The three stepped out of the cave, marveling at the hidden exit, yet Josier couldn't help but complain, "Why is the rain getting heavier… it shows no sign of stopping."
"Our clothes are completely soaked. If this keeps up, won't we catch a cold?" Elaine remarked with concern.
Kaires nodded thoughtfully. "Let's follow the river downstream along the waterfall. We have no sense of direction, and we don't even know where we are. Plus, nightfall is approaching..."
Suddenly, an idea struck Elaine. "What about your phone? It should have a map app, right?"
Kaires paused, puzzled. "Wait, this world's 'smartphones' have apps too?"
Elaine explained, "Yes, there's a world map, basic phone functions, an official announcement website, a messaging app, and even an 'Awakener Power Detection' app. But all these functions are monitored by the authorities—there's no privacy."
Surprised, Kaires chuckled, "Seems like this place isn't as backward as I thought, hahaha..."
As he spoke, he reached for his phone, only to frown in confusion. "Huh? That's odd…"
Elaine, now anxious, asked, "What's wrong?"
Kaires frowned at the device in his hand. "The phone won't turn on… it's completely dead."
Josier quickly speculated, "Could it be that when you unleashed your 'Hundred Million Volts,' you fried it?"
Elaine protested, "That's impossible! The phone was working fine when we fell into the cave!"
After thinking for a moment, Josier added, "Maybe the damage happened during the fight later on..."
Kaires sighed in resignation. "This is bad. We're completely lost now. If it weren't for the rain, we might still be able to use the moon to find our bearings..."
The rain continued its relentless downpour as the trio, utterly exhausted, trudged along the riverside. Time seemed to blur as they pressed on. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they stumbled upon a small hollow in the cliffside, offering some shelter from the rain.
"Let's spend the night here," Kaires said, scanning the area to ensure its safety. "I'll head into the forest to gather some dry wood and see if I can hunt something. Otherwise, we'll be going to bed hungry tonight."
Josier and Elaine nodded in resignation, "It seems we have no other choice. Our provisions and equipment were all left behind in the serpent's lair, and all that remains with me is this dagger at my waist..."
Elaine furrowed her brow, recalling the harrowing experience with a shudder. "That serpent was truly terrifying. We fled in such haste that we hardly had time to gather our belongings..."
"Indeed," Kaires replied solemnly, his tone resolute. "Given the urgency of the situation, it's fortunate we managed to escape at all. I won't venture too far; I'll remain vigilant. Stay here, and if anything goes awry, call for me loudly. I will return immediately."
Josier and Elaine exchanged a glance and nodded gently. The rain pounded against the rocky wall, creating a somber melody that heightened the tension between the three of them.
Taking a deep breath, Kaires turned and stepped into the forest's shadows, braving the torrential downpour.
Time passed slowly, and Kaires had yet to return. Josier couldn't help but murmur, "Why is Kaires taking so long…?"
Elaine smiled faintly, attempting to lighten the mood. "Don't worry; in this deluge, finding dry wood and edible game is indeed a challenge. Let's wait a little longer."
Josier lifted her gaze towards the river in the distance. The sky was darkening, and the rain showed no signs of letting up. Suddenly, her expression shifted, and she whispered anxiously, "Elaine, look over there… It's getting dark, and with this downpour, visibility is diminishing. What is that? Something is crawling out of the river..."
Elaine quickly turned her head, her face paling as her eyes locked onto a colossal creature emerging from the river. It resembled a crocodile but possessed a shark's tail. Its limbs were robust and powerful, clearly evolved to thrive both on land and in water—this was none other than the river's apex predator, the "Crocodile Shark."
The "Crocodile Shark" could not only swim at high speeds in the water but also move deftly on land. An adult could reach a staggering length of fifteen meters, rendering it a terrifying presence that few would dare confront.
Elaine explained nervously, and as Josier listened, a wave of fear surged within her. She wanted to call back Kaires but hesitated, terrified of alarming the fierce creature.
However, fate seemed to conspire against them; the "Crocodile Shark" had noticed their presence. It let out a low growl and began to approach them slowly. Josier grabbed Elaine's hand tightly, her voice trembling, "What do we do? It's seen us!"
Elaine was equally frantic, whispering back, "It's too late to call Kaires now… Should we run?"
The two pressed closely against the rocky wall, their breaths shallow and careful, unwilling to disturb the "Crocodile Shark." Its massive form loomed ever closer, yet just as it reached them, it abruptly halted, coldly scrutinizing them for a moment before miraculously turning away and leisurely retreating back into the river. With a sudden leap, it vanished into the tumultuous waters.
Josier and Elaine were drenched in cold sweat, still trembling from the encounter. Elaine gasped, her brow furrowed in confusion, "What... what just happened? Why does it seem like the Crocodile Shark suddenly can't see us anymore?"
Josier, equally perplexed and haunted by the memory, replied, "I don't know… I was just thinking how wonderful it would be if we could vanish before it… and then it truly didn't notice us..."
Elaine's eyes widened in shock, "What? Did you just… could it be that Hades awakened your 'Revelator' abilities?"
Furrowing her brow, Josier struggled to believe it. "Is… is that really possible?"
After a moment of contemplation, Elaine exclaimed excitedly, "Think about it! Your 'Revelation' ability is already about concealing your energy fluctuations. If Hades truly enhanced your powers, perhaps not only has your strength increased, but you can also render yourself genuinely invisible before these creatures!"
Josier was taken aback, the harrowing scene replaying in her mind. She suddenly realized that her abilities might have undergone a transformation without her even noticing...
With a serious expression, Elaine urged, "Try it again; this way we can confirm our hypothesis."
Josier nodded, closing her eyes and focusing her mind as she activated her 'Revelation' ability. As she concentrated, Elaine's eyes widened in astonishment, unable to contain her exclamation, "Josier… your body… is slowly becoming… transparent! My goodness, your ability has evolved—this is truly incredible!"
Josier returned to her original form, unable to suppress her joy. "Is it really true? Is my ability finally useful? It seems that encountering Hades might not be entirely detrimental after all..."
In her excitement, she turned to Elaine, asking eagerly, "Elaine, you mentioned that Hades gave you a gift too; could it be that he granted you a form of 'Revelation' ability as well?"
Elaine frowned in puzzlement, replying, "I don't know… I haven't sensed any changes or experienced anything special…"
Her words were laced with uncertainty and anticipation, as if she were waiting for the unknown power to manifest.
As night deepened, the rain showed no signs of abating. The roar of the waterfall mingled with the relentless downpour, creating an oppressive and mysterious backdrop. At that moment, Kaires emerged, carrying a small, not overly large pig on his back and clutching several drenched logs, a broad smile illuminating his face.
"How fortunate!" he declared triumphantly. "This little pig was trapped in a muddy pit in the forest, and with just a bit of electricity, I captured it. Tonight's dinner is assured." As he spoke, he noticed Josier and Elaine staring at him intently, and he furrowed his brow, asking, "Hmm? Why are you two looking at me like that?"
Unable to contain their excitement, Josier and Elaine eagerly recounted everything that had just transpired, their eyes sparkling with exhilaration and expectation as they spoke of Josier's evolving powers.
Kaires raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile gracing his lips as he listened. "It seems Hades' 'gift' is indeed remarkable." He quickly set about igniting a fire and expertly used his dagger to butcher the pig. "But let's not dwell on that now; we'll soon have meat to eat! In the meantime, let's dry our clothes by the fire so we won't freeze tonight."
The three of them sat huddled around the fire, the warm yellow glow dispelling the chill and dampness of the night. The sounds of rain and distant waterfalls echoed softly in the background, yet the trio engaged in lively conversation, momentarily forgetting the perils of the outside world. Kaires occasionally glanced down at the sizzling meat, a relaxed smile gracing his lips as he mused, "To share such a joyful evening with them in this treacherous world doesn't seem so bad after all."
As night fell, the rain finally ceased, leaving the air imbued with the freshness and dampness that follows a downpour. The three continued their banter around the fire, and as their laughter gradually dwindled, they succumbed to sleep, comforted by each other's presence. The moonlight filtered through the clouds, casting a gentle glow upon the riverbank, where the tranquil waters flowed serenely, creating an atmosphere of calm and peace.
However, within this tranquil night, a figure stood at the river's edge, bathed in moonlight—none other than Kaires.
A peculiar smile curled at the corners of Kaires' lips, his eyes devoid of the usual warmth and kindness, replaced instead by a cold, frenzied gleam. He stared intently at the river, inhaling deeply as if the very air of this world were saturated with a scent that captivated him. "This world... remains unchanged, still reeking of blood, a scent that fills me with an unparalleled comfort." His voice was deep and raspy, imbued with an unsettling quality that seemed foreign to Kaires.
At his feet lay the massive corpse of a Crocodile Shark, a fierce creature capable of effortlessly snuffing out lives, now lying still and lifeless on the ground. Its enormous shark tail shimmered faintly under the moonlight, while the earth surrounding its body was stained with blood, creating a gruesome sight.
"Hehehehe..." Kaires tilted his head towards the sky, releasing a series of low, almost mad chuckles, his laughter tinged with an undercurrent of insanity and mockery, as if conversing with the moonlight.
As dawn broke, a thin mist hung in the air, and Josier's startled voice shattered the silence. "Wake up!" she urged anxiously, "You need to see this!"
Kaires and Elaine rubbed their sleepy eyes, slowly emerging from slumber. Elaine mumbled, "What's going on? Why the commotion so early?"
Josier pointed in disbelief towards the distance, her tone a mixture of shock and confusion. "The Crocodile Shark... it's dead!"
At her words, both Kaires and Elaine instantly became alert, rushing to Josier's side. The sight before them made them gasp—an enormous Crocodile Shark lay sprawled on the riverbank, its lifeless body a ghastly spectacle. Kaires couldn't help but exclaim, "Goodness, it really is a Crocodile Shark... But who could have killed it here? Could a ferocious beast have attacked it last night?"
Elaine scanned the surroundings, her expression grave. "Creatures capable of defeating a Crocodile Shark are rare, which suggests that even more dangerous predators may be lurking nearby... We can't linger here too long; we must leave immediately."
However, Josier hesitated, crouching down to fixate on the shark's corpse. Thoughtfully, she remarked, "Wait, this Crocodile Shark is brimming with valuable materials. We should at least gather some; its meat can serve as sustenance, and the crystal core within its organs is a rare medicinal resource that could be sold to traveling merchants."
Kaires furrowed his brow. "Sell to whom? Are there merchants around here?"
Elaine chuckled, explaining, "Indeed, merchants traverse between various shelters every week, acquiring materials from mutated creatures or trading goods. A creature like the Crocodile Shark has skin that can be fashioned into high-strength armor, while the crystal core in its entrails is prized for creating potent healing potions or strength-enhancing elixirs—both exceedingly valuable."
Josier nodded in agreement. "We can't carry too much, but we should at least cut off some meat for food and obtain the crystal core; it could fetch a handsome price."
Kaires raised an eyebrow, a resigned smile appearing. "It feels as though this world is increasingly resembling an RPG game."
The trio swiftly sprang into action. Josier deftly drew her dagger, beginning to carve the meat from the Crocodile Shark. Meanwhile, Elaine cautiously excavated the crystal core, its softly glowing blue hue resembling a gemstone, emitting faint energy vibrations. Kaires stood guard nearby, ensuring no other threats approached.
"Alright, that should be enough; we must hurry and leave," Josier said, carefully wrapping the crystal core and nodding to the other two.