Chapter 96: [In these Shadows!]

[Location: ???]In a space filled with darkness, there were black goo-like beings walking around the area. If not for the countless stars in the sky that illuminated the area a bit, one couldn't even see himself in that area. And living in such an environment, were these beings that had no form or shape.

Even though they were formless, this did not mean that they didn't posees intelligence. In fact, they were as intelligent as any other being in the universe. And had powers that one could never imagine in their worst nightmares. Just that their motives and will to do anything were nonexistent.

Though not all were like that…

In that area, there was a place containing runes of a forgotten kingdom. Broken down walls and a large empty hall with no roof at its top. On one of its edges, there was a singular throne present, signifying that this big hall was a throne room from a past age.

Though rather than being empty, there sat a being on that throne with his head resting against his hand. Even though his figure was human-like, he had no eyes to see, no ears to hear, and no mouth to speak with.

His entire body was made up black goo, covering from top to bottom, as he faced towards the incoming miniature goblin like goos towards him.

Even though these beings can take any form possible, the form they chose in the end was that was much more similar to humans and other bipeds. And even though they simply wandered around the world without any will of any form, today was a bit different from the others.

Those miniature goblin-like beings walked towards the human-like goo and spoke in a voice that wasn't human at all. Instead of talking, it seemed more as screeching or screaming.

"We bear news," the goblin-like goo screeched as he looked at the one sitting on a throne. Though seeming uninterested, the human-like goo, observed that goblin for a few seconds as he continued.

"A rift was found at the edge of the world. A rift to the tower."

And then, the 'eyes' of that human-like goo opened, showing a white hollow emptiness. He observed those miniature goblin-like goos, who seemed to be smiling with a deep grin that literally reached from one ear to another.

"Is it still open? The tower doesn't likes our presence," that human-like being spoke with interest as he looked at that goblin-like being, though all he got in answer was,

"A strange energy from the Tower. Blocked our path. The tower closed the rift itself."

The human-like being's smile dampened a bit but then he smiled as he then stood up as he spoke,

"Do not worry. We will wait for our chance. How is the corruption energy report?"

"We have been leaking our energy into the tower much more than before. It won't be long before we could send at least one of us into the tower itself. Kekekeke… the day that the tower is ours, isn't far," that goblin-like goo screeched as he laughed, making others around him laugh as well.

As the others heard screeching, they too began screeching out loud before the entire area began laughing madly, enough to shake the entire place. As for the Human-like goo, he had a wide smile on his face,

"Soon. I will be able to reclaim what's rightfully mine."

And then he too began laughing in a screeching voice as well.

…

[Alice's POV!]

"….mmmm… what time it is… "

Hearing the sleepy voice of Alex, my eyes slowly opened as I woke up from my dreams. A single tear trickled down my cheeks, as I dreamt of spending a vacation with my family. As I woke up, I wiped my tears before stretching a little.

"…awaaah… hmmm? Adrian?" I mumbled as I rubbed my eyes with a refreshing yawn and then saw that he wasn't there. There was a small artifact present at the bottom of the floor, which made me look at its description.

[Item: Safety Room!

Grade: E

Effects: Creates an illusionary empty room that hides all those present in the room. And if the being somehow ends up passing the detection of the artifact, it breaks up creating a loud sound, alarming everyone in the room!]

A smile appeared on my face as I let the item keep functioning before picking up my secondary weapon, my sword, and began walking outside the room. Adrian must have gone to do something important if he really had to leave.

'Though I wonder what he is upto? Always acting so mysterious,' I pondered as I felt a bit hungry. I think the kitchen was somewhere on the left side of the castle.

Walking towards the kitchen, I suddenly started feeling a chill covering my entire body. The more I walked closer the more I felt 'scared' of that place.

'Something is there,' I was pretty sure. Something ugly. Something super strong. My entire being was asking me to run away from here, but I was also worried that if I were to leave that as it is, I won't be able to sleep in this castle ever again.

"Alice," a voice called me out, making a turn around, only to find a familiar face in front of me. A girl with similar hair and facial features as mine. Even though there were some differences, we were still similar looking to be called sisters.

"Evelin," I called her out as well.

I met Evelin in this tutorial. We happened to come across each other as soon as the tutorial started, and somehow we were banded together until we reached the city gate.

She was strong, and extremely skilled with her crossbow. If I were to fight against her, then I probably have to go all out, and I still don't think I can't win against her. I felt like the main difference between us was our experience with our weapons and how we handle our surroundings.

Was she a crossbow user before the apocalypse? People did like to hunt for sport even before that so it's not exactly a surprising thing.

Though anyways, I found Evelin pretty trustable and reliable. If we were in the same school, we could have even been best friends.

"Will you go in there?" Evelin got directly to the point, and hearing her words I turned serious as well. Turning towards the kitchen, I narrowed my eyes again as I spoke,

"I want to but my instincts are screaming to run away."

It was an honest answer. And it seems like Evelin agrees to it as well.

"We are planning to leave this castle at dawn. Though we need to confirm it with our strategist first. While we don't take strangers in our group, I think it would be fine to take you with us," she proposed her idea to me, while I kind of agreed with her.

"I was planning to stick around but looking at that… I don't think I will be able to stay here for long. I would love to travel with you but will it be alright if three more people join us? They are pretty reliable as well. Though… I kind of need to confirm with my strategist as well."

"Sure. As long as they aren't a burden to the group, it's fine. Just ask them not to be too curious about us," Evelin spoke and I smiled at her before nodding.

"I'll be going then. I wonder when that guy will return… the group is getting anxious the more we are in the castle," she mumbled as left from there which made me think of the same thing.

'I wonder when Adrian will return. I, too, don't want to stay here for long,' I sighed as I once again took a peek at the kitchen wondering what kind of monsters are in there. Hopefully I will never get to know them. Sёarᴄh the NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

…

[Adrian's POV!]

'I wonder if I can introduce Alice and Boss's group to the corrupted ones? They can surely get much stronger with them,' I pondered this thought before putting it to the back of my mind.

For now, let's focus on the issue at hand.

[I was going to ask you to save that Admin later, anyway. Though for now, it would be better for you to increase your strength. You aren't strong enough to handle it. Later you will not only save that admin, you can even bring him to Nora.]

The message was still floating in the air, attracting the attention of everyone present here. Though after a few seconds it vanished by itself before I turned to girl sitting just beside me,

"Hey. Who are these guys? They look really strong," I asked Annabeth in a low voice,  as she came out of her stupor and observed me.

Then recalling something, she answered,

"Ah! Crowley, this is our leader, Seat 1. And beside him are seat 2 and seat 4, respectively. Remember 3 went to call some people for help? It's them."

I was really surprised. I expected that the guy in front of me was really strong but I didn't expect for the leader himself to come into the tutorial to meet me.

"That's… fast," I mumbled as I saw that leader guy observing me from top to bottom before giving out a kind smile as he answered,

"Firstly I would like you to thank you for saving my friends from dying. If there is anything I can do for you in return please ask away. And secondly, I thank you for what you have done for 11. She no longer needs to restrict herself to the lower floors, and given she is much stronger than before, in a way you have increased our firepower at least by 100% of not more."

He bowed politely before speaking,

"I have heard you can make changes to the system itself. If it's not too much, and if I can be a bit shameless then, can I ask you of two favous? It's something that our life depends upon and something that is like a knife to our throat. If you can do that then I and my entire group will forever be in your debt."

I tilted my head slightly in confusion before asking,

"What do you want?"

And then his next words shocked me a little.

"I… have actually made a deal with a devil."