'Here we go again…'

Going through the space transfer was never a good thing, as it made one nauseated, and while I did have a limited 'Immunity' towards it, it was still quite the bothersome thing to go through…

Fortunately, it didn't seem that the destination and the place I was at was that far apart, as it didn't take long before the bumpy ride came to an end as I arrived at a closed cave, which looked a bit like a basement that was created underground with no path that lead to the outside of it.

The distinct feature was that there were four black hexagonal crystals floating around a brown heptagon, which was exactly at the closed cave's center…

'I guess it's time to call him out again…'

"Hey Long…"

Removing the ring from my hand as I tried to call out for the cute yet mysterious lizard that had several cases of identity disorders, I was kind of surprised as the answer came out faster than expected…

[Yes. How can I help you?]

'Oh… interesting…'

It seemed like the new persona of long was a polite and on spot one which seemed to suit his actual role as the supportive AI, meaning that I didn't have to trouble myself that much to get answers fast.

"Can you examine these crystals and find out their precise functions?"

[Understood.]

While I did know that it was likely for the brown one to be the way out similar to how it was the green one in the last gate with the black ones being the path to the demon base, I didn't take it for granted as the whole experience I have went through to reach here was completely different aside from the regular nauseating ride. As such, it was better to ask an expert like Long, I wouldn't lose anything if I was right anyway while I could potentially mess up if I depended on my earlier experience and ended up screwing it, so it was better to do it this way…

[The brown one is supposed to be a portal creator and not just a personal teleporter like the last green crystal, the black crystals are personal teleporters that should be the way to the demon base… However, both the brown one and the black won't work without the other key holders arriving here first, either by losing the trial after a day passes or by passing it, the losers would obviously get their crystal deactivated while the passers can head into the demon base after all of those who entered are gathered here.]

"Key holders… I guess this earthen item set is really the core of this all… what about those who don't pass and have their crystals deactivated? Would they be trapped in here forever?"

Thinking back about what would have happened if I had just left with my crossbow, it would have meant that I wouldn't be able to access this gate without the other three anytime later, it could be said that this current outcome was one of the better outcomes that could have happened...

[The brown crystal would create duplicate portal to be exact, one here and one in the demon base in case someone's left behind.]

"Ok then, thanks Long!"

[You are welcome, I'm going back to the ring, call me out if you need me for something else.]

Seeing Long disappearing into the ring, I felt a bit awkward dealing with this new persona of his, after all, even his other personas all had certain moody parts about them, but this time he just did what I asked without any nagging or temptations, it just felt… weird.

'Okay then, let's start by taking the brown crystal...'

Since the brown crystal was an item that could only be held by an individual, I would obviously not leave it in the hand of the other three, it was much more safer with me and acted as a guarantee for me to act with more confidence without having to consider side plans.

Other than that, since I was finally heading for a worthy battle, and had nothing to do but waiting, it was about time to use and assign the stat points that I kept aside for now!

Since my arrival to the Nature Domain till this point, I didn't really have any fights or battles that needed me to increase my physical stats as I could just deal with it normally, but now that I was supposed to fight my first serious battle in a while, especially against demons who had monstrous physical stats and incredibly high levels, it was about time that I invested the point I currently have…

[ Name: Ian Cloud.

Alias: Lan Storm - Zero

Race: Draconic Human

Main race: Human (other worlder) - Sub race: Dragon

Attribute: Lightning, Thunder, Wind, Fire, Water & Ice

Level: 102

Class: 'Elemental Weapon Master' (M) / 'Versatile Lord' (S)

Age: 17

~~~~~~

• Stats :

Strength: 33.00

Constitution: 33.00

Agility: 33.00

Dexterity: 33.00

Perception: 33.00

Wisdom: 33.00

Intelligence: ???

Hexa-Element: 33.00 ( Lightning, Thunder, Wind, Fire, Water, Ice ) (+0.67)

Unassigned stat points: 13.05 ]

'Hmmm…'

As I was already taking on the path of a balanced all rounder, I decided to add the same amount to every stat in a more organized way...

[ Strength +2! ]

[ Strength: 35.00 ]

[ Constitution +2! ]

[ Constitution: 35.00 ]

[ Agility +2! ]

[ Agility: 35.00 ]

[ Dexterity +2! ]

[ Dexterity: 35.00 ]

[ Perception +2! ]

[ Perception: 35.00 ]

[ Wisdom +2 ]

[ Wisdom: 35.00 ]

'Really...?'

Not only did boosting all my stats to 35 points not achieve any limit break ability, but it also wasn't strong enough for 'Pain Immunity' to level up, but I guess one couldn't expect surprises all the time…

[ Unassigned stat points: 1.05 ]

With only 1 point and some change left, I decided to put it aside for now in case I needed one of Long's abilities or something…

`~~`~~`~~`

Five hour later…

Finally, and after waiting for that long, the Trio appeared out of nowhere as...

"What do you think you are doing?!"