Chapter 122 The Horror Of Brimfield Estate [part 3]

Chapter 122 The Horror Of Brimfield Estate [part 3]

CHAPTER 121

Two figures streaked through the darkness, their movements a blur as they rushed forward with wheeling mobility.

Suddenly, their advance came to an abrupt halt as a monstrous roar tore through the forest, shattering the eerie silence.

Dread etched across their faces as they exchanged a contemplative glance.

The cloaked scout spoke first, his voice laced with apprehension.

"That must be a Bulfor. Ox-like monsters of tremendous strength. They are a terrible matchup for speed-based fighters like us."

His partner, a scarred man named Vaughn, remained silent for a few heartbeats before his gaze hardened with grim determination.

"We're going forward."

"But Vaughn," Flynn protested, "a Bulfor is a beast-rank monster. Even as Nomad ranks, challenging one seems foolish, doesn't it?"

Vaughn scowled, his jaw set.

"Headmaster Gilbert entrusted us with an important task, to witness the capabilities of the stranger who survived a Tier V rift for six months. You want us to abandon that chance because you're scared?"

Flynn frowned, averting his eyes. "I never said I was scared."

"I don't care what you said," Vaughn retorted, grabbing Flynn's shoulder in a firm grip. "Flynn. Man up. When exactly do you plan to become strong if you keep acting like a twerp?"

As Vaughn addressed him, Flynn lowered his head, his grip tightening with trembling force.

"You have an A-class talent of stealth, Flynn. I've seen the potential for true power in you these past six months that I've met you. But if you let fear grip you like this, you'll never amount to anything - just a coward."

Vaughn's words hung heavy in the air before he continued, his tone softer.

"We're going after the Bulfor. The stranger must have engaged it already. This is our chance to observe his abilities firsthand and report back to the Headmaster."

"It's not that I'm scared," Flynn murmured, but Vaughn cut him off with a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, I understand. Let's move."

As Night Terror loomed over them, its crimson flames of eyes burning into their souls, the creature suddenly froze and dissipated into a writhing vortex of black flames.

'This is so damned annoying,' Northern muttered from his vantage point on a nearby tree branch, observing with undisguised disdain as the two drifters crumbled to their knees.

Their legs were rendered useless, their backs soaked with cold sweat.

The scarred man's hands trembled uncontrollably, no matter how fiercely he gripped them—

Flynn, cloaked, stared vacantly ahead, drool and beads of sweat streaming down his jaw.

Northern regarded their pitiful forms for a few more seconds before melting back into the concealing embrace of darkness.

With deft agility, he leaped from tree to tree until a towering mansion came into view.

'This must be it,' he mused with a wry smile, landing lightly on the ground just outside the forest's edge.

As he started forward, something gave him pause, and he glanced over his shoulder at the dense treeline.

"The forest is overflowing with all manner of monsters...I hope they make it back safely," he muttered, a rare flicker of concern crossing his features.

Turning his attention to his immediate surroundings, he noted the odd absence of any hostile creatures in the area surrounding the mansion - just a sprawling expanse of low bushes. 'Weird...'

His gaze shifted between the teeming forest and the foreboding structure, a contemplative frown creasing his brow.

'Plenty of monsters lurk within those woods, yet they don't venture beyond its boundaries. Either they vastly prefer that terrain, or...' His eyes narrowed slightly as they settled on the mansion once more. 'There's something far more dangerous lying in wait inside that place.'

The memory of the rampaging Bulfors resurfaced, hardened warriors of the Red Mine Kingdom that had battled such oxen-

like monstrosities on open ground countless times.

"I've fought those ox-headed beasts extensively in the rift," Northern murmured. "While they do favor forested areas, they don't outright avoid open spaces..."

As the pieces fell into place, a wide, feral grin split his face.

"There's something stronger inside that's keeping them at bay."

With eager anticipation thrumming through his veins, Northern strode forward... perhaps, he too... would finally get some chance to show off his abilities.