Chapter 920: The Nest
"REY!"
The adrenaline still coursed through Rey's body as the team approached him cautiously, their eyes scanning the battlefield littered with fallen Monsters. Tess stepped forward first, her sharp gaze softening as she noted the blood dripping from his numerous cuts and bruises.
"You're a mess," she said, her tone a mix of concern and admiration.
Rey smirked, brushing off her words even as his legs trembled beneath him.
"I'm fine. Really."
"You don't look fine," Josh quipped, but the usual edge in his voice was absent. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Still... that was pretty cool."
The unexpected praise made Rey glance at him, a raised eyebrow hinting at his surprise.
Josh rolled his eyes and added, "Don't make me say it again."
Tess pulled out a small vial filled with a glowing green liquid and handed it to Rey. "Drink this. It's a Health Brew. It'll patch you up."
Rey hesitated for a moment, then uncorked the vial and downed the potion in one gulp.
The cool, tingling sensation spread through his body, knitting his wounds and dulling the pain in his muscles.
"Haaa..."
He let out a relieved sigh as the restorative effects kicked in.
"Thanks," he said, flexing his fingers to test his recovery.
The others gathered around, each offering their thoughts.
"I've never seen anyone fight like that," Mei said, her voice filled with genuine awe.
"You took out all of them on your own," Isaac added. "That's insane."
Even Tess nodded, her arms crossed. "I hate to admit it this much, but you're impressive, Rey. You handled yourself well."
Rey grinned, the praise fueling his confidence. "So, what's next?"
Tess shook her head. "What's next is rest. You've done enough for now."
But Rey wasn't ready to stop.
"Come on, I can handle more. I feel great!" He gestured to the empty vial, as if the potion had made him invincible.
The group exchanged wary glances, and Tess sighed deeply.
"Rey-"
"If it's too dangerous, I'll retreat," he interrupted, his voice urgent. "I promise. I just need to keep fighting. I need to get stronger."
Her expression softened, and after a moment's pause, she relented.
"Fine. But under one condition-you don't enter the Nest."
"Nest?" Rey asked, his interest piqued.
"It's where Monsters gather in large numbers, usually protected by sentinels and ruled by a King," Tess explained. "The scouts you fought are nothing compared to what's inside. The sentinels are tougher, and a King is... well, let's just say it's on a whole different level."
Rey nodded eagerly. "Got it. I'll stay outside the Nest."
Tess studied him for a moment, then motioned for the group to move out.
"Alright, let's go."
The journey to the Monster Nest wasn't long, and as they climbed a rocky hill overlooking the area, Rey's eyes widened.
Below them lay a sprawling crater, jagged with darkened rocks and glowing faintly with strange energy. Dozens of Monsters roamed the outskirts, their hulking forms casting ominous shadows across the terrain.
Rey's lips curled into a smile, the sight igniting a fire within him.
This was the perfect place to grow stronger.
From the vantage point, he called out his [Status Window], watching as the translucent screen appeared before him.
[STATUS WINDOW]
- Name: Rey Skylar
- Race: Human
- Class: NIL
- Level: 10 (0.00% EXP)
- Life Force: 10
- Mana Level: 25
- Combat Ability: 15
- Stat Points: 10
- Skills (Exclusive): [Doppel]
- Skills (Non-Exclusive): NIL
- Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
[Additional Information]
Unknown... no information has been provided.
[End Of Information]
His Stats had improved significantly, and the sheer volume of Monsters he had defeated earlier had propelled him up several Levels.
'Most importantly, since my skills are all low-tier, I don't require a lot of Mana. In fact, it doesn't even seem like a lot of these skills take up any Mana at all. It's not even in their
description.'
And, everytime he fought and used his skills, he was automatically improving all of his Stats -even without spending any Stat Point.
'It won't be long before I get my first Non-Exclusive Skills, and once that happens, it'll only increase the speed at which I can get stronger.
He closed the window with a flick of his hand, his grin widening as he stared down at his foes. The sight of the Monster Nest sprawling below him like a scene from a nightmare. Dozens of creatures moved within the eerie glow of the crater, their forms hunched and grotesque. He tightened his fists, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he prepared to descend.
"This is going to be fun."
"Rey, remember what I said!" Tess called from above, her voice carrying a sharp edge.
"I'll stay outside," he reassured her, though his grin betrayed the excitement he felt. Without waiting for a response, Rey leapt down the slope, his body cutting through the air as he activated [Stone Transformation] mid-fall.
~WHUUM!~
He quickened his descent.
His body hardened into rock just before landing with an earth-shaking impact, scattering debris and startling the nearest Monsters.
~BOOM!~
The creatures turned toward him, their glowing eyes narrowing as they recognized the intruder. They were massive, their clawed limbs and jagged teeth gleaming in the faint light.
Rey counted over twenty closing in on him.
"Time to get to work," he muttered, his grin widening.
~WHOOSH!~
The first wave of Monsters lunged at him with deafening roars. Rey shifted seamlessly into [Camouflage], his form blending into the rocky terrain and confusing the charging beasts.
As the nearest one stumbled past, he struck, channeling [Physical Enhancement] to deliver a devastating punch that sent the creature hurtling into its companions.
Electricity crackled around him as he activated [Electrical Surge], arcs of lightning snapping through the air and striking multiple foes at once. The Monsters howled in pain, their charred forms collapsing to the ground.
One beast attempted to flank him, but Rey was faster.
He used [Space-Shift], closing the gap in an instant and driving his stone-like fist into the creature's skull. Another came from behind, and Rey countered with [Soundwave], releasing a concussive blast that knocked it off its feet.
But the sheer number of Monsters began to press him.
Clawed hands raked across his arm, leaving deep gashes, and another tackled him, forcing
him to the ground. Rey gritted his teeth, activating [Shadow Control] to bind his attackers
with tendrils of darkness.
He rolled to his feet, his movements fluid despite the pain, and finished the bound Monsters
with a surge of electricity.
"Come on!" he roared, his bloodied form defiant as more creatures swarmed him.
Switching tactics, Rey summoned a stream of water using [Moist Meter], weaving it around
him like a whip. The liquid cut through the air with deadly precision, slicing through the hide
of several Monsters.
When they recoiled, he followed up with [Light Shield], blocking a barrage of claws and teeth.
One particularly large beast lunged, its claws aimed for his throat.
Rey ducked and retaliated with [High Sense], his heightened perception allowing him to anticipate its movements. He sidestepped and drove an electrified punch into its chest, the force of the blow sending it crashing into a group of smaller Monsters.
"Haa... this is bothersome." He mumbled.
For every creature he defeated, two more seemed to take its place.
'None of my current skills have enough destructive power to one-shot these guys, and I don't have an area-of-effect ability that will do the trick."
That left him stuck fighting with the small fry, even struggling against their numbers.
If only his H'Trae self could see him now...
'One [Divine Ray] would have been more than enough...' He sighed. 'Well, it's too late to think
about that now.'
He simply had to make do with what he had.
~WHISH!~
The claws and teeth of the Monsters found their mark on occasion, leaving his body riddled
with cuts and bruises.
"Tch!" The pain wasn't dulled, so he felt the raw stings.
Yet, Rey fought on, holding steady thanks to the efficient energy consumption of his skills,
though his stamina was rapidly declining.
Minutes stretched into what felt like hours, and the ground was soon littered with the corpses
of defeated Monsters. Rey stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving and his body covered in blood-some his own, most not.
"Haa.... haaaaa... is that al-?"
"RO00000000AAAAAAARRRRR!!!"
Before he could catch his breath, a guttural roar echoed from within the Nest. The sound was
deafening, shaking the very ground beneath his feet.
The team shouted from the ridge.
"Rey! Get out of there!" He turned to see them waving frantically, but his attention was drawn back to the Nest as its
shadowy entrance darkened further.
~RUMBLE!~
The earth shook.
Emerging from within was a massive creature, easily three times the size of the others.
Its body was covered in thick, obsidian-like scales, and its glowing red eyes radiated malevolence. Behind it came more Monsters, sentinels guarding their King.
The sheer size and number of them made Rey's confidence waver for the first time.
He swallowed hard, his breath catching as he whispered.
"This is bad..."