“What’s that?”
The cold-looking youth pointed at the silver symbol which was on the sky with horror.
After Grey killed the first youth, he had completely suppressed them. It was even harder for them to defend against the attacks which would sometimes fall from the sky unexpectedly. They were always confused about where the attack came from, it was only after some time passed did the youth notice the symbol.
‘So that’s how he killed him’
He thought as realization dawned on him.
He had been puzzled about how their friend died, now he knew the reason, it was because of that.
Being too engrossed in the battle, it was hard for something else to draw his attention as he knew any slip-up, and he’ll end up like his dead friend.
At first, he thought it was some kind of special technique Grey was using to unleash the attacks, but now he knew it wasn’t because of any special techniques, it was that odd silver-looking symbol that was attacking them. But what he couldn’t figure out was how Grey did it.
‘If he had such a trump card before the battle started, why did he allow himself to be beaten up before using it? From the looks of it, it seems like he could use it almost limitlessly’.
Every single brain cell in his head was trying to process what was happening, but he still couldn’t figure it out.
As the battle went on for another minute or so, the situation of the duo entered a more dire state. If they continued battling, they will most likely end up dead within another five minutes.
They had to escape.
“There’s no way we can defeat him, we have to escape and tell the others”
The youth said to his companion.
Although he said this, he still didn’t turn to run away, it was like he was waiting for something.
‘I’ll wait till he’s distracted with trying to kill Lucas, then I’ll make a break for it’
The youth thought coldly.
He didn’t care if his friend died, as long as he could escape with his life, then he’s satisfied. They could call him whatever name they wanted, he didn’t care, what matters is survival. If you can use your friend to bait the enemy who wants to kill you, so you can escape, why not?
“Go! I’ll hold him back”
He looked at Lucas with eyes that said, ‘I’ll try to stop him, so you can escape, even if it means I’ll die trying, what matters to me is your survival’
Hearing this, Lucas stared at his friend with mixed feelings, but he was touched by his act. Even Grey who was attacking them was touched by his loyalty.
“I’ll make sure this Qilin empire monster pays for this. This is my promise to you! He will not leave this trial land alive!”
Lucas said before turning away to escape.
‘We still don’t know who will die here, hehehe’
He laughed coldly inside as a glint flashed past his eyes.
“Hmph! Do you think you can escape? Anyone I’ve tagged dead will surely die”
Grey snorted coldly before sending an attack towards the escaping Lucas.
Lucas didn’t even bother to turn around as he had already placed his hopes on his friend. Since his friend said he’ll block their opponent so he can escape, there’s no way he’ll allow the attack to get to him.
“Stay here!”
Grey said as the rock he sent towards Lucas turned into a hand and grabbed him.
‘This is my chance’
The cold-looking youth didn’t delay, he immediately dashed towards the other direction at the fastest speed he could muster.
Lucas who was caught by Grey was surprised by what was happening, before he could realize anything, his friend was already escaping in the other direction.
“Bernard! How could you betray me?”
He shouted out with deep hatred.
When Bernard heard this, he snickered before replying,
“This is for the good of the empire, I’m stronger than you, so naturally I should be the one to survive. And even if you escape, you might get killed by something else. But my chances of survival are higher. And you should know killing a monster like him is a must. Don’t worry, your good deed will not go unnoticed, I’ll make sure the empire knows of it, and your family will be celebrated for giving birth to a hero”
With these words, he disappeared into the forest.
Grey was just as dumbfounded as Lucas was. He actually didn’t expect his attack to get to Lucas. He knew there was no way he could keep both of them here if they wanted to escape. Not only that, but he might be able to kill one, but the other will almost definitely escape. But if they decided to continue fighting, then he could kill them.
Had both of them turned their backs on him at the same time, then he could have killed them. But if one wanted to hold him back so the other could escape, then there was nothing he could do other than watch helplessly as the other escaped.
Looking at the despairing Lucas, he almost felt pity for him, well, almost.
“Don’t worry, so long as I come across him, I’ll kill him”
Grey tried to comfort Lucas.
‘At least, maybe after hearing this, he will die with less hatred, who knows? It’s none of my business anyway, it’s just, seeing his friend betray him is kinda sad’.
Grey slowly closed his hand, and the hand which was made with rocks that held unto Lucas slowly started crushing his body.
With hatred deep in his eyes, Lucas died with his eyes opened. It was like he wanted to tell the world that he was betrayed.
“*Sigh* Life is so unfair, betrayers deserve death. Yet they are the people that tend to live longer”
Grey shook his head looking at the lifeless corpse on the ground.
Since entering the trial land for one month now, except for beasts, he hadn’t killed any human. But today he killed two, and he was sure more will follow as time goes on.
“There can’t be peace in the world, I have to grow stronger to ensure I can protect everyone and everything I hold dear to me”
He said with determination.
Initially, when he started his journey in cultivation, all he wanted to do was become strong just like those legends he read about, and be worshiped by all. But now, a new desire had risen inside him, and it was stronger than the first one. He wanted to protect, he wanted to grow stronger so he could protect himself, his mother, his father, his friends, his master, everyone who was close to him, he wanted to protect them all.
Thinking of this, he suddenly realized why Claude determinedly faced off against the mercenaries to ensure Nina escaped, although he knew he couldn’t defeat them, he still faced off against them to ensure he protected her.
“Will I ever find the one who would make me do something like that?”
Grey said looking at the sky.
‘This will be the first step towards my new goal’
He slowly walked towards the dead crocodile.
Acquiring the water heart pulse will mean an increase in strength since he’ll awaken his water element. He will not only awaken his water element, but his cultivation will also see a breakthrough with the awakening of the new element. Only, he wasn’t confident he would be able to reach the Origin Plane with it.
‘Some people might have already broken through to the Origin Plane already, I can’t fall behind’
After acquiring the heart, he left the other parts of the crocodile. He carefully placed the heart in his bag before heading further into the forest.
“*Sigh* What a waste of good materials”
Looking at the body he couldn’t help but feel sad.
Inside his bag…
The vein-like lines on the egg had long disappeared, but there is still no sign of its hatching. It was like it didn’t get enough blood from Grey.
………
“This place will be perfect”
Grey said as he looked at the cave ahead of him.
The cave was well hidden, and it will be difficult for anyone to accidentally come across it. After collecting the heart, it took him almost three hours before he was able to find a good place to head into seclusion. Seeing this place, he couldn’t help but feel elated.
“Now all I have to do is set up some defensive and trap arrays around it to ensure my safety”
He nodded his head when this thought came to him.
He quickly started with the array as he couldn’t wait for his upgrade anymore.
Four hours later…
“*Phew* That wasn’t easy”
He breathed out heavily as he looked around to confirm he got all the spots right.
“Now it’s time for my upgrade”
With a joyful expression, he entered the cave and made a wall that covered the entrance of it. For the next two weeks or so, he’ll shut himself out from the world. His full focus will be on refining the water heart pulse and breaking through.