Ding!
[Detecting: Host has killed all the Frogmen in the Fracture.]
[Host has restored the C-Rank Fracture.]
[Host has become Level (Lvl) 34.]
[Host has been rewarded 10 points.]
"Very good," Cale muttered as he stood holding the severed head of a frogman. Dark aura still surrounded him, but he didn't seem bothered by it. He appeared happy and calm within this deathly aura, though his face remained emotionless and composed.
"Then let's leave," Cale muttered as the frogman’s head disintegrated into nothingness. Turning around, he took steady steps forward.
Ding!
[System has detected another Fracture.]
[Difficulty: C-Rank.]
[Would Host like to enter?]
{Yes or No?}
"Hm?" Cale looked at the sudden system notification floating in front of him. 'Well, this is new,' he thought as he tapped the system panel.
Ding!
[Host has chosen yes.]
{Opening Second Fracture.}
Cale lifted his head slightly, watching a yellow Fracture materialize in front of him. Moving closer, he couldn't detect any differences between this second Fracture and the first, except for its color.
He calmly stepped inside, leaving the now-destroyed Frogman Fracture behind.
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Outside the Fracture
Everyone kept their distance from the Fracture. Even the E-Rank Creature Hunters didn’t dare to approach as closely as before. The Fracture had now become a mixture of yellow and blue.
Soojin arrived and shouted, "Evacuate the civilians in this area as soon as possible!" He moved closer to the Fracture, though still maintaining a safe distance to avoid harm.
'Just what is going on inside?!' Soojin thought as he shielded his face with his arm. The force from the Fracture was strong enough to make him stop after a short distance.
"A C+++-Rank Fracture… It hasn't been long since he became a C-Rank," Soojin muttered, staring at the Fracture with a furrowed expression. 'I trust you, Cale. Don’t die,' he thought, shouting commands to the officers and E-Rank Hunters.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
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Inside the Second Fracture, Cale looked left and right. The place was enclosed by dark blue walls, resembling a basement with intricate patterns. Walking calmly, Cale seemed unbothered by the new Fracture.
Normally, Cale wouldn’t be able to use Monarch's Blood for more than 5 seconds due to the pain it caused, but now it had been active for a while, and he felt no discomfort. In fact, it felt like the power was his own, as if he’d had it since birth.
Looking left, he noticed a painting of a green monster holding an axe. 'I don’t feel any danger in the presence of this dark power,' Cale thought, gently touching the painting and closing his eyes. 'When I used it against the Red Hounds, it caused me incredible pain, but right now, it feels so calming.'
He opened his eyes and glanced at his hands. 'I should probably restore this Fracture quickly and leave.' He began walking again, moving through the narrow, torch-lit basement.
After a while, Cale encountered a group of large green monsters, each carrying a big axe, talking amongst themselves in their own language. This time, instead of observing and strategizing like usual, Cale simply walked toward them. Perhaps the Orcs posed no threat to him now?
Noticing him, the Orcs pointed him out to their five companions. One Orc started moving toward him. As the Orc approached, Cale raised his right hand, enveloping it in a dark ball of energy. Slowly, his left hand was also enveloped by a similar dark ball.
The Orc charged at him with its axe. Cale, remaining calm, stepped to the right as the Orc’s axe slammed into the spot where he had been standing. The Orcs were surprised by his speed.
Cale kicked the axe from the Orc’s hand. However, losing its weapon didn’t faze the Orc. It quickly started throwing heavy punches, which Cale dodged with ease. The Orc grew angry, not because it was losing, but because Cale didn’t seem to view it as a worthy warrior.
The Orc shouted at Cale as it swung, but Cale, now understanding the Orc’s language due to the skill he had acquired after killing the Frogman Boss, heard the Orc clearly.
Ding!
[Skill/Technique: Language Understanding and High Perception has been used.]
"Fight me seriously!" the Orc yelled, but Cale remained calm.
Cale understood the Orc had pride as a warrior. "Fine. But you'll regret that, Orc!" he said, his expression unchanged.
The Orc, hearing Cale speak in its language, punched even more vigorously.
Cale jumped back a large distance and spread his arms wide as the dark energy around his hands transformed into liquid, which then formed into dark gauntlets, perfectly fitting his forearms. The same dark energy enveloped his feet, becoming socks before solidifying into armor.
Cale assumed his fighting stance, calmly and loudly declaring, "Get ready, monster!"
The Orc, seeing Cale now equipped for a battle of fists, roared loudly, "UAGGHHH!" before charging at him for a fight.