Realm of Myths and Legends

...

After he finished his confrontation with the Insolum Beetle, Izroth began to make his way back to the cave's entrance with quickened steps.

"It's been a while since I've checked in with the 9th Division. I-"

Out of nowhere, a strong wave of killing intent crashed into Izroth that seemed as if it would devour him whole as he approached the cave's entrance.

Izroth's Soul Sense went off, warning him of the danger that lay just ahead.

'This killing intent... It makes the Insolum Beetle seem laughable in comparison.'

Izroth placed his hand on the hilt of his Sword of the Storm as he stepped outside of the cave and halted his steps. He took a moment to observe his surroundings with his Energy Vision Sense. However, he was forced to immediately cut the skill short due to the overwhelming shift in the mana within the atmosphere.

'The mana here has become restless.'

"?!" Without warning, Izroth used a charge of his Primed Instantaneous Movement to teleport several meters away from where he'd just been standing.

The next moment, something bizarre happened. In the spot Izroth was previously located stood a ferocious beast with a massive frame at least three times the size of the Insolum Beetle!

'Such a large body, yet I couldn't sense it at all.'

Besides its large frame, the creature's eyes were the color of the radiant sun. It had a thick and long coat of light silver fur that covered its entire body with several white stripes across its surface. And as it stood there, it gave off an air of dominion that came naturally to its kind--as if it ruled over all things before it. There was also a presence that lingered around it capable of making those weaker automatically submit out of pure fear and instinct.

Even before viewing its system information, Izroth could tell in his mind that, without a doubt, this monstrous tiger beast was the true ruler of the Ferae Jungle.

Name: Overlord of the Ferae Jungle, Beast King Invigris(LEGENDARY WORLD BOSS)

Level: ???

HP: ??? (100%)

'A legendary world boss... Well, this is unexpected. How troublesome.'

If Izroth had not relied on his natural reflexes to avoid the Beast King Invigris, there was no way he would have survived that blow even with his Heavenly Golden Body and Might stat.

Izroth was not the type to fear a challenge but only a lack of one. However, he remained in a state of constant awareness when it came to his own strength. While he had certainly taken some steps, Izroth understood that he had yet to reach the pinnacle of the Mortal Realm, yet alone all of RML. There were still numerous existences out there that, if they truly wanted him dead, he would have no way to defend himself against it.

Nevertheless, as someone from the Seven Realms, Izroth did not think this situation to be unfair. After all, the path of cultivation was riddled with "unfair" happenings. And, in the end, it was always power that reigned supreme.

As long as one could grab hold of enough power, it was possible to change their destiny and overcome the path written for them by the heavens as known as fate.

Although their encounter was brief, right now, Izroth was able to sense it on a deep level. If he tried to fight this creature before him head-on with his own strength, there was less than a 1% chance of him emerging as the victor!

The Beast King Invigris stared down Izroth with its solemn gaze that felt heavier and heavier with every passing moment.

But, Izroth bore this pressure and stood tall in the face of the creature's overbearing force of intimidation.

'I don't have a lot of options. As I am right now, I can't afford to fight it head-on.'

Izroth still had the Relic of the First Tal, which was capable of summoning a powerful phantom of the Lady of Everlasting Rain. He also still had Astratis, who was most likely closely observing the situation from a safe distance.

However, that was not the problem. The true issue lay in the scale of the battle itself should it occur.

After seeing numerous figures in the legendary realm, Izroth judged that the Beast King Invigris before him was a creature who had long since stepped into the peak of the legendary realm.

The clash between multiple beings in the legendary realm was already enough to not go unnoticed. But, it could not compare to a clash of peak legendary realm powerhouses. After all, Izroth witnessed himself what that kind of battle was like back in the Ancient Celestial Secret Realm.

It would not take long for Tempest to realize the disturbance and send people to investigate. There was even a possibility that those old monsters outside of Tempest would set their gazes on the battlefield.

At that point, it would be impossible to hide Astratis' existence and the fact that it was possible for other powerful beings to cross into the Mortal Realm without the use of a Gateway of a Thousand Bloodless Hands. This would throw the already chaotic Mortal Realm into a deeper state of disarray.

Izroth knew that now was not the time to disrupt the power structure in the Mortal Realm.

The Ancient Celestial Realm was still in the process of recovering from its battle against Kyvernos and the pillars. It would take a lot of effort to return things to a state of order after creating such an enormous void of power.

That's why until the Ancient Celestial Realm managed to stabilize its situation, Izroth wanted to hold off on any big moves for as long as possible that involved those from that place.

'I guess this explains why the Insolum Beetle didn't dare touch anything of value in the cave despite its severe wounds. Even if it were able to survive, for the time being, it would have been trampled to death the moment its owner discovered what occurred.'

"...Is this still considered a fortuitous encounter?" Izroth said to himself with a carefree smile.

Izroth thought that the presence he felt earlier in the cave was due to the influence of the Divine Flower of Renewal. While this was partly true, that was not the presence Izroth actually sensed. Rather, that aura belonged to the original cave's owner standing right in front of him, the Beast King Invigris!

"I don't suppose if I return what I've taken that you'll be willing to let me go, right?" Izroth spoke in a nonchalant manner.

However, the creature's silence and calm gaze had long given Izroth the answer to his question.

"I figured that would be the case," Izroth stated as he unsheathed his Sword of the Storm.

"Arrogant human. I have lived for more than 1,000 years. This is the first time a human has been so bold as to steal from this Overlord and then dare to draw their blade in my presence." A deep and resounding voice echoed throughout the surroundings.

"So you speak, after all," Izroth commented calmly.

The voice that spoke just now belonged to the Beast King Invigris; however, Izroth was not surprised.

As a creature who reached the peak of the legendary realm, it was not uncommon for it to have developed the means of intelligent communication. In fact, it would be more strange if it was unable to do so.

"Would you believe me if I said I thought this flower had no owner?" Izroth said as a strong gale blew around him from unsheathing his Sword of the Storm.

"Wickedness--I have learned over the course of my life that it is a trait all you humans seem to have in excess. Whether or not I believe you is irrelevant, human. The fact that you have stolen from this Overlord, even if brought about by your own ignorance, is still a great sin. But, I admire your courage and the look in your eyes, human. That is why this Overlord is willing to give you a chance." Invigris said unhurriedly.

"Oh? A chance? Very well, let's hear it." Izroth responded.

In truth, Izroth did not think that the Beast King Invigris was capable of something like giving chances, especially to those of a race it viewed in poor light. He was interested to see what this Overlord of the Ferae Jungle meant by giving him a chance.

"Relinquish the Divine Flower of Renewal. After that, you shall remain in the Ferae Jungle for the remainder of your life as my servant. This will be the price paid for the arrogance of your actions. Of course, I will have to take one of your eyes for daring to draw your weapon against this Overlord. Though you should be grateful that I leave you with all of your limbs intact." Invigris declared.

"I'm afraid I'll have to refuse," Izroth replied without hesitation.

Servant? The Beast King may be stronger than the current him, but was he worthy of such an honor? Even if he had a thousand more lifetimes, the answer would always remain the same--no!

"It was not a request." Invigris roared.