from the weakest hunter to the strongest SSS rank-Chapter 54 - Fifty-Four

"BlueBell says they might be trying to bring that person back to life... to take revenge on the angels."

"If he returns, thousands of angels will descend this time, and they will distort time once again. This will cause the past, present, and future to merge, affecting all of creation."

They might find themselves in days that have already passed, or caught in events that are not supposed to have happened yet. And certainly, all these changes will affect them—psychologically and physically.

The Zama are trying to bring this person back for their own personal gain, but the consequences affect everyone, whether they want it or not.

And considering they are fiery beings, Elena can tell they seek to spread corruption everywhere...

Yes, they're not interested in the Drivalisk itself, but rather in what the Drivalisk can do in terms of destruction and ruin.

It's also likely that they're not capable of bringing that person back on their own, so they're doing it to gain help.

"Now I understand why there's no information about the Zama in the system," said Meryl quietly, causing Elena to stop thinking and look at her—just as the others did.

"The Zama are cursed beings, cursed by the angels. And the Severyn fear the angels greatly. Most likely, they didn't include any information in the system to avoid trouble with them."

"Anyway, does anyone have an idea which gate we should go through?" Alvin spoke up, intending to change the subject. Regardless of his disinterest in all this, talking about that person is considered ill-advised, according to Mr. Pie.

"Blue Bell says the tunnel carved around the bat is the way, because the Zama used bats as their symbol."

"Be sure to give Blue Bell our thanks," said Elena, gently patting Tulip on the head. Based on the information Tulip provided, the four of them headed toward the left tunnel.

As they walked cautiously, continuing to place bombs along the way, Alvin realized the reason behind the color shifts in the side tunnels.

The river was purple, and when the glow from the ceiling hit it, the tunnel lit up with that same color.

This meant the other tunnels had rivers that changed color too. But how? They were supposed to be branches of the main river! They should look the same!

As far as Alvin remembered, water color changes could be due to algae and bacteria, but those needed sunlight to activate their pigments. It was likely that the glow from the ceiling acted as a substitute for sunlight.

At the end of the tunnel, there was a door about three meters tall—or maybe a bit less—with no handle or keyhole.

Elena stood at the front, with Tulip beside her. Alvin stepped forward to inspect the door and make sure there were no traps around it.

"Ready?" he asked, and the others nodded while gripping their weapons.

"Meryl, you stay between us. And don't even think about joining the fight."

"Alright."

Elena and Tulip took position to the left of the door, while Alvin and Meryl stood to the right.

Alvin placed a small bomb capable of breaking through the door, then motioned for the others to back away to avoid injury.

Meryl shielded herself behind Alvin's back as the bomb went off with a deafening sound. White smoke filled the air, and shards of wood scattered before falling to the ground.

Alvin decided to wait until the air cleared—literally. The smoke was preventing them from seeing what lay inside, and standing at the front while waiting for the view to become clear would be dangerous.

As soon as the smoke began to dissipate, he was the first to move cautiously forward to look inside...

Alvin straightened his posture, his arms hanging loosely at his sides. Was he shocked... or disappointed? He didn't know the answer.

Inside was a roofless circular space, filled with tents made of torn fabric—different colors and types.

And there were the Zama creatures. They looked old, their features erased by deep wrinkles. Some were seated, others stood and stared at him.

Also... there were so few of them! Barely more than 150 individuals.

Alvin lifted his head and looked upward, while Elena and the others stared in disbelief.

They had expected something... grander. The state of the Zama was far worse than even the people of Noxara—despite the latter having spent thousands of years working in filth.

"You've returned again, but in a different form this time," spoke one of them, seated at the front.

"I'm sure you're thrilled to see us!" Alvin replied with sarcasm, a provoking smile tugging at his lips.

The old man stared at him for a moment, his gaze heavy with resentment and hatred, before he finally spoke: "And who, exactly, would be thrilled to see the followers of those vile creatures?"

He scoffed before adding, "It seems they still haven't forgotten the humiliation we dealt them!"

—[That old man really has big dreams!]

A message from 'The Chatty Ant' in the public chat.

—[Did he just say: humiliation? When did that happen?]

Message from 'Salty Marshmallow' in the public chat. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

—[In his dreams!]

Reply from 'The Chatty Ant' to 'Salty Marshmallow' in the public chat.

"You're under a huge misconception, old man—with a dose of delusions of grandeur that makes you think you're the center of the universe, and that everything happening is somehow related to you," Alvin said sarcastically. "No one cares about you or your kind. We're here for the crystal."

—[You deserve some coins for that insult!]

Message from 'Salty Marshmallow' in the public chat.

{'Salty Marshmallow' donated 7000 coins.}

"And now..." Alvin continued, ignoring the planetary chatter. "Do you have the crystal? How truthful you are will determine whether you die quickly or suffer first."

"We don't have it. And we're not interested in playing the games of those creatures," the old man replied with a look of disgust. "And let it be known—they don't treat you as servants and masters. No. You're insects to them, and they enjoy the feeling of crushing you."

The old man stood up, leaning on a brittle branch, and went on, "They'll show you kindness, mercy, and love. They'll offer you money and anything you could dream of... only because it serves their interests."

"They keep mocking us, the fire-born, calling us traitors and deceivers, forgetting themselves.

They're more wicked than we are. At least we had a reason when we sought to destroy the world. They destroy yours... just for fun."

The old man shifted his gaze between their faces, observing the nature of the emotions reflected on them. "And now, tell me—do you truly wish to give your loyalty to creatures who cheapen your lives and sacrifice you for their own pleasure?"

"I think you're over-philosophizing, and it just so happens I'm not interested," Alvin spoke with boredom. He had known these details well ever since Mr. Pie offered to make him his master.

But Alvin saw it differently... a relationship of mutual interest. The planet offers power and wealth, and the hunter rises in strength, living with dignity and pride.

Alvin wasn't the type to trust others easily. There were many moments when he sensed Mr. Pie's wickedness, and others when he perceived genuine virtue in him.

Mr. Pie resembled Alvin a great deal—a personality balanced between good and evil. He didn't lean toward absolute wickedness, nor absolute goodness—rather, he stood in between.

He raised his head again to look at the opening above. It was pitch black there, with undefined things slowly drifting. A strange feeling overcame Alvin, something like... emptiness.

"Alvin, don't look up!" Meryl whispered the moment she realized what was happening.