"Clan Leader!"

As if it was to ruin the moment when everything was going the right way and the domain's bright future was just a week or two ahead, a familiar distressed yell came out from behind the door before it was pushed.

'The 'guide'...?'

"What is it? Didn't I say no to interrupt my important discussion with Azure?"

The Clan Leader's face seemed to have signs of anger that seemed to go well with his words, but in fact, there seemed to be a shadow of worry hidden behind them.

"I'm sorry, but it's an emergency! Something unexplainable just happened, it's hard to describe, you should see it yourself, Clan Leader!"

In truth, it was obvious why he was behaving this way, as the Clan Leader, it was almost impossible for someone from the Dragon Clan to interrupt him this way.

'This timing…'

However, since the 'guide' actually did so, it could only mean that a dangerous situation that couldn't be dealt with by any other member of the Dragon Clan has ensued in the Stronghold! His anger was only a cover to hide his worry that was extremely heightened as a result of our discussion!

"...Very well, show the way."

The Clan Leader only hesitated for a second as he exchanged looks with the Great Elder before standing up from his throne-like chair, taking calm steps before stopping a few steps away from me with a bitter smile on his face.

"As for…"

"I will come along."

The situation was obviously as abnormal as its timing was, but it wasn't like I could ignore considering that it could potentially send my progress in the Fire Domain back to zero. Besides, if it turned out that it was something that I couldn't handle, I had enough confidence in my ability to escape…

"Then let's go see what is the source of this trouble…"

The Clan Leader's expression slightly eased before turning back to its usual firmness as we made our way out of the 'Central' Tree.

'Hmmm…'

As we walked forward, it looked as if the inner part of the stronghold was a barren desert that didn't have a soul in it, but the reason behind that was quickly revealed…

The whole clan members were crowding towards the stronghold's gate!

"Make way!"

The Clan Leader's 'charismatic' words that he announced as we reached the crowd of half-dragons seemed to finally allow them to snap back to reality as they revealed the cause behind the commotion that was stepping through the gate without any resistance.

'A half-snake?'

A guy who seemed to have somewhat similar features to the half-dragons except for his face which was quite long, both sharp and extended outward towards its end was walking-in slowly along two black-robed figures.

[ 'Beastman Illusion Blade Dancer' lv.202

Race: Humanoid Serpent (Black Shadow)

State: Weakened (Under Suppression)

~~~~

Stats:

Strength: 40 (-36)

Constitution: 35 (-32.5)

Agility: 50 (-45)

Wisdom: …

…

~~~~

Special Skills:

'Extreme Shadow Barrier (Advanced)' lv.10 (Temporary, Externally powered)

'Shadow Illusion Mind Art (Intermediate)' lv.10

… ]

'...As well as a Shadow Alliance member?'

Just looking at the Clan Leader's grim face coupled with the information that I obtained through the 'Eye of Knowledge', it wasn't hard to guess the identity of the intruder.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Creed, the great Clan Leader of the almighty Dragon Clan. What's with the face, didn't you especially come out to greet me just like you clan members? Or it's that my surprise visit doesn't make you as happy as I expected it to do?" 

The Snake-man immediately started provoking the Clan Leader as he put on an evil grin, he seemed completely calm as if he wasn't walking into enemy land.

"Maze! As the Great Elder of the Shadow Clan as well as a leading member of the Shadow Alliance, you dare show up here on my Green Dragon Mountain Range? Are you really that tired of living?"

It wasn't hard to tell that the Clan Leader was doing his best to calm himself as he replied to the Snake-man with no intention to attack him, just like the rest of the half-dragons.

'His strength doesn't seem worth taking note of, but this strange powered barrier…'

The Snake-man's stats were under a disastrous debuff which almost reduced them by 90% as shown in my eyes, the cause of which seemed to be the special location we were currently in just as stated by the Clan Leader, making him seem like a paper tiger. However, the actual cause of this weird stalemate was none other than a strange fading gray film that covered the Snake-man and his company.

'Not to mention this spread haze…'

The gray film was obviously the special influenced skill that didn't seem to be part of the guy's ability, and its power was obviously as great as the skill rank, just looking at the weapons of the gate guard that were abnormally bent out of shape as well as the barrier itself proved that normal means of attacking wouldn't do him any harm. My Perception and 'Sensory Area' both confirmed that fact…

Furthermore, there was some sort of a microscopic haze that spread on a small diameter that seemed to slightly dull one's mind, which was the reason behind the half-dragons' slow response.

On the other hand, the Clan Leader didn't seem to be affected just like me, but he also appeared to understand the barrier's capability and thus restrained himself.

"Now, now, now, there is no need to speak such impolite words. How about this? Let's change the topic to something you would like instead. I'm sure that you are wondering how I managed to reach here more than you care about whether I dare to or not, am I right?"

The Snake-man spoke fearlessly as if given complete confidence by his temporary barriers seemingly enjoying the situation. However, I couldn't help but frown inside as soon as I understood the reason for his smugness.

'These two…'