Ren's heart skipped a beat as his gaze fixated on the two shimmering crystals clutched tightly in Invayne's hands. In that fleeting moment, confusion gripped his mind, questioning the sudden disappearance of Elena and the Prince.

But then, realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. The truth unfolded before his eyes, and he understood the cause behind their vanishing act. The crystals held the key to their absence, a manifestation of their entrapment.

ǁ The Nexus Prism ǁ

Legendary Item

A legendary item that emanates an otherworldly aura. Its crystalline surface shimmers with a kaleidoscope of colors, drawing the gaze of all who behold it. The prism is intricately adorned with arcane symbols, pulsating with latent power.

When activated, the Nexus Prism releases a surge of energy that creates a rift between dimensions. Within its mesmerizing glow, creatures unfortunate enough to be targeted find themselves transported to alternate realms. Bound by the prism's enchantment, they are trapped for a duration of ten minutes, isolated from the world they once knew.

These captured beings exist in a state of ethereal suspension, unable to escape or interact with the physical plane. Time flows differently within the confines of their ephemeral prison, elongating the moments of their separation.

During this temporal incarceration, the Nexus Prism stands as a formidable barrier, keeping its captives locked away from their allies and surroundings. Its influence extends only for a finite period, granting a temporary respite from the struggles of reality.

As the ten minutes gradually pass, the nexus energies wane, and the dimensional bonds weaken. Eventually, the prism relinquishes its hold, returning the trapped creatures to the realm from which they were ensnared.

The Nexus Prism's extraordinary power to ensnare and isolate beings within other dimensions makes it a highly coveted and feared artifact in the realm of magic. Its very existence stirs the curiosity of scholars, the avarice of collectors, and the trepidation of those who understand its potential.

ǁ E N D ǁ

Ren thought Scar might have a surprise in store due to his bold challenge for a one-on-one fight, but this turn of events caught him completely off guard. It was beyond anything he had anticipated.

Ren's mind raced as he processed the situation. Scar's unexpected move had caught him off guard, trapping Elena and the Prince within those costly crystals. The stakes had escalated dramatically, and Ren couldn't help but feel amused.

A composed smile played on his lips as he addressed Scar's miscalculation. "You should have accepted my earlier offer for the scepter. Now, your losses will be monumental by the end of this battle."

Scar's retort was swift, filled with determination. "I highly doubt that. We will reclaim our losses by completing the World Quest with your defeat."

Ren's calm demeanor remained unshaken as he countered, "And why would I cooperate when you have clearly violated our contract?"

Robert, ever ready for combat, raised his imposing shield and taunted Ren with a hint of menace. "You're already outnumbered, but your arrogance still shines through. Let's see how far that confidence takes you when your life hangs in the balance."

The tension in the air was palpable as the clash of wills intensified. Ren's mind calculated his options, knowing that he had to rely on his wits and skill to overcome this predicament.

Ren chuckled, undeterred by the threat. "If I die, the quest dies with me. Have you considered that?"

Scar remained unfazed. "Oh, I have. I know that you don't want to die unless you want your stat to turn zero. I'm sure you wouldn't want that, right?"

". . ." Ren fell silent.

"In addition, if you die, you'll drop valuable items, more than enough to compensate for those Nexus Prisms," Scar added.

They really thought things through. Ren mused to himself. "Unfortunately for you, it is you who will lose, and your stats will be reduced to zero."

If he could stall them for ten minutes, then it's his win.

Invayne grew impatient. "Let's just kill him. We don't have much time." She whispered to Scar, "We only have ten minutes."

Isolde stepped forward and aimed her rattling gun at the opposing side. "You're the one who's going to die!"

"Bring it on!" Cang Lu shouted, brandishing his sword and shield.

Tensions ran high, and at any moment, with a drop of a sweat, the fight would erupt.

However, everything came to a halt as someone appeared behind Black Lion and Sleeping Dragon.

"Egh? What's going on here?" a hunter-elf said.

Everyone's attention was caught by the she-elf with striking pink hair. She seemed to be a player, as indicated by the name above her head.

Ren couldn't place where he had seen her before, but her name, Lira, vaguely sparked a memory. Perhaps from a commercial?

"Hoi. I told you not to run ahead," a voice called out from behind, and this time, the newcomer wearing a dark robe was very familiar to Ren.

"Roz?" Ren uttered in silence though he doubted he would recognize him with a cloak over her head.

He did remember that he had entered this realm, but he was baffled as to where the kid got the money. Roz was rich after that Halloween Event and got a rare class [Novice Mad Scientist], but Roz didn't strike him as someone who would waste millions of money just to appear in the Fey Realm.

So, in short, someone had paid for him, and Ren's eyes went to the woman he was with.

Lira . . . Why does the name sounded familiar now that Ren had uttered it in his mind? It was like he heard the name from someone else's mouth.

Confused, Lira interrupted their thoughts with an innocent question. "Are you fighting?" she asked, tilting her head with a question mark floating above it.

But before anyone could respond, she brightened up and exclaimed, "Well, don't mind us then! We'll just be on our way."

Lira's casual remark was met with an unexpected response from Roz. He interrupted her with a simple word: "Wait."

Roz's gaze shifted between the members of Black Lion, Sleeping Dragon, and Ren's group as if assessing the situation. His tone remained lethargic as he asked, "Do you need help?"

"Yes," Scar was quick to respond, and before he could say more, Roz interjected.

"Not you."

Roz steadied his gaze at Ren. "I'm talking to you."