When we reached the location of the Blue Core, Grenol and the others were standing far apart from each other. They figured out the way how the darkness or the fog of war works.
The Blue Core is just a big crystal glowing in blue light. It emitted energy which formed a circular barrier around it. Upon reaching the 100-meter mark around it, we will be subjected to a buff that strengthened us to 10% of our base stats. Although they couldn't see the real value, they could feel it coursing around their bodies.
Moreover, there's someone among the freed Transcendents whose Transcendent Pathway involved incorporating System-type properties. Through that, he informed everyone about the buff's total value. If I have to guess, he awakened some kind of system closely related to his Spirit Pathway.
Every System doesn't necessarily be the same as the systems given by 'The World', some probably have an RPG-like world where their System is just a status screen just like most isekai stories. The similarity will be in how they all utilize the same System-type Source Energy.
After that text which says 'Destroy the Red Core' appeared earlier, more explanation followed as we traversed the distance to regroup with the others.
The purpose of this space is to speed up the building of the Dimensional Bridge. Apart from this space we got transferred to, there are more spaces like this with the same purpose. But to even it out, only Rank 1 to Rank 2 Transcendents can enter that space. The Rank 3 and Rank 4 were all at the frontline having a standoff.
If the red side wins, this space will turn into a part of the Dimensional Bridge that will be indestructible. The normal building of the bridge is still viable but collecting wins in this space will speed up the process. Moreover, they will not have to worry about the Dark World denizens destroying it.
On the other hand, if the blue side wins, this space that was made from the enemy world's Source Energy will be stolen by the Dark World. A part of it will be given to us, the participants.
Furthermore, the losing side will die regardless. This is why we cannot afford to lose here. If it comes down to it, I might stop being low-key and go all out to make sure that we will come out of this space, alive.
Apparently, this was approved by Worldy and their World's Will.
Like what we observed from the map, we're now categorized as the blues and reds. Although we will still be enemies even without that categorization, it's for the sake of showing us in it and to be aware of where our allies are.
For sure, what they're seeing was the opposite. Only the reds are visible on the map.
Although the gold circles hadn't disappeared, they were now obscured by the fog of war. If a small golden circle pertains to one golden statue, then what about that biggest golden circle in the middle? We hadn't gone to check it yet but I'm sure that in one way or another, we will be going to check it out.
With our vision now obscured only up to 100 meters around us, we could only form groups and safely traverse this space.
"They're close. We'll start distributing our forces once all of us gather. For the meantime, take as much time to prepare." Grenol took his eyes off from the map above and turned around with the other Dafirae Transcendent in tow.
Fortunately, although he looks down on me, he's not as greedy as the one in that fortress back then. After telling him what we got from the golden statue, he only asked to look at it before giving it back to Irja.
Well, it's possible that he's just being smart and cautious. There are only two of them here, if they acted up and tried to become a tyrant, we could retaliate against them. Who will know that they died from our hands and not from the enemies?
Either way, they're a valuable ally, for now. And we're also the same to them. Any lost Rank 2 Transcendents will be a big hole in our defense after all. Our lives now rest upon our teamwork to outwit the enemies. Killing the enemy is now secondary, even the golden statues were not as valuable as our lives.
Since he left us to our own devices, I looked for a place to rest. Udann followed me and after a while, Irja also followed with Yatapa swaggering behind her. Because of this, we're starting to be recognized as a group.
After discussing with them for a while, we started focusing on ourselves.
Udann started absorbing to get himself back in top condition. He was upholding on our deal and it's as if he's already addicted to the buff of the Domain of Valor.
Irja who sat near me started organizing her skills as I heard her mutter to herself in frustration. Perhaps she's thinking of strengthening her skills but she couldn't do it in a short time. Thankfully, she stopped bugging me about my identity after she expressed that gratitude. This time she's probably sticking to us because she also got a taste of my out-of-this-world buff.
Yatapa was still the same, muttering something along the lines of him wanting to die. I never had any conversation with him and it's hard to understand what's really on his mind. However, even though I'm wary of him, we're now depending on each other to leave this space alive.
Since they're busy with their own things, I also started to focus on the energy that was still trickling down on me. If I want to reach the 5th stage of the 4th realm, I don't think one or two golden statues will be enough. Moreover, the time to absorb all the energies if ever I got enough will take days.
There are less than 5 days left. It's true that this Dimensional Space is beneficial to me. However, the risk is also high. There's also the nagging feeling that I need to go back to my Companions' side. I couldn't just enjoy power leveling here without worrying about their safety. If not for the need to play the part of a freed Transcendent, I wouldn't be here.
As time passed, apart from absorbing, I also used the crystal given by Alwyn to tell her my current circumstances. A few minutes later, her reply came swiftly and directly entered my mind.
"Stay alive! You must stay alive! That is probably the reason why there are missing tribe members. Thank you for this information. Remember, stay alive, I still have the task to send you back to your world."
Repeating 'stay alive' three times, I could only shake my head on that. At this point, my life now depends on everyone here. We all have to work together to outwit the enemies and destroy their Red Core.
For the first time, I also used the crystal given by Remilia. I thought of holding off on contacting her until I went back to the Mortal World but this situation calls for it. I didn't inform her of my circumstances like Alwyn but I thanked her for leaving the crystal behind. I thought she would not reply but it came quicker than Alwyn's. "If you're not going to say anything meaningful, you better not use that to contact me. Understand?"
Giving me the cold shoulder while not reacting to how I thanked her for the crystal means she really deliberately left the crystal behind. I guess that's enough for my attempt at wooing her for now. As weak as I am at the moment, I will not be able to impress her with anything.
Around 10 minutes later, the two Grenol sent to pick up the other four finally arrived.
The additional Transcendents consisted of 2 freed Transcendents and 2 from the Dafirae tribe. All of them are Rank 2 Transcendents which ultimately placed me as the weakest among us.
When Grenol and Monady saw the two newcomers from the same tribe, they were overjoyed.
"Now that we're gathered, let's plan what we will do. First, does anyone have an objection to me taking the leader position?" Starting with that, Grenol scanned everyone.
When no one objected he nodded and continued. He organized us into three groups of six. Grenol and the one leading the freed Transcendent earlier weren't included in any of the three groups. Everyone unilaterally agreed that the two will be our best bet at defending this core.
The first group will be responsible for scouting ahead. The second group will be responsible for following behind the scout to ambush a golden statue or any of the reds that the scouts will be able to find. And the last group will be responsible for patrolling the surrounding area around the core. This means at one point, only 12 of us will be out in the darkness. Since there are maps, Grenol produced a type of communication crystal and distributed it. It's not for personal use and every crystal is connected to each other albeit there's a distance limitation compared to the one given by Alwyn and Remilia. It will be used for relaying communications to coordinate everything.
In the end, I was about to be put in the patrolling group but Udann and Irja rejected it which led me to reveal my intentionally limited Domain of Valor skill.
Upon being exposed to the enhancement of my skill, Grenol changed his mind and put me in the attacking group together with Udann, Irja, Monady, another Dafirae Transcendent named Faren and another freed Transcendent named Axter.
"Remember. We can all see the map, if someone spotted an enemy, it will be shown there. Don't hastily enter into combat. Our first objective is to find a safe and quickest route towards the Red Core. Everything else comes after that. Well then, set out!"
With those parting words from Grenol, the scout group moved first and we swiftly followed behind them.
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