Once the fragnts rged into a complete stone sphere, Suit Man placed it directly into a concave indentation on the table.
Only then did Akira understand why the table had a semicircular groove—it was specifically designed for this purpose.
Once placed, all five pressed their palms against the table, channeling their aura towards their hands.
Though the other four weren’t as formidable as Military Uniform Man, they were still within the A-rank range.
They might not have been exceptionally talented, but their status granted them access to countless thods to forcibly elevate their strength.
Under their combined efforts, streams of refined, multicolored aura poured into the table, causing the engraved patterns to shimr with light.
The grooves on the table resembled riverbeds, with aura flowing like water, forming rivers of varying hues.
Their only destination was the stone sphere at the table’s center.
Already imbued with energy, the sphere radiated dazzling brilliance as it absorbed the endless influx of Aura.
But the Divine Script on the table wasn’t just for channeling energy—it also had projection capabilities.
When the stone sphere’s glow peaked, a beam of eerie light shot from the table, projecting directly onto a nearby screen.
"Through the Divine Script on this table, we can not only establish contact with them but also see what’s happening on their side," Suit Man explained, wiping sweat from his brow as he stopped channeling his Aura.
The previously blank screen flickered with garbled static before gradually sharpening into a clear image.
*****
Sowhere far away...
At the edge of the Dark Continent, near the wilderness bordering Mobius Lake, stood an ancient gate.
The gate, crafted from an unknown, decay-resistant wood, bore symtrical, eerie patterns that seed to devour the soul with a single glance.
Flanking the gate were long stretches of stone walls, extending in all four directions like an ancient fortress, enclosing a vast area.
Inside, most structures were single-story dwellings, though a few were unusually large.
Particularly the central buildings—though single-storied, their footprints surpassed even those of mansions.
This was the dwelling place of the so-called ;Gatekeeper’.
As a type of magical beast race, the places they inhabit resemble human dwellings—because they are not purely magical beasts.
The ’Gatekeepers’ are relatively few in number but possess formidable strength, with bodies of pure magical beast origin.
The ’Guides’ are more nurous but comparatively weaker in power, belonging to a demi-human magical beast subspecies with human-like physiques.
This style of residence was adopted long ago when the ’Gatekeepers’ visited the Six Continents and learned it from the humans of that ti.
This is also why the architecture appears to reflect an ancient style.
As magical beasts, they resemble the ’Chira Ants’ of the Dark Continent—both are intelligent creatures.
They beca aware of the existence of humans on the Six Continents long ago and sensed a business opportunity.
Without needing to pay any significant cost, rely by guiding humans, they could reap substantial benefits.
Even the gains humans made in the Dark Continent had to be shared with them in part.
Obviously, this was a very profitable deal.
Among the dwellings, one particular house stood out with bizarre patterns on its roof—patterns absent from all the others.
This was the house the Gatekeeper used to communicate with humans.
In fact, it was rare for humans to interact directly with the Gatekeeper.
Most of the ti, the Gatekeeper’s subordinate—the Guide—handled communications before reporting back to the Gatekeeper.
Suddenly, the previously calm roof emitted flickering beams of light, faintly forming a phantom-like pattern in midair.
At the sa ti, ripples of energy radiated outward from it, perceptible to those nearby.
In the next instant, three figures appeared inside the house in quick succession.
The fastest of them materialized the mont the roof showed signs of activity.
The other two were slightly slower, but still moved at speeds unimaginable to ordinary humans.
"Didn’t we just communicate? By human reckoning, it hasn’t even been a few months since the last ti."
"Usually, years pass without any contact."
"Enough, just connect the call. Last ti, they just had us release the Chira Ants. Maybe this ti, they’re sending humans over again."
"Another profitable deal for us."
The dimly lit room now held three figures of varying forms, along with a glowing spherical stone at the center.
It was identical to the one Akira had on his side!
Except their table lacked the Divine Script with projection capabilities—it was purely for communication.
Their transactions were usually one-sided: humans made requests and this side responded.
The Gatekeeper rarely initiated contact with the humans.
As a surge of aura flowed into it, the stone sphere’s light gradually dimd, shifting from white to green.
****
Correspondingly, the stone sphere on Akira’s side also turned green.
This was the signal that the connection had been established.
But the call had a ti limit—the sphere’s glow would fade over ti until it vanished completely.
’Connected?’
Akira glanced at the faintly glowing green sphere before focusing more on the now-active screen.
Perhaps due to the imnse distance and the unconventional communication thod, the image was unusually blurry.
He could barely make out the figures on the other side.
Three humanoid figures stood there.
The one on the left was a muscular, bare-chested man with bulging muscles.
At first glance, he seed normal—except for his head.
It was a goat’s head, complete with long, curved horns.
Though Akira couldn’t see its eyes clearly, his first impression was one of sheer malevolence.
Like a demon from mythology—a goat-headed humanoid.
The figure on the right wore a voluminous black robe, obscuring all physical features.
Even its head was hidden beneath an oversized hood.
If it had just concealed its body, Akira might have understood.
But covering its head entirely? He doubted it could even see its surroundings.
And that was the strangest part.
The black robe it wore was adorned with eerie patterns.
Though the images were sowhat blurred, Akira could still make them out roughly.
They were patterns of eyes!
Eyes of varying sizes were painted on the black robe, each so lifelike and gleaming with a crimson hue.
Countless eyeballs were depicted on the robe.
It was like discovering oneself surrounded by countless eyes in the pitch-black of night.
Easily stirring the deepest fears within humans.
The most striking figure was the one in the center.
Judging by its stance, it was clearly the leader among the three.
The other two stood slightly behind, while it alone occupied the middle and a slightly forward position.
This indicated their ticulous attention to certain details.
Especially regarding hierarchy and respect.
A glint flashed in Akira’s eyes before quickly fading.
He rembered that they particularly despised rudeness and placed great importance on etiquette.
Considering they had once visited the Six Continents during the kingdom era, when hierarchical concepts were far stricter than now.
Perhaps this was one of the influences they had absorbed from humans?
The figure in the center stood out not just because of its position, but also due to its appearance.
It resembled a dragon!
Its body was humanoid, indicating it was a demi-human magical beast, but its arms, chest and face were covered in dense black scales.
Its head was that of a full dragon’s skull.
Similar to so draconic demi-human magical beasts on the Six Continents, it bore the appearance of a Western dragon.
Thus, this demi-human was likely of the dragon-kin type.
So, they weren’t even qualified to speak with the ’Gatekeeper’—only subordinates like the [Guide] had co.
"Humans, what happen this ti?"
"You contacted us not long ago."
The black-scaled dragon-kin in the center spoke slowly, its tone dripping with arrogance, as if looking down from a lofty height.
Like a human addressing lowly insects.
Its voice was gravelly—if Akira had to describe it, it sounded as if the creature had smoked far too much.
"Hmm?"
Before Akira could respond, the black dragon-kin let out a questioning sound, its expression visibly shifting.
"There are six of you present!"
"This is different from before. You’d better have a reasonable explanation!"
"Bringing outsiders into our exchange without our permission is an extrely rude act!"
The black dragon-kin exhaled sharply, twin plus of white mist shooting from its nostrils as an icy, oppressive aura erupted around it.
The two [Guides] beside it instinctively took a step back, not daring to stand too close.
’It speaks the common language of the Six Continents?’
This didn’t surprise Akira much.
After all, for communication to happen, one side had to use the other’s language.
What Akira found more intriguing was the content of its words.
Before his group had even spoken, the other side had detected the presence of an extra person.
’Did it judge by the sound of breathing?’
Akira wondered silently.
But then he reconsidered.
Because a sinister aura was seeping out through the sphere!
This aura was like that of a demon crawling up from hell, tainted with countless crimson, obscure, and eerie fluctuations...Akira had once experienced a similar sensation before...
That was the aura Chairman Netero emitted when facing the Ant King, preparing for his self-destruction.
There was a certain degree of resemblance to the aura emanating from the Black Dragonman now.
Both carried an extre sense of malice!
’So it judges the number of people here through aura?’
As Akira sensed the Black Dragonman’s aura, he couldn’t help but feel impressed.
As a Guide, this opponent indeed had so skills.
Judging by this aura, it was roughly on par with the Ant King after consuming the three Royal Guards!
This Black Dragonman must be among the stronger batch of Guides, while the two beside him were considerably weaker.
As for the even more powerful Gatekeepers, they might have reached SS-tier strength.
No wonder the Gatekeepers and Guides could survive in the Dark Continent for so long—their abilities were undoubtedly formidable.
After all, that place was fraught with endless dangers.
But becoming any stronger would be impossible.
If the Gatekeepers possessed greater power, they wouldn’t have chosen to linger in this border region trading with humans.
They were in an awkward position—not strong enough to dominate, yet too proud to retreat like humans.
Thus, they settled in the borderlands to recuperate, occasionally engaging in trade with humans.
Facing the tidal wave of oppressive aura, the V5 leader paled, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
Yet it was still far from matching the aura Nihilego had emitted earlier.
"Five people or six—what difference does it make?"
Akira stood rooted like a stake driven into the shore, utterly unmoved by the surging waves of aura.
The Black Dragonman froze montarily at his words, veins bulging violently on its forehead as its claws clenched into fists.
Its already impatient expression darkened like a storm gathering on a sumr afternoon, clouds of fury swirling visibly.
A crimson glint flashed through its draconic pupils, its face contorted with unrestrained rage.
"Do you have any idea what happens to those who dare speak to in that tone?!"
The Black Dragonman spat each word deliberately as an imnse surge of black-and-red aura erupted skyward—
Pitch black as ink, blood-red as blood.
The two terrifying streams of Aura intertwined, forming countless dark crimson strands.
At this mont, the Black Dragonman beca a soul-devouring monstrosity.
Amidst the horrifying ocean of Aura that chilled observers to the bone, it resembled a blood-soaked serial killer erging from mountains of corpses.
Even the faintest whiff of its presence could make one see their life flash before their eyes, inducing visions of death.
In an instant, the dark crimson Aura flooded the entire room like a sea of blood.
The two other Guides hastily retreated to corners—unable to leave, they could only cower at the periphery.
Clearly, their leader had fallen into another berserk rage.
It had been ages since they last witnessed their superior this enraged.
’Due to dragons’ inherently arrogant nature, deeply ingrained hierarchical values, and contempt for humans...’
’It completely lost composure, failing to control its emotions?’
’Though a demi-human magical beast, it remains fundantally a wild creature—rely a beast granted so intelligence.’
’One thing worth noting is, have they actually mastered the power of Aura?’
’But that’s to be expected. After all, they’re a demi-human species. Even Chira Ants can open their energy pores after consuming humans—there’s no reason these creatures couldn’t.’
Akira silently observed the black dragon-man shrouded in crimson aura.
The killing intent emanating from the other side was so intense it practically bled through the screen.
’How is this not affecting him?!’
Though the black dragon-man couldn’t see Akira’s side, it could sense the situation through the flow of aura.
The other five were exactly as it had anticipated—no surprises there.
But that insolent human who had spoken so boldly showed not the slightest fluctuation in his aura, as if he was completely unaffected!
’That’s absolutely impossible!!’
Gritting its teeth, the black dragon-man surged even more aura outward, the overwhelming force creating a powerful wind pressure.
Even Akira’s side wasn’t spared—violent gusts of wind erupted out of nowhere.
Yet, in all of the Six Continents, he was the only one who could remain utterly unshaken in the face of such an aura.
"Is this all you’ve got?"
"Then it’s my turn!!"
Akira’s lips curled sharply as he spread his arms wide.
In an instant, three figures of varying sizes materialized behind him.
The next mont, three terrifying auras erupted into the sky!!
The black dragon-man felt as though it had been plunged into an icy abyss, its entire body stiffening in an instant.
Its draconic pupils shrank to the thinnest slits.
These were three auras that filled it with utter despair!!
’Impossible!! How can a re human possess such terrifying power?!’
’This strength even surpasses that of the great ones!!!’
-----------------------------
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