In mere seconds, the sharp greatsword was drawn and descended before Night Frost. Thick mana surged from the array patterns etched across its surface, swiftly enveloping the blade. Combined with the elf man’s powerful limbs and muscles, the strike landed with lightning speed.

Night Frost was no pushover. As a Magic Maiden, how could she be intimidated? His swing was fast—but to her, not fast enough. At this distance, she could react easily.

*Clang—*

The array-patterned greatsword clashed against Night Frost’s arm, ringing like steel on steel. Upon closer look, crimson patterns—woven from living flames—adorned her forearm. They resembled those on the blade, yet served a different purpose.

The elf man was stunned. He never expected this unknown human—or perhaps elf—to block his strike at such close range. His greatsword couldn’t even breach her defensive mana.

*This one… is strong.*

He withdrew the blade. After sheathing it, he straightened his posture, cleared his throat twice, and spoke haltingly in broken Dragon Tongue:

“In short… the elder summons you. Release Lurie. It’s an invitation… an invitation.”

Fierce-looking yet unexpectedly sharp—he’d given Night Frost no reason to resist. Acting now would mean being hunted. She had no desire to face the formidable warriors of Chapter Three.

“You’re sensible enough,” he remarked.

He led the way, steps heavy. Night Frost followed calmly, utterly at ease. Clearly, those above had underestimated her. The elf man grew flustered—he lacked the power to restrain her. In his hands, she was a ticking time bomb.

Fortunately, Night Frost refrained from provocation. They reached another wooden hut without incident.

This dwelling stood apart—more than twice the size of others. Not pure wood: obsidian powder and metal were fused into its frame. Elven carvings lined the walls, depicting ancestral history in simple scenes. Night Frost had Eye Orb capture them before stepping inside.

Lurie entered last. Though she’d steeled herself at the threshold, her visibly trembling hands betrayed unshakable tension.

*Who waits within?*

Night Frost didn’t know—but guessed a revered elder of the clan.

Though last to enter, Lurie was guided to the front. Passing Night Frost, she whispered details to Li Dogegg, who translated swiftly:

This was the elder’s residence—the creator of the scroll in Night Frost’s palm, and beyond doubt, the clan’s master of Array Patterns.

Night Frost studied the Elderly Elf before her. She didn’t know elven lifespans, but this one had clearly lived centuries, if not millennia. Such beings carried living history. Accumulated wisdom granted mastery in hidden arts. Power not to be underestimated—this was the blessing of longevity.

If he saw through her disguise… no surprise.

If he were weak, escape would be simple. But in the Mythic Abyss? Who knew what strange artifacts he might unleash.

Lurie knelt slowly, speaking softly in Elven to the Great Elder. Night Frost watched blankly—she understood nothing.

Considerate, the elf man haltingly translated their exchange in broken Dragon Tongue.

“Do you know—bringing an outsider into the city is a grave crime? Even if she saved your life… unacceptable.”

Earlier, Lurie had fully explained herself. The elder understood. Elves were kind—repaying life-debt was noble—but rules stood firm.

“And you gave this vital scroll… to a suspicious stranger!”

The Elderly Elf slammed the table. His gaze locked on Night Frost’s palm—the scroll still glowed. *Running since last night? Without aid? Her mana reserves are impressive…*

He crafted it. He saw her truth instantly: human. A Sorceress.

Sorceresses wielded innate mana and magic—but talent like hers was rare even in his long life.

And the elf man mentioned she carved Array Patterns too… skillfully. A plan stirred in his mind.

“Do you know the punishment for harboring an external enemy?”

His sidelong glances flicked toward Night Frost, making her skin prickle.

“Stripped of elf blood… executed… buried beneath the Elf Tree.”

Night Frost understood. He meant to execute Lurie—though *she* was the transgressor. Yet his tone hinted Night Frost faced a different fate. No escape.

Hearing the sentence, the elf man stepped forward, sword raised. Royal guard. Executioner. His duty: purge external threats and internal corruption—to uphold the clan’s Order.

Lurie’s death would warn the unruly.

But as he drew his blade—Night Frost moved.

A vortex of flame erupted beneath her feet, propelling her forward. Crimson-gold fire coalesced into a Spear, clashing with his greatsword—and nearly wrenching it from his grip.

She glanced at the scroll. No more pretense. The elder saw her true form anyway. Better to rip off this “parasite” than let it drain her mana mid-fight.

*rip*

Elf-style Magic Armor vanished. In its place: her own crimson-gold and black Magic Armor.

Array Patterns flared across her body. Her Magic Layer shimmered with fiery light. She drew a deep breath.

This strike would be her full power.

Flames coiled her calves. Her kick seemed gentle—yet radiated inevitability: impossible to block, impossible to evade.

The Elderly Elf on the dais agreed. A wave of his hand sent a scroll flying from his sleeve. It unfurled instantly, forming a barrier around the elf man.

Night Frost’s strike hit the shield. A violent counterforce surged back, scattering the Array Patterns on her Magic Layer.

But the barrier wouldn’t hold. For her strike to fail here? Absurd.

Flames consumed the scroll. The resistance faded. Though weakened, her kick landed squarely on the sword he raised.

How could brittle steel withstand her? The heavy blade shattered.

“You’re lucky.”

Words none understood—but the contempt was clear. The Elderly Elf’s expression shifted slightly.

The elf man cradled the broken hilt. He finally grasped the chasm between them. That aura… he’d only felt it from elders.

“The fault is mine. Why involve Lurie?”

Lurie moved to translate—but the elder stopped her. He understood Li Dogegg’s language.

“I merely tested what kind of Sorceress you are. You *are* different… Shall we make a deal?”

Night Frost froze. *A deal? With me? An outsider?*

“For this, I absolve your crimes—and Lurie’s. Payment. Rewards. How about it… outsider from beyond the world?”

*Beyond the world?* How did he know? Had he recognized her words? Had others from the Mortal Realm walked this Abyss before?

He’d met them. He might know other exits. Cooperation… feasible.

“I suspect you seek a way out. As it happens… I know one.”

A bombshell. He knew of the Mortal Realm. Knew the path. Alliance became necessary.

She relayed everything to Eye Orb. Suspicious—but worth considering, *if* he revealed the task first.

So Night Frost had Li Dogegg ask: *What must I do?*

“Good. Cautious… That puts my mind at ease.”

“What I want: the treasure left by those from the Mortal Realm who once came here. And there… lies the path back to the Mortal Realm.”

The elf elder made no disguise. Desire plain on his face. If the Mythic Abyss learned this path… would it not invite a Myth invasion?

Night Frost fell silent again.

*Never… will I bring ruin to the Mortal Realm because of myself.*