That whole night, Adrian nested himself comfortably amongst the greenery of the forest.
As for Housten? After healing him,Evelyn teleported that unconscious guy to a random place, even proudly declaring that in front of Adrian.
Cruel game? Nah, Adrian could guess she just wanted to act cool and dominant in front of him.
In any case, he woke up from a sleepless rest the next morning.
Sleepless you say? Well sleep wouldn't exactly come to one when sitting on top of a tree they could scratching noises against the tree bark, hissing sounds of creatures crawling on the forest floor and low whining growls occasionally...all waiting for him to descend.
Packing whatever things he found to be essential, he stored them in his Protean Veil. Then having done all this, he started walking deep in the forest.
Even though the 7 day quest gnawed at his subconscious, he couldn't visit Woodrock City with his level 0. Not only would he not get the chance to level up there but would also draw suspicious glances from many if they tested his level and found it to be 0...something that only infants should have, not a grown adult.
'Can I be called an adult though? I am 17 yet.' As Adrian contemplated on the legal stance of his question, he suddenly halted.
He felt a sense of deja vu as he glanced around him. The forest was deadly silent.
However that soon changed as the ground thumped with approaching steps. A short whining sound broke as a bear came into view. On seeing Adrian, the white soon changed into growl. The aggression and the hostility were clear in its eyes.
Adrian's eyes twinkled with happiness. He was out to scourge a portion of the wild living here, starting with this bear. Twirling a spear in his hand, he took his stance.
The bear died within few minutes.
As he went deeper, more wild animals confronted him...only to die at his hands. His level was also rising up. Not rapidly but enough to make a difference.
He was right now sure that if again he were to fight Nyx's mental avatar and her subordinates he wouldn't even need the help of any of the guards not even Housten's.
A day passed by with Adrian physically exhausted from the hunts. With his higher level, he was able to set traps string enough to atleast give him time to escape in case any dangerous creature tried to face him.
That night help slept peacefully.
Early morning, Adrian woke up and started walking back to Trios.
Previously when he was coming this way, the company of the guards had kept all the wild animals away. Now however, they didn't hold back, seeing as Adrian walked alone, only a spear in his hand.
But that was also beneficial to Adrian who killed them and leveled up.
Cruel, yes but then again it was what he called the natural selection; The survival of the fittest.
He spotted a stripped hyena rustling among the bushes, its killing intent evident.
Adrian raised his spear to strike it but stopped midway. An idea struck him.
He whispered, "[Ether Breathing: Stun]" and hurled the spear towards the hyena. In a state of panic, the animal tried to dodge but before it could do so, it stopped.
Even the spear stopped in it's path. It almost looked as if time itself has stopped as the hyena remained rooted at its spot and the spear hanging in mid-air.
'Time for an exleriment' thought Adrian as he eyed the hyena.
Then he closed his eyes for a moment, picturing Nyx as she performed the [Death Mark]. Her eyes had gleamed with sharp killing intent for a small moment. The stench of death had overflowed the surroundings around them.
Then opening his eyes, Adrian released his aura...or more precisely the heavy stench of death that had accumulated within him from shedding blood for years.
A massive burst of uneasiness and gloom flooded the entire region. The stench of death, of rotten smell were everywhere, its taste heavy and thick on the nostrils. The hyena shrinked in apparent fear, its body warning him and yet not cooperating with him in running from there.
But...
"It's a failure." Adrian sighed, his aura disappearing suddenly. He hoped to learn the skill but it seemed as if he was doing it incorrectly. He felt as if there were many other changes in Nyx that he must have missed when she activated the [Death Mark].
A pity he couldn't learn it.
He glanced sideways as he bluntly struck the hyena.
The hyena rolled from the impact. Getting up, it wriggled its body, and bared it's teeth towards Adrian, who simply kept on walking.
The hyena followed him for some time and then ran away in the opposite direction.
Such dangers appeared few other times before Adrian finally came out of the forest.
Instantly he knew the forest was a better choice, now that the fiery sun was right over his head. It was already afternoon!
And damn hot!
After 3 more hours, he was in front of Trios again.
Looking at the city, he was surprised. The gates were broken, deprived of all the precious materials used in the construction. As he entered the city, he was more shocked to find everything in ruins. At some distance away, he could even see smoke rising upto the sky. Debris lay around him, the once lively shops and buildings,now broken.
'They looted everything...woah. Wannabe saviours, sigh'
His journey here now seemed like a waste. He had come here in hopes of getting his hands on some of the saviours. He could have progressed his side quest in that way.
Now, all seemed for not. The way to Woodrock was a straight path and a 20-minute long bypass from there has led him here to Trios.
"Why is the capital not doing anything...this is puzzling now."
Not having any reason to stay here, he turned back, his destination the Woodrock City.
It was time he dea---
"Heyyyyyy theree. Wait for a moment. Helllooo."