At the front line of the Dimensional Space, the strongest beings allowed inside were currently in a standoff. With the initial clash resulting in the attacking world's win, the territory controlled by them was partly larger than the ones being held by the Dark World.
However, the arrival of Blade Monarch slowed their advance and completely came to a standstill three days later.
Currently, both forces camped directly opposite each other, watching each other's move. If someone went out to probe the other, it would be met by the same force, resulting in small skirmishes where losses stayed at the minimum.
Although some of the Rank 1 and Rank 2 Transcendents reportedly disappeared while cleaning up ruins surrounding their camps, the tension at the frontline remains the same.
In this kind of situation, the one losing out was the Dark World.
Behind enemy lines, they're continuously building up their Dimensional Bridge that would connect the two worlds. It's just a matter of time for the Gigant World to launch an offensive.
Having one more Rank 4 Transcendent put the Gigant World in a slight advantage which led for the Dark World to be passive at this point.
To alleviate the situation, the leading figures of the Dark World led by the Oxflame Monarch were currently in a meeting where they analyze the current situation as well as propose plans and strategies they could employ. Everyone in the hall wore the same crimson garb except for one.
"This is boring. I thought it was only hearsay that the Dafirae Tribe has been regressing but to think that it's to this extent."
Amidst the discussion that seems to be going in circles, Blade Monarch Remilia's laze-ridden voice put it to a stop.
Because she's a guest Monarch sent by the Great One Zaraya in name, she opted not to join their discussion. Having her presence was already enough contribution and to act out his role. Her real identity was a secret only a few have knowledge about, Daisuke being the most recent addition.
Although she chose to stay silent, upon hearing the lousy methods being proposed by these 'experts' from the supposed Prime Tribe under the Great One Illiana, Remilia couldn't put up with it anymore.
"Blade Monarch, I assume you have a better plan for you to say this." the Oxflame Monarch who was also silent as he passed the task to his subordinates opened his mouth. Among everyone in this meeting hall, only he was worthy of being on speaking terms with her.
"Why will I bother? I'm your guest here. If not for the Great One telling me to aid you, I will not be here. Get your act together or better yet, abandon this and let us take over the defense. And that will mean abandoning the whole territory where this appeared, mind you."
The defense at the Dimensional Space isn't new. It's something every Invasive World is bound to experience. After many years of existing as an Invasive World, the Dark World had already had its fair share of wins and losses. And it has different impacts throughout their history.
The losses they received provided a stage for another world's invasion much like what they're doing to the Mortal Worlds they're targeting. Although they managed to close that link by going over to the attacking world, destroying the core link there, sacrifices were always made that only a Rank 4 and Rank 5 Transcendents could go back from.
That's why in recent years, the Great One unilaterally decided to allow assistance from the tribes under other Great Ones when they judged that they couldn't defend it by themselves anymore. The first assistance is sending in a few high-ranked Transcendents and the next one will be a full take-over which will result in relinquishing their claim in that territory when the defense becomes successful.
That's what Remilia is proposing.
Naturally, they dismissed it instantly. It's not a hopeless situation yet.
Seeing that, Remilia just shrugged and stopped talking. She planned to leave the hall because of how boring it was but something stopped her.
"You have news about those who were transferred to an isolated space?" The Oxflame Monarch repeated what the newly-entered Rank 2 Dafirae Transcendent reported.
"Yes, Crimson Seed Monady brought back the report. Here's the more detailed report that she wanted you to check."
The Dafirae Transcendent handed a scroll and a type of crystal a lot bigger than the communication crystals. If Daisuke was here, he would be curious about it.
The Oxflame Monarch opened the scroll and read the report silently. He could be seen nodding at it before he looked curiously at the crystal.
Injecting his energy in it, a moving image or rather a video was projected from inside it.
Upon seeing the figure that was the focus of the video, Remilia slightly widened her eyes from surprise. 'Daisuke… He's clearly a mere Rank 1 Transcendent, what happened to him to progress this fast? And… he put himself in the spotlight. His identity…'
Likewise, a silent Exalted at the side also has a similar reaction as her but in the end, she facepalmed. 'That guy. I told him not to be flashy and excessive… And why hasn't he contacted me yet if he already left that space?!'
"Great! They prevented a part of their bridge from being permanently built. And this freed Transcendent, he's worth grooming. Tell Monady that her request to recruit him is accepted."
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After arriving at the nearest ruin that hasn't been cleared yet, I found a spot to start my farming.
Being alone, I had to make sure not to put myself in a tight spot. That would be too stupid.
Even if these statues were mostly Rank 1, if I became too careless, dying was not that far off as a result.
"Lith, Kael and Lan." I pointed to the three Pillars in their Guardian Form. Lith and Kael were the two I used during our fight against Rowena.
Lith looked like a seductress with her skimpy outfit and blood-red eyes. She's wielding two fiery daggers that were included in her transformation. Because of her protruded horn, she's like a devil or a succubus often depicted in various modern arts.
Well, she's originally a Pillar so she's not any of that. Reading the skill description of Pillar Skill regarding its Guardian Form again, it appears that I influenced this appearance.
Kael looked like a handsome middle-aged man. He carried a resemblance to that famous comic book superhero in blue and red except, he's already a middle-aged guy and there's a halo on top of his head and folded wings on his back.
And the newest addition, Lan looked like a soldier. A female soldier to be exact. She's fully clad in maroon heavy armor with a heavy spear as a weapon.
Their names came from the engraving in their original form. Apart from turning them into this Guardian Form, they could also be used to strengthen my Crown Skill or rather the Avatar.
Because it's currently in another world, I couldn't try that function so I have to settle in testing their prowess.
I saw how Old Man Reol utilized his Pillars. Using that as inspiration, I had the three line up in front of me.
None of the three could talk but they could understand my command.
Even without my adaptability, I'm aware of what they could do in this Guardian Form.
Lith could be said to be an agile assassin if there's that form. She could move at high speeds and she could somehow conjure her own flames.
Kael is a tanky frontliner. When I used them against Rowena, he could take more hits than Lith and a lot sturdier.
Lan is just a typical soldier, she's adept at using that spear of hers and she could conjure an imitation of the green Spearforce. Apart from that, she could also take hits.
Well, let's test them in battle.
Commanding the three, they stepped forward and engaged a group of regular-sized statues.
With Kael tanking the damage, Lan became the main damage dealer and Lith became an ambusher.
Watching them from the side, I estimated their total prowess in UPL…
They're as strong as a new Transcendent, around 150 UPL. Since it's a skill from a Mortal Pathway, I judged that their total strength scales with my own prowess. If I grow stronger, they will too.
They couldn't be buffed by my Jewel Skills since they're objects and not individuals. However, if I channeled more energy into them, it could increase their prowess for a short time.
Doing more experiments using the three Pillar Guardians, the gathered energy on top of my head gradually grew bigger and the statues littering this ruin gradually thinned.
Perhaps, around 6 hours later, Monady's voice echoed in my mind. She finally used that crystal, huh? It's not even a day.
"Ember. Where are you? Can I meet you? I have something important to tell you."
"Huh? Why is that needed? Isn't communication easily the purpose of this crystal?"
"I told you, it's something important."
Something important… This woman, is my guess correct? Will she try to recruit me?
Well, even if she offered a tempting condition, I couldn't do that. Besides, I haven't contacted Alwyn yet. I somehow forgot when the thought of farming more stones entered my mind.
"2 days. Give me two days, I'm currently busy, you see. And… this will probably sound assuming of me but if it's about recruiting me, I will have to decline."
"Huh? Why?!"
This woman. She didn't even correct me and instead, she immediately asked why. My performance was truly eye-catching…
"Because of reasons I cannot tell you. Thank you for the offer though. I appreciate it."
Although her voice continued to fill my mind, I pushed it to the back and focused on my Pillar Guardians' farming session and my Absorption Session.
In a sense, I'm currently not doing anything but I'm gaining progress. This is an ideal lifestyle.
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