The Arkan city was a city skilled in alchemy and ranked the highest in the financial market. Their potions and elixirs came in handy for mages who were seriously injured. They were good at farming since they need to refine their potions from magic herbs which they grew with their magic as alchemists. Not until they were raided by the undead mutants unleashed by a powerful force still unknown.
Their potions and elixirs left behind after the invasion ended up attracting hordes and packs of magic monsters that roamed the city ruins till date. As it was marked an orange zone, it implied that the city ruins were only inhabited by the advanced level monsters which the hunters can handle as a team.
The Arkan bridge was a long one that stretched into the thick fogs shrouding its other end over a large deep valley. A wooden bridge that creaked and swayed as they walked on it.
Vandel was supporting Opal while they held onto the bridge's railings, counting their steps as they moved.
A shrill cry suddenly rang through the air. The cry sent an extremely loud shockwave through the valley that violently shook the bridge.
"Hold on tight!" Master Park shouted. He had been the only encouragement to the hunters since the start of this expedition.
They held onto the bridge as it swayed across space. Their hearts thumped rapidly as they prayed, hoping not to be attacked on this old bridge.
Everywhere went dead silent. The sudden silence forced them to stand at their wits end. For a moment none of them could hear their heartbeats but they were aware that there was danger lurking around. The creature that made that shrill noise was close by, probably watching them now.
"Everybody get down!!!" Liam suddenly shouted. He had sighted a tiny object rapidly approaching their direction. It's speed was so much that they felt that danger was going to approach before they could get down.
First, it was like a dot and then it was as big as a ball with unusual wings.
The mages quickly lay on their stomach and held their breaths, careful not to make a sound as a bird's humongous silhouette covered them.
It was a large bird with brilliant silver plumage and large wings that covered so much space big enough to contain hundreds of humans.
As it flew past them while flapping its enormous wings, cold mist dropped on them that before they could realize it, they were already drenched.
The bird's shadow hovered over them as it flew in circles trying to spot any loop. It finally took off.
The mages exhaled a large amount of breath in relief as they stood to their feet.
"What sort of bird is that?" Lin asked.
"It's presence alone is so suffocating."
"It got us wet even when it hasn't attacked us."
"Such a relief it didn't see us."
"Or that we didn't move. It's better to get wet than fight that monster," Liam said. He knew a lot about the bird and its proud way of hunting. "The water Phoenix doesn't attack until its sure you're after it or if it detects the slightest magic. Anyone standing in its way will definitely be crushed bone by bone. That is why we had to lay low."
Opal gasped. "That's the water Phoenix? Was that why we all got wet by its mere appearance?"
"Yes. I wonder what it is doing in an orange zone. That thing is a Lord level monster."
"Lord of the skies? I did see it in our magic monsters textbook," Orin confirmed.
The water Phoenix controlled the water element vastly and ruled over other birds.
"If that thing were to plague the green zone, then we'll all be dead." Pamise chipped in.
"Of course! Even forbidden mages struggle to take up that monster. It has the whole water at its control."
"Let's keep moving. We shouldn't slack at this bridge," Master Park said. He was already terrified and was praying they don't run into such monster on this expedition.
Opal suddenly gripped her chest. She felt as if sharp claws were ripping her chest apart. Thick blue veins protruded on her neck. She looked as if she was going to burst at any point. Her skin quickly turned pale.
"Are you alright?" Vandel asked but felt so stupid for asking. Of course she isn't alright!
"It's the inception stage of the soul damage. Her soul universe has just began withering. We have to find a solution quickly or she will wither and die in just a matter of days," Lin explained.
Following the damage to Opal's soul, her soul universe would start withering if she is not cured, until she shrivels up and dies.
Vandel held Opal's hand and clenched his jaws feeling a bit of guilt.
Out of all the mages here, Opal had been the nicest to him though she almost broke his head the first time but she had always been on his side. From giving him food to trying to save him which kept her in this condition at this point. If not for anything, he would try to save her no matter the cost. He can't let her wither like a plant.
Opal's condition returned to normal and her first torture process was over. Sweat dropped down her face. Only her knew the hell she has just witnessed.
***
They continued down the bridge into its foggy part. When they were almost close to the bridge that would entrance them into the Arkan city, master Park spoke up.
"The city ruins retained most of its magic herbs which the magic monsters had come to feed on. You are free to explore and gather the ones you wish to have but be at alert. This part of the orange zone is crowded with peak advanced level magic monsters. We will only take a few time here before heading to the tunnel that will lead to the underground falls."
"Is it really necessary to explore the desolate city?" Liam asked. He knew it was risky staying behind instead of advancing rather quick.
"If you wish to. The magic herbs are indeed necessary. You can sell them in the herb market for a whole lot of money."
At the mention of money, it was as if some organs in Vandel's body suddenly sprang back to life. "How much for the least herb?"
"A thousand Wiat. Imagine if you pluck a bag of it, hehehe..." Master Park grinned. He had always been obsessed with money. Making a thousand Wiat was like making millions for him. Money was the main reason he agreed to go on this quest not necessarily to make stars for their hunter team.
Their hunter team are mages ranked ten, the least of all. Hunter associations were divided into three tiers; tier one the highest, tier five the second with little skills and tier ten who were unrecognized by the magic authorities. Their achievements and credits were given to other hunter teams from tier one and five except if they register with the magic association which required a large sum of money or reasonable number of registered successful expeditions.
The former is considered bribery and risky because mages with no battle experience of the danger zone ends up endangering their lives which makes the latter the best option.
Their hunter team had dispatched them to the orange zone to explore and get many treasures as possible to be promoted to tier five.
'A thousand Wiat is even poor, hmph!' Opal harrumphed in her mind. 'But still, it was a good start.'
They finally crossed the bridge and set foot on the grounds of the Arkan city ruins with dilapidated buildings and streets taken over by grasses and strange looking wild plants.