Hero of Darkness

Kahn stood in front of the semi-saint mage from the Pureblood faction who was supposed to be his ally in this expedition to retrieve the Tablet of Arcana. 

And now, after finally entering the 2nd layer of barrier, Kahn met this brown-haired mage who entered from the other side of the intersection from the opposite side of the Verlassen fiefdom. 

"When did you arrive? Did you also notice this world energy outbursts?" asked Ezekiel with a curious tone. 

"Yes, that's why I found the direction and traveled here to see if there was anything noteworthy. 

And finally, I found the door. I think it's the way to get out of here." said Kahn as he outright lied on the spot. 

"Ah, I see. Then I wasn't the only one. 

But this place… it's completely different than the outside. It's like a separate plane of existence. The map didn't mention anything about the terrain." said Ezekiel as he nodded. 

"And what's up this area? It feels like there was a battle between powerful beings." queried Ezekiel. 

[Fuck!] cursed Kahn in his mind. 

Thanks to Omega showing off his skills and destroying the nearby terrain while flexing his Moonlight & Twilight forms, the place now looked like a ruined battlefield. 

"Don't know. It was like this before I got here." responded Kahn as he tried to cover up. 

"So, should we depart?" he asked to quickly shift the topic. 

"Alright then. Let's enter before that witch finds this door as well." replied Ezekiel and both of them departed for the second door.

And after they finally entered the purple fog surrounding the massive door identical to the one from where Kahn entered the last time, the mage and the swordsman entered the 3rd layer of the forbidden region… 

Both young men were left speechless as soon as they saw the surroundings. 

Because contrary to the terrain and atmosphere of the 2nd layer which was filled with chaotic typhoons, charred ground, lightning striking from the sky, and magma running through various places… the scenario inside this place was completely different as if it was a separate dimension. 

In front of the duo was nothing but a vast region filled with strong blizzards and tall mountains as if they now stood in a desolate land. Everywhere they looked had only white snow and bone-chilling frost flowing in the air. 

"What the hell is this place?" asked Kahn. 

"How come there's another hidden region? Shouldn't we be close to the tablet? 

Even my map has nothing about this area." spoke Ezekiel. 

[Of course, it doesn't. Because nobody ever entered inside.] thought Kahn as he knew that Skoll & Hati were the ultimate guardians who were never defeated by anyone that ever came inside the forbidden region. 

Whoever entered the 15 kilometers close to the door was sensed and killed by the wolf brothers and hence, there was no one who could report back about the 3rd layer either. 

Kahn and Ezekiel were the only two people who entered this place for the first time in the past hundred and fifty years. 

"Let's go. We don't know how much time it will take for us to find the tablet. There's no point in staying here." said Kahn. 

The duo then took out some ice resistance potions from their space rings and drank them to protect their bodies from this atmosphere. 

Kahn didn't even need these potions because of his ice elemental affinity skills and passive resistance skills he got from the frost giants months ago when he ventured into the North. But to maintain the secrecy, he acted like he was greatly affected because of the environment. 

Soon, both of them embarked on a journey to find the holy grail while quickly passing through mountains and valleys. 

In the meantime, Kahn released Oliver, Ronin, Ceril and Omega from his shadow to look for the final guardian that protected this inner layer. 

Finding the guardian meant that they would also find the location of the tablet of arcana. And hence, the more eyes he had… the faster their mission will be completed. 

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After 2 days of tireless searching, Kahn and Ezekiel had traveled more than 2 thousand kilometers using their respective skills and abilities but still, they found nothing but a bunch of icicles and frozen mountains. 

On many occasions, Ezekiel ran out of mana and needed time to recharge using artifacts and mana cores so Kahn had no choice but to take some break himself. 

On the 3rd day, which was the 5th day of their window to return home… Ronin with his newly upgraded abilities and skills finally found the guardian and contacted Kahn through the transmission artifact. 

"Master… I found the guardian. But I think we should return to Verlassen." spoke Ronin. 

[Why?] asked Kahn who was currently hidden in an ice cave, resting and recuperating. 

[Because given the aura, I'm certain it's the very being that was controlling those legendary rank monsters who attacked our borders. 

And I just sent a clone of mine to inspect this creature. But it was killed just 15 kilometers away. 

I don't think we will survive against it no matter what we do. Losing our lives just to test the waters is not worth it.] he replied. 

[What? How strong is it? Do you think Omega won't be able to handle it?] he queried. 

[The wolf may be able to survive… but I don't think it'll be the case for the rest of us even if we all fought together. 

And you, master… will definitely die.] he revealed in a cryptic tone. 

[I'm coming there… Just keep on watch. We will decide later.] replied Kahn.

[Alright. I'll inform the wolf, birdy and skull.] said Ronin and cut off the transmission. 

When Omega, Ceril and Oliver reached Ronin's location and sensed what kind of creature was guarding the tablet of arcana… 

All of them had an aghast expression after noticing the flying figure in the sky. 

Even someone like Omega felt a chill under his spine and exclaimed… 

"Fuck! We need to go back!!"