Drake’s conversation with the other prisoner provided him with some useful information. Nevertheless, that alone didn’t increase the odds of his escape being safe.
He tried to summarize what he learned to get his thoughts into order.
The place the mysterious shadow had taken him to was a series of tunnels inside a mountain called Icewyrm.
Drake had never heard of such a location and since the name sounded like it was something out of a fantasy book the hypothesis of him being in a game or a completely different world started to become more believable. However, he still refused to accept the latter.
Putting aside how unrealistic things sounded, Drake realized that the likelihood of anyone coming to their rescue was null.
If one were to assume that the nearest community -the one the guy below him came from- is really six hours away, even if they were to send someone out to look for him it’s unlikely that they’ll find them any time soon.
What’s worse is the storm he mentioned. Tracking him won’t be possible even after the weather clears.
So in the end I still have to find a way to escape on my own…
About fifteen minutes have passed since the cultist left. Drake prepared to make his move, thinking that the longer he waited the higher the chance of someone coming to check on them.
His legs felt weak and his blather was about to explode. The darkness terrified him and only trouble awaited down that tunnel. However, he couldn’t just sit idly and wait for those crazy cultists to make up their minds about what they’d do with him.
Careful not to make any sound, he opened his cage and got out. The rusty metallic bars creaked in the darkness, and though it was barely audible, the kid in the cell below seemed to notice the noise.
“Huh? Y-you… how…”
The tunnel was dark and neither of them could see the other. Drake could still tell the kid was surprised by his escape, however.
He stopped for a moment and thought; if this was some movie or a novel, the protagonist would find a way to help the kid so they can escape together. Sadly, Drake couldn’t care less so he just turned around and left.
“Wait!”
The loud shout stopped him in his tracks.
“Please! Don’t leave me here!”
“Shuuuuush! Shut the fuck up!” Drake hissed back at him.
“C’mon! You can’t just abandon me! I don’t want to die!”
“What do you want me to do? Free you? How the hell am I gonna do that?”
“But… you freed yourself!” The kid said in protest. “Surely you can do the same for me!”
“No, I can not!”
Letting this go on any longer put him at risk so Drake decided to just ignore the kid and walk away once more.
“If you don’t help me I will keep yelling until the guards find out!!!”
Stopping again, Drake turned to look behind him. He could barely make out anything in the pitch-black darkness so there was no point in doing that, but the idiot was really pissing him off and he wanted to go back and punch his teeth in.
“HEEEEY!!! YOU CHURCH IDIOTS! YOUR PRISONER IS TRYING TO ESCAPE!”
Not a minute passed before the idiot started shouting and Drake had to quickly get back.
“Oh so you ch-"
Before the kid could finish Drake kicked his face using his voice to locate it.
“W-why did you do that!!”
Even though the kick almost broke his nose, the kid was still rumbling enraging Drake even further.
“I’m gonna kill you if you don’t shut up!” Drake hissed while trying to keep his voice as low as possible.
Concentrating on the map in the corner of his vision, he opened its window to check the bigger version.
He waited for a few seconds however no red dots appeared. A minute later he sighed in relief and turned his focus to the cell the idiot was in.
“Don’t you fucking realize the situation we’re in!? I can’t help you, and if neither of us escape, no one will come to help either!”
“B-but! I can’t… I don’t…”
“Listen you fucking idiot. I don’t know you! I have no obligation to risk my life for your sake!” Grabbing the iron bars as he tried my best to not lose it, Drake continued. “You got yourself into this because you’re plain dumb! You should’ve listened to your grandpa’s warning! You have no one to blame but y-"
As his rant got out of control Drake started pulling on the rusty metallic bars. One thing was for sure, he never expected them to snap and come off so easily. Because of that, he ended up falling on his behind.
Damn it! How many times is this going to happen!?
It’s not like he had awakened some super strength that allowed him to easily break iron. From the texture and the feel of the rods in his hands, he realized that they were in a much worse state than the ones in his cell which made them too weak and easy to break.
“Shit!”
Drake couldn’t help but curse his luck. Now that the cell was broken, the option to abandon the kid was no longer there. He couldn't use being unable to free him as an excuse anymore.
“Alright. Move it, you little shit!” He said as he pulled on the rest of the bars, bending them with just a little effort. “See if you can squeeze through.”
There was no response for a while but then the kid replied with an energetic “yes!” and began moving.
Drake had to pull him out since the opening was still too small. The kid’s hands being tied behind his back was a hindrance but he managed to get him out rather quickly.
“Turn around,” Drake said, his voice full of frustration.
Taking one of the metal rods that broke off, he used the sharp end to cut the rope.
“Thanks…” the kid said, following with an apology a second later. “Sorry for just now, I didn’t know what else I should do.”
“Just keep quiet.”
Drake considered kicking him once more but decided otherwise. Calming down, he tried to look at the bright side again. He could always use him as bait if the need arises. The kid does know his way around the mountain and the forest as well. If the two of them manage to escape safely he’d serve as a guide to the nearest town
With his thoughts back in order, Drake turned around and faced the kid
“You, what’s your name?” He asked.
“I’m… Rollo…” the kid replied, careful to keep his voice low.
“I’m Drake. Listen, we are trying to get the hell out of here without anyone noticing. We’d be sneaking around so make sure to keep your mouth shut. Once we’re out, we must reach your home as fast as possible unless we want to get caught. Do you understand?”
“… yes.”
“Good. Now, follow me and stay close.”
Stopping to mentally prepare himself, Drake once again began walking down the dark tunnel.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION:Rollo has joined your partyQuest: 《Escape mount Icewyrm (SS)》 has been generated. ][《Escape mount Icewyrm (SS)》:You have been captured by the disciples of Eternal Darkness. Only certain death awaits you if you fail to escape.OBJECTIVE: Escape from the church of Eternal Darkness together with Rollo.CLEAR CONDITIONS:Reach the forest at the base of Mount Icewyrm. Rollo's survival.CLEAR REWARDS:Increase chances of survival.25 Soul Essence.FAILURE PENALITY:Death.]The moment Drake took the first step, two half-transparent screens appeared in front of him. The first had the same SYSTEM NOTIFICATION as before. This time, however, it seemed to list a few things he didn’t understand until he read what was on the second screen.The system decided to make it clear that he was stuck with the annoying idiot named Rollo, informing him that his chances of survival would be null unless the two of them made it out together. Drake didn't understand what was the point
Walking through the darkness made Drake wish he had brought with him one of the torches they found in the cavern. That would have been like shouting for the cultist to come get them, however, so his only choice was to tolerate the lack of visibility and continue advancing.It wasn't long before they came across another source of light which prompted them to slow down. The faint orange glow came from a hole in the tunnel which appeared to be man-made.The hole led to a wide room illuminated by something in the corner. Several long boxes were placed around, and looking inside the one right beside the entrance, Drake learned they were filled with straw.“Are those… beds?” Rollo whispered.The wooden boxes turned out to be a simple type of furniture. Since so many of them were placed around they guessed that the room was a shared sleeping quarters for the black cloaks.There was nothing to see inside so they went on their way. The two found several more rooms, all of which were empty with
Drake Brand.“Are those Beast Souls?”“Beast souls?”I couldn’t help repeating after Rollo as we both stared at the contents of the strange little box.Inside were three fist sized orbs glowing with different colors; one blue, one red and one black. They looked like balls of flames pulsating and quivering and from the looks of it they were floating slightly above the bottom of the box.“Drake…” shifting my way, Rollo placed his hands on my shoulders and said with an extremely serious look “Let’s eat them!”“… What?”I glanced over at the strange will-o’-wisp li
With newfound interest, Drake turned his gaze to the glowing orbs. He was hoping to get more info from the strange digital screens that kept popping up in front of him and thankfully he wasn't made to wait for long.The screen that appeared while he stared at the red orb said it was a [Beast Soul (SS): Inferno Salamander Hatchling]. The next one followed him gazing at the black orb and just by reading the words Drake understood that it was different.[Beast Soul (SSS): Night Wing Hatchling]“Hey…” staring at the black-colored will-o'-wisp, Drake asked his red-haired companion. "If I understood this right, the Soul of an SS-tier infant beast is more valuable than that of the more powerful fully matured version, right?”“Yes…” Rollo replied, turning to the soul box. “What if the Soul of the infant is an SSS tier?”As he waited for the answer, Drake noticed that it was taking a bit too long. He was about to turn to check when a hand suddenly fell on his shoulder. Holding a hand to his mo
"Run!"That was the first word that came out of Drake's mouth when he saw the cultist. He yanked the red-haired boy then pushed him between the crates, intending to use them as a barrier to hopefully keep the enemy away.Of course, the cultist wasn’t about to just let them through. As Rollo ran to the other side of the room, Drake waited in the same spot for a couple of seconds. He tricked the lone enemy into coming after him then ran after the red-haired boy.The path to the entrance was clear once more and for a moment it seemed like they would make it out of the storage room. A second cultist appeared before them just then and suddenly they found themselves trapped in a pincer.The choices were limited and retreat wasn't an option. coming to that conclusion, Drake made his choice in the blink of an eye.I have no choice but to tackle him!No sooner did that thought crossed his mind than the world around him blurred.[SKILL: Quick Step][SKILL: Razor Claws]By the time he noticed wha
“THEY HAVE BEAST SOULS!!!” The cultist, managing to block Drake’s attack somehow, yelled as he swung his spear at him.In his panicked state, Drake almost failed to dodge. He leaned aside to let the spear safely slide to the ground, which was a feat he didn't believe himself to be capable of.Drake joined his hands and brought them down on the cultist's head, striking him with enough force to slam his body to the ground.A third cultist kept his calm and moved to attack Drake while he was mid-motion and incapable of evading.For a moment it seemed like his spear would strike true, but before it could a blow landed on the cultist's head and sent him flying into the others.The one who punched him was none other than the red-haired kid, Rollo. Though the blue haze surrounding him raised questions, Drake knew there was no time.Pure luck. That was the only reason he was able to make it this far, and seeing the faint haze that enveloped the new cultists coming after them, Drake knew gettin
[SYSTEM ALERT][《King of Frozen Peaks 》 has appeared][You have entered a king’s domain.][Due to the overwhelming difference in level all stats have been temporarily reduced.][Due to 《King of Frozen Peaks》’s domain the temperature in the area has significantly dropped.][You’re suffering from negative status effect: Frostbite][You’re suffering from negative status effect: Fear][SYSTEM NOTIFICATION][Quest: 《King of Frozen Peaks (SSS)》 has been generated.][Quest denied due to the overwhelming difference in level.][Quest: 《Escape the king’s domain (SS)》 has been generated.][《Escape the king's domain》:You have foolishly entered the domain of one of the most powerful Magical Beasts in this world. However, hope isn’t lost yet. The beast is currently engaged in battle against the army of the church of Eternal Night and your presence is too insignificant for it to notice you.OBJECTIVE: Escape Mount Icewyrm before the King of Frozen Peaks notices your presence. CLEAR CONDITION:Reac
I watched in horror as one of the shield bearers had his entire head cleanly shaved off because he chose to peek out a little too early.The commander who I thought was hiding behind a wall of shields took out a strangely designed broad sword. Though it appeared quite heavy he swung it with one arm sending out a crimson arc of flames that collided with the icicles evaporating them before they could reach his squad.“ACTIVATE THE CHAINS!!!”Though they received quite a number of casualties in the last attack the knights still went for a counter.From the center of each group beams of purple light shot out toward the beast. They were too fast for something of its size to evade and before it could react they wrapped themselves around its wings and le
A lot of things happened after the battle against the Dragonspears. When they reunited with the others, Drake learned that Peter had saved Edda and her hound as well. Turns out the two were actually in a secret relationship and she was the one who came up with the whole plan of destroying his contract and escaping. Apparently she was of a rare race of Beastkin that possessed healing abilities. Since her bloodline was too valuable the Dragonspears wanted to make her a part of their family instead of enslaving her then harvesting her Soul. Healers were a rare commodity so even if they're Beastkin they're always treated well. That said, she couldn't get over the fact that she was sold like an object and was looking for the perfect opportunity to betray them. The weirdest part of all was that she had fallen in love with Peter despite him being nothing but a cloud of smoke. Drake was confused about how they planned on making it work, however the girl said that a magic that allows Beastki
"Why…?" Rollo asked his voice hoarse. He was on the ground, his lower half was lost, both of his arms as well. His wounds were frozen preventing him from regenerating. The frost was spreading killing his cells one by one. "I dont really know what you were expecting." Drake said, scratching the back of his head. He hated Rollo. Killing him was only natural. Still, seeing a kid laying on the ground having suffered such grave injuries Drake almost felt bad for him. Almost. He wasn't about to feel sympathy toward someone who planned to enslave him. "I… thought… we could be… friends…" the boy struggled to speak. His lips had turned blue and the breaths he struggled to release with each word turned into white fog. "I wanted you… by my side… we could've… we could've ruled… the upper realm…" "Friends? That's a really bad joke." Drake snorted, mocking the idea. "I only saw you as the bastard who wants to turn me into a weapon. I guess you have succeeded in that regard. Bet you didn't exp
Something about Rollo began to change. The aura covering his body began to fluctuate. He dropped his spear and his blue eyes turned bloody red. Drake heightened his guard. He felt that something odd was happening.The red haired boy had used the effects of the redacted title to force his main Soul to evolve. It was a Red Dragon. Though the name was simple, it was the Soul of one of the seven primal beasts that once ruled over the upper realm, the ones that put an end to the first Eternal Night. The final stage of its evolution is the Light Dragon. It was as rare as the Eternal Night, never found in the wild and can only be reached by cultivating the beast Soul with the help of the system. All of the other Souls Rollo had assimilated were consumed to gather enough Essence for the evolution. The forced process did the same to him as it did to Drake and caused him to lose control as he entered the second stage of assimilation.Scales began to grow on his arms and legs. A thick white t
The moment Drake chose the YES option everything suddenly went black. He couldn't see or feel, it was as if he was pulled out of his body, left as an accumulation of thoughts without a physician form. Time passed. He didn't know how long but at some pont he opened his eyes and looked around him. The black castle was a mess. Corpses everywhere missing most of their remains. Weapons of different types and sizes, broken and destroyed. Armor and shield thrown around bent into unknown shapes. What caught his attention the most were the crystals scattered around and the strange artifacts here and there. They didn't look like anything he recognized. Little did he know what they were magic weapons that had been used on him. The black castle was destroyed. Most of its buildings had crumbled. The walls surrounding it rendered to dust. Upon further inspection Drake noticed white flames here and there eating at anything that had yer to burn. Thay was enough of a clue for him to tell what had
Drake Went around hunting the apprentices looking for him. He approached them peacefully then took the chance to erase them using his void hand. Sadly it didn't go that well till the end. As he was erasing the forth one the fifth saw it and took off. Drake was unable to catch up with him and he ended up warning the servants who went around warning the other apprentices or guards. It was a shame that he couldn't go about it in a more quiet manner, but nothing could be done about it. Tossing the oil lamp he was carrying, drake coated both of his arms in the black flames. He faced the oncoming enemies and prepared to attack."What are we supposed to do!?" One off the guards asked. "He's an important guest of the lord, right?""They said he had killed some apprentices. Until we do a more thorough investigation we have to restrain him for now!"They didn't have to wait though as they got the proof they needed soon enough. The first guard to approach Drake had half of his body erased. Dra
Drake gave Layla and Lily a few minutes to have their reunion, however they needed to move quicker so he told them to save it for a later time. They needed to get moving before the main members of the Dragonspear family are informed of his disappearance. After changing Lily into new clothes, Drake accessed his system and began pooring all the Essence he had into his beast Soul.[《Starless Night. LVL 48》GRADE: SSS.SPECIE: Elder Dragon.ELEMENT: Dark.STATS: STRENGTH: 2802 +70% DEFENSE: 2728 +70% MAGIC: 1699 +70% RESISTANCE: 9000 +70% SKILL POINTS: 9000/9000 MAGIC POINTS: 89000/89000 SOUL ESSENCE: 17883788967287/17839839948893.SKILLS: First Impact Razor claws Quick Step Sharp Blade Flash Step Dragon Roar Dark Aura Flight True Darkness Drak Flames Purgatory Flames Void Hand Soul Snatch SilenceMAGIC: Void Slash.]He quickly went over the new skills he had learned and as he did a smile spread on his face
"Alright." The shadow said. "Everything is in place. Let's get going."Drake took a deep breath then nodded. The time to execute the plan has come and so the two began to move. The shadow enveloped Drake teleporting him to the first location."... Drake?" Layla said, seeing her the boy fall out of the sky.Roland was there as well, taking a fighting stance the moment he saw the strange shadow."We got no time. Come with me." Drake said. Without asking any questions the two came closer and were enveloped by the shadow as well.The next time they opened their eyes they were in an unfamiliar location. Roland was on his knees in no time, struggling to breath. Layla was able to tell they were in the upper realm, and not just anywhere but in a Nexus point where magical Essence was concentrated the most."We are going to revive Lily." Drake said, opening his inventory and taking the little girl's soul. "Wait. What's going on? Isn't this… too sudden?" Layla asked."I'll go keep an eye on th
"So? How are we going to do this?" Drake asked. "You're asking for my help so you should already know how to remove the curse, right?" "Huh? Do you believe me now?" The shadow spoke, his voice containing a hint of joy."Nope. I didn't even decided whether to help you or not." Drake said, waving a dismissive hand. "First of all, let's hear what you have. I'll decide after I hear your plan."... okay, that work just fine, I guess." The shadow said with a sigh. "When I was still a kid someone sold me to the Dragonspears. The slavery contract is a magical item that binds me to the one who signed on it, the family head.""You arent going to ask me to kill him, right?""Of course not!" The shadow exclaimed. "Well, it is one of the possible solutions, however killing that monster is impossible. Our only choice is to find the contract and destroy it.""So? Why dont you do it already?" Drake asked."Because I can't." The shadow replied. "I can't defy my owner, remember? That means I can't bre
"GOD FUCKING DAMN IT DRAKE! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!!!" The shadow was really pissed off. He had barely managed to teleport them outside the cave before it collapsed. Now they were in the field with the new Frost King's corpse Rollo had killed a while ago."You could've gotten us both killed!" The shadow went on, berating Drake for his unreasonable actions. Drake didn't give him much thought, gripping his sword and preparing to continue his attacks."What the fuck do you think you're doing!!?""I don't? Killing the bastard who's trying to use my dead brother to make me do something?" Drake said, cauting his blade with the black flames."I am your brother!" The shadow said. "Well, I did die and got reborn so I guess you have a point. But it's really me! You gotta believe me!""Yeah right." Drake went on to attack, swinging his sword again and again. "You're still as crazy as ever." The shadow said, swooshing here and there avoiding the flurry of attacks. "Did you like this world? Vi