The next day, Ian told the Demon Dragon he wanted another look near the Frost King's Rift.
"Yesterday, I only sensed it from a distance. I couldn't make out the details," Ian said casually. "If I'm going to help you deal with him, I need more information."
The Demon Dragon did not refuse. "Linas, take him there."
"Yes."
Linas brought Ian back to the northeastern edge of the Dragon Domain.
The Frost King's Rift looked the same as before: a square opening about twenty feet across, with icy-blue mist pouring steadily from it.
Ian stopped about thirty feet from the Rift and extended his senses.
The presence of the Abyssal World on the other side was vast and profound. Icy-blue energy surged within it, and enormous shadows occasionally moved deep in the Rift.
That was the Frost King's army.
Ian withdrew his ordinary senses. A faint wisp of energy slipped through the Rift and entered the other side.
He had released only a trace of Chaos Flame. Linas, standing beside him, could not sense it at all.
The nature of Chaos Flame allowed it to pass through any barrier.
Linas stood behind him and asked softly, "My lord, how much longer do we need to stay?"
Ian did not answer. His attention remained fixed on the Rift.
Twenty breaths later, the icy-blue mist in the Rift suddenly drew inward, as though something on the other side had taken a deep breath.
Then a startled voice came from within.
"Hm? What's this?"
The voice pierced the seal and rang clearly in Ian's mind.
The Frost King had sensed the Chaos Flame and immediately contacted Ian.
Ian's lips curved slightly. As expected, the Frost King was no ordinary Abyssal Demon King.
"Who are you? Why did you contact me?"
The Frost King's