Chapter 53: Crimson Castle (2)
“A Tier 2 primal…”
Vincent prepared himself unhesitatingly. From this point on, the enemies would be stronger than any he had encountered. Being careless could cost him his life as an origin warrior.
Thus, even without Caelius’ command, he silently channeled his origin energy throughout his body. However, contrary to his expectations, the moment these groups caught sight of Caelius, they all frowned simultaneously.
“That demon in human skin is here, too. What should we do?” one of the Vyrmins whispered before slashing a Blackrat Man in front of him.
“If you’re asking me, who should I ask? Don’t bother looking—make way!” commanded the Vyrmins’ acting leader.
Meanwhile, the group of crimson-skinned reptilian warriors also made way subconsciously. This party was from a race different from Drakoriis like Azhara’s; they resembled lizards but had reptile scales covering their bodies.
They were Lyards, a race with strength similar to humans but more fierce and uncivilized.
However, despite their fierce nature, they undoubtedly showed fear when they saw Caelius.
Vincent was becoming more curious about Caelius’ true background.
Despite these groups making way for their party, the group of primals was unbothered. Since the Vyrmins and Lyards had stepped back, their attention fell on Vincent’s party.
The imposing seven-foot-tall Blackrat Soldier stood fiercely, glaring directly at them—more precisely, at Caelius, who still wore a nonchalant smile.
As though angered by Caelius’ attitude, it suddenly emitted a heavy pressure—a mental pressure twice Vincent’s current attributes!
However, he felt it only for a brief moment as Caelius flicked his sleeve, brushing away the suffocating pressure with ease.
Vincent couldn’t help but frown, realizing the gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2.
“There’s still a wide gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2. I need to increase my growth rate,” he thought as he saw the Blackrat Soldier’s figure suddenly blur and flash next to Caelius, about to strike with its longsword.
However, in the next second, a beam of golden light flashed, blasting the Blackrat Soldier away!
One of the golden-cloaked figures under Caelius’ command, wielding a short golden staff, had managed to blast the Blackrat Soldier away.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
Although the attack seemed to have landed directly, the Blackrat Soldier stood without any visible damage. However, its small round shield bore a noticeable dent and burn marks.
At the same time, a group of Blackrat Men and Rat Snakes began to rush toward them.
In that moment, Caelius’ relaxed voice rang out, “Clear the way.”
Without delay, the three golden-cloaked figures behind him quickly took action, blocking the incoming group of primals.
One figure brandished a pair of golden gauntlets, fighting head-on against the group of Blackrat Men, while another wielded a golden whip studded with sharp metal, lashing it at the advancing Rat Snakes.
Only hisses and squeaks filled the air before these groups of primals vanished into digital light, leaving several items on the ground.
These Tier 1 primals clearly had no chance against the group of Tier 2 origin warriors.
All that remained was the Blackrat Soldier. It stood motionless, staring at the three golden-cloaked figures, as if the deaths of the primals were insignificant.
Before it could react, the three golden-cloaked figures bombarded it simultaneously with various signature skills.
Flashes of light illuminated the area briefly before the Blackrat Soldier, too, turned into digital light, dropping its equipment on the ground.
Silence prevailed as the three golden-cloaked figures finished off the group of primals, gathered the dropped items, and returned to stand behind Vincent and Caelius.
Vincent wasn’t surprised by their performance, as he already knew their strength when he first met them.
This trio was made up of Tier 2 (3★) origin warriors!
It would have been surprising if they had lost to a single Tier 2 (2★) primal.
He was silent, not because of their strength, but because he hadn’t yet witnessed or felt the real power of a Tier 2 primal. However, he had gained a glimpse of the strength of Tier 2 origin warriors.
Beyond that, he was quiet because he felt a pang of regret, seeing the amount of experience points that would have flashed before his eyes.
“What a shame…” he thought.
It would have surely filled his experience bar if he had acted a little faster.
The groups of Vyrmins and Lyards could only suck in a cold breath upon witnessing the strength of Caelius’ escorts.
“The Lionfang’s strength is undeniable!” one of the Vyrmins muttered, a comment that Vincent overheard.
“Lionfang…” he murmured. It sounded familiar, but he couldn’t recall exactly where he had heard it.
Caelius, still wearing a faint smile, stepped forward.
“Let’s go.”
The groups of Vyrmins and Lyards were silent, watching Vincent’s party retreat.
“What are we going to do now? Should we still investigate this place?”
“Hmm. Do you remember the first group that came before us?”
“Oh, that party? Why?”
“I’m certain there will be a conflict ahead. We can just observe for now, and after they fight? Heh.”
No one knew which of the two groups had this conversation.
Moments later, Vincent’s party reached three different pathways.
Once again, Caelius took out the “source compass” and activated it. After turning for a moment, the arrow locked onto the middle pathway.
Caelius nodded in satisfaction and said, “Let’s go.”
However, Vincent stopped him.
“I think it would be better if we go this way,” he said, pointing to the left pathway.
Caelius frowned slightly, curious about where Vincent’s confidence came from.
“Why do you think we should go that way?”
He didn’t answer immediately, pausing to look at the three golden-cloaked figures behind them.
“Instinct,” he replied simply, as he couldn’t explain the ominous energy he felt emanating from the left pathway.
His brief answer made Caelius frown, and before Caelius could respond, one of the golden-cloaked figures could no longer remain silent.
A sharp, feminine voice cut through the air.
“Are you really going to believe his words, young master?” she asked, removing her hood to reveal long, golden, curly hair.
She had clear, crystal eyes and a small face, rating an 8 out of 10 in appearance.
“The ‘source compass’ already pointed us to the middle path. He must have hidden intentions for guiding us that way!”
A young man’s sharp voice joined in, “I agree with Fiona, young master.”
It was the one with the golden gauntlets. He, too, revealed his face—a fierce-looking youth with short golden hair.
Another voice joined the conversation, this one with a calm, amiable tone.
“Calm down, you two. Fiona, Karl.”
“But, Uncle Gold…”
While Vincent’s party was engaged in a heated discussion, elsewhere, a group of Thrygians was surrounded by nearly countless Blackrat Soldiers.
“Damn! Who told me to keep following the compass?!”
