Chapter 23: Don Freecs [3]

Chapter 23: Don Freecs [3]

After a perilous and daunting journey of gates, Canoe and various aquatic beasts I'd never seen before as we travelled across Lake Mobius, we'd finally arrived on the coast of the Dark Continent.

But upon stepping onto the landmass, it was painfully clear we were out of our depth.

If it weren't enough we couldn't use our Nen, we were also met with a 7 foot horrid humanoid creature with no eyes, white skin, a set of human-like teeth and rusty chains wrapped around its hands and feet.

Even with our Nen, I couldn't confidently say we'd be able to beat the creature.

Not only were we no match for its superhuman strength and speed, it also had the ability to adapt to anything it deemed a threat.

To put it simply, we were severely outmatched.

This was soon proven when a loud CRACK was heard on the battlefield as Williams' body dropped to the ground.

With the rest of us unable to move and some unconscious, I couldn't help but curse at myself for leading everyone to their doom.

Why?

Why couldn't I be satisfied with what I had.

Thinking back now, perhaps it was the fact I'd never faced true hardships in life and everything seemed to work themselves out that I felt I could take everything on.

Or maybe it was the darker thoughts I had later on, like if the V5 purposefully mentioned the Dark Continent to get rid of me, knowing I'd go to explore.

Now I could only watch as my loved ones were slain.

However, as I thought this, a figure appeared before me.

It was like all time had stopped.Geett the latest novels at novelhall.com

An enormous tree-like figure with a faint face stood over me. I still remember the words it spoke to me.

"I can save them, but are you willing to sacrifice what you desire the most?"

Without thinking, I accepted.

And as time resumed, a light erupted over the dead body of William. Simultaneously, everyone with me that day had disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Including the humanoid creatures which long since disappeared into the forest.

I didn't know at the time, but I soon figured out what happened.

The tree figure before me saved my loved ones, but in return, I was forced to give up what I unknowingly craved the most.

My freedom.

I was forced to wander the Dark Continent for the rest of my time, imprisoned.

I didn't know whether to thank the tree figure or condemn him.

Either way, I refused to simply rot in this hell.

I quickly figured out how to regain my Nen and hide myself as if I were the air itself. This way, I wouldn't be attacked by beasts.

I continued to travel the Dark Continent coastline, travelling deeper within as time went, logging my time there as I went.

I don't know why I spent so much time on the coastline.

I told myself it was to not rush things and make sure I was prepared to travel deeper, however, a small part of me thought my wife and friends would return for me.

During my travels, I encountered Nitro Rice, which allowed me to extend my life.

In that time, I logged as much as possible, knowing this information I logged would one day be useful to somebody.

As I currently write this, I can feel the effects of the Nitro rice weakening.

From the beginning I knew it wasn't a means to immortality, but simply extended time.

Therefore, I've decided to take a page out of Dark Continent's book.

Upon dying, I will activate my Post Mortem Nen with the sole goal of recounting my last bit of knowledge for future brave travellers.

I don't know which is more terrifying, the fact I hadn't come close to covering all of the Dark Continent, or the fact I never again encountered a creature as powerful as the Tree Figure, much less the figure itself.

"Let's not play games. You clearly know more than you let on."

Isaac was right.

However, if Monet were to do what he asked, she'd be going against everything she stood for as gatekeeper. By interfering, she'd be breaking her oath as a sworn Gatekeeper, and because of this she hesitated.

Isaac saw this.

'Time for what I'm good at.'

"Additionally, if you tell us, I'll return the favour and reveal how I arrived in the Dark Continent."

Monet furrowed her eyebrows.

"I never said I was the only one who was coming. Pretty soon, you'll have your hands full capturing countless trespassers like me. And some are far stronger than I'll ever be." Isaac wore a wry smile, further infuriating Monet.

'I knew it. He's found a way to enter the Dark Continent without us noticing. If he can do it, what's to say others can't.'

This was what Monet thought, however, she tried to push further. She had to know more.

"How do I know you're telling the truth?"

In situations like this, where one had not even the slightest bit of proof to back up his claims and was unprepared, Isaac found two ways to help succeed.

The first one was to lie your ass off.

And in a situation like this where the opposition was pushing more, Isaac liked to employ his second tactic.

Go all in.

"You don't. But what choice do you have?"

Isaac was right.

Not only did he have some room to breathe, seeing as he did indeed bypass the Gatekeeper's watch by spawning in, but he also held the higher ground as long as the book was in his hand.

He knew he'd won.

Grinding her teeth, Monet sat on the ground, crossing her legs as she took a deep breath.

"Humans were...normal at a time." Monet started as she searched for the right word.

"Evolution, the stone age, industrial revolution. Of course, different kingdoms grew at different rates, but the world as a collective was a thriving one."

"That was until they'd discovered Nen."

"At the time, Nen was too big a topic to keep hidden for long, and in a short period of time, the whole world was aware of it."

"It was quickly discovered that Nen could heal, nurture and cure, but we wouldn't be humans if we didn't find ways to turn this blessing into curse."

Netero and Isaac nodded in agreement. This indeed sounded like humans.

"It was quickly discovered how to weaponize Nen to make supersoldiers and how to manipulate it to bring forth supernatural abilities."

"Despite this, the world once again saw a significant boost in technology and healthcare, to name a few. In a few years, humans achieved what they thought would take them centuries."

"Including a small town of what the world assumed to be scary or peculiar folk. The Kurta Clan. They were quick to learn they had the highest affinity with Nen compared to regular people, and because of this, their small town was quick to grow powerful enough to rival the top Kingdoms at the time."

Isaac interrupted upon hearing this.

"Why is that?"

Monet stayed quiet for a few seconds, closing her eyes and soon snapping them open as Isaac could quickly tell the difference in her eye colour.

What was once deep blue and mesmerising, had changed to a daunting bright red.

"It's because of these. The Scarlet Eyes."

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