Chapter 23, The Arrival in a Place Down Below

Chapter 23, The Arrival in a Place Down Below

The full trip took two hours in total. George wished hed brought a book and Sam wished that Craig would stop boasting about all the high-level monsters hed defeated. Although it was against protocol, the two siblings had tried to pry information out of Craig several times, specifically about what the need for all this was, though they were always met with uncharacteristic silence.

Things only got stranger when they eventually arrived at their destination. George didnt recognize it at first and Sam, who didnt have clearance to know much about it (especially not what it looked like) didnt know what she was looking at all.

The Other Island. A large island-prison containing all intelligent humans and humanoids that had been recovered alive from the portals. Most of these Otherworlders were soldiers or army officers or sorcerers.

The highest-levelled Otherworlder to have been recovered alive had a stunning level of 287. Far from the highest Fighter, but impressive nonetheless, considering that he didnt have a system to guide him. As a matter of fact, no recovered Otherworlders did.

Except one. Though, at this moment, George knew nothing about that, and neither did Sam.

Right now, all they knew was that something was really odd.

The Black Tiger T-6 landed in the empty courtyard outside the prison, and Craig hopped off several seconds before it had even settled down properly. Once Sam and George got off it, alongside a whole cavalcade of Fighters and guards, they were led into the prison.

-I was asked to ask you if youve read up on the whole things-you-shouldnt-do list that you got in the first letter, Craig said. Well, uh, didja? This is actually really important, I think. See, Im not allowed to say a lot on this whole subject cuz its top-secret and all, but if you dont follow those rules, something bads gonna happen. Im not sure how bad, but even with the grand Me here, the situation probably wouldnt be resolved too easily. Ya get me?

George and Sam shared a glance. They had read the guidelines, sure, but in all honesty, they had already forgotten it all.

...Okay, uh, yeah. Here, Craig said, retrieving a pair of papers from inside his armour to hand to them. They each accepted one. Just read them while we walk. Itll be a while until we get all the way down.

That was somewhat ominous. Though, neither Sam nor George were in any place to argue. Their hearts were already beating at a steady but quick pace, tattling on the fact that this whole situation was getting to them in more ways than one. It wasnt just the high-level Fighter and it wasnt just the location and it wasnt just how strange everything was. It was also their steadily rising anxiety, their slight fear at what might be wrong. This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

They descended deeper, down flights of stairs and through locked doors. While they had times of rest, standing in elevators, both Sam and George took the time to read the little slips of paper Craig had given them.

1, Do not doubt his identity.

The one and only, Darius replied, a shy smile flitting over his thick lips. Now, before we enter the observation room, I would like to introduce you both to Frank Gorda, the highest levelled Fighter in the world. Samantha - may I call you Sam? - Considering the available records, you see his level as a collection of triple-question marks, dont you? Sam replied in the affirmative to both statements. -Yes, well, Craig, would you be so kind as to inform us of what his level is?

Yes, sir. His species is human, and his level is 637, Craig replied, his voice and tone actually somewhat formal for once. As if he actually respected his superiors.

The man spoken of, Frank, retreated further behind Darius, his ears turning a hot pink. Thanks to his minuscule size, he was able to hide behind the larger man with stunning ease.

If youre wondering why youve never heard of him, we have three distinct reasons, Darius said. Firstly, allowing his existence to become public knowledge could cause great hassle if the world were to be invaded on a large scale by intelligent monsters or Otherworlders. Secondly, due to his appearance, he wouldnt make for such a good mascot as the current Strongest Fighter, Juha Hkkinen. And, thirdly Frank is not a social man. Are you, Franky?

Franks eyes seemed to swim in terror.

-And why should we be allowed to meet such a man? George asked wisely. After all, those three reasons, although the second two were rather superficial, were true. He had never heard of this man before.

Darius eyes narrowed slightly, his pupils darkening in the red light. Follow me.

They did.

They followed him through a final winding hall, stopped beside a final door, and entered. Craig and the other guards remained outside while Darius, Frank and the two siblings entered. The room was dark, filled with screens and buttons and had the distinct feeling of high-tech in every aspect.

But the most eye-catching part of the room, the one half that pulled their gazes like moths to a flame, was the wall facing them as they entered. A large, glass screen, embedded into the wall.

And inside that fixture, they saw something very strange. No, someone very strange.

A man larger than any bodybuilder, his eyes hazy and focused on a piece of paper he was pouring out over, his ham-like fists flying over it, painting bold lines in black ink.

Divine Human, Lv.???