Darryl's response came like a bucket of ice water, instantly washing away Cloud Spirit's initial joy.

"The White Tiger King only allowed me to go. Alone."

Darryl sighed, feigning an expression of great pity.

"You're aware that the Black Swamp is forbidden territory, right? No one's allowed to enter the place at all. The White Tiger King only allowed me to do so, seeing as I once rescued his son. He had his rules, too.

"He insisted that I would have to go alone and that there would be multipl