BXBX NOVEL Chapter 126 First Quest
Whoosh...
The train carried me through the city streets, its soundless movement almost making me fall asleep.
[ 27th District ]
Suddenly, the robotic voice echoed through the train car, making me jolt awake from my drowsy state.
I quickly wiped away the drool from the corner of my mouth and glanced around to see if anyone had noticed.
Luckily, it was midnight and the train was almost empty, other passengers struggling to remain awake as well and barely even noticing my presence.
Whoosh...
Feeling the train, halting in my place, I quickly stood up and went toward the exit, stepping out into the cool night air.
"..."
For a few seconds, I felt like I was plunged into a literal void of how dark it was before the station lights illuminated the platform detecting the movement.
Tap... Tap...
Throwing a last glance at the train, I quickly made my way toward the exit, climbing the stairs with a dumb smile on my face.
Although I prided myself to be calm and collected, sometimes I couldn't help but feel a sense of childlike wonder when I was excited.
As soon as I left the station, I was greeted by the sight of a massive wall standing before me, adorned with vibrant graffiti that seemed to come alive in the dim streetlights.
It might've seemed old but in reality, this was only the first layer of the wall that covered the forest from the city.
Now, all I needed to do was enter the forest and complete my quest.
Without hesitation, I turned toward the closest gate leading into the lush greenery, approaching the soldier guarding the exit with steady steps.
"Good evening..."
I mustered a smile, instantly pulling out a HoloLink from my Spatial Inventory and showing the mission tab in my window.
The Serpent Guild was one of the organizations that was working with the government, which meant that I'd have access to enter pretty much anywhere if my quest required it.
I was basically a federal agent, completing the government's biddings.
"..."
I could see the soldier, quickly skimming the information with his eyes, before nodding and turning to the side and putting the Radio to his mouth.
"Open the gates. Code Void..."
He said, his voice crackling through the radio, before the gates started to part like the jaws of the massive animal, revealing a dark and old path into the forest.
Since there were no lamps and the only light source was the moon, it looked pretty scary...
"Good Luck, and be careful."
The soldier said as he stepped aside, allowing me to enter the forest and nodding his head to show respect.
Although he himself had probably seen a lot through his life he was also aware of what I was about to do.
In his eyes, I was probably 80% dead.
'Well, I better get moving...'
Shaking off the lingering sense of uncertainty, I took a deep breath and stepped forward into the darkness of the forest.
Creak...
The gates behind me started to close with an eerie, groaning sound, sealing me off from the safety of the city.
I could feel the last threads of civilization slipping away as the sounds of traffic and bustling city life were replaced by the rustling leaves and distant calls of nocturnal creatures.
Click...
Instantly, I whipped out my HoloLink, opening the window with a map and quest objectives.
Although the forest looked scary, the strongest monster that inhabited its outer level was F Rank, so I had nothing to worry about unless a whole pack of such monsters would attack me...
That would be inconvenient, wouldn't it?
Tap... Tap...
Navigating through the forest, I instantly spotted a mistake in my planning...
My footwear!
Only know I realized that the Void was located in the part of the forest, which was surrounded by swamps and marshy terrain.
This made it very hard and risky to navigate without proper footwear.
"Fuck..."
I cursed, stumbling over a hidden root, because some of the water had seeped into my boots, making them heavy and uncomfortable.
This was a complete failure from my perspective, as I had overlooked such a crucial detail in my preparations.
Maybe I really should've delayed this mission...
Roar...
Suddenly, a deep growl echoed through the forest, sending shivers down my spine. Although I knew that it wouldn't be much of a threat to me, the element of surprise made it unsettling.
"..."
Within my palm, a Longsword instantly materialized, its blade glinting in a cold and pale moonlight.
I gripped the hilt tightly, steadying myself and preparing for the unseen danger that lurked within the darkness of the forest.
Grrr...
Suddenly, a pair of glowing eyes emerged from the shadows, fixated on me with an intensity that reminded me of Rose.
As the pair of glowing eyes pierced through the darkness, I could sense a primal energy emanating from the creature. Its gaze was unyielding as if it could see right through me, and the growl grew louder, resonating through the stillness of the night.
I tightened my grip on the hilt of my Longsword, my heart pounding in my chest. My training kicked in, and I adopted a defensive stance, ready to face whatever came my way. I knew I couldn't let fear consume me.
The creature emerged from the shadows, revealing itself to be a massive wolf-like beast. Its fur was as dark as the night itself, and its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light. Fangs glistened in its snarling mouth, and its muscles rippled with power.
Without hesitation, the beast lunged at me, its movements swift and deadly. I sidestepped its attack, narrowly avoiding its snapping jaws. With a quick and calculated movement, I swung my Longsword, aiming for its flank.
Clang...
My blade connected with the creature's side, but it was far from a fatal blow. The beast let out a howl of pain, its eyes filled with fury. It circled around me, preparing for another assault. It was clear that this would be no ordinary battle.
I assessed the situation quickly, analyzing the creature's movements and searching for a weakness. The swamps and marshes surrounding us posed a challenge, as the creature seemed to navigate effortlessly through the treacherous terrain. However, I had to use my surroundings to my advantage.
As the creature lunged at me once again, I took a calculated risk. Instead of evading, I plunged my sword into the ground, anchoring myself. The creature's weight caused it to sink into the marshy ground, momentarily immobilizing it.
Seizing the opportunity, I unleashed a flurry of strikes, targeting the vulnerable areas of the beast. My blade cut through the air with precision, each strike bringing me closer to victory. The beast fought back, its claws slashing through the air, but I remained focused and agile.
Pluck...
Finally, with a final, decisive blow, I struck the creature's heart. It let out a final, pained howl before collapsing to the ground. The forest grew silent once more, the only sound being my heavy breathing and the rustling of leaves.
I withdrew my Longsword from the fallen beast, wiping the sweat from my brow.
Without hesitation, I plunged my sword into its chest for the second time, searching for a core but no white sphere was found.
"..."
After cleaning the beast's blood from my blade, I quickly left the vicinity, knowing that other monsters would soon flock to the area because of the scent of blood.
Tap... Tap...
With every step forward, I quickened my pace, however, it was hard due to the rain, luckily, it seemed that none of the monsters picked up on my presence. I was able to leave the battle site without any tails.
"Okay, where is it..."
I muttered to myself, as I glanced at my HoloLink's map, seeing that the Void should be right ahead of me.
Swish...
I used my sword to part the greenery blocking my view, revealing a small clearing that served as a perfect cover for the void to hide from those who sought to destroy it.
However, not for me!
As I stepped into the small clearing, a sense of anticipation filled the air. I could feel the presence of the Void nearby, its energy tingling at the edges of my senses. The clearing itself was a stark contrast to the dense forest that surrounded it.
The ground beneath my feet transformed from damp earth to a smooth, polished surface. It felt cool against my boots as if the clearing had been meticulously maintained. The grass was trimmed to perfection, and vibrant flowers bloomed in an array of colors, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of nature's beauty.
In the center of the clearing stood the Void, a swirling vortex of darkness that seemed to defy the laws of reality. It pulsed with an eerie glow, casting flickering shadows across the pristine landscape. The edges of the Void appeared jagged and unstable as if it could collapse at any moment, yet it remained resolute in its existence.
The darkness within the Void seemed to beckon me, drawing me closer with an irresistible allure. It whispered secrets and promises of untold power, but I knew better than to succumb to its seduction.
"I shouldn't smile at this occasion, should I?"