The teleportation was over, and they soon appeared in the new field where everything was as dark as it could get. It was truly impossible to see anything with one's eyes at all! Rean's group then focused on the maps in their minds and finally found where they were.
"It seems like we're inside a range of caves. However, there's no life in this place as far as we can see. That's why everything is completely black," Rean explained.
"That's not all," Roan mentioned. "Divine Sense is also restricted here. Even I can't expand mine more than a meter away."
Regio, Samanta, and Milina nodded in agreement. They were also having the same problem with their Divine Senses.
Soon after, Regio gathered Fire Element and created a fireball above his hand. However, he quickly noticed that the light of the fireball barely illuminated anything. "It seems like the darkness in this place isn't simple."
Roan nodded and said, "It isn't. There is an abundance of Dark Element and Yin Energy in this place. It inhibits the propagation of light. As you can see, the light from your fireball doesn't go further than two or three meters before the light is completely consumed."
Samanta couldn't help but sigh after hearing that. "We're already up against a terrible team, the main team of Klacks Country. On top of that, Klacks Country is known for its Dark Element skills. Isn't this field just perfect for them? I can't see us winning this match at all. Perhaps we should just give up straight away and take the points of the next country."
Milina agreed with Samanta. "We're in the top 10 already. Even if we lose one battle, we'll still be inside the top 60 comfortably. When I looked at the scoring board outside, the country in 60th place only had 15 points. We're already 6 points ahead."
Of course, it was an environment that gave all members of Klacks Country an advantage. However, the same could be said for Rean and Roan. It's just that Milina, Regio, and Samanta couldn't make use of it as they could. Rean then talked with Roan through their Soul Connection. 'What do you think? I don't really see a point in battling in this place as we're pretty much guaranteed into entering the Sacred Land.'
Roan pondered in silence for a bit before saying, 'True. However, it's also a good opportunity for training. Since we can't be crippled or killed, we should take this chance.'
'What about Samanta and the others?' Rean asked after that. Sure enough, they were the main problem, especially Milina, who returned to her original size.
Roan looked at Samanta, Regio, and Milina before saying, "Let's do it like th-" Suddenly, Roan's expression changed as he brought his scythe out.
'Death Style, Third Form, Three Claws of the Dragon!'
*Swish, swish, swish!*
The three slashes went directly at Samanta. However, they didn't hit her. Instead, they seemed to cut something that was attached to her meridians' entrances.
*Gasp...*
Samanta then fell on the ground, gasping for air as fear appeared in her face. Just a second ago, she had lost control over her body completely, and she didn't even know why!
Roan then looked in a certain direction before asking, "Is there really a need to hide? Since you're here, why don't you show your face?"
Regio was taken aback and immediately increased the size of his fireball, allowing the light to expand two or three more meters.
"Hahaha!" A cold laugh came from a few meters away as Hedoi's entire group came out of the shadows. "Impressive, impressive! You were the first person in this recruitment to destroy my marionette manipulation ability. Let alone the fact that you did it in such an environment."
Samanta quickly got up and stayed beside Roan. Regio and Milina were also ready to battle. However, it was obvious in their faces how shooked they were. 'How did they get here so fast?'
'They must have moved out right after the teleport was over. They completely ignored everything else and came here. In any case, that was a hell of a quick move.'
'They knew they had the advantage in this fight. Look, all five are here. Klacks Country isn't even bothering defending their flag.'
All of that was said through Divine Sense Messages, so just a moment was taken for all those words.
Roan then snorted at Hedoi as he rotated his scythe. "You call that impressive? Those threads of yours were made of Yin Energy and Dark Element. I have Dark Element Affinity, you know? For me, they're as bright as the sun itself."
Hedoi smiled in response. "Is that so? Then, let's see if you can stay away from my control."
Roan smirked and lowered his scythe while looking at Hedoi with an expression of disdain. "Sure thing. I won't even defend myself, nor will I dodge. Go ahead and try using it."
"What?!"
Let alone Rean's team, even Hedoi and his companions were taken aback. Roan just let his guard down! Was he crazy? Of course, there were two who didn't find it surprising, Rean and Sister Orb. 'He's definitely planning something.'
[Yes. I know that disdaining expression way too much.]
Hedoi's smile then disappeared completely. He felt like Roan was making fun of his ability. "Very well. I shall use these 15 minutes of the match to make you torture yourself plenty. I'll also make you do the same with your friends. I might not be able to kill or cripple all of you, but I can definitely make you suffer like the others."
Right after that, Hedoi's hands moved. However, other than Rean and Roan, no one else could see what was happening. That's because Hedoi's threads blended with the darkness. It was hard to see those threads even with Divine Sense!
Even with that, Roan kept up a cold smile as the threads entered his meridians' entrances. They were so thin that one couldn't even feel pain. That's why Samanta didn't notice it until it was too late. Fortunately, Roan saved her.
Hedoi's group members knew what was going to happen, so they didn't even move either. The rule was to not bother Hedoi unless he said so.
However, Hedoi's expression turned into utter disbelief as Roan licked his lips.. "Thanks for the meal."