Chapter 15: | Outside?
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I squinted.
For real, this gate is really for real, right?
I was shocked.
The gate was made of unknown metal, it was not adamantite or mithril, the metals known as the strongest in my homeworld.
I saw it.
Carvings.
Engravings of a majestic being, a singular Whark with the visage of an Emperor.
Its maw was directed at something, a sphere.
How crazy.
So this Emperor is challenging the heavens?
The world?
It wants to devour the sun?
Maybe the world itself.
I couldn't help but admire its visage, to be this unbridled, to be this unhinged, to dare challenge the world even if it means death.
Admiration.
I admire these types of beings that carve their destiny, and I want to be one of them.
I clenched my maw as my blood boiled just by thinking about me defying the world.
Liora just let out an amused laugh.
"It seems that this guy is the very Emperor of the Wharks of this world. But a pity that it died too early."
I couldn't help but agree with her, as I knew and felt it deep inside me, that the seat of the Emperor was empty.
Liora just snickered and slapped my back.
"But you could just replace it and be the Emperor once you're at Tier 10, couldn't you?"
I nodded at her remark.
It was my plan, and anyone that dares to block my way would be devoured.
Liora hummed.
And I could hear her heavenly voice echo, more beautiful than that of a siren.
I smirked.
Based on what she said earlier, Liora doesn't seem to aspire to become the Emperor.
It was weird.
Liora noticed my confusion.
Her smile faded, as if she knew my question.
"You're asking me, based on your expression, why I don't aspire to become the Emperor of our race, right?"
She sighed.
"Well, it's a long story. I've been born long, long ago in a world called Starim as a Whark with the destiny to lead our race. The Oracle proclaimed me as the ruler. But only when I ascended to the ranks of Emperorhood did they find out that the blood of Wharks inside me was extremely diluted."
Liora let out a pained expression.
"After the Council of Elders, no, those old fogeys, after they found that out, their support for me was revoked. And another Oracle appeared, saying that a new Emperor had been born."
"You know what happened after that? They tried everything in their power to kill me."
"And the rest was history."
Amused, I let out a smile.
Another world, huh?
It seems that the existence of Liora is more interesting than I had expected.
Then, without warning.
Liora threw a stone toward the massive gate.
Then.
CREAAK!
BOOOOM!
The gate opened dramatically.
Where did she get those stones from?
More importantly, how does she know the mechanism of this door?
Perhaps she sneaked out of the cavern a few days ago when the presence stationed here was gone.
That was the only viable explanation.
How could she fight an opponent as strong as that with her delicate and curvy body?
It's not like she has some kind of overpowered bloodline or divine artifact or something.
So that's the only feasible explanation.
---
It's been a few minutes since we came out from the cavern.
The sight before me was mystifying.
The kelp swayed, dancing in unseen currents.
Beneath me, vast valleys stretched across the ocean floor.
Then.
Massive coral formations stood tall, as natural monoliths rose toward the surface.
And beyond them.
Mountain peaks.
Towering, covered in patches of luminescent flora, glowed softly across the currents.
This scenery was far more magnificent than the ones I saw in the cavern.
Liora smiled.
"I couldn't help but laugh at your sight."
She giggled.
"You're like a country bumpkin gawking at the scenery of the capital. How intriguing."
I snorted. Stop bothering me and mind your business.
Liora's voice echoed softly.
"Please stop acting like a country bumpkin and have some dignity. I couldn't care less that the future Emperor of our race would show such a side."
But then her voice turned serious.
She pointed south.
"There. I feel like something is tugging me, telling me to go there. It's as if our Providence is calling us toward the south."
"But what could it be? There shouldn't be anything special about this world, since it's only been a few thousand years since it was integrated into the Dimensional Record."
She caressed her chin.
"But perhaps heading there would be beneficial for both of us, since we don't have a destination in mind."
I smirked.
I wonder what fortune would await us there?
Perhaps an inheritance I've only heard about?
The remains of an Emperor?
Or a spiritual herb that can enhance my appearance?
I couldn't help but ponder the possibilities.
I let out a sigh.
Haaaa.
I pity Liora for her experience.
But now, since she's my sister born from the same race, I should take care of her, right?
Since that's the common sense.
Now, I don't care about her knowledge, her past, or how long she's lived.
As of right now, she's my sister, and I, Alister Von Fai, shall protect her.
Through life and death.
May death do us part, as I shall protect you without failure.
Gliding through the currents.
My form cut through the water as I rapidly moved, heading south.
The kelp parted as I swam past towering peaks.
---
Hours passed.
It seems that we have arrived at our destination.
I felt my destiny calling me, down, down that trench, and to delve deeper right there.
Only then would I find my fortune.
My gaze swept across the massive expanse below.
It was the size of an entire continent, I couldn't see the end of it.
And there, there it was, the trench.
Liora giggled, pointing downward.
"Look over there at that mound. Do you know what that is?"
I shook my head.
Liora giggled.
"That's the nest of the crabs, and there, deep inside their mound, lays their queen."
Then she gestured toward the trench.
"And over there... that trench is where our Providence calls us."
She turned to me, smirking.
"So what shall we do?"
"Shall we recklessly charge into the abyss, or perhaps ascend to Tier 10 first by invading the nest of the crabs?"
I didn't answer her questions.
Accel Dash.
Accel Dash.
My body blurred.
I let out a smirk.
Phantom Shift.
Accel Dash.
My body shifted as I repositioned myself behind it.
But then.
Crack!
PAIN.
A sharp impact slammed into my chin.
I reeled back, my instincts screaming.
Damn it!
If not for Apex Reflex allowing me to move my head at the last moment…
Perhaps I would've met Elara.
This thing that looked like a shrimp was extremely powerful.
Be it in speed or firepower.
Then.
Liora leaped off my back and gracefully landed on a rock.
Giggling.
"It seems that you've finally met your match."
I ignored her ramblings.
My focus was on the creature before me.
Its claws.
Menacingly sharp.
Dripping with mana.
Its body was covered in an exoskeleton.
Its legs were fast and powerful, and its eyes could probably track all of my movements.
This time, it initiated its attacks.
Its claws blurred as they lashed toward me.
But my instincts warned me of its strikes.
I activated Phantom Shift repeatedly.
I dodged its attacks again and again.
Minutes passed.
My muscles burned from the strain.
Then pain hit my nerves.
Blood splashed across my body.
It couldn't be…
This bastard could actually bypass my instincts and directly attack me using its mana-coated slash that could send out an arc.
Impressive.
Indeed impressive, to be able to think of a new way to attack.
Its body blurred, then vanished.
Then.
Pain shot through my nerves.
I felt it.
My stomach had been cleaved clean.
Blood seeped from my wounds, then infused into the water.
Damn it.
I was outmatched.
Its hammer-like claw struck again and again at my face in a flurry.
Crack!
Bones, after bone, broke every time its hammer-like claw struck my face.
My vision turned red.
I was beyond impressed by its firepower.
Then.
Intense pain ripped across my body.
Its scythe-like claw cleaved and cut through my flesh.
I let out a bellow.
GROOAR!
Its attacks were monstrous and powerful.
But.
You're already caught in a trap.
Accel Dash.
Then.
Accel Dash.
My body blurred and disappeared from its sight.
Then pain struck its body as it let out a shrill.
But it was useless.
You are already in my maw.
I clenched my jaw.
Then crushed it.
Its struggles weakened as I gulped it down.
Then, a hologram appeared.
Hovering before me.
---
[You have slain.]
• A Stage 1 Tier 4 Level 15 [★★★ Leviashrimp.]
[You have gained 50,000 EXP.]
[You have gained a level.]
[You've Successfully Devoured]
• Stage 1 Tier 4 Level 15 [★★★ Leviashrimp]
[You have gained a skill.]
• Reactive Carapace
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CRACK!
TEAR!
SPLASH!
An insane amount of pain struck my body as my skin broke apart.
Then.
An exoskeleton protruded from my skin.
It slowly took form as it ripped my skin apart and broke free.
I couldn't help but laugh.
Hahaha.
This pain was nothing if I gained a new assurance, an exoskeleton that shielded me from attacks.
It seems that going outside was truly the best option.
There were countless monsters here that I could devour.
Their skillsets would be mine sooner or later.
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