His vision was blurry but he saw someone running toward him.

“Hey, oh my god! Are you alright?” Leyn asked and as she saw his state, she got to checking his body right away. “What happened?”

“Nothing!” he said and stormed out the tower’s basement and then out of the building itself, Leyn following him.

When he got outside, he quickly looked around and realized that all of the others have already been there -- they were probably waiting only for him.

“Hey Quin, you’re finally here as well!” Alinor said.

“Yeah, I’m here, let’s go. I don’t think we’ll find Dreon here,” Quin replied.

“Wait, let me check you body first!” Leyn asked, worried.

“There’s no problem with my body, but we shouldn’t waste any more time here!” he said.

“Okay. Guys, pack your things, we’re going,” Alinor said. Though he wanted to stay a bit behind, but it was not difficult for him to see that there was something wrong with Quin. He did not know what it was, but he assumed that he had probably experienced something bad during these tests, and having been through similar experiences, he could easily imagine its magnitude. Thus he decided that he would not object it, and do as he want.

They set off in only a few minutes, and after a long time they successfully descended the pyramid. Only when they were at least a couple kilometers away did Quin’s demeanor return to more normal.

“Let’s stop for a bit,” Alinor said. Seeing that Quin seemed to be alright now, he decided that it would be a good idea to stop and discuss the events of the previous days and how to proceed from now on. “Are you alright?” Alinor asked Quin.

“Yeah, really,” Quin answered, showing Alinor an expression which told him that there was no need to worry.

“Good,” Alinor said. “You were the latest to come out, and Sao was the first. With a couple special spells he was able to check the exact date, so at least we know that. He returned at the same day, and since then five days have passed. Each of us had to pass the same tests, first that pitch black room, then came the one with the three doors and finally one filled with monsters. Only Aline and me reached the third test, but neither of us could pass it. Was it the same for you?”

“None of you have passed the third room?” Quin asked confused. I clearly remember that the ball of smoke complained about another lowly one which ought to have been a human. It also told me that it gave a punishment that they won’t forget easily. I guess it was a physical one? He looked around to see if anyone was injured, but did not find anything noteworthy.

“Yeah, just like he said,” Aline answered. “Wait does that mean you did?”

“I did,” Quin replied and paused for a moment. “But after a strange creature gave me a bamboo seed I was teleported out.” He decided that his whole encounter was not something the others should know about.

“A bamboo seed?” Sao asked.

“Really?” Aline found it strange as well.

“Yeah, I know, and don’t ask me why I got it. It didn’t tell me much about it... Only that it was just an average bamboo seed,” he answered and reached into his pocket to take out it. “Do you want it? I sure as hell won’t need it.”

Unsurprisingly, just like him, the others find no use for it and declined his offer.

“So with that out of question, any suggestion as how we should proceed?” Alinor asked.

Lin and Sao simply shook their heads.

“We’ve been here for five days already but my spells are still not working here. Maybe it’d be wiser to get out of this Danger Zone and leave the area as well to try whether my spells will work there. With a Spirit Forming expert this would be over in an instant,” Leyn said.

“And then possibly leave Dreon here for even more days?” Quin asked.

“Well, I hate to say something like this, but if after five days nothing happened to him, then a few other ones probably won’t count for much, so so far I think Leyn’s idea is the best option we have,” Alinor said.

“Alright, then how about you do that and I remain here searching for him?” Quin asked.

“Don’t do that, it’s dangerous!” Aline said.

“She’s right.” Alinor had the same thoughts regarding his idea.

Leyn’s mouth opened, but then she closed it, not daring to say anything.

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“It maybe a bit dangerous, but I can watch out for myself and you know that. Besides even if something stronger than the frog comes, do you think it’d be able to keep up with me?” Quin smirked. “Let’s be honest, I’m way stronger and more importantly faster than any of you, and even with all of you combining your strengths, I doubt that you would be able to defeat me.” Looking at a couple of surprised looks he said, “Yeah, I know I do like to boast about my power and strength, but that’s not my aim, I’m entirely serious now. Do you think I’d say something like this just to go and kill myself?” He stopped for a moment, remembering something. So I’ll die tomorrow, huh? Or I will face an even worse outcome? Is this maybe the wrong choice? he pondered. No, that’s not gonna happen. My life and my happiness won't be forfeit just because there was a stupid prophecy! I made the right choice in the door room: I’ll be walking my own path, making my own decisions and not depending on what a crazy fortuneteller ball of smoke says!

“Are you sure you’ll be fine?” Alinor asked. Seeing the determination in Quin’s eyes he knew that there would be no way to convince him and that he had already thought through it. “Wouldn’t it be better if at least one of us remained with you?”

“Yeah, I’ll be perfectly fine. I may get some injuries on the way, but I know my limits and if I encounter anything dangerous I’ll just flee,” he answered. “If there was someone with me, I’d just be in a bigger danger. I can leave a battlefield in an instant, but not with one of you at my side, furthermore while I can pretty much evade any attacks from even a Qi Culmination expert, you wouldn’t able to. On the other hand you’re safer with more people.”

Alinor released a deep sigh and said, “Alright, but don’t do anything stupid.” Though he was not happy with the idea, he knew there was not much he could do.

“You worry too much,” Quin answered with a light laugh.

The other set off, except Leyn and Aline. Leyn stood there for a moment, biting her lip, but then turned around to follow the others without saying anything, while Aline walked to Quin and hugged him tightly.

“Be careful, okay?” she asked.

“I’ll be, don’t worry, just a couple of days and everything will return to normal,” he said smiling. Then he kissed her briefly before leaving.

During the whole morning he was continuing his search for Dreon in the Danger Zone. He was going in a ziczac pattern and also created a mental map of the area in his mind. Unfortunately he found nothing helpful on his way.

In the midst of afternoon Quin heard something similar to the sound of a whip and when he turned to the direction it came from he saw a black snake flying at him. Being about as wide as the arm of a human adult and more than three meters long, it was considered a middle sized snake. On the top of its head a small horn could be seen and its body was completely black. It was not covered in scales however, but by something which looked like a thin layer of dense fog. So a Horned Smoke Snake tried to sneak attack me? You can dream on! Looking at more closely, it does resemble that ball of smoke from the test. His lips curved to a grin. I guess I can at least channel my anger at you!

He evaded the attack by jumping back and fired a Bolt at its head, but the snake was able to react in just time as well. Quin merged with his element, and his entire body became surrounded by flickering lightnings.

The snake continued its attack right away, spitting two balls of black smoke at him. As they flew above the ground, any kind of vegetation they touched withered away. Do you think two balls of poisonous smoke will be enough for me? He snorted.

As he was merged together with his element, his speed and reaction time greatly improved, thus the snake’s attacks seemed to be quite slow. He fired a couple of Bolts again, and then Flashed above the wild beast and sent out three pairs of Bolts in an instant.

Although the Horned Smoke Snake wanted to dodge his attacks, there were just too much lightning bolts targeting it and not even his skin of smoke could help. Only the bloody remains of its flesh was left behind afterwards, which exploded in every direction.