The surrounding of Dante changed in a split second as he found himself in the middle of a forest.

Around him were gigantic Trees and a dark sky with a moon, shining it's moonlight on the vast dark forest.

Dante who was on the ground quickly climbed up a tree and surveyed his surroundings.

I am in some kind of forest.. It's currently dark and I can't sense anyone.. People are transported at random places? It would be bad if I were to ‘spawn’ in front of a beast

Dante chuckled quietly.

The first thing I should look for is a safe place to stay.. My Phoenix wraith is not suited for my surrounding....if I don't want to take down everyone with me by burning the whole forest. If it comes down to it, I wouldn't hesitate to do that.. I would atleast be immune against the flame to an extent due to my technique..

Dante slowly nodeed inwardly as he started to search a safe place to stay.

“ROAAAARRRRR ”

Suddenly, a large roar was heard by Dane who stopped on his tracks.

A fight?

A thought appeared on Dante's mind as he moved at the source of the roar.

He stopped at a distance and observed the place.

He saw a chimera that was a mixture of a Tiger and eagle munching on the remains of what seemed to be the body of a girl.

This...

Dante was speechless and surprised at this sight but due to his control over the emotions of fear, he quickly calmed down and gazed calmly at the sight.

This chimera is not a normal beast at the level of Crimson Wraith, It looks very powerful than the the former... It might as well be at the level of Stage 2 Neophyte... I don't have any chances of winning if we fought at this moment... I would atmost be able to escape with the use of Phoenix wraith and maybe inflict some damage...

Dante analyzed in his mind. Just as he was about to move on, he spotted a person on the right of him observing the same sight.

The person was a male. He wore a grey shirt and black trousers. He had slim lips, blue eyes and smooth nose with milky white hair. He was calmly observing the sight.

In the next moment, he shifted his gaze and looked at Dante.

“You are? ”

He slowly spoke in a low but soft voice as he walked towards Dante.

“I am Dante Marcellus. You are? ”

“Lucius Blackwell. ”

Lucius stopped for a moment before turning his gaze at the chimera and continuing,

“What do you think of this sight? ”

Dante was silent for a few seconds as he also shifted his gaze.

“I think it's unfortunate that she lost her life but we can't do anything about it...Even if we helped her when she was alive and struggling against the chimera, it's likely that one of us might have lost his life.. ”

Dante paused for a moment.

“This is the rule of the world. Here, only strength matters. We can only rely on ourselves to survive in this space and the world. ”

There was silence for a few moments that was broken by a quiet chuckle of Lucius. He formed a small smile before replying,

“Your view is definitely interesting... Would you like to join the forces? It would be beneficial for me and you. It's better to travel with someone else, rather being alone in this vast forest, right? ”

Dante thought for a moment before slightly nodding.

“So Dante, which Node have you purified? I have purified the Ecliptic Zephyr Node. Oh, You don't have to tell me the technique. You can keep it a secret. ”

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“I have purified the Ignifer Nexus' Node. ”

Lucius raised his eyes a little and looked at Dante with a surprised Face.

“You have already purified the Ignifer Nexus' Node? Isn't it supposed to be the most challenging among the 3 Nodes? That's impressive. ”

“It isn't that interesting. I didn't succeed in the first attempt. It was a difficult and peculiar trial. ”

The notebook by the Seer didn't mention of Ignifer Nexus' Spiritual trial being the most challenging one..

Dante thought in his mind.

Lucius on the other side, nodded as he knew the reason.

“It is to be expected. All People have their own path and so their spiritual trials are also different. They can sometimes be weird, very strong or sometimes very weak. ”

This was also not mentioned in the Notebook...

Dante nodded as if he knew the information beforehand.

“Our first course of action should be to leave this area before that chimera finishes it's meal. We would be in great trouble if we were to face that. ”

Lucius nodded at Dante.

“But do you know where should we go? This is an unfamiliar space for all of us. We don't know anything about it. ”

Dante thought for a moment before replying with a poker face.

“I don't know. We should just move away from this area. ”

Lucius stopped for a moment and gazed at Dante before sighing.

“It is to be expected that even you don't know about this area. Let's go. ”

Dante nodded slightly, before setting off with Lucius.

.....

“Lucius, Your speed is very fast. Is this the effect of purifying the Ecliptic Zephyr Node?”

Lucius nodded without explaining any further. He replied with a question,

“I saw that you didn't feared the chimera. Are you confident in yourself or is this an effect of opening the Ignifer Nexus' Node? ”

Dante smiled without saying anything.

They travelled together for some time, before they both saw a giant cave in front of them.

Lucius gazed at Dante who was at his side.

“There might be someone inside. What do you think? Should we make this cave our temporary home? ”

Dante paused for a moment, before replying seriously,

“Do you have any means of confirming, if there is someone inside? and is it a human or a beast? ”

Lucius thought for a moment, before he nodded seriously.

He slowly raised his hand, as the wind from the air moves towards his palm. Slowly and slowly, the wind compressed together to form a small bird.

Lucius closed one of his eye and the bird slowly flew inside the cave.

After some time, he calmly opened his eyes and seriously replied,

“There is a beast inside. It's a chimera with a body of giant brown bear with blue stripes and a head of lion.. It seems injured. If we work together, we might be able to defeat it. If things goes down, we can always escape. ”

Dante nodded slightly before replying,

“This is a test of survival. If we manage to secure the cave for ourselves, it would be beneficial for both of us. We just need to be little careful while fighting it. ”

Lucius on the other hand also nodded and said,

“Let's get going. We should aim for a surprise attack. Before going, I would like to ask you something. Is your technique combat related?”

Dante paused for a moment and looked deeply at Lucius who quickly raised his hand, and explained himself,

“Oh, don't worry. I don't have any ill intentions towards you. I was only asking to confirm it. ”

Dante then nodded approvingly.

“I would attack the chimera with my flames and I want you to do the same. We can always escape if it comes down to it. ”

Dante and Lucius then entered the cave slowly and steadily. They walked through the cave's rough ground and after some time of walking, they saw the chimera laying on the ground.

The chimera was bleeding on his left side that had a huge blade mark.

Upon sensing the intruder, The chimera gazed towards Lucius and Dante before roaring loudly.

Chap

Without wasting any time, Dante joined his hands together and let out a projection of flames that was rotating continuously, at the chimera.

Bang

The speed of the attack was very fast, and it hit the injured chimera on its chest.

“ROAAARRRRR”

A crisp sounds was produced on its little burnt chest, as the Chimera roared in pain and became berserk!

Suddenly, a small gust of wind started to swirl around the chimera and formed small cuts on its body.

At this moment, the chimera launched at a very fast speed towards Dante, breaking from the restraints of Lucius attack!

Not good.

Dante quickly manipulated the flames and formed a wall in front of the chimera. Lucius on other hand, strengthened the flame with his winds.

But seeing this, the chimera didn't stop! It passed through the wall of flame in an instant and opened its head that had the shape of a lion, trying to eat up Dante!

But at this moment, Lucius on the other side muttered slowly under his breath,

“Sway.”

Baam

Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind swayed the chimera to the end wall of the cave.

Lucius raised his hands as an etherial wind eagle was conjured in front of him. This eagle looked alive and around it, wind was continuously swirling!

Swish

The eagle moved at a quick speed and in few moments, attacked the chimera that was laying of the ground!

Baaang

A small explosion occurred as few rocks flew out from the impact of the explosion. The dust scattered in the air quickly, revealing the figure of chimera that was still alive!

Although the bear was covered in great amount of cuts with a small hole in its chest, it was still alive and standing!

Suddenly, the chimera glowed with a bright yellow aura and it's eyes looked as if they were devoid of any intelligence.

Seeing this, Dante on the other hand muttered slowly,

“Engulf ”

A blast occurred as a wave of flames were conjured and they seemed to dance around Dante. Some of these flames combined together and formed a pure crimson robe on Dante. This robe was crimson coloured, with a light yellowish outline.

The eyes of Dante, now had a little red glow.

He raised his hand and closed its palm in a split second. Suddenly, an inferno appeared around the chimera that engulfed the chimera fully.

“ROAAAAARRRRRR”

The chimera roared in pain, and struggled heavily he started rolling his body around the cave in pain.

The bright yellow aura around the chimera now quickly dissipated and the flames burned the chimera alive.