44 Choosing not to Fight an Uncertain Battle

I looked up and saw Old Man Reol's Four Pillars transforming to four beasts again as they charged forward to the Corrupted King Realm who had just dodged the boulder he himself threw.

A Dark Greenish Crown appeared from him and one Pillar hovered to his side as it transformed into a shield to block the four transformed Pillars charging towards him.

This new guy was even stronger than the Corrupted King Realm from the detached forces. And King Realm was somewhat of a big existence here in this world. Just how many large tribes have they corrupted? Another King Realm here means there's another large tribe that succumbed to them.

But a single King Realm here didn't mean his whole tribe was corrupted.

As I watched the battle that was slowly turning into an air battle once again, I felt my senses tingling. There was a change in the atmosphere that my Adaptability detected.

From behind me, 3 figures showed up. Just by their outfit, these guys are Dark Beastmasters.

Each of them was holding a staff and behind them were 3 beasts. No. Their appearance is something not of this world. Are they beasts from the Invading World?

One looks like a panther. Its inky black color and a rather large stature made it more intimidating than the Mutated Thornhog we fought.

One looks like some kind of six-legged lizard. It has a slick skin that seems slippery to touch. It's as large as a young alligator.

And one that looks like a monkey, a bipedal beast with big ears and long tail. Unlike a monkey who keeps on moving about, this one is standing like a human, it's clawed feet digging into the ground

I could feel that the 3 beasts were still around Augmented Realm in strength. About their masters, they don't give a vibe of those we've met at Avelin's tribe. 2-Star Beastmasters?

"This kid. Do you think he's someone important?"

The master of the panther-like beast asked his companions.

"How can a kid be important? Hurry and kill."

He already ordered his monkey-like beast to attack. 

Why do they even ask themselves when they'll attack anyway? It's not like they will give me some reason as to why they are here or what's their purpose. But for them to appear in this deserted camp, will there be a reason?

I still have no idea about my chances against them. It's not just 3 against me but 6. I already deactivated my Energy Shield in case it depletes my remaining World Energy.

Clasping my hand on the Orb of Concealment, I poured in a bit of World Energy in it to activate it at any moment. If it's proven that I couldn't fight a victory against these people then I'll immediately flee by concealing myself.

The monkey-like beast crouched and charged towards me with his tail facing forward like a spear.

I immediately unsheathed my sword and without waiting for it to get near me, I used Energy Slash sending a crescent shape of sharp condensed Brute Energy towards it.

At the same time, I jumped backwards to distance myself from them. But these guys merely watch their beasts to fight. I noticed that back at the Whiteshade Tribe, they're merely watching as their controlled beasts attack Avelin and her tribe.

The two beasts also started moving when my attack collided to the monkey-like beast.

The six-legged lizard rolled into a ball before being hurled by the panther-like beast's paws.

It went straight towards me and before it arrived, it spread its body open as viscous liquid spurted out in a bid to cover me with it.

I activated Flash Step and appeared a few meters away from it, dodging it.

As soon as that liquid touched the ground, it melted the ground and oozed out a smelly odor.

Ugh. Gross.

I threw another Energy Slash and now its aim is that lizard which just landed. This Augmented Skill was proven to be handy at this moment when I didn't dare to get close to them in fear of the unknown.

It tried to roll itself into a ball again but my attack passed by and hit two of its legs.

My attack went straight into it like cutting butter. Two of its legs from its right were severed instantly as greenish viscous liquid spurted out from the cut wound.

Even its blood is that gross, why did he even control that kind of beast?

I only got a few seconds of respite when the panther came charging next. It kicked the squealing lizard back to its master before its black fur turned into spikes that shoot towards me.

I stomped my foot down as I retreated to the side, breaking the ground as rocks flew up before being pierced by those spikes.

The panther, after shooting those spikes froze in his spot as the process of regrowing his fur took place.

Eh? Such a troublesome ability. Why did he even think of using it?

I looked at its master who's grunting at the moment. His staff was put forward as it glows with dark light.

He's controlling the panther and using his energy, he sped up the process of it regrowing its fur and at the same time enhancing its ability. Its eyes glowed in dark-red, seemingly enraged.

That energy was the one corrupting the Barbarians.

Right. They're from that Invading World, that's their inherent energy.

Will I be able to understand it if I got hit by that same kind of energy?

Will I be able to adapt to it? I don't know and even if I want to try, now's not the time.

Fighting these three at the same time seems too much for me right now. Even if I still hadn't fallen into a disadvantage, I wouldn't wait until they joined the fray with their beasts to gang up on me.

Old Man Reol was still fighting against that Corrupted King Realm and I shouldn't rely on a timely rescue from him, I chose to go with him so I couldn't blame him that I fell into this kind of situation.

Pooling in my remaining World Energy, I activated the Orb of Concealment.

I saw their confused expression as the Aura of Concealment covered my whole body and I seemingly vanished from the spot I was standing on, right in front of their eyes.

I quietly distanced myself as they still stood there, wondering what happened.

"The kid vanished!"

The master of the monkey exclaimed. His beast had just recovered from being blown away by my Energy Slash and was about to charge back when I activated the orb.

"Check it. He can't just vanish. Even if it's his Augmented Skill, he couldn't just erase his presence like this!"

The one in the middle, the lizard's master angrily shouted. His beast lost two of its limbs from me so he's a bit unwilling to let me escape. 

Is that gross lizard something he treasures? Despite its strong offensive power which could instantly melt the ground, its defense is totally weak.

Only now did I notice the difference between Erin's Shadow Concealment and this Orb. It looks like the Orb can completely conceal my presence, they couldn't detect it even with the use of their own energy.

Which explains how Zerina escaped from their manor using the Orb. It's not just some average concealment where flaws like footsteps will be noticed immediately.

It completely erased my presence, even if I stand in front of them as long as I don't touch them or get hit, they won't be able to detect my presence.

I only have a few minutes so I left the area leaving the three. I could choose to stay and eavesdrop for information but with their strength, I determined that their position isn't that high.

Besides if the Old Man won against his opponent, I can tell him that the clue might be with them.

I'm alone right now. I don't have to worry about any companion that might be implicated if I turn tail like this. I still don't want to die in a foreign world so fighting a battle that I have no certainty of winning is a no-no.

While concealed, I explored the deserted camp, looking for clues. When the 5-minute mark before the concealment wears off, I hurriedly left to avoid running into those three again.

The army of the tribe didn't really leave any clue as to what really happened or maybe it was in that area where they appeared.

If it was only one Dark Beastmaster, I'm confident at defeating him even if he used that higher energy they have. The 1-Star Beastmaster Erin caught before was already too weak when she brought him back.

Maybe I could do something to have them separate from each other?

I looked up again and the battle between Old Man Reol and the Corrupted King Realm was still ongoing. Just one Pillar of a difference than before put the Old Man to break a sweat. He's starting to use his Halos along with his Pillars.

Why do they even want to try and fight him? In the end, the Old Man will win.

Or is there a catch? Are they trying to exhaust him? They don't know I have Physique Boost that could somehow restore the physical exhaustion of the Old Man.