The Rise of the Black Plain

The special thing about the resources in the area where the undead had spent its time over the past few millennia was that while it existed, this being protected itself by hiding the area's powerful spiritual fluctuations.

With its death and the inability of Minos' staff to contain the powerful fluctuations in the area, many beings in the vicinity would soon realize that there was something valuable there.

Not only special creatures from this area of The Obsidian Shore would notice and take an interest in it. Competitors who came to the area for opportunities would also notice the change Minos had brought about.

After two weeks of working and protecting the area since the undead died, the group had gathered almost everything they wanted there, but leaving the place wouldn't be easy.

While Minos had returned to his normal level of 98 and was weakened by his Flashdrain's sacrifice, many enemies would want to collect what they had worked so hard to obtain!

...

By the third week after the undead's death...

Minos' party was almost completely surrounded by powerful creatures at this point, with the members of the Armhands and their allies fighting to defend the group's position.

Even after three weeks and the improvement in Minos' condition, the group had been surrounded for several days and couldn't just leave the area.

They wanted to move to begin their retreat from this place. Still, the monsters of The Obsidian Shore, who had been closest to them when everything happened, were on their trail, trying to take what they had collected.

While the creatures attacked them and their stronger companions counterattacked to try and keep the group's situation in check, Minos was at Ruth's side with the group's doctor.

"Ruth, this will depend on you," Minos said with a terrible look on his face.

The problem wasn't the pain he felt while still trying to recover from the Flashdrain sacrifice. What made him twitch his facial muscles was the only alternative in front of them!

If Ruth didn't put herself in harm's way and force her own Flashdrain to sacrifice itself, there was no chance their party would survive the creatures between levels 104 and 106 that were attacking them!

In a minute or less, the defenses they had set up with their devices and the area's natural traps would fail, leaving them completely unprotected!

Ruth clenched her fists, knowing that she was the only one of the Armhands there who could make the parasite Flashdrain sacrifice itself.

Flashdrain would not sacrifice itself for a member with no value to the guild. It would only do this for members with a lot of potential and who had already earned a lot of merit.

Ruth wasn't as valuable a guild member as Minos, but she was at level 97 even though she was just over 180 years old. She was a Rank-and-File Soldier in her own right and could become an Elite Soldier at any time.

At the same time, Flashdrain could sense that she was on a mission for the guild, and a very important one at that.

Minos was confident that the parasite inside her would sacrifice itself if she risked herself.

However, he didn't like this alternative because it meant she would be in danger and weakened very soon.

Unfortunately, if they wanted to survive this challenge and one day return to the Spiritual World to see their family and avenge the deaths of their loved ones, she would have to go through this!

The black-haired woman understood and took a step forward, heading towards the battle while activating her techniques and using her special ability to try to help her companions fight off the creatures that were trying to kill them.

Ruth didn't have Minos' abilities. Even with an inscription of the Devouring Art on her body, something that would turn the energy of enemy attacks into useful energy for her, her energy reserves would run out in an instant.

In less than 20 seconds since she had heard Minos' advice, she would already be exhausted, while attacks powerful enough to seriously injure even low-level Sovereigns would be hurled at her.

When she was in mortal danger, with Minos watching her from afar with his heart in his hands, the parasite on her forehead realized the problem and moved, sacrificing itself.

Just like Minos, Ruth's power suddenly increased, crossing the level 100 barrier and reaching level 101.

Of course, this wasn't enough power for her to defeat the enemies around her. However, with her cultivation reaching such a level, she would not only be able to defend and counterattack better, but she would also be able to help the various members of her group recover faster.

By temporarily strengthening her soul, she could even help Minos recover from his weakened state faster!

As soon as she felt that her cultivation had stabilized at level 101, she did what she had to do and directed her innate ability to help all of her companions recover from their conditions. At the same time, she focused on helping Minos, who could really help them get out of this area.

Minos wouldn't fully recover as a result of her actions. However, in addition to the fact that his recovery was immediately accelerated when Ruth connected with him, he felt his strength improving temporarily.

He would be able to fight as long as her power was at level 101 and she helped him!

Minos did not hesitate to use his innate ability to steal the cultivation of some of his less useful allies and increase his cultivation, but he also tried to help Ruth become even stronger.

As much as she was helping him, that didn't stop him from trying to help her as well!

But Ruth's level didn't increase much with Minos' help. Without reaching the 11th stage, it would be tough for him to influence Sovereigns in this way.

In any case, as soon as he had the chance to join the battle, he didn't hesitate to merge his techniques and create a huge black hole.

It would be suicide to try to defeat these enemies by fighting ordinarily. So he quickly prepared to use the Black Hole Bomb while he still had the chance!

At this rate, he and his allies would face the first desperate situation of their journey out of The Obsidian Shore.

They would be able to leave the area where they were surrounded, but they would not be able to kill all of their enemies, nor would they be able to escape from enemies with the same goal as them.

From now on, they would be on a desperate run to get out of this region!