Realm of Myths and Legends

"Yes, teacher," Azalea responded without the slightest bit of hesitation. There was a slight spark in her eyes as she could not hide her anticipation.

"So far, teacher has only taught me a few basic techniques that helped to solidify my foundations. This is the first time he has offered to teach me moves directly. I cannot let this opportunity pass me by." Azalea internalized.

Although she maintained a calm appearance on the outside, Azalea's fighting spirit and eagerness to learn were on full display.

Izroth sensed Azalea's enthusiasm and decided to not waste any time.

"Follow me," Izroth said as he walked towards the room's exit.

Azalea accompanied Izroth as the two made their way to the front desk.

Sitting at the front desk was the same young zensana woman Izroth met when he first arrived at the Twin Fang INN, Parina.

When Parina saw Izroth and Azalea approaching, she stood to her feet and gave a courteous greeting.

"Hello, dear customer and guest. Are you in need of some assistance?" Parina inquired.

"I would like to use the Moonlit Dove Garden." Izroth requested.

The Moonlit Dove Garden was one of the amenities that came along with one's stay at the Twin Fang INN. It was a spacious area where one could enjoy the scenery of the garden, as well as hone their skills. But, one did not typically choose the latter. After all, the Moonlit Dove Garden was technically a public place in the Twin Fang INN. Who would want to risk others potentially spying on their skills?

That's why when Parina mentioned it to Izroth after he purchased his room, she did not think that he would end up using it since his stay would be relatively short-lived.

Parina's brows rose. She seemed a bit taken aback by Izroth's request. Soon after, she furrowed her brows as if something was troubling her.

"Dear customer, although the Moonlit Dove Garden is free to use for anyone who stays at our Twin Fang INN, I recommend against using it at this time," Parina stated with a small sigh.

Izroth inwardly frowned at Parina's words. If it was free for everyone to use, why would she be against him using it?

Seeing Izroth's reaction, Parina knew that she had to give a proper explanation.

"Please do not misunderstand my intentions. Right now, there are some special guests using the Moonlit Dove Garden to host a small gathering. I am afraid that if you go there now, it will only bring you trouble." Parina explained.

"Oh? There are people who would dare cause trouble here?" Izroth questioned.

Parina clearly stated that the Twin Fang INN did not tolerate trouble on their doorsteps. Could it be that these special guests were above that rule?

Parina shook her head and replied, "No. Even those special guests have to respectfully greet my master when they see him. Therefore, they would not have the nerve to cause trouble at our Twin Fang INN. However, once one steps foot outside, your safety is no longer guaranteed."

His safety was no longer guaranteed? Upon hearing those words, a carefree smile formed on Izroth's face. Though this expression appeared to baffle Parina. Even after hearing everything she just said, he still had the heart to smile?

"Rest assured, I will not seek out trouble. But, if trouble seeks me, I am not afraid." Izroth said calmly.

Not too long ago, Izroth destroyed Siren's main headquarters that was under the protection of the League of the Eidolon. In addition, he severed the arm of the Netherworld Envoy which led to him being marked by a curse and hunted by the creatures of the Netherworld.

He offended a powerful shadahi in the Shadahi Realm, a Great Duke of the Pzenium kingdom who wanted him dead, and there was an individual he met during the second team's selection with a strong background who desired his death.

Safety? How laughable! Was there a moment when he was ever completely safe from danger? While Izroth would not go out of his way to make enemies, he was not afraid of having them! Of course, whether or not they could deal with the consequences that came after was a different story.

Parina sighed. She understood no matter what she said, Izroth would not back down.

Regardless, she had already given him a heads-up. She only hoped that it was enough.

"Very well. To get to the Moonlit Dove Garden, go down the right hall and turn left once you reach the end. You will notice it immediately." Parina revealed.

Izroth gave a small nod as thanks before glancing back at Azalea.

"Let's go," Izroth said as he made his way to the right hall with Azalea not far behind him.

After the two left, Parina released a heavy sigh.

"I should have tried harder to prevent them from going there, but..." Parina muttered to himself as she sighed once again in defeat.

"It's no use. What's done is done. Perhaps I'm overthinking it. The garden is big enough for them to stay in their own part. Besides, maybe they will even become friends?" The young zensana said to herself as she took her seat and resumed her work.

...

'This should be the place.'

As Izroth approached the entrance, he noticed someone standing by the path that led into the Moonlit Dove Garden. However, since he did not know that person, Izroth paid them no mind and continued on his way.

"Wait." The person standing by the entrance said in a haughty manner.

It was a young man who appeared to be in his early twenties. He possessed short yet lustrous silver hair, light blue eyes, and had an above-average appearance. He wore a set of high-quality light armor with a sheathed katana hanging from his waist by a pair of golden twines.

'Hm? This is unexpected.'

The first thing Izroth discovered about this young man was that he was not an NPC, but a player!

There were not many players in Devil's Sanctum due to the high level of its residents. And, in a place where a single misstep could easily result in one's death, one needed at least enough strength to protect themselves or escape from danger.

Needless to say, being in a city where any random person on the street could kill you, was not idle for players who preferred to be in control of their own fate.

Not to mention, the price to stay at the Twin Fang INN was not cheap and cost close to 18,000 RMB per night--a price most players could not afford.

'Is there a large guild or organization using this as a temporary gathering price?'

This was the first thought that crossed Izroth's mind. Regardless, it had nothing to do with him.

Besides, just because some random person told him to wait, did he have to obey? If they were, at the very least, courteous, Izroth would have considered stopping to listen to what they had to say. However, Izroth had no intention of wasting his time on someone without even the most basic of manners.

Izroth proceeded to walk forward without paying mind to the young man.

A brief look of shock and disbelief formed on the young man's face. But, it was quickly replaced by an expression of anger.

"Didn't you hear me? I said wait!" The young man raised his voice as he reached out to grab Izroth's shoulder.

Woosh!

Before the young man's hand could touch Izroth, he felt something cold pressing up against the front of his neck.

"My teacher is not someone that the likes of you can touch." Azalea's voice sounded coldly as her gaze darkened with her dagger held up to the young man's neck.

"Fast...! I couldn't see her movement at all!" The young man internalized as he felt a shiver run down his spine. But, this feeling only lasted a brief moment before the young man remembered where he was.

"Do you think I, Hyran, am afraid? This is the Twin Fang INN. If you kill me, do you really believe you'll be spared?" A smirk formed on the young man, Hyran's, face.

He then continued, "Besides, even if we weren't in the Twin Fang INN, you wouldn't have the guts to kill me, or else Young Zouren would not let you go."

Izroth halted his steps as he turned to face Hyran and said, "Did you say Zouren? Is he here now?"

"What? Are you afraid now? Don't worry, as long as you kneel, apologize and pay me five hundred coins, we can let bygones be bygones. If you're sincere, maybe I can even put in a good word for you." Hyran stated. After witnessing Izroth's actions, he took it as a sign of fear and became emboldened.

"Five hundred gold coins, is it?" Izroth affirmed.

"That's right," Hyran replied. He was barely able to contain the excitement and greed in his voice.

"I see... Kill him." Izroth said as he turned and walked into the garden.

Hyran's heart dropped upon hearing Izroth's words. This person dared to kill someone in the Twin Fang INN?!

"You can't-!" Before Hyran could finish his sentence, Azalea swept her dagger across his neck. Although it seemed like a single strike, Hyran was struck multiple times in quick succession. And, in the blink of an eye, he was eliminated without even knowing how he died!

'A rabbit pretending to be a lion by standing next to a dog. How amusing.'

The moment Hyran mentioned five hundred gold coins, Izroth knew immediately that he was not a true resident of the Twin Fang INN and only a guest.

Since guests were not protected by the Twin Fang INN's policy, why wouldn't he dare kill him?!

'Indeed, the world is a small place. I never thought I would have you answer to me so soon, Zouren.'