11 Nightmare Land

"Fry, are you alright?"

I noticed a hand reaching towards my shoulder, but it recoiled when our gazes met.

"I'm fine... Ada... I'd like some time alone."

"Then I'll prepare what we discussed... I'll be back shortly."

I simply nodded and remained silent.

I found myself sitting on an oddly positioned sofa in a vast hall.

I was instructed to wait here, and that's exactly what I did.

I sensed numerous eyes observing me from a distance, so I refrained from doing anything foolish.

Luckily, I didn't have to wait for long.

The sound of high-heeled shoes echoed as my escort returned.

"Rise, Fry; let's conclude this swiftly."

I nodded and stood up, following Carmen.

"Everything has been arranged. Enter and select two skills that are no higher than Class D. I apologize, but that's the extent you can go."

"It's alright."

I wasn't particularly concerned about the skills level as much as the skill itself, as I knew I could improve any skill

"Damn, why am I stuck with babysitting duty?"

Carmen had been grumbling like this from time to time ever since she was forced to accompany me.

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize. It was my decision, so I shouldn't complain."

"However, you're in a dire situation, little Fry."

"I'm well aware of that," I sighed. My situation within this family was even worse than I had anticipated. If it weren't for Carmen, I would have met my demise long ago.

"Believe me, it's worse than you think. Once you choose the two skills, an elder will immediately appear and teleport you to the Nightmare Lands."

"You won't have time to do anything... You'll find yourself alone in the Nightmare Lands; isn't that ironic? I mean, you were supposed to become the Lord on this day."

"Yeah, it's pathetic," I smirked. The sensation of receiving contempt and killing intent was unfamiliar to me. I had somehow chosen a path that would have instantly led to my death. Even the old Fry would have survived until the beginning of the temple arc. I couldn't believe my choices were worse than those of the old fry. But it's okay... I needed every possible reason to despise this world. It was the only fuel that propelled me forward.

"But, little Fry, perhaps you deserved it, don't you think? I don't know much about your family, but you've done so many foolish things that perhaps heaven will finally punish you."

I chuckled upon hearing her words.

"I've already been punished."

Ever since the moment I was transported to this world...

"Well, here we are."

I looked ahead and saw a colossal Baba with a massive eye in its center. The eye fixed on us, emanating a red glow.

I heard a voice that seemed to emerge out of nowhere.

"Identity confirmed, welcome back, Miss Carmen."

'Miss?' I thought to myself.

I noticed a look of satisfaction on Carmen's face. This elderly woman in her 80s still relished being addressed like a young women.

In any case, the door opened before me, and I was about to step inside.

"Remember, Fry, choose two skills as long as they don't exceed Class D. I'll be waiting for you here."

"Understood."

As I entered, the door closed behind me, and I found myself in a peculiar library. I was only permitted to access the first and second floors, where the weakest skills were located.

Silently, I walked among the shelves, carefully inspecting the various books and scrolls. The skills and techniques were recorded either in written form or on scrolls. All I needed was to understand the formulas to master the skills, so I had to choose wisely.

I already had some ideas in mind. The skills I aimed for were all countermeasures against the protagonist's abilities.

For hours, I wandered through the space, gradually narrowing down the options before me.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I made my selection.

Contrary to my expectations, there were quite a few impressive skills among the Class D category, which made the decision challenging.

I looked at the two scrolls in my hands.

[Ghost Steps] - Class D: This skill enhances the user's speed by 10% and allows for silent footsteps even while running.

[Eye of the Hawk] - Class D: It improves the user's vision, enabling them to see over long distances.

""Well, I guess these will suffice," I murmured, satisfied with my choices.

I approached the door, and once again, the scanning eye examined me along with the skills in my hands. Eventually, the door opened, allowing me to exit.

Outside, I found Carmen reclining on the sofa where she had been earlier. Did she grow bored?

Sensing my presence, Carmen stood up, and signs of boredom were evident on her face.

"So? What did you choose that took you so long?"

Carmen snatched the skills from my hands and glanced at them. However, I quickly frowned at her actions. Ghost Steps, a skill more suitable for assassins and not particularly reliable in direct combat, and Hawk's Eye... a skill befitting snipers.

"Remind me of your specialization again?"

I responded indifferently, "I am a swordsman."

Her expression worsened upon hearing that. "Damn it, boy! "Damn it, boy! If you told me that you chose at random, I might have believed you, but wasting so much time on skills that don't suit you? Why did you waste my time in the first place?"

I shrugged in response. "Sorry, but it's what I want."

"Well, do as you wish."

Carmen returned the skills to me, and we proceeded to a different location. While they may appear useless to you, in reality... after making the modifications I desire, these two skills will naturally become the perfect counter to one of the hero's abilities.

Eventually, we arrived at a separate room, and Carmen positioned herself to the side.

"To expedite this process, infuse your strength into the scrolls and then read what is written on them... That should be sufficient."

I nodded and followed her instructions. A purple halo materialized around my hands as I directed my aura towards the scrolls.

Immediately, the written letters on the scrolls glowed, and as I read them, I felt a sensation of something being etched into my body. I repeated the process with both skills until the letters vanished completely.

"Well, we're done here," Carmen stated as she walked out, and I followed closely behind.

Walking behind her, I now possessed three skills, even if one of them seemed useless.

"Let's give it a try," I thought, activating the first skill, Ghost Steps.

Instantly, I felt a surge of agility and stealth. I could move silently and swiftly, leaving no trace behind. It was a skill perfect for covert operations.

Next, I activated Hawk's Eye. As I did, the pupil of my right eye transformed into a vertical line. My vision underwent a complete change. The clarity of objects around me greatly increased, and I could zoom in on distant images.

"Amazing," I whispered to myself. This was the first time I had thoroughly tested a skill.

"Hey, boy, save the skill testing for later," Carmen interrupted, noticing that I had activated Hawk's Eye.

I deactivated the skill and resumed walking beside her.

. . .

. . .

"Okay, we have arrived."

The family residence resembled a vast maze, making it time-consuming to navigate from one place to another. Finally, we reached a small room filled with a significant amount of aura. I could feel it tingling on my skin.

Inside the room stood a masked man who appeared to have been waiting for us. Carmen nodded at him, and he reciprocated the gesture.

"Allow me to introduce him. This is one of the elders of the family, named Nathan," Carmen said.

"It's fine, Carmen. I'll take it from here," his voice sounded hoarse from behind the mask.

"Will you do?"

"Yes I promise, no tricks"

"We'll see about that"

Nathan approached me, dressed in black from head to toe, further enhancing his air of mystery.

"Shall we begin?" he asked.

"Yeah," I replied, feeling a surge of excitement.

"My ability is simple. I will utilize the aura in this room, along with my own strength, to open a gate that will lead you to your desired destination."

"But before we proceed, I need to know where exactly you want to go."

"I understand," I said.

While I didn't know the exact location of the 10,000 paces method of shade, I was aware of the general area's coordinates. I shared what I knew with Nathan, and he immediately set to work.

"Very well, I will commence immediately."

The power in the room started to circulate around Nathan as he began forming a gate in front of us.

"Typically, I wouldn't need to utilize this room, but the place you wish to go is quite far," Nathan commented, revealing a talkative side that contradicted my initial impression of him.

It should be noted that he was a Class S .

It didn't take long. After just an hour, a silver gate was glowing before us. Nathan took a step back as his hand emitted the same silvery light.

"Extend your hand, Fry"

Hesitantly, I complied with Nathan's request, extending my hand. The power was transferred to my right hand, and I quickly withdrew it. Upon inspection, I observed that the silver energy had taken the form of a geometric circle adorned with peculiar symbols.

"Don't worry, this circle will always guide you to the gate," Nathan reassured me. "Now you possess control over this gate, and the circle on your hand serves as your key, your guide."

"I understand, thank you," I replied

'This circle would be the sole means of return'

Nathan nodded.

"My job here is done. When you're ready, enter the gate. Once you do, you will find yourself in the eastern nightmare lands."

I took a deep breath as I contemplated the gravity of the situation. I was essentially heading towards my own demise. Doubt began to creep in at the last moment, but unfortunately, there was no turning back now.

"Fry," a familiar female voice called my name.

I turned to see Ada standing there.

"You're late, Ada. I was already about to leave," I said.

She didn't respond verbally, but instead walked towards me. She took hold of my hand and placed a ring on the ring finger of my left hand. I glanced at the silver ring adorning my finger.

"This?"

"It's a dimensional ring," Ada explained.

"So this is one of those tools that has a dimensional space inside," I remarked.

"Yes, this ring is the best I've found. Inside, I've prepared enough food and water for a year," Ada replied.

"Also, there are plenty of clothes inside, along with various weapons, including several rifles you ordered and 10,000 aura-filled bullets"

"I've also included some shields, training potions like Healing Potion and Injury Healing Potion, and..."

looked at Ada, who was still listing different things inside the ring. I felt some warmth because she looked just like my mom.

I chuckled while Ada stopped.

"That's enough, Ada. You've done enough. Thank you."

Ada was briefly silent before shaking her head.

"I was just fulfilling my part of the deal," she said.

"Yes, I know," I replied.

Turning my attention to the silver gate, I threw the bag from my back into the ring and prepared to enter.

I took a moment to stretch my muscles and took a deep breath. I was about to step into the nightmare lands.

Carmen, leaning against the wall, watched me intently.

"Fry... to be honest, I don't think you'll make it, but good luck anyway," she said.

"I know... thank you for everything, Miss Carmen," I replied.

As I took my first step, a slender hand stopped me. It was Ada.

"Fry, is there no other choice? Do you really have to enter the nightmare lands?" she asked.

I gently moved her hand away.

"Yes, I must."

"But"

"It's okay, Ada. Even if I die, no one will care... This is something I have to do," I assured her.

With each step feeling heavier than the last, I made my way towards the gate.

As she observed her little brother's slender figure, a bitter feeling washed over her.

She reached out her hand towards him, but it was futile... he had already vanished.

Frey Starlight had entered the Nightmare Lands... on his own.

. . . . . . . .

What a nice sister