Becoming The Apocalypse Master With A Dual Cultivation Manual

‎Some time later, the four of them were traversing the stony terrain in silence, ensuring they did not stray into any beasts' territories. They paused often to recover their stamina, maintaining a cautious rhythm. Fortunately, for over an hour they had enjoyed an unusual stretch of peace, with no sign of danger from the shadows' perspective, and indeed, they were far from any lurking threat.

‎Since Na-Ri's weekly limit for using her floating orb had renewed, she wished to activate it to guide their way. However, Kyle objected, insisting she wait until later that night for reasons known only to him. He also intended to use his Starred Lantern, which had been left unused among his items for some time.

‎So, for now, they followed the handsome youth's shadow through the daylight, and perhaps into the night as well...

‎...But why?

‎Because it was the only one among them that knew the way to the Citadel, having memorised every possible route, even hidden cuts and paths that were never mentioned. Well, that was perhaps one of the many advantages of being a living shadow.

‎Kyle, keeping to his own pace, found his thoughts drifting back to the battle against the transformed horse. He knew the two had been utterly crushed in that fight, but with the eerie quiet surrounding them now, curiosity gnawed at his mind, urging him to ask for the details.

‎Then again, recounting how one had been mercilessly beaten without landing even a single strike wasn't exactly something anyone would be eager to discuss... was it?

‎That was, quite simply, a firm no. Still, before he realised it, the question had already left his mouth.

‎"So, guys, how were you defeated by the horse in the battle?"

‎Oh. That was perhaps the most awkward way he could have asked it, sounding almost as though he were mocking them for how easily they had been overpowered by the transformed horse despite their battle proficiency.

‎'Brilliant, Kyle. Truly brilliant. Couldn't you have phrased that any better? Out of all the ways to ask, you just had to pick the one that sounds like an insult. Aren't you clever?'

‎Adela, Orion, and Na-Ri halted at his words, all momentarily speechless at the blunt delivery of his question. Though Adela had not been directly involved in the fight, apart from the part where she struck the killing blow against the horse at great personal cost, it had been her highest feat within the Trial Zone and perhaps even in her entire life. In a sense, it surpassed anything the other two had accomplished.

‎Of course, it still was not quite on the same level as Kyle's. He had slain a Demon, even if the others had aided him, he had dealt the decisive blows. And that was not all. He had once brought down a Direwolf, the boss of a Green Zone, when he had nothing, no power, no strength, only sheer will and unyielding resolve. Not that any of them knew that, of course.

‎To add to his growing list of impossible feats, he had also slain an Unranked and nameless being entirely on his own.

‎Proud to be a slayer of beings far stronger than himself, wasn't he? Well, that pride had earned him the Title [Sailor of Ruins], which came with a rather troublesome disadvantage, one that seemed to be in effect right now. Everyone had almost died, honestly.

‎With all this in mind, Kyle began to wonder if he might actually have an edge against the beautiful stranger in battle. Still, he quickly discarded that thought. He knew almost nothing about her, her Name, any Title she might possess, and the same went for the grey-haired beauty and the handsome youth. Even with his growing power, challenging her felt far-fetched.

‎There were plenty of reasons for that doubt. She belonged to an intelligent race, the same as him, a human capable of calculated reasoning, strategic thinking, and refined martial discipline. She was a scholar of combat, a tactician, and though her past remained a veil of mystery, one thing was certain: her Glacial Element, while seemingly ineffective against certain powerful beings, was still formidable in its own right.

‎'Through pain and suffering, I shall rise to the pinnacle of power and defeat all those who have broken my bones and mind. Yes… that sounds a bit edgy and cringe, but whatever. The truth is the truth! My only oath, you shall mention, Kyle!'

‎He thought this to himself, entirely unaware that he was grinning like a madman, rubbing his hands together, and even chuckling under his breath like some sort of overconfident supervillain.

‎...Not to forget, he had asked a question about Orion and Na-Ri's defeat, and this, his unexplainable reaction, caused them to think he was really up to something regarding them.

‎The true peak and meaning of misunderstanding at the wrong time and place of the day.

‎Orion raised an eyebrow at him and asked, worriedly and perhaps confused:

‎"Kyle... are you okay?"

‎The young man flinched, snapping out of his personal... umm... plotting moment? Perhaps that.

‎Kyle's expression darkened with regret and embarrassment.

‎'Couldn't you have just messed things up better, Kyle?'

‎At this moment, he felt like running away in tears as all their eyes fell on him. If he counted it right, and perhaps saw it right, even the shadow seemed to be looking at him with confusion when it came back to report something.

‎Gathering courage, he responded in a low tone:

‎"Yes... I am, right?"

‎'You idiot! When did you get so much more stupid than before!? Ruin this, ruin that. "I am, right?" You fool!'

‎Repeatedly, he told on himself, crying inwardly. Perhaps it was when Bask had slammed his head into the ground that had caused all this awkward situation, if that word even applied right now.

‎Orion couldn't help but ask in a whisper that only the two of them could hear, worriedly:

‎"I'm here for you, Kyle. If you're a junkie, always feel free to tell me. We will find a way, somehow, to get you drugs or... something similar. You can settle for that, right?"

‎Kyle grimaced.

‎"Fuck off."

‎Adela frowned and pointed at the shadow that was trying to gain their attention.

‎Then Na-Ri said flatly:

‎"I think it's trying to tell us something."

‎"Oh yes."

‎Orion glanced at the shadow, and after a moment of hushed conversation, his eyes widened.

‎"Well, may the dead gods help us. I will deliver two pieces of news. One: the Citadel is just an hour away, and it's probably the largest and most opulent structure you might have ever seen and... the bad news: there's a horde of about eighty-plus Glassfang rats that have evolved to the Enraged rank, all swarming madly around the statue of... of..."

‎***

‎[Exit of Volume One: Sailor of Ruins]

‎Congratulations on your remarkable achievement, [Readers]

‎[You have the wildest journey of a true beginning ahead!]

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