Chapter 154 - Short Break
Dr. Emily Carter, a dedicated researcher at the forefront of her field, found herself immersed in a late-night working session at the laboratory.
WROOM!
The hum of machinery, the soft glow of computer screens, and the scent of chemicals filled the air as she delved into her research. Time seemed to slip away as her passion for discovery fueled her commitment.
"Yaaawnnn….I am so tired…."
Hours passed, and as the clock neared midnight, Dr. Carter reluctantly decided to call it a night.
"I guess I should leave."
The deserted corridors of the research facility echoed with each step as she made her way toward the exit. The usual silence of the building took on an eerie quality at this late hour.
This was what she felt most of the time. Being a researcher from a young age, where she needed to abandon her career as a hunter, she was trying much harder than her peers.
After all, her bosses and the big shots in the field didn't have any trust in her at all.
HOWL!
"It is really cold."
Upon stepping outside, the cool night air greeted her, and she took a moment to stretch and yawn.
"Hmm?"
However, her brief moment of relaxation was shattered when she noticed an unusual sight – a thin trail of smoke rising into the night sky.
Her curiosity piqued, and Dr. Carter narrowed her eyes, trying to discern the source of the smoke.
"Wasn't that place abandoned?"
The smoke seemed to originate from the direction of an abandoned building nearby. A building that, to her knowledge, had been vacant for years and seldom used.
"I should check it out."
Even though one wouldn't normally advise her to go to such a place at night, since she was in the facility of one of the supposed 'safest' locations in the world, she wasn't worried at all.
Also, if something alarming, possibly a machinery misconduct, occurred, that meant her research might also be affected somehow.
Concern crept into her thoughts as she considered the possibility of a fire or some unforeseen incident.
Without hesitation, Dr. Carter quickened her pace toward the abandoned structure.
"What is this sensation?"
As she approached, the smell of burning material grew stronger, but at the same time, something suffocating entered inside her, confirming her fears. ,
It was as if her body was repulsing whatever was there, and she knew what it was.
'Demonic Energy.'
Being a former Hunter and a researcher focusing on demonic energy detection abilities, she was familiar with this energy. But the amount she was feeling right now was something she had encountered for the first time in her life.
'A demonic human….No, at least two.'
Panic and adrenaline surged through her veins as she reached for her phone to dial the emergency services of the academy.
It wasn't something she could handle after all.
*******
"There really were demon contractors here."
One of the men said with his hands in the pockets of his coat as he approached the smoke-rising building.
"To think they were right in front of our noses."
'Guardians,' a special division tasked with investigating supernatural occurrences within the academy.
As they approached the now-burning building, the atmosphere was thick with otherworldly energy, and the acrid scent of burning demonic energy lingered in the air.
Detective Michael Harris, a seasoned detective with years of experience and now a Guardian, surveyed the gruesome sight before him. The abandoned building bore the scars of a fierce battle, with remnants of demonic energy lingering in the aftermath.
Lying amidst the wreckage were the motionless bodies of three young people seemingly. It was very hard to recognize the lying bodies.
One of them seemingly had their upper half missing, possibly from an explosion. The other ones didn't seem to share a different fate, as their skin was slowly deteriorating.
Detective Harris, with a stern expression, signaled to his partner, Detective Emma Rodriguez, to begin their investigation.
"Tch…Disgusting…."
The two moved cautiously through the debris, their keen eyes scanning the surroundings for any clues.
"Looks like they weren't able to unleash their demonic forms," Detective Rodriguez observed, examining the demonic residue on the walls. "They weren't high-ranking demon contractors, it seems."
Looking at the form of the bodies, he mumbled. Normally, whenever a demon contractor revealed their true form, their body would change inside, and it would take a lot of time and resources to return it to normal. That is also the reason why most demon contractors refrained from doing so until it was the last chance they had.
"This wasn't just a simple confrontation."
However, the traces of the demonic energy in the air were signaling something different. From the mana left as the aftermath, the detective could easily say two demonic energies clashed in this place.
Detective Harris nodded in agreement. "It seems like a conflict between demon contractors. But what brought them here?"
"I assume they had been using this place for a while. There are traces of repeated demonic energy usage as well as a bunch of artifacts to use for surveillance. This wasn't a one-time occurrence. They chose this location deliberately."
"Then, that means…."
"Yes….There is still an insider here."
As they continued talking, one other detective was different. He was looking around without engaging in conversations with his coworkers.
"These marks?"
He was one of the newly hired detectives in the office. Since he was a new recruit, his presence didn't hold much value in the office.
"Bullets?"
He wanted to touch the marks, but he knew he couldn't, as that would possibly damage the crime scene.
However, the marks really looked like a bullet.
At that moment, Detective Harris and Detective Rodriguez approached.
"Yo, newbie. Found something?"
They had sneers on their faces. After all, this kid was always overly excited and wanted to participate in the investigations, and this was a threat to their positions.
Jim nodded his head, affirming his suspicion about the marks resembling bullets. "Yeah, these look like bullet marks to me."
Detective Harris and Detective Rodriguez exchanged amused glances, their sneers turning into outright laughter. "Bullet marks? Come on, Jim, this isn't some action movie," Harris jeered.
Rodriguez chimed in, "You watch too many detective dramas, kid. Look around. Do you see any bullet shells? Anyone dumb enough to use bullets in a demon clash would leave evidence behind. Also, do you think a bullet can damage the skins of a demon contractor?"
Jim felt a flush of embarrassment, their mockery hitting a nerve. He also knew what he said was out of the norm, but his intuition as a detective was telling him that he was on the right track.
"I know it sounds strange, but these marks, they're too precise for a demon fight. Just keep an open mind."
The veteran detectives continued to chuckle dismissively.
"Yeah, yeah... Open mind..." Detective Rodriguez repeated mockingly, his tone condescending. "Listen, kid, this isn't some rookie case. We've been on this job longer than you've been out of school. You'll learn a lot if you keep your eyes and ears open and your theories in check."
Detective Harris added, "We've seen all sorts of weird stuff in our time, and it's always been demons or their artifacts. No bullets, no guns. It's just classic demon business. You'll understand when you've got more experience under your belt."
Jim sighed inwardly, realizing that convincing these old colleagues wouldn't be easy.
'You boomers, what do you even know?'
However, a determined spark gleamed in his eyes as he looked at the marks.
He wasn't ready to discard his instincts just yet, even in the face of their skepticism. The investigation had just begun, and he was resolved to explore every possibility, no matter how unconventional it seemed.
He ventured around the location, ignoring the two old dogs talking as he looked for traces that supported his theory.
"Hmm?"
Continuing his walk, he noticed some different traces on the ground, which many missed.
"These are arrow marks. Explosive arrows?"
While the other two seemed to think this was a confrontation between the demons, Jim seemed different.
'There are no bows here?'
None of the demon contractors seemed to have used arrows.
'And what is with this mana?'
It was as if the mana itself was plasmatic. Even the raw energy that was left as an aftermath seemed unstable enough to destroy a metal.
'This is definitely not a demonic energy?'
The demonic energy was also unstable and hard to control, but rather than having plasmatic effects, it had the effect of corroding the mind and the user.
'There was someone else in this place, something else. A possible third party.'
His deduction led him to a compelling theory: a possible third party.
Someone or something had been present during the altercation, utilizing unconventional weapons and a distinct type of energy.
'The air around is also not usual demonic energy….'
Sniffing the air, he felt a different substance existed.
'I will need to wait for the autopsy and the analysis from the forensic chemistry department.'
Jim noted down his observations, marking the potential involvement of this mysterious third entity.
'Let's check.'
As he delved further into the investigation, Jim began considering the abilities of this unknown assailant.
'First, they definitely have a stealth ability.'
Stealth seemed evident, given the lack of detection by the demon contractors.
'And, they also have a high proficiency at ranged combat.'
He wrote on his notepad, putting ticks on every keyword.
'Bullets(?)'
The use of explosive arrows and possibly bullets hinted at proficiency in ranged combat. Top of Form But even then, one thing remained unknown.
'What was their goal?'
It was the goal of the possible third party.
In the end, he was left with more and more questions as the chilly night ventured.
Chapter 155 - Short Break (2)
-CHATTER!
The hall echoed with the lively chatter of students, the air filled with the excited hum of conversation.
"Finally, the exams are over."
"Yeah….I thought they were never going to end."
As the clock ticked towards the time of the meeting, the door swung open, and Instructor Eleanor White walked in, her bright yellow hair contrasting with the serious expression on her face.
"Settle down, everyone," she called out, her voice cutting through the noise. The room gradually hushed as all eyes turned towards the instructor.
Eleanor paused, her gaze sweeping across the room before she spoke, "As the first half of the semester comes to an end, I want to commend all of you for your hard work and dedication. You've shown remarkable progress."
A ripple of pride surged through the students, some exchanging smiles and nods.
"However," Eleanor continued, her tone becoming more serious, "we're not done yet. The second half will bring new challenges while being far more difficult than the first one, and I expect nothing less than your best efforts."
The anticipation in the room heightened as she spoke.
"Before we dive into the next phase of your training, there will be a one-week break. Use this time wisely to rest, recharge, and, if needed, reflect on your experiences so far."
A murmur of excitement spread among the students at the prospect of a break.
"You're free to leave the academy during this time. Enjoy your break, but remember, our journey is far from over. Be prepared to return with the same enthusiasm and commitment. Also, your mid-term exam results will be revealed after you return from your short vacation; make sure to follow the announcements."
With those words, Eleanor White concluded her announcement. The students erupted into chatter once again, discussing their plans for the upcoming break and the adventures that awaited them in the second half of the semester.
"Finally, a break! I'm heading home for some good home-cooked meals," one student exclaimed. Top of Form
"Fuck…I am envious…My mother can't even cook; I wish I could eat a homemade meal as well."
Laughter erupted in response to the student's declaration about heading home. However, there were those who disliked the 'words'. "Hah? Do you see your mother only as a cooking machine?" From there, a girl with an arrogant face came up to the boy and asked.
"Huh?" The boy was so dumbfounded that he couldn't even respond. He wasn't even very associated with the girl, and it was the first time she had talked to him.
The girl crossed her arms, shooting a disapproving glance at the boy. "I don't know what century you're living in, but women can be as powerful and capable as men. It's not about cooking or being a 'mommy.' We have ambitions and talents beyond your stereotypical view."
The group was left dumbfounded the more the girl spoke.
"You are a mis-"
"Sigh..."
Just as the girl was about to continue her 'words' or, in another aspect, her 'doctrine,' a hearty sigh came from behind her.
The girl was clearly displeased at the interruption. She turned her head back, shooting an irritated look at the source of the sigh.
An ordinary figure with a nonchalant expression stood there, his head lying on the desk as if he were sleeping.
It was a young man, his messy dark hair partially covering his eyes as if he didn't even care about his appearance at all. He looked unfazed by the ongoing conversation, but at the same time, a slight annoyance could be seen on his face, as if his sleep was interrupted.
"Noisy….."
The partially opened, tired purple eyes locked onto the girl. Yuki, the girl who had been fervently expressing her views, scowled at the newcomer.
"You guys are just like beasts, making sounds like that," she scoffed, glaring at the boy sleeping on the desk. "This is an intellectual discussion, and you're here snoring like a wild animal. It's no wonder some people never learn anything."
"Yeah….And you are like a rooster…..Only opening your mouth to annoy people."
"Haa!"
Yuki's irritation reached its peak as she clenched her fists. The boy, Astron, seemed unfazed, but the students around them sensed the rising tension, and they also knew this girl's temper.
"What did you say?"
SMASH! THUD!
With an impulsive burst of anger, she slammed her hand on Astron's desk, creating a loud noise that echoed through the room.
SILENCE!
The sudden disruption silenced the surrounding chatter, and all eyes turned toward the source of the noise.
There, they could see a fist smashed on the desk and the boy who now stood up.
"Surely we are no different than beasts, but you who can't even stand a bunch of words not. It is a good logic you do have; keep it up."
His expression didn't even change for a second as he simply uttered those words and slowly started leaving.
"Yo-"
The girl wanted to say something, but before she could even say anything, her eyes met with the piercing eyes of the instructor, who hadn't left just yet.
Seeing Professor Eleanor's eyes looking at her with an annoyed tone, she decided to retreat back.
But her eyes glared daggers at the boy leaving. "Aliya….just where are you, now?" she mumbled, seeking her friend's assistance right at this time, though that sought assistance was nowhere to be seen.
*********
"Finally, the first part of the semester ended."
I mumbled to myself, walking to my room. After the first mid-terms, the academy would come to a small abrupt, and the player would return to the Hartley family.
This part was very important for the player since this would be the first time that many named characters would make their appearance.
The Hartley family and the parents of Ethan would show themselves as interactable characters for the first time, and some groundwork for the future would also be laid.
But, aside from that, this period didn't contain many story points for others. There weren't any events. Of course, the player could make some side quests, and even though they weren't necessary, most players used this time to explore the world.
Thus, this period was often remarked as the 'Grind Period.'
Though, that didn't mean much to me. After all, when it came to me, I didn't have much to show as a family.
'Tch….'
Thinking about it now makes me feel angry once again. I can feel the changes in myself after yesterday. The sense of guilt is slowly leaving its place to something else, fueled by the anger inside me.
'It is weird.'
But at the same time, it was something expected.
'I am a human too.'
We were bound to change on the path we were walking through. This is how we are.
'I guess they must have found the corpses now.'
Normally, I was going to make a full cleanup of the building. Since those three used a bunch of artifacts to cover the building, there were no sounds escaping from there.
Therefore, no one would be aware of what happened there. But I wanted to make sure someone found the traces of the fight, and since I made it seem like they fought amongst themselves, nobody would be suspicious of me.
"Pardon."
As I was walking, I heard the voice of someone before me. Raising my head, I saw a guy leaving the building with a bunch of bags.
"Here." Nodding my head, I gave him the way. It seemed I was lost in my thoughts as I was walking.
"Thanks."
After he left, I reached my room.
TAK! CREAK!
Opening the door, I threw a look at the room, which would be changed probably after I came from the break.
Even though, according to my performance in the mid-terms, my rank won't be that high, it won't be that low either.
'Probably between 1700-2000.'
And that was enough to increase the quality of my room. In any case, even though I got used to this room, it was small, and the conditions to study weren't perfect. Thus, I mostly studied in the library.
Aside from using it as a sleeping place, I didn't do anything else inside here.
Sitting at my desk, I glanced over the plans I had crafted for the upcoming break.
'Weapon.'
That one word was the most important goal of the upcoming break. What I was lacking was a suitable weapon.
The bow supplied by the academy wasn't bad, and the daggers were fine, too. But, the last confrontation I had with the demon contractors had proven that any normal weapon wouldn't do it.
The goal I had in my mind was something that wouldn't be achieved by such puny materials.
Even though the girl, Annie, had a corrosion attribute, and it was even rare for a demon contractor to have, she was still at the bottom of the ranks.
If I wanted to kill demons and their stronger pawns, I needed a stronger weapon.
But then, there was a catch.
'What kind of weapon should I get?'
From the start, I had never used one singular weapon and focused on it. Rather, my style was more versatile. Something that changed constantly, from ranged combat to close combat.
Even though it was flexible, it also limited me since none of the artifacts I knew from the game were compatible with such flexibility.
'In the end, I have one choice, don't I?'
Remembering a certain named character, I shook my head. Aside from him, I knew nobody would be able to make a weapon sufficient for me.
'However, reaching him will not be easy at all. I guess I should start gathering information first.
Opening my watch, I started typing to my trusted informant group.
[Find me the map of the mana wave distribution of the Area underneath the Hikama Mountains.]
At the end of the day, in this world, nothing was easy at all.
Chapter 156 - Short Break (3)
Blacksmith.
A term that defines one of the most important jobs in the world. For those who had followed the path of strength and assimilated themselves in the concept of mana, that occupation meant the magic itself.
After all, even though the engineering of magic based on reason and logic existed in a world filled with miracles and unreasonableness, there was also a part of people who made their products with their passion and belief.
Rather than relying on the monotonous technology and techniques that stemmed from observation, they put their emotions and passion into their art.
Those people were called blacksmiths.
At least, that was how they were defined in the game.
The weapons they made couldn't be mass-produced, and neither could they be understood by any normal logic.
Even if you had copied the exact way, exact range of motion, and exact force applied by any blacksmith while they were shaping the metal, you still wouldn't get the same result they had.
That was how things went. After all, blacksmithing itself also contained mana as well as divination itself at some point. The blacksmith doesn't only move its body, but it also moves the mana inside it to shape the materials.
There were countless researches made by the mage tower to understand the concept behind the blacksmithing and to apply them to any weapons, but at the end of the day, none of those researches were able to reach an ending.
'This was how they decided to create the background for a fantasy world, huh?'
I thought as I looked at the article written on the page. The players wouldn't want a monotonous game where they would buy a bunch of mass-produced swords. They would want a weapon special to themselves, as they self-inserted into the main character.
Therefore, the developers needed to have special blacksmiths to do the job. Of course, as the weapon you wanted to make increased in quality, a higher skill was required from a blacksmith to make such a weapon possible.
That was how things worked.
Then, considering the developers' tendency, it was very easy to assume that they had a special type of blacksmith in the game as well.
And this is where I am heading right now.
-WROOM!
The metallic rumble of the train echoed through the bustling station as I approached the ticket counter.
The air was thick with a mix of excitement and anticipation as well as the busyness of the modern world, an atmosphere befitting the capital of the Human Federation.
I handed the attendant the required amount, receiving the ticket with a nod of appreciation.
"One ticket to Hikama Mountains, go ahead," the attendant said, her voice cutting through the ambient noise. It was weird to use tickets as well as modern devices at the same time, but some of the railways didn't have the necessary equipment and funds. Therefore, they didn't have rapid railways.
I walked toward the platform, the clatter of footsteps and distant conversations filling the air. Even then, the train, an impressive blend of technology and design, stood imposingly on the tracks.
Its sleek exterior gleamed in the station lights, a symbol of the advanced civilization that coexisted with magic in this fantastical world.
The doors slid open with a hiss as I boarded, finding an empty seat by the window.
'Seat 52, here.'
The hum of conversations, the occasional laughter, and the excited chatter of fellow passengers surrounded me as I settled in.
'It is quite nostalgic.'
I wasn't sure if this was their intention or not, but the atmosphere on the train was quite cozy, as it was already winter. Some people were drinking coffee while talking amongst themselves, and others were simply busy with their smartwatches.
'This will take a while.'
The train wasn't the one with high speed, so it would take a while.
Leaning back in my seat, I allowed my thoughts to wander.
The article I had read earlier about blacksmiths replayed in my mind while also referring to Earth.
'Certainly, there are things that I can't put a name on in this world.'
Not everything could be understood, and that was what made we called as magic. But, at the same time, one part of me wanted to understand everything. It was the innate desire to know things as a human being.
DING!
At that moment, a message notification came from my watch.
'But, it is not the time to think.'
Deciding that thinking about the meaning of life wasn't the right thing to do at the moment, I opened the message section.
[Horde: Sir, the mana-wavelength distribution map you have requested is here.]
It was a message coming from my trusted informant.
[Did you get it from the Association's database?]
[Hode: Yes. As you have advised, we specified our research on the western server and were able to find the map.]
[Good work.]
[Horde: It is our pleasure.]
After I finished the chat, I looked at the attachments. The Horde had a special way of delivering the messages and files, as they used a unique program they coded on their own to decrypt the file.
-FUSH!
The train's engines roared to life, a signal that our departure was imminent.
"Dear passengers, this train goes to Hikama Mountain Range….."
-TOK! TOK! TOK!
The rhythmic clanking of the wheels against the tracks started, and the scenery outside began to shift as we left the station behind. The cityscape transformed into a bunch of walls protecting the railway, as the city traffic would be affected by the train.
As the train started moving, I also opened the file. The seat beside me was empty, so I was able to get more comfortable on the road.
Opening the mana-wavelength distribution map, I started putting the college knowledge of mine to work.
The vector calculus came in handy right at this time; as I combined the knowledge we gained from the [Introduction to Mana for Hunters], I was able to read the map with a little more detail.
Though, I still needed to study a little bit on the way.
Just like that, the train went as I tried to analyze the map in my hands.
*******
CRUNCH! HOWL!
The crunch of snow beneath my boots accompanied every step as I walked deeper into the Hikama Mountains.
The air was crisp, and the cold bit through my clothing, a stark contrast to the warmth of the train.
The snowfall painted the surroundings in a tranquil hue, muffling the sounds of my footsteps.
"Haaah…..Haaaaah…."
I had been walking for almost a day now, and the cold, coupled with my low stamina, was finally hitting me.
As an awakened, walking 9 hours should be nothing, but this was different if one wanted to climb.
KIEK!
The mountains echoed with an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional creaking of branches and the distant howls of magical creatures.
Raven, come out.
At those times, the recent bond I had acquired came in handy.
FLAP! FLAP!
With its wings flapping, I sent the Raven to the skies to scout around the place. I was moving while utilizing the shadows as much as possible to erase my presence, but even then, there were some monsters that had exceptional detection skills that I wouldn't be able to bypass.
'7 Rune bears, huh? I guess they are the ones occupying this territory.'
It was always advised to run away as fast as possible if one encountered a rune bear. Even Hunters wouldn't want to deal with them since they are rather intelligent monsters.
'I guess I should walk a little more.'
After marking the location of the bears in my head, I recalled the Raven and started walking once again while looking at the map.
'If my assumptions are correct, it should be around here.'
I had been working on the map for a while now to infer the unnatural mana wavelengths. Of course, there were several different locations I had marked at first, but as I studied the topic more and analyzed the magic formulas, I finally narrowed the location to three points.
I had already checked the first and second ones, and this was the last one.
CRUNCH! HOWL!
The strong wind and heavy snow didn't help as I continued my climb.
ROAR!
The cacophony of the mountain winds and the crunching snow beneath my boots was interrupted by a sudden roar. The ground beneath me quivered, and the mountains themselves seemed to respond to the powerful presence emanating from a distance.
Instinctively, I tensed as if something reverent was around me. The appearance of the new presence was so unusual that I momentarily stopped moving.
'If it is this area, then it must be-'
TISS! BOOM!
Before I could even continue my analysis, I heard the sound of hissing as well as something hard-hitting to another.
'Somir.'
There was one monster that would hiss like that in this mountain range, and it was the peak rank-8 monster, Somir.
It was a strong Lizard-type monster that had a cold immunity and preferred cold places, but at the same time, it wasn't a monster that usually showed itself.
'But, considering the time I came to this place in the game, it was one year later than now.'
And that meant one possible thing….
'There was another high ranking monster living here, and Somir killed it, winning the territory battle.'
As I reached the conclusion, I couldn't help but curse my luck.
'And out of all times, they are fighting now.'
BOOOM!
At that exact moment, an explosive shockwave echoed through the mountains, rattling the snow-covered peaks.
THUD!
Before I could even react, an intense force slammed into me, sending me sprawling across the snowy terrain.
"Kurghk!"
The air crackled with the aftermath of the explosion, and pain radiated from where I had been struck.
BOOM!
Then, another deafening explosion erupted from above, and I instinctively shielded myself this time.
The force of the blast knocked me back, and as I tried to regain my bearings, I realized the peril had multiplied. The mountainside, disturbed by the dual forces of the monsters and the explosions, began to shift.
RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
While trying to regain my bearings, I felt the tremors under the ground.
"Spit-!"
Spitting the blood in my mouth, I immediately grabbed a healing potion from my spatial bracelet, gulping it down.
'Tch-!'
As if to add insult to injury, the tremors on the ground weren't synced with the sounds of clashing.
Meaning a possible avalanche.
'I can't even return back.'
Dash.
Activating my skill, I felt strength coursing through me as I took the position to run.
SWOOSH!
And then, started racing against the time. After all, there was one possible location I could reach….
Chapter 157 - Short Break (4)
No matter how much you research or how long you live, it is impossible to know everything about the world.
And considering most of my actions were based on the little knowledge I had from the game, it itself alone makes it unstable.
This is how it goes. Even the smallest things that you have missed may have a significant effect on the world.
And this was exactly what was happening right now.
SWOOSH!
The echo of the explosion still reverberated through the mountains as I sprinted, the force of the blast still resonating in my ears.
RING!
I was having a hard time keeping my balance, and the pain from the earlier impact throbbed with each step, but the urgency of the situation propelled me forward. My wounds were healing rapidly anyway, and only pain was in the way.
'I can't afford to lose even a second now.'
BOOM!
Another explosion shook the mountainside, and I instinctively shielded myself from the falling debris.
SWOOSH!
The mountainside loomed above, and I focused on the one possible location I could reach before the avalanche descended.
'Fuck.'
Dread seeped into every fiber of my being, the urgency of survival heightening my senses.
As I ran, the mountain presented a series of life-threatening challenges. Cracks in the snow-covered ground, hidden rocks, and the ever-present threat of loose snow beneath my feet made each step precarious.
However, thanks to my trait [Perceptive Insight] and all the explorations I had done in dungeons, it made it a lot easier for me to notice those little details that would possibly cost my life.
"Haaah…..Haaah…."
The air became thin, and the cold seeped through my clothing, intensifying the struggle for breath.
Once again, the low constitution was dragging me down, but at this point, I couldn't care less.
RUMBLE!
The ground was still shaking from both the clash of monsters and the approaching avalanche.
As I raced against the time, I also needed to check the map from the time to see if I was on the correct path.
Let alone waste any second being slow; if I even went in the wrong direction for a second, things would go awry.
'I am close.'
At the very least, the map revealed a glimmer of hope. Though I wasn't sure the destination was correct, I couldn't afford to doubt at that second.
RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
The smoke of the approaching mass of the snow and rocks had already reached me, covering my vision.
'Eyes of Hourglass.'
'I have at most five seconds.'
Estimating the distance, I pushed myself to the limits.
'Four.'
SWOOSH!
My feet dug into the snow, the boots strengthening my foothold.
'Three.'
The debris and the smoke became a lot more dense, and breathing became impossible.
'Two.'
Holding my breath, I clenched my legs and pushed myself against the pressure from the avalanche, pulling me downwards.
'One.'
My eyes hourglass slowing the time, I could see the huge mass of snow almost reaching me, but at the same time, right before me was a small crack.
A crack where the snow wasn't entering as if something was blocking it from entering.
'It is here.'
The lack of oxygen from holding my breath and the tiredness of my body were already taking its toll, putting my consciousness on the verge of the brink.
'Don't stop.'
With one last push, as the avalanche overwhelmed me, I was able to reach the crack with my hand.
CLENCH!
I clenched my hand, then pulled myself into the crack, and following that was the familiar feeling of myself getting sucked into the portal.
******
THUD!
I hit the ground, feeling like the world around me was still shaking, even though there were no physical tremors anymore.
The abrupt transition from the chaos of the avalanche to the unfamiliar ground left me disoriented.
"Haaaaah....haaaaaaah…."
As I struggled to regain my bearings with heavy breaths, the shaking world slowly started returning to its original state.
As my vision slowly cleared, I found myself in a different landscape altogether.
The air felt different, charged with a sense of foreboding. With each breath, I could sense a shift in the atmosphere.
'This is the right place.
The crack, the lifeline that saved me from the avalanche, was actually my destination from the start.
'As expected, math never disappoints.'
The adrenaline's effects slowly calmed down as I stood up.
The world around me had already taken its shape, revealing a place unlike any I had encountered before.
The sky above was dark, not because it was night but rather because it was filled with thick smoke. The oppressive atmosphere contrasted sharply with the icy mountains I had just narrowly escaped.
'It is hot.'
The heat in the air was palpable, a stark departure from the cold of the mountains. The ground beneath me felt different—smooth and worn. It was hot, but the dark landscape felt smooth at the same time.
FUSH! FUSH!
From points around me, the ground pulsated and rumbled, and suddenly, heavy, pressured water erupted like geysers.
The water cascaded in rhythmic bursts, creating an eerie dance against the backdrop of the smoky sky.
Around me, the ground seemed to writhe, and a river of lava flowed as if it were a liquid, weaving its way through the rugged terrain.
The heat emanating from the molten rock added to the oppressive atmosphere, making each step precarious.
In the end, it was a landscape that was a lot different than the entrance, casting a stark contrast.
'I should rest at first.'
Taking out my coat, I felt the strain from the long climb and that last heavy run finally taking its toll on my body.
GULP!
Gulping a stamina potion and a mana potion to replenish my reserves, I sat on the ground, masking my presence.
'Raven, come out.'
The first step was to scout, as I was in a vulnerable state right now.
FLAP! FLAP!
With the Raven flapping its wings, I started exploring the dungeon inside, looking for any presence of monsters.
'Vision Sharing.'
After my bond for a while, I was able to use the vision sharing without any discomfort. As my perspective changed to birds, I could see the landscape and could grasp the details a lot more.
'Hmm….Same as in the game, Magma Serpents.'
The first type of monster came into view: Magma Serpents. They naturally navigated the rivers of lava, their scales shimmering in the molten glow.
'Peak Rank-5 monsters.'
Even though they seemed weak, in reality, they weren't. The monsters had a strength rivaling the Magma Wyrm we had seen in the mock dungeon before, and their numbers weren't alone.
Right now, to subdue all those monsters, at the very least, a veteran high-ranking Hunter, possibly a B-rank, was needed.
As I observed, one serpent slithered through the lava, basking in the intense heat, while another lay coiled near a ledge, its eyes fixated on potential prey.
'And then, Geyser Stalkers.'
The second type of creature emerged, revealing the elusive Geyser Stalkers. These ground-dwelling predators blended seamlessly with the surroundings, utilizing the erupting geysers as both camouflage and cover.
'Potentially marked mid-rank-4 monsters, but their strength is mostly reliant on camouflage and surprise attacks.'
They stalked the landscape with patient precision, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. In a sense, they were the ones I could take one-on-one, but considering the landscape, that would mean I would become the prey of Magma Serpents.
However, in the end, my goal here was never to fight with monsters.
After all, this place wasn't a location that I meant to conquer right now since the Hikama Mountains alone was a place that was meant to be explored when the player reached higher levels.
Which I was certainly not. Thus, I had only one option and goal.
'Avoiding confrontation and reaching the final destination.'
And that was only possible because of the [Unknown's Armor] I had gotten from the Blackthorn's vault. After all, a high-ranking monster had an intuition and instinct that couldn't be compared to the previous ones I had encountered.
"Huuuuf…..This is enough."
Taking a deep breath, I readied myself, looking at the road ahead. Things were going to get hard, but it was manageable.
As I activated my trait, I slowly blended into the shadows.
********
In a room that smelled like luxury ornaments, a girl with blazing red hair sat on the ground.
The room was wide, almost as if it were a house itself. Countless different rare materials covered the room; even one of them was enough to feed a simple household for 20 years.
"Hissss….."
The girl released her breath, filled with fire, as she sat in a meditating position.
"I am bored."
Opening her amber eyes, she mumbled. Staying in this state for a while just to improve her control over her magic was alone a boring and monotonous act.
TOK! TOK! TOK!
At that exact second, the door of her room started being knocked.
"Enter."
CREAK
The door creaked open, and a maid in a pristine uniform stepped into the room. "Young Miss Irina, the Madam is summoning you," she announced with a gentle bow.
Irina sighed, her fiery hair flickering with the movement. "Can't she see I'm busy? What does she want now?"
Her relationship with her mother was a little…..Complex.
Knowing this, the maid hesitated for a moment, then responded, "It's about a matter concerning the upcoming gala. She insists on your presence to discuss the arrangements."
Irina groaned, clearly uninterested in the affairs of the upcoming event. Even knowing this, her mother still had never let her have the fun, saying one day she was going to inherit the family's business.
At the same time, she also knew this was just an excuse her mother gave to maids to call her, and knowing her personality, Irina already knew why she had called her for.
"Fine, fine. Let's get this over with." She rose from her meditative position, her crimson gown flowing around her like a cascade of flames.
"She is waiting for you in her office." The maid bowed her head as she waited for Irina to walk over the place.
Irina simply followed the maid through the lavish corridors of the mansion, each step echoing with the opulence that surrounded her.
'Annoying.'
The grandeur of her surroundings didn't match her disinterested demeanor.
As they reached her mother's office, the maid was about to knock gently before opening the door.
"You may enter." However, a refined voice came over the door even before she could knock.
CREAK!
The door opened, making a creaking sound.
Inside, a woman with striking red hair and amber eyes sat behind an intricately carved desk. It was as if the room was decorated in the same manner as the Irina's; it contained countless luxury ornaments and rare magical artifacts all around.
The woman's expression was stern, a reflection of the responsibility she carried as the head of the household, but at the same time, the pressure emanating from her made it very hard to look her in the eye.
"You are here."
Chapter 158 - Short Break (5)
Irina Emberheart.
A girl who belonged to one of the most famous and influential mage families in the small city country.
It is a self-governing state under the rule of the Valerian Federation.
Arcadia Dominion -- the location where the magic is revered, and it is the most prominent.
It was where the magic towers were located for each big branch of magic, and all those towers were ruled by a family.
The Emberheart Family was one of them, ruling the Red Tower of Magic and specializing in fire.
A family whose origins belonged to the period before the Nexus Convergence, where the world didn't even have magic in it.
It was said that their ancestors came from another world, just like the other races. Most people would base the strength of the four magic families on this speculation.
Belonging to such a family, her whole life passed in the pursuit of magic and perfection. From a young age, she didn't have many friends, and neither did she have the time to play with them.
She always studied magic, studied the etiquette of higher-ranking people, how to govern, and how to be on the top.
At first, she liked being different. She liked the praises that continuously came. She liked the acceptance of her strict parents, especially her mother.
Until that time -- when he had shown her the truth about those smiles. After that time, all those lessons that were given to her, all those education….Rather than making her feel above, it felt suffocating.
She felt as if she was a bird in the cage.
Thus, she changed from an obedient to a fiery girl.
Now standing before the same stern woman, those memories came back to her head for a second.
"You are here." her mother said, not bothering to look up from the documents she was studying.
SWOOSH!
As she swung her hand, a wave of warm wind passed through the maid as she disappeared from the room, leaving only the mother and daughter alone.
"Irina, the preparations for the gala are in full swing. I trust you've been overseeing the arrangements as I instructed?" Her voice was measured, carrying a blend of authority and expectation.
The same voice, the same attitude, the same pride.
Everything was the same, no different from the past.
Irina leaned back in her chair, an indifferent expression on her face. "Yes, Mother. Everything is going according to plan. The decorators are working tirelessly, and the invitations have been sent to the esteemed guests. You'll have your grand gala, as always."
Her mother's eyes finally lifted from the documents, and a scrutinizing gaze locked onto Irina. "Your nonchalant attitude is not befitting of someone who will inherit this legacy. The gala is not just a social event; it's a representation of our family's standing. You need to understand the weight of these responsibilities."
"….."
Under her mother's heavy gaze, Irina couldn't refute any further, as she already knew doing so wouldn't even matter at all. The memories of the past and how her mother discarded him as if he hadn't even existed were still there.
"I understand."
In the end, she didn't have any choice but to bow her head. However, the mother had different plans.
"Speaking of legacies, let's discuss your progress at the academy," her mother continued, seamlessly transitioning the conversation.
"Why are your grades still behind?" her mother asked, the tone carrying a sudden intensity that sent a shiver down Irina's spine. At that moment, the atmosphere in the room seemed to change, the air growing warmer as if responding to the woman's rising agitation.
Irina hesitated for a brief moment, feeling the weight of her mother's expectations press down on her. "Mother, as I said, I've been focusing on a well-rounded education. I believe—"
Before she could finish her sentence, her mother's eyes flashed with a fiery intensity, and the air in the room seemed to crackle with energy. "Enough excuses, Irina," her mother interrupted, her voice now carrying an undertone of authority that was almost beastly.
"I don't care what you are focusing on. Connections or whatever, it doesn't matter."
The pressure in the room intensified, making it harder for Irina to breathe. It was as if the very essence of her mother's displeasure manifested in an invisible force that surrounded them. Irina felt a bead of sweat forming on her forehead as she struggled to maintain her composure.
"You are the heiress of the Emberheart family, and your performance should reflect that. Look at Seraphina, the heir of those cold bitches. She surpassed you in the last rankings, and I felt the weight of shame in that gathering.
Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is for me, as the head of our family, to have our heiress ranked below that girl?" her mother continued each word carrying a heavy implication of disappointment.
'Again with that girl.'
Irina clenched her hands, feeling the anger rising in her heart.
The comparison to Seraphina, the heir of a rival family, felt like a blow to Irina's pride. The warmth in the room seemed to transform into an oppressive heat, mirroring the burning sensation of her mother's scrutiny.
"I won't accept any excuses next time, Irina. I've given you all the resources and opportunities. It's time you make the most of them. I won't tolerate our family's reputation being tarnished by your incompetence," her mother stated, the air in the room practically simmering with tension.
Irina bit her lip, struggling to contain the mix of frustration and anger within her.
Her mother's expectations were like a heavy chain around her, dragging her down. The room, adorned with opulence, felt like a cage, and the pressure was suffocating.
'You really can never understand.'
But in the end, she couldn't say anything. Her mother was the sole person with whom she could never speak her mind.
'Don't talk to me.'
At that moment, for some reason, she remembered that annoying guy. The same annoying guy whom she could never win against with words.
"Understood, Mother," Irina replied tersely, her voice a strained whisper.
"Good. You need to make sure to win, whatever it takes. Do you understand?" her mother demanded, the intensity in her eyes unwavering.
"Yes," Irina responded, her jaw clenched. "Good," and as her mother returned to her documents, Irina slowly retreated back as she slowly got out of her mother's room.
CREAK!
As the door opened, she left the room. She signaled the maid waiting, and she immediately approached. "Young Miss, do you need something?"
She needed something to cool her head off as well as to get rid of all those emotions lingering in her heart right now. She needed to get rid of the resentment.
"Prepare the Flame Chamber." Thus, she ordered the maid – to prepare one of the most dangerous locations.
"Right now?" The maid's response was just as expected since the Flame Chamber was a highly dangerous location even for her, who had immense control over fire psions.
"Right now. Is there a problem?" But, once she decided something, it was over.
"No, there is not. I will get it ready immediately."
Top of FormAs
As the maid slowly left, she also started walking towards her room, her head filled with thoughts.
'Seraphina.'
Her rival.
The Arcadia Dominion was a small place focused on magic, containing some established families.
But, even though each family specialized in one of the big disciplines of elemental magic and were of the same country, in reality, they were rivals.
There was a strong rivalry between them for decades, and this was especially severe for the two families containing contrasting disciplines.
The Pillar of Fire, Emberheart.
The Pillar of Ice, Frostborne.
The two were in a rivalry almost from the day of Nexus Convergence and even before that.
And the girl her mother just mentioned was the heir of the Frostborne family.
'Tch.'
She clicked her tongue as she remembered the unpleasant memories of the past, where she fought with the girl in the magic tournament and where she lost to her.
It was the same this time, too.
"It is so annoying."
Being just one step behind the girl and, because of that, being ranked third on the entrance exam made her mad.
Now that her thoughts had slowly come to the academy, she naturally remembered her exam and term grades.
'That guy.'
And naturally, that annoying guy. The guy who reminded her of him, making her uncomfortable.
'Because of him…..No, not because of him.'
She wasn't immature enough to blame him for the mistakes she had made in those dungeon explorations.
She might be a little immature and fiery at that time, but it was because she was annoyed at his attitude. Now that he wasn't in her presence, she could clearly see how immature she had acted on her own.
"Sigh….."
She knew she was probably escaping from her responsibilities, but she also couldn't digest losing. Trapped in the dilemma of being the girl her mother wanted and doing whatever she wanted, she released a hearty sigh.
DING!
Just as she was pondering about the past, suddenly, her smartwatch rang.
"Hmm?"
She wasn't going to check the message, thinking it probably came from the group, but she decided to check it anyway.
[Dog1: Young Miss, the results of the investigation you requested are out.]
'Which investigation?'
She pondered for a second.
[Dog1: We have found the propagator behind the rumors surrounding Astron Natusalune.]
"Ah…."
Remembering she had requested something like this after the practical exam, she nodded her head.
"Indeed, I requested something like this."
[Why did it take this long?]
It was just a simple investigation, and it shouldn't have taken this long. However, the reply she got answered that.
[Dog1: My sincerest apologies for the delay, Young Miss. The nature of the investigation proved to be more complicated than anticipated. We initially underestimated it as a simple rumor, but it led us to discover a tangled web of deception.]
[Hmm, go on.]
[Dog1: Someone with considerable influence has been actively spreading false information about Astron Natusalune. Not only that, but they've managed to manipulate certain staff within the academy to turn a blind eye to their actions.]
Irina's eyes narrowed at the revelation. The situation was more serious than she had expected. Top of Form
It normally wasn't her business to care about all those things, but she owed that guy her life, arguably, and she wasn't someone who liked owing debts.
[Who is behind this? Do we have a name?]
[Dog1: Yes. It is Trevor Philips, the heir of the Philips Family.]