Realm of Myths and Legends

Izroth examined the black stone with unique green carvings. And, after a brief inspection, he quickly found out that his initial thoughts were correct.

Name: Resplendent Landscape Pocket Dimension Stone(Magical Item)

Rank: SS

Durability: ∞(Indestructible)

State: Inactive

Stage: N/A [Shown When Active]

Usage: When activated, creates a small pocket of isolated space that contains a vibrant landscape filled with natural worldly essence and provides the following effect(s):

-All plants and minerals have their growth/mature speed increased by 500%.

Cooldown: 2 weeks

Special Note: This item cannot be moved while active. The cooldown timer will not start until this item is deactivated. Deactivating this item will erase all living things/unnatural objects within the pocket of isolated space and reset the environment to its beginning stage. Additional effects can be unlocked as this item reaches higher stages. The item's stage is determined by the quality and quantity of what materials reside within the pocket of isolated space.

Isolated space—it was like a small realm of its own that existed in a separate area of space.

Of course, calling it a small realm was a slight exaggeration. In reality, while pockets of isolated space varied in size, even the biggest of them could not compare in size to an actual small realm.

In fact, their sizes typically ranged from an average size room to a grand stadium.

But, creating a pocket of isolated space the size of a grand stadium was no easy feat. And, perhaps one of the only individuals in the Mortal Realm capable of performing said feat was the Wiseman of Everpeak, Kryxelsia.

Izroth knew this because when he first paid a visit to the Wiseman, he was transported through a large area of isolated space.

'An isolated pocket of space... Besides the Thirty-Two Localities Isolation Talisman that I used to assist in suppressing those mysterious chains when forming my Soul Avatar, it is the only item I've obtained that deals with isolated space. Though that talisman is somewhat lacking when compared to this Pocket Dimension Stone. But, it seems I will have to be careful where I choose to set it up.'

Once activated, the Pocket Dimension Stone could not be moved again until it was deactivated. However, deactivating it would not only erase everything inside but also execute a two-week cooldown timer.

Though if it was just this much that would have been fine. After all, Izroth could just recollect everything of value inside before deactivating it. And, while two weeks in-game was certainly a long time to wait, in the end, it was only a little less than a five-day wait in real-world time. What were five days to Izroth?

But, unfortunately, deactivating the Pocket Dimension Stone to move it would reset the stage progress to its beginning state!

Izroth did not know what kind of benefits would come from increasing the item's stage; however, how could the advantages bestowed by an SS-ranked item be poor?

'I could open up another floor within the Mystical Realm Palace and set it up there, but... This is what they would call placing all of one's eggs into a single basket.'

If Izroth did not have it in his inventory, he stored virtually everything of worth in his Mystical Realm Palace. This included things like the SS-ranked magic item Blood Moon that he seized from the Skounae. And, of course, the massive stock items themselves that were needed for the Mystical Realm Palace to function as a shop.

However, while the capital city of Amaharpe was a relatively safe place, it would be foolish to ignore the various dangers that existed.

Not to even mention the monstrosity that was sealed beneath it, Amaharpe's in the middle of an intense conflict with enemy kingdoms. Who knew when an assault would take place and the amount of damage that would come from it?

Just because it was a player shop that authorized players to control some features, it was still a building that could be swept away in the chaos of war.

Would Amaharpe or the system reimburse Izroth upon its destruction?

If the system maintained its state of fairness, the answer was no.

Ultimately, it would not be considered a bug or glitch, but a natural part of the world's flow. If that was the case, why would the system reimburse what was meant to be lost?

'When I return to the Mortal Realm, I will have to look into gathering herbs and minerals capable of taking root in a foreign environment. As for where I will set up the isolated space—I will have to carefully consider my options when the time comes. For now...'

Izroth returned the Resplendent Landscape Pocket Dimension Stone to his inventory. He did not bother checking the other items he obtained since he already had a rough understanding of their purpose. Plus, it was not as though he would be able to cultivate it in this Secret Realm.

Just as Izroth finished checking over the magic item, Sychia and Hakros approached him.

"Are we going to where that Heaven's Strength bastard is? These things weren't nearly enough for a decent warm-up." Hakros stated with a grin.

"As long as we stay on schedule, that should be our next move. Finding people here was a little unexpected, so we are a bit behind on time." Izroth replied calmly.

"I know it was mentioned that the pillars do not typically interact with one another, but... That may change if their power is threatened. If the other groups reach their pillars before we do, there is a chance they may alert the Pillar of the West or call for his assistance. We may need to increase our pace so that we do not fall too far behind." Sychia commented.

"Oh? There are more out there like that guy? This Secret Realm just became a bit more interesting!" Hakros stated as the fighting spirit in his eyes intensified.

He then glanced at the ground and inquired, "So? What do you plan on doing with that thing?"

"That depends on what they have to offer," Izroth said with a carefree smile as his gaze also fell towards the earth.

Sychia's brow rose in an inquisitive matter as she chimed in, "Is there something I missed? What are you two talking about?"

Hakros grinned and responded, "Of course, we're talking about the little rabbit hiding in its... Hole!"

Bang!

Hakros struck downward with his fist, breaking open the earth at his feet.

Swoosh!

Suddenly, a silver streak flew out of the opening at extreme speeds; however, before it could escape, Hakros' hand appeared in front of it.

The following moment, the silver streak was stopped dead in its tracks, revealing a familiar individual. This person had been punched into the ground several minutes ago by Hakros and was silently waiting for everyone to leave before making their escape.

This individual was none other than Zouren!

However, he had miscalculated.

"I hid my presence perfectly...! How did they-" Zouren internalized.

But, he did not have time to finish his thoughts as Hakros shoved his arm forward while holding Zouren's face with his large hand.

BANG!

Hakros slammed Zouren's head into the ground as he looked down and said, "Where do you think you're running, neck scribble?"

"Hakros...! You bastard! Do you plan on becoming enemies with my Eight Heavens?!" Zouren shouted in an infuriated manner.

"Eight Heavens, One-Hundred Heavens—it doesn't matter. If I want to do something, I'll do it. That's all. And, right now, I feel like bashing your face in. You were there, right? When that Heaven's Strength bastard sealed my consciousness? Hey, what were you doing with that guy back then?" Hakros said as his eyes became filled with killing intent and his murderous gaze locked onto Zouren.

"This damned muscle-head..! How does he still remember that after having his consciousness sealed...?!" Zouren thought to himself as he grit his teeth.

The chains that sealed Hakros' consciousness should have also erased his memories of the event. That's why Zouren was so shocked when Hakros attacked him earlier. Even if he did break free, Hakros should not have recalled that he and the others were there when he was sealed!

Of course, what Zouren did not know was that Hakros' special physique not only made him impervious to all forms of physical intrusions but even mental intrusions!

So, even though his consciousness was sealed away, Hakros memories remained as clear as day.

"I'm not afraid of this muscle-head, but fighting him right now would leave me with no benefits! Plus, his defense is too stupidly high to get through within a short amount of time! I have to find a way to calm him down and convince him to work with me-" Out of nowhere, as these thoughts crossed Zouren's mind, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching him.

"You can't kill him yet. After all, we still have some unfinished business."

When Zouren heard that voice, his heart immediately sunk. It couldn't be that...!

"Tch... I just wanted to break an arm or two." Hakros growled as he reigned in his killing intent.

Once Zouren realized that Hakros actually erased his killing intent, his expression darkened beneath the behemoth's hand.

"Why is that muscle-head Hakros listening to that guy?!" Zouren internalized.

That headstrong and arrogant guy who looked down on everyone was actually following another person's orders?! What was with this absurd situation?!

"This appearance suits you quite well. Now, shall we discuss it—just how much your life is worth?" Izroth said indifferently as he looked at Zouren with a distant gaze.