[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-advent-of-the-three-calamities":3,"chapter-advent-of-the-three-calamities-advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-181":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Advent of the Three Calamities",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},758766,1005,"Chapter 181 Silence [5]","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-181",181,"\u003Cp>I stood frozen in silence as I felt the gazes of the eaters in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My chest clenched with anxiety at the sight before me, but upon realizing that I had yet to be attacked, I understood that they had only reacted slightly to the door opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I'm still safe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at the eaters in front of me, I fiddled with my pocket. I still had two mana bombs with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would certainly be useful in this type of situation, however, I chose against using them this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at the long and narrow alleyway in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'.....I'll only screw myself over if I use them.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While it was true that the mana bomb would attract the eaters away from me, it would also attract the eaters behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would make escaping impossible for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With eaters on both sides, I'd be completely helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Now what...?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had two options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go back inside, or move past the eaters in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The choice was rather simple after I thought about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I'll go this way.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of eaters in front of me was quite high. However, when compared to the entrance, it was probably much lower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For that reason, this was the best option for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's not like I have to use the mana bomb.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On another note, it was also true that I didn't have to use a mana bomb. Perhaps it was because of the situation that I was in, but I was starting to overthink a lot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was I the type to overthink…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps, but for some reason, it felt as though my mind was slowly losing clarity the more I stayed here. I had noticed something similar happening back at the bunker when I started killing without regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it a coincidence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't think so, and all of a sudden, I was reminded of the words I read back at the library.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'….It can't be.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the tree already affecting me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how was that possible…? I wanted to refuse the possibility with all my heart, and yet, the more I thought about it, the more likely this possibility was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This might also explain the roots that have been haunting me.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a pang of anxiety when I thought about it. Recalling the fact that roots had now reached my face, I knew I didn't have much time left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…..\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lowered my head to stare at my shoes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While it was indeed a bit of a pity, I had no choice. There were no rocks around, and the alleyway appeared to be spotless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shoe was my only option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'....If only I could open my bag.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were many things that I could use instead of my shoes, but opening the bag would create too much noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was unfortunately the safest method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, taking off my shoes, I wrapped one of them with the threads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The alleyway was quite long. I could see the exit from where I was, but it was quite far. Thankfully, it wasn't a distance I couldn't cover with my throw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, tensing my body further, I threw the shoe as far away as I possibly could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the silence that took over the surroundings, a subtle 'thud' resonated, and the eaters all raised their heads to face the same direction of where the noise came from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hieeek—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shortly after, they screamed and ran towards where the shoe was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their speed was quite fast, and in seconds, they were already quite far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I followed right behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn't worried about the sound of my steps as I walked without my shoes. It helped reduce a lot of the noise that I made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hieeek—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the eaters were about to reach the shoe, I pulled it back with my thread and caught it with my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was still not out of the alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Catching onto the shoe, I tensed my arm and threw the shoe again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eaters once again screamed and followed the noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's working.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued to run behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My pace was rather slow, but in no time, I was finally able to reach the exit of the alleyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hieeek—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monsters were still chasing my shoe, but just before they could eat it, I'd always retrieve it back and throw it in another direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when I got far away did I finally retrieve my shoe back for good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Well, maybe...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at the dangling shoe in front of me, I didn't know how to feel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was torn apart with multiple scratches and gashes all over. It wasn't an expensive shoe, but I still felt pained seeing the state it was in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.....In this world, I wasn't rich.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every little Rend mattered to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I'll get the academy to reimburse me if it's the last thing I'll do.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a pledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Now, then...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was back standing in one of the streets that led to the main plaza.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The streets were deserted, and absolute silence gripped the surroundings. It was hard to describe the situation, but it felt incredibly unsettling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cr Crack—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence was broken by a faint cracking sound coming in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raising my head, I stared at the hand that was gripped against the station walls. Bit by bit, it was starting to destroy the walls, creating more and more cracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More eaters started to emerge from the other side, entering the station in hordes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at the hand in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'.....I can't really see how strong it is.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the book, 'silent eaters' were Terror Ranked creatures. It was for this reason that I never bothered fighting them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, staring at the massive hand in the distance, I wasn't so sure that creature was Terror Rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had a feeling it was higher ranked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that was the case, the only people that could deal with it were the Post-Leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Right, the Post-Leaders.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden thought entered my mind at that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a crazy thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One that might land me in a whole world of trouble, but at the same time, it was also the only way for me to have a chance at gaining the missing page.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Yes, I'll do it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now was not the right time yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing I needed to do was get back near the bunker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a small and shallow breath, I quietly moved around the cobblestone streets to head for where the bunker was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The location wasn't quite far, and I knew exactly where I needed to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, I'd noticed eaters around, but none of them noticed my presence. In fact, they all seemed to be rushing towards where I had previously been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking past one of the eaters, I glanced at one of the mummified corpses that was lying down on the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were many of them, and under the heat, they almost became unrecognizable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.....I had just turned to look away from the corpse when all of a sudden, I heard a faint rustling noise coming from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped dead in my tracks and turned my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two white eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were staring back at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt my heart freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could even react to the situation, I watched with numb horror as the corpse's mouth opened, and,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hiaaaak!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hoarse scream escaped its mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a raw, grating cry. It was as if the vocal cords were shredded with each desperate exhalation, producing a chilling, almost inhuman wail that echoed throughout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a matter of seconds, I heard a series of sounds coming from all sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing my situation, I prepared to run away, but,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corpse moved yet again, its skinny and mummified arm clamping against my ankle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kh...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to release myself from its grip by moving my leg, but the corpse refused to let go as its white eyes continued to stare at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet again, its mouth opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it didn't scream. Instead, it started to speak, as yet again, its hoarse voice echoed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".... Stop... Resisting...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only two words, but they were enough to send chills down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hieeek—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eaters arrived, surrounding the area from all sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked around me with bathed breath and stopped resisting. The corpse next to me continued to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Become... One... With... The... Tree...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My pulse raced, and I fiddled with the mana bomb in my pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was little time at my disposal. With the corpse still gripping onto my ankle, and the eaters staring in my direction, I knew that the situation was dire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Extending my hand in the corpse's direction, threads flowed out from my arm, wrapping around the arm that was entangling my ankle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clenching my hand, the hand severed in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In spite of my actions, the corpse continued to stare at me with its white eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It no longer seemed to be able to speak, but its gaze was enough to send shivers down my entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.....Unfortuntely, I had no time to stare back into its eyes for too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking out the mana bomb, I threw it in the air where it exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOM—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surroundings shook, and the eaters lunged in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hieek! Hieeeeek!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned around and dipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haa... Haa...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite my best attempts, I couldn't stop my breath as I ran. I was starting to get tired again, and the mana inside of my body depleted further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This is bad.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I now only had one mana bomb left to spare, and eaters appeared from all sides, rushing in the direction of where the bomb sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, there were quite a few that were headed right at me due to the noise that I made, and gritting my teeth, I could only increase my pace and run across the cobblestone street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.....I wasn't running blindly this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite not going in the direction of the bunker, there was one place that I was currently headed to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The control station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Located at the very heart of the station, it was where the emergency station was located.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I didn't know much about it, looking up and staring at the speakers located on some of the poles that were stationed around the streets, I knew this was my best bet in getting rid of the eaters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the eaters thrived in silence, it was also their biggest weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the horns started, the eaters were going to be in a state of utter confusion, unable to know where to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was my best bet at escaping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, taking a deep breath, I picked my pace further.\u003C\u002Fp>",1810,"2026-06-02T12:40:56.142Z",1,"novelbin.me","0ba2a77b7a73e8561662ea11a237c4cb1eb2532c2247cfcabb22ca2335f48ddf","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-182","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-180",876,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fadvent-of-the-three-calamities-cover.jpg"]