"Quickly run!" shouted Barbro once again. The birds precede them by flying down the tunnel in the same direction Joker is running. Eryk darted towards them with Sam running by his side. The rats scattered in all directions. "Through this way!" called Joker. "There are stairs leading to the emergency exit connected to the underground station." The flood waters carrying sewage flooded the tunnel and inundated nearly 3/4 of the culvert's height. The roar of the water with tremendous pressure dragged several mice. Eryk was the last to rise, his body submerged in water up to his waist. His feet slipped on the slippery metal steps, and his waist slumped against the side of the tunnel. His body was swept away by the swift current. "If it falls, I'm over." The flood would drag him far and crash against the tunnel walls, probably crushing all his bones. Eryk looked up to see the emergency exit hole. Light flickered above him. He struggled up the stairs and jumped to the surface, followin
"Tell me, where is the girl?" asked Joker with a slightly snapping tone. "What have you done to that plant summoner?" Snake Eyes' two eyebrows that were curved thinly suddenly pulled together. "Summoners... what?" "You know who I mean!" said Joker. As Joker spoke, two cats snarled threateningly close. It was not an ordinary cat but a vast forest cat. Snake Eyes's frown deepened. "I don't understand. She's not a plant summoner." "You caught the wrong person!" said Eryk. "I am the bird summoner you are looking for." White and Black landed on Eryk's shoulders, respectively. "I'm the one you want." Snake Eyes said nothing. He suddenly smiled in disbelief. His eyes flashed with helpless anger. One of the large bobcats with spots on its fur climbed onto the snake summoner's chest. The cat brought its fanged muzzle closer to the man's face. "You don't have another chance," said Joker. "Better tell me where she is? You will catch up with your Master." Eryk got goosebumps when he saw t
They return to where Joker's camp car is parked. The woman returned to her cheerful self whenever she faced the monitor screen. She checked the map and scanned through the satellite. "It looks like this industrial area is safe. Didn't see much activity except for a few spots. This is very strange." "Which do you think it is?" she asked. "Barbro, do you know something?" said, Joker. A dove flew and landed in front of the monitor. The dove's beak pecked at one of the pictures on the screen. Then Joker nodded and started driving her camping car to the location pointed out by the dove. The rain got heavier and hit the roof of the car. Eryk felt warm in the camping car. But the thought of having to go out and run in the rain is very uncomfortable. He recalled the hard times living in his tree house. Before long, they arrived at the industrial district with its low-roofed buildings. Many abandoned factories and empty warehouses are scattered along the way. Old and broken cars were also
Sam walks blindly because he only relies on his smell. The boy walked smoothly. The nose functions as the eye. Sam stopped right in front of a pile of objects. Eryk almost scolded him, but Sam said, "Here's ammonia and a stack of pallets." "You're great," Eryk praised. He had not expected Sam to rely on smell to help in the dark. Black and White landed on a nearby table. The spacious room was so silent. Until Eryk could hear the rustling of their wings. And Sam's rats were also running around, looking for anything to say to Sam. In the centre of the room was a closed office built into the side of the factory. Paper waste was scattered on the floor, and many empty bottles were unused. Everything is dusty. "It seems this factory has been abandoned for a long time," said Eryk. "Perhaps since the dark summer?" Sam is still relying on his smell. He followed Joker and Barbro's tracks across the dusty floor; the footprints led them to the farthest corner of the building. Some Sam's rats
"Something's wrong!" Eryk shouted, pushing the door a little. He was very careful not to be seen or make a sound. Eryk saw a large cellar surrounded by used pallets and crates. The cellar was lit by candles hanging from the ceiling. There is no electricity there. The dim light came from the gas lamps. Eryk gasped as Sam joined him. They saw a terrible sight. Black Widow and Lizard were standing in the centre of the room. They were only meters away and unarmed. As far as Eryk could see, he gasped as he saw Alyssa standing between them, clutching the Owl Soul sword. "What are they doing?" whispered Eryk. Alyssa needs clarification. Her head was covered by a black cloth, and a rope wrapped around her hands. However, that hand was also holding the Olw Soul sword. Eryk's gaze fell down on the floor Alyssa stepped on. The girl was apparently standing on the floor covered with rune drawings. The runes were inscribed using a thick black-coloured substance. They form strange inscriptions
Alyssa looked irritated. Her voice was drowned under the hood. The Lizard's legs twitched and clicked like a lizard's. The man glanced worriedly at Black Widow. "Enough!" The spider summoner hissed. "We didn't go this far just to fall for their ridiculous tricks. You guys are doing drama in front of us, right? You're Evan Harris' granddaughter. You are a bird summoner, just like your parents. Now, hurry up!" Suddenly Joker burst out laughing. She couldn't hold back the amusement and silliness. The previously tense atmosphere had now turned to anger. Black Widow and Lizard glared at Joker. "What is so funny? You want me to kill this bird summoner before your eyes?" Black Widow took out poisoned needles from between the five fingers of her right hand. That's when Black Widow got serious. The smile completely disappeared from her lips. "Listen to me, Alyssa," said Joker. "Do what the Widow asks. Pick up the sword and swing Owl Soul from side to side." Alyssa took a deep breath. "Bu
Black Widow is seen casting a spell. Her voice was like a hissing spider, but no one could understand the meaning of her words. "She's trying to summon dead souls," Sam said next to Eryk's ear. "What do you mean, Sam? Is it meant to summon spirits?" Sam shook his head. "Summoned spirits are living beings. Meanwhile, dead souls are humans and creatures that have died, including dead summoned spirits. I think Black Widow is communicating with Venom through the ritual." "So the incantations cast and the runes inscribed around Alyssa are a medium for communicating with other worlds?" Sam nodded. "Barbro once explained it to me. Black Widow must search for Venom through sound before returning him to the mortal world." Eryk was still peeking inside. Alyssa was enjoying her role in tricking the two destroyer summoners. Then, Eryk looked at the pendant he was wearing. "Duri is still in a passive state. He's still in the form of a black rose brooch." Eryk didn't know how to activate the
"Cut the veil! After that, we will release them, "said Black Widow."No!" shouted Barbro. "He can't come back."Eryk sighed and walked slowly toward the runes drawn on the floor's surface."There is no other choice," Eryk said. "That's the only way."Eryk glanced at the Joker, who was still standing, and looked down. The woman's eyes opened again, and anger seemed to wrestle on her face."If he returns, then we will all die," Barbro said while giving a look to beg Joker to do something. Barbro looks like a child at that time. He was really scared.While Sam is still hiding behind the door. He peeked and eavesdropped on everything that happened in there with fear. The mice went around Sam's foot. Sam also did not want to sacrifice the mice to get caught in the deadly spider web.Black also said, "You can't do it, Eryk. You can't call Venom back again to this world. Isn't he your nightmare all this time? The pale-handed man you always tell me? Why do you want to invite your demons to co
Alyssa and Joker, accompanied by Wanda, meet the Lightning Summoner. He is a tall man with a large spear weapon that can emit electricity.The man sat opposite Wanda in a cafe. Meanwhile, Alyssa and Joker stood not far from them but could still hear their conversation."Is it true that the weapon made by Iron killed Kayes?"Flash, the Lightning Summoner, looked very surprised by the information that Wanda had just conveyed.Gloomily, Wanda nodded. "That's right."Suddenly, Flash stood up and yelled angrily in front of Wanda."Why was Kayes just killed now? Did Iron mean to frame me and make me the culprit? Was Iron also the one who snatched the sealed summoned spirit from Sandra's hand? Was he the one who killed Sandra that time?"Wanda was furious. She stood up straight with her back to the cafe window and glared at Flash."Why are you asking me that? I should be the one demanding answers from you. Because only you and Iron rejected Sandra's decision to sell the sealed summoned spiri
"Joker?" shock Alyssa and Duri together.“Belinda?” asked Joker, who was no less surprised when he saw Alyssa's appearance at his weapon shop.Alyssa growled and clenched her fists. "Don't call me by that name!""Oh, sorry, I forgot. However, among the Guardian Summoners, you are known as Belinda the viper.”"Joker, what are you doing here?" asked Alyssa. "Shouldn't you be level nine?"Joker shrugged his shoulders. “You can see for yourself. I'm trading here. How could I pass up an opportunity to make money? I can easily sell my collection of antique objects here. You, I mean you guys, what brought you here?”Alyssa took a deep breath. He pulled a stool in front of the table and sat down without being invited.Joker came out from behind a counter displaying various types of rare weapons and went to the mini fridge to get a can of soda."You look really tired," Joker said as he handed Alyssa the cold soda."Yes. There's a lot going on here. And I feel no progress. Even though I have to
"I don't agree with that method!" the other Guardian Summoner members protested. "That strategy will harm the villagers.""That shouldn't worry you. Because the villagers you are referring to here are none other than the summoners themselves. Each of them should be able to fight and protect themselves. And the villagers should not relax but join in the struggle with us against the destroyers.""But-"Alyssa glared at the stubborn young man. "The battle this time was completely orchestrated by me–Alyssa Harris, vice-leader of the Guardian Summoners. Please obey my orders!"After the meeting did not go smoothly, they finally disbanded. Alyssa returns to town, where her inn is. He walked accompanied by Duri.Duri appears dressed as a warrior, although his skin is still green. Duri's body, in its original form, looked firm and muscular. He always escorted and watched over Alyssa.As soon as they entered the city gates, Alyssa and Duri gasped in shock. Above the fortress gate that protecte
After the main prize was given, which was won by Eryk, suddenly, the vast, boundless field has now turned into a city. The town's appearance resembles the cities on levels one and two.Eryk and the other participants realized that the field they had just seen was a floating island where the arena matches were usually held.Lizard immediately ran away as fast as his foot could take it. But, the testers seem to let it be."Why did you let him when you found out he was cheating?" Rosemary shouted at the level three examiner through the loudspeaker before her."According to the rules we have explained," replied the examiner. "The only rule in the land of shadows is to deal with summoners who kill each other. The examiners and organizers will not take any action concerning theft and other crimes. But, because now you are still in the level three area. Even though the match is over, I still give the same rules."Rosemary suddenly grinned and glanced at Eryk. They both nodded their heads at e
Returning to the centre of the competition arena was much more troublesome and difficult than leaving it to seek the outer limits of the field. Eryk got lost several times and walked too far. However, they started to find summoners running last and slowing down."We are getting closer to the centre of the arena. In a moment, the centre of the field should be visible.""Hey, Young Man!" said the turtle summoner who strolled. He rides his turtle. "Why did you return to the centre of the arena? Did you find the limit? You should have crossed that line to survive.""Sorry, Old Man, it seems we failed to find the outer boundary of this field. Too vast and impossible. We haven't even reached it after an hour of running.""Gosh, if you guys who are as strong and as good as this can't even find it, what about my turtle who strolls and me? How many hundreds of years would it take us to get to the outer limits of the field? This is simply impossible. I could return with you and repeat this exam
"Watch everyone!" exclaimed the examiner through the loudspeaker. "We will immediately carry out the challenge at level three without rest. You will be able to rest after going through this challenge."Everyone was making a fuss. They haven't finished calming down after the tension in the previous level two challenge. And now, when they arrive at level three, they hope to rest for a while but are offered the next battle instead."I'm a kind examiner!" said the figure through the loudspeaker. "I will not burden you with serious and difficult challenges. There is only one challenge this time. You have to find the boundary of this field. Only the first 20 participants who manage to find the field's outer boundary will be selected and will qualify for the next stage."Everyone was whispering. The remaining 40 summoners will be eliminated in half. Everyone started to get excited and threw away the tiredness and tension before. Now they welcome new challenges to defend life and death."Spec
"Trying to kill us with this stuff?" quipped one of the summoners.But she still dared to open the gift box. Her eyes immediately lit up when she saw a beautiful dress there."Wow! How did you know I wanted this beautiful dress?""Time to open the gift box!" shouted a food summoner. He let out a scream as he earned so many gold coins."Eryk, what did you get?" White asked.Eryk opened his gift box and got a giant clam shell made of crystal."I don't know if this thing can be of any use? How about you?" replied Eryk.White opened her gift box and showed a pen made of goose down. The cell has solid toxic ink."Oh, I got some golden hairclips here. Not too bad," said Rosemary.Then they turned Black."Why haven't you opened your gift box yet, Black?""I was too scared to open it. I'm not sure if I deserve a prize? I've never had a surprise before," said Black, who looked such a melodrama when he received his first gift box."Just try it," said a summoner. "Your gifts are quite interestin
"The competition has just started," muttered someone in front of the level two area surveillance monitor.The figure in the black robe pressed a button.After rescuing the summoners almost mired in the crater, Eryk and the others started to rush off to find another place with fewer traps."We should head back to town. This forest is not safe at all. And I'm not sure there will be an exit in this forest.""I'm sorry," said Rosemary. "I have already given the wrong advice.""There's nothing to be sorry for, Rose. We are all struggling and trying our best."They returned to the city. While on their way to the plaza, they saw that many summoners had died, trapped in a battle, or by attacking each other with their teammates. Everything was prepared by the testers at level two."In fact, I suspect this level two area has no way out," Black said defensively. He was still carrying Rose on his back.While in the city centre, Eryk accidentally found a building slightly different from the usual
"Crow summoner spies?" Eryk asked. "I guess that's a bit impossible. If it is true that this land of shadows upholds rule and justice."Their conversation was cut short by an announcement."Participants, we have a little surprise for you on this wild night. The competition will be carried out earlier than the actual schedule."The two summoned spirits, Eryk and Rosemary, were surprised to hear the sound from the loudspeaker. Even though they are sure that a new competition will be held tomorrow morning. Suddenly the schedule was accelerated tonight, and they had no preparation."Testing at level two this time is a bit different. You don't need to come to the arena. We'll do it out in the open."Eryk and the summoners on the second floor also clearly heard the announcement. They all started scattering out of the house and their respective comfortable places.The summoners gathered in the plaza and filled the streets with panicked faces. They need clarification.Midnight and they were f