(From MC's perspective)
Baguva City,
Elder Thornton decided to spend a few more days before leaving. He wanted to spend time with his friend. I know Elder Thornton still wanted to know more about the mutated forest.
So he might succeed in the coming days to get information from Elder Compton.
In the meantime, I'm going to practice the blood field technique.
Time passed in a blink of an eye,
4 days later,
We boarded the fortified train back to our city. The journey will take several days to reach the destination.
But fortunately, I didn't waste my previous days. I succeeded in getting started in the blood field technique.
After arriving in Red City, I'll visit the nearest monster zone to train myself.
After gaining some clarity, I shut my eyes. Beside me, Elder Thornton has already fallen asleep.
Time passed in a blink of an eye,
Several days later,
The fortified train reached the station of the red city. When the announcement was made. The passengers started to leave one by one.
"Nice mask," Elder Thornton commented looking at me. My black mask is very useful. It's hard for people to distinguish my face.
Then slowly we stepped outside. When I walked out, I stopped my movements and took a good look at the surroundings.
It feels like a deja vu. It's been so long but the environment hasn't changed a bit. The platform is crowded with people as usual.
"Let's go," Elder Thornton said.
Hearing that I followed him behind. After walking out, we hopped inside the air cab.
The Hansen building is a few minutes away from here. Like me, Elder Thornton also covered his face using a face mask.
The cab driver didn't seem to mind our destination. But I strongly feel something is wrong. When Elder Thornton told the destination. The cab driver gave a slight pause in his movements.
I quickly see through his cultivation base. My eyes lit up with surprise. Then my suspicion becomes even deeper.
After figuring it out, I don't break the news right now. I decided to tell after reaching the Hansen building.
Several minutes later,
The Hansen building came into my view. The air cab slowly landed in front of the gate.
Creak
First Elder Thornton walked out of the cab. The cab driver wanted to know about the Elder's identity. So he cautiously observed him. But he doesn't know that I'm yet to leave.
I observed his every action. Seconds later, Elder Thornton turned his back to look at me.
Only at this moment, the cab driver realized something was wrong. Before he could do anything, I released a small momentum to lock him.
The cab seats were crushed under heavy pressure. The cab driver is a Special Trainee. I have never seen a Special Trainee driver in this city before.
The cab driver's face filled with horror. He wasn't able to make a single noise out of fear. His entire back was drenched in a cold sweat.
"Lord..?" The cab driver wanted to say something. Seeing that I nodded my head before asking, "Who are you?"
"Tell me everything without leaving any details."
On the other hand, Elder Thornton understood something was wrong with the driver. He stood in the same spot to observe.
Because he knew it was impossible to do anything in front of the Elite Warrior.
A few minutes later,
The cab driver in disguise spilled everything. He was planted by the City Lord to monitor.
Not only he, but the entire cab drivers were also working for him to find out my whereabouts.
"Interesting," A quick glint flashed in my eyes.
Then I calmly said looking at him, "Alright, I'm not going to harm you. But if you reveal anything to your boss later, then it will be over for you."
The cab driver shuddered to hear that. Then he fiercely nodded his head in understanding. Seeing the fear of death in his eyes, I feel satisfied.
After paying the cab fees, I walked out.
"Zack, I was careless. How did you find out?" Elder Thornton asked with a sorry face.
I chuckled and told him everything.
Elder Thornton sighed inwardly. He knew the City Lord was looking for them. But due to travel tiredness. He failed to recognize the danger.
Then he looked at Zack and asked, "Do you want to tell others?"
Hearing that, I shook my head and replied, "I will go to the nearest monster zone to train myself."
A look of bewilderment appeared on Elder Thornton's face. Zack is now an Elite Warrior. There is nothing that can pose a danger to him. Especially in nearby monster zones.
The highest-order monsters residing in them were Class 3 Monsters. But Zack has defeated the Class 5 monster previously. That too a mutated one.
But he quickly recovered himself and didn't ask anything more.
"Until then, you can practice in our underground chamber, "Elder Thornton said
I nodded my head and then we walked towards the gate. I didn't use any ID card to verify. Elder Thornton already took care of everything.
He also gave me the newly modified access code for the underground chamber. After entering inside, I see a state of change.
I knew the renovation project was going on for some time. But looking at it now. I feel most of the work has finished. The building looks brand new.
Then we walked into the hall. It's 10 A.M now but there is no sign of the student whatsoever. I realized most of the students were retired after that incident.
And few of them were practicing from home. No wonder, the Elder looked normal. If the place is crowded with students, then it is hard to escape from their eyes.
Especially people who can recognize Elder Thornton completely. Then after talking a few words to him, I got separated and walked towards the lift.
Creak
The lift door opened and I immediately pressed the last floor.
A few minutes later,
When I stepped outside. What appeared in front of me was the dome-shaped battle arena. It takes me back to memory lane.
At that time, I first participated in a blood test to get a good ranking.
After taking a few glances at it, I walked towards the room. Last time, I took a rest here due to some incident.
The room is similar to my home. But here there are many medic kits placed inside. I can use it in case of an emergency. I also see some renovation done here. The door appeared to be new.
Looks like Elder Thornton wants to change everything.
Creak
The door opened after the identification was done.
I quickly went to take a long bath. After a few minutes, I changed into casual clothes. A wave of tiredness washed over me. Without realizing it, I fell asleep.
Time passed in a blink of an eye,
Beep!
After three hours, I woke up exactly at noon. The reason for my alarm is the damn notification sound.
When I take a look at the contact. My gloomy mind was swept away completely.
The message is from Jonathan. How did he know about my arrival? A trace of surprise flashed in my eyes.
Nobody knows about my stay here except Elder Thornton. Then I connected the dots. Elder Thornton might have contacted Uncle James and told him about my stay here.
After gaining some clarity, I looked at the message again. Jonathan is busy doing some missions. So it will take some time for him to meet me.
But he already found something about the Crimson Hall's exhibition match.
Hearing that a quick glint flashed in my eyes. The next second, my expression turned serious and I started to read further messages.
It's important to know about the event.
A few minutes later, I closed the message and sighed inwardly. Jonathan is something. He even found crucial information which is impossible for other forces.
But the information is shocking to me. "Odyssey Monster Zone," I mumbled under my breath. It's a special monster zone similar to the black forest.
Earlier, the odyssey monster zone was strictly forbidden to others. Because of some experiments happening there.
But later the Monster Zone came under the control of Crimson Hall.
A cold glint flashed in my eyes. Now, I realized the words of Elder Thornton are not false at all.
To conduct the event Crimson Hall has selected such a dreadful place.
Fortunately, I am an Elite Warrior now.
That monster zone is dangerous for even Trainee Warriors. Forget about Special Trainee. The Special Trainees are just cannon fodder.
My expression turned ugly. How come they are going to select students in this way? The warriors from Tier-8 cities stood no chance.
Even the warriors from Tier-7 cities will face hard to survive. I fell into deep contemplation. There is something big happening behind the scenes.
Jonathan and the Teacher might know about this. It took me some seconds to digest everything. Then suddenly an image of a certain person comes to mind.
"Maria!" I uttered in surprise. I guess she is also participating in the competition. Then I made up my mind to tell her later.