......


    It took quite a while before Arthur brought the rest of the Empyrean Talons to the team. Bringing them here while avoiding the dangerous areas that he had encountered alongside Shin and the others earlier was more challenging than he had expected, which was why it took them longer than their estimated time.


    Moreover, there were also quite a lot of stray monsters along the way, which was why they had taken a little more time during their travel.


    Despite them having more members from the previous group, their members were slightly behind when it came to the experience of dealing with the monsters of the Awakened Continent.


    Aside from that Arthur was the only one who was the rank of Godlike Player, so the overall quality of their team composition was inferior to Shin''s and the others.


    Akailu and Owen were not that much behind compared to the top combatants of the Empyrean Talons. After all, the two of them were also able to awaken an Advanced Combat State like the Shin and the others.


    Akailu was successful in finding the best version of a combat state for himself. He took Haowin as his inspiration after watching the battle video between this God of Carnage and Shin, the Battle God.


    After getting a series of inspirations from Haowin and incorporating it into his style, Akailu was able to create his version of Perfect Demonification.


    But unlike what Haowin had done, Akailu used his understanding of the monster''s body and physique instead of utilizing the powers of demons or demon contracts.


    In a sense, he had followed the true purpose of using the Physiques of Monstrous Beasts from the real world and incorporated them into the game.


    Hence, it could be said that the version of Perfect Demonification that he had created was the true Perfect Demonification that the game developers had in their imaginations.


    Owen, on the other hand, followed the path that Shin and the others were taking and used the Reality Manifestation as his combat state. But his master over it was slightly inferior compared to the rest, which was why he was somewhat behind.


    But after the team training that they had earlier, he had gotten quite a few inspirations and was able to find the perfect style and utilization of this combat state that fitted himself, making it his own.


    With these two assisting Arthur, their journey became a little easier, saving them a lot of trouble.


    ...


    "Alright, you guys worked hard, so you can rest for a while before we proceed to explore the area," said Shin after seeing their exhausted selves right after arriving.


    Even Archimedes and Daulla, who rarely complained about anything, were currently in a ''beaten up'' state.


    Find adventures at empire


    "Tsk! How can the regular monsters of this place be so strong? I almost died quite several times," complained Owen as he collapsed on the ground.


    As one of the main frontline of the team, the pressure that he was facing when fighting the monsters was much heavier compared to the rest, so it was understandable for him to be in this state.


    The three laughed and chatted for a while before Arthur suddenly recalled something. "Ah! Before I forget. The real reason why I am rushing you guys to clear this quest is because I have to be awake for a few days up to an entire week or two due to certain reasons."


    "What reasons!?" asked the two as they simultaneously turned their heads.


    Arthur reorganized his thoughts inside his head before explaining. "I have to go to the Ancestral Land to do something. And for my breakthrough as well if things go smoothly."


    "I keep on delaying it because I have to deal with this quest as soon as possible before going. Grandpa has only given me until the end of the week before Uncle Nathan drags me to the Ancestral Land."


    Hearing those words, Shin and Leonard could not help but pause before realizing something.


    "You are about to break through? Congratulations!"


    "Stepping on the Ascension Realm already? That''s good!"


    Arthur gave them a smug look before saying provokingly. "That''s why you two better not slack off. Or else, I will leave the two of you behind."


    "Hah! You wish! I am also close to breaking through. I just lack a couple of requirements, but I am ready to go," refuted Shin.


    "I will work hard as well!" said Leonard as his competitive spirit burned with more intensity.


    The three chatted a little before Leonard suddenly remembered something. "Then what about the United Cup if you are going to be away?"


    Arthur chuckled as he heard that. "What''s there to worry about? It is not like I will be away for that long. I will make sure to come back as soon as possible."


    "Moreover, it is not like you guys will get eliminated in just a couple of rounds that I am away. I will laugh at you for the rest of our lives if it happens," he added.


    "Ah! That''s right. We don''t need you anyway. Given your win-loss record in our internal training, I don''t think your presence will make that much of a difference," teased Shin as he poked fun at Arthur.


    It was also where it hurt the most, making Arthur glare. "That''s because you guys keep on picking on me!"


    "How about you put me in the same group as Cloe? Let''s see if you can still wear that smug face of yours!" he snarled while challenging the two.


    "Haha! Stop making excuses, it is not like it will change anything. Even with the two of you combined, you still can''t beat me alone," said Shin, provoking the two.


    "Hey, Shin Bro! That''s unfair to drag me into this. We are allies right now," complained Leonard.


    "How about we give it a try right now? Hey, Leo! Let''s teach this arrogant bastard a lesson! Hit him! Hit him!" said Arthur, grabbing Shin from behind and making a triangle choke.


    ......