DEATH REALM
A scream tore through the camp.
— EVERYONE, GET UP!!!
Ysabella never softened her tone.
Nakid jolted awake, his heart pounding, before letting out a strangled cry.
A face was pressed against his own.
A magnifying glass.
Yoreru was examining him with almost scientific seriousness.
— What a coward…
Nakid recoiled violently, nearly falling off his bed.
The children, barely awake, rushed into the main room.They froze the moment they saw the strange individual.
— Who is that?!
— Why is he here?!
Yoreru frowned and raised his voice.
— YOU'RE IN MY HOUSE! I CAN THROW YOU OUT IF I WANT, SO BEHAVE!
A massive shadow loomed behind him.
Ryan.
His broad frame leaned forward slightly.
— Stop shouting.
Silence fell instantly.
— THAT'S ENOUGH! Ysabella snapped.
No one dared argue.
She then explained Yoreru's nighttime arrival and the reason for his presence.He possessed crucial information regarding the Skeleton King.
Yoreru sighed, then spoke calmly.
— Ysabella promised I could study you in exchange. But I must be honest.The "generation" I told you about… it isn't a generation.
He paused.
— It's a clan.
Everyone froze.
— I'm not alone in this world. I cooperate with individuals far stronger than me. In return, I'm allowed to live where I am. This house… my sister built it.
He looked away slightly.
— If my leader finds out I formed an alliance without permission, I'm dead. A low-ranking lackey like me is replaceable… my abilities are pathetic.
Ysabella frowned.
— And what if we don't have an aura? I don't see what you're talking about. You and Nakid do… but not me.
Nakid spoke hesitantly.
— Aura… it's like warmth. An essence that wraps around our bodies. Here, without it, I wouldn't survive.
He smiled softly.
— And it's thanks to you, Ysabella, that I awakened it. Thank you.
Yoreru shrugged.
— It's fine. I'll report that there's an aura-less among us.Very well. Let's begin.
He leaned against the table.
— This world is absolute chaos. But even chaos has rules. Clans bring a semblance of order. Useful people survive.Without a clan, you become a pariah.
His gaze hardened.
— Those without alliances are hunted. Those who survive alone are extremely dangerous.I don't want you to become damned ones.
Ysabella nodded slowly.
— I understand better now…
Chiyo looked at Yoreru suspiciously.
— Can we trust him?
Nakid answered before Ysabella could.
— I don't know. But we don't have a choice. Without him, we're alone.
He inhaled.
— I feel like he's not lying… but we need proof.
Yoreru smiled faintly.
— Reasonable. I'll contact my sister. She understands aura far better than I do.
He looked at each of them.
— As for the attack you suffered… I'll help you devise a strategy. But tell me exactly what happened.
Louis nodded.
— Alright. I agree.
— Good, Yoreru said. Tell me everything.
Meanwhile…
Angelo and Kelly had joined a clan.
After being treated, their strength had returned.But their first mission promised danger.
Retrieve the necklace of a woman who had lost all reason since arriving in this world.
Kelly observed from a distance.
— I see her. Under the tent, next to a mirror.
He glanced at Angelo.
— Go. I'll cover you. And don't damage the necklace.
Angelo took a deep breath.
— Don't worry.
He hesitated in front of the door.
Do I break in… or knock?
Sobbing.
He burst inside.
— Alright! I'm coming in! I'm requisitioning your necklace—hand it over nicely!
The woman stared at her reflection.
Her voice trembled.
— Do you think I'm beautiful…?
Angelo froze… then burst out laughing.
He nearly rolled on the ground.
— Beautiful?! Seriously?!
The woman clutched the necklace tightly.
Once, she ruled through her voice.Charisma. Power. Enchantment.
Then death.
And this world.
A shrill scream tore through the air.
A pink aura wrapped around her.
Angelo staggered back.
— Shit…
He tried to flee.
Too late.
His body slowly turned to stone.Only his left hand, clutching the necklace, resisted… before releasing it.
The woman laughed.
— Insect…
Kelly saw the signal.
He fired.
The bullet struck.
Kelly rushed to Angelo, hoisted him onto his shoulders, and ran.The woman screamed again, but they crossed the clan's territory boundary.
They had survived.
But without the necklace.
And Angelo…
Was slowly turning into stone.