UNLIMITED SPEED

The duo resumed their journey at the breaking of dawn, and the more they neared the end of that nation the more vegetation began to recede.

Also, the power of magical beasts in the area increased drastically, but the best Noah had seen was the higher stage of the fourth tier. He barely had any interest in them, however.

Only if he took hold of an even stronger beast would he be able to feel its impact. After all, he still planned to enter the fifth tier before actually reaching the dark continent. And from Velsvon's words, their journey would still last months.

Currently, only a small dead plain lay below them. The sun's power was revealed on that vast wasteland. It looked natural, as there were no water sources in the area.

Yet, thanks to the presence of mana, there were still beasts whose natural abilities had adapted to that environment. The war also did not touch that place.

Then again, the duo had done their best in making sure they left any areas featuring battles. This also was not a location anyone would want to be in since it remained empty of anything interesting.

"We are here," Elder Velsvon announced at some point, and they slowed down to a complete stop.

Noah furrowed his brows unfolding his mental waves. His reach was now impressive for someone of that level, but that wasn't the main reason. He couldn't sense anything. At least not anyone.

"I don't sense anyone though."

"Me too, Elder Velsvon replied giggling. "But we don't need that to know they are here."

Noah scratched his head sweeping his silver gaze on the world around him. The winds blew and the crusty dry grounds suffered the power of the winds.

They waited a bit, and something finally happened.

Yet, before the physical appearances of the beings, Noah's instincts roared and he almost prepared to attack, when the ground far beneath them burst open to reveal a colossal figure. A magical beast in the fifth tier.

But not just that. The sky above them experienced shockwaves and another huge figure flickered before them. Its appearance had been too quick to be considered a movement technique.

'Teleportation.'

Four tier-5 presences revealed themselves, the remaining two appearing on their magical beast.

A massive purple centipede several kilometers in length, even if most of its figure remained under the surface, and a large four-legged turquoise bird with wings made of what resembled metal due to its glistening in the sun.

It sported two obsidian black eyes and one white eye on its forehead.

A figure stood on the Birds head, gazing at the figure floating before him.

"So this is the one master Thanses has asked we escort… the heir?" A masculine voice thrumming with raw power burst forth and the entire region trembled as a result.

"He seems interesting," the second person revealed. A woman. Amongst the three fifth-tier experts present she was the strongest. Possessing a cultivation base beyond the lower stage.

The impact of her voice had been normal. She did not intend to frighten Noah, unlike the man.

But of course, Noah remained unfazed.

"Oh… brave I see," the male expert exclaimed when a terrible pressure landed on Noah's body so much so that he crashed into the ground. His eventual position not being too far from the immense centipede.

Furrowing his brows, Noah locked gazes with the lady and he found that her eyeballs were black while her irises glowed yellow. A strange sight especially whit her long flowy dark hair.

Her purple and red robe fluttered in the winds, but the air of regality she exuded suppressed most of its influence.

She was magnificent.

'What should I do?' He wondered inwardly. Surely the expert wasn't asking for a fight? The outcome remained evident. At least in his base strength.

With his other skills, he could attain a level of power far superior to all of them put together. Unfortunately, at a severe cost.

Another wave of pressure fell on Noah's figure amid his thoughts and the ground shattered around him, making him fall to his knees.

He lowered his face as his expression grew dark.

"Tch… nothing spectacular here-" The experts' demeaning words were cut short when Noah suddenly stood.

An eyebrow rose on his features and he increased the pressure. Unfortunately, Noah vanished from his position, attaining a level of speed normally impossible for someone his power level.

"Eh." The expert's red eyebrows rose in surprise, when an armored figure appeared before him, with a spectacular dagger placed on his neck.

Noah revealed MulIix and his daggers and Erolia's large figure stood behind him too. Even if her size remained mediocre compared to the expert's beast.

Annoyance seeped out of Noah's existence and the passive skill gained from his title as a death lord came into play

[Tyrannical presence[Passive]: Immediately your anger is kindled, an aura that inflicts a type of fear only those who carry similar titles can withstand, unfolds. When activated, your presence creates illusions of terrifying beings from the abyss. Those properly affected by the ability, regardless of their power level; including beasts, experience a 20% decrease in all aspects of their power. This number continues to climb the more terrified they are of you]

Of course, there was a large limit to how much he could affect an expert in the fifth tier, but that addition was noticeable nonetheless.

The expert swore he saw at least two other similar armor-clad individuals even if they vanished when he blinked. He wasn't scared, however.

Noah had reached the expert's position in less than a second and only the lady had clearly seen his acceleration properly. Thanks to her proximity of course.

His leap ended up further shattering the ground as all the sound he generated was a whoosh.

He had been able to startle a fifth-tier expert, but also thanks to his affinity for speed. It added effects not even he fully understood.

Elder Velsvon burst into laughter at that point, clapping at the show both experts had put up.

"That was something," he revealed, appearing before the duo lest they actually unleashed attacks. Lord Thanses remained rather strict on his instruction.

"Yuno, that should be enough, you've seen his potential. I never expected less. This guy cheat death right before my eyes," the elder continued to chuckle.

Noah lowered his dagger and MulIix receded into his skin. Erolia remained around, however.

"You're something," Yuno commented touching his neck. He had sensed the withering ability within it.

"Where did you get that blade… It's terribly efficient."

Noah preferred to ignore the expert to float closer to Elder Velsvon.

Clicking his tongue Elder Velsvon opened his mouth to speak.

"Look what you've gone ahead and done. He's already been through a lot from higher powers. It would be preferable if you hadn't done that."

"Yet you watched," Yuno revealed a side eye, glaring at the expert.

"Hahaha…. That was for research purposes." Velsvon chuckled sneakily closing his eyes whilst patting Yuno's back. The expert's glare intensified.

"Stop your banter. We should simply introduce ourselves and get going." The lady's voice interrupted their conversation. The two could only obey.

Noah felt cranky but bottled up his feelings.

She approached them and the region trembled when the centipede returned to its underground world.

Its size remained spectacular to Noah. So much so that he could not but watch it dig the terrain to bury its body. He had never laid eyes on a living being so big.