NOVEL NEXT Chapter 187: [Before Dawn!]
The sun rose high in the sky and then dipped down a few times, while I walked through cities, towns and villages. Crossing countries and continents, desolated wastelands, flourishing forests, fauna and flora that were sometimes similar to my own world, and often different from it.
Occasionally I would stop by to chat with a travelling stranger, asking about their life, helping them out with mundane tasks. Sometimes, I would become the hero, saving people from sudden danger. Other times, as I travelled, I cured a few suffering kids, bringing smiles to them and their families.
This small yet meaningful time, usually puts a smile on my face, fills my chest with an inexplicable feeling of joy. Although it was quite a bit intense given my introverted nature, the thought of adventuring and travelling started to fascinate me even more. It was nice meeting different people, and it was pleasant visiting places with breathtaking scenery.
The canopy of a mountain, or the underground waterfall. The valley between the mountains, or the oasis in the desert. The lava terrain that had its own thematic beauty and the delicious pie that one of the bakers in the crossroad village made for me… it was truly magical.
As my slow but time-unbounded steps took me back towards the first city that I came from, I couldn't help but recall all the events that I had here, that I had in the previous world and also that I had in the tutorials and in my own world.
Just why… was I given the choice of being the game master? I paused my actions for a few seconds before proceeding with them again as I continued contemplating the mark that I had on my finger now.
It came from a random silver ring that I found in my study drawer one day, who knew this thing held such a secret? Well, I am grateful for whatever it was that brought me towards it. I smiled at these strange events of fate that helped me survive, and even to experience so many lively events.
There was a belief that I might have to pay for this whole thing in return, you know, as in, everything has a price. But still, it was fine, I suppose? If it were something that I could stand against, then I would. If I can't, then that will be it.
As I walked, my thoughts lost in the past, I slowly focused back on the city gates where Elliot and Amber were standing, waiting for me as they waved their hands. They had a cheerful look on their faces, while Kite, sitting a few meters away from them, was also silently watching me. The vampire king and his aids were within the city, enjoying some sort of red coloured drink, while most of the humans, the strong ones, were also collected within the city.
There aren't any ghouls, though. I tried searching for the traces of ghouls, but even after focusing a bit, I couldn't find a single trace of them within or around the city. I wonder what happened to them?
"Sir Crowley!" Amber shouted with an excited expression on her face as she dashed forward and hugged me tightly. Elliot also followed but still had a respectful distance between us.
"Hey, Amber," I brushed her hair slightly, before I asked," was everything alright while I was away? There was no problem, right?"
At my question, there was a slight silence before she looked at me and then spoke," Some bad guys were trying to attack sister Elliot, but then the handsome vampire poofed them all."
There was a cheerful expression on her face as she joyfully raised both her hands, making me shudder a bit. I guess I got the answer to my question now.
"Is that so?" I sighed before moving into the city along with the three girls. Amber spoke the most while Elliot spoke in between here and there. Kite only answered when asked a question before turning back silent again.
Later I met with Sebastian and a few more humans, answering their curiosity regarding the end of the world. Though devastated at the news, they took it pretty well as they began moving back to their work, preparing for the upcoming apocalypse, and also the tutorial and tower.
Julius didn't bother me until late at night when he introduced a few elder vampires who wanted to ask me the same questions that the humans asked. However, their reactions were different, as they seemed to be happier about this change than being distraught.
Still, it was none of my business so I kept my silence as I watched them politely bowing to me before leaving me alone with Julius.
Julius, who had been watching me from a distance from the moment I entered the city, finally began talking to me. He told me about his past, his stories of the time when he was born and things he went through.
And the only thing I could do was quietly listen to him as he spoke of his mind, for hours and hours, until dawn approached.
Only when Kite appeared, boldly enough to disturb Julius, did she tell us that it was time. And noticing the duration once again, there were fewer than 20 minutes till the tutorial would come. To which, my anticipation grew and I nodded at her, before moving to where Elliot and Amber were.
With them stood Elliot's parents, Sebastian, and a few more humans who seemed stronger than the average masses. Many Elder Vampires also grouped a few meters away from them on the left. And on the right, there were the half-ghoul vampires who cheerfully welcomed Julius, until he reached them. Leaving them to their own devices, I went to Elliot as I waited for the clock to run out.
And as the timer grew shorter and shorter, going down to the last few seconds, I braced myself wondering how the tutorial would proceed, how it would come into effect and how it would take shape in the world.
With [Creation Index], I increased the space which I could observe to maximum, making sure I won't miss anything.
And as the last seconds turned down to zero…