D. Chapter 04
"You are fast. Are you interested in this portal?" Hala asked as both of them are walking towards the portal site.
"Yes. Demons on this corner are pretty rare. You can count the many times they attacked this place on your fingers. Now there's a portal everyone's going to be alerted by it." Nagu said.
"Well, yes.
Have you learnt anything more about this portal?", Hala asked.
" No. Every information about this portal was mostly known by the people from the capital city. They are strict and not leaking anything. Even my informers have nothing." Nagu shook his head.
" You can expect that." Hala said.
" I heard you were attacked yesterday." Nagu said.
" Yeah. They are probably from one of the thieves' gang near the mountain." Hala said," I nearly died trying to escape from their hands!"
He then asked Nagu," Did you hear who did it?"
" No. But I can get their information for you." Nagu said.
" Do that favour for me." Hala requested.
" Okay." Nagu said.
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After an hour of walking they reached the portal site. The huge portal door is clearly visible from this distance.
The huge gold and red coloured door is floating in mid air. The patterns and carvings on it are menacing, threatening anyone who tries to get close to the door. The void around the portal door is black and looks shattered.
The density and pressure from the demonic aura increased as they were getting near to the portal door. They reached the camp where everyone gathered. There are nearly a hundred people who took the task that are at the portal site. Officials are confirming the identities of these people.
Hala and Nagu stood under a tree, waiting for their turn.
Hala smiled as he looked at everyone. Everyone is covered in protective covers. Nagu by his side fully covered himself in fire armour and stood within a fire sphere.
" Why are you refusing? Just enter the fire sphere. That's the demon aura we are facing. It can influence your mind and emotions.
Don't say it can have no effect on you. Take protection from it, even if it can't." Nagu chided Hala's refusal to have a protective cover.
" Okay, okay. Stop, I will." Hala gave up and entered the fire sphere.
" Even if you have confidence in your abilities, there's nothing wrong in taking precautions." Nagu said.
" Alright, I will." Hala said.
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It's our turn.
We moved forward for the confirmation of our identities.
Nagu removed the protective covers as we entered the confirmation room, which is magical equipment by itself.
Two minutes later we exited the confirmation room and entered the camp. Every person stood in teams or pairs with discipline. We chose a spot and made our way there.
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Another hour. Everything is ready and there's a confirmation from the officials to enter the portal door.
I think it's night time. We are covered by dark clouds from yesterday. Even if the blood rain stopped falling there's not a bit of light piercing through those dark clouds.
" Don't leave me after we enter the small demon world. Follow me." Nagu said to me.
" Okay, don't worry." I said to him.
" Let's go." Said Nagu.
I followed after him and entered the portal door.
He is one of the few friends I have. He travels around and I can't meet him often. He took care of me many times and worries about my well being.
It's a good thing I have him around me during these days when my fate is bad. I don't know his level, but it's definitely a lot higher than mine.
I never expected he would come for the demon world portal this early. His connections are wider than mine. He can gather information and wait for the situation to become clear.
This is a demon world portal. Higher level people will think twice to enter. People with lower levels are sent to probe the situation and conditions in the demon world. Then the higher level people will make their move to explore the demon world. Nagu could've waited.
There are six people from the capital city and five from our city who took the lead in this exploration. Those five are the strongest from our city. Still they aren't strong enough when compared to the people from the capital city.
I believe Nagu is the strongest one here.
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I opened my eyes, the light was dim. The environment is frightening with the pressing demon aura. The air is unbreathable. There's this sinister feeling coming from the slow wind. Dark clouds covered the sky.
There are different types of trees here. And the land here is harder. The trees are wide and full of leaves. It looks like there is no space to move between the trees from a distance.
I entered Nagu's fire sphere. The blood is raining. An ominous feeling lingered in everyone's heart.
As per pre-determined instructions we had to move in a group consisting of twenty nine people. Two people from the capital city will lead us.
Nagu and a few swordsmen stood with me and other archers and mages in the back. We have to work as a team. Nagu took out his sword and I held my bow. Flames are burning on his sword blade. The blade is fully covered in flames. Nearby swordsmen took distance, intimidated by the change in Nagu's aura.
I looked at Nagu, he seemed excited. Why? Does he know something about this small demon world?
It looks like he isn't even trying to conceal his excitement.
" Hala let's look for a chance and leave the group." Nagu sent a message with soul magic.
" Do you know anything about this place?" I asked him.
" Yes. Follow me." Nagu said.
" Okay." I replied.
He seems to know something about this small demon world. What is it going to be?
We started moving.
For half an hour we didn't come across any living beings except some insects. Those mages burnt them to crisp.
As per those two people from the capital city we entered the unexplored areas a few minutes ago. The group was divided into three and we changed our direction.
We spread and started investigating the unexplored areas.