********…..….." " Speech,' ' Thoughts,…..….."Ahhh…!""Band…booomn…thud…bang…Ahhh!"The sound of violent clashes echoed throughout the NHC building, a discordant symphony of grunts and thuds punctuated by the occasional moan of pain. Up on the upper floors, a small group of fighters, led by a man named Shun, were engaged in a fierce battle with a horde of soulless humans."Erick-san, leave them to us and go ahead!" Shun called out, his eyes fixed on the zombie-like figures that continued to rise, even after being beaten mercilessly."Hmm, you should be careful of them. These people aren't themselves anymore. Send them on their merry way," Erick replied, observing the soulless people as they moved with puppet-like motions. It was as if their bodies were being controlled by strings, with no semblance of themselves inside.Shun and the others nodded, grateful for the advice. They too had felt that something was off about these creatures, but they couldn't quite put their finger on
********…..….." " Speech,' ' Thoughts,…..….."Ahahhh! Nooooooo….!!""Noooo…!! Please…please, I beg of you, please, let me live! Ahhhhh…noooo!"The screams of agony echoed through the underground lab as the twisted scientists begged for mercy. Erick Dahl remained unmoved, delivering blows that left his victims writhing in pain. Some lasted longer than others, but all eventually succumbed to their injuries."You were the mastermind behind this vile operation," Erick spoke in a chilling voice, surveying the macabre scene with disgust. The stench of decay hung heavily in the air, intermingled with the lingering aura of anger and resentment.The chief perpetrator lay writhing on the floor, his chest heaving in agony as Erick applied pressure to his broken body. "Gawhhh!" he gurgled, his jaw already shattered from the earlier blows."Purus!"Without a hint of remorse, Erick channeled a white, holy radiance that spread throughout the lab, purging it of the malevolent energies that had
********…..….." " Speech,' ' Thoughts,…..…..Somewhere at the sea coastline of only safe continent,Captain Ronin led his team to the coastline, unsure of what they might find. The Bank had offered them an exorbitant sum to complete this task, but something felt off about the situation. As they arrived, a bespectacled woman named Shalina questioned the captain's decision."Why are we here again, and why did The Bank issue such a weird task while offering so much for it?" she asked, confusion etched on her face."Shalina, you know that The Bank never offers a deal that it would suffer from, so we need to be on our guard. We don't know what kind of danger we might face," Captain Ronin replied, his expression thoughtful as he surveyed the area.Shalina merely shrugged, not taking her captain's words seriously. Meanwhile, a man with a burly figure and large muscles named Morsel grumbled about the team wasting their time on this task."If it weren't for the money, I would have disagr
********…..….." " Speech,' ' Thoughts,…..…..As the leader of the mission, Shun surveyed the area, his eyes scanning the landscape for any remaining signs of malice organisms. With a swift slash of his sword, he dispatched a tree-like structure that resembled one of the vile creatures, his movements fluid and precise.Rodrick, who had been working diligently on his side of the cleanup effort, spoke up over the walkie-talkie. "Leader Shun, how's it going on your end? Are you finished yet?""Not quite," Shun replied calmly, "but I'm almost done here. How about Cortel and the others?""We've finished our section and we're ready to move on to the next location," came the simultaneous response from the other team members.Suddenly, Cortel remembered something important. "Wait a minute, who's guarding our turf back home? Did we forget to assign someone?""Ahh! Right, Hey, any idea, who could it be as Erick-sama never forgets to put someone incharge of the safety of new turf!" Monan al
********…..….." " Speech,' ' Thoughts,…..….."Erick-san, we're all good here. Do we need to clean up this mess too?" Leader Shun inquired as Erick tended to their injuries with his natural healing abilities and some medicinal herbs he had gathered on the way. The Ronin Cromwell group was recovering well under his care."Hmm, yes, we should tidy up this place. And if we have time later, it could be a great spot for training. The ferocious creatures in the water would make for perfect sparring partners to sharpen their danger senses," Erick replied, contemplating the possibilities."Got it. I'll see if we can speed things up a bit," Leader Shun nodded and left to give instructions to the others. Erick focused his attention on healing the remaining members of the Ronin Cromwell group."Thank you, Erick-san. You have our deepest gratitude," Ronin Cromwell expressed his appreciation, feeling responsible for putting his team in danger. He knelt down to show his respect and gratitude f
********…..….." " Speech,' ' Thoughts,…..…..The group of shipwreck survivors trudged wearily alongside the team of soldiers, their injuries slowing their progress. One of the soldiers, a man with a kind face, asked where they were from and why they needed medical attention.Karen Makani, the young woman in the pristine white lab coat, explained that they had survived an attack from hordes of malice organisms. The soldiers listened attentively and offered their help, assuring them that they were safe under their care."I am Dorish Paul," the soldier who had spoken up introduced himself. He was the team leader of a group of 50 people from the Rhamnusia organization, tasked with clearing the area of any threats. He suggested that the survivors meet with their leader Shun, who was in the city they were heading to. If they had any useful skills, they could be given immediate treatment and moved to a better environment.Karen Makani and the other survivors were intrigued by the offer
********…..….." " Speech,' ' Thoughts,…..…..With the mission underway, the two groups set sail towards their respective destinations. Leader Shun, Soren, and Rodrick led the 2000 men towards the central continent, while Cortel, Monan, and Merial led the 2000 soldiers towards the neighbouring continent. Erick Dahl's expertise in dealing with high-tier malice organisms proved to be valuable, as he assisted the group whenever needed.During the mission, Erick Dahl crossed paths with Karen Makani, the granddaughter of the maker of the defective serum. When Erick handed Karen her grandfather's old book, memories of her mother's death in a horde attack came flooding back. But Erick's willingness to help, as a gesture of gratitude towards Karen's grandfather, gave her hope. After discovering Karen's knowledge on the subject, Erick offered her a deal to improve and mass-produce the serum.Karen readily accepted the offer, determined to fulfil her grandfather's last wish. With modern eq
********…..….." " Speech,' ' Thoughts,…..….."What the hell…is this?" The humans stared up at the behemoth that loomed over the planet, covering half of the sky with its shadow. They felt like they had lost all hope, shivering in fear and despair as they knelt on the ground.The mother entity had unleashed a terrifying force that oppressed the planet and affected the citizens negatively. Only the soldiers who were strong enough had not been affected too severely, but even they felt like they were carrying a massive mountain on their shoulders.Suddenly, large waves of translucent energy barriers spread out from the center of the continent, covering all the humans present in a dome-shaped shield that protected them from the oppressive force and negative effects."Now everyone keep doing your work and leave the big guy over to me!" A clear voice cut through the confusion and daze of the humans, shaking them out of their fear and despair."YES…!!" The humans shouted with renewed vi
............Aashi gently pried Yuyun from her embrace, whispering soothing words to the frightened child. "Alright Yuyun, let's go. We need to save those big sisters and brothers over there, okay?" She placed Yuyun on her back and quickly moved towards the cries.Erick and Aashi turned and sprinted towards the explosions. Aashi headed to where the injured were, while Erick ran towards the Malice Creatures attacking the elven guards.As Erick reached the first defense wall, he saw the extent of the destruction. The once strong barrier was now a smoldering ruin, and dark, twisted Malice Creatures were pouring through the breach."Boom... Boom... Ahhhh...!" The elves were fighting valiantly, but they were clearly outmatched. Their traditional weapons and combat techniques were ineffective against the Malice Creatures, which seemed impervious to normal attacks.Erick moved forward, energy leaking from his hands, blades of wind and fire shimmering with a strange, ethereal light. "Let's
............"Splash...!!""Whoa... how much energy did you put into that attack, Master?" Aashi asked in wonder, looking at the explosion and the water splashing over their shield."Not much, but enough to crush that annoying portal to bits," Erick replied, glancing down to ensure no traces of dark, foul energy remained. While the area was cleared, some fish-shaped Malice Creatures had been flung into the distance and were being erased slowly."Master, can you leave the rest to me?" Aashi asked, sensing her master's thoughts."Oh, okay. I'll take care of little Yuyun for you," Erick smiled and nodded before crouching down to pat the little girl on the head."He he... Big Brother!" Little Yuyun giggled, enjoying the affection."Okay then, watch how Big Sis handles those bad monsters!" Aashi said with a smile. She stepped onto the water's surface, running across it just like Erick, without causing any ripples."Boom... Bam...!!"Loud noises echoed as Aashi handled the Malice Creatures
............Aashi paused, listening intently. The sound came again, a weak cry. They immediately searched for the source and found what appeared to be the remains of a house, left in ruins after being devoured by the Malice Creatures. Beneath a pile of rubble, they lifted the debris and found a young girl, her body battered and bruised, but barely alive. Her eyes were shut, and her body quivered nonstop from all the pain.Erick immediately used his Origin arts to heal her and fed her a life-saving potion he carried in his storage. Before long, the little girl was cured, and her body returned to a healthy state, making Erick and Aashi sigh in relief.“It’s okay, you’re safe now,” Aashi said softly, lifting the girl gently.The girl coughed, opened her eyes, and whispered, “Thank you…”Erick knelt beside them, his expression softening. “You’re a brave one, aren’t you? Can you tell us if there are any others?” he asked, seeing the girl calming down.The girl shook her head weakly. “E
............“Oh, let me introduce my Master to you. He is the person who eliminated all the malice creatures in this area and the one who made me follow you guys.” Aashi smiled as she proudly introduced Erick to the kids and the Elder.The Elder and the children looked at Erick with awe and curiosity, their gratitude toward Aashi extending naturally to him.“Thank you, Master,” the Elder said, bowing deeply. “Your actions have saved our tribe's future.”Erick nodded, a small smile on his face. “I’m glad we could help. Your strength and resilience are admirable. Even though you lost so many of your tribesmen, you still didn't lose your will and continue to protect the children. It's commendable courage.”Aashi glanced at the children, noticing their worn clothes and tired expressions. “Do you have enough supplies and food? It looks like you’ve been struggling.”The Elder sighed. “We’ve been running low on food and we don’t even have a warm place to stay now. The malice creatures have
…………"This is not good; they are suffering from the bitter ice-cold!" The adult man observed them and realised they were suffering from an illness common among the tribe's people living in these cold plains.“I don’t have any medicine to cure them, damn it,” the man muttered, frustration evident in his voice as he watched their condition worsen.In normal times, he could easily help them with their cold, but now he couldn’t leave to search for medicine. Going out would be like signing his own death warrant if those creatures caught their scent.“What should I do? At this rate, these children won't be able to endure the cold and will succumb to it. No... no... I can't let that happen. These few children are all that's left of our ice tribe!” The elder felt a deep bitterness inside, trapped in a situation where every option seemed doomed.“Boom... Boom...!!”He heard loud noises and movement in the distance, and the tremors suggested that the Malice Creatures had picked up his trail.“
*******…………"Isn't this the east side, right?" Erick asked, feeling a little confused by the scene he was seeing.Erick and Aashi arrived after flying for hours, but they didn't see any forest there."Yes, it should be the east," Aashi nodded, having already calculated the direction when they flew here."So where is the forest that is supposed to be here, and what about the tribe residing here!" Erick muttered, looking at the distance with no forest or vegetation around, only the black, charcoal-like grounds were left."Master, I am sensing a foul stench from there!" Aashi's nose suddenly perked up, and she pointed in a certain direction, detecting an unusual foul scent."Hmm, this isn't supposed to be here!" Erick and Aashi flew in that direction and arrived there.It was a place that looked like a wrecked village or something, with a well made out of sand and mud mixed with blackish substances.Erick felt familiarity with the substances filling the well. After sending his energy d
********…..….." " Speech,' ' Thoughts,…..….."Thank you, Elder Ilona, for enlightening us. We are sincerely grateful for your invaluable assistance," Erick and Aashi expressed their gratitude with utmost respect, acknowledging the wisdom and guidance of the revered priestess.Elder Ilona, with a gentle shake of her head, dismissed any notion of inconvenience. A warm smile adorned her face as she conveyed her genuine pleasure in their company. "No, no trouble at all. In fact, I relish your presence. Do pay me another visit in the future," she suggested, her eyes gleaming with joy at the prospect of their return.Erick and Aashi nodded appreciatively, bidding Elder Ilona a proper farewell as they took their leave. Their gestures conveyed their gratitude and respect for the priestess, who had graciously shared her knowledge with them.As they emerged from Elder Ilona's abode, Elder Ryfang awaited their return, a patient figure in the fading light. His curiosity piqued, he inquired
********…..….." " Speech,' ' Thoughts,…..….."Welcome, young ones," she spoke in a voice that was both soft and melodic. "I have been expecting you."Erick and Aashi exchanged greetings before settling onto the cushions that had been laid out for them. The woman before them exuded a sense of accomplishment, as though she had achieved great things in her life and had the love and respect of nature itself."Thank you, Elder, for having us," Erick said, his voice full of gratitude and admiration.The Elder smiled warmly at the two guests before her. "So, what would you like to hear first? I will do my best to answer all of your queries, but first, let me introduce myself."Ilona, the guardian of the small wolf tribe and priestess who oversaw the ceremonies held in the clearing, introduced herself with grace and poise. Her name carried weight and respect, and Erick and Aashi felt a pleasant warmth to be in her presence."I am Erick Dahl, and this is my companion, Aashi," Erick intro
********…..….." " Speech,' ' Thoughts,…..….."It's….it's alright!" Chieftain hurriedly replied while hiding his fear and reverence coming from his heart."Ahem, let me introduce you, Chief Ulric, this young man is Master Erick Dahl and she is his companion, Madame Aashi. And you both already know our chief Ulric name and she is the mate of Chief Ulric, Madame Ayla." Elder Ryfang tried hard to ignore the earlier what he felt and maintained his usual smile while he introduced each other, Erick and Aashi to His chief and Madame Ayla.Erick and Aashi observed the now standing Chief Ulric and Madame Ayla in front of them.Chief Ulric is a tall, muscular man with a commanding presence. He has broad shoulders and a chiseled jawline, and his piercing blue eyes seem to see straight through to a person's soul. His hair is a deep shade of brown and falls in unruly waves to his shoulders, and his beard is thick and well-groomed. Ulric also has wolf-like features, including pointed ears and