For the third time, Solis instantaneously transferred locations and was sent to a new continent by the system. What greeted him was an extensive, gorgeous meadow full of greenery and life as the dazzling sun shined down its heavenly light to bless the entire realm. Farther ahead—hills, rivers, and valleys encompassed the landscape like mother nature's warm arms cradling the surface of the earth. And even way beyond in the distance—cliffs, mountain ranges, and snowy alps stood imposingly at the edge of the world.
[Welcome to the Exceed Continent. A perfectly balanced plane of existence where the natural laws, elemental particles, and magical energy flowing within the atmosphere are synchronized and superimposed in flawless harmony with one another. It is a living utopia for the countless mages and wizards that strive to improve themselves on the orthodox path of sorcery. In addition, the Exceed Continent is the undisputed crest of the world when it comes to technological advancement and enhanced engineering. A lot of miraculous inventions spanning from weapons, buildings, vehicles, and amenities were created in this well-developed realm that's brimming with precious minerals as well as natural resources. Numerous tales of legendary heroes and glorious champions in the long history of the Exceed Continent had been born, especially those coming from the Human Race that fought grueling wars to open up a safe haven for their weak species.]
"Hmm… Although it's a really gorgeous realm, I don't know why but I feel like it pales in comparison to the Demon Continent and Spirit Continent. It just looks too ordinary to me."
Solis gave his honest opinion, which was built upon his personal preference. Sadly though, it fell on deaf ears as the system wasn't much of a conversationalist. After introducing the Exceed Continent to him, it proceeded to ask permission if it would be okay to move on.
"Alright. On to the last one, I suppose." He remarked.
[Affirmative. Teleportation commencing… Please hold on.]
And so, for the fourth and final time, Solis was teleported away to another continent.
…
Meanwhile, happening on the other side of the world, in the country of Nulgath over at the Demon Continent. There was a massive town called Nebuchadnezzar, and it was separately controlled by three great clans of the Ogre Race, Aswang Race, and Ahas Vastaya Race.
Outside of the town was a baleful forest enclosed by heavy mist and fog; a widespread phenomenon experienced everywhere in the Demon Continent. The forest was named Grim Rock Woods due to it being right next to a tall, perilous mountain titled Mount Grim Rock.
Marching inside of this clouded forest is an expedition team consisting of eleven party members, but only five of them were truly players while the rest are just NPCs.
"Hey, Christian…"
"Regino, I thought I told you already that we're not supposed to use our real names inside the game. In here, my name is Draken, okay? Remember that."
"Oh, right. Sorry… Anyway, Draken."
"Yes, what is it Casanova…? Damn it, man! For the life of me, I still can't believe that you actually gave yourself that cringy-ass name! Who do you think you are, some kind of chick magnet? Get over yourself."
"Hey! I'll let you know that I am one hot piece of pie! I've had plenty of confessions thrown my way at school just so you know."
"Yeah? Well then, I bet they all came from trash-tier women desperate enough to date someone like you. Everyone in school knows your easy pickings!"
"Hoh? Check out the nerve of this guy. I dare you to say that again right to my face, huh!?"
"Oh yeah? You think I won't?!"
"Try me!"
Like two rampaging bulls (obviously the stupid kind) they both stopped in their tracks and abruptly butted heads with each other. Anyone could see that one of them had their eyebrows exaggeratedly raised up with eyes wide-open, while another released large amounts of hot air directly through a pair of flaring nostrils.
"Draken! Thou vampiric piece of whitewashed, old, decrepit crap! You wanna go?!"
"Fine by me! You cringe named Star Fox, animal, or whatever the hell kind of species you even are!"
"I am part of the mystical Soro Vastaya Race. A race far superior to an ignorant blood-sucker like you!"
As things were getting heated up between the two idiots, with both of them pushing and grazing their foreheads against each other—an axe suddenly flew by right in the middle of their meshed-up faces.
"Holy crap!"
"Jesus Christ!"
Yet somehow, maybe because of whatever miraculous God-given luck or power it was at work; they were able to dodge it by a hair's breadth from hurriedly separating themselves in a panic. Meanwhile, the axe which was meant to hit them, squarely struck a tree nearby and made a super deep cut.
"Phew, that was a very close call."
"Ha-ha. You said it…"
They looked at the axe plunged in the tree with relieved expressions, thankful that they weren't the ones getting their skulls digged into.
"Oi! You two lousy noobs over there!"
A guttural voice of an angry man came from behind them. When they heard the familiar roar that they've been subjected to many times already during this expedition, Casanova and Draken both instinctively stiffened up in fear.
""Y-Yes!"" They simultaneously responded.
At once, Draken and Casanova slowly turned around in a scared yet awkward manner while bracing themselves to receive a harsh scolding. A fair distance off was a tall half-man half-horse who stood in an imposing stance. The Tikbalang, which was the name of that man's race, had his arms crossed, shoulders squared, and chin way up there so that he could look down on them.
"How many times have I repeated to you punks that you need to stay close to us! Are you two braindead, or do the both of you just really want to die that badly inside this forest?! Now get your asses over here before I tear it apart!"
"…Did he just say he would tear our asses apart? That sounds so wrong on so many levels…" Casanova murmured.
"What was that?! Did I hear you say something, you freakin' noob?!"
"N-No! It was nothing; I didn't say anything!"
"We're coming over! Hey, come on. Let's go."
"And don't forget to bring me back my throwing axe weak runts!"
"…First it was lousy noobs, then it was braindead punks, and now he calls us weak runts. How many derogatory terms did this man search up in the English dictionary…?"
"DON'T MAKE ME COME OVER THERE!"
""W-WE'RE SORRY!""