Free Web NovelChapter 13: Chapter 13- Unwanted Visitors
Chapter 13- Unwanted Visitors
One of Zen’s best qualities was that he knew his limits, and he knew when to retreat and when to advance. The feeling of powering up was extremely addictive and euphoric, and many Hunters fall for that feeling and end up continuously seeking more of it to be able to quench that craving. However, that is also one of the main causes of casualties amongst Hunters.
They simply don’t know when to stop, and that leads them to enemies they simply can’t handle.
’Knowing when to step back is as important as knowing when to step forward. I can’t test my limits too much, not when I know I’m most likely going to die.’ Zen thought to himself as he exhaled a tired breath.
’I have gained far more than I could’ve ever even wished for. This tower is something else, and the fact that I have it all for myself... It feels almost unfair to other people.’ Zen smiled wickedly. Ranking up in a single day was simply ridiculous. But using his Bloodmancy and Soul Harvester made it possible. ’At this rate, I won’t need three years to start working toward achieving my goals. A year would be more than enough.’
"Now, how do I get out of here? I really hope it doesn’t force me to continue until the end of the trial... Surely not, right?" He frowned just imagining that. Just as he asked that question, a notification appeared before him.
[Do you wish to leave the trial? (Note: All progress will be saved until the first death, then you will have to restart from the beginning)] freewebnσvel.cѳm
"Interesting... So as long as I don’t die, I can continue on from where I stopped when I come back? Fair enough." Zen nodded his head. "And yes, I want to leave."
After uttering those words, Zen suddenly heard a door open behind him. Looking back, he saw that the gates to the tower had finally opened for him again after being shut earlier.
Zen nodded his head and walked out of the tower, finding himself in the vast blood world outside again.
’This place has to be a part of hell... It can’t be anything less ominous.’ He thought to himself as he looked around.
"I wonder if I can use it to store stuff here, like a storage area, or would that be disallowed?" Zen asked himself. "I will have to try that later."
Another thing Zen wanted to explore was how vast this place truly is. As far as he could see, it seemed endless with the horizon stretching far into the distance. However, he knew that it simply couldn’t be endless, as that would be impossible.
’When I have time, I will also have to explore this blood world more. It can’t be this vast for no real reason. I probably would find something rather interesting.’
With that, Zen thought of deactivating his rune, and instantly, the gate that brought him here manifested again in the same fashion. Walking through it, Zen found himself back in the real world as the rays of the sun welcomed him, making him squint.
"Ugh..." He frowned. "How much time passed? It seems to be afternoon..."
Looking at the clock, Zen was surprised to see that three hours had passed since he walked into that world. ’I didn’t sense time passing whatsoever.’
He was so occupied with everything that time passed so quickly. After staring around him for a second, he opened his profile to check if what he experienced was truly real or just a hallucination.
"Nope... It is very much real." Zen muttered. "I feel so much stronger and these injuries... Ouch."
Touching the bite marks, he squinted before nodding his head. "Very much real too. I need to wash my body, I’m covered in blood from head to toe."
After massacring hundreds of rabbits, Zen was naturally covered in their blood and guts, so he felt extremely dirty. Walking out of his room, Zen headed to the bathroom. He stopped in front of the mirror and started taking his shirt off.
"Ugh, this stings so bad." He muttered as he stared at his shirtless reflection in the mirror. His handsome face stared back at him, cold and aloof. That was his usual look, which people somehow find extremely attractive, even though he thought he looked dead.
As for his body, Zen was surprised to notice changes already. Not only was it getting more defined already, but he had also gained an inch in height.
’Ehhh, this is a bit bad, no? How am I supposed to explain why I’m somehow taller and more muscular out of nowhere?’ Zen asked himself. ’Well, I can definitely tell Cipha about it, so I guess it isn’t a big problem.’
His wife was the most trustworthy person in the world for him, so telling her about the Tower of Athilium wouldn’t be an issue. Even if they were strangers, he knew her heart.
"Knowing Cipha, she would instantly want to investigate what this tower is all about." He smiled wryly. "We shall see what she could tell me."
With that, Zen jumped in the shower and immediately started washing the blood off his body. It was painful and stinging, but the warm water also relaxed his tense and exhausted muscles and washed away all the soreness.
After the shower, Zen walked back to his room, threw himself on the bed, and picked up his phone.
"I think I should contact Cipha. It’s pointless to wait till tomorrow to tell her about my decision." He muttered under his breath. For a second, his finger hovered over the number. His heart started to race a bit. Calling her again after all this time was such an odd yet amazing feeling, and he was naturally nervous about it.
However, he still tapped it and put the phone next to his ear. It rang for a few seconds before it picked up.
"Hello?" A sweet voice spoke to him through the phone and sent chills down his spine.
"Hi, ehem, Miss Cipha?" He asked awkwardly. ’How am I this awkward?!’
"Yeah. I’m surprised you’re already calling me." Cipha replied with a subtly amused voice. "Did you make your decision?"
"Yeah, I thought about it." He replied. "I think I’m interested in your offer, and I would like to partner with you."
"That’s great news. But... I have a question."
"Yeah?"
"May I ask why you decided to join me? What made you make up your mind?"
"..." Zen didn’t reply for a second. He was almost tempted to tell her everything that happened. But, to avoid making her think he was mentally insane, he swallowed those words.
"I can tell that being around you will benefit me in many ways and... Well, I was never planning to join the Association or any clan or guild."
"Really? Why so?"
"I have heard of the restrictions applied to you for joining these massive organizations. I would like to be free."
That was Zen from the moment he became aware of the world... A free spirit that desired to do whatever it wanted. Even more so now, when he knew what joining these institutions would entail.
For some reason, however, Cipha didn’t reply immediately.
"Miss Cipha?"
"Free, huh?" She whispered. "Well, I see what you mean. Let’s meet tonight, we can immediately get to work."
"Where should we meet?" He asked.
"I will come pick you up by car at 8:00 PM." She said. "Also, one more thing. In the next few hours, I reckon you will be getting some visits from people who want to scout you. Don’t let them offer you anything and refuse all their attempts." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
’I already know.’ He thought to himself. "Roger that. I will turn them dow-"
*Knock* *Knock*
Suddenly, Zen heard knocking sounds on the door. He rose from the bed and rolled his eyes. "Speaking of the devil. I think the unwanted visitors are here."
"Let me stay on call and listen. Hide the phone." She said.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I want to know how much they already figured out about you."
’Possibly everything. They’re terrifyingly fast at making reports of individuals.’
Zen put the phone in his back pocket and walked to the door. "Who is it?" He asked.
"Is this Mr Zen Levian’s house?" A woman replied from the other side.
