85 Chapter 85: The Journey 1

It has been a month since they left the Gyro kingdom, spending a complete month just this get through the thick forest that surrounded the kingdom. While some curse the topography of the land which surrounded the kingdom. Even though safe routes have already been established, if the expedition team decided to follow this route, they will probably need another month or two to cross this dense forest.

With no choice left, the expedition team plunged into the forest. Even though they sent scouts ahead and tried as much as possible to avoid confrontations with high level beasts, unfortunately, they occasionally ended up confronting some high level magic beasts. Luckily, none of these beasts exceeded level 30 so it wasn't too difficult for the expedition team to handle them.

Throughout the month, Derik and the other members of team guardian were not given a chance to battle, in this case, could only watch and marvel at the awesome abilities of the bronze and sliver realm warriors and mages on their side.

After observing for a while, Derik's opinion about physical class members changed completely. Seeing the miracle team battle against multiple level 30 earth salamanders, he realized the role of guardian knights, assassins and archers play in a team.

While the guardian knight serves as a wall between the team and the enemy, the archer assists by distracting the foe, giving the guardian Knight the advantage. Meanwhile, the assassin simply waits in the shadow looking for the best opportunity to strike down the foe in one hit. To be honest, in most battles, members of the magical class stay behind, supporting the physical class members with spells.

Unless the mages are extremely powerful, they can never replicate this level of power which the physical classes can do when they work together.

As they traveled everyone's mood brightened. It even got to a point where Derik began questioning himself, finding it hard to believe that these people were planning to kill him. On several occasions, attacks directed to him by numerous magic beasts have been neutralized by Gerald, members of the miracle team and even the members of the military. In his opinion, it would be easier for these people to let these beasts attack him and possibly kill him. For the first time since he joined the expedition team, he felt worried and a bit restless.

"Don't let your guard down… Don't show any signs of weakness… stay calm" Demos urged

In the day, Derik observed everything while also conversing with the other members of the expedition troops and at night, he secluded himself from the rest of the team and practiced. Even though separating from the team is not really advisable, Derik didn't have to bother much. The sinister death aura which escaped his body while he practiced was enough to scare the monsters away. Even though most of these monsters were stronger they were naturally terrified by the negative aura that escaped his body.

Each time Derik wandered into the thick forest alone, the other members of the expedition troops silently watched him disappear into the dense forest, wondering what kind of technique he was working on which could produce such gloomy and terrible aura but no one bothered to check on him, by the way, his aura may be unbelievable sinister but in the end, he's still a recruit and yet to go through refinement, there is a limit to how much power he can pull out of that guardian spirit of his. In their opinion, he only managed to harm and almost kill that mid grade bronze level royal guard simply because he had the element of surprise. No one understood how he was able to possess such terrifying physical strength but now they knew, it won't be difficult to deal with him. Unless Derik had some new tricks up his sleeves, killing him won't be an issue, even a mid grade bronze level mage or warrior can do this, so why bother?

"It's a pity he crossed the royal family… that kid Is something" The bald guardian knight of the miracle adventurer team said wearing a bitter smile on his face.

The others shook their heads and sighed

"It's not just that… The problem is this…. This kid possesses Death magic… a peak 3 star magic… even though it is 3 star, it is extremely dangerous... Should he be given enough time to master this magic… He will be able to draw power from death itself… And I must tell you… death is not uncommon… Reaching the peak of the silver realm won't be a problem for him then... It will be difficult to deal with someone like that" Gerald said with a bitter smile on his face. Hints of fear could even be seen in his eyes.

Hearing this, Cyrus and others finally understood why these people were hell bent on killing Derik. Guardian spirits and their hosts are stronger when they are in their element. It's like placing Francis in a lush forest filled with different plants and trees. In such a situation, it is almost impossible for someone at his level to take defend against him even though he is not really a fighter type, chances are, he may even be able to take on people a grade higher than him and still emerge victorious. But Derik's case is different, the proper environment can be created at any time and his true capabilities can then be showcased.

Just like his battle with Francis, when he returned to the Lockwood family castle, the place was already littered with bodies of dead warriors and mages and when he arrived, he was suddenly strong enough to outrightly defeat a two hundred years old vampire and a nature mage at the mid grade of the silver realm just in one knight.

Some may say that his opponents were not at their peak but the truth remains that, even a silver realm warrior or mage will find it difficult to achieve something like that. This is something no recruit should be able to do, even Kuen who possesses a cosmic spirit, rated peak of 5 star can not replicate such an achievement. Derik may not have been aware of it at that time, but now things are different.

What terrified Gerald the most was his growth speed. It is said that the stronger a host of a guardian spirit becomes in his element, the more his appearance changes to fit the element he controls. Cyrus', golden hair and snow white glowing eyes strongly supported this belief and such changes could be seen Derik. Ever since he focused on cultivating death magic, numerous visible changes have taken place on his body.

Right now, just like Cyrus whose eyes are snow white, Derik possesses pitch black eyes and a fiery purple light at the center. His complexion turned pale and streaks of purple color could be seen on his pitch black hair which used to be brown! Even Cyrus and Francis hasn't changed this much, showing their understanding of their elements has become inferior to that of Derik.

….….….

Donald and the rest were aware of Derik's thoughts the moment he met them with the expedition troops outside the mansion. They knew he was already suspicious of them and was always on guard whenever they were close by during the journey. Even on occasions when they spoke with him on their progress and increase in strength, Derik always spoke little on the topic and refused to reveal anything important to them. Looking into Derik's eyes, they could see the Derik they knew when he had awakened his power recently.

Sitting around a small campfire set up not too far from the main group Kira and the others wore gloomy expressions on their faces. Even though they were annoyed by the proposal given to them by the royal family, there was nothing they could do about it. The survival of their families was literarily in their hands, and the offer wasn't too difficult, all they had to do is not interfere when the expedition team decides to act.

Friend or Family…

The answer was obvious. They were even promised more after the expedition ends. They could only blame Derik for being unlucky!

"I know it hurts you all to do this but the truth remains that, Derik probably would have done the same if the situation was reversed… Picking a friend which you just met a year ago over your own blood is simply not feasible... You all don't have to beat yourselves too much" Kira said with a calm face.

The others nodded in agreement. In their opinion, the royal family was kind enough to allow them not partake in the killing.

"Since he already knows, the best we can do is to come out clean and explain to him… He should be able to understand the reason things turned out this way… I hope he forgives us and bares no ill intentions against us even in death" Cyrus said

"No… we can't do that…. Didn't you see the way he looked at us the last time we tried to start up a conversation… That thing has robbed him of his emotions again… I don't think to talk to him at this point will change a thing" Gin sighed

"Noooo!..." Daemon screamed. Clutching her plumpy chest, she shook her head repeatedly and spoke

"Derik has known us for a while… he has to understand… Even if he doesn't, we owe him this… that way we can live the rest of our lives with clear consciences "

After speaking on the issue for a while and every other person agreed, they left the campfire and walked into the woods, towards the place which the gloomy and diabolical aura was concentrated the most.

….

"They are going to speak to him on this matter… probably to clear their conscience…" The bald guardian Knight of the miracle adventurer team laughed out loud and looked away

"It won't change the outcome…. I for one is okay with their decision… kids like this shouldn't carry such burdens in their hearts alone, it will definitely slow down their progress in the future… let them have their chat… it won't hurt anyone" Gerald said with a concerned look on his face.

….….….

Derik's body trembled greatly as he pushed forth all his strength while tearing the space around him. His eyes seemed to be blank and black veins popped out on numerous places all over his body.

The first stage of this technique he has been practicing for some time now was to create a pathway to the underworld, where he could store his equipment and summon them should he need them at any point in time.

After that, apart from the other techniques he practiced on, he also sort to perfect the spell which will definitely prove useful when the time comes.

Death magic: Accursed gate of the underworld!

This technique simply creates a path for the living to transverse between the realm of the living and the dead. Since this technique can be used to move into the underworld, it should be able to send someone out of the underworld as well.

In Derik's opinion, he should be able to create two portals. While one led to the underworld, the other will lead to somewhere else. It will serve the same purpose as spatial magic but the problem now is this.

In order to successfully perform this spell, he has to create two portals! One which could fit him was already too hard for him to create, a second will really take a toll on him. And even if he could create a second, he needs to visualize the place he wishes to go to in his mind. And the only places he knows of are Castle Black, Briton, and the capital!

These are places he shouldn't even think of going to. Yes! The death aura could chase off monsters and terrify beasts which is a good thing, but this is also a problem. It makes him stand out!

Derik knew that the moment he steps foot into the Gyro kingdom or appears anywhere close to Briton, they will know.

The only option left is to depend on his luck, which so far has been very bad. According to Demos, if he attempts to open another portal leading out of the underworld without any particular place in mind, he will most likely be sent to any part of the continent or even outside the continent. It all depends on his luck.

He knitted his eyebrows together as he stepped into the first portal and started ripping the space apart again in an attempt to create a second leading to another place. Since he had no specific place in mind, he could pray that his luck is good

But then Demo's voice echoed in his head and he quickly leaped out of the first portal he made

"Stop! Quickly, some people are coming your way!!" Demo's said.

Under the moonlight, Derik's purple eyes glowed fiercely as he stared at the direction which the intruders were coming from.