The Rise of the Black Plain

Dragon's Gaze!

Activating his latest ability, Minos immediately dispelled all the effects of Rillie's ability without attacking her, as he could easily cause dangerous damage to her life.

But just protecting himself from her with this ability was enough for Minos to make her feel great fear, and her seductive expression completely changed as her ability dissipated.

Everyone around noticed the sudden change in her and realized that this young level 83 human was not normal.

'As expected... He wouldn't promise Saint-grade medicine if he couldn't even withstand a challenge and make it difficult for anyone who came near him to take it.'

One of the few Demigods around thought to herself, even more interested in Minos.

Minos was a monster. At only level 83, he was not only able to show strength superior to that of a level 88 mermaid but also withstand her mental attacks.

'It looks like he's not just a madman trying to kill himself...' An even stronger mermaid than Rillie thought to herself when she saw that Minos really had the minimum necessary to think about going to the North Sea.

The group that went with him wouldn't necessarily be weakened by his presence in the group. On the contrary, they could rely on him as a partner, for he was already quite powerful.

'A journey through the three continents of our world... Hmm, this group will probably only go to the North Sea when he is level 85 or higher. In that case, he'll probably be able to keep up with the low-level Demigods without too much trouble.' A Demigod in the area thought about it and considered Minos' invitation more carefully.

Several others in the area became more interested in Minos' proposal when they saw he was not a weak madman but a strong individual with high ambitions.

With this demonstration, Minos made the beings there change their minds and see this less as entertainment and more as a demonstration of power, of his seriousness about his proposal.

Meanwhile, Rillie broke into a cold sweat as she felt Minos move her arm closer and closer to the table.

In the middle of this moment, Minos said to the surrounding people. "To those interested in joining my group, I want you to know I will cover all travel expenses. None of my allies will have to pay for food, lodging, cultivation items, or taxes. I'll pay for everything as long as there are people willing to accompany me to the North Sea."

Hearing this, Rillie nearly exploded when she realized the 'importance' Minos attached to her by speaking while defeating her.

When he had finished speaking, he finally placed the tip of Rillie's right hand on the table, marking the end of this challenge.

"The winner of this arm wrestling match is Minos Stuart!" The level 91 woman from Minos' group said aloud as she realized the end of the match, while the merman standing with her group supported her.

At that moment, many voices appeared simultaneously in the surrounding area, adding to the clamor of the people watching the match with excitement.

Rillie let out a loud scream after her defeat was confirmed, but in front of so many eyes, and after losing so badly to Minos, she didn't blame him or think it was unfair.

She simply shouted out her frustration, feeling that she still had a long way to go, even though she was already a powerful level 88 mermaid.

Amid this, Emlyn and the rest of her group congratulated Minos. This was especially true for the mercenaries he had hired.

These men and women realized that their contractor was very powerful and understood why he had easily passed the test at the shrine of the Sea Folk's faith.

'He is a monster...' One of the women in the group looked at Minos with a smile, satisfied that it would be a much better journey for her group if they had powerful contractors.

As much as powerful contractors meant higher-level problems, it also meant that they would have to worry less about protecting third parties, which meant they could use more of themselves in combat.

At the same time, they could earn their fat commissions without having to work hard most of the time!

'This Black Plain Empire must be really rich... With someone like that in charge and willing to gamble with Saint Medicine, they must have much to fall back on.' The level 91 Demigod thought to himself, remembering everything he had heard and seen from Minos.

As he watched the people around him take an interest in the challenge Minos had created that day, he realized that Emperor Stuart would form a powerful group before heading to the North Sea, and he became more certain about this journey.

Not only that, as he felt that his group would become much stronger over the next few years, he became more and more anxious about the future.

As much as he hadn't wanted to face the dangerous North Sea before, that didn't mean he wasn't curious and interested to see what lay in that legendary place.

With the right group, even he would be willing to risk his thousands of years of cultivation to go to the most dangerous place in the Spiritual World.

As the human Demigod clenched his fists, Rillie asked Minos. "What do you want from me?"

"I want you to bring me a level 91 or 92 acquaintance who can agree to join my group. Tell this mermaid about my purpose while you bring her here. That's all." Minos smiled at her.

Then, one of the mermen in the area approached Minos and asked.

"Would you be willing to go on this challenge with me?" This level 89 guy asked with a smile on his face.

Minos looked at the muscular man and said. "I am willing to accept mermen into my group. But the Saint-grade medicine challenge is for mermaids, as I said before."

"Oh? Are you afraid?" This person asked with a clever smile on his face.

The people in the surrounding area lowered the tone of their comments, interested to see this competition.

Minos smiled back. "Without the mental abilities of mermaids, you won't be able to defeat me. Your physical strength is indeed superior to the mermaid's, but so is mine. So our clash will end with me winning. The moment I use my mental ability, you will fall."

The guy didn't know if Minos was joking or sincere and clenched his fists, trying to think of something to counterattack.

But just in that moment of silence, one of the level 91 mermaids swam closer to Minos and said. "All right, I'll be your next opponent. If I win, you'll give me the medicine."

...