Sacrifice's Rise: I Became Invincible After Entering Godslayer Temple

In the dimly lit expanse beneath Storm City, John, Duke Arsena, and the fabled warrior Aike embarked on a meticulous inspection of the enigmatic Storm Lake, hidden within the city's subterranean depths.

This venture marked Duke Arsena's first encounter with the vast aquatic marvel that lay dormant beneath his domain, a revelation that both intrigued and unsettled him.

As they navigated the lake's periphery, the trio could discern the intertwining of diverse elemental forces, creating a kaleidoscope of energy that danced across the water's surface.

Among these swirling energies, the power of Mystery stood out with its unmistakable aura, casting an otherworldly glow that punctuated the darkness.

This discovery of a hidden reservoir teeming with such potent and varied forces beneath Storm City opened up a plethora of possibilities and questions, hinting at ancient secrets and the untapped potential that lay waiting in the shadowy depths below.

"Could it be that the Mystery faction has been attacking Storm City all this time because of the existence of Storm Lake? Do they intend to utilize the power of Mystery within the lake?"

After observing the lake for a while, Duke Arsena directly posed the question to the legendary warrior Aike.

Aike nodded, then shook his head, a response that left both Duke Arsena and John quite perplexed.

After all, the answer to a question couldn't be both yes and no.

"The Mystery faction's attacks on Storm City are indeed attracted by Storm Lake; there's no doubt about that. However, I believe they do not wish to utilize the Mystery power within the lake. This is because the Mystery power in the lake is fundamentally different from the Mystery power they possess. The lake's Mystery power is closer to that of the Mystery Saint, compared to the Mystery power of the faction's monsters. Ordinary Mystery monsters are incapable of harnessing these powers. Only the Mystery Saint himself can mobilize power that is so closely related to the essence of the Mystery Abyss."

John's inquiry caught Duke Arsena off guard, his expression betraying a mix of surprise and contemplation.

However, recognizing the critical role John played in their collective success, the duke was inclined to address his concerns transparently.

"John, I won't deny that there were moments of doubt, especially when faced with the complex web of allegiances and betrayals that define our realm. The words of Mystery Protector, as well as others, have indeed reached my ears and sowed seeds of uncertainty. Yet, it is not doubt but actions and proven loyalty that truly shape my trust. Your deeds, John, have spoken louder than any whisper or rumor could, guiding my judgment far more than the fleeting words of Mystery Protector."

Duke Arsena's response aimed to clarify any misunderstandings and reaffirm his commitment to their shared cause, hoping to dissolve any lingering doubts within John's mind.

His acknowledgment of past uncertainties was coupled with a strong emphasis on the decisive actions and integrity that ultimately forge trust and camaraderie among allies.

John's pointed question posed a significant challenge for Duke Arsena.

A lie could jeopardize their alliance, while the truth might be hard for John to accept, especially given Arsena's prior discussions with Mystery Protector about targeting John.

After a moment of hesitation, Duke Arsena chose to speak candidly.

"I did indeed discuss strategies against you with Mystery Protector. At that time, I didn't know you well, and you hadn't yet saved Storm City. After you did, my trust in you became absolute," Arsena confessed, opting for honesty over deceit in an attempt to earn John's trust.

John's initially impassive face softened into a slight smile.

"You're telling the truth. I had already learned from Mystery Protector about your discussions to target me. However, I also know that you ultimately chose not to act against me."

With the air cleared between John and Duke Arsena, Legendary Warrior Aike felt there was no need for further delay.

"Now that trust has been established between you two, let's proceed with our mission. I will open a portal to the Dark Realm here. Our approach must be stealthy."

With those words, Legendary Warrior Aike snapped his fingers, and a gray-black portal materialized before them, ready to transport them to the Dark Realm for their covert operation.

Aike, without any hesitation, stepped through the portal, with John and Duke Arsena closely following.

Upon emerging, they found themselves near the town of Styx in the Dark Realm.

"I can sense a potent Mystery force here! We must proceed with utmost caution. I suspect the Mystery Saint might already be aware of our presence," Aike, despite his considerable strength, maintained a healthy respect for their adversary.

He was aware of the Mystery Saint's formidable surveillance capabilities and knew that in a realm suffused with Mystery power, the Saint's combat effectiveness could greatly surpass expectations.

Standing beside Aike, John produced a Sacred Relic, specifically the map given to him by the Ocean Sage.

"We can use this map to detect any nearby monsters," John suggested, employing a Detection spell.

Under the spell's influence, the map displayed numerous small red dots, each indicating the presence of a monster from a hostile faction.

"Clearly, there are many Mystery monsters around us. But how can we determine their strength? They all appear identical on the map," John voiced his concern, highlighting the challenge of assessing their foes' power based solely on the map's indications.

Duke Arsena, scrutinizing the map, voiced his most pressing concern, shared by both John and Legendary Warrior Aike. freewebno vel.com

The inability to distinguish the threat level of the monsters represented by the red dots on the map left them in a quandary.

After a close examination, John candidly admitted, "I'm not sure about the strength of the monsters these red dots represent. This might be the greatest limitation of this map."

Realizing that they couldn't ascertain the monsters' power from the map, they decided to shift their focus away from it.

"Let's head directly to the center of Styx Town. Since the Mystery Saint isn't marked on this map, it suggests he's elsewhere. We should be able to handle any other Mystery monsters we encounter together," Aike proposed, embodying both calmness and decisiveness.

Aware of the importance of their mission, he urged them not to waste more time and to seek information from other adventurers in the town center.

As Aike led the way to the heart of Styx Town, John and Duke Arsena, albeit apprehensive, had no choice but to follow.

They lacked a better strategy.

Simultaneously, as Aike and his companions entered the town center, Darklord finally received specific instructions from the Mystery Saint.

[Proceed with our plan immediately! The enemy has entered the Dark Realm!]

Following the Mystery Saint's alert, Darklord and Mystery Protector headed straight for South Harbor.

However, upon their arrival, they were taken aback by the robust defenses they encountered.

Unbeknownst to them, South Harbor had fortified its defenses significantly over several months, now protected by numerous magical defense arrays and surrounded by walls constructed from magical materials.

" How can we possibly breach South Harbor's defenses? Aren't they a bit too formidable?"

Darklord felt overwhelmed by the daunting fortifications.

Unlike Darklord, Mystery Protector wasn't disheartened, as he had a trick up his sleeve.

He produced a divine scroll.

"I need your assistance! Can you use your Mystery power to help me activate this scroll? With it activated, I can instantly demolish the walls surrounding South Harbor."

Faced with Mystery Protector's divine scroll, Darklord hesitated.

The Mystery Saint had cautioned him against casually sharing his Mystery power with others, explaining that the essence of Mystery power is intrinsically linked to the soul.

Sharing one's Mystery power is akin to entrusting one's soul to another.

Although Darklord and Mystery Protector were allies in their current endeavor, this alliance didn't imply complete trust between them.

After all, they had been adversaries for a significant period before this collaboration.

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