Affinity:Chaos

Grey stepped into the portal with the others, a flash covered them and before long, they vanished from everyone's view.

"I hope they all make it back alive." The Head of the Burchard Family commented.

Even though it has been a long time, there was a universal rule in the realm that allowed only a given number of people from each race inside the place.

Presently, only twenty people in the Sage Plane could go inside. This was the number those from the Burchard Family could allow inside, other Factions and Families would still send their geniuses inside, so the number would increase over time.

Some people tend to stay there until they break through to the next major realm. There are people in the Early stages of the Sage Plane that the Burchard Family sent inside, some of them will come out before breaking through, while others will leave even before they break through. The unfortunate ones will meet their demise in this land of opportunity.

"I don't think it will be good if any of them stick with Grey." Sylvia suddenly said with a dark expression.

"Why?" The Head of the Burchard Family asked, the Elders close to him also had confused expressions.

"He's marked by a necromancer. So, generally, he's a magnet to trouble there." Sylvia explained.

The expressions of the Elders as well as the Head of the Burchard Family changed.

When they thought of the time since Sylvia arrived, they couldn't help but be shocked. If Grey traveled alone for such a long time, then he would naturally be in trouble with the necromancers. Although they are few, they are well divided in the Continent, so it would be hard for Grey to travel peacefully in the Continent.

After thinking for a while, they recalled who Grey was. Being the son of someone regarded as a once-in-a-hundred-years genius, he would naturally be protected.

Sylvia couldn't help but wonder how lucky she was when she forcefully followed Grey and forced him into competitions. At first, she was just having fun whilst also accessing Grey's talent and strength. Only after the first few battles did she stop taking it as a means of entertainment, and tried to help him.

But thinking at the possibility that Lucas was following Grey and he decided to attack her then, she couldn't help but shiver. Even her father dared not to claim that he was stronger than Lucas, much less her, who wasn't even a match for her father.

"Going down there is suicidal, why didn't you stop him?" An Elder couldn't help but ask.

"He already knows the danger, but since he wants to go, who am I to stop him?" Sylvia replied with a shrug.

It was Grey's choice, it had nothing to do with her. Even after knowing the dangers of entering the secret realm, he still decided to go, there was nothing she could do.

The Elders exchanged glances with each other.

"Staying with the group would be better for him."

….

In the secret realm. The group just appeared in a forest area.

"I'll be leaving on my own, it will be best if we don't travel together." Grey said after taking in the new scenery.

"Huh?" Scott was a little confused.

"I don't like traveling in groups." Grey responded in a direct manner.

He wasn't obligated to travel with them in the first place, and since he has that mark, he felt he would have a greater chance at survival if he was on his own. If he traveled in a group and they were ambushed, he would not be able to escape until he was certain those with him were safe. He didn't want that type of responsibility in this place.

His aim here was simple, breakthrough to the Elemental Venerable Plane.

Some of those traveling with the group looked at Grey with annoyed expressions, especially those who didn't watch him in the competition. They felt he was being too arrogant.

"Since you want that, then I hope you stay safe." Scott replied.

He would also travel on his own eventually, so he wasn't really against Grey's decision. Besides, it's natural for people like Grey to adventure alone. The only reason he was still with the group was that this was their first time entering this place in a while, so they needed time to get to know the place.

Taking a peek at the black cat on Grey's shoulder, he couldn't help but wonder what its use was.

Grey nodded to the group before walking off.

'So, what's the plan?' Void asked as the duo ventured off alone.

'Well, first thing first, I need to get this mark off me. I'm certain they are already aware of my presence here, so trouble would be coming soon.' Grey replied.

His only problem now was how to remove the mark. The method he devised had to do with using human life force as its core, but since there are few people here, it meant he couldn't kill the humans here.

Void agreed to Grey's words.

…

Somewhere in the secret realm.

At the time Grey and the others appeared, a group of youths could be seen walking. They were all short, with black skins.

"Did anyone sense that?" One of them asked.

"You sensed it as well?" Another asked in shock.

"Yes." The others nodded.

"It must be a human." Another said.

Of the three races entering this place, humans were the only ones the people of the Dark Gnome race would take the effort of marking. Compared to necromancers who have to sacrifice their lives, although it looked easier for Dark Gnomes, it wasn't entirely the case.

"Whoever it is must be a threat, since the mark is this potent." Another one of them said.

"Fine, since this person dared to come here, they are willing to die. Whoever kills this person gets a reward."

With that, they separated, but they were all headed in the same direction, the place where they sensed the mark coming from.