Chapter 79: The Impending Chaos (1)

The red zone 21 entered a moment of peace; the restless monsters seemed to have gone into hiding. The espers were very bewildered by this phenomenon. In the vicinity of the stronghold and the surrounding area, the monsters had stopped their occasional attacks.

This also made hunting them harder since the espers needed to go find them first or visit their den. The same was true for the notorious cold beasts.

The mana density of most dungeons also strangely stabilized.

“Is a higher-rank dungeon going to appear?” Someone guessed.

Some of them also had this idea.

“That or they’re scared of something.”

“What can they possibly be scared of here? Well, maybe because of Renji?”

Someone huffed. “I don’t mean to belittle him or anything, since I’m far worse than him, but there’s no way an S-class esper can do this.” He laughed, then joked. “Unless an SS-class is staying here, only they can possibly make those monsters back off.”

He was laughing, but it began to fade as he noticed he was the only one laughing. The man soon realized what he had just said and could not help but close his lips firmly.

After all, who did not know that there were only two SS-class espers in humanity? Was he insinuating that one of those two monsters was staying here?

“Ahem. I’m just joking. Just joking.” The man wiped the sweat on his forehead. Then he changed the subject, or more accurately, returned to what the topic at hand was. “What do you think is the reason?”

The group also chose not to dwell on what he said and began talking again about the possibilities. However, they also thought about… What if?

But thinking so, they all shook their heads.

Impossible. Why would those two or one of them stay here? Was this red zone already hopeless or what?

It was always known that wherever the two went, they were dealing in important and dangerous matters. At least, that was the majority of the people’s impressions of them.

Little did they know… The man was actually spot on.

Not only one but both SS-class espers were staying in this red zone, causing the monsters to avoid the area so much.

At this moment, Khal, Devion, and Ayen stood in front of a small dungeon. It had a small entrance, practically only like a space slit.

Ayen observed the entrance; this was his first time seeing this kind of dungeon entrance. But since he was not exposed to such matters, Ayen thought it was only rare.

However, Khal’s words made him pay attention.

“It’s not a natural dungeon entrance.”

Devion supported his claim, turned, and explained to Ayen.

“Dungeon entrances can’t be like this. Someone deliberately used an artifact to create this space fissure here. As for who or what purpose?” Devion pointed at Khal. “He might have a clue.”

Khal, who was looking intently at the entrance, quickly turned to the two and smiled helplessly. “How would I know?”

Devion was not convinced, and neither was Ayen. At least, he could provide a guess. Hearing that this was not natural and manmade, Ayen could not help but be curious, but also wary.

Creating fissures surely was not an easy matter, and only a select few could have the resources and means to do it.

Being stared at by those two pairs of eyes, Khal could only sigh and satisfy their curiosity. These two really thought he had all the knowledge of the world; Ayen was now also influenced by Devion.

“For starters, I really don’t know who did it.” Khal washed his hands and firmly declared his innocence.

The two nodded at him, not saying a word.

Khal continued. “But as Devion said, only an artifact can do this. Of course, Devion and I can do this if we force ourselves to the limit, but clearly, we aren’t the ones who created this fissure.”

And one artifact simply would not do. It needed to have the same mana density as two SS-class espers combined.

“To sacrifice a higher-rank artifact or multiple of them to create a space fissure, only a select few can be the suspect.”

In fact, Khal did not need to mention this point; the two had already assumed the same as well.

Those who had capabilities and motives were indeed a select few. One, the government. They had a wide and sizable inventory. They also had the institute and association as affiliate organizations, so someone would think it was pretty easy for them to gather and sacrifice items.

However, that was not the case.

“We have to cross the government out. They are crumbling from the inside; no one will let the President use their inventory at will.” Khal used a mocking tone, and Devion smirked.

Ayen knew they hated the government, or at least, the higher-ups. He did not have good feelings for them either.

“That only leaves the Elite Clans.” Devion was the one who spoke this time.

It was pretty obvious from the start, but it only boiled down to one question. Who from the Elite Clans did this?

The two looked at Ayen.

Ayen knew why they looked at him.

“I’m fine. It’s been a while since I became affected by just mentioning them.”

To completely trigger him, one of the members should be in front of him. In fact, Ayen also was not sure if seeing one of his former family members would incite anger or nothing at all.

He would need to test it when the time came.

They stared at him for a moment, and Ayen stared back at them. The two seemed reassured, but they did not take their eyes off Ayen as Khal continued speaking.

“Based on the traces here, the Nevaris Clan isn’t involved.”

The main reason they had to ask Khal was that out of all of them, he was more knowledgeable about the Elite Clan’s affairs. Ayen had long since stopped being part of it, while Devion’s interactions with them were years ago.

Khal was different. He had a force in his hand, no less formidable than the Elite Clan’s. He also had business deals with them and was more familiar with how they work.

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