In a particularly dark surrounding, a particular girl with translucent skin pouted.
"Isn't it you who said that now is not the time?" A male voice answered her.
Her pout just became more pronounced.
"Why would I? This is interesting."
"Ah, why are you acting like a tsundere?"
The voice stopped answering, making her speechless.
***
[Master, do you really want to go? I can just send them a message on how to get over here…]
Weirdly enough, there was a trace of worry in Sanctuary's voice. Ever since Sanctuary slowly showed emotion even after being an AI, Caelus felt that Sanctuary was just any other living being.
Who said that AI are not living beings? As long as they are sentient, it means they are living beings.
"Yes. I also need to go. Maybe, while I'm gone, you can study how to materialize yourself. I would love to talk to you face to face. It feels weird to keep on hearing your voice inside my head, you know." He happily chided.
[I'll try… but… it's dangerous outside…]
"I know… more reasons to get in touch with the people I had you located. Even if you can just give them direction, I feel I can do better if I went out myself. Also, I need to get used to the new world."
Sanctuary became silent. After a while, Caelus heard her sigh. [I understand. I'll be waiting for your safe return. While you're gone, I'll protect this place and make sure no one would harm this place.]
"I trust you." Caelus smiled in the air before looking at the serene town.
It was beautiful, just like a medieval place. The towering castle could be seen at the gate where he was currently at, around the castle there were countless brick houses in good condition. There were those that could be classified as residential houses, mansions, manor houses, church, almshouse, townhall and even a magic tower.
However, it was too silent for the lack of people inside.
I need to fill this place with people.
Averting his gaze away, he slowly went outside. It only took him two steps to finally be outside the Shelter Zone, he had to thank the sudden increase of five cm height. He didn't even know how it happened, if it was part of the mutation the System gave to everyone or it was part of him practicing his techniques. There was no doubt he became taller in just more than a month.
From the serene town, his vision was replaced with deadly death.
It had been almost two months since the Super Phenomena happened. It was October when it happened. Now that it is December… there was no trace of winter or Christmas spirit. Everything around him has traces of hell. Burned down trees, buildings and ashes were everywhere. No sign of life at all. Even the pavement was left as cracked down stones or dust.
Even after expecting it from Sanctuary's description, he felt a churn in his stomach.
He inhaled loudly trying to calm himself. The smell of burnt quickly assaulted his senses, waking him up to face reality.
Yes.
This is the reality now.
In truth, this is just part of the reality. There were places that have it worse, there were places that have it better. Either way, this is reality. The serene place he had been was a Shelter Zone. A safe haven that was out of reach from this reality.
But he was prepared for this change. He had more than a month to prepare for it.
"Asahi is in the West, same with Gouki along with Akihiko. Hikari is in the South and Miya is in the South East. So, My track would be West first. I'll decide later with Asahi or Gouki which direction is best afterwards."
Knowing both of them, they would surely have better ideas than Caelus.
He pulled out a face mask out of his leather bag that was attached to his belt before putting it in his face.
He was lucky to have been in an empty place with many things inside. There was even a mask from the cabinets.
All the things he was wearing were from the Sanctuary Shelter.
The only thing he could complain about was how "medieval-ish" the outfits were.
From the leather boots, the tunic shirt, pants and cloak were all given by Sanctuary. Sanctuary wanted to insist on him wearing colorful clothes but he chose black color. Light color and any colorful cloth would just attract attention, wearing black would also mean he could hide in the shadows.
All the materials were first class as he didn't have easy time modifying it. It seems all the materials used were not normal. Of course, he didn't get the information about it for the lack of Mana.
In any way, he was just thankful that the materials were sturdy enough. Meaning, it was useful armor even when they were just cloth type.
He raised the hood on the modified cloak to his head and secured the mask in his face.
The smell of burning was too much for him and he also knew that it wasn't good for his health. The only reason why he chose to not use a mask earlier was to face reality.
With stronger determination, Caelus strode to the West. Thanks to Sanctuary's mapping, he had it easy. He was able to avoid most of the danger area around, which was where monsters appeared or even Zones that were unpredictable for humans. There were also the settlements of the Dragon Riders.
Settlements of Dragon Riders were almost everywhere. If someone unknowingly traveled, he or she would meet their demise. But thanks to Sanctuary's Radar, she was able to create a map out of the large Life Force she had scanned.
Based on that, Caelus was able to maneuver from them.
His quick walking came to a halt when his Qi Aura sensed something.
Qi Aura was one of the few things he had learned, thanks to Overview skill and his dreams.
He immediately hid near the broken collapsed wall.
Qi Aura was exerting a Qi radius around him that senses everything. He had attained that after thoroughly refining his senses. From sensing every Natural Essence in the air, he was able to sense any unfamiliar Natural Essence or Life Force entering his range. Currently his range is 500 meters. It sounded amazing, but humans can actually see 5 kilometers if there's no obstacle at all.
His only advantage right now is that he could sense it even when there are obstacles around.
And now, he detected something. Not just one Life Force, but several at that!
~Thump-thump-thump~
Caelus' heartbeat was considerably fast. He knew that it was impossible for humans to venture here. For the past weeks according to Sanctuary, humans would pass by here once in a while, but all the time there were alone or in a party of two or three. Only few would travel in more than five.
*Dragon Riders!*