's a part of this group." Guan Yu stated.

"Heh, this guy—when did you learn to be so mature?" Halls grinned.

"Don't you know? I was born this mature." Guan Yu replied.

"Born this mature your head. If you were born mature, then I was born as the most handsome man in this world." Halls playfully sneered.

"Brother, at least come up with something that's a little more realistic." Guan Yu said with a look of pity in his eyes.

"For some reason, that look in your eyes pisses me off more than your words." Halls sighed.

"Hahahaha!" Guan Yu and Halls laughed with one another as they headed over to where Izroth stood.

By the time the two approached Izroth, Niflheim, and Menerva, their laughter had died down.

After that, Halls, Guan Yu, Niflheim, and Menerva exchanged a brief introduction with each other.

Halls and Guan Yu had already met Niflheim once before back during the raid at the Great Sea Palace; therefore, they were not total strangers. However, this was their first time meeting Menerva.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I have heard about the two of you through our Captain. It is my desire that we undergo cordial interactions with one another in the future." Menerva stated calmly.

"Uh... You too?" Guan Yu responded as he rubbed the back of his head with a slightly perplexed expression.

The way Menerva spoke threw him off, but he still managed to catch the gist of what it was that she was trying to get across.

"It's nice to meet you. Also, you don't have to worry about being so formal with us. Since our brother has acknowledged you, then we can already be considered companions. I hope you'll keep that in mind and won't think of the two of us as total strangers." Halls said with a smile.

"I shall do my utmost to keep that in mind," Menerva replied in a straightforward manner.

Guan Yu leaned over towards Halls and said quietly, "Hey, it may just be me but... Doesn't it feel like we're missing something here?"

"Hm, now that you mention it... It does feel like we're missing something, but I can't put my finger on it." Halls responded quietly.

Swoosh!

Out of nowhere, a new person emerged from the staircase at incredible speeds and did not halt their movement until they reached the front of the portal where Izroth and the others were located. This person was, of course, Lances.

"I'm glad to see everyone made it here safely. It took a bit longer than expected, but I was able to secure our backs. Now, even if a Marquis were to try to follow us, it would take them a while to break through what I've set up." Lances stated confidently as he locked his gaze onto the portal.

"That's reassuring. Though I have a feeling that even if they were able to follow us down here, it wouldn't matter much in a bit." Izroth said nonchalantly as he walked up to Lances' side.

"I can see why you'd say that. I've seen these types of portals before. If I'm not mistaken, this portal should be connected to an area of isolated space. More importantly, portals like this are typically a one-way trip. This means once we step through it, even if we're met with thousands of enemies, we'll be on our own with no path of retreat until we locate the exit. It's not too late to turn back with your people, Izroth." Lances said as he glanced over at Izroth.

"What a coincidence. I was just about to say the same to you. I won't blame you if you decide to back out now." Izroth commented with a carefree smile.

Lances lightly smirked as he moved his gaze back to the portal and said, "Yeah, I figured it'd be like this. Then, shall we head to monopolize all the glory for ourselves?"

"That was the plan all along. I'll head in first. Any problems with that?" Izroth said.

"Not at all. Just try not to die right after you get to the other side." Lances stated with a slight grin.

"Naturally," Izroth replied in a carefree manner as he placed his hand against the portal.

The moment Izroth's hand made contact with the strange purple smoke, his body rapidly turned into a stream of vapor before being sucked into the portal.

In the blink of an eye, Izroth was no longer anywhere to be seen.

...

Woooosh...

A soft chilly breeze brushed past Izroth as the faint noise of the howling winds entered his ears.

'I can't see a thing. I guess for the skounae, this kind of environment is the most ideal.'

At the moment, Izroth was in a place of total darkness that was no different from having one's eyes closed. It was to the point that even with his monstrous senses, Izroth was still not capable of seeing in this kind of pure darkness.

Izroth activated his Energy Vision Sense at full range in an attempt to gain some understanding of his new surroundings; however, he quickly discovered that his Energy Vision Sense could not function properly in this environment.

'My Energy Vision Sense seems to be functioning fine—at least until I attempt to go beyond a range of more than twenty meters from my position. Once I try to go any further than that, everything starts to become blurry and scattered.'

Within twenty meters, Izroth did not sense any other life forces nearby. But, seeing as how his Energy Vision Sense was malfunctioning at long ranges in this place, Izroth still made sure to keep his guard up.

〈System Alert: You have entered the «Night Lord's Crypt: Antumbra of Decay, Night Lord Zarolas».〉

〈System Alert: Warning! The space in this area is locked by an unknown force! Due to this, certain methods of travel may be restricted or prohibited!〉

〈System Alert: Warning! You have entered a special instance! Certain system features may be unavailable during this time!〉

'It looks like my suspicions were correct. If we want to get out of here after achieving our goal, we can't rely on the Returning Scrolls. Under normal circumstances, we could send out small separate scout parties to search for an exit, but... dividing our forces in this type of environment may be too risky.'

Not long after Izroth arrived, others from the 9th Division and 5th Unit also started to appear. Then, after a few breaths passed, Lances was the last person to emerge. With that, everyone from the 9th Division, and the part of the 5th Unit that Lances brought along, was accounted for.

"Those who can use illumination skills spread out and try to cover as much of an area as possible." Lances ordered.

When Lances gave this order, roughly 25% of the 5th Unit's members activated an illumination-type skill and began to create some distance between themselves.

Four of the 9th Division members that were capable of utilizing illumination-type skills looked over at Izroth, who gave them a small nod of assurance before they, too, followed Lances' instructions.

"Aren't you two going as well?" Izroth asked of Jol'Kil and Zel'Kan, who did not budge from his side.

"There is a great wickedness that dwells within this place that leaves me uneasy. The others present can handle lighting the path forward. Your protection is our number one priority, young master Izroth. Please forgive our selfish actions." Jol'Kil said in a calm and respectful manner.

"I agree with Jol'Kil. Given the present circumstances, I feel that it would be inappropriate to leave your side at this time. I hope that young master Izroth can understand our position on this matter. Also, please allow us to enter places first from now on. If something were to happen to you under our watch, we would never be able to face our ancestor or clan head in the future." Zel'Kan commented reverently.

"I'll try to keep that in mind," Izroth said without giving it too much thought.

Izroth understood that Jol'Kil and Zel'Kan were the type of individuals to take their duties seriously. Therefore, he would not go out of his way to deny them that opportunity. That being said, if it became absolutely necessary, Izroth knew that all he had to do was give the command and the two of them would have no choice but to back down and comply—even if it was in direct conflict with their obligations.

'Hm? This is...'

All of a sudden, Izroth's ears twitched as a rattling sound entered his ears.

Then, out of nowhere, a dark and evil oppressive aura flooded the atmosphere, causing many of those present to instinctively shiver in fear.