[{"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-56":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},758541,1005,"Chapter 56: Hunt [3]","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-56",56,"\u003Cp>Three days passed in a blur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the day of the appointment and Leon and the other members were already waiting in Zone [F].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So this is the [F] zone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evelyn looked around with wide eyes. In their view lay a luminescent forest, emitting a deep blue glow that starkly contrasted with the dull grayness of the surrounding world. In a sense, it added to the ominousness of the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bordering next to the Yellow Region, it was the most dangerous Zone within the Black Region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon looked around before turning back to look at the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Be careful. Do not stray too far. I can sense multiple strong presences deep within.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your senses are that sharp?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aoife asked while she leaned on a nearby tree. She closed her eyes and tried to sense her surroundings, but after a while frowned and shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".....I can't sense anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm a knight. That's why.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aoife didn't seem to be satisfied with the answer but left it there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a fundamental difference between those that belonged to the [Body] category and those that belonged to the [Mind] and [Elemental] category.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be classified as a knight, one had to belong to the [Body] category which focused on enhancing the human body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aoife was proficient in both [Mind] and [Body]. However, unlike him, she focused most of her attention on [Telekinesis] which belonged to the [Mind] category.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was understandable that his senses were sharper than hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, his only talents lay in the [Body] category.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't he late? How much longer are we supposed to wait for him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice suddenly broke Leon out of his thoughts. When he looked back, Wesley, who was similarly leaning against a nearby tree, frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's been an hour since we arrived here and he's still not here. Are we sure he's coming?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon frowned but still answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".....He should be coming.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh, well, if you say so.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon thought he'd leave it at that, but he suddenly continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't think anything happened to him on the way?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean, he did go by himself. And like I said, he's not very strong. It wouldn't be out of the question.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if he got hurt and can't make it? How much longer should we wait for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He talks too much.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was starting to become more and more apparent to Leon. This hadn't been the first remark he had made toward Julien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past three days, he had been throwing random jabs at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody said a thing considering that they were a group and none of the group members had anything to say about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was starting to grow on Leon's nerves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You, c—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gentle rustle halted Leon mid-sentence as he turned his head in the direction of where the sound came from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a figure slowly emerged from the other side of the trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he appeared, the expressions of all those present changed. This was especially so for Wesley who couldn't help but cover his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pftt. \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A weird mixture of expressions greeted my sight the moment I managed to clear the forest and arrive at the meeting area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't blame them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I wasn't injured, my clothes were a mess with tears all over the place. Dry blood stained my attire, adding to the disarray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been so immersed in my training that I had almost forgotten about the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, I managed to make it in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pftt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A certain sound caught my attention and when I looked up, I found someone staring at with me a look of mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Who is this guy?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With long black hair, hazel eyes, and handsome features, he appeared somewhat familiar, but I couldn't quite put it where.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My attention shifted away when I noticed Leon approach me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sported a small frown on his face but didn't say anything about my clothing and started to brief me on the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Near here there's a Nyxfernal nest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Nyxfernal nest?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having studied the books before coming here, I was well learned on Nyxfernals. They were an underground creature that loved to dig tunnels. Highly toxic, and nimble with sharp claws, they were monsters that the Academy recommended avoiding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....So why was he telling me this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've already scouted the area beforehand, and there's only one Junior ranked one. The rest are infant ranked.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Within the nest, there is a handful of Lumicore Fungi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It may not be useful for you, but it can fetch a high price if you were to sell it on the market. If you help us, we will give you a share of the gains.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't answer immediately. Staring into Leon's eyes for a brief moment, I proceeded to lower my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumicore Fungi. I knew about them. They weren't exactly useful for me. They were resources more fit for those who practiced the [Body] category.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, that didn't mean they were worthless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, rather, they were worth a lot of money. I wasn't sure exactly how much, but each gram was worth at least multiple dozen Rend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was in desperate need of money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To become stronger faster, I needed more resources. Money was the key to gaining access to such resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no other choice but to accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when my thoughts paused there, I looked up to Leon and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright. I'll accept.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just briefly, I noticed Leon's lips pull up slightly. But it left as fast as it came, and I had a hard time figuring out whether I had seen it wrongly or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, I let it be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....Get ready. We will be leaving soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Located deep into the [F] Zone was a certain web of tunnels that one could enter from a few spots above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somewhat familiar with the area, Leon guided us toward a dark cave that one couldn't see the end of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this the place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luxon glanced around with a frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do we have some light? Or do you-\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's no need.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon casually looked back before stepping in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You'll see once we reach deeper inside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His figure disappeared into the cave. Aoife followed right after him. Though confused, Luxon sighed and followed right after. I was just about to follow when someone turned to face me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He appeared friendly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make sure you stay behind me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have no idea why Leon wanted you to come, but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered his head to scan my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....I can protect you if you stay behind me. Since you seem to be struggling so much, I thought it'd be best if you stayed with me. I'm a sharpshooter so I've got great eyesight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is this guy...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you stay next to me you won't get in the way of others and might even be able to contribute.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every word that he spat was spat with a friendly smile, and yet... All I felt was a strange sense of disgust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was just about to respond to him when he turned around and entered the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just make sure you listen to me. It'll do all of us good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood in silence for a short moment before lowering my head to stare at my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Struggling? ....Might be able to contribute?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I almost laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What sort of situation was this? I wasn't even mad. I was just baffled. He couldn't even hide his own dislike towards me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shook my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had thought people would finally leave me alone after what I had done, but there were still a few who were not convinced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most likely, he had some basis behind his confidence. Given that I could somewhat recognize him, he must've had some strength to back up his confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What a pain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just when was it going to be enough?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scratching the side of my head, I entered the cave and embraced the darkness. I had just taken several steps when I stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air was thick with the scent of earth and dampness, and the sound of dripping water echoed softly in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, off in the distance I took notice of a strange glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't hesitate to follow the light and soon enough I was left shocked by the sight that greeted me. Covering the walls and ceiling of the cave was an unusual blue moss, emitting a soft glow that illuminated the entire cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Wow.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked like a scene straight out of a movie and I had to take a moment to observe the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Julien.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only looked away when I felt someone call my name. Looking up, I saw everyone looking at me. I briefly paused my gaze on the black-haired kid before turning it back to Leon who pressed his hand against his mouth and nudged me forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're near the nest so be careful. If you—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOM—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".....!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cavern shook all of a sudden. Unable to keep it steady, I lost my footing and fell against the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was the only one that fell as almost everyone was able to keep their footing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hiek!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone else did fall on me as my vision was covered by a set of purple hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she fell on me, I felt her body turn rigid and our eyes met. I hardly reacted given that I knew that this was an accident, but she didn't think so as her eyes darted all over the place but me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, just as she was about to say something, I caught sight of a massive figure headed in our direction from the distance and I pushed her off of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tremendous pressure that made it hard to breathe emitted from the creature's body as I tried to get my bearings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was about to move forward, a hand pushed me back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't interfere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get ready!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon's voice reached me shortly after. With his glowing sword, he pushed his feet forward and dashed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His figure blurred forward as it headed toward the distant creature. Following him right behind was Aoife who was just a tad bit slower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others also got into position as they readied themselves to face the creature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was the only one who did nothing as I met a pair of hazel eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We discussed it before, right? Stay with me so that we don't interfere with them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, I deeply stared into his eyes. He met them back. As if he was trying to challenge me. However... that didn't last for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He soon started to grow uncomfortable with my gaze. So much that his eyes started to dart away from me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept at it until he couldn't bear it anymore and finally looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew then the reasoning behind his attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.....He was afraid of me.\u003C\u002Fp>",1848,"2026-06-02T12:40:56.142Z",1,"novelbin.me","46a8794ded8cce6074b9060b9d5bb0fe36d4032626d7fb953244d439d1946e74","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-57","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-55",876,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fadvent-of-the-three-calamities-cover.jpg"]