Chapter 1085: Kifa Karsts
Chapter 1085: Kifa Karsts
...
After Izroth received the message containing the updated coordinates, he immediately began to head to that location.
The Kifa Karsts was a level 60-70 area that spanned hundreds of kilometers and was a mixture of vibrant greenery and towering rocks. It contained countless sinkholes, caves, and springs. It was also well-known among higher level players for being the home to a wide variety of minerals.
Since the Kifa Karsts was so huge, no single guild was able to lay claim to it. As a result, the top guilds and other big guilds decided to divide the Kifa Karsts into their own sections. That is why it was not uncommon for intense battles to break out at any moment over territorial disputes. This was even more so if a new resource was discovered and bordered two different territories.
"The coordinates should be somewhere around here.'
Izroth scanned the surrounding area and noticed the presence of thirteen individuals.
"'There.'
Izroth slightly adjusted his direction as he headed toward a place well hidden by the natural rock formations and greenery.
...
"Are you certain that Palace Master Izroth has arrived in Kifa Karsts?" A woman's voice sounded with a hint of skepticism behind it.
This woman appeared to be in her early twenties, and if one word could be used to describe her, it would be pretty. She had wavy burgundy hair and light red eyes and wore a set of comfortable mage robes that contained a mixture of elegance and practicality.
She was a player who went by the name Zinnia. She was also an elite player from Sleeping Gardenia and the section leader in charge of managing and safeguarding the guild's territory within Kifa Karsts.
Accompanying Zinnia were eleven other members of Sleeping Gardenia, all of whom were considered elite players and skillful in their own right.
As for the last person present, she was the one whom Izroth entrusted with leading the investigation surrounding the sudden disappearance of Empyrean and Selene, Azalea Wraith.
"Yes," Azalea replied nonchalantly and straight to the point.
Zinnia frowned before she released a helpless sigh. Azalea was not one for small talk, and Zinnia was unable to get much from her outside of a basic response. Because of her name, she thought that Azalea was someone who admired Sleeping Gardenia; however, that did not seem to be the case at all.
"There is a lot to do when it comes to managing Kifa Karsts; however, I cannot afford to overlook this matter, as it was a personal request from the guild leader herself. I have to perform well." Zinnia thought to herself.
She was ordered to treat the person coming as a VIP and help with whatever was needed. Even if he wanted to take some resources away, she was to allow it to happen without interfering.
At first, Zinnia did not understand why the guild leader was going so far out of her way to accommodate someone. But, when Zinnia found out that the who would be coming to Kifa Karsts was Izroth, everything started to make sense.
By now, everyone knew what kind of relationship the Mystical Realm Palace and Sleeping Gardenia had with one another. There were even rumors in Sleeping Gardenia that the guild leader's younger sister, whom she was overly protective of, was a close friend of Izroth.
Zinnia turned toward the members of Sleeping Gardenia and said, "Alright, everyone, listen up. Palace Master Izroth is an important guest of our Sleeping Gardenia. The guild leader has entrusted us to assist him with whatever needs he may have. Be sure to mind your manners." The members of Sleeping Gardenia became restless as they began to talk and chatter amongst themselves.
"Hey, the young miss isn't actually together with Palace Master Izroth, right?" One of the Sleeping Gardenia members whispered to the person next to her.
"No, those are just rumors. I heard he is still up for grabs."
"So, you're saying there's a chance?"
"If I can become Palace Master Izroth's woman, then... Kyaaah~"
"You are dreaming. It is I who will become Palace Master Izroth's woman."
"Ho? Then, why don't we compete to see who can earn Palace Master Izroth's affection?"
"You a lot... If the guild leader hears we made a competition out of this, she won't be too happy."
"Ehhhh... What a party killer."
Azalea closed her eyes and tried to tune out the ridiculous chatter that entered her ears.
"Hmph, how can any of you be worthy of being my teacher's woman?" Azalea thought to herself as she scoffed.
Woosh!
Without warning, a dagger appeared in Azalea's hand as she swiftly spun her body and struck forward with her dagger.
Ding!
Azalea's dagger collided with something solid.
"It's an ambush!" One of the Sleeping Gardenia members cried out as they prepared themselves.
They were shocked by the sudden emergence of someone so close to their position. If he attacked one of them instead of Azalea, could they have intercepted that attack in time? No, they did not even detect that person's presence. It would have been impossible to block that kind of attack!
"Huh? That appearance is..." Zinnia noticed something familiar about the person who just arrived.
"Stay your hand!" Zinnia ordered with haste.
The members of Sleeping Gardenia were a bit taken aback by Zinnia's order. They had just been attacked, and they were not going to respond?
"Oh? Your reaction time has gotten better, and your movements have become more refined. I see you have not been slacking off in the training that I assigned to you." A carefree voice sounded from in front of Azalea.
"I do not wish to bring shame to you," Azalea said as she retracted her dagger and returned it to the sheath hidden under the forearm.
She then cupped her hands and gave a respectful bow, "Disciple Azalea greets her teacher."
Izroth gave a small nod as he returned the Obsconis Hunting Dagger to his inventory and said,
"You have done well."
Izroth sized up Azalea and inspected her with his Energy Vision Sense.
"To think she was able to react to and block my attack even with Dark Ambush from the Obsconis Hunting Dagger active. She must have already gotten used to the perception change of the Five Cycles Pill and made great overall progress.'
There were not many players in RML who could keep up with Izroth in speed let alone surpass him. However, Azalea was one of the few players capable of doing so. Of course, the same could not be said if Izroth used every movement speed skill at his disposal. But, in terms of maintaining a consistent speed without too great a penalty attached, Azalea may still hold
the upper hand.
When they first met, Azalea's speed was already above Izroth's. It was simply that her senses could not keep up with her great speed. That is why Izroth gave her a Five Cycles Pill to consume. With the improvement to her senses provided by the Five Cycles Pill, Azalea could not only achieve higher consistent speeds, but her overall reaction time and the smoothness of her movements increased by leaps and bounds.
After exchanging greetings, Izroth turned to face Zinnia and the members of Sleeping
Gardenia.
Zinnia stepped forward and said respectfully, "Welcome, Palace Master Izroth. Forgive our delayed welcome. My name is Zinnia. I am the section leader in charge of managing Sleeping Gardenia's territory inside of Kifa Karsts. The ones behind me are also elite players from Sleeping Gardenia, who have been sent to aid Palace Master Izroth in any way that you see fit. We hope that you will not be afraid to let us know your needs."
'So, she's the one Mariposa mentioned.'
Once Izroth learned from Azalea that the area of Kifa Karsts he gave her to search belonged to Sleeping Gardenia, Izroth wasted no time contacting Mariposa to request her guild's cooperation in searching for traces of Empyrean and Selene.
Of course, Mariposa agreed without hesitation. She informed Izroth that the members of her
guild would help him in his search, and there would not be any problems with him venturing
around in their territory.
"I will have to trouble you, Zinnia. I had my own purposes, but I still caused you some
concern. To make up for that and as thanks in advance for your assistance, feel free to distribute this among the members of Sleeping Gardenia present." Izroth said as he removed a small bag from his inventory and handed it over to Zinnia.
"This-" Zinnia was about to turn down the gift. After all, this was a responsibility assigned to
her by the guild leader herself.
However, Zinnia was suddenly reminded of the guild leader's words.
"If Palace Master Izroth offers you a gift, accept it without hesitation. Don't even think about declining it."—those were the words that Mariposa gave to her.
With that in mind, Zinnia graciously accepted Izroth's gift.
"I, and the members of Sleeping Gardenia present, thank Palace Master Izroth for his
generosity," Zinnia said politely.