Upon hearing that voice, I reflexively opened every defensive skill I have as well as the Domain of Valor. Pulling away from the source of the voice, my eyes instantly moved to search for it.
"You…"
"What? Don't you think what you're doing right now is futile? You actually dared to go to our world. I know I told you that we will meet soon but for it to be like this."
The owner of the voice shook her head, clearly feeling that it's a shame for us to meet like this.
Back then, she's just a Transcendent Incarnation but now… this is her flesh and blood real body which contains all of her strength. And even after my breakthrough to the 4th realm of my Mortal Pathways, I have a hunch that it's still not enough to face her.
"Remilia."
I muttered her name which she told me before she undid her Incarnation at that time. I warily put up my guard, ready to use anything to get out of the current situation.
I couldn't gauge her actual strength but for her to get this close without my Adaptability ringing.
Is it because I'm in the middle of my breakthrough or is it because she can naturally dodge its senses?
Or… She's simply not someone dangerous for me at the moment.
Silver-plated armor formed from numerous blades that covered most of her vitals except her navel and the area above her chest, below, what she's wearing is like a skirt-like armor which only reached to her thighs, showing its plumpness. Her knees, legs and ankles were protected by silver greaves which were also formed from numerous blades making everything she's wearing appear to have pointy ends.
When she was a Transcendent Incarnation, what she's wearing was kind of unclear but upon seeing her this time… There's no doubt that her appearance and figure are on par with my girls.
"So, you remembered me, Daisuke. I'm that unforgettable for you. I'm flattered."
Her lips curved up as she slowly stood up from the boulder she was sitting on. The graceful and sharp movements she just made got me on edge. This girl… she's like a thorny flower. Truly beautiful but getting involved with her will be too prickly.
"It's not even two weeks, you know? However, you're right. I can't really forget someone who uses her brain properly among the enemies I encountered."
"Heh. Are you calling the others you faced as dumb?"
Remilia asked with a bemused expression. She's just standing there but the pressure I was feeling was already enough for me to sweat bullets.
I'm not scared or disoriented. I can't really feel that. But I'm feeling the helplessness close to what I felt during the meeting with that Mansion Owner at the Ancient Ruins.
However, even with that, my Adaptability is still silent.
"No. They just didn't have the chance to use their brain properly. They died early on, you see."
I replied honestly with the first thought which appeared in my head after thinking about my previous opponents.
A burst of lovely laughter succinctly rang out from her after hearing my answer. She even put a hand on her mouth to cover it up.
"Truly interesting. However, your luck has run out. What do you think? Am I someone you can cope with?"
"If I go all out? Of course not. I can't even gauge your strength. You're not just a Rank 2 Transcendent, are you?"
If she's not a Rank 3 then a Rank 4. Although it's already an exaggerated guess, the other Incarnation with her that was named Yulan was somewhat subservient to her. Back then they only have the strength of a strong Rank 1 Transcendent due to the limit of the sacrificed body. Now, nothing's limiting her and we're in their own world where I can be considered a hostile element.
"At least you can feel that. No matter what you do. It will be futile. What about this? I will give you a chance. If you can get away from me then it's your win, you can go back to the world you came from if you want. But if not, you have to come with me quietly."
Remilia lifted her hand and waved it towards the layer of screens which I carefully put up. As if being hit by something, it all broke simultaneously. The boulder which I used to close the cavern also turned into powder.
All she did was waved her hand. There's no energy accompanying it, just the force of the air from that wave. If I was hit by that, I don't know how many layers of the Quintuple Shields will be broken.
"I don't think I'm this special to be given this privilege from you."
"I told you I find you interesting. That's enough to warrant this special privilege. Besides, I only mentioned myself. Those outside will still catch you and present you to me to gain a good impression and credit."
Those outside? As long as there's no one at her level with them then it's easy to lose those Rank 1 Transcendents. I'm already close to Rank 2 and with my skills… I'm already confident at facing every Rank 1 Transcendent.
"Then I hope you don't regret this and go back on your word."
"I'm quite confident that even if I let you go now and start later, you will not be able to make that jump into the Portal. Oh. You can also surrender now and be taken by me quietly. How does that sound? It will be less painful for you."
That confidence which came from her overwhelming strength. This is why any schemes will be futile if faced with it.
Look at Lucas, he schemed pretty well, but one discovery from me led to everything he built up to fall apart. And even if he was confident to survive the fight against Nysia, one buff from me was enough to pummel him to the ground without any chance of retaliation.
? "No thanks. I have to go back. Let's meet again next time, Remilia."
As soon as the last word left my mouth, my body already floated and dashed out of the cavern, leaving the currently unfathomable woman whose smile never left her face.
If it was any other world, I might've found her captivating, which can lead to the same situation as Fleur. I might've tried to get her affection and make her one of my Companions. However, being a denizen of this world and someone profoundly stronger than me, she'll be a hard catch.
If my Incarnation didn't let her go during our encounter at the World of Spirits, would the outcome of this encounter with her change? Perhaps I wouldn't know her name or converse with her if I joined Jayna and Yumiko fighting them at that time.
"He's there! Go and catch him!"
"The Blade Monarch is right. He's here!"
"Don't screw this up!"
Voices from the Rank 1 Transcendents instantly came as soon as they spotted me coming out of the hidden cavern. Counting them by hand, there are more than 10 of them and each one varied in strength and specialty.
It seems like that woman didn't announce where I was and quietly waited until I finished my breakthrough before interrupting me. Is it that amusing to her?
If I'm not wrong then Remilia is that Blade Monarch. She's someone who can command awe and fear from these Transcendents.
Ignoring them who started chasing after me again, the yellow warning sign from my Adaptability started working. They're really not that dangerous but if I got careless then that yellow can turn to red all of a sudden.
Before leaving the area, I sneaked a glance back to the cavern and saw Remilia standing at its entrance. Once I reached a certain distance she flew up and openly followed behind, maintaining a certain distance.
As she said, she's only allowing me to have a headstart. If I can lose her then I win. Most likely, she will swoop towards me before I can jump back into the Portal.
Then let's try and gamble with this. She's not aware of the Orb of Concealment and I'm not sure if she can detect me with her current strength even if I'm covered with the Concealment Aura. I will use it before approaching it.
Apart from me, none of those Rank 1 Transcendents chasing me noticed her. They're all busy activating their skills to catch up on me.
That girl still had that smile as if everything was under her control, will that change if I managed to win against this game of hers? I somehow wanted to see it.
Since the yellow warning from my Adaptability hasn't eased up, I transformed to my Energy Incarnate Form and did a successive use of Short Distance Teleportation.
Upon seeing me appearing and disappearing in their eyes, those Rank 1 Transcendents shouted amongst themselves and threw various skills towards me. There's even someone who tried to catch my feet with a Chain.
Although I dodged all of them, I can't continue at this pace.
Taking out the Totem and channeling enough Energy to it, clone after clone successively appeared with at least 10 seconds gap in between. Since I can only conjure five clones, I only managed to reduce the chasers by five.
Then, let me use you this time.
As I continuously flew forward, I filled the Totem with more Flux Energy to enhance the skill in my mind.
King's Majesty!
After around a minute of channeling Flux Energy, my pure-white Crown materialized on my head and shined brilliantly.
After that brief shine from my crown, a replica of me, holding a solidified Purple Sword and wearing a white crown appeared.
It stood from where it was conjured and wielded the Purple Sword in its hand. It took a stance and blue-colored Swordforce instantly covered the sword as it tried to activate a Sword Skill.
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