The rumble of the shaky train echoed throughout the silent tunnels as its sharp headlights sliced through the darkness ahead. Gray found the ride a bit bumpy, but not something he couldn't handle. Surprisingly, this was his first time entering a train in his life, and it surprised him greatly. Inside the dimly lit compartment, Emelia sat across him with one leg crossed over the other and her hands folded against her chest. Raising her cat-like eyes, she strayed at the Gray expressionlessly. "So you want to know more about Sigmore Forest? There's nothing much to say since I'm sure you've gotten the general gist of how dangerous typical Level-1 restricted zones are.""You know that's not what I'm talking about," Gray added, staring at Emelia intensely."Gray Ravenleaf! It's best you not mistake my laxity for weakness. This is my Bardolian clan's matter, one you are unworthy to know."Although Emelia felt a little strange, not wanting to hurt Gray's feelings with her arrogance, she s
[Nightmare Cafe.]The name was as intimidating as its surroundings. It was neat and clean compared to most places Gray had been to, yet it gave off a chilling vibe that crawled up his spine.The place was full of all sorts of people from various walks of life.They looked casual, but seeing their side-eye glances at him made him aware that one wrong move and Gray was sure he would be dead faster than his brain could react. "Over here!" Someone at a corner waved, and Gray was instantly met with several pairs of scrutinizing eyes from the nose at the table. The one who waved seemed welcoming, but looking at the identical person beside him, Gray knew these were the twins. One had pale purple hair and another had very dark purplish hair. If not for their hair color, it would be near-impossible to tell them apart. One was a poison master and the other an alchemist, who occasionally healed people too. Heh. Bogo and RogoOffend one and you are asking for death. To their left was Zil
Sunken buildings buried deep onto the grounds, slopes formed over other buildings, collapsed roads... all sorts of chaotic images flooded Gray's eyes the longer they traveled.Soon, they left the space filled with buried abandoned buildings, now driving along open plains of roads, sand, and ground. Seeing everyone in the vehicle reach for their support, Gray who was seated by the windows also did the same. But just then he spotted the grounds beside his door break apart at an alarming rate.A giant mutated Caterpillar, the size of a human shot out wiggling its hideous body for all to see.It was amazing that these caterpillars which were once benign and minuscule, had now grown to monstrous proportions with insatiable hunger that led them to devour any and everything in their paths.Its body was blue and almost transparent-like, with a wide ring-shaped mouth and sharp razor-like teeth.Graaaaahhhh~Gray was taken aback, instantly staying sharp, knowing this was a Z-grade 1 Blue Cate
For 30 minutes, they traveled like so until certain they weren't followed. Tapping his feet against the trees Gray soon met Emelia high up, staring at the vast lands surrounding them.They now stood at the tallest tree in their surroundings.The tree overlooked a deadly cliff with its bottom filled with thick fog.Of course, the entire place is misty, but at least very see-through and airy, unlike the thick fog below. Just one stare and Gray knew this fog masked deadlier creatures roaming within it."Well, thank you," Gray said softly. "I'm guessing this is where we split up, right?" Pushing her hair behind her left ear, Emelia tilted her head and showed Gray a true smile.Beautiful.Emelia chuckled, seeing him lost in her beauty again, though she again felt it odd that she wasn't offended."A deal is a deal. As promised, I got you into the forest. Just know that once we cross this fog, we will no longer be in the forest's outskirts. Once in, the true dangers within the forest wil
There were ants of all kinds here.Some slender and some muscular as though pumping iron and working out for years. But was Gray phased by this? No chance! Raising his fists, he swirled his hands like flowing water at the hoard of ants rushing his way. "Palm Water Fists!"Splack! His fist collided with several ants, pushing them back, as their beheads exploded terribly. Instantly, Gray knew these were the weaker front-line ants, who were sent first to test his strength.But so what? In this battle, there can only be one victor... him! With reddish black blood bonging to the ants flowing Down his face, Gray looked like a killer emerging from an ancient horror movie. No matter how many times he was hit, his smile never faded, not even for a second. Left, right up, down, back, front, ants began haggling him, climbing over him and fiercely staining their blades antennas his way. Both the weak and strong joined in without mercy. [+ 90 points!][+ 100 points][+ 20 points][+ 50
"Oh my God! This human is crazy!"The mutated ants couldn't help inwardly screaming the same thoughts while rushing to protect their colony and stop the human from going in. What is horror? This is horror! With boundless fear, they created a powerful formation around the mountain-like hill behind them. Wow! Gray was amazed. The gargantuan anthill, mutated by the lingering toxins of the Apocalypse, was like a rising dark tower against the foggy horizon. Its surface was jagged... Its bottom half was cone-shaped, but its long upper shot resembled a twisted skyscraper that was pillaged with eerie life.Okay, but what were these ants doing? ~Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Group by group, they merged, creating several giant forms of themselves that had like minds. If Gray was from ancient times he would've said they paired with each other like The megatons in famous shows like Power Rangers and other galactic movies. Well, it's amazing that they transformed themselves into bigger versions, b
With words that sounded like Death sentences, several people huddled together despite their heavy injuries. Legs injured and bandaged, arms bloodied, shoulders damaged, people laying down with no strength to lift their heads as buckets of sweat covered their bodies and clothes. It was odd that even though it was cold this far down the ground, everyone was sweating gallons. Their worry was evident and their thoughts chaotic. And among them was the man who spoke out earlier, a youngster with a green bandana wrapped around his forehead, allowing his bushy hair to float high like the silhouettes of fiery flames. He had a deep stab injury in his shoulder blade, and a cut-out piece of fabric wrapped around his left hand. Unlike the others, he was the most calm and collected. And although he looked like a 16~17-year-old, his true age was 38.Around him and everyone else were heaps and heaps of carcasses, some human and others, monsters. The bones and skeletons here are too great to ov
Quickly steadying his breath, Timothy assisted Connor in getting in his back. The man's legs were so badly injured it would be impossible for him to walk out of there on his own. With several weeks and perhaps months of treatment, he should be back on his feet in no time. Of course, if he purchased higher-tier healing potions, his injuries would all be healed in a day. Nodding tactfully Cora grabbed a bone lying around and slowly rose to her feet. All 3 were now ready to leave. But just then, a burly troublesome man rose aggressively. "If you're going, I'll follow too! What? You think you're the only one who has taught like this?"Looking at them arrogantly, the man and his companions lightly dusted his clothes, showing no intention of backing off. Are you kidding? Why should he back off? If anything, they were pleased to follow the group out. They planned to use Timothy, Connor and Cora as shields against the many monsters they might run into.Timothy's eyes turned grim unde