!!!!! Pr Credits To Draconis & Tembulon who not only both pred it but improved this ch's quality greatly please rep them. Also Full Credits to Askard who maintains the Information Doc where a majority of spectral regalia information is written please Rep him to ^^!!!
im sure some of you may like this chapter. just a heads if you have questions dont shy from asking me. but try not to ask for spoilers i dont like giving them out as i prefer to keep it all a suprise and i may change my mind at the last moment.
Lately i noticed quite a lot of new and interesting stories on RR i usually tend to ignore reviews if i feel the synopsis is unique. one story i found quite interesting was Mystery of dungeon i find its a nice theme to explore. if you enjoy that consider reading Lair as it is also pretty interesting.
some of you might be wondering if the authors asked me to do this the answer is "No" i do this because i want to share stories i found i like and bieng in the Top #5 i dont want to hog all the glory. if stories get more popular then that means RR has a chance to grow which is good!
now then its time for a poll! this is to help me improve my writing aswell as the story it has helped me greatly infact *points at rank* i have that to show for paying attention to you guys so im counting on some nice feedback!
Please Rate/Follow/Favourite/Share/Enjoy ch 74
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Having returned to the inn, Avrin had remembered that the horses have yet to be fed, so he told Kael to go handle it. If he was to not give him some responsibility, than the boy would think this easy.
Raising the badge Gregson gave him, they received a surprising discount, and even received the VIP rooms. After telling the innkeeper to alert him when Kael returned, Avrin made his way up and headed towards his own room.
Removing his attire, his upper body, which was bare, had only a few cuts and scratches that would disappear in a minute. It seemed that ever since the particles of his body grew in strength, so did his regeneration.
As much as he wanted to examine his inner workings, he decided not to, as he realised there was a personal mini spring bath built into the VIP room. Extending a few meters and made from shaped rock, he was awed by it.
He remembered reading a book about the country of japan that was famous for many things, including their hot springs. He had never gotten to visit it as a general, even when given the chance due to his tasks, but he felt he could enjoy himself here even if it where a sort of replica.
Stripping down, he removed all of his attire and stepped into the bath, before sitting on a sort of edge as he spread his hands over the shaped rock to relax. The steam was incredibly good, as it relaxed his skin even to the point where his Divine Sense was turned off.
He began to think about the others. “If everything went well, they should be nearing or already on the Northern Continent.” Avrin’s face went a little pale, as he worried that there may be dangerous people there, or even monsters.
He remembered the faces of all the people, from women and children, to men looking for a new start. He felt that it will be a tough road ahead, but with their bodies and potential, they will be able to overcome the hurdle if they put their mind to it.
He began to carefully think about the future, and things that were important at that stage. He knew this planet was created and inhabited by not only the Gods but their creations. If he himself became a being that rivals or even surpasses a God, would he even want to be here?
He felt it may seem weird, as if he is hijacking or stealing the work of another. “Maybe if I ever achieve that, I can find a planet for my people” The thought caused his heart to jump a little, as the very words were something only a child with an a large imagination would say.
“My own planet… A being stronger than a God…” Avrin had no doubt he would achieve that strength if he was careful and gathered enough Sky Metal and strengthened himself. Who knew what his limits were, or even if their was any.
He began to think and ponder things and remember his own execution. How he was betrayed and used as a scapegoat. It made him frown, but then smile. “If I play my cards right, maybe God will give me a chance at revenge..” When judge Dere sentenced avrin and irritated him after betrayal, it caused his anger to swell.
He had been a partner to Avrin, and assisted him, and who he assisted many times. And for the sake of his own advancement and to be considered a great figure, he easily betrayed Avrin. Not only that, even his own crew had done so.
“Cure on it's way…. That bastard… It would have been too late…” Avrin spoke, as Dere, at the time of his trial, had cursed him, telling them a cure was found. Although Avrin was to blame to a degree, the planet with the virus was on the outskirts of where humanity had inhabited. It was next to two other planets that were not yet infected, and for their sake, he had to exterminate the infected planet.
A shallow look appeared on his face as he remembered the nightmare he had at one point. At that point, he was broken from his train of thought, as a knock was heard from the door to the spring area.
“Yes?..” He called out, not bothering to emit his Divine Sense, as he wanted to just relax and focus on relaxing. He reached over and grabbed the broken mask on his face, before removing it and gazing at it while waiting for an answer.
“Avrin, I’ve decided we can leave tomorrow morning. Clovis will remain and heal, and then join us later. Will you be joining with him while you heal?” The voice was none other than Felia’s.
“I will also join you in leaving tomorrow. My major wounds are already gone.” This caused Felia to be silent. She felt Avrin was mysterious and unusual. She called out. “You are indeed impressive, Avrin. I never would have thought you were hiding your power and still holding back.”
Avrin blinked, as he placed the mask to the side of the tiled floor. “Holding back? Did Kael tell you?” Felia gave a soft laugh. “Was it wrong of him to do so?” She spoke as she leaned against the wall next to the door to the spring. She gazed curiously at the ceiling.
“It's fine. Is there anything else?” Felia was silent, and then replied a few seconds after. “You're welcome to share my bed tonight. Are you interested?” Avrin himself blinked and smiled with a gentle laugh. “You are quite assertive and brave. Is it my power you're after?”
He himself was curious. Felia replied blatantly. “I think a person who is powerful yet doesn't brag of his strength is someone to respect and adore. I am also curious of your appearance. You try hard to hide it.”
Avrin could hear the tone of her voice. He didn't feel that she was lying, but it seemed she liked strong people who were respectful. “Hmph… Is my appearance a major role? You seem like you're taking a gamble. I may be as ugly as a goblin” He grinned to himself.
Felia seemed to laugh. “Ahh, there is no way you are. For you to say that, I can only assume you're confident. Besides, appearance is only a side thing. You seem special in your own right. For instance, those wounds you got from Clovis, you said they’re already healed. I can see why you took his attacks head on. You must have a strong body”
Avrin wasn't sure how to reply, but he could see she was perceptive. “I used some potions I acquired from the shop” Felia was starting to think that was probably the reason. After all, to her, she had never heard of someone recovering so quickly without the use of expensive potions.
Felia moved and on spoke “Lets make a deal” She mumbled out. Avrin raised his head and spoke “Deal?” Felia continued. “If I ever manage to impress you, will you show me what you look like?” Her curiosity had gotten the better of her, as she was intending on finding out.
Avrin’s lips pursed for a moment, and he didn't reply. “Avrin?” She spoke, wanting to know. “If you manage to impress me somehow, I will show you what I look like then.“ He didn't feel that she was a bad person. In fact, his agreement was mainly because he had thought of Syrana.
He had remembered when he betrayed her and Ayame. It made him feel a little bad how aggressively he wanted revenge, but he still was sure he didn't want to be followed and pursued by them. He felt that at that point, it was the only way he could do it. Any other way and he would have lost the Sky Metal.
Felia gave a rare honest smile. “Great! I'll be off then. Don't forget, my bed is big enough for both of us.” Avrin gave a quiet laugh. “Idiot..” He whispered to himself, before the sound of Felia leaving and the door closing was the only remaining sound.
After Avrin had finished and formed a new set of clothing to replace his tattered attire, he decided to get some rest, even though he didn't need it. The evening had soon passed, and morning came. By the time it was 6:00 am, Avrin was already equipped and prepared. Making his way over to the first floor, he knocked on Kael’s door.
“Kael, are you ready?” Immediately, Kael spoke as he opened the door, wearing one metal boot while he had his under attire on. “Ahh, give me a bit, Master!” He spoke, looking at Avrin before Avrin then nodded and went off downstairs.
Greeting him on his way down was Clovis, who was bandaged up but was looking good. He smiled at Avrin and laughed. “Ha! You healed so fast, one wouldn't think you were fighting intensely yesterday. I'm jealous!” Avrin gazed at him. He felt this man was indeed strong for himself. “Potions make the difference” Clovis nodded as he followed Avrin downstairs to the dining area. When people saw them, the conversations they were having had gone silent. Yesterday’s match had spread quite far to those who didn't have the chance to witness it.
“That Avrin healed so quickly… Can potions do that?” One merc whispered, while another responded. “Probably expensive ones. He’s a lord after all, he must be loaded… I'm more irked at him taking a Master level attack head on and only fighting at the end… That's crazy”
Avrin ignored the words as he went over to an empty table where breakfast was being served. Clovis even decided to sit opposite of him, as he had taken a liking to Avrin, and began to tell him of his training.
“The Flame Fist technique took hundreds of years to develope, and you took all 4 strikes without dying, and even healed that quick… It makes me feel silly. I will have to train harder” He spoke as he began to eat.
His quiet attitude from yesterday had turned to one of openness, as he had no more reason to belittle Avrin. Before long, Felia made her way down, all prepared. She gazed at Avrin and Clovis and smiled, before making her way over and sitting at their table.
“We will be leaving in 10 minutes. Yesterday night a messenger appeared from the advance group. Everything at the dungeon is quiet as usual, so nothing strange. We should be good when we arrive”
Clovis nodded. “Good, good. I can't wait to test my strength against these Draconians.” Avrin’s mouth section had reformed and shut. Having finished eating, he spoke. “There's most likely a dragon down in that dungeon”
He had thought he may as well let them know, but having spoken, Felia responded “I figured as much. As long as we are careful, it should be a nice hunt” After she spoke, Kael made his way down and ate beside Avrin.
As time went on, the entire merc group had prepared themselves, and were off from the fortress like outpost. The journey itself, Felia told Avrin on the way, would take 3 hours. “We need to go through the Witchwood northwest of here, from there we go through a narrow mountain pass. The Witchwood itself is the biggest threat, since their are creatures lurking around. As for the pass, it should be good”
Avrin listened and replied “What sort of creatures are in the Witchwood?” Clovis laughed quietly, and decided to answer him. “Lurkers. Mana spirits of deceased adventurers who have had their spirits twisted in agony, not able to find rest. They manifest bodies from the Witchwood environment. We need to be careful around those”
Avrin had never seen a spirit creature. He had seen orcs and goblin like creatures, as well as the creatures in the Elven continent. He wasn't impressed, but he would finally be able to see something interesting.
“Master, how do we fight Lurkers?” Kael asked curiously. Avrin gazed to the side, looking at him. “It will be my first time fighting one, so we will have to see. I suppose hitting them with something” He joked.
Felia laughed and spoke “Without magic, it is going to be annoying for you both, so our mages can handle a few as long as we defend them.”
The group of 89 made their way onward. The path was quiet, and the creatures dared not fight them, as their numbers where too much, and they traversed in open space. As they went on, 2 hours had passed, and everyone had a look of nervousness. With no events occurring, everyone had time to think of the possible danger that lied ahead.
When they came across the Witchwood, with dead trees and swamp areas, with gas flowing out, their hearts tightened. “What are you all scared for? Lets go.. We haven't seen any Lurkers yet, and even the messenger made it through alone”
With that said, the group nodded in agreement and went on. The smell of the witchwood was one of rotting wood and strangely of flesh as well. Kael, holding his nose, had his face go a little green. “Master...this place reeks…” Avrin found no issue with it. On the battlefield when he was stranded on planets, he had to do some things to hide himself that he was not proud of.
“It isn't a big deal. On the battlefield, there are corpses all around you, it will smell much worse” As they continued on, the Witchwood had gotten quieter, until even the wildlife had stopped making sounds.
Everyone knew something was coming. “Be on your guard” Felia spoke, but not in a loud voice, afraid it may lure whatever was out there. Silence reigned, and Clovis whispered to Avrin. “I have heard stories of lurkers banding together to ambush large groups. I guess they’re utilizing some strategy from when they were alive.”
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Avrin looked around before augmenting his left eye. With that, he was able to see the flow of mana, and the spirits of the Lurkers were several dozen meters away, just eyeing them from afar.
“-50 to 90…. This is going to be annoying-” To Avrin, he had no issue protecting himself and Kael. He was more so thinking if anyone else would die. “We are surrounded, but they’re not moving. Just observing.”
Felia and Clovis showed curious expressions. “You can see them?” Felia spoke out of astonishment. “Yes, but whether or not I can see them isn't the issue right now. I'm wondering why they aren't attacking”
Clovis also wanted to ask what sort of ability Avrin had used, but found it wasn't the right time. “Maybe they are weighing the outcome?” Felia spoke out “Pick up the pace!” Her voice resounded.
The merc group began to speed things up, as their horses all began to move forward at least 2x faster. The Lurkers, who were watching from afar, found that something was strange. The group had suddenly gone faster. They started to emit strange sounds, despite not being able to be seen by anyone but Avrin.
“Screech!!...” The sounds of banshee like cries echoed all around them. Everyone began to look around as they sped up. The Lurkers had charged, as their bodies finally revealed themselves. Some made out of mud, stones and sticks, with a glowing core and twisted faces, as they dashed like ghouls across the Witchwood.
“Shit...you were right..” Felia spoke towards Avrin. Several Lurkers jumped towards the merc group, hoping to catch some off guard and knock them off their horses, but the merc mages, who had gone through many battles, managed to prepare fire bolt spells and blow the Lurkers away, injuring them as they limped back into the Witchwood.
Avrin hadn't attacked, as he was carefully examining the Lurkers and their method of attacking. He grinned. “Felia, at this rate, they’re going to kill some of your men. If you don't want anyone to die, listen to me.”
Felia hesitantly looked at Avrin. “If you want to speak, then speak…” She was also worrying about the loss of her men's’ lives. “Give me 5 people, we will try to lure a majority of them away, which should make it easier for the main group.”
Felia felt her eyebrows twitch heavily. “What?... A suicide mission is what this sounds like” Avrin spoke “Hurry up, the longer we take, the more of these things will come, until there are too many to handle.“
Felia pursed her lips before speaking up the names of the closest individuals and telling them to follow Avrin. They looked back, confused, but dared not to disobey orders. 5 of the mercs slowed down before they were in range of Avrin at the very back.
“Go deeper into the Witchwood with me” As he spoke this, Kael followed closely, and the others, although cautious and confused, followed him in. The Lurkers seemed to take notice, as they had thought the small group breaking off were running away. They considered this as easy pickings.
45 of them rushed towards Avrin’s small group as they rode left of the main group, deeper into the Witchwood. “Ride closer to each other.” Using his augmented eye and extending his Divine Sense, he was able to clearly see that there were many more Lurkers on their way. He made sure to direct them in the direction where the most would take notice, as well as towards an open area.
After riding several hundred meters, they were being chased by a mind boggling 90+ Lurkers. “Ahh, we’re going to die!!! You led us to die!!” A crazed merc cried out. “Be quiet and focus!” One of the others spoke to him, but he himself was nervous.
As they entered the open area with a bit of swamp around, Avrin spoke “Go to the center and stay close” Doing as Avrin told them, they had reached the center before the Lurkers came into the open, visible and still screeching as they began to surround them.
“Argh….. We’re gonna die…” The same man spoke, as tears were making their way down his eyes. “M..Master..what now?” Kael spoke. Avrin had no intention of revealing a large portion of his strength. If he did, the mercs would tell the others, and a rumor that gains him unwanted attention may appear. But he understood he shouldn't skimp out on his strength if he wanted to be sure of their survival.
“Perfect..” He muttered under his breath, before his Divine Sense focused on the open area, focusing all its strength there. It was as if the air became heavy. The Lurkers felt something was off, as they quieted down and looked around.
Avrin emitted Nebula Mist from his body, and entered the ground. His output was much higher than before, due to his Type 2 particles.
“Shadow guard.” He spoke softly, before the area around the group of 6, Kael included, was covered in a dome of dark matter walls, protecting them from the outside but also blocking their view.
The mercs were panicking at first, as this dark magic came into their view, but their voices were soon cut off as they were sealed away. The Lurkers hesitantly looked at Avrin and the shadow guard made out of dark matter walls.
“Why are you all hesitating?... Weren't you chasing us before?” Avrin quietly laughed, before his body tensed up and using his speed he appeared in front of a group of 7 nearby Lurkers. Extending his arms out, as well as his fingertips that acted as blades, he slashed away at them.
The wind itself began to scream, as it, along with the Lurkers were split apart. Avrin then moved on to the next group, as he began to tear through them with ease. He constantly held himself back when fighting a new opponent, as it was the best way for him to gauge strength so far.
The Lurkers all screeched with fury after seeing their companions being torn apart. They all rushed towards Avrin, punching, kicking and biting towards him. But Avrin himself was like an instant typhoon. One moment he would vanish, and a gust of sharp wind would form on one spot, and before they could even change direction, he would have vanished to another spot.
This began to instill fear and confusion in the Lurkers. Until they finally stopped and surrounded him after retreating. Avrin looked at them and raised a brow. He was utterly disgusted, as he then looked at his own hands, seeing the mud and materials that made their bodies all over his hands. As he looked around, he saw that their numbers didn't seem to decrease by much.
“Hmmm?... I'm sure I killed 40 of them. What's goin-” He stopped speaking as he looked at one of the Lurkers he had recently killed, seeing the core of it's body, that was intact, glowing red and blue before it's corpse began to repair itself.
“I see, you sneaky little devils. Unless I destroy that, you're going to survive. Haha” He laughed to himself, before he began a second wave of to attack them.. This time, after the 4th group of Lurkers, who now had destroyed cores due to avrins focus on them. The other lurkers began to shriek in terror as they saw he was now going for their very core.
They began to retreat with no hesitation. By then, Avrin had killed 80 or so of them, and when they had all retreated out of sight, he used his Nebula Mist to clean his hands while he navigated across the broken cores that were glowing slightly, and appeared at the Shadow Guard.
With a thought, the guard retracted, showing the group startled by Avrin. “You bastard.. You trapped us!” One spoke, before he and the others kept silent as they looked around, seeing the many corpses of the Lurkers.
Their faces had gone incredibly pale with shock. “Incredible…” One of the mercs spoke, as he looked around. “Wow Master, you don't seem injured, and you killed so many..” Kael spoke with amazement “I wish you would let me see next time..”
Avrin remounted his horse. As he was preparing to depart, he saw the mercs make their way to the Lurkers and loot their cores. “What are you doing?” He spoke, confused, before one of the mercs who was stuffing a sack full of the broken cores responded. “These cores can sell for at least 2 gold each. Even if they’re broken, they’re still made from mana. Mages use these for magic and stuff” He spoke.
“Hmm..” Avrin gave it some thought before nodding and giving them a bit of time before they took as many as they could. They then headed back without worry. Whenever some Lurkers spotted them, they saw Avrin and shrieked in fear and fled.
“Hahaha, Lord Avrin, those figures are scared shitless of you!” The merc that was near tears spoke. “Of course! Master is incredibly strong, these things are dirt for him” Kael tried to boast.
Traveling on and following the tracks the main group had left, they came across the tracks leading outside of the Witchwood. “Do you think they got out?..” One merc spoke to Felia as they were outside of the Witchwood, bandaging the wounded that had been injured in the attack.
“Of course… If he doesn’t, well….” Felia also showed some worry, wondering if it was the proper course of action to let Avrin do so. Clovis spoke. “Mounted combat sucks. Not much I can do…” He rubbed his head regretfully.
Felia smiled at him. “Clovis, that’s nonsense. Although Avrin led the majority away, you still decimated quite a few of them. Without you, I'm sure we would have had some fatalities.”
At that moment, someone pointed at the Witchwood as the group of 7 made their way out. Felia counted them before sighing in relief. Avrin and the others rejoined the main group, before the mercs who where with him showed faces as if they had gotten rich.
As they went to their comrades, they laughed. “Haha, you guys missed out on a ton!! We’re rich!” One spoke, while another softly pushed him. “Don't tell them dammit. Now we gotta share…” He spoke in a joking tone
Their comrades were skeptical about what had happened, and seeing the look of doubt, one of the mercs who were with Avrin spoke “Bastards, you don't believe us? Fine, show them..” At that moment, the mercs got the large sacks they placed on their horses and emptied the contents on to the ground, and the cores formed a large pile.
The mercs all crowded around, their faces turning red with envy and awe. One of the higher ranked mercs looked at the core pile. “Damn… There has to be a few hundred gold worth of magic materials. Some of these are in nice condition. I wouldn't sell those for 5 gold, maximum.”
Felia was gazing at the cores, not shocked at the worth, but more so at the amount of cores. “You were only gone for 8 minutes, and you killed so many?” Avrin looked at her for a moment. “Once you know their weakness, they’re not hard to kill.”
Clovis laughed, as he was nearby “Avrin I should have followed you. Wish I could have seen how you killed these things.“ Felia called out to everyone. “Ok. Now that everyone’s here, we’re continuing on!”
Within several minutes, the group had prepared themselves and headed off, leaving the Witchwood and entering the pass. Spending a good amount of time, the only issue they found was that they had to from a single file line. The path was well closed off, so there was no sign of any ambush.
Before long, they entered an open area with some shrubbery and jungle like growth. The path had linked into a small mountain that had some open areas where the sunlight was flooding through. Traversing in there were some eyes watching them, but they were not scared.
The eyes belonged to their comrades that had gone ahead with Wyni. Before long, they had arrived at a large stone like structure with a gaping hole in the middle. The structure had strange patterns all over it that seemed to resonate with mana a bit.
At the entrance, there was a small campsite, and the merc group made their way forward, joining up with them. “Wyni!” Felia called out, before a female Beastman looked up from a table that had a map on it.
“Felia, you came. But you're late..” Wyni frowned as she made her way towards Felia. The other mercs began to station themselves and see what they could help with. “We ran into some trouble, but thankfully, everyone made it.”
Avrin and Kael dismounted in an empty spot. Avrin began to check the supplies that Henreth had prepared, and directed Kael on what to take. Avrin gazed and saw a health potion Henreth had prepared. He placed it in his own enchanted sack before looking over the rest.
“Master… I can't believe we are here. People back home would kill for a chance at a dungeon… I don't think the people at Gaia Academy have ever come to a place like this!” Avrin looked at him and spoke.
“Good. If you survive, you can have something to brag about” He laughed as he walked off. Kael’s face turned pale, as he called out while following Avrin “Ahh, Master, aren't you going to protect me?!!...”
Avrin neared Felia and spoke “Now that we are here, me and Kael are going inside. Anything you need?” Both Felia and Wyni looked at Avrin, stunned at his words. But as Wyni saw Kael’s figure run up, her eyes showed hearts, and she gave a squeal before rushing over towards Kael.
Kael froze as he looked at her, and was about to run away, before she caught him and hugged him “Ahh! Felia, you brought me a nice gift!!” Wyni blurted out as she cuddled Kael.
Felia laughed and smiled, then turned to Avrin. “We planned to rest and recover till we were 100%. Kael must also be tired. Won't you at least let him rest?”
Avrin looked at Kael, who was being used as a teddy bear, before he looked at Felia. “Very well, he can rest…” Avrin then turned and headed towards the dungeon entrance. “Ahh, where are you going?” Felia spoke out, expecting him to rest as well.
“He is resting, but I want to see how well I do against these Draconians.” Clovis, who was nearby and preparing his own supplies, saw Avrin and overheard. “Perfect! I'll join you!” He laughed to himself before he followed behind.
Avrin stood and gazed at the dark entrance with several mana torches lighting up the inside that was still fairly dark. Using his augmented eye, he couldn't feel any traces of mana other than the mana the structure itself seemed to generate.
Without wasting any more time, he entered, and Clovis followed closely behind, before their figures both vanished into the darkness.
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