The undead army was still around, the mana felt ashen and strange as if clutched between two large hands, and the world turned to a complete standstill. Murai wasn't feeling that good in his core, but he had some Will and steady mind to glance up, straining his neck to see and feel the pressure of the Extreme.

This undead was looking stiff as if waiting, or he froze still. The feeling about this Undead army around him became like a mild river when this Extreme Undead came forth, while the mount was equally impressive. The two glaring sockets were what he found pressuring, not the giant mount.

Murai didn't even notice their arrival before, which was stranger than he thought.

But then, he realized how crazed he was when fighting this Jaguar for a few minutes. With the battle that wild and attention so focused, he did his best and he didn't have time to care about his surroundings.

That would explain his unawareness about this incoming undead, which he accepted for the sake of the fighting. But he wasn't sure what was up with this undead, that was up there like the hegemonic mountain overseeing a lone duck. He wasn't even sure of its power level, or whether it was an Extreme or not. It was just looking mighty and lofty. A depiction of a powerhouse. Simple as that.

Finding Lisa, who kept floating 10 meters above him, as if none of this was her concern, he hoped to get some answers from her. She dismissively waved a hand at him, shrugging along the way at Murai's glaring look. She didn't seem to want to go down yet.

Turning his eyes down, Murai faced the bony feet of the sizeable undead horse that had some residual fur, and unnatural thickness of the bones. Just the lower part of the leg was as large as him, so he was quite flabbergasted about what to do with this situation. It was immensely more powerful than any ordinary horse, beast, or creature with a common 4 legs.

He wondered what sort of majesty and speed such a horse would have if it were alive. Though, he didn't consider it for long, since it didn't matter, as the undead horse could surely go wild in speed if it was a mount of an Extreme.

It wasn't alive, but its aura still left so much dread behind, that he had trouble getting his breath and core straight. There was mist coming from its nostrils, bones were thick and dark in color, and its Soul Flames were raging in a dark mist. Murai realized how dull he was feeling when he observed this beast.

His Beast Core was almost empty, causing his body to shake and strain when wanting to covet and understand this creature.

It was a common sensation when the sign of an overdraft was apparent, but it wasn't as bad as he feared. The last fight put considerable pressure on him, and he used every bit of mana he had left, yet the Jaguar was yet to die.

The Soul Flames flickered in a cracked-up skull that he hit well, but not enough to shatter it to the End. However, it was enough to cause enough damage to its origin to make its core unstable and Soul Flames loose. It long stumbled to the ground, no longer able to fight.

Yet, it remained alive, as if wanting to continue even though it was over.

Side by side, the Jaguar was a large beast, but when collapsed on the ground, the undead horse was an absolute freak beside it. It was a significantly more powerful beast than Jaguar, Alphas, or perhaps even the little Pheonix Horse that Ceila had. It was different in aura from the majority of things he had seen so far. It was a dreadful feeling to feel and it must be a high-level beast.

Perhaps its aura was part of the original species, or it was so dominant after it became undead?

Murai wasn't sure, but for now, it was something that he didn't feel with his Mana Detection but Soul Read alone. This monster would stomp him without even glancing at him, killing him like a human stepping on an ant.

The horse had visible bones, fur, and some muscles throughout its mass. Everything about it was dense, powerful, and burly. Bones especially, and quite a sturdy amount of power went around and within the thick legs. Dark mana cycled throughout every inch of the bones and muscles, creating the aura that Murai was feeling, but most of it was in its eyes. Utterly dark misty flames were in the horse's eye sockets, looking not at Murai, but indirectly staring into the distance.

It held not much clarity, intelligence, or intent. Maybe it was even a carnivorous beast, since the jaw was wider, crazier, with teeth exposed in their sharp glory. It was a mixture of tiger and horse skull, with a thick mane going behind the back, giving it a tough look, even though bones took the majority of its body. He didn't even notice the beast core in the horse.

Murai was right in his guesses that he didn't know what to think. He only briefly went over the possibilities of seeing this beast, feeling it, and coming up with answers about what to make of it. That calmed his mind a little since he wasn't prepared to clash or think lofty against this monster that would kill him like an ant.

It was no time to be stupid, let alone be arrogant since the horse was the least of his concern. The rider of this thing was another thing altogether, overshadowing the horse with absolute savagery.

Looking up, there was an undead rider, eying the collapsed Jaguar with a distinct red glow in the empty eye sockets, but some whiteness was subduing the crimson. It was a strange sight, but Murai was able to watch it with shaking legs, hesitation in his core, but a steady mind. He wasn't afraid, even though his body was.

Named, and classified as an Undead King, the rider wore a long dark tattered robe, with the skeleton head of an unknown mass hidden behind the hood. It wasn't looking at him, which was good. The intent of this Undead King went further down, aiming at the cracked skull and Soul Flames flickering in stubbornness. As if he were ruler over the Soul Flames, he had to act even though he wasn't supposed to do this.

He looked in pity and anger from above, eying the Jaguar from the higher grounds, and a voice spread in a deadly tone.

“Unsightly!”

Upon hearing, and seeing the presence of this... being, Jaguar's Soul Flames flickered weakly as if hit by lighting. The bones shuddered, cracks spread further, while the flames around the bones dispersed away. That went on for a moment until the Soul Flames dissipated to the ground, becoming one with the sand. Jaguar understood that rules were boundless and no one should go against them when one lost. It was too arrogant in its loss, leading to a situation where the Undead King had to intervene because of his purpose.

As the Soul Flames disappeared, Jaguar's bones collapsed to rest on the sand, as if losing the mass of what made them fused together. It was right. The empowerment of the undead was peculiar, with bones being the best example of their physicality that was outside of their usual class and species.

For this Jaguar, even the Beast Core cracked like the bones, letting the rest of the mana disperse to the world, but the majority went down, following the Soul Flames. No amount of glue would make the Jaguar whole again.

Murai had seen it all, thinking that the single word the Undead King spoke was quite savage. It was like a call of a true king, with Jaguar being the peasant who made an awkward mistake. He also noticed something new. Something that his eyes and body viewed better, rather than his erratic mind that overviewing this Undead King's soul. He... He couldn't read it. It was unfathomable like the most ancient of texts that one couldn't fathom.

The moment his vision calmed down was when he noticed the cracked bones. They looked much better and even had marrow inside of them! “M-meal! I am starving!” he thought, forgetting the fact that Undead King wasn't walking away.

Instead, he glared down from his horse, looking as down as he could, which finally alerted Murai, who looked to seek the bones. They seemed juicy, filled with color, and delicious meaty extract.

“C-crap! I am not here. I am not here.” He muttered, unfollowing the deep desire of his body to eat this Jaguar so not a speck of waste would be left.

He could scowl all he could, but his trembling legs and body didn't even move according to his Will. After all, the pressure of the Undead King changed. His purpose was over, so the Undead king glanced down, looking at Murai who was an interesting Challenger and undertaker of a harsh Welcoming Party than usual. It was a move against Anatidae species, so it made sense.

Then, the Undead King did a rather surprising thing. He folded his leg and arm to the left, getting from his mount to the ground. He didn't even need to jump, as the Undead King was quite tall, reaching at least 5 meters in height.

A tattered robe drifted on every cranny of his torso, leaving even the bony legs hidden. Though, what was visible were hands, and feet that were quite thick and large in their bone structure, and with larger amounts of bones than humans would have. There were 5 fingers with claws at the end of his arms. Bones honed everything about this Undead King, but his bones held black waves of colors, with some natural bone color behind them, which hid some whiteness. Mana did swirl within them and was deeply rooted inside as well.

Now, the Undean King's attention was upon this successful Challenger who accomplished the 4th Wave. Murai knew he couldn't do a thing against this sort of attention, thinking that the pressure of this foe was a bit too much. Pulling his hand down, the bony palm as large as Murai's whole body picked him up by his neck, albeit very gently by his feathers. Undead King lifted Murai upward so he could be facing his "eyes", creasing the feathers in his clawed fingers.

Murai couldn't dodge or think of fleeting.

He kept shaking, feeling stupid for having some idea to counterattack, which was surprising. He never liked being handled like this. Especially to the foes stronger than him. Though, he understood one fact. There was no killing intent in Undead King's aura. It was the basic pressure of a powerhouse. A being that was too high in the world to think of this little young duck as a threat.

“An Anatidae...” Undead King's voice spread again, taking to Murai 30 centimeters before his face. “I have met the kinds of yours before. The ones who would intervene in this business of mine here, but it was no intervention, I suppose. The Challengers are the usual subject, but I suppose you are a rare one, beyond common sense. A Blessed, in fact?” he asked in a thunderous voice, startling Murai's soul. The voice was endearing, but not overpowering by itself.

It was gentle, speaking with sense and power of age and wisdom, but also incredible power.

However, this was precisely what shook Murai to his core. He didn't like this sort of vision and handling. He also wavered in his own acknowledgment, and whether this wasn't the case of an Extreme or someone with god's stolen Divinity. This was directly... No. He was facing a former godly being himself? He wasn't unsure, but perhaps everything was lying to him. His sense, pressure, body, and vision itself?

Murai trembled in Undead King's grasp, not trying to escape as it was impossible. It was at least 20 times more threatening and crazier than the clutch Ceila gave him before.

“Calm down...” Undead King said, disappointed as he shook his head. “I am talking. Asking too, so it is polite to answer.”

Murai didn't answer anything but he figured there wasn't much anger or threat in his voice. Undead King was just curious, or this Welcoming Party was over?

It was over at this point, but perhaps some things had to move up next. He didn't know the details, but someone did.

Floating down, Lisa went down to greet the Undead King of this Welcoming Party who surprisingly got involved, even though he shouldn't do so for the 1st timers. Yet, before she had a chance to reach 2 meters before him, she felt a pressuring power wash over her soul. It was putting her neck, and whole body in intangible shackles, and fear struck her insides.

It was Undead King's second hand, which clutched her like a sausage to eat. Lisa was smaller than Murai, so she was like a tiny vermin before him.

“Scram! You aren't welcome to intervene... death spirit,” he said.

“I... I am...” Lisa struggled to say. “... not a death spirit.” She pouted, yet appeared calm even though the pressure was even stronger than the one Murai was experiencing.

Something about Lisa or her voice left Undead King speechless. He turned his face toward her, noticing the being before him in more detail.

“Oh? That? That one? Have you finally died? When?” Undead King asked.

“It is... usually stuff. Unspuring one.” Lisa mumbled, begrudgingly escaping with her gaze away.

“Is that so? How pitiful, for a being of your caliber to become... interesting. A life companion of Blessed? What is this fate? Hehehe. Hilarious. That is fucking hilarious!” Undead King wildly laughed, shaking his head and hands in trembling laughter.

It was as if he heard the funniest joke ever and he enjoyed every second of it. This action spread over his body, causing the hoodie to fall down the back, revealing the skull of quite some mass and curves. It wasn't a human skull, but something along the lines of demons or devils. It had 2 tough-looking horns on top, but that didn't mean he was a former devil.

The curve of the skull was quite sharp with wide eyesockets as if they were blades instead. The mouth was also wide as if smiling in grimacing sight, but it wasn't as apparent without the lips or skin.

Even the surrounding undead cluttered their bony jaws in approving giggles as if the joke was also comprehended by their minds.

Then, the pressure around Lisa lessened, and Undead King left her floating above his hand. She was finally free from the shackles that weren't visible by normal means, and her inner soul calmed.

“G-greetings... King Thar. It has been a while.” Lisa bowed midair, appearing as honest as possible in her words, albeit she was forcing those words out quite a bit. Considering Lisa and her... usual demeanor that Murai was subjected to, it was quite a sight.

“Is this duck's fate your doing, or the world is clutching you both?” Thar asked, nodding in approval while uncaring about his exposed skull. The jaw cluttered in his voice, making the whole skull appear as if it was indeed alive. “Coming here to this Temple again too... I see you have something in mind with this, but I think his level is far too low.” he pointed with his gaze back to Murai, who was eyeing the situation and watching Lisa with an unhinged stare.

“Level isn't everything,” Lisa argued, ignoring Murai's issues and inner question that wanted to hear what was going on. “I also know that this is a perfect choice because of our circumstances. You don't have anything to say to that, right?” she floated calmly, folding her arms around her chest while talking face-to-face with Thar. Their power was extremely distant, resembling a rat talking with a divine beast as if they were equal.

“That's pretty much true, but a lot of things can go against Lordis' appeal. The leveling balance would anger him for sure, but....” Thar hesitated. “... who I am to talk like this, I wonder? This whole vision is more complicated than either of us knows. It is... too far.”

“It is fine...” Lisa said, pointing to Murai. “This guy is already a huge fucking mess, let me tell you that... He has a God's Trial up behind his back. 50 in 100, let alone this whole Encounter and other interests.”

“Oh? He does?” Thar turned his eyes towards Murai, who was questionably glancing at their wide-open conversation that was quite honest, as if two pals talked after a long time apart.

It was once again, something he was able to do thanks to his powerful soul.

“Well... I see some possibilities that can make interesting things, but most are well outside of Temple's care. It will anger some beings on all fronts. Be it below or above. Temple won't refute any challenge, but you know how it is.” Thar proclaimed and turned back to Lisa. “The Will of the Battleworld feels like shackles right now, with unknown things hiding behind the scenes. Temple will add another thing that may make things complicated. I can tell that from my eyes alone, but his overall prowess is passable up to Gate 4, I suppose, which is... impressive. Then, I have no doubts he would pass more in years, but this place can be entered every 3rd year. Do you get it? The early path... choice of this caliber. It isn't a decent choice. Is this what you want, Lisa, or you, little Anatidae?”

“That is good. Good!” Lisa said, jumping ahead with her words.

“Is it?”

“W-what the fuck is this situation you both!” Murai quacked, uncaring about the mess as he heard enough.

“This... right there...” Thar pointed to Lisa with his free hand, as if understating Murai's anger, but he didn't. “...was a former lackey of mine. Isn't it funny? Now, she is yours, which makes things rather interesting, but inconveniently hilarious.” he stated, appearing quite friendly, for an Undead King of Class SS and unknown Path.

Murai questionably looked at this "King", trying to comprehend what sort of thing he even was. He wasn't an ordinary Extreme. He was sure of it, but as for what exactly was this strange feeling about it, Murai wasn't certain what it was.

“And, no, I am not a God, per se,” Thar said, glaring at Murai once again. “I wasn't a lot of things, per your various intentions. I was just the tip of the Extremes in this world and nothing else. Still, one under Wisdom's power, but that is another story. Lisa was entangled with my fate for a century until she reached some... Ego, I reckon.” he said, talking in nostalgia, more than in some sense.

“Then how come you are an undead?” Murai asked again, figuring that Thar could somewhat understand him. It must be some soul flow, or he was reading his intent?

“You wonder about me? Hmm... I have been Undead for more than 4 millennia because of certain messed up things... It doesn't matter, as you feel it, am I right? This is partial Divinity. You seek me as if you are curious about it.” Thar said, his eyes appearing deeply curious about Murai as well.

“You wanted to become a god, but failed?” Murai asked openly.

“How blunt is it to feel the failure, but it is right. I am already here for a bit over 150 years, which was... something I had to do.” Thar sighed and shook his head. “Anyway, back to the proper path. I am not required to do this talk at all or... act. What will this be, Blessed Anatidae, and his Life Companion Lisa?” Thar asked and enunciated the words Life Companion with a mocking tone.

“What else than go there.” Lisa pointed towards the mountains, which seemed nothing but sand, stones, and nothing crazy like some god's temple.

“I wanted a simple confirmation... Feel free to think whatever you want.” Thar swung his free hand, dismissing any argument away. Murai was still clutched by his feathers with the other hand.

“And you, Blessed? You have your own Will while Lisa is.... what she is, it doesn't mean things can make sense. Your Will is quite particular... It seems to me.”

Murai then felt a tremendous Will try to seek out his soul, digging for some quality, power, or how sturdy it was. It was a deadly feeling, indicating that Thar wasn't kidding when he stated his interest.

Murai figured it out quickly since it wouldn't make sense otherwise. Thar was particularly involved in some divinity of the Death, or Chaos itself, but as for which, he didn't know, since either of those Pathways was vague, It was no wonder he wasn't able to become god since such Pathways had so many ridiculous Paths, they were always something that one can hardly comprehend, let alone finish to the very end.

Murai clutched his beak, willingness was visibly shaking in his eyes as something strange happened. He heard no Will of the Battleworld, but something from within him created some additional whisper. It was permission or a successful confirmation for the required Hidden Abilities.

This one was for the Soul Lock, which Murai viewed as something interesting, but was it something to shake this Extreme? He was curious, so he pulled his Will together, creating a wide storm around his head. His eyes glittered, while some constructing lines surrounded his head.

They were visible manifestation strands of Will itself, which he didn't see the last time he used this ability. Those lines jolted Thar's privy intent. It was like a light slap, but for once, the defensive power of the Soul Lock was excellent even to his standard, which was the most surprising thing.

“What a rude asshole you are!” Murai shut the Will, forcing his own power against this "King" who was the strongest being he met so far. But so what of it?

His soul wasn't that weak to falter before the Extremes. Probably...

“Oh? A fierce one?” Thar chuckled. “Fine. I suppose my hunch was right to call it a good interest. I will let you go to this Temple, because not only do I want to, but I had to. Welcome to the Temple of Levendis, which used to be under the Sungod's domain. Whatever you will make of your fate over there, do whatever you can to use this change to the brim. There are 10....”

“... I will explain this to him on the spot where he needs to.” Lisa jumped between Thar's explanation, which required some information. It was a proper Welcome, set up by the current owner of this Temple ~ Levendis.

“You haven't changed... Still a rude bitch.” Thar chuckled again.

“And you still appear as if a word is under your command, yet you have nothing but a few skeletons. You fell from your grace, so reap what you sow.” Lisa said, grunting afterward. She wasn't sounding one bit weak, even though she was internally shaking, since she didn't want to feel those shackles again.

Thar snorted, feeling quite peculiar about this meeting that he least bit expected. He was a guardian here, and nothing more than a dog that failed to clutch his fate.

“An Undead under Sungod? You think I believe that?” Murai asked again.

“Past is a peculiar... Anatidae. The part of former Paths is fine... Now, this is a place for demons, if I say so myself.” Thar excused himself and tossed Murai back to the ground.

He unhappily flipped his wings, as he didn't expect to be let out back to the ground. Then, Thar jumped back to his undead horse, no longer paying attention to those two, albeit he wanted to talk longer.

Some things were due, and as the highest degree of the Welcoming Party, he was the one who could let Challengers inside, or not.

Murai was successful in all accord, so he didn't find any issue with letting him go in, even though it meant a lot of problems would come afterward. Some will be fun. Others will be so ridiculous at some points, that he will question fate itself.

However, Thar's words were honest, and he indeed thought Murai's level was problematic. It wasn't necessarily about it, but the time. Thar noticed how young Murai was, while the dangers lurking in the Temple were quite deadly. Especially to those who did not have much time to grow, improve, and follow their desires and Path.

Thar was more surprised by the notion of meeting Lisa after so long, which put his immortal soul on a trip to the past. It was a different life back then, even though he was still an undead, it didn't matter to him. Servitude against the direct god was a fine addition to one's experience, yet it ended as fast as his rise to power.

Now, he was nothing but a dog to a certain being, which wasn't as strange as Wisdom, but was drastically different.