Chapter 20: Explore The Portal

[Ding! New Quest]

Quest Description: [Explore the Portal!]

Rewards: [ Instant Level up; Plus one random Item.]

'Explore the portal?' Nox mused, his gaze on the flickering screen in front of him. Although he didn't know what lay on the other side of the portal, he was very tempted to accept the quest because the rewards were just that bountiful.

"Okay, enough adventuring for today. Let's return to Grandpa," Nyx spoke, turning her back and ready to leave the vicinity.

Nox gritted his teeth, pacing back and forth as he wondered, 'Dammit, how do I convince her?'

He knew how firm Nyx was when she made a decision... it was very difficult to change her mind. But he didn't want to miss this opportunity. If he did, Nox would certainly cry himself to sleep knowing he had missed a whole level increase!

Contrary to other classes, a level was very important. Not only did it promise an increase in his taming capacity, but also an additional skill slot!

Right now, he only had two choices: follow Nyx or dash into the portal... and face the consequences later.

Nox hesitated, considering his two options... he was about to go with the second option. However, someone beat him to it.

"Sister!" Serena called out with trembling hands, causing Nyx to wonder what was making her react like that.

"T-this is a dimensional rif!" Serena stuttered. "Remember Doombringer? Uncle Nathan found it inside one. According to my papa, these rifts are so important that they could cause nations to go to war over the valuable treasures one can obtain from them."

Serena began to explain everything she knew about the dimensional rift, leaving Nox stunned; even Nyx's stoic expression crumbled as she glanced at the portal, wondering if everything Serena said was true.

If it was... a greedy glint flashed in her beautiful eyes. If she could get her hands on the treasures inside, she could significantly help her mother, Grandpa, and everyone in the Cromwell Barony.

After weighing the pros and cons, Nyx was on the fence. What if the monsters on the other side were stronger? She knew very well that there was no free lunch; everything had a price in this world.

Seeing her thoughtful expression, Nox decided to coax her a little. Even though he was known as the mischievous boy in the Barony, he also had sides that only a few knew:

... Manipulation.

He moved closer to her... Nox's heart ached because he was about to use his sister for his own selfish interests; he was willing to do it regardless. Among everyone, he was the only one that knew firsthand how dangerous this world was. To survive, he needed strength, even if it was at the cost of doing some immoral things.

"Nyx," he held her hand, staring into her eyes. Nyx frowned; she wanted to swat his hand away but instead listened to what he had to say.

"I promise you, we'll be right by your side. We'll face whatever dangers are in there together. And think of Serena's words - this could be a chance to change our lives, to make a real difference in the barony. Besides, I'm very strong now. Are you really willing to pass that up?"

"Is this my stupid brother speaking?" Nyx blurted out her thoughts, looking at Nox as if he had been possessed.

"What do you mean?" Nox let go of her hand. "Are you trying to say I can't say something like this?"

"Yes... you're very stupid and reckless. Does this have to do with the new class?"

"Maybe, maybe not," Nox simply shrugged. "But anyway, what do you say?"

Nyx looked at Serena and saw that even the scaredy-cat wanted to go, so she finally made her decision.

"Okay, let's explore the portal!"

"That's my sister!" Nox jumped and was about to hug her, but a voice as cold as ice stopped him.

"Don't even think of hugging me with your smelly body."

"I don't smell. You're the one who stinks," Nox retorted. "Serena, do I stink?"

"No, you smell lovely, like fragrance. It makes me nervous every time you come close to me."

"Huh?"

"Come on, let's just head into the portal now."

***

A few seconds after the three kids had gone through the portal, a man with bushy beards and thin eyes, wearing a suspicious blue robe that was kept in good condition, emerged from the bushes.

"A dimensional rift!" He exclaimed in shock. He had been hunting inside the forest when he noticed the strange energy fluctuation.

Who would have thought it was a goldmine!

A city could flourish just by having a dimensional portal in its territory!

"I must report to the Duke. He'll be so happy and would certainly reward me," the man thought as he dashed towards the opposite direction of the Cromwell Barony... towards the Armstrong Duchy, the Duke of the western region!

***

[You have entered a Dimension Rift]

This was the message that greeted the three kids immediately as they entered the portal; for a moment, they lost their vision and sense of smell momentarily.

Nox had initially thought this was the natural state of the dimension until clarity returned.

"I-It's beautiful," Serena, Nox, and Nyx exclaimed with amazement as they witnessed the sight in front of them.

The group had found themselves in a mysterious realm of floating islands numbering in the thousands. The air here was heavy with an otherworldly energy, and the thousands of islands seemed to drift aimlessly, as if suspended by an invisible force.

Below the islands, there was a thick haze so dense that it made it impossible to see the ground. It gave the impression that the islands were adrift in a sea of clouds.

Nox narrowed his eyes; he could somehow see that the islands were linked by thick, sturdy chains. The haze made it very difficult to see, however.

If his guess was correct, they would have to walk on the chains to navigate from island to island.

"We're not in a hurry, though. Besides, we still have this island we're on to explore—"

"Arg!!!!!!" A piercing scream suddenly interrupted Nox's inner monologue.

Nox's heart sped up when he heard that familiar scream. He quickly turned around, and what he saw left him stunned to the point he couldn't even breathe.

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