Chapter 47: Chapter47-Convergence of Forces

It was precisely the deterrence of the Storm King that had barred Lucas and his group from entering.

Theodore, being a transcendent-tier Crimson Count, even with his inherited class, was significantly outmatched compared to the Storm King.

The vast chasm of strength was not so easily bridged, after all, not everyone was like John, possessing not only a god-tier class but also SSS-level talent.

Due to forcibly using Blood Shadow Pursuit, Theodore's complexion was still somewhat pale.

He leaned in and whispered to Lucas, "Young master, we can't wait any longer. There are many powerful individuals entering the secret realm this time, be it Baron, Theodore, or Victor, all are top-tier awakeners within the transcendent-tier. Delaying could lead to complications; we need to make a decision quickly."

Lucas's expression was grim; he too wished to enter the secret realm sooner and secure the relics left by the Crimson Demon.

But to force their way through now would be tantamount to openly breaking with House Fairfax.

If they fail to find what they're seeking within the secret realm, Lucas's return to House Carter would involve more than just losing his status as the heir.

The House Carter's family law is harsh, and even Lucas isn't keen on facing its consequences.

As Lucas hesitated, unable to make a decision,

suddenly, the secret realm was engulfed in a surge of blood light!

A crimson pillar of light burst forth from the ethereal secret realm, staining the grey sky with blood, and twelve illusory blood suns hung high in the sky.

Faintly, the silhouette of a terrifying demon god with wings slowly emerged, its oppressive might causing a suffocating feeling among all present.

"Crimson Demon!"

Upon seeing the winged demon god's silhouette, both Lucas and Theodore shuddered.

This figure matched exactly with what was recorded in their family archives!

Meaning, they hadn't erred; this was indeed a secret realm related to the Crimson Demon!

Albertus shielded his eyes from the blinding red light and looked up at the massive Crimson Demon silhouette.

He clicked his tongue, "I didn't expect this to truly be a dark god secret realm; my uncle's judgment was spot on. Given this commotion and might, if we can find something left by this dark god, the gains will be substantial.

I just hope nothing chaotic ensues; otherwise, not only would we gain nothing, but the folks from Hidden Stars might also come knocking at House Fairfax, holding us accountable."

The Federal's definition of "dark god" is broad, encompassing any entity hostile to humanity and beyond the level of a forbidden spell, all could be termed "dark god."

A "dark god secret realm" refers to a secret realm associated with such entities.

These secret realms often house twisted and grotesque monsters, highly dangerous but equally rich in resources, with many rare items and materials.

However, one critical aspect of venturing into a dark god secret realm is the need for caution; the slightest misstep could allow the monsters within to escape, threatening human cities.

Those responsible for developing this secret realm and the forces involved would all be held accountable by the Federal, and Hidden Stars is a special organization dedicated to dealing with such monsters and incidents.

The reason the Federal does not prohibit private development of secret realms is primarily due to their vast number.

Relying solely on the Federal to develop them would consume a tremendous amount of manpower and resources, hence the adoption of this contract-like development model.

John had anticipated this, so he wasn't surprised.

He weaved through the forest, his figure swiftly heading towards Demonbone Peak.

Along the way, John encountered many monsters, including quite a few elite-tier creatures, and even a lv59 lord-tier monster known as the "Eight-Eyed Blood Demon."

This monster was tall and muscular, with bulging muscles and eight eyes that cast a chilling gaze at John, sending a shiver down his spine with just one look, truly terrifying.

However, these monsters did not attack John.

They were all worshipping towards Demonbone Peak, completely ignoring John as he passed by, even if they noticed him, they didn't care.

John breathed a sigh of relief, careful not to disturb these formidable beings, quietly bypassing them.

Along the way, John also encountered many mercenaries and awakeners from various forces.

Some, like John, were quickly heading towards Demonbone Peak, while others were taking this opportunity to frantically scour the secret realm for precious herbs and ores.

When they saw John's Hidden Stars uniform and the black mask on his face, some greeted him, others pretended not to see him, but none seemed inclined to trouble John.

The reputation of Hidden Stars proved quite useful, sparing John a lot of hassle.

With no monsters to hinder him, John made quick progress.

Soon, he arrived at the foot of Demonbone Peak.

The area was already teeming with people.

John glanced over the crowd, seeing representatives from House Foster, House Fairfax, House Winters, the military, mercenaries, and more.

Almost all the renowned forces were present, and they were mostly composed of formidable individuals, each radiating a powerful aura.

These people looked at John with somewhat peculiar expressions.

Although they were unaware of John's strength, the mask on his face hinted at his affiliation with Hidden Stars, suggesting he was likely a newcomer whose abilities couldn't be too extraordinary.

So what was he doing here, if not courting death?

However, the deterrence of Hidden Stars prevented them from voicing any opinions. After all, Victor was just up ahead.

If anyone was found bullying his subordinate, given what they knew of this god of slaughter, Victor would undoubtedly descend from the mountaintop to cleave the foolhardy soul in two with a single sword strike.

John ignored their gazes, accustomed to such attention.

He continued towards the core area at the base of the peak.

There, John spotted Old Dog and the four members of Gold Flash.

They appeared to have gone through a tough battle, with injuries all over their bodies.

However, they seemed to be in no grave danger, as Silver Tear was administering healing, and they were engaged in conversation.

Additionally, John noticed Seraphina and Alex, who had already descended from the mountain.