Chapter 75 Hope In Desolation

Chapter 75 Hope In Desolation

In a hauntingly desolate landscape, the remnants of a once-proud civilization lay in ruins.

The castle, now but a crumbling shell of its former glory stood as a solemn testament to the passage of time and the devastating aftermath of a cataclysmic event.

Its walls, once sturdy and majestic now cracked and weathered bearing the scars of the disaster from time past.

Even though barely standing, towering turrets stretched into the embrace of the grey sky. Despite the castle's state, it's architecture evoked an amazing sense of grandeur.

Beneath the castle wall, was a cluster of settlement, equally given to the disaster, the terrain was fractured in several areas, some buildings were without roofs, many more were abandoned... perhaps because of the darkness that looms there.

Closer to the base of the castle wall, a people could be seen, going about their activities.

It was like every fantasy city, only with a significant touch of a post apocalyptic event.

The people wore ragged clothes, and sold skewered monster meat. Others just sat on the floor, displaying not-too-attractive items for sale, with desperate expressions to sell on their faces.

Tents torn and sewn together from flags could be seen nestled here and there and some group of people actually lived there.

Entering there castle wall, more tents and makeshift shelter built from woods decorated the compound.

A wide staircase from the point of the castle compound led to a large door with intricate patterns that barricaded the interior of the castle.

And in the castle, a bustling community thrived, defying the odds of the post-apocalyptic world.

The once abandoned halls and courtyards now teemed with activity, revealing the resilience of the human spirit.

Each structure bore the marks of resourcefulness and adaptation, a testament to the survivors' determination to create a sanctuary in this harsh reality.

Within this improvised settlement, life pulsed with a quiet vibrancy.

Children played in the shadowed corners, their laughter echoing through the corridors. Groups of people gathered, sharing meals and stories, finding solace and camaraderie in their shared struggles.

Stalls and tables were set up, displaying an array of meager goods. The air was filled with the scent of cooking fires and the lively chatter of bartering, as the survivors inside the castle traded what little they had managed to salvage or scavenge—although with a better expression than those of the outer settlement.

Gilbert nodded at the boy, giving him the permission to sit. Then he turned around to the lady closest to him on his right.

Annette sighed and stood up, nonchalantly gulping down her throat for a couple of seconds before she talked.

"Well, its just as the little guy said... except that there was no survivors." Her eyes creased with seriousness, her voice almost trembled as she added after a breath. "It was a tier IV gate."

Immediately all of them in the table widened their eyes.

Even the scarlet eyed girl who had remained expressionless frowned slightly.

Gilbert could not contain the shock of realizing it.

Of course they had expected something of such, in fact more. But after interacting with the survivors that were barely keeping themselves together somethings were made clear and Gilbert began to think... 'maybe the situation is not as dire as we think it is'

Six months ago, a large group of students suddenly found themselves in the heart of a desolate city, headless monsters, with neck ending in sharp jagged teeth racing towards them with vicious hunger.

The students were left in the heart of danger and were forced to fight for their lives.

That was the stage where some people made a distinct name and reputation for themselves.

When all of them fell apart in dread and horror, a single lady suddenly stood out, endlessly fighting the monsters without saying a word.

She protected as many as she could why they wall cried and shook like babies. Seeing her resilience despite their stupidity began to light the flames of resolve in others.

With her at the forefront, the students were eventually able to break through the horde of savage rank monsters—which wasn't hard considering that they were all drifters—and encountered a refugee settlement of some sort.

Upon reaching the settlement they encountered Gilbert, Annette and a twin ladies who also got transported according to them—against their knowledge.

Gilbert led an interaction with the survivors of the dark continent whom miraculously had been surviving for over thirty years now.

The stories he heard... wowed him and gave him hope.

Perhaps, they could save the dark continent and rid it of monsters.