In a clearing some distance from the pit, two figures lay sprawled on the ground while another stood nearby.
The ones on the ground were Dillard and Rui Yan. The standing figure was, of course, Ren.
"Finally…"
"The fresh air of nature," Dillard said, taking a deep breath.
"Hm?" Ren looked at them. "Who are you guys, and why did you bring me out of the tunnel?"
"Me? My name?" Dillard replied as he pushed himself up and settled into a sitting position, his back resting against a nearby tree.
"No, not your name," Ren said. "But if you want to tell me, go ahead."
"Chill, bro. It's nothing to be shy about. If you want to know my name, you could just ask."
"And I sai—"
Dillard continued, cutting him off mid-sentence. "Besides, you saved both our lives. Compared to that, a name is nothing."
"…Dillard."
He pointed to the unconscious woman beside him. "And she's Rui Yan. We're from Dragon Bone Valley."
"Dragon Bone Valley?" Ren froze. "Wait—that Dragon Bone Valley? The clan renowned for holding the Vajrama title? And—"
"Yes, yes, that Dragon Bone Valley. Or is there another one?" Dillard interrupted, waving his hand.
"If you don't mind," he continued, "can I get your name? It's rude not knowing your savior's name."
"My name is Ren."
"Ren, huh?" Dillard nodded. "As for helping the miss, you'll be handsomely rewarded."
"But—"
"No buts. You will be rewarded. That's final."
"Stop it," Ren snapped. "Stop interrupting me mid-sentence. And besides, I didn't help anyone. If anything, you were the ones who helped me."
"Huh?"
"Helped you? How?"
"Don't act like you don't know," Ren said flatly.
"I don't know what," Dillard replied, scratching his head awkwardly.
"You really don't know?" Ren pressed.
Silence followed.
"Fine," Ren said. "The Frenzy Bees outside the pit."
"Hahaha—"
"Hahahaha! My bad," Dillard laughed. "So you meant that? Those were just some bugs I mistakenly squashed."
"Hm. I see," Ren said calmly.
But inwardly, his thoughts screamed.
Bugs?!
Those were thousands of Frenzy Bees—obliterated just by him passing by.
Truly worthy of someone from Dragon Bone Valley…
"Speaking of the miss," Ren said aloud, "what happened to her? She's been unconscious since you got here."
"What?" Dillard turned immediately. "The miss? She might be exhausted—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
A shallow gash was visible on Rui Yan's shoulder. Green liquid slowly oozed from the wound.
"…Damn poisonous cows," Dillard cursed under his breath.
He immediately summoned a small vial filled with black liquid and poured it into Rui Yan's mouth. Then he turned to Ren.
"I have another favor to ask," he said seriously. "Can you lead us to the nearest shelter? I'll pay you. I don't have anything valuable on me right now, but I hope this will do."
He unclipped a small sack from his waist and tossed it to Ren.
Ren caught it—then tossed it back.
"I will," he said, "but I want to be anchored to your teleportation station as the reward."
"So basically you want…"
Dillard paused, then grinned. "Fine. Deal."
He tossed the sack back to Ren. "But take this too. You need it more than me."
I can't reject free points, Ren thought.
He opened the sack and pulled out a massive piece of dried meat jerky. Without hesitation, he began absorbing it.
Ding!
[1 Absolute Point Gained]
"What?" Ren froze.
Absolute Points? He can just casually give these away?
Great…
He immediately ramped up his absorption speed.
[1 Absolute Point Gained]
[1 Absolute Point Gained]
By the time he finished, the sack was empty.
Six Absolute Points…
Absolute Points this early? Perfect.
Without another word, Ren turned and began retracing his steps, leading them toward the shelter.
Before long, they reached the outskirts of the shelter.
The structure loomed ahead—thick stone walls reinforced with green-hued metal plates. Its size and fortifications made it resemble a fortress more than a refuge.
Because of that, many simply called it the Green Hyde Castle.
As Ren led them through the main path, familiar whispers followed in their wake.
"Hmm… he's back."
"The cripple that was banished."
"He even brought guests this time."
"I heard he's from the Vishun Clan."
"They say he doesn't even have a class."
"He's done for. I heard he offended Mister Oskara."
"Yeah… he's as good as dead."
Ren ignored the chatter completely and walked on as if none of it existed.
Behind him, Dillard's eyes narrowed slightly.
A cripple who can defeat hundreds of primitive creatures alone?
That's not what a cripple looks like…
And those eyes—those are a warrior's eyes.
At the very front of the castle stood a massive teleportation gate, its surface shimmering faintly with spatial energy. Ancient runes pulsed along its edges, humming softly as if alive.
They stopped before it.
Dillard stepped forward and stretched his right hand behind him, grabbing Ren's wrist.
"Hey—"
Before Ren could react, Dillard pulled him forward, dragging him straight into the teleportation gate.
Light flashed—
—and suddenly, two figures emerged on the other side, stepping into a sleek stone chamber surrounded by glowing runes. Draped over one of them was an unconscious woman resting on his shoulder.
The air changed.
It felt heavier… older… as though the land itself carried weight.
Ren inhaled sharply.
"This is…"
"Welcome to the Dragon Bone Valley," Dillard said with a grin.
As they stepped fully through the gate, several guards stationed nearby turned toward them. One of the female guards immediately rushed forward.
"What happened?" she asked.
"She was poisoned," Dillard replied without hesitation.
The guard took Rui Yan from his arms and dashed out of the station.
"Come," Dillard said, turning back to Ren. "Let me show you around."
He grasped Ren's hand again and pulled him forward.
The moment they stepped outside the teleportation station, Ren's breath caught.
The air was tense—so tense it made his blood boil, pulling him instinctively into a battle-ready state. He let out a long breath, the pressure bearing down on him before slowly settling deep in his chest.
"You felt it, right?" Dillard asked.
"…Mm."
"This is one of the reasons the valley earned the name Land of the Strongest."
Finally… inside the territory of the strongest, Ren thought.
"Come," Dillard said. "Let me tell you why it's called the Dragon Bone Valley."
He began walking forward, and Ren immediately followed.
"The Dragon Bone Valley is actually a galaxy under the control of the Dragon Kin Clan," Dillard explained. "The Dragon Kin Clan is comprised of three major clans—the Dragon Bone Clan, the Dragon Blood Clan, and the Dragon Spirit Clan. Together, they—"
Minutes later, Dillard brought Ren to another teleportation gate.
This one sent them to a different planet.
The moment they arrived, Ren felt the difference.
A faint mist hung in the air, giving the atmosphere a calm, soothing edge.
"Welcome to Planet Mystia," Dillard said. "One of the Great Cycle Grounds."
Before Ren could say a word, Dillard continued, "The Great Cycle Grounds are the planets where the Dragon Kin Clan resides. Planet Mystia belongs to the Dragon Spirit Clan."
Dillard led Ren forward.
Ahead stood the Mystic Castle.
It was massive—carved from pale crystal-stone that's surrounded by thick mist, Unlike ordinary castles, it did not claw at the sky with spires or towers. It did not need to.
Its sheer size alone dominated the land.
The closer Ren stepped, the more he felt it.
The air here was clean and calm—too calm. Every breath carried a strange clarity that sharpened the senses while simultaneously radiated a pressure that pressed down on the spirit. It wasn't oppressive, yet it made one acutely aware of their own weakness, as though the castle itself were quietly measuring them.
"This place…" Ren muttered.
"The Mystic Castle," Dillard said, his tone unusually restrained. "The heart of Planet Mystia. Only those acknowledged by the Dragon Spirit Clan are permitted to enter."
As Ren's gaze lingered on the towering gates—formed from overlapping layers of crystal and light—he understood something instinctively.
This was not a fortress meant to repel enemies.
It was a place that assumed none were worthy enough to challenge it.