--
The evolution of this planet, following the emergence of spiritual energy, has not only brought forth mutant beasts and grimoires, but also gates.
--
A hundred meters from the front, near a lake clear enough to reflect the shadow of the night sky on its surface, a woman is swimming there.
Although she is in an area where danger constantly coexists with the environment, her carelessness is somehow audacious.
Sometimes, she would dive deep into the lake, taking more than three minutes without showing the tip of her nose on the surface.
Like a mermaid, she seems to be in her element.
After about ten minutes, she finally left the lake.
Still with the same nonchalance, she slowly got dressed before joining the camp.
A few seconds later, two figures wearing hoods also came to this lake.
The energy emanating from them was not dangerous, peaceful and warm.
On their waists, a golden grimoire was.
One of them gestured to his colleague in sign language.
Perfectly understanding his colleague's words, he commanded his grimoire which floated in front of him.
The next second, a giant squid with its ten tentacles dove into the lake just after leaving the golden portal created by the grimoire of one of these guests.
Despite its monumental size, the sea monster did not create ripples on the surface of the lake during its diving.
Soon, it came out with a bottle containing a piece of paper.
The master of the beast unrolled the paper and frowned after reading its contents.
[The wolves may have found the progenitor, the scavengers of the three-eyed crow have retreated, perhaps gone to steal the loot.]
Although the message was coded, the recipient was able to decode it easily.
After reading it, the paper caught fire and turned into ash.
Following his actions, the man began to make new signs with his fingers to his colleague.
(We must warn the angels.)
(An urgent report?)
(Affirmative! Other scavengers are swarming around. A new progenitor has appeared in Jolon forest.)
(...)
---
After leaving the lake and joining the front, a knight was quick to notice the woman.
With a hasty air, he boos at her before bowing to her.
"Lady Rebecca, where have you been!? The commander has been waiting for you for over three minutes!"
Rebecca's blonde hair was still wet.
She frowned as she glared at the soldier. "Why?"
Although nonchalant, her voice carried a trace of hesitation.
"For night exploration, of course."
Having almost the same status as Rebecca, the knight didn't have to be too respectful towards her.
'Dammit, ...I missed that.'
She exclaimed with a restless heart.
She knew how much her superior hated latecomers.
She put aside her personal matters and asked in a tense tone.
"Where are they?"
"At the rendezvous point."
As soon as she finished these words, Rebecca's figure transformed into a ray of light as she ran towards the rendezvous point.
'These demons are truly heartless. Despite the death of their niece, they act as if nothing happened and continue their daily lives.'
She mumbled as she dashed at the meeting point.
It was partly because of what she believed that drove her to act this way.
But who would have thought that Monica would just go about her night exploration as if nothing had happened?
However, she frowned as she approached the small group of about twelve members.
'...There are more members than usual.'
She could identify some members who were only appearing for the first time, including Eleanor and Ivan.
However, a figure near Monica made her heart skip a beat.
This ghostly presence made her agitated enough to want to scream out loud in horror.
Nevertheless, she did her best to keep her cool, although her quick steps greatly reduced as she approached them.
'How the hell could she be...here!? Maybe her ghost?'
"It doesn't look like you, Rebecca."
As soon as she got near the group, Rebecca heard Monica's exasperating voice.
"Please excuse me, Milady, but I didn't imagine that the Young Lady could overcome her overload of energy alone."
Instinctively, she let this answer slip.
"What bullshit are you talking about? I'm talking about your delay!"
Between her confusion and her surprise at seeing Monica scold her, she bows at her.
"...Sorry for that." Although she apologized, her eyes were on Mystic.
'Could it be that I really see the ghost of this girl?'
"...Your punishment will wait for now. You've delayed us long enough."
Following these words, Monica focuses on a bearded man with a scar on his forehead.
"Jeevak, the map." She holds out her hand to him and orders.
"Here, Boss!"
Compared to the other members, this man had one less horn and more scar.
However, his horn was broken, not that he was born that way.
Monica got back the map and soon she smiled like a demon.
"Follow me!"
At these words, she vanished, followed by the others as well.
Although their speed was not slow, Mystic managed to follow them at a rapid pace to avoid losing sight of them in the bloody mist.
The group did not take long to arrive at their destination.
A cave similar to the demon's entrance opened wide in front of them.
The cave, measuring more than five meters high, is decorated with a dark veil that prevents everyone from seeing the inside.
Nevertheless, something seems to indicate that it was a safe area.
The blood mist didn't affect that area, and the beasts didn't come near it either.
After a brief moment of analysis, Monica throws the map scroll towards its owner, Jeevak.
"The gate must be in this cave."
This statement full of certainty made the hearts of the three juniors who accompanied them beat faster.
Although none of them dared to question Monica, all three of them seemed breathless in front of this cave.
They were in front of the cave, however, the air was blowing outward unexpectedly.
'The atmosphere is... frigid.'
Mystic mumbled while she frowned like the other two who also noticed this anomaly.
Monica didn't give too much explanation, in fact, she didn't say anything more after those words previously spoken with excitement.
She took a step into the cave followed by the others.
The interior of the cave was bathed in darkness and an icy wind that became stronger and stronger as they ventured further.
Although they could only see slightly around them, and only hear the sound of their footsteps accompanied by their breathing, no danger had yet arisen on their paths.
This silence, inactivity, and inaction have raised the eyebrows of many of them.
After a few additional seconds, the group was greeted by a rather unexpected sight.
At the end of the cold tunnel of the cave that seemed endless, a surprising scene greeted the members.
Even the imperturbable Monica couldn't help but smile slightly at the sight she was currently seeing.
A meadow, a beautiful peaceful meadow of sunflower fields where the wind was blowing peacefully.
It's innocuous, in appearance.
Incredible, was the blue sky with the sun at its zenith above them.
It was inexplicable, considering the fact that it was always night.
'What is that place? Is this what the gates are?' Mystic was also baffled at that sight.
The more impressive was that she could feel the warmth of the sun on her skin.
'Something is wrong.'
She quickly came to this conclusion when she carefully looked at the Hell Wolves' members.
"Don't trust your eyes and other senses," Monica whispered with a solemn expression.
Her eyes then switched to the deputy leader of her elite squad, Jeevak.
While the others tried to understand the mystery they were witnessing, especially Mystic and her two cousins, Monica spoke to Jeevak.
"Jeevak."
"…Understood, Boss," Jeevak answered with a smile that hid many things.
With a superficial movement of his hand, he manifested a golden portal from his grimoire around his waist.
Unlike lower-rank grimoire holders, gold-rankers did not need to open their grimoires to use their powers.
That being said, he did not summon his soul beast, but a little black cat.
Its fur was jet with small brilliant black dots similar to a cluster of stars in the sky.
'A shadow Cat...' With a glance, Mystic was able to identify the creature summoned by his superior.
As soon as it appeared, its violet eyes with unique features similar to those of dragons, due to the verticality of its black irises, began to shine.
Seemingly harmless at first sight, everyone knew how much this kitten could be as dangerous as an enemy.
Its species is part of one of the rare mutant beasts to inherit a rare ability, illusion.
Therefore, when its pupils began to shine in front of the small crowd, they began to see beyond this realistic lie.
Mystic looked around in bliss. Whether it's her instinct or her five other senses, everything seems to signal an invisible danger lurking in the shadows for her group.
'...It's still too gigantic.'
Nevertheless, she prioritized gathering information.
As she looked, she noticed details that go unnoticed but strange.
Such as the size of the cave that can accommodate a small villa within it.
In the middle, a gigantic tree similar to a cherry tree, but different because of the shape and thickness of its branches and leaves, stood before them.
In the middle of the main trunk of the tree, a red portal hummed like a driving wheel.
Succumbing to her curiosity, Mystic floated her grimoire in front of her.
At first, she herself did not know what was driving her to act like this.
It was like it was engraved in her, a need?
Regardless, her grimoire was quick to react to this tree.
Without her command, her grimoire was pulled by a mysterious force towards the tree trunk!
-?!
Her eyes widen in exclamation as she sees this strangest phenomenon come to life before her eyes.
The worst part was that she wasn't the only one who had her grimoire snatched from her hands.
Eleanor and Ivan's grimoire did the same strange phenomenon.
However, when she tries to take back her grimoire, Monica puts her sword in her way.
Monica looked at her with a vicious smile and said...
"Stop!"
Due to this delay that Monica deliberately created, the three grimoires were sucked into the small red portal!
Mystic's eyes turned red with anger and anxiety when she saw this scene.
"Why did you stop me, Instructor Monica?"
She asked in a low but cold voice, with a bloodshot glare at Monica.
However, Monica ignored her as her face darkened.
"Jeevak, why did this gate only accept silver and lower summoners?"