"Your ability covers for extreme removals as well?"
I didn't have a quick response.
I didn't know myself.
"It seems so."
That explained why my stomach injury had healed quickly, it could only be done by having a high enough blood supply.
Walking out of the hospital, Yu Haeun and I decided to seek other people who had survived from the Main Quest.
Although, it wasn’t looking well. I had barely passed by one single person, the once-bustling city became a ghost town so fast, to me it only felt like a day had passed.
I had slept for a week.
How many people died?
I didn't want to think, if I pondered on it for too long I would feel sick to my stomach.
I was beginning to develop survivor's guilt.
"I think the settlement was this way.."
She said, looking beyond the horizon.
"Are you not able to use that ability you had before?"
"Well, we're in the city. That ability only works when we're in a type of meadow and pasture."
That makes sense, Artemis was the Greek Goddess of the wilderness, not cities like Tyche or Athena.
"Let's continue going the direction you said, and if it's wrong.. we'll have to camp somewhere else."
"Good plan."
The thumping of my shoes against the concrete resonated, and the silence was definitely immense.
I didn't seem to mind it anyways.
— 17 minutes have passed
"Ah, there's a faint path ahead."
She said, pointing it out.
"You're right, that could lead to other people."
We hurriedly followed the path which was marked by the rocks, indicating a form of a "path", since it wasn't exactly one.
At the end of the path, it lead to.. a tree?
"What? What was the point of this path—?"
"Wait."
I said, realising something.
Is this the tree of Yggdrasill? The sacred tree?
It's stated that the branches of Yggdrasill supports the heavens, whilst it's roots support Earth. Creating a cosmic balance between Heaven and Earth.
In 'Eternal Realm', the tree of Yggdrasill was used as a portal, when you enter the small opening inside the tree, you would enter in another realm.
This is where new monsters would appear for you to attack but..
We're looking for a settlement, we might not be strong enough to see the other side. I am very curious however..
"Why did you say wait?"
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
She said, pausing to wait for my answer.
"Nevermind, I thought I recognised this area."
"Actually, I'm pretty sure the settlement was beyond this tree.. it has gotten bigger the last time I saw it.."
"That's strange."
It definitely was, how could the world tree expand in size?
Could someone be living within the tree?
"Let's continue forward."
She said, bringing me back to my senses.
"Right."
We continued to walk forward.
During our walk, a sudden display window popped up.
Objective: Get into teams: Maximum amount is 5
Time Limit: 1 day
Reward: 10 coins
I gulped nervously.
"Get into teams? Isn't this easy..?"
"Yeah, want to get into teams?"
"Of course, let's also try to find 3 other people to get a full team!"
"Alright.."
I wasn't nervous about
This quest was based on the guild system..
You would have to battle another guild and steal the other's flag and return it to your base to win.
"You should be the team captain, Myo-nim."
"Huh? Me?"
I pointed at myself, shocked at her proposal.
"You led me pretty well when we were trapped in that house, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have known what to do."
I felt pretty flattered but embarrassed.
"Wow, you're welcome?"
I don't know how to take compliments very well.
"You're welcome! Don't put yourself down too much."
She wholeheartedly laughed, which actually soothed me.
She's a great friend.
—12 minutes had passed
"I see it ahead! Let's see if there's anyone there—"
"Hang on."
I paused, the air felt different the moment I had seen the camp.
A sense of dread washed over me.
"Do you see that?"
She shook her head, and I pointed towards the house.
"There's blood splattered on the windows."
I watched her expression drastically change, she nodded.
"What should we do then?"
"Stay alert, whoever caused this could still be here."
We walked calmly towards the house, being overly aware of our surroundings.
"Wait—can't their blood be used for you?"
She whispered, to which I replied back shocked.
"They could, but why would you suggest that—?"
"It's for you to live, it's survival of the fittest after all."
I sighed greatly, but she was right. I needed that to survive from now on.
Slowly, we made it inside the house. I locked the door behind us and we searched the house for any clues, but mostly for supplies.
I checked the drawer inside the kitchen and found.. a 6* BOW?
The bow was golden with vines wrapped around it, it pricked me slightly and caused an aching sensation. The yellow and green colour blended well together, and the bow looked aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
This might fit Yu-nim.
"Yu-nim, I need you down here!"
"Hold up, I'm trying to get something.."
After a while, she came back down with clothes.
"Why were you getting clothes?"
"Have you not seen your own clothes? They're covered in blood."
I looked down at myself.
She was right..
I sheepishly looked back up at her gaze.
"So, have any complaints?"
She folded her arms.
"No ma'am."
I took the clothes from her.
"Right, why did you call me down?"
"Oh, I found this 6* weapon and it's a bow. I figured you could use this as a replacement."
"Sure, ?ρτεμι? was adamant on taking this bow."
She took the bow from the drawer, replacing it with her previous bow.
"This material feels nice, thanks for handing it to me."
"You're welcome."
"I'll continue checking downstairs, go change upstairs."
She said, walking out of the kitchen into the living room.
I headed upstairs, with every step creaking.
Inside the bedroom, I went to change but—
It was only then I realised the outfit choice.
.. Why does it feel like Yu Haeun wants me to dress as a vampire?
The long coat was dark and elegant, in the shade of black and purple. Underneath the coat, was a blouse with the collar high up the neck. The trousers were tightly-fitted, and it also came with a cape.
Are we seriously trying to make me dress as a vampire?
I sighed heavily, taking off my blazer.
I decided to mix up the outfit, putting on the long coat and the tightly-fitted trousers but I kept my current blouse.
I glanced over at the mirror.
.. I look so plain and exactly like a vampire.
A loud crash shook the room I was in, it sounded like it came from downstairs.
My shoes heaved on the steps as I rushed down the flight of stairs.
"Calm down—!"
I witnessed Yu Haeun shielding herself with the bow I just had given her.
Two blades clashed against the bow and the owner of it was.. an extremely handsome individual.
His face seemed to be from a different realm compared to the world now, he was so handsome that I would regret if I ever grazed his face. His features felt etched on, how could someone have such a sharp jawline? I couldn't take my eyes off him. His hair parted slightly with the colour of sepia gleaming brightly, and the strands flowed with every move he made, framing his face in perfection.
His eyes were carved from a precious jewel, the colour of aureate radiated brightly like the sun, it was irresistibly charming with how sharp his gaze was. Compared to his looks, his glance felt calculating and yet drew me in further.
He was an elusive beauty.
He would definitely break the determined beauty standard in Korea, in any country— Wait. He's fighting against Yu Haeun?!
"Any help here Myo-nim?!"
She continued to clash weapons and she gradually managed to turn her body enough to kick him into the wall.
I rushed down to pick up Yu Haeun.
"What happened?"
I asked, carrying her arm.
"There was a secret passage from the living room that I had discovered and checked out. When I returned, this person was stood strangely in the middle!"
She said, inhaling heavily.
"I asked him where he came from and out of nowhere he charged at me!"
I glanced over towards him and he gradually picked himself up from the wall.
"How did you two manage to survive
He said, in a lowered voice.
"We shouldn't tell him, he's not trust-worthy..!"
She whispered in my ear.
"We both killed 50 Monsters from the portals that spawned across the city."
I said, examining him further.
Yu Haeun looked at me dumbfounded.
The silence could be sliced by a knife with how tense the situation felt.
"Who are you?"
I asked, plainly out of curiosity but to test a theory.
"Smart, but I'm not stupid."
He smirked with a playful expression.
"Is this going to be a two versus one? How.. gross.."
Yu Haeun began to approach but I put my hand out in front of her.
"It'll just be us two." I stated calmly, "Yu-nim, supply me with you know what."
She nodded, and quickly scurried outside.
"Just us two now, don't act so cocky."
I grinned widely, to which he squinted his eyes in disgust.
"Another over arrogant fool? I've seen enough already."
He rolled his eyes, smugly folding his arms.
He's already starting to piss me off.