Similar to the horse, the man woke up after being vomited by the void.

"How was it?" Reiji asked. He already observed Ruthren's body and he seemed to be alright. Then, he also checked his Slave Status, and he confirmed that he is still the same. There were no changes whatsoever.

​​

"Mhmm… That was fast… Wait-- Are you worried about me, Master?" Ruthren replied as he looked at Reiji with affection.

"What do you mean by fast?"

"Eh? I guess I was inside the void for about 5 seconds… I think that can be considered to be really fast, Master. Aside from that, though I look like this, I think I'm stronger than a horse, so perhaps I can last longer there… You don't have to hold back, Master."

"Are you serious?" Reiji asked curiously…

"Yes, Master… I should be that strong at the very least." Ruthren explained. He may not be as strong as an Evil Beast, but he's confident about his strength when compared to this beast of burden.

"No, I mean the time you spent inside the void." Reiji clarified.

"Oh… I think I was there for about 5 seconds, Master. As soon as the entrances closed behind me, I just closed my eyes for a moment, then, I felt that I was being pulled out already… As soon as I opened my eyes, I'm already out of the void, Master." Ruthren told his story which left them impressed.

The female sword slaves and Reiji were aware that he didn't just spend a few seconds inside that void…

'Amazing… Perhaps I can use this to capture my targets as well?' Reiji pondered for a moment.

His discovery about the power of this skill would completely change the method of his battle as a Sentient Arcana…

At this point, perhaps he would really no longer require a wielder unless he needs to complete some missions to get Skill Points.

'It doesn't feel like a skill that Unique Arcana should have… But I guess it's one of the perks for being a Blessed…' Reiji thought as he decided to stop experimenting now and to go to the abandoned village.

'Alright, you can now lead the way to the abandoned village…' He said to the female slaves…

'Master, we haven't been there ourselves and we only know the rough location. It was originally taught as a place that we can use as a shelter in case we're on the run.'

'I see… Then just point the direction you think it is located, so I can find it myself.'

'Yes, Master…'

As soon as he confirmed the region they'll be treading, he ordered his slaves to bring the horses to him. They might need them for later. Anyway, they will only be sleeping inside the void and it shouldn't take a long time for them.

As for his slaves, he decided to just make them walk so they can train for a little if in case they encounter an Evil Beast or Wild Beasts… Once they enter the unclaimed land, they will most likely face tons of these beasts. It means that they have to condition themselves that Rufus is no longer with them to assist them in their fight.

Aside from that, he won't be able to talk to them if they are inside the void.

Reiji then used his Traceless ability and covered his whole team and went in the direction of the abandoned village.

It took them less than 15 minutes as the village was just about a kilometer away.

'I can see it now… Do you think that some Cultists are hiding around?'

'That's right, Master. There should be at least a group of five cultists guarding the entrance to their base. Of course, we should also consider that they've placed some defensive array in the surroundings…'

'Hmm… You're right… The Array they installed is quite impressive… I just confirmed it now. So your cult isn't just some random organization.'

Reiji muttered after using his Arcane Sensitivity and Mystical Energy Manipulation to confirm the situation in the abandoned village.

Then, his Blood Thirst actually activated!

Seven cultists are hiding within the ruined houses in the village!

The said skill would only activate if there are creatures, humans, beasts, or other races, that are weakened within a certain range.

This is a good skill for hunting an escaping target. They haven't engaged in a battle yet so he didn't think that the seven cultists were already not in a good condition…

Reiji was a bit shocked about this…

'Something's not right…'

'Master?'

Ruthren called for the Shinai as he wanted to know the situation. He can see the ruined buildings and houses that seem to have been destroyed by some huge Evil Beasts. However, he couldn't find anything suspicious aside from that…

'I found some people. They're most likely part of the cult… However, they're already injured or weakened for some reason…' Reiji explained as he continued looking around.

The sword slaves finally understood the situation as they nodded their heads and tried looking for the traces of the third party.

The cultists were either attacked by some powerful Evil Beasts or perhaps, attacked by the northern army. There was no way that the seven of them would just be injured by self-infliction.

'It's difficult to scan the surroundings.' The sword slaves thought.

The village has already become a part of the forest.

The place was no longer being taken care of and the trees grew around the village. There's tall grass everywhere and vines of unknown plants on the ruined houses.

Reiji remained silent as he found the problem within the village…

'I found their enemy… Anyway, it's not my problem if they were eaten alive here… Look in that direction… There's a covered well, do you think that it's the entrance to the passage made by the first cultists?'

They followed the direction that the shinai pointed.

The four female slaves looked at each other before answering.

'Yes, Master.'

They confirmed the well that was made of black bricks that not even a small plant or moss could grow.

'Very well… Let me deal with this… You guys have to enter the void. You'll surely die if that creature noticed us.'

'We understand, Master.'

Ruthren and the others answered. They were actually curious about the reason why he wanted to go through the tunnel instead of just flying over the mountains to cross the region…

If he wanted to just go to the unclaimed land, they already have a lot of options with the new skill that their master learned. Nevertheless, they decided not to ask Reiji since he should be fully aware of this as well…

They can only think that their master has plans that they don't need to know.

Whoosh!

The Void suddenly appeared as soon as the shinai sliced the air.

The five sword slaves willingly entered the dimensional storage space and after confirming that they all entered, Reiji canceled the skill as the void vanished immediately…

Sword Kinesis!

Reiji flew and activated his other skills to ensure that he won't disturb the top-grade Evil Beast that is finishing its meal…

That's right… It appears that the Cultists hiding in one of the ruined houses weren't all… They seem to have other companions but were now being eaten by this Evil Beast…

The creature is not included within Mapan's book so Reiji is not aware of how to call it.

For now, he'll name it as a Shadow Beast…

It is a creature larger than an Armored Bear with a hazy black figure that seems to be waving around like a black flame…

As for the defensive array around, Reiji decided to use his Mystical Energy Manipulation to distort it a little to let him pass. Perhaps because it was already damaged by the Beast, he managed to complete the task easily.

'Whoa… This pressure… Is it a mini Spiritual Pressure? No wonder the cultists were unable to do anything…' Reiji thought.

Because the creature is facing its back on him, he couldn't see its face clearly. However, he doesn't have to see its face to know how strong it is.

At the very least, he can see that it has two arms picking up the corpses of the Cultists…

He can determine that corpses are part of the Cult due to the markings on their bodies which he had seen several times by now.

As for the surviving seven cultists that are hiding somewhere, though he couldn't see them, they seem to be planning to dive in the well but are being blocked by this creature…

Perhaps they are hoping that once the beast satisfied its hunger, it would just go away and allow them to escape…

'Well, good luck on that…'

Reiji said as he slid the cover a little to have enough space for him to enter…

Finally! He can only hope that they would have a lot of Arcana so he can already prepare for his future advancement.

That's right! His reason for searching the Cultist's base was simple… to confirm their strength and see whether he can take their precious Arcana!

'Hehehe…'