Chapter 267 - Day CMLXIV, Part I

I Woke up, turned the barriers off, and went outside. It was already morning, although still grey. I grabbed some food. It was starting to be a bit annoying that I couldn't get myself a bottle of beer or some advanced stuff, that required upgrades of the device.

This made me really think about going out there, behind the gate, to search for monsters. I didn't have to think for too long to decide. The idea of getting more crystals was just too damn tempting. Those people needed them, and I needed the few luxuries I got used to in our world.

I started walking. The architecture was very similar to ours. At least the one before we got attacked, and then managed to rebuild a lot. A copy of the same thing. According to Alexandra's story, they weren't there for more than a couple of months. That made me think that maybe we were the first group. The fact that our city was on the original planet that the whole Bahumdabar's story happened was a clear indicator.

That led furder to the realization of the possibility of multiple groups existing out there. We could even possibly not be the only race participating in this madness. I had so many questions, that I decided to demand an answer if I had another opportunity to talk with The Great One. Maybe I couldn't beat him up as I wanted, but maybe I could get some answers.

I eventually made it to the gate. It was plain, just like the ones leading to goblin territory used to be. No decoration, no additional defensive structures. No doors.

I went through. Immediately the air changed. It got colder.

There was a nice clearing before a creepy forest started. It was heavily overgrown with tall bushes, and big, black trees with twisted branches. No leaves. It all looked like it was dead.

I immediately heard a rustle in front of me. Some of the vegetation started to move like something was coming my way. The kittens from the first night. Around ten, but the number quickly turned to several dozens. 

I charged at them, creating a pudao out of the void essence, and started swinging. It was an easy battle, even after the humanoids that showed up yesterday joined. The numbers were definitely bigger. I didn't mind though. I was actually happy. The more of them were there, the more crystals I could get.

For I moment I even thought there might be an infinite number of them hiding in that forest. Soon after that idea appeared in my head a third type of creature rushed out of the woods.

Those were completely black. The shape and size were similar to silverback gorillas, with big and strong front limbs, and smaller back ones. They didn't have a face, just a naked skull, as black as the rest, with smoke coming out of the eyes and nostrils. They had long fangs like mandrills.

Several of them leaped out of the bushes, trying to hit me with their fists, but before they landed, I got the hell out of there. The landing told me they were pretty heavy. Still, nothing compared to the orc boss or the werewolf.

I immediately went back, but contrary to them, I didn't miss my targets. A single cut was enough to kill even a few if they happened to be close.

The slaughter continued. In the span of few more minutes, it was clear that for people in the city something, like I was doing, would be impossible for a pretty damn long time. I killed thousands before the neverending charge stopped. Crystals were everywhere on the ground.

I summoned my shadows and ordered them to pile up the stones in front of the gate, and went back to the city. Without carts transporting such an amount would need several people working for pretty much all day with the distance separating the device, and that place.

All that fighting made me hungry. Which was another reason to return.

When I got there people were already hanging around. Several of them even seemed to be looking for them. Alexandra was knocking on the wall of the building I slept in, and even calling my name. She was surprised to see me coming out of the alley.

- Good morning, Peter. - she said a bit embarrassed. - You went somewhere?

- Yeah, I did. Gather people, there is work to be done.

- What work?

- I went outside the city and dealt with a bunch of monsters. Now we have a bunch of crystals to bring back.

- Y-you went outside?

- Yep.

- H-how many monsters we talking about?

- Way too many - I said and smiled at her. - You might forget about leaving the city for a while. If you try, you are gonna die out there.

- O-ok. I'll... I'll tell the people - she pointed in the side of the device.

Some of them were already listening to us talking. I noticed a few whispering with the corner of my eye. She went to gather them up, and send some of them to bring Slaven and his men. All the people soon gathered in close proximity of the sapling.

- Let's go - I said, and they followed, asking me the same questions Alexandra did.

They wanted to know what was out there, and how many. My report was kinda devastating to them. Such a large group of monsters, with a type they never even saw, was a difficulty impossible to overcome. I explained to them, that they shouldn't even try if every single one of them is not strong enough to handle what was going to come tonight.

I was kinda guessing with those words because I had no idea if anything will come when I already killed everything that was willing to get out of that creepy forest.

When we finally reached the vicinity of the gate, the number of piled-up crystals looked so overwhelming to people, they were just grabbing their own heads.. My description was not even close to showcasing how many creatures I killed on that morning.