Owing to the subpar quality of the breastplate in the arena, which boasted poor extensibility, Regina had hitherto been compelled to bind her bosom. However, upon donning this new set of armor, it was as if a tightly - held fruit had finally fallen, releasing a power of untold magnitude.

  "It can be f at the least or g at the most."

  "What did you say?"

  "I said I won't consider either F - grade or G - grade."

  "Isn't the lowest grade of battle beasts F - grade? Is there really a G - grade?" Regina inquired, her visage etched with bewilderment.

  "Oh, my mistake." Aiden responded, unruffled and composed. An experienced hand like him wouldn't stumble so easily.

  Once all the requisite items were amassed, Aiden disbursed funds to hire a private aircraft, and they embarked on an eastward journey. Traversing the Wind - Abyss Ridge Mountains, they arrived at the fringe of the Enigmatic Mire.

  The Enigmatic Mire was perpetually veiled in arcane mists. The surrounding milieu was fraught with peril, and formidable dark - type battle beasts lurked therein, rendering it a veritable no - go zone for humanity. Had Aiden not offered an augmented remuneration, the pilot would have been loath to fly in this direction. Even so, the pilot only consented to approach the outskirts.

  Consequently, at a distance of ten kilometers from the Enigmatic Mire, Aiden and Regina parachuted to the ground.

  "Out here in these remote mountains and ancient forests, it's just the two of us." Aiden jested to Regina, the Black - Dragon Warrior - Princess who stood half a head taller than him, as they listened to the rumble of the aircraft's engines fade into the distance.

  Regina cast a sidelong glance at her youthful master but refrained from speaking. She was somewhat perplexed as to why Aiden had brought them hither. The Wind - Abyss Ridge was also home to numerous battle beasts, including some powerful, high - level specimens. Although the Wind - Abyss Ridge was a hazardous locale, when compared to the Enigmatic Mire, it paled in comparison. Nevertheless, Aiden was her master, and she would comply with his dictates.

  "Very well, let's continue in that direction." Aiden led the way towards the Enigmatic Mire.

  Over the ensuing days, the two began to prowl around the periphery of the Enigmatic Mire. Harassment from venomous insects and serpents became an everyday occurrence, and intermittently, some low - level E - grade battle beasts would present themselves as easy prey.

  Battle beasts were classified into seven tiers: S, A, B, C, D, E, and F. F - grade battle beasts were predominantly juveniles or of the pet variety, with their endearing qualities outweighing their combat prowess. E - grade ones could merely be said to possess a modicum of lethality. These two grades, E and F, were typically the domain of novice Beast Tamers for their initial forays. Only those juveniles with an evolution chart held the potential to be retained. Aiden's battle - pet space boasted nearly fifty units of arcane energy, clearly indicating that he was not here for mere practice.

  He had long since formulated a plan. On this expedition, the lowest - grade contract beast he intended to acquire should be at least of C - grade.

  After meandering for several days, they had yet to encounter a single human soul. Evidently, the perils of this place were such that ordinary adventurers dared not venture here. Regina, too, felt a sense of relief. If they remained only on the outskirts of the Enigmatic Mire, as a four - star Martial Master, she was confident in safeguarding their safety. The expanse of white mist - shrouded unknown territory ahead sent shivers down her spine at the mere sight. It was rumored that numerous human paragons had met their end within.

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  "Tomorrow, we're going in."

  "What?"

  Beside the campfire, Regina, who was engrossed in devouring a roast chicken with her cheeks bulging, was taken aback upon hearing this, momentarily at a loss. Her countenance held a certain charm.

  Having spent some time in Regina's company, Aiden had discovered that she not only had a generous bosom but also an insatiable appetite, comparable to that of Luffy. However, her body seemed to assimilate nutrients remarkably well. After all, some individuals could consume vast amounts without gaining weight, whereas this dragon - descended female Martial Master not only gained weight but in all the right places.

  At that moment, Regina seemed to have grasped the situation. Her eyes widened, and she pointed towards the expanse of white mist, still visible in the darkness.

  "That?"

  Aiden nodded, confirming Regina's supposition.

  Receiving an affirmative answer, Regina resumed her meal in silence.

  "Your appetite seems to have increased even more tonight."

  "It's better to die satiated than starved."

  "Don't talk about death. Be more auspicious. I'm not ready to meet my end just yet."

  Aiden found Regina's frustrated and disgruntled look both amusing and heartening. Although the young woman harbored some ire, she neither impeded nor questioned his decision, choosing instead to acquiesce. Perhaps Regina herself was unaware that she was beginning to develop a sentiment of trust towards Aiden.

  "You're truly insane."

  After finishing her repast, Regina left this comment and then rose to enter her tent.

  Even if she had no objections, a bit of grumbling was inevitable.

  Aiden smiled faintly and then turned his gaze towards the eerie, spectral white mist. Entering the Enigmatic Mire was not a rash decision born of a whim. Over the days spent circumambulating the mist's edge, he had undertaken copious preparatory measures.

  In a certain direction on the periphery, he had buried a bead, which was part of a set with a compass. The compass needle would perpetually point towards the bead's location. With this combination, they could ensure that they would not lose their bearings within the Enigmatic Mire. This trinket was a find from his scavenging endeavors in the Divine Ruins Palace.

  As long as they did not lose their way, all would be well.

  The following day, after making all the necessary preparations, the two set off into the Enigmatic Mire.

  "I'll take the lead."

  Regina promptly pushed Aiden behind her and, with alacrity, donned her armor and brandished her massive halberd - axe to forge ahead.

  Gazing at her tall, reassuring form, Aiden rubbed his nose and chuckled, acquiescing to her offer.

  A rope, which could be controlled to disengage and retract at will, was fastened around their waists. After all, no one knew what awaited them inside. What if some inexplicable force were to separate them?

  Entering the white mist, Aiden retrieved the compass. After verifying that the direction - indication was unaffected by the mist, he signaled Regina to proceed.

  Initially, the visibility was less than three meters. However, as they delved deeper, the surrounding white mist gradually dissipated, and the visibility improved to nearly ten meters.

  "Don't proceed in a straight line. Veer to the left."

  Following Aiden's strategy, they made a turn and began to explore laterally in the shallower regions, rather than blindly pushing deeper.

  Yet, after a day had elapsed, they had little to show for their efforts. Apart from uneven swathes of marshland and some blackened, withered trees, not a single battle beast, nor even a rodent, was in sight.

  It had to be conceded that the Enigmatic Mire was rather terrifying. With low visibility, a desolate atmosphere, a sense of disorientation, and a monotonously gloomy landscape, it would only be a matter of time before an ordinary person's mental state unraveled in such a claustrophobic environment. Fortunately, they were traveling in pairs. Had it been a solitary individual, they would likely have fled at the first opportunity.

  At night, they were once again compelled to make camp.

  "Give me the other tent."

  After erecting one tent, Regina extended her hand to Aiden.

  To her surprise, Aiden shook his head and declared with solemnity,"We'll share the same tent tonight."