Minutes flew by as everyone stayed silent. Roy's outburst had shocked others, and woke some of the others. And those woken up, were busy thinking about his words. 'The unknown... huh?' Jadon thought. Ever since everything began, they had been thrown into the unknown, left, right and center. When they left the Safe Zone, everything was foreign and alien. But after seeing the Zombie Cat, things began clicking. Everything was not so foreign nor alien anymore. Hence why they had the guts and bravery to go out. Yet after that, they met the shadow entity, that was so far, the highest unknown they met. Even now, it was still unknown, as nothing could be derived from it. From there, they returned back to the Safe Zone, and set out on yet another journey, taking a completely different path. Hence, the unknown once again. Then the Bladewalkers, and now the mist. Everything they went through was first unknown, yet they prevailed through it. 'So, what was so frightening about the mist that
"It's as if it's pulled towards your flames. Or towards light in particular." Joe said his assessment. Jason nodded in silence. Unfortunately, he could not stop summoning these flames. Unless the numerous Bladewalkers behind the flames would swarm them to death. 'It's a do or die situation again. All our lives depend on the speed of that duplicate.' He thought, and then asked out of the blue. "How many of you have met the requirements to Rank Up?" The others were jolted out of their state of fear and despair. They looked up and answered one by one. Anabella being the first. "I have met mine." Beatrice followed, "Me too." Roy as well. Joe himself helplessly shook his head, "I was Rank 1 to begin with. So it's still a bit far away for me." He said. "It's fine either way." Jason said, then added, "Those who can, immediately Rank Up. Beatrice, afterwards, let me know if the cool down time of your Talent had been reset." "Ye–Yes!!" Beatrice nodded, and then willed herself to Rank Up.
And worst of all, his stamina was running ever so low. In just less than two minutes, they had covered over sixteen miles. But at the cost of 50% of his stamina. 'This won't do.' Jason thought. His stamina as, we speak, still decreasing, as they kept up running. And more of these things kept swarming them. While at the back, unbeknownst to him, the mist was increasing in speed, as if it could tell that its target was running away. 'At this point, I might just do another suicidal dive.' Jason thought, duplicating himself into two, then each duplicate jumping towards the two sides of the road. At the same time, each used 15% of his total stamina reserves, and used the powerful [Omni-Combustion(A)] Talent. One that even he felt was a bit too devastating. Just its boost alone was a whooping 1000% of INT. Combined with those from the previously combined fire type Talents, and the resonating effect, it was a boost of 1500% of his INT. The damage alone would be devastating. It should be
Jason felt himself pull back at the sight of this creature. It gave him a subconscious feeling of facing a near death experience. "Guys... I don't think, we are going to be liking our new friends." He said. The others also clustered together like puppies searching for warmth in a cold winter night. "Yeah. Any hope?" Joe asked, and Jason immediately responded. "I could teleport us back to the Safe Zone. That way, we can avoid whatever these things are." He said. Everyone else bloomed at his words. They were saved. They thought. Joe then hurriedly urged, seeing as the thing was continously crying out. "So what are we waiting for? Let's go right now." He grabbed ahold of Joe, and on Anabella. Anabella held Beatrice and Roy's hands. The two children then each placed their hands on Jason's back. 'So prepared? Fear really knows how to drive a human.' Jaskn thought, yet at the same time, immediately used his Talent [Teleportation(C)]. Visioning the Safe Zone in his mind. His eyes were
The group never stopped walking amidst their introductions. "Really?" Beatrice asked in curiosity, then added, "It is okay, I do not mind." Meanwhile, Joe frowned and thought to himself, 'What Talent? What IS your Talent to begin with.' He could not help himself. Jason has showcased multiple Talents in just a few hours. "Yeah, thanks. Anyway, my main point is, it's amazing, but has a long cool down. Like a whole day. That's long isn't it?" Jason continued his words, and Beatrice nodded. "It is." Everyone kept quiet and kept walking. They were also listening. But Anabella felt strange. 'Why is he not giving me a chance chance to introduce myself? Does he dislike me?' "Glad you agree. So how come you've used it twice, in less than 24 hours? That's so strange I don't understand." Jason finally laid out the problem to her. And the young girl blinked her eyes in confusion. "Ah?" And reacted as such. She froze in her steps in shock. Jason also stopped and turned around to look at her.
Anabella sighed in relief at Joe's words. But she still waited for Jason's opinion on this matter. Still nervous and worried. "You understood her?" Jason asked in shock. He had no idea what she was trying to say. Anabella blushed in embarrassment hearing his words. "Yeah. She wants to carry Adolf when we leave." Joe responded. "Can she do it? She looks frail to me." And Jason responded, looking her up and down. But no matter how he saw it, she was weak and frail. Could she pick up a bear-like muscled man? Even he doubted he could do it with his initial stats. "I... I can... try." Anabella summoned the courage to say those words, but added the last word when her eyes met those of Jason. "If you think so." He shrugged in agreement. "Tha–Thank you." Anabella whispered. Him agreeing, meant that he was not willing to abandon her. Or rather, she still had a bit of use. 'Is it because of my body? Because I am still undefiled?' She still had the thought. The misunderstanding was sprouti
Beatrice looked down in sadness. She fought back the tears welling up within her eyes. 'Big brother... sorry.' Roy also grit his teeth and looked down in defiance, 'I didn't want to be here either.' But Jason ignored them. His focus was on Joe, and only Joe, who sighed helplessly and said. "Look kid, this is my team, and my responsibility. And I know you have no right to work your ass off for us." "I know. And I won't force you. But if you can help us this once, at least watch over us until I heal, I will thank you. I will never forget this act of kindness from you. I promise you on my life." He said sternly. Jason snickered and spoke in sarcasm, "What use is your life to me. But alright. I am a human. The main theme of this game is to survive, so I'll try my very best to survive." But ultimately relented. "And if I can help it, I'll lend a hand." He added and laid his hand on Joe, and repeated the process of healing using [Super Regeneration(D)]. He could heal them complete if h
Anabella did as instructed, and sat down with Roy and Beatrice, lost in her thoughts. 'Does he find value in my body? Is that what he meant? Am I useful if I still have my chastity? Does he hate hookers?' And began overthinking his words. And as Jason could not hear her thoughts, he unfortunately could not stop her them, and properly explain himself. Whilst Anabella believed her own assumptions. 'I'll... I'll have to make sure that I stay as pure as I can, so that this man does not abandon me.' But who knows, maybe these thoughts would be the stepping stone for her to rise and mature in terms of survival. Or maybe they would be her downfall. Nobody knows. Not even herself. Two hours passed by, and Joe woke up. His eyes fluttered briefly, and a moment later, he slowly opened his eyes. Hazy and out of focus. His vision was mostly white, thanks to the white transparent barrier protecting the Safe Zone. 'Where... Argh, my body. What happened? The battle. Did we survive?' He hurried