The Mysterious Black Magician

Bang! The cliff where the cave was located had shaken intensely when the huge grotesque figure of the Nightmare Class beast collided onto it.

Fortunately, Yman and Cinder were able to enter the cave at the right time.

If not because of the leech clinging behind him, he was certain to lose its tail easily, though it was a different story if the monster was fully awake.

He even heard before that a Nightmare Class monster could dissipate a mountain.

Not even a Rank S Seeker would wish to fight it alone.

The good thing about them was, they were not easy to wake up. As long as they could not feel a danger to themselve. Even if they were hit by heavy objects.

However, Sistela said that it was in a half-wake state..

After going inside, *Woosh~~ woosh~~*

Yman wagged the luggage on his back that caused it to fall on the ground— face first. But she had no complaints as she was too exhausted to do so. She fired [Fireball] nonstop to the monster and forgot to save some strength. Thanks to her unceasing [Fireball], the scary spirit beast was not able to catch them. 

Huff huff huff! Both him and she were gasping for the air. Not far from them, *Thump!* Aegor dropped his butt on the ground, while breathing heavily, then leaned his broad shoulder on the chilly wall. His face twisted bitterly, "Hah~~ now we are trapped, huh," he said after a deep breath.

"Well, it's better than dying, and the heck Aegor, you tricky bastard!" Roared Tiafel while closing to pound him.

Aegor covered his face out of reflex, but she was stopped by Taflas.

Aegor opened her mouth wide, "Haaah~~ hey, I did find this cave, and my fault is doable. In fact, you can't blame me for running ahead, since I'm the slowest among us. And that thing scared me to the bone, making my limbs move on its own accord…" he replied with a sorry ashen face.

"Let him be, Tia. In fact, we can't blame him. Let just be grateful that we survive somehow," said Taflas after noticing Aegor's sorry state. Well, they were all in a sorry state at the moment. Tiafel frowned, "Hmph!"

Hearing them, Yman felt the need to intervene. "If I were you, I would prudently save my strength than wasting them in a thoughtless banter," he said.

The three people looked at him, and gawked, 'H-He's fine already?' They noticed his breathing had calmed down. 'Is he even a normal person?" They asked in their minds.

Now they wondered if it was a wise choice of them to not let this guy become the monster's food. Meh, anyhow, they were skeptical if that monster could catch him that time, they even saw him using some kind of ability that enabled him to move quickly from one place to another. And his girlfriend was helping him too. (Their thoughts about the relationship between the two.)

So their only choice was to be on his good side or leave these two for good. However, they found themselves in a dead-end. Good thing that they saw a cave. They decided to choose the former option.

They could feel that he wasn't an ordinary person. But who was this man? They didn't know him and they didn't see what happened in the public square when Yman saved Ella from the robed attackers which he believed as abductors, because they were a little late to come in the public square.

When they arrived the announcer Faye The Trickster was already discussing the first elimination round. So they have no idea that an incident happened.

Regardless, Yman felt suspicious at this second boundary. For now, he needed companions. But, if ever he felt a malicious intent towards him from these people, he would not think twice to end them.

After all, both of them were equivalent to points, points that he needed to pass this trial. But in order to do that, he had to risk himself by using the Black Miasma. Otherwise fighting these four at the same time, even with the mana of that demon, he would be finding himself at the losing end.

These three were no ordinary people.

Although, Sistela's Appraisal Ability was not 100% accurate. It had 70-80% accuracy. And she was telling him that these three people were as strong or if not, only slightly weaker than the wolf girl.

He defeated her, but that was because he was able to prevent her from using her Artefacts. Otherwise, he might be forced to use his Black Miasma to defeat her. On top of that, this girl was hiding something. He had to change the way he looked at her from a figurine to a polish beauty like the type of Almina Amulet.

It was that mad lass artist fault though that he could not fight at his 100% without using his Black Miasma.

Fighting them at once must be possible if his [Time Modifier] ability wasn't restricted in this world. But, since it was unusable here. He had to depend on his Black Miasma for his [Skill Modifier] ability.

Meanwhile, he and the others could not leave the cave at the same entrance. That beast was certainly guarding it, waiting for them to come out. If they ever did come out, it would certainly nab them in the spot like how the cat did to the mouse.

In the meantime, they decided to rest when they found a spacious empty space. Although the inside was dark, it was dimly lit by a bonfire. The woods they used to make it were from the roots that jutted out from the walls and ceiling of the cave.

Their discussion was being backgrounded by the flickering noises of the bonfire that was deliberately roasting the jerky meats on the sticks that were projecting around it.

After introducing themselves to each other, they have planned out what they need to do next. Yet, it was clear that they were left with one option only….. to find another exit.

They noticed the person named Crimson playing with stones. Cinder and the others laughed at him. He only stopped when their jerky meats were cooked.

While they were eating, Yman asked them some questions but he chose to ask not the personal one.

He learned that these three were studying in Encantasia Academy and from the rich families in the empire. But all of them gawked when Cinder introduced herself.

"You are from the Lupine family?" Asked Tiafel in surprise.

It was only natural that they felt surprised as the Lupine family wasn't a small family in the Empire. They were the branch family of the Canine Sect. 

Cinder nodded.

"So, so do you mean you are also studying in the Encantasia Academy Miss Cinder?" Asked Taflas.

"Yet why didn't we see you in the opening and up until now? But we somehow saw the Young Master Ember Lupine," said Aegor.

"Ahaha, well, I was b-busy doing some stuff. I mean family matters," she lied.

She eyed the person beside her. Trying to peek at his expression upon learning that she was from a famous family. Well, most of the guys would certainly act close to her, especially those of noble families if they found out who she was. It was always like that even in the gathering or banquets for the nobles. Although, she only attended once or twice for her whole life. Since she didn't like gatherings in the first place. And she hated the lascivious eyes from other nobles, whenever she wore a female dress. Especially now that she was 17 years old and already had a great figure. Maybe it was also the reason why she liked staying in her room rather than going outside.

Yet under his hood, there were only tranquil eyes. Like he didn't hear what they were talking. Or maybe he wasn't interested in it. 

Is he afraid that someone would know him? She wondered. Because even while they were eating, he sneakily took a bite of his food without them seeing his full face.

Maybe he was an ugly person? And shy to show big scars on his face? Or something like that. Well, she couldn't just force him to show his face. Even though she was curious about it.

She knitted her brows. This guy beside her had no change in expression even after he learned who she was. She was expecting the same reaction as these three to him. However, what was on his eyes was a 'meh'.

Maybe he was from a great noble family also? Or an important person in the empire? She couldn't tell. But based on his strength, there was a big chance that he wasn't an ordinary person in the empire.

Cinder sighed. She originally wanted to tease him.

Right after they finished eating, the group heard hissing and screeching noises around them.

Guehehehe! An impish glee echoed inside the cave.

Cinder and the other glanced to where the laugh originated. But, *Guehehehe!* whenever they looked around, another laugh would follow from behind.

It looks like they were being played.

Aegor stood up and looked around, *Guehehe!* still the same, the laugh came from the opposite of where they were staring at, "S**t, what are those?" Aegor asked while picking a stone projected by wood to look like a big stone hammer. Then summoned mana to fortify it.

He left all his equipment in the spatial ring. So he had to make a conventional weapon out of the stone and wood that he found on his way. Since he could not take out his equipment in the storage when he entered here. Not only him, the others too.

Once again, Guehehe—"Ngh!" But this time, the laughter stopped and changed into a cry after a bright crimson glow was shot towards the distance to where the dim lights from the bonfire could not reach.

They glanced to where the crimson light came from and widened their eyes when they noticed the person named Crimson with his hand enveloped by bright crimson mana. And in his hands were some fortified tiny stones. There were also a number of stones that gathered in front of him.

While they were discussing a while ago, they noticed him playing with stones, but they did not give it a thought as he probably was playing with it out of boredom. 

The weirdest part was, he was looking opposite to where his hand and arm were aiming.

The next second, *Gueeeeeeehhhh!* they heard an angry high-pitched voice. Based on its tone, it must have come from tiny entities.

Tatatatatatatat! Tatatat! Multiple footsteps were coming closer to them.

Right at this moment, fwoosh fwoosh fwoosh fwoosh fwoosh fwoosh fwoosh fwoosh…..!

Stones and rocks that were enveloped in bright crimson brilliance were rapidly shot ahead to where it was mostly dark.

Gyah! Grr! Nya! Guwah! Kyeh! Kyah! Different kinds of cries followed after.

The four people were staring at him without blinking their eyes. And darted their eyes to the dark side but they could not see anything other than an eerie feeling.

They were baffled at the things happening in front of them. Questions floating in their minds. How could he tell where the opponents were? And what the hell he was doing? Flinging stones and rocks through his fingers?! On top of that, he wasn't looking to where he was shooting!

"[Dark Gremlins]..." he muttered.

The four people froze upon hearing his words.

These cheeky little monsters with big ears were known for their playful attitude. And they had the ability to silence mana-based abilities.

Yman knew about it, since [Dark Gremlins] were known even on the Outerworld. They could use silence when their target entered 10 meters from them. However, Yman's perception has a diameter of 100 meters around him.

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