NOVEL NEXT Chapter 119: Not Alone?
The following day, William woke up with aches all over his body. It was muscle strain from prolonged fighting, compounded by the lingering soreness of his wounds.
"I feel like shit..." he groaned.
He stumbled out of bed in the early morning hours, along with the other students. Professor Lincoln didn't allow them to sleep in.
Speaking of Professor Lincoln, he had announced that their grueling routine would last for one month, after which things would become easier.
"We'll work hard to get the initial construction done within the first month," Lincoln had explained. "After that, I'll be teaching you for a few hours each day, so the construction will slow down."
Although William wasn't performing the same tasks as the others, he appreciated the updates. Not that he needed Professor Lincoln for that; Marcel and Denise were always eager to fill him in.
"You look awful," Marcel commented during breakfast. "Are you sure you want to keep doing this task? You could at least ask for help."
"For now, no," William said, taking a large bite of bread. "I can't give up after just one day. It would ruin my reputation."
Marcel rolled his eyes. "Reputation? We're in the middle of nowhere."
"Still, you saw how a few students were looking for a fight with me," William said, recalling the student who had been jealous of his cabin.
"Now that you mention it..." Marcel conceded.
Breakfast and dinner were William's only chances to speak with his friends before heading out to hunt magical beasts.
"How's the construction going?" William asked. "And how are you holding up, Denise?"
"We've cleared the vegetation, as you can see," Marcel replied, gesturing towards the cleared area. "And we're starting to lay the foundation. It's faster than you'd think because Professor Lincoln is helping. He can use magic to create building materials."
William had almost forgotten about Lincoln's magic. Perhaps that was why he had been chosen to oversee the construction of the academy on this island.
Denise was also contributing to the construction, but she was focused on other aspects, such as how to divert the river closer to their location. It was a crucial element of their future settlement, and someone had to figure it out. Otherwise, things would become more complicated down the line.
After breakfast and a brief chat with his friends, William left the settlement and headed towards the coast.
The students watched him go, some with admiration. They considered him brave for venturing out alone to fight beasts and make the island safer.
William, however, wasn't motivated by altruism. He was fighting to gain strength, experience, and levels.
Upon reaching the coast, he entered the forest, returning to the area he had begun clearing the previous day. More beasts attacked, some familiar, others completely new.
He fought bravely, wielding Asura and enhancing his abilities with magic. But the fights were far from easy. Despite his magic, William faced several near-death experiences.
One such incident occurred near the river Denise was trying to divert. William was battling a group of giant crabs when he strayed too close to the water's edge. Suddenly, something grabbed him.
It wasn't a creature but a plant. Its leaves wrapped around William, dragging him into the river.
The sensation of being pulled underwater was terrifying. William struggled, but the plant's grip was too strong.
He knew he would drown if he didn't escape. In a desperate attempt, he reached for Asura and tried to swing it underwater, hoping to cut the leaves. But his arm wouldn't cooperate. He managed to sever one leaf, but more grew in its place, rendering his efforts futile.
Panic swelled in William's chest as the murky water enveloped him. He thrashed against the constricting leaves, but the plant's grip only tightened. His lungs burned, desperate for air. Just as his vision began to blur, a surge of adrenaline ignited within him. He remembered his demonic energy, the dark power that had purged the poison from his body.
Asura, sensing his desperation, whispered, "Use it, William! Channel it into the plant!"
William focused his remaining strength, summoning the demonic energy. It flowed through him, coursing into the leaves that bound him. The plant shuddered violently, its grip loosening as the dark energy disrupted its life force. William wrenched himself free, kicking upwards towards the surface. He broke through the water, gasping for air, his heart pounding.
Rage surged through him. He wouldn't let this monstrous plant get away with this. He channeled his demonic energy into Asura, the blade glowing with an ominous black light. With a furious roar, he plunged back into the water, slashing at the plant's thick stem. The demonic energy tore through the plant's defenses, causing it to writhe and recoil. William hacked relentlessly, fueled by adrenaline and a thirst for revenge. Finally, with a decisive blow, he severed the stem. The plant released a cloud of noxious spores as it withered and sank into the depths.
William emerged from the river, soaked and exhausted but alive. He collapsed onto the riverbank, coughing and catching his breath. He had narrowly escaped death, and the experience left him shaken. He vowed to be more cautious near the water's edge.
Despite the close call, William's determination to gain experience remained unshaken. He pressed on, venturing deeper into the forest. He encountered more creatures – giant spiders that spun webs of steel, venomous snakes that slithered through the undergrowth, and packs of wolf-like beasts with glowing red eyes. Each battle was a test of his skills and endurance, pushing him to his limits.
He faced each challenge head-on, his sword a blur of motion, his body enhanced by magic. He learned to anticipate his enemies' movements, exploit their weaknesses, and conserve his energy. With each victory, his confidence grew, and his skills sharpened.
[+1200 EXP]
[+850 EXP]
[+1500 EXP]
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As the sun began to set, William decided to return to the settlement. He was battered and bruised, but his spirit was high. He had survived another day, gained valuable experience, and grown stronger.
He arrived at the camp just as the other students were gathering for dinner. The aroma of roasted meat filled the air, and a sense of camaraderie pervaded the group. William joined them, accepting a plate piled high with food. He ate ravenously, savoring the simple meal and the company of his fellow students.
As they ate, a hush fell over the group. Professor Lincoln, his brow furrowed, scanned the faces around him.
"Where's Ron?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
The students exchanged confused glances. No one had seen Ron since they returned from their tasks. A sense of unease settled over the camp.
"He was with me earlier," one student offered, "but he said he was going to explore the area a bit more."
"Alone?" Lincoln asked, his concern growing.
The student nodded.
A wave of anxiety swept through the group. Ron, a quiet and unassuming student, was known for his curiosity and tendency to wander off. But he had never been gone this long, especially not as night approached.
"We need to find him," Lincoln declared, his voice firm.
The students, their initial fatigue forgotten, sprang into action. Fear for their missing comrade fueled their movements as they dispersed into the growing darkness, their torches casting flickering shadows that danced among the trees.
William joined the search party, his senses heightened. He ventured into the forest, his keen eyes scanning the undergrowth, his ears attuned to any sound that might betray Ron's presence. The forest, usually teeming with life, seemed eerily silent, amplifying the growing dread.
The search continued for hours, but there was no sign of Ron. As the night deepened, the dangers of the forest increased. The rustling of leaves could be the wind or a lurking predator. The snapping of twigs could be a small animal or a larger, more sinister creature. The students, exhausted and disheartened, began to return to the camp, their hopes dwindling with each passing moment.
Professor Lincoln, his face etched with worry, made the difficult decision to call off the search for the night. "We'll continue tomorrow," he announced, his voice heavy with disappointment. "It's too dangerous to remain in the forest after dark."
The students, their faces etched with worry and frustration, reluctantly agreed. They returned to the camp, their hearts heavy with the knowledge that Ron was still missing.
The next morning, an air of tension hung over the camp. The students awoke with renewed determination to find their missing comrade, but their anxiety was palpable. Professor Lincoln, his face grim, summoned everyone to gather.
"I have something to show you," he announced, his voice grave. He held up a piece of parchment, its edges slightly singed. "This letter appeared in my cabin this morning."
A hush fell over the group as Lincoln read the letter aloud. It was a chilling message, stating that Ron had been taken and that if they didn't leave the island immediately, others would suffer the same fate.
Fear and confusion rippled through the students. Who would take Ron? Why? And what did they want? The questions hung heavy in the air, unanswered and ominous.