Seig, Evadne, Leif, Leona, and the others noticed their reaction and couldn't help but inwardly smile wryly as they witnessed how they might have looked during their first encounter with the shapeshifting Vylkr warriors.
Although their size seemed insignificant compared to the tremendous size of a Runaway City, these were real, moving mythical beasts with menacing appearances, bound to cause anyone stumbling upon them to shiver in fear.
Atop those beasts were five imposing individuals on the first and six on the other, each dressed in secure leather armour except for two. They leapt from the beasts onto the earth.
Azarok and the others observed with stupefied expressions as the two beasts began to shrink and shapeshift until they took on humanoid forms.
They were shocked and in disbelief! Witnessing these enormous, mythical beasts—creatures that appeared capable of easily trampling them before they could react—transform into two humans each was beyond their understanding.
When did humans acquire the power to transform into such formidable mythical beasts? They were incapable of comprehending such a scene!
Nonetheless, they shifted their focus towards the mysterious man and woman wearing masks identical to those of the group's apparent leaders. The woman beside them stood out; unlike the others who appeared human, she was different. Her hair, styled in locs, seemed made of blue crystal, and her eyes emitted a faint radiant glow.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe carried a large box in her right hand, one seemingly capable of holding a fully grown incubus.
Azarok and his unit couldn't help but feel their spines shiver under the sharp, inquisitive stares. It felt as though they were the feast at a gathering of powerful, experienced warriors.
"Avoid their gazes and speak truthfully when asked a question, and you'll be alright... Maybe," Seig whispered calmly, noticing Azarok and his unit's shaken demeanour as they slowly experienced the strength of Paradise.
He couldn't help but pity them, having been in the sposition. His confidence had been stripped away, one layer at a time, by the two most powerful individuals in the territory.
His pity also stemmed from knowing that Azarok had lied about sinformation regarding the Wanderlust Traveling Tortoise Runaway City.
Hearing Seig's words and seeing his gaze, Azarok gritted his teeth angrily. He and the rest of his unit could easily break out of the ropes tied around him. However, given their current situation, they didn't dare attempt it.
Stronghold Leader Zogar, Seraphina, and the ten warriors behind them halted before Orion and the others, greeting each other respectfully.
"I wasn't expecting to see you all so soon after you left for your exploration," Stronghold Leader Zogar said with a smile. "Nonetheless, Fifi has already briefedon everything that has happened, so I understand why." He curiously glanced at Azarok and the others, taking in their unique features.
"We hadn't expected it either since we were preparing for a long journey. However, the results are manageable due to our encounters," Orion responded, smiling lightly and nodding.
"Can you taketo the mine so I can examine it right away?" Seraphina asked, her gaze serious.
She had noticed the appearances of the unknown races tied up and seated on the ground, but her attention was fixed on the immense crater. She needed to determine if the Vylkr alloy mine was the main ingredient in making the Devourer's bracelet and Gearweavers.
If it was, half of her issue with the gods' chosen equipment would be resolved, allowing her to entirely focus on diluting the intensity of the Vylkr energy so that ordinary individuals could also wield the Vylkr Fusion Armlet.
"Stronghold Leader Seth will take you and Fifi right away," Orion said, nodding at Seraphina and Fifi. He noticed the interest in both of their eyes and understood it was best they went together.
Stronghold Leader Seth nodded in understanding and gestured for them to follow him. As he was about to activate his gift, Fifi intervened. "Lethandle it; we don't want to cause harm to the mine," she said, halting his actions.
Though she doubted Seth's gift could harm the mine, given its supposed durability, it was better to be safe and avoid potential consequences.
Stronghold Leader Seth nodded in agreement.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThey watched as Fifi activated her gift, creating a frozen platform extending outward from the crater's edge. "Let's go," she said.
They all stepped onto the platform, which began to slide downward smoothly on the frozen surface, descending into the depths of the immense crater.
After Stronghold Leader Seth, Fifi, and Seraphina disappeared from sight, Orion and Stronghold Leader Zogar approached Azarok and his unit.
"So you're from the Ogre race?" Stronghold Leader Zogar's eyes focused sharply on Azarok.
Despite the man's physique radiating immense strength and power, Azarok couldn't discern his gaze or facial expression; all he could see was a grey mask adorned with various Vylkr vines from 1-star to 3-star, similar to the other mysterious individuals.
Yet, it was enough to make his heart tremble, reminiscent of his first encounter with the Vylkr vines. He sensed the man's aura, which felt even more intense than the other masked figures and those around them.
"Yes," Azarok nodded quickly. Gradually, he began to feel nervous, uncertain about how his Captain's arrival could alter the situation, especially since she didn't evoke the spressure as the individuals present.
Despite knowing that they had threatened the two Runaway Cities, his only hope lay in the possibility that the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City and the Sleeping Fox Runaway City would set aside their differences and form an alliance to confront the mysterious individuals allied with Patriarch Rylan and others.
"What about the other teams?" Stronghold Leader Zogar asked.
"While there are various races within the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City due to its main trade, I can assure you that those three are its primary inhabitants, along with their respective units and teams, with a few exceptions," Azarok replied confidently.
Stronghold Leader Zogar nodded thoughtfully and added, "I trust everything you've shared about the Runaway City is accurate. If not, rest assured, you won't be returning in one piece." His tone grew icier as he finished his statement.