On the journey, the shadow encountered many beasts along the way. Yet a stroke of fortune followed them, and each time they either managed to evade the creatures or slew them to harvest their essence cores, intending to divide them later.

By this point, the handsome youth was already burdened with the weight of more than seventy essence cores taken from Enraged-ranked beasts, which appeared to be the weakest rank on the island, for no Ferals had yet been sighted.

However, the further they pressed into the North, the stronger the creatures became, gathering in packs that barred their path. Progress grew harder until a few strayed from their territory, providing the rare chance either to strike or to slip away.

At one point, even though the beasts were of a weaker rank, they had grown harder to kill. Kyle recognised that this was not solely due to the advantages the Trial Zone granted them over humans, but also because fatigue had set upon the group, draining their strength on all fronts.

***

Vitality: 120%

Stamina: 25%

***

He managed to make twenty out of the over ninety-nine creatures they killed, but received no reward from the Manual. At one point, he began to feel that giving up his Vigour Pill to Adela was one of the most foolish decisions he had ever made, but then again, if he had not, she would have been a burden by now as she would have been the weakest on the team and they might have had to carry her.

Well, all of them were now almost at this point except her, she was still a bit above them. On Orion's side, he was literally dragging himself until they reached a tree where he dropped onto the ground instantly.

Na-Ri had been with her blade throughout the whole journey, all stained with blood even on her graceful armour that was to die for from Kyle's perspective, she stabbed it into the ground and lay beside it.

On the other hand was Kyle, who had also dropped onto the ground. The only thing that assured him was the fact that his Vitality was still at a good point above one hundred. His eyes were trained on the dark sky with a solemn look which had a strange purple hue to it at some corners, and that was not a surprise in this world.

...To be honest, it was beautiful. Deadly so. There was another red-like light swiftly traversing through the sky like a bird, and then it began descending towards them.

Kyle smiled faintly, and murmured:

"Wow... a shooting star—"

His eyes suddenly brightened with horror at the sight as he caught a clearer view of it coming. He jumped to his feet with a sudden surge of adrenaline, fuelled directly by horror itself.

"Fuck! It's a star! — No, it's a bird. Fuck, no, Kyle! It's a fucking flying creature!"

At his announcement, the other three's eyes lifted to the sky and caught it. It loosed a shrieking cry as it came down upon them with blistering speed.

***

They all leapt backwards to avoid the creature's landing. The only light that allowed them to pierce the sight of this horrific entity in the night was the purple hue in the sky, the same hue that had betrayed their position and allowed the creature to catch sight of them before they could even rest, consume the essence cores, and attempt to start a fire to cook the Scragger's meat.

'...Hell! What is that thing?'

This was Kyle's first time ever seeing a flying creature, which revealed itself to be a Brute-type, and more specifically a Cursed-rank. At present, none of them possessed the strength to confront such a foe. A Cursed-rank mutated beast was normally beyond both Kyle and Orion's level, and the only reason they had managed to slay such creatures in the past was not solely due to luck, but also superior intelligence and battle sense — something this beast lacked apart from its killing instinct to devour.

By human comparison, Na-Ri at her current rank was equivalent to a Cursed-rank and very capable of challenging one. Moreover, her overwhelming martial skill and mastery of her ability would make such battles increasingly manageable.

But right now, none of them could contend with this creature.

"Stay away from it, I will—"

The beautiful stranger fell to her knees just as she was about to advance. An overwhelming fatigue struck her instantly, restricting her movements. She glanced towards Kyle and Adela, a blurry haze beginning to veil her eyes.

Moments later, she collapsed unconscious.

Orion attempted to step forward, but succumbed to the same fate. He raised his hands to command his shadow and summon his shadow form skill, yet collapsed before completing it. His shadow, unable to inflict harm on its own, could only linger and stare at the scene.

Kyle scowled.

'Shit. Everyone is going to die.'

He glanced at the two fallen from fatigue, feeling it slowly creep into his own body. His gaze then shifted to the creature, identified as a Dematus, standing like a predator with five wings fanning out from each side. Its form resembled a colossal dragonfly, measuring nearly nine metres, its body encased in red scales like plated armour.

Adela alone remained capable of facing the threat. The beast loomed above them with a brimming hunger, ready to strike at its prey. She summoned her blade and stood firm, determination cutting through her fear.

Kyle shook his head.

"...Ad, can I borrow your sword? Just for a minute. If I fall, take the lead. You have to ensure everyone here survives. You will be our last hope. Can I depend on you?"

"Huh?"

The grey-haired beauty sat stunned by his soft words, but more so by their meaning. Was he truly about to walk into a deathtrap by stepping forward to take the kill despite his present condition?

Then again, he could not die, at least from what she knew. In one sense, Kyle was entrusting her to watch over the two who had fallen while he confronted the monstrosity. If she failed, it would be disastrous.

If he died, it might be advantageous. His Vitality and Stamina could surge anew, and the Abyssal Orb might grant a temporary boost once more. It was time to test that theory, at least.

With a sceptical look, she handed her sword to Kyle and returned to Na-Ri and Orion, her eyes carrying a flicker of hope.

Kyle's hand trembled visibly as he stood before the dormant creature like a knight before a dragon. He raised the sword high and clenched his teeth, a low growl escaping him.

"You see, brother. My new solution to problems like this is exactly this..."

He turned the blade upon himself and drove it brutally into his chest until it emerged from the other side. A spark of perverse enjoyment flared in his eyes amid a sharp, brutal pain. He twisted the blade until his heart was rent. Blood convulsed from his mouth in an instant.

Adela's eyes shrank with fear and confusion. Tears welled in her eyes despite what she knew.

"Kyle!"

'I'm coming back in a few seconds. I just need to visit the waiting room.'

***

[You have died!]

[Twice!]

***

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