Chapter 150 150 -



The Cube kept spinning, removing energy from the portal that kept trying to increase. The situation was confusing even for Ryan's eyes, which could observe the flow of energy. As the portal tried to increase in size, the cube drew more and more energy. 

'This is going to start getting dangerous' he thought as he walked away. 

The portal had grown to the size of a tennis ball, and remained fixed, unable to grow any larger than that. The cube kept spinning, as it lifted some of the sand from the beach. Pieces of glass were emerging from the heat. 

Within seconds, Ryan's vision went completely dark, and he was thrown along with Aether into the base again. "What happened?" he asked confused, but the blond man put his hand on his shoulder, telling him that everything was fine, "Someone returned us to the base, the cube must be unstable."

The information announced by the guild that afternoon said that for the first time it was possible to close an impact portal without a person entering. The death of the man in the silver armor was not stated, as was more information about the strange magical weapon developed by the guild. Looking up at the sky, Ryan just tried to connect the dots of what was happening.

'What was that thing' he thought, the reflection in the window reflected his red eyes as they passed into view of the rest of the neodrazzil academy. The sound of the door opening announced the entrance of Lyza, who sat down next to him "Did you see the guild announcement?" she said, and he replied shaking his head that he did.

"And to think we could close portals without having to enter them, the world is changing too fast for me" she said, laughing a little. Ryan turned to her and gave her a kiss on the lips. The redhead was startled by his quick reaction, widening her eyes.

"You're lively today" she said when she finally had room to breathe. "Thanks, I have an idea" he concluded. Ryan rushed out of the room and went to his office, he pulled out two cubes and jumped out of the apartment through the window, activating his wings and flying with speed through the skies.

'What an energetic little brat he is' said Lyza, confused as she watched him through the living room window.

'Nyx, the energy I was emitting was neither mana nor demonic energy. But rather something related to the portals, right?'

<That's what they said, so I imagine so>

'This is surely related to the blessings of the guardian of life and void'

- What are you going to do? -

'I want to test something'

Ryan flew off in the direction of Sylvanna. When he arrived in her office, several papers were scattered all over the area, there were magic circles scattered all over the wall and drawings of portals everywhere. "She's really focused on trying to understand what's going on..." he said aloud, and pulling his cell phone from his pocket, he took a picture of the circle she had used in front of him.

'That should do it' he thought.

Looking at his watch, Ryan activated the teleport to the guild base. The base was busy, there were the newbies who always trained, plus the members who were recruited to help with the portals that had been announced. To Ryan's attentive ears, that place was a living hell.

"Did you guys see that you managed to close a portal without anyone entering it?"

"That's going to stop a lot of the work.

"I was told that some travelers were able to see the spell that did this"

"How envious, it must be an interesting spell"

"The guild has limited entry to the area, there shouldn't be more than a hundred people who have observed this magic"

There were rumors and talk all around, amidst that sea of travelers, Ryan went to the administration to request a red portal just for him. Walking through the halls, his hurried paces echoed amidst the voices, but even as he focused on his own task, a voice caught his attention.

"Ryan?!" was a familiar male voice, but it seemed cloaked amidst the sounds of the base. Looking back, he came across the Kodiak druid. 

The nature warrior rushed out towards Ryan and extending his arms he hugged his companion "Long time no see!"

"Good to see you Kodiak, last time we talked was at the red portal. How is Ruri?"

The druid was with a big smile on his face, and pulling out his cell phone he said "To tell you the truth, she's been wanting to talk to you for a while. But you're super busy." 

Scratching the back of his head, he apologized to the druid. "I'm in some trouble, and I'm a lot busier than I want to be..."

Kodiak slapped him on the back, and laughing said "We are all in trouble, today they were even commenting that the profession of travelers may end."

Ryan Whitemane's red eyes became cloudy, misty as he remembered the cries of pain of the person who was sacrificed to close that portal. The sudden change in his countenance startled the druid, who worriedly asked what was going on "Are you okay? I was just kidding".

Sighing he just replied "Closing a portal like that costs a lot, friend, don't worry about it". The druid didn't understand what that meant.I think you should take a look at

"I'm not too busy" said Ryan, who invited his colleague to have some coffee with the druid.

<I thought you were late>

'Honestly, I don't know how long this idea of mine can last' he thought as he stared at the smoke that floated a little above the cup.

'Maybe it would be good to have a little talk'

Kodiak had a lot to tell, mostly of recent adventures he had had. Ruri had started working as a support traveler in various groups, while he had changed his focus from a dungeon leader to also being a healer. He had no news of Roy, but he knew that Nivia had become one of Ryan's many fans.

"For real, it was so funny. She just started to post on her account a lot of videos and pictures of you, there's already a fucking fanclub for you dude" said the druid, who was leaning on a table with his back.

"I was a fan of some travelers when I was younger, I didn't know that was still common" he replied, laughing at the situation.

"You really are quite strong, I hope someday I can reach your All-rounder level" Kodiak's voice showed a bit of regret, and after a long sigh he looked deep into Ryan's eyes "You have a natural strength, so use it right. I know you are focused on your own things, but you are an important piece of our fight."

'Our fight...'

So were Ruri, Nivia and Damian. Kodiak was the kind of traveler who cleared the portals daily, those who are focused on evolving fast always end up following this path. If with every monster killed you get a little money to buy skills and level up, then with every portal you are a little stronger. Ryan didn't need that, he had other ways to get stronger. 

'Maybe Lyza was right about that' he thought, and punching the druid in the shoulder, he replied with a smile "If you want me to close more portals, invite me to fight alongside you buddy"

The two began to laugh and it relieved some of the stress Ryan was feeling. Saying goodbye to Kodiak, he walked to the administration office.

* * *

<Are you sure that a red portal alone is a good idea?

'Any portal will do for this test, but at least I can enjoy the loot from it'

- Red portal? -

<That's a long story...>

Ryan went through a blue portal made by the guild, after that strange liquid feeling of jumping into space, he emerged in the middle of a residential area of Lacaster. 'Shops everywhere...' he thought.

The area resembled a shopping mall, with stores selling clothes, handbags, coffee, cell phones, runes, and magic equipment. The place had a floor of small white stones that matched the low buildings of the stores, a few meters ahead was the guild car.

<I think I've seen this somewhere before> 

In front of the car were four guild agents, two of them were playing chess, while the other two watched excitedly. 

'Last time they were playing mahjong, and there was the one where they were playing cards'

- Is this some kind of human ritual? -

Maybe it's a ritual to ward off boredom.

Taking off his gold insignia, he approached the four and asked to be guided to the portal, 'Ryan Whitemane, traveler Rank S of the Neodrazzil guild, I have come to close a red portal'.

All four agents looked at him at the same time, thankful that there was finally someone to close the portal. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr Ryan. Where's your team?" said one of the agents, who looked confused.

"I can solo clear it"

The four agents looked confused at the boy, as if they were not believing his speech. But after signing the paperwork, they verified that they could clear it.

"One last thing" he said, before entering the red portal that was in the middle of the street. 

"Can you guys take care of this? It's a waypoint" Ryan said, throwing a metal box towards the four people.