(Veronica’s POV)I noticed a few Bearers gazing at me as I took my seat at the head of the table.Even though it’s true that it wasn’t a unilateral decision to make me leader, with time they’d come to accept me.As long as I live up to what I already promised them.For some reason, they felt more comfortable allowing a monster lead them than a human that cared for their lives!Fucking hypocrites.No matter, it’s not like I plan to back down.I will prove myself worthy and along the way, deal with that monster that has used some sort of sorcery to make everyone worship it.In any case, it was best not to get carried away thus I quickly arranged my thoughts, prepared for the reason the meeting was called in the first place.It was at this point I noticed those that were not seated at the table.Three of them to be exact.All three were lanky dudes with one wearing glasses.“Are they the scouts that were sent out?” I asked the council member beside me.A blue haired girl with a calm deme
Insurmountable.That was the only word that came to mind as I stared at the wall encompassing the fields we found ourselves in.It was impossible to see the top and even harder to make a dent on it.I couldn’t help but wonder if it represented an obstacle.The Otherworldly to be exact.After all, they were the insurmountable wall that humanity had faced for a hundred years with no signs of winning.Quite pathetic…. Wait, why am I acting so philosophical all of a sudden?Ugh, enough with that.I guess I got lost in thought.I glanced at the two individuals speaking not too far away.One was Richard and the other, a blue haired petite female with a Loli demeanor.If I wasn’t any wiser, I would have considered her underage judging from her… ahem, never mind.In any case, it hadn’t been long since she arrived.Apparently, she’s also a Stigma Bearer, what’s more, she is also from another Great family, albeit with a lower status than Richard who happened to be a potential successor of the S
A farm?Actually the thought had come to mind but I had brushed it off.Why?Simply because it was too terrifying to consider.Stuck in a lucid state, allowed to enjoy the rays of the sun, the chill of the moon and the beauty of nature.Eating, sleeping and drinking.The environment was too good to be true.Exactly, too good… especially for an Otherworldly like the Dreamer.Which meant Lincoln’s thoughts weren’t wrong.Just how terrifying would it be to know that with each meal we have, the water we drink and everything else we enjoy is in other to fatten us up before the Dreamer would come and devour us one at a time.I instinctively shuddered at the sight.How would it work?Maybe it would create a hole in the sky and pick us up like flies before devouring us or would it use some convoluted means to eat us up one at a time.No, I can’t think about that.The images that came to mind as a result of my over imaginative self were too vivid to continuously imagine.I’d rather ignore it t
“It’s simple actually if you only settle down to think about it.” Richard started off with a little eloquence to set the mood.This fucking bastard really considered us his students and him the teacher!Even though I knew it would be difficult to successfully hit him, I sincerely can’t deny the fact that I wanted to do so.Alas, I suppressed the urge and revealed a neutral expression while staring at him as he continued on with his nonsense.“The Dreamer indeed creates Nightmares that can be escaped as long as certain goals are fulfilled but that’s only when it’s restricted and restrained by the seal. The Dreamer doesn’t create Nightmares because it wants to test us, bottom line is, it wants to devour our souls.“My guardian told me stories about the Otherworldly and when I was about to enter the academy, he specifically gave me information on the Dreamer.“An A-grade Otherworldly like the Dreamer is incapable of completely sealing the minds of humans. No-one knows why and it’s imposs
It made a crunching sound as it picked up a cadet and but down on him without mercy.It’s overly exaggerated mouth which had opened wide enough to fit a human sized meal closed over the poor cadet’s head and closed without leaving a gap to breath.Due to how dark it was, I could barely see anything but it was difficult to not make out the rows of teeth underneath the mouth as it crushed the cadet.Looking at the monster up close, it was a terrifying sight.Dark skin that looked like tar and white patches for eyes, the creature stood on two legs and it’s body could be compared to a muscular male, albeit taller.It's hands were large enough to pick up the cadets with ease and it’s fingers sharp enough to puncture a hole in a person if it wanted to.I couldn’t help but gulp as I watched blood spray everywhere.It caused even more cadets to scream, terrified and shocked by the blatant disregard the black creature had for us.Did it really see us as animals waiting to be slaughtered?What
The concept I used to create the sword was a simple one.We were ultimately in a dream world created by the Dreamer.No matter how much the A-grade Otherworldly tried, it’s Nightmares would never be able to be reality.It was already easy to make out considering what part of the body it feasted on.The human mind.Not souls or flesh and blood, no, the Dreamer was a mental creature so obviously when it came down to it’s choice meals, it would be the capacity of a human to think.The moment that is gone, it wouldn’t be difficult for the person’s body to be devoured, either by their own bodies or by other monsters.It was one or the other.In any case, my point is that, in this Nightmare, my mind is as active as can be… in fact I can say it’s hyperactive which is most likely the reason I get derailed by my thoughts so much.I found it difficult to adjust to the speed at which I was thinking.The moment I realized that, I came up with a crazy idea.My imagination has always been somewhat
Watching the tar monster reduce by more than half it’s original size came as a welcome relief to everyone present.After everything, we managed to damage the monster.Imagine doing so much, only to watch the monster regenerate like our attacks were useless?I can’t even begin to imagine the wide spread panic that would occur as a result.But then again, even though I’m glad that our efforts were not in vain, I couldn’t help but still feel tense as the tar monster congregated again until it was roughly the size of an emaciated average human male.It was no longer as scary looking as when I first arrived but that didn’t mean it was completely harmless.On the contrary, it looked quite angry.The white patches on its face that substituted for it’s eyes constricted as it glared at us.If it intended to attack, there wouldn’t be a way for us to retaliate.After all, using our imagination is not as easy as it sounds.I already felt drained just by manifesting the sword and swinging it once.
(Lincoln’s POV)It was terrifying.I couldn’t believe I was the one that did it but it was.As I watched the others try to take down the monster, I couldn’t help but shiver from where I stood.But even then, something pushed me forward.I didn’t just want to stand there and watch the others work hard.I need to be useful.If not for anything, then for Mom and Jay.I need to take care of them and dying here… I’d never be able to do that.So I took a step forward and tried to imagine a weapon but even though I understood the concept Jerry used to create his sword and was quick to outline mine, my mental state wasn’t strong enough to keep the image.I wasn’t surprised though.I’m not a warrior by any means.Best I can do is support which was why I had enrolled into the Scout classes.For context, there are three main types of Explorers.Offensive, Defensive and Support.Support type Explorers were medics, repairmen, scouts and coolies.I chose scout because it was what I felt I was best
The clash was like no other.After learning about the Headmaster coming for them, Jason and Philip prepared an ambush.The Headmaster was right when he said Philip had absorbed the essence of the Dreamer.Due to that absorption, he had shed his mortal coils and embraced his monstrous side without any fear.The Dreamer was a creature capable of pulling humans into dreams but for Philip it was slightly different.He was able to rewrite the fabric of reality, blurring the lines between the dream world and reality.A terrifying power he used to the best of his ability at this point.Using the tunnels as a backdrop, he created a maze with an elaborate structure and advised Jason to have the Vampires hide in wait for their prey.A brilliant plan, considering they had the upper hand.They would be able to spot the humans from a distance considering they’d be moving with torches but the Vampires managed to blend into the darkness.All that was required now was to wait and all would work out w
It was the first time Vampires became a thing.Once Creatures of folklore told around campfires in the old world, these creatures were tame compared to what was before them at this very moment.A few reasons remained as to why the Otherworldly abomination was called Vampire but two stood out.One was because these monster feasted on blood and the second was that they had insane regenerative abilitiesMore than that, the third and last one was their dislike for light.They thrived in dark place as the mines and even the entire tower was meant to be.It’s quite understandable why the higher ups wouldn’t want the Vampires reaching the heart, now, no?Unlike normal Otherworldly that just don’t like light, the light for Vampires was a lethal weapon that could deal incredible damage in proportion to the intensity of the light.Which meant if they got to the Heart and by some stroke of luck, succeed in destroying it, that would mean the entire tower would be destroyed without a chance to sav
There were many things to consider when it came to leadership.Both for those that sought to be leaders or those that searched for a leader.It was no easy task, rather daunting enough for those that dared to take the post of leader to actually do what they were meant to do.For Heralds, their leadership was absolute as long as it with the squadron they commanded.Before any other position, a Herald was considered first when a Squadron was to move out.The squad members of a particular squadron have the right to listen to their Herald over a captain or commander or even General.This was because the Herald was not just a simple position.One wasn’t just a leader, nay, they were also family.Such sense of camaraderie helped squad members look out for one another but also brought fierce competition as there were hardly squadron’s that listened to the Captain’s, commanders or Generals over their Herald.A position where one held the life or death of so many people.There had never been a
The All-seeing Eye would have never believed it would come across the Void Wanderer again, after all, ever since that day, the Void Wanderer was pronounced dead.It should have died but even in death, it seemed as though it wouldn’t rest until it had done what it wanted which was to cause chaos amongst them.You will never get away with this!... Your kind is already doomed!... Do not waste your time fighting against the inevitable. What you should do is swear your allegiance to the one who watches and accept his reign.[Bold of you to assume that I would waste my time having a conversation with you. Please… enough with the noise.]The All-seeing Eye wanted to say but before it had a chance to, space about it began to constrict, growing tightly about it until it could barely move in any direction.No!... You cannot do this!.... You cannot do this!Unfortunately, Lord had no more words to share with him and a moment later, his body exploded like a watermelon that received the full brunt
The Otherworldly were graded according to a system created by mankind after constant bouts with them.From E, it ascended thusly; E, D, C, B, A, S, SS and lastly Godspawn.Two things were used in the grading process.One was the destructive capabilities of said monster while the second was the utility of their ability.Which meant a flame monster could be lesser than a monster that can’t be seen simply because the monster that can’t be seen won’t be easily beat.For the flame monster, there would surely be ways to counter since it’s seen but the other… the first step would be to see it no?Other criteria was put into consideration as well, like how hard was it to kill one or like how fast were their regenerative capabilities.Of course this applied to most Otherworldly.Yes, most.The SS and Godspawn were different.They were a class that defied natural laws and created conundrums that defied everything humanity had come to understand.The difference between an SS and a Godspawn was t
It was a simple plan with a simple purpose in mind.Reginald, Veronica and Jeremy.These three had abandoned the pain and suffering from that time during the newbie massacre to come together for a singular reason.What was the reason you might ask?... It was purely revenge.Revenge for their fallen comrades that had died unjustly at the hands of scheming bastards that hid within the shadows.The fact that they had found out whom the perpetrators were made it all the more better.At least they wouldn’t move like headless flies.Now they could move with the desire to kill the one that caused them the grievance they were still suffering even as they sat in Jeremy’s room, talking with smiled on their faces.Leah hadn’t been fooled when she saw them smile and laugh so energetically.It was most likely because they didn’t want her to worry.Unfortunately, she no longer had eyes that could be deceived.Leah only listened to the hearts of those she communicated with and currently, as she list
Veronica sighed as she rose from her bed and walked over to the door to open it only to find her father standing outside.“Dad, you?” Veronica said.Her father nodded. “Were you sleeping?”“No… not yet.” Veronica shook her head in response.“I thought as much. Alright, let me come in first.” With that said, he casually entered without giving Veronica much of a choice to refuse or anything of that sort.She watched on as he sat on her bed and made himself comfortable before tapping on the bed.“Come sit.”Veronica pursed her lips before letting out a sigh. “still as intrusive as ever.”Sitting beside her father, she waited for him to talk.He pondered for a bit before he spoke. “how are you feeling?”“Fine.” Veronica replied.Her father glanced at her and after a bit of scrutiny, shook his head. “that’s a lie.”“If you already know, then why ask?”“To know if you are willing to tell yourself the truth.”“…The truth is too painful to accept.”Her father stared at her solemn face and aft
It all happened so suddenly.One moment, the thugs were trying to take down Jeremy and Marcus to take away their belongings and the next moment, they were writhing on the floor like worms that had salt poured in them.As they groaned and gasped for air, Jeremy looked on with an expressionless look on his face.Meanwhile, Marcus was somewhat terrified.Just what power had Jeremy used?He couldn’t even begin to fathom it.But then he wondered. If he had such an ability… wouldn’t Ria still be alive now?Wouldn’t he have been able to save Ria and ensure nothing happens to her?As that thought came, Marcus found himself pondering on it more and more until he could hardly think of anything else.Then he heard Jeremy’s voice. “This not power you should hope for.”His voice snapped Marcus out of his reverie, causing him to realize that he had Ben staring off into nothingness for a bit too long.Then he glanced at Jeremy who was staring intently at him.“how did you do that!” Marcus immediatel
“You heard about the fire?” Jeremy inquired with a raised brow.Reginald nodded. “It was a dangerous affair after all. It’s one of the few times when an entire floor was threatened. If anything had gone wrong, we would have seen casualties in the thousands.”“I agree. And that was just a side effect.”“A side effect, you say?” Reginald raised a brow.Jeremy replied. “Yeah. Apparently, Marcus only had to kill some mafia leader that had his hands on the black market on that floor, engaging in unsavory activities including drugs, prostitution and slavery.”“that… wait, you said the orb is a Vestige?” Reginald asked.Jeremy nodded. “it is.”“so how did he use it?... Aren’t Vestiges objects that only react to variance?... So how did he activate it?”“I have no idea.” Replied Jeremy in all honesty.He was also quite curious to figure out how it happened.It was a known fact that even ordinary Explorers could not use Vestiges because of their lack of variance.But Marcus managed to do so des