Ultimate Level 1-Chapter 412: Returning to Igarra’s World

Max’s sonar picked up the moving shapes the second his group appeared in the safe room he had designated for when he would return.

Aerthen began to react, as did Rakonath, both dragons sensing those with weapons drawing close.

“Stop!”

As his eyes focused and Max allowed his sonar to tell him everything it could, he sensed the walls of air, earth, ice, and fire that had formed around them, creating a protective barrier.

Wanting to curse for being a fool and not wearing every bit of armor he had, Max felt himself shove off the ground, propelled by the wind ability he had gained from Riniya, moving toward the shape he recognized.

“Captain Olgura!”

The foxkin had a hand up, no weapons present and stopped the other eleven guards from advancing from each side, all ready for battle.

“Ifrit. Forgive me, but you are required to come with me. No longer are you the master of this world.”

It was then that Max sensed Bob’s acknowledgment of the list of notifications that he had ignored upon sensing the threat when they emerged.

[ Skill Consumed Attempt Failed - Entity Out of Range ] x6

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[ Stats Consumed Attempt Failed - Entity Out of Range ] x5

[ Greater Soul Acquired - Soul Transferred ]

It appears Sog’thollech was busy while we were gone.

Clearing his throat, Max saw that the room was typically empty, a small hall that had served as a waiting area. Quilazmore had informed him that it now had chairs where the guards had been waiting.

“What do you mean? Who is in control and where are Jazzjak and Quilazmore?”

“Both of them are fine, they are–” Olgura’s response stopped, her tan fur starting to stand on end as Aerthen transformed from her humanoid shape. “A dragon!? Two dragons!?”

The other guards started to take steps back, their weapons that had been trained on the group now trembling slightly at the scene before them.

“Allies, now tell me, who controls the city now and what happened to my friend, Sog?”

Dozens of questions swirled through his head, but right now, Max needed to focus on just a few things: ensuring his friends were safe while gaining knowledge of what had happened since he left.

“The demon? That one stopped the first challenger. I’m afraid he didn’t survive the one that came next,” the foxkin replied. “Now the city and the teleporter is under the control of Lord Kazrak and I am to take you… and anyone you show up with to him. Your friend… she will not be able to make it through the hallway.”

A low thrum came from Aerthen as the dragon’s head was pressed against the forty-foot ceiling. Her immense size had forced the guards back and threatened to crush his friends had they not moved slightly to the side. Each of them was now outfitted for battle, eyes scanning the area.

“Max?” the Faction leader called out.

Turning to where his friends were, he saw the confusion on their faces and then realized what he had forgotten.

You are correct. None of them can understand a word that is being spoken.

Grunting to himself, he pulled out a ring he hadn’t used in ages, aligning the runes and moved slowly to where his friends were.

“Everett, wear this. You’ll be able to understand most of what is said. I’ll have to get one of these for the rest of you. Stay ready. Someone has taken control of the city, and we need to go see who.”

“Is that wise?” Aerthen asked, a few wisps of smoke coming from her nostrils. “I’m far stronger in this form, but we both know what they do not. How can you trust that they will not lead us to a trap?”

Tanila’s head moved up and down in agreement with what was just said, and he frowned, turning his attention to Olgura.

“You heard what they asked. Are you leading me into a trap?”

She shifted slightly from side to side, her nose twitching on her snout.

“One does not call where I am supposed to take you a trap, but the truth is… I am leading you to one who is strong. The aura he gives off is… oppressive. Lord Kazrak isn’t like one you faced in the arena, and while I’m certain he isn’t as strong as Igarra was, the few who stood up to him, your champion included, did not survive. All were cut down quickly.”

“How long ago was this?”

Her eyes shifted from side to side, and then she started to tap a few different fingers.

“About two weeks after your champion arrived. Once his presence was announced, the first challenge came. It was a glorious fight, and he won but barely. A week later the next came. He did not make it out of that fight. Since then, four other challengers have stepped forward. None of them… survived.”

It seems that perhaps leaving Sog’thollech here was not the best solution. From what has been described, the moment he was announced as your stead, he became someone who could be challenged, providing the winner with the spoils of this world.

Why didn’t the other two tell me this would happen? I mean, surely they should have known?

Perhaps they forget you were unaware of what doing so would mean and believed that whoever you left in your stead would be strong enough to defeat whoever came. It appears this may be something that won’t stop for a while.

“How long since the last challenge came?”

“Nine days,” she replied.

“Which means one is due or?”

“It would appear that there are no other challengers right now. The deaths Kazrak has given have been rather… effective at letting those know how he feels about attempts to take what he has claimed. Some believe there will be a few more in the coming months, but for now… his power is absolute.”

“And his rule?” Max asked, noticing that Everett was doing his best to translate what was being said to the others.”

“Fair, firm, and appropriate. There is no doubt that going against his wishes means death. Even now the longer we talk, the more likely I may face death for not being quicker in taking you to him. Still, the new champion understands how powerful he can become from a place like this, and there was doubt of when you would return again. Or if you would.”

Stop that, it looks bad, and you’re doing what Stacy does.

Realizing he was chewing his lip, a habit he seemed to repeat after watching his sister do it so often, Max collected himself and snapped his fingers. That act made the other guards who could see him turn towards him.

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“I shall take my friends to somewhere safe first. Where should I come to meet this…”

“Lord Kazrak. He will be in the throne room. Especially once word of your arrival reaches him.”

It took a moment, but Max summoned the bag he was looking for and began pulling cloaks out of it.

“Each of you needs to put one of these on. It will mask the ability to detect you.”

“Does this mean you want me to transform?” Aerthen asked.

“I do.”

Tanila gave him a look of concern but said nothing as she put the cloak on that he handed her. Immediately the presence she gave off lessened, and Max was grateful that he had acquired these from Igarra’s vault.

“Captain Olgura, go tell him that I am coming. He can face me in the arena. I’ll be there shortly.”

A bow came, and the foxkin gave a sharp whistle, causing all the other beastkin and insectoid guards to finally put their weapons away.

“May you prove yourself once again. Remember that the strong take what they want.”

She motioned to the other guards, and each of them began to move to where she was headed, using one of the doors that Max knew led toward the throne room he always avoided.

“So… you weren’t kidding,” Everett said after the room was just those who had come from their world. “Adventure and excitement from the moment we arrived. Are you certain this is a fight you should be taking? I mean… couldn’t you negotiate with this Kazrak to work together?”

Shaking his head, Max stored the backpack on the ground.

“No. This world doesn’t do that well, especially if it would require sharing power. Even though I ask for nothing, there is little chance from what I have seen it would work and taking you… seven near him isn’t going to help my cause.”

“Because we’re weak?” Fowl asked, a frown plastered on his face.

“Compared to what is out here… yes. The power difference is…”

“You don’t have to try and tell us,” Batrire said as she squeezed Fowl’s plated arm. “We are well aware of the difference in power between you and us. If they are like you… we would only be a liability.”

“Which begs the question, where are we going to wait for your hopeful return?” Aerthen asked, adjusting the dark cloak Max had given her as it grew to fit her shape and size.

“Rakonath is my limiting factor,” Max said as he studied the silver dragon that looked slightly smaller after having puffed itself out and extended his wings some when the guards were present. “I can’t take him through some of the hallways as he would get stuck, and one of the places I considered would be impossible for him to enter as well.

“Going outside of the city isn’t any better as I honestly don’t know where to put you that wouldn’t have some monster trying to eat you all. As a group, I’m certain you could survive, but there would also be non-stop battles that take place. I tried to warn you all. This world is all about fighting, and when someone senses weakness or blood, it brings out those looking for a meal or chance to get stronger.”

“I’m sorry I am causing so many problems,” Rakonath said. “I never intended to be such a bother.”

Shaking his head, Max moved to where the silver dragon was and motioned for him to lower his head.

Using one hand, he scratched under the young dragon’s jaw, while working the other along the ridge of his snout.

“Do not think that way. I’m still trying to get used to the fact I have a dragon as a friend and partner. One day we’ll figure it out and hopefully we can spend a little more time together in the coming weeks, getting to explore and see what this world has to offer.”

A low trill came as his fingers scratched the scales Max could sense had gotten much harder since the first day they had met.

“I guess we need to leave sooner than later?” Everett asked.

Nodding, Max smiled as he gave the older man a real inspection.

“You look like a real adventurer in that armor and with those swords. Who knew you could do something like that, even at your age.”

A chuckle came from the others as Everett gave a twirl, showing off his silver armor with a pair of golden axes etched on the chest piece.

“Just trying to fit in with the rest of you.”

“Okay. Everyone touch me as before. We’re not going far.”

When the purple portal vanished, they were crammed into a hallway and Max was glad to see that there were no guards present.

It would appear that Jazzjak and Quilazmore kept their part of the agreement and didn’t share this place with the new champion.

Moving to where the stone was that hid the place he was looking for, Max could sense that nothing was different from the last time he had been here.

Everyone needs a dark elf they can trust. Right?

The faintest chuckle came from Bob as he put his hand over the stone that was the key to his hiding place.

[ Stone Mastery ]

Worked stone bricks began to shift, and the purple-colored wall moved apart, each of them sliding down the hallway until it revealed a shimmering portal behind.

Looking back at Rakonath, Max grinned and moved more bricks, having to clear almost the entire section of the twenty-foot-tall wall.

I wonder if Igarra knew this hallway needed to be this wide.

“Everyone in,” Max said as the last of the bricks from the wall were moved out of the way.

Quickly they all walked up to and through the shimmering wall of magic, finding themselves inside a pocket dimension like the one the guild halls used as their vaults.

“You have one of these?” Everett asked as he scanned the larger open area. Chests lined a wall and a variety of furniture was placed in different areas. It was easily fifty yards wide and about twenty yards across.

“Well, the old champion of the world had a few of these. This one was basically empty, and I’ve claimed it as my own private area. You all will stay here until I return.”

He saw the looks on their faces, and Cordellia was visibly frowning.

“And when will that be?” their ranger asked.

“When I’ve claimed my throne again.”

Moving to where Tanila was, he pulled her close and kissed her.

“I love you. I’ll be back soon.”

A single head bob was all she gave as a reply. She wore a forced smile, yet Max sensed her heart racing.

“Make sure everyone sees that you won’t hold back.”

“I will, my love,” he replied.

Taking a few steps back he pointed at some chests.

“There is food and drink there. You all try to relax as best as you can. I’ll return shortly.”

As he started to walk away, Max sensed Rakonath moving to where Tanila was, slowly nudging her with his head.

I will take care of her. Return to us both.

Wishing he could reply without having to speak out loud, Max gazed at the silver dragon and smiled.

Then he left, putting the pieces of the wall back in place.

We ready for this?

As ready as we can be. I’m excited about consuming something worthwhile.

His laughter echoed off the walls as the purple portal took him from where he stood.

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