The SSS Ranked Villain's Return-Chapter 89: Atop The Mountain

[Neraxis’s POV]

"Do you really want to go up there to take a single peek? Is it safe?" Aella’s worried voice rang out as she nearly tripped on the ice below.

"...For the most part, just don’t fall."

The two were climbing to the top of the mountain, solely because Neraxis wanted to better estimate when the rift would break. For that, he needed more information.

If it was close to breaking, then anomalies would be everywhere, like a distorted environment or even a massive amount of mana, which he should feel even now.

It was dangerous, sure, but if the rift was about to break, being unprepared would be worse. He needed to confirm it firsthand—and if there were boons to claim, all the better.

Nonetheless, they were nearly there, a small walkway appeared, resembling an edge they could climb.

It was simple for Neraxis to hold on, since he was used to fighting on ice, but as for Aella, it looked like she would trip and fall.

Therefore, he grabbed her hand and proceeded until, finally, they neared the top of the mountain, entering a cave that seemed to lead up.

Neraxis had considered leaving her behind, but Aella was too insistent. Leaving her behind felt impossible, so he let her tag along.

"Do you think Celina and Aurelia are going to be okay?" she asked out of nowhere.

He swiftly assured her, his voice steady. "Celina can handle herself, and Aurelia likely woke up by now. You have nothing to worry about."

"I hope you are right..." she sighed and got closer since the ice was gone, replaced by fluffy snow. "Anyway, I did something without asking you first. Sorry..."

"What?" Neraxis questioned as his brows slightly furrowed.

"I injected tracking nanobots into that guy you want to kill..." Aella pulled out her phone, showing the program, as it displayed Bale slowly making his way back...

She continued, "I always carry some countermeasures against all kinds of stuff, and I figured it might come in handy for you."

However, noticing his silence, Aella tried to steer the conversation off-topic. "Anyway... What do you think of my phone, huh? It has a built-in radio signal detector that works even if I am in the core of the earth. Isn’t that neat?"

"Thank you," Neraxis said softly, not turning around to meet her gaze.

Aella froze but soon let out a giggle. "I’ll share the program with you once we’re at my place"

"Of course," he chuckled and returned his gaze toward the exit of the cave, which was only a couple of meters away from him now.

However, as he looked at what was beyond, Neraxis suddenly halted, making Aella crash into his back.

"Come on, my head has hit your back like twenty times now—" her words cut off as she saw the sight in front of them as well.

Instead of the mountain peak either of them was expecting, there was a flat plain with a single castle made of ice in the very middle.

It did not take long for Neraxis to notice something was off, and soon, he retraced his steps backward, attempting to leave whatever this place was.

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However, no matter how far he went, the ice castle in front of him did not get any further away.

"What is this place?" Aella said with wonder, looking all around.

It seemed like a completely different world, as a whole sky was ahead of them, followed by icy peaks off in the distance.

Neraxis soon realized that they were no longer in their world, and instead, in some sort of pocket dimension, or better yet, the rift from which all the monsters would come out.

But it was a bit difficult to believe, considering it was so peaceful.

"My guess is a rift. Stay behind me, Aella," Neraxis stated, and she nodded with urgency.

"Since we can’t get out, let’s go over to that castle. If things turn for the worse, make a run for it back here. I will catch up to you," he added and soon began walking over.

The distance seemed large at first, but with each step, it closed unnaturally fast, and just after 20 steps, they were by the entrance.

There was a gate, yet it was already open, seemingly welcoming them in.

He spotted a few guards, which appeared to be simple ice constructs, yet he did not let his guard down.

After crossing into the castle’s courtyard, he was met with a gazebo, appearing very out of place, and in the very middle of it was a woman wearing a black dress with hair mirroring his own and white, almost completely blank eyes.

She was sipping on what he could only assume was tea, but soon, they locked gazes.

Neraxis immediately felt a fearsome pressure envelop him, almost like the pressure he had felt when Amara forced him to join the Obscura.

However, this one felt even more fearsome—much more savage.

"My dear darlings, come, sit," her enchanting voice rang out, as she gestured for them to approach.

They both proceeded with caution, and the woman seemed to be enjoying what she was seeing, merely waiting until the two sat down before speaking again.

"I have invited you darlings over to my world as I have a few questions. Would you mind answering them?"

Neraxis kept his guard and replied, "In exchange, will you let us go?"

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"Hmm...?" She hummed playfully, a wide grin spreading. "I’ll consider letting one of you go, how’s that?"

His heartbeat sped up, but he did not give in. "Then we won’t answer your questions. If you want to know something, promise to let us go."

He knew it was a big ask, but if this woman in front of him truly meant harm, she would have done something the moment they entered.

"You are an amusing little human, aren’t you?" she chuckled and stood up, approaching Neraxis and sitting on the table in front of him, before leaning inward and grabbing his chin.

Aella flinched, but reading the situation, she backed down.

"Tell me, darling. Do you want to play a little game?"

Neraxis met her gaze, ignoring her creepy smile. "What game?"

"Perfect!" The woman’s grin widened as she tapped on the table a couple of times, and soon, a confusing sight appeared.

There was a small world inside the table, and people were fighting each other with all sorts of weapons.

It was an all-out war.

"This is a game of fate, and the rules are simple," the woman said and cleared her throat. "I will send you down into that world, and your goal is to be the last one standing. If you manage to survive, I will let the both of you leave. But if not, then I’ll interrogate the girl for as long as I want."

Neraxis narrowed his eyes in disgust before nodding. "I’ll play along, miss...?"

"Seraphina Montclair, the Ruler of Frost. Remember me, darling, as I have many questions for when—and if—you survive." She introduced herself and grabbed him by the clothes.

She leaned his body over the table, almost on the verge of falling into that small world.

"Oh, and no cheating." Seraphina tapped on his arm, right where the sword tattoo was, and added, "I want this human to do it with his own bare hands—not with the help of an entity like yourself."

He heard Evangeline let out an annoyed groan as she left his body and floated before Seraphina in her sword form. "You are an eyesore, so send him down there already, and let’s have a chat."

"Gladly," Seraphina replied and turned toward Neraxis before letting go of him, making him fall into the world he was overlooking.

His sight immediately began contorting as the woman faded from above him while he fell.

And soon, Neraxis impacted the ground, landing softly on something.

Yet that something was a corpse.

He furrowed his brows and took a look around.

Just my shitty luck, what have I gotten myself into?