After the heated exchange between Finn and Theo, everyone quickly prepared to set off toward the plains. Finn led the way alongside his fellow Soaring Seven members, while those not affiliated with their faction trailed just behind, keeping a respectful distance.
Their pace wasn't particularly fast, but neither was it sluggish. Each step carried quiet vigilance. They remained on high alert, senses stretched taut for any sign of danger lurking nearby.
Most of the young Adventurers felt secretly relieved to be traveling under Finn's leadership. With the young man as their guide, the likelihood of encountering catastrophic peril had diminished considerably. Numerous Fifth Grade Vicious Beasts prowled this land, creatures far too dangerous for those who were merely Scarlet Gold Rank.
Before, whenever they stumbled across a Fifth Grade Vicious Beast, they would throw everything they had into a desperate bid to escape alive. Some were lucky enough to slip away, while others had perished, torn to pieces by monsters stronger than any foe they'd ever faced.
At the very rear of the group, Theo still wore a shadow over his face. Noble blood flowed in his veins, yet here he was—forced to follow behind Finn like some powerless servant.
Even if he ranked the lowest among the palace princes, never had he been treated this way. Never had anyone simply ignored his presence. No one of lesser standing had ever dared defy his wishes to his face.
In the beginning, he'd actually been pleased by Finn's arrival. He'd thought he could use the boy's strength as a convenient tool to amass even more Fifth Grade Magic Crystals, which he would then present to the Royal Clan to salvage his decaying reputation.
He had been sure he'd intimidate Finn into obedient cooperation. But who could have imagined this common-born youth would look him in the eye and treat his royal status as nothing but a trifle? In front of all these lesser adventurers, Finn had humiliated him.
And now… now he was forced to choke down this bitterness. Because deep in his gut, Theo knew the truth: once word spread throughout the Sacred Dragon Kingdom about Finn's level and rank, the youth would become the most famous Adventurer in the kingdom. Without question, the king himself would one day grant Finn the title of "Guardian"—that is, assuming Finn accepted it.
There was even a chance they'd marry him to Diana to bind him to the Sacred Dragon Family.
In this world, talent was the true measure of respect. The entire royal court would move heaven and earth to secure Finn's loyalty. And even though he was a prince, Theo could see it clearly now—he held no power to act against this youth.
He had never felt so powerless in all his life.
As their journey continued, the group frequently encountered Vicious Beasts. But with the cooperation of Hitch, Elyas, Lore, and the others, they quickly dispatched each monster that appeared. They took on the Fourth Grade Vicious Beasts, while Finn alone dealt with any Fifth Grade threats.
Fortunately, none of the stronger beasts had shown themselves yet, so the atmosphere remained almost buoyant. Finn even let them divide the corpses and treasures among themselves—no one could contain their excitement. Their eyes shone with a mingled respect and awe whenever they looked his way.
They were finally allowed to share in the spoils of the monsters they'd helped kill!
When Theo had been their so-called guide, they'd been the ones to risk their necks while the prince greedily seized every valuable for himself. They'd had no choice but to endure it. But under Finn's leadership, they finally tasted the fruits of their own efforts.
As they were dividing up the bodies, Theo suddenly strode toward them, accompanied by his loyal retainers from the Royal Clan.
A mocking smile twisted his lips as he swept his gaze over the young adventurers.
"I want those magic crystals—and the corpses of the beasts. You'll please me greatly if you hand them over willingly."
Since he couldn't do a thing to Finn, he had decided to vent his resentment on these ordinary adventurers instead.
At his words, several clenched their fists, jaws tightening with barely-suppressed anger. Their eyes gleamed with bitter resentment at the prince's insatiable greed.
Theo met their glares with cold contempt.
"What are those looks for? You're not planning to refuse me, are you?"
Finn watched all of this, his expression growing colder by the moment. He lifted his gaze and spoke, voice calm yet edged with disdain.
"You call yourself an 'honorable' prince, not a common thief. Why take what these people bled for? You want the riches, but you won't lift a hand to earn them? What nonsense."
Of all the things Finn despised, exploiting the weak under the pretext of noble birth ranked among the worst. Though he had no particular attachment to these Adventurers, he still couldn't stomach the prince's behavior.
And besides—he had promised not to personally act against the other young Adventurers. He didn't fancy being struck by lightning for breaking that oath.
Theo's eyes snapped to him, narrowing into slits.
"True. I am a prince, and they are subjects of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom. In this world, power alone is the right to rule. If I desire their treasures, there's nothing they can do. And if you interfere…"
A laugh—sharp and sudden—cut him off.
Everyone turned in confusion. Some even paled with fear.
Finn was laughing at a prince.
Theo's face darkened.
"Is something amusing to you?!" he snapped.
Finn smiled thinly.
"Yes. I find you funny—because you only prey on the weak. Tell me—if you want riches so badly, why not try stealing from me? I have plenty of Fifth Grade Magic Crystals. If you'd like, you're welcome to challenge me for them."
A stunned silence fell.
The young Adventurers' hearts swelled with gratitude, even if they couldn't say so aloud. Over and over, Finn had stepped in when the greedy prince circled them like a vulture.
"Hmph!"
Theo's expression turned grim as he spun on his heel and stalked away. He hadn't lost his mind—he knew better than to provoke a 5th Level Profound Rank over a few crystals.
--
The plains was the vastest expanse within the Mystic Treasure Realm. This whole domain seethed with hidden perils. Unlike the snowfields or the tangled forests, here the land lay open and unguarded. Countless beasts roamed freely, their strength rivaling those found in any other territory.
Most dangerous of all were the creatures that lurked beneath the soil, waiting to burst forth in sudden ambush. For the unwary Adventurer, death was the only outcome.
On a grassy stretch of that endless plain, a fierce battle raged.
Around thirty figures clashed in a storm of violence. Twenty were young Adventurers—many of them celebrated names who had risen to prominence during the Seven Great Faction Games: Azur, Gerould, Odin, Hyon, Tiffanya… even Diana herself and the Eighth Prince of the Royal Clan were among them.
Their foes were ten monstrous beings. Each one had skin the color of midnight violet, glaring crimson eyes, curling horns, and claws sharp enough to carve bone. They radiated a cold, baleful aura that made the hair on every neck stand on end. Grinning, those creatures seemed almost to savor the carnage.
The strongest among them faced Diana directly—a creature of the 2nd Level Profound Rank. With every collision, shockwaves tore through the air, detonating in brutal concussions.
Diana fought with every shred of her strength, but no matter how fiercely she struck, she could not defeat this foe. At best, she could hold her ground—but even that was steadily draining her.
She refused to die in this nightmare realm. She was the last hope of her companions. If she fell, they would all perish.
Around her, despair clouded every gaze. More than one of their comrades had already been struck down by these abominations.
When she and the creature were momentarily forced apart, Diana swept her gaze across the battlefield. Her heart sank. Even the strongest among them were clearly struggling.
"EEAAAAAAAH!"
A scream of agony split the air—another of their number lost.
Every face darkened. They all understood: it was only a matter of time before they were annihilated to the last.
"What are these wretched things?!" Diana shouted, her voice hoarse. "Does anyone here know what they are?! They don't release the same violent aura as vicious beasts—they can't be the same!"
No answer came. Every adventurer was too consumed by their own desperate struggle.
Clenching her jaw, Diana lashed out again. Her weapon—a long chain—whipped toward her opponent. The creature dodged, but the chain, gleaming with power, twisted midair as though alive, wrapping around its torso and binding it fast.
Golden light erupted in a series of explosions. A dense cloud of smoke swallowed the monster whole.
Diana strained her senses, searching for any hint the attack had worked. But then her eyes went wide. She felt the creature pulling on her weapon—no, devouring the energy in it.
Gritting her teeth, she released the binding just in time. Even now, her strikes had left not so much as a scratch.
While she battled on, three members of the Soaring Seven—Juvia, Lan, and Ezekias—were locked in their own life-or-death struggle. Somehow, luck alone had kept them alive. But their breaths came ragged now, and desperation shone in their eyes.
Ezekias had reached the 5th Level Scarlet Gold Rank, while Lan and Juvia had broken into the 4th Level. Yet even together, they could not finish the creature they faced—a beast equal to a 6th Level Scarlet Gold Rank.
"AAAAAAHHH!"
BANG!
When they felt two more comrades' presences vanish, dread clawed up their spines. Their numbers were thinning, and with each loss, the burden only grew heavier.
With no other choice, the three unleashed everything they had in a reckless barrage. Luck favored them: the creature dissolved into ash under the onslaught.
But even then, none of them rejoiced. Not when they saw Azur fighting alone against an 8th Level foe—and Gerould hurling himself into another solo battle.
Gritting their teeth, they swallowed recovery pills and forced themselves back into the fray.
From a distant vantage, a lone silver-haired boy watched the carnage unfold, a faint smile on his lips.
The first time he'd seen those monsters, he'd been startled. But the surprise had passed swiftly, replaced by cold amusement. In his eyes, Diana and the others were already corpses.
He had no intention of aiding them. He would rather watch them all die here in the Mystic Treasure Realm.
After a moment more, his figure blurred—and vanished as if he had never been there at all.
--
BOOM!
Diana still fought on. Her breathing had grown ragged. Blood trickled from countless wounds across her body. Sweat soaked her hair and armor, yet even in her disheveled state, her beauty remained undimmed.
Gritting her teeth, she spun her chain and slammed it down on the monster again. The strike landed dead center—yet left no injury behind. She swung again and again, but the creature easily evaded every blow.
Suddenly, she felt it vanish. Alarm prickled her heart—and in the next instant, the beast reappeared above her, claws poised to pierce her skull.
Her body froze. It was too fast—she had no time to raise her guard.
She started to lift her arm—only to see a figure drop into her vision from above.
A silver-haired boy in a crimson uniform, a broad sword gleaming in his hand.
He moved so swiftly that, to her eyes, the world itself seemed to slow.
And in that moment—
He was all she could see.