Chapter 42: Appearing In The Wrong Dimension At The Wrong Time

"Alright everyone, gather around here, don't stray far from the line. If not, you would be eaten by monsters," Hans warned.

"Hey, stop saying jokes like that," Gordon reprimanded his friend as he fixed his gaze on the line of children standing at the entrance of the Cromwell Barony.

His gaze lingered longer on his daughter, who was standing close to an indifferent Nyx.

'I thought she would back down...but to think she'd somehow pull through the physical training.' Gordon felt proud as he looked at his daughter. 'I guess my little granddaughter has really grown up. I knew it was the right decision for her to get close to Nyx.'

A month had passed since the children of the town started training seriously. The elders of the town had thought most of them would give up along the way, but they were wrong.

No one gave up!

And now they were getting ready to head towards the holy mountain range to awaken their class. The holy mountain was a place in the northern side of the Vermilion kingdom. It was home to several statues of the patron god of each class.

Every year, parents visited the holy mountain with their children, hoping they would awaken a class. Thus, the place was always crowded.

'It would get even more crowded.' Hans looked at the faces of the eager 40 kids who couldn't wait to awaken their class. 'I just hope the gods answer all of their prayers.'

"Wow! What's that?"

"How is it flying without wings?"

Just then, a shadow covered everyone, and looking up, they could see a long flying carriage. But this carriage didn't have any horses or wings; it was just like a bus back on Earth. The main difference was that there was a shiny crystal embedded in the body.

These crystals were beast cores. For the likes of Nyx and Serena, who had hunted monsters before, they were very familiar with it. It was these beast cores that were powering the flying carriage.

(Beast cores are used for crafting weapons and armors. The mana inside could also act as a power source like fuel.)

"Hmmm, it seems Baron Nathan really went all out this time. To rent these carriages for a day costs dozens of gold coins," a guard said to his friend.

"Yeah, these things are only used in the capital, and you know almost everybody in the capital is rich...maybe not everybody, but you get my point."

Under Gordon and Hans' guidance, the children started to board the flying carriage. Because of the recent activity of beasts coming close to the living area, Nathan had decided to stay behind to help out in case of an emergency.

Although the carriages were small on the outside, the inside was relatively large and could fit hundreds of people. This was due to the use of spatial runes.

A while later, the carriage rose to the sky and flew north.

"And that's my cue to leave as well," Nox, standing on the walls of the Barony, thought to himself.

Before heading inside the dimension, Nox wanted to make some preparations.

'I need a mask. Grandpa said these dimensions are usually owned by cities or large organizations. I need to keep my identity a secret if I want to be jumping from dimension to dimension.'

Nox walked through the cobblestone street. Even though he had been busy training with Eve, he still made sure to train Fluffington and Thirteen sometimes. Hence, his experience points had increased a little.

[80/225]

'It's still a bit far from leveling me up.'

In the crowded market district filled with people, Nox finally arrived at a store that was selling weapons, armors, and other equipment crafted for battle. The shelves were filled with myriads of weapons ranging from swords, glaives, bows, and arrows. On one side, there were lots of wooden dummies adorned with armor.

Nox wasn't interested in any of this; his gaze scanned around.

Just some minutes later, he saw what he was looking for. Searᴄh the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

A shelf filled with helmets and masks.

Quickly, he went to that shelf and started looking. There were different types of masks on the shelf, ranging from plain-looking ones to scary, heavy-looking ones.

Nox contemplated for a while and chose one of them. The mask he chose was dark in color with slits for eyes, nose, and mouth. On the mouth, though, fangs jutted out, and a single horn protruded from the top of the head.

'It looks a bit demonic and devilish, but if the effect the system says here is true, then it's the best thing I need.'

Item: [Mask of the Hound (Legendary Tier)]

Description: [A mask that allows the wearer to project any desired level, shrouding their true strength in mystery. It emanates an aura of fear, causing unease and dread in onlookers.]

[Lore: Crafted from an unknown material and etched with ancient symbols, the Mask of the Hound was once worn by a legendary hunter who became a myth. Those who crossed his path were left in perpetual terror, unable to discern his true power. Legends suggest the mask was forged in the Abyss by beings that thrive on fear and deception.]

'The fear and mysterious effect would really be useful. People are scared of the unknown. With this mask, people won't make trouble with me like that...I hope.'

Nox didn't think the mask alone would keep him out of trouble. He kept this in mind and tried to come up with plans in his head in case he got into trouble with anyone.

What shocked him again was the mask's ability to hide and project whatever level the owner wants others to see.

Nox subconsciously stopped and looked at the mask and then at the salesman. The man had noticed him and was approaching him.

'Should I steal it?' Nox was really tempted.

"I was planning on auctioning it too," the man smiled. "But I started having second thoughts. It seems you really like this mask, little Nox?"

"G-good day, Uncle Damian." Nox greeted politely; after all, this man was Rab's father, the same boy he had stepped in to save.

"Good day to you too. Since it's you, I'll sell the mask to you at a cheaper price. Though I'm certain I'd have gotten half a fortune from it," Damian said. This was his way of repaying the kid who had stepped up for his son.

Even though it pained him, Damian had to do it.

Besides, by now, everyone in the town already knew that Nox, the boy who loves his town with all his heart, had first among his peer group awakened a class.

'Even though I bought it at an expensive price from that hooded man, I know he would make good use of this mask, and knowing this kid, it would definitely benefit the Barony.'

Nox didn't act like the typical protagonist who would insist the other person keep it. He readily accepted it while thanking Damian.

After paying for the ridiculously expensive mask from the money he stole—borrowed—from his grandfather, Nox left the shop.

At the same time, a hooded middle-aged man was riding out of the gates of the Cromwell Barony on a strong-looking horse.

'That man, I thought there would be lots of treasure in his inventory. For the Union to put such a bounty price on his head, I guess I was wrong. All he had with him was that mask.' The man thought. When he was very far from the Barony, the hood fell off his face, revealing an Elven man with lustrous white skin.

"Selling it in this backwater town was the best decision. Since I can't destroy it, that way those disgusting vermin would never find it."

***

Cromwell Manor.

Inside Nox's room.

After locking his door, Nox retrieved the dimension key from his inventory. As he wished to activate the key, a holographic keyhole appeared before him. Following his instincts, he inserted the key into the hole and spun it.

Spark! Spark!

When he did this, several sparks coalesced in the air before a golden double door appeared.

Taking a couple of deep breaths, Nox pushed the door open and stepped inside.

When he stepped inside, Nox instinctively knew he was no longer in his room because the scenery had changed. The ground was a mixture of brown and orange as if it had been burnt, the sky was grey, and the atmosphere was noticeably hot. Even the trees here were brown as if they were withering, but they were not dead. In fact, this was the natural state of the plants in this dimension.

To be safe, he set his level at 100 thanks to the function of the mask.

'That would scare lots of people.' He grinned mischievously.

Just then, he heard loud chatter in the distance. Looking in that direction, Nox saw a line of people who were pouring beast cores on the counter, and the person on the other side would proceed to count it.

The people seemed well-coordinated, though there were some loud shouting matches from time to time and a few scuffles, but the process continued unhindered.

However, looking at them, Nox found something strange about these beings.

"They look so big, bigger than normal people, or is it because I'm looking from this far?" Nox mused as he approached the crowd of people.

When he got closer, his eyes squinted.

He could now see the people clearly.

"They're not people?" Nox's eyes widened in realization. "T-they... they're... what are they?"