Chapter 22: A new Environment and Situation (2/2)

The new world’s environment surprised him. He had on multiple occasions wondered what the upper level was like. Did it have fiery volcanoes spitting magma into the air or rivers of magma raking through the earth? Would the air be filled with a perpetual sulfurous smell as a result? What he did not expect as he took the first breath of this world, was the deathly chillness in the air.

The deathly cold air pierced his skin as he looked around. The ground was no longer the familiar reddish black, but was now mostly black with a tinge of green and a frosty white.

The world outside the entrance was just as devoid of life as it was within. It was a desolate world without any traces of life. As No.3 stood there in shock, One-eye stepped out of the entrance and looked around in wonder, a visible excitement apparent in his expression.

“We’ve left the blood sea…we survived…”

After another ten minutes, the rest of the devils had crossed into the new world as well. They made camp on a high ground nearby. By now, everyone was thoroughly exhausted due to the grueling 12 hour battle atop the stairs. Over 10,000 devils had fought in that battle, and now there were less than 1,000 devils left alive. Calling it a blood bath would be an understatement.

With the female devil looking after Mo Ke, everyone could rest at ease. At the side, One-eye and the other named imps were having an idle discussion about how idiotic the head imp was. Anyone with a shred of intelligence would’ve realized that if he didn’t blockade the entrance, those 10,000 devils could’ve have all passed through in peace. Was there even a point in forcing such a confrontation?

Just as they were having fun badmouthing the head imp, the ground shook. It was as if a rampaging army of cavalrymen was passing through at this moment. Then, out of the black hole they climbed out of, a small imp corpse flew out of it. Then a second came out…a third…a fourth…13th…100th…1,000th…2,000…

Small imps, large imps, all those who had died in the previous level were spit out of that black hole in a bloody rain of corpses…

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Western Human Realms, Tarnia Kingdom…

Nicole had just finished a day of training and was on her back to her private accommodations. Her sweat soaked white training outfit stuck to her body as she walked, showing off her developing 13 year old figure. She was still the pure and beautiful ponytailed girl from Mo Ke’s memory.

As a result of Mo Ke’s influence, Nicole chose the sword and shield as her main focus. Having spent half a year in the school, she had gotten used to the simple lifestyle here. It was a life filled with training and even more training. She trained as hard as she could, hoping to get stronger; strong enough to find Mo Ke. Even though in heart she knew Mo Ke could already be dead, but human beings needed goals in their life, and she was no exception. Even if that goal seemed to be nearly impossible.

From time to time, she would receive a letter from Roscar. It detailed his current situation and endeavors. He had set up a mercenary company recently. However, it was only a small company of 10 men.

The goal was to gather information on Mo Ke while carrying out missions to gain money. He would also frequent the slave markets and arenas of the cities he passed by. As long as he heard that a teenager was taking part in an arena match, or that one was being sold, he would rush over to check it out no matter how busy he was. However, his efforts were doomed to be in vain.

He was furiously training himself as well by taking on the most dangerous of missions in order to push himself to the limit.

As she returned to her assigned villa, she changed into a set of casual clothes. Just as she finished doing so, she heard a knock on the door.

“Nicole, if you are in there, could you open up for a moment?”

It was Sares’s voice. She hesitated a while before deciding to open it in the end.

“What’s the matter Sares?”

She stood at the door, with no intention of letting him in. She silently gazed at the golden haired youth wearing a dazzling smile on his face. He used to be like a big brother to her; a radiant figure in her life. But after Mo Ke left, she felt a certain hollowness in her heart. This wasn’t love. She knew that.

“I guessed that you were done with training and came to visit.” Nicole’s obvious rejection made him upset. He knew why Nicole was so opposed to his advances; it was Mo Ke’s departure. He had already guessed that Mo Ke had left home because of him. He was actually really fond of this mischievous little brother but in the end…

“Oh, that’s right. Here’s a letter from Uncle Roscar.” Just as the letter left his pocket, it was immediately snatched up by Nicole.

Nicole blazed through the letter and it wasn’t long before she was done with it. She closed her eyes as she collapsed slightly onto the doorframe beside her, the weariness apparent in her demeanor.

“Still…no news?”

“…” Silence was his answer as Nicole leaned against the doorframe with her eyes closed.

“I’m sorry…”

“…it’s not your fault…” She opened her eyes and found that the usually smiling youth was no longer smiling, but had his head lowered in a downcast expression.

That’s right, it wasn’t Sares’s fault. Nobody could’ve predicted that Mo Ke would get so jealous that he would leave home. Sares was merely a scapegoat for their anger.

“That’s right, did you manage to find the wallet you lost?”

A while ago, Nicole had lost her wallet. To Nicole, that wallet was nothing. There was no money inside, but it held a very important item within.

“Nope…it should’ve been lost outside the school…I made some purchases outside. After returning to school…it was gone…”

“That…was it really important?”

“Yes…it was Mo Ke’s stuff.”

“Oh, is that so.”

Sares helplessly sighed once more. Ever since Mo Ke left, the mere mention of his name sent Nicole into a state of depression.

Perhaps he had finally had enough of this gloomy mood as Sares decided to bid her farewell without even entering the villa. “Nicole, since you’ve received the letter, I’ll head back first. As for your wallet, I’ll try to find it for you. Perhaps I might have better luck.”

“Then…I’ll leave this matter to you…”