Kai was in the middle of talking when Adan, looking stunned, asked, "You were that arrogant as a child?"
Kai's brow furrowed slightly. "Are you saying I'm still arrogant now?"
Adan hesitated, glancing around as if searching for an escape from Kai's intense gaze. Hearing a rustle from the bushes, he pointed and said, "What's over there?" He turned his head, using the distraction to avoid Kai's eyes.
But the diversion didn't last long. Adan was soon gripped by an overwhelming sense of fear, a deep hopelessness he hadn't realized he was capable of feeling.
It was as if all his worst emotions had been stirred together, creating a chilling sensation as a monstrous figure emerged from the shadows, partially cloaked in darkness.
Adan stood frozen, unable to move or breathe. Kai, trying to keep calm, muttered, "Don't think acting scared will get you out of thi—"
His words trailed off as his eyes widened, his expression mirroring that of someone who had just stumbled into a scene straight out of a nightmare.
"RUN!" Kai screamed, his voice echoing in the silence. The creature locked eyes with them, its sinister presence paralyzing them for a few seconds before Kai's survival instincts kicked in.
Without another word, he bolted, leaving Adan in the dust. Realizing the urgency, Adan channeled his mana, boosting his physical strength, and sprinted even faster to catch up.
Meanwhile, not far from there, Elijah had set up a campfire and was roasting a massive beast, nearly ten meters long. Flames licked at the meat, cooking it to perfection. As it finished, Elijah tore into the tender, fatty flesh, savoring each bite.
After finishing, he stretched and said to himself, "That was good meat. Alright, time to win that bet." Grabbing a wooden stake, he began to walk, humming a tune, only to be interrupted by the sight of a frantic Kai sprinting past him.
"What the heck?" Elijah muttered, glancing in the direction Kai had come from. He extended his senses, curious about what could make Kai run. "Why would he be fleeing from an Intermediate-tier monster?" he wondered aloud, puzzled.
Just then, Adan raced past with the same terrified expression. "What's gotten into them?" Elijah asked, his curiosity piqued.
A moment later, the creature that had scared the life out of them appeared. Elijah's smile faded, and he didn't waste a second. Lightning crackled around him as he dashed off in the same direction as the others, fear now etched on his face.
Elsewhere, Stella and Julia had just finished off a group of smaller monsters.
"I bet this beast will be bigger than both of the boys combined," Stella said, confident.
"I don't bet against Elijah. Even when he's not trying, his luck is absurd," Julia retorted.
Stella chuckled. "That can't be true, right?"
"Just a heads-up," Julia replied. "Also, try not to worry too much. I can tell you're tense." She noticed Stella's expression darken slightly. "We'll leave soon, just need to gather a few supplies."
Stella's smile returned. "Thank you, really. You guys have been nothing but kind."
Julia playfully nudged her. "That's what friends are for. Now, tell me more about this planet."
Stella's eyes brightened, and she started, "Oh, well, it's…" But before she could continue, a loud crash echoed through the forest as a massive tree toppled over.
Elijah had collided with it, sending it crashing down. He stood up, panting, his eyes wide as he glanced behind him. Only Kai had managed to catch up. "What the hell was that?" Kai exclaimed.
Elijah, still trying to steady his breathing, let out a nervous laugh. "HAHAHAHA! That was terrifying."
"Scary doesn't even begin to describe it," Kai said, slumping down, his face still pale. "I didn't think something worse than what I've seen could exist."
"You've seen something like that before?" Elijah asked.
"No, what I saw was nowhere near as horrifying," Kai replied, his body still trembling.
Julia and Stella exchanged confused glances. "What are you two talking about?" Julia asked.
"Yeah, I didn't think anything could scare you guys," Stella added.
Moments later, Adan stumbled into view, gasping for breath. Elijah leaped forward and grabbed him. "Where do you think you're going? The creature isn't following us anymore."
Adan, still panicked, stammered, "It doesn't matter, we have to get off this island now!"
"Why? Let's go back and take another look," Elijah said.
"NO!" Adan and Kai shouted in unison.
But Elijah grinned at their panicked faces. "Come on, it's kind of fun to see a creature like that when it's weak."
"What rank was it?" Julia asked, still confused.
"Just an (G-) rank," Kai said, shivering at the memory.
"Then why were you running from it?" Julia questioned, perplexed.
"You wouldn't understand unless you saw it," Kai and Adan replied, almost in sync.
Elijah's playful side kicked in, and he grabbed Adan's arm. "C'mon, let's go check it out again."
"No! Let me go!" Adan protested.
"Adan, just give up," Kai said, unsheathing his sword. "I want to slice that thing to bits."
"That's the spirit! But let's at least show it to Julia and Stella. I want to see their reactions," Elijah said with a smirk.
"No, Stella shouldn't see something like that," Adan protested again.
Stella looked intrigued. "Well, now I want to see what's got you all spooked."
"I agree," Julia said, her curiosity piqued. "Something that can scare people who've faced Emperor-tier monsters without flinching? Count me in."
As the group followed Elijah, a loud explosion rang out in the distance, and they saw a pillar of flames erupt into the sky. Elijah's grin widened as he dashed towards it, the others trailing behind with Adan carrying Stella. "You should've listened to me," he whispered to her.
"What you're saying only makes me more curious," Stella replied. "Besides, if I'm going to see worse things eventually, better to start now."
Adan shook his head. "What we saw was an abomination. It's indescribable. Just seeing it changes you, makes you wish you'd never laid eyes on it," he said, his eyes misting over.
"Now I really want to see it," Stella thought, her determination solidifying.
When they arrived, they found Elijah standing with a broad smile. In front of him was a young man with brown hair, blue eyes, and a striking, dark-and-light complexion. His handsome features were accentuated by his well-built physique, even under his clothes. When he turned to face them, he called out, "Elijah."
"Mike."
Kai squinted at the man, his memory slowly clicking. "Do I know this guy?" he thought.
"What are you doing here?" Elijah asked.
"Oh, just burning an abomination that scared me so badly I hid for two days straight," Mike replied.
"You saw it too?" Adan asked, astonished.
Mike nodded, then glanced at Adan. "Yeah, it was... something else. And who might you be?" He had already managed to pick Stella up out of Adan's arms, earning a glare.
Adan didn't hesitate. He kicked Mike's hand away, catching Stella and setting her gently on her feet. "Back off, Mike. She's taken."
"I was just asking for her name," Mike said with a grin.
Stella chuckled. "Sorry, but this is my boyfriend, Adan."
"Nice to meet you, Adan," Mike said, his smile unwavering.
"Yeah, stay over there," Adan warned.
Elijah burst out laughing. "This is my friend Mike, who tends to think more with his lower half."
"I don't only think with my lower half," Mike countered, already standing next to Julia. "As Elijah said, I'm Mike. And you are?"
"Julia," she replied curtly, making it clear she wasn't interested.
Mike immediately shifted his focus to the last person.
He and Kai locked eyes, their expressions tense. Then, at the same time, they shouted, "Shitface, is that you?" and "Blondie, it's you!"