Marcus's eyes widened in surprise as he looked around, but there were no shadows of anyone around him.
"Where are the others?" he exclaimed, immediately, he felt his heart trembled.
He instinctively took a step back, staring at the huge spaceship in front of him. Its strange design, highlighted by the dim, eerie lights, made him shiver.
"And what is this?"
He quietly said, trying to understand the thing before him.
Now, with a closer look, a feeling of fear gripped Marcus as he realized he didn't know the spaceship. Although he had come on this adventure to find magical items, the mere presence of this alien craft made him want to run away.
What is this?
It looks sharp and dangerous.
Should I venture into it?
He shook his head, he was not used to being alone. He should probably take a cautious approach.
Just as Marcus thought about his next move, he tensed up with fear when another screen appeared.
[ Activating Blood scents! ]
The screen said, causing Marcus to flinch.
What is that?
What's the meaning of that?
He could feel the situation growing more serious, and a sense of foreboding embraced him as he read that message, even though he didn't know what it truly meant, it still felt like a steel whip.
He didn't give up, he looked around to find his team.
"Where is everyone?" Marcus asked, his mind racing to figure out why they disappeared.
Is this one of the Baron's scheme?
They had seen a lot of the Baron trying to scheme against them so that they could die inside their dungeons, but all of their plots had failed.
However, now they could feel that something was really wrong.
The way the butler had said that Wallace was a new Baron had seemed suspicious at the time.
However, that was not the time to dwell on those thoughts.
Marcus is a mage; he can't be alone. He should always be protected by the Mana Knights against monsters.
So he needs them, much more than they need him.
Time seemed to drag on as Marcus took another step back, putting distance between himself and the mysterious space object.
In a disturbing turn, yet another screen appeared with a [ Ding! ] sound.
Marcus's eyes quickly read the words that appeared.
[ Blood scents activated!
[ All nearby creatures will be provoked by the host's presence... ]
The message warned.
A sense of dread filled Marcus, as if an invisible force had tightened around his chest when he read that. Something bad was about to happen, and he could feel it deep inside, it's getting nearer and nearer.
As the rain poured, Marcus suddenly stopped backing away, feeling a strange sensation in his body.
Even though the heavy rain made it hard for him to see or hear, he had an unexplainable feeling that made him stay where he was.
In his stillness, Marcus became more aware of his surroundings, listening closely.
The raindrops fell on the leaves, making a soft sound like gentle music.
The tall trees swayed in the wind, their branches reaching out as if seeking comfort. The wet grass sparkled and whispered to each other.
Amidst this enchanting sound, an upsetting creaking came from the woods.
It broke through the rhythm of the rain, making Marcus shiver. Each creak seemed to carry a mysterious message, like a warning from the ancient forest.
Time stood still as Marcus noticed every detail, his senses heightened.
Despite the growing unease, he stayed where he was, refusing to retreat.
Soon, a soft rustling came from the nearby bush, immediately catching Marcus' attention.
Rustle Rustle!
His heart felt like in that moment, in pumped blood as he focused on the source of the disturbance.
A strange creature emerged from the plants. It had a wide forehead, captivating eyes that seemed ancient, and tangled reddish-brown hair like a wild, untamed beard.
The creature's broad nose and sharp teeth made it look unique, similar to humans.
Instantly, Marcus' instincts kicked in, and he knew he had to run.
Swoof!
He spun around and rushed forward with a burst of energy.
Every part of him felt the tension as he sprinted, his legs pumping urgently. Rain poured endlessly, soaking him, but he couldn't slow down.
He felt the creature following and getting closer, its presence looming over him.
Swoossshh!
Not long and tired, he decided to calm down. So he found shelter under a massive, tall tree. Its huge branches shielded him from the downpour, creating a small safe space.
Gasp!
Catching his breath, Marcus pressed his hands against the rough bark, his fingers digging in as he calmed down.
"This is it," he said, a mix of relief and determination.
Finally, he could use his magic. Alone without his team, he had to rely on his own abilities to survive.
Just as he was about to tap into his magic power, a notification appeared, disrupting his focus.
[ Ding!
[ Lord Wallace wants to see your progress.
[ Turn on Livestream? ]
Anger surged through Marcus as he read the message.
Did Wallace want to witness his struggle or even his defeat?
[ Ding!
The more viewers the guest player Marcus attracts, the better the rewards.
[ Item shops will be available: 1/1000 viewers. ]
The notification tempted him with rewards if he could gather a large audience.
Marcus felt betrayed and dreaded the situation.
Was Wallace behind their separation? Did he plan this cruel game?
Though not an expert, Marcus knew how to judge a person's character. The butler saying Wallace is 'new' meant something.
Usually, the battle against noble families is bloody, and the butler's words implied Wallace was dangerous, potentially plotting his own family's downfall.
There were rules governing their actions. Nobles couldn't harm their own family or plot their family's downfall if they wanted to inherit the coveted 'Enhancement Dungeons.'
However, Wallace and other nobles could bypass these restrictions by using magical beasts or weaker radiated creatures unaffected by the rules.
If Wallace murdered Toraz' family, it meant he had a cunning intellect surpassing ordinary nobles.
As the rain continued, Marcus clenched his fists, his determination growing.
"You'll be the witness to this! I will take all your treasures right before your eyes!" he declared.
He swore to show Wallace that despite the scheme, he would not fall and demonstrate how he would do it.
With each moment, his resolve hardened, fueled by the knowledge that his fate depended on his magical abilities and power as a proud fire mage.
Ding!
[ Livestream on!
[ Viewers: 1/1000 ]
Soon, he heard a booming sound!
Marcus saw the creature land in front of him from the sky with a resounding thud!