Realm of Myths and Legends

...

"Arrogance or stupidity—it can only be one of the two if someone has chosen to raise a hand against us at our own doorstep. Surely, it must be stupidity. Wouldn't you agree, Enigma?" The one called Paradox spoke unhurriedly.

Paradox was a voluptuous woman with long black hair tied up neatly and a pair of alluring light silver eyes. She wore an elegant yet loosely fitting set of martial robes with the image of a siren on the back as she glanced over at the man to Smiling Demon's right side.

"A foolish endeavor," Enigma replied indifferently.

Enigma stood slouched over with poor posture. He had pale skin and dark circles under his cold blue eyes as if he had not slept for days. However, it was well hidden behind a featureless mask. His spiky black hair was neither long nor short but somewhat disheveled.

Enigma wore a set of martial robes that resembled Paradox's with the image of a siren on the back; however, it was pure black, and his arms were concealed within the sleeves that were at least twice as long as normal.

In terms of standings in the Siren organization, Paradox was placed third, while Enigma ranked second.

"Hm? It would seem that we have more than a few uninvited guests. Paradox, see to it that the one who snuck inside is taken care of." Smiling Demon stated.

The Head Master of Siren, Smiling Demon—this name was enough to send chills down the spines of most who heard it. Not only was he the leader of Siren, but also a well-known assassin who never let his targets escape his sights.

He wore red and black martial robes. On his face was a blood-red mask with the features of a demon who possessed two sets of sharp fangs, two protruding black horns, and nothing but darkness where its eyes should be located. And, the way the demon's mouth was formed made it appear as if it were smiling. Ultimately, this led to the nameless Head Master of Siren gaining a nickname in the underworld scene—Smiling Demon.

"Leave it to me, Head Master~" Paradox responded as she transformed into a dark purple streak that raced back towards the central building.

Without turning his head, Smiling Demon then addressed Enigma, "Kill anyone who does not belong—no exception."

"Without delay." Those were Enigma's last words before his figure became distorted and vanished.

Smiling Demon set his gaze to the sky where Empyrean hovered above with his silver wings expanded.

"A member of the zensana race? No... I've met countless zensana during my lifetime, but never one that was so loved by mana." Smiling Demon internalized as he sized up Empyrean.

The natural mana in the atmosphere seemed to converge around Empyrean as if pleading to be used. While Smiling Demon witnessed a similar phenomenon occurred for members of the trephasia race, he had never seen someone from the zensana race attract natural mana on such a grand scale.

But, it did not make any sense. Smiling Demon was certain that the only race in the Mortal Realm that should be capable of invoking this kind of response from natural mana were dragons. And, based upon his previous experiences, Smiling Demon believed something on this level was comparable to a young true dragon!

Of course, that alone was not enough to stop Smiling Demon from taking action. A young true dragon may be powerful compared to other races, but he was someone who stepped into the legendary realm. In the end, it would not be his match.

Nevertheless, no one wanted to become enemies of the true dragons and Smiling Demon was no different. Though after observing Empyrean in more depth, Smiling Demon soon confirmed that he was not facing a member of the true dragon race. And, since that was not the case, there was no need to show any restraint in his handling of the matter!

"Hmph, I don't know who or what you are, but seeing as how you dared trample on the face of my Siren organization, your arrogance clearly knows no bounds! State your name—unless you want your tombstone to remain unmarked after your death!" Smiling Demon's voice thundered as his feet left the ground; however, he was greeted by silence.

The refined killing intent aura of Smiling Demon became heavy after being blatantly ignored.

Even though he wore a mask, one could tell that he was infuriated!

"Good, very good...! The tiger cub knows not fear. It has been a long time since someone provoked me to this extent. Since you refuse to speak, I have no use for you!" Smiling Demon stated coldly.

The next moment, the sound of constant whispers and murmurs could be heard. There was no clear source to where these sounds came from as they originated from every direction of Siren's main headquarters.

At the same time, the magic energy encompassing Empyrean expanded as a powerful gale erupted from his body!

...

Meanwhile, near the entrance of Siren's main headquarters...

Izroth watched on as Empyrean and Smiling Demon were about to clash.

'It's a good chance for Empyrean to gain some proper battle experience, but... Will he be able to hold him off long enough alone?'

Izroth was confident in Empyrean's current strength; however, he was facing someone in the legendary realm.

Fortunately, just as Izroth predicted, based on his observation, Smiling Demon was only at the initial stage of the legendary realm. If he were any higher, Izroth would have been left with no choice but to alter his original plans.

Thanks to Azalea, Izroth was already aware of Paradox, Enigma, and Smiling Demon's existence and prepared accordingly.

Regardless, Izroth understood that none of them could be underestimated—especially Smiling Demon.

Izroth's previous confrontations against those in the legendary realm were different from this moment. One way or another, they were restricted in some way and unable to unleash their full strength. Even the Centurion Juggernaut of Tempest, Tigran, who Izroth thought was in the legendary realm turned out to be nothing but a lifeless puppet being manipulated and artificially boosted by the Dragon Lord of the Abyss.

In reality, this was his first time confronting someone from the legendary realm who was completely unhindered.

'I would like to watch for a bit; however-'

Woosh!

Out of nowhere, a dark purple streak appeared behind Izroth as a sharp object closed in on him from both sides!

Zeeeeeut!

Izroth's figure vanished as he activated Instantaneous Movement and reappeared at a safe distance roughly five meters away from where he previously stood.

'It looks like I will have to take care of a small roadblock first.'

The dark purple streak came to a halt as a dreary voice sounded, "You do not belong here. All those who do not belong... must perish."

The one who ambushed Izroth and appeared before him was the second in command of the Siren organization, the Right Song of Siren, Enigma.

After he finished speaking, Enigma wasted no time as he immediately dashed in Izroth's direction—if one could even call it a dash.

For some reason, with every step Enigma took, he became slower. And, to someone like Izroth who possessed an amazing set of senses, Enigma's movements were almost agonizingly slow.

Izroth inwardly frowned as he activated his Energy Vision Sense and carefully observed without letting his guard down.

«Immune»

'?!'

Without warning, Izroth felt something light brush against his shoulder.

As for Enigma who was just in front of him moving at a snail's pace—he was gone! Or, to be more precise, Enigma had already moved past Izroth!

Zeeeut!

Izroth immediately used another charge of Instantaneous Movement to create distance between himself and Enigma.

"Insufficient...? He is much sturdier than he looks." Enigma muttered to himself.

'What was that just now?'

Izroth narrowed his eyes as he slightly furrowed his brows. Thanks to his Greater Physique and the addition of the Might stat, he was able to brush off Enigma's attack.

Although the attack only served to probe his defenses, Izroth had not dropped his guard in the slightest.

One moment, Enigma was slowly moving towards him and the next he had already blown past him! To make matters even more bizarre, there were no unusual fluctuations in his Energy Vision Sense. This left Izroth somewhat puzzled as to how Enigma suddenly jumped from one place to another right before his eyes.

'On the surface, it gives off the same impression as a movement-type skill. However, there is an unknown factor at play. Since that's the case...'

Izroth unsheathed his Sword of The Storm and pointed the tip of its blade to the ground, causing a ripple-like effect to spread throughout the earth.

'I'll just have to neutralize everything.'