The Safe Route Directors

Stunned, Seth glared at Gina after those words. He never took that name as something special, rather, he saw it as an ordinary name given by the system just because he chose Good.

Sure, he doubted her words. He supposed maybe she was trying to convince him to do away from his quirk. Judging by his attitude, that was a bad idea towards him.

"What?! Me? Are you joking or something? Like, I don't understand", Seth asked Gina, putting on dubious looks.

"It's clear, you got the growing Mark of Divinity on your forehead. The lightning never came to hurt you, it came to pass the divine power to you and you would have to do what you're assigned", Gina said and turned back to the book.

However, Seth still didn't understand what she was saying. He was too young for crying out loud.

'You must be joking, I'm sure this is a complete joke'.

"Okay let's focus on this. Don't worry, when the time of your obligation comes, you will surely understand", Gina assured and moved the book close to Seth's view.

Nonetheless, he'd wanted to ask about the newness difference of the book. And after opening the book, he also wondered why the section of parts were stable and the other parts, rusted.

"W... Why is the book rusted on the free sides and fresh on the section of the marks?", Seth asked.

Even without a reply, he had already considered the book a mysterious element. What could it be if not that? It was truly mysterious.

"How am I going to study this mysterious element? It's impossible. You and I know I'm merely ordinary", Seth spoke, doubtful of himself.

"You are not! And don't use those words anymore", She warned and then, sighed. "Coming to talk about the possibility of getting an idea of the marks, the chances are full... You can. "

Seth nodded negatively.

"Then, the differences in book features are something I don't know. But I believe it's because, due to the fact that the marks can't shrink", said Gina, glimpsing at Seth as he posed calmly on the wooden stool, bewildered.

After Gina's reply, he nodded. Positively this time.

Then she pointed right at the first mark which was somewhat zigzag. The junctures of every edge were blocked with small affixed stones that had a sharp segment atop.

Ryder looked at it, trying to examine its features and what it meant. But unfortunately, his brain couldn't think.

The second one was the exact shape of an addition sign. Small stones were also affixed at the edge, and on the middle of the four lines juncture. Awfully, this one looked more complicated than the previous one.

"But, is this truly a pathway description?", Seth asked.

"Yes, I think so. The Evil Angels used these marks to get past Gazehelm. Actually, the sign shows the safest route", Gina replied.

However, the marks were known by humans as marks, just as Gina had said. But the Evil descendants call it The Safe Route Director.

Back in the first years of the Devils dominance, the group of Hairy Beasts who were the very first creatures to get past Gazehelm were the ones who plotted the signs. Nonetheless, that was when it was discovered that the pathway was made mainly to secure the humans' stay in Deadmouth forever.

Seth was surprised that Gina managed to get the book. Recalling what he had always heard from Nanny mother, the book was usually in the camp of the Beasts close to the mountain foot back at the villages.

'This lass is awesome. She spies often at the cottages. Illogical!'

Seth sighed softly and glanced back at the book, to the third mark.

This one was similar with a greater-than sign, but it was widely curved, making the space within the two lines a little broad. The stones were attached at the endpoint of both lines and also in the middle.

'Uhh, no way'.

He ignored and looked at the fourth one, scratching his head as though he was in an exam hall. Gina calmly waited for his description. Of course, she knew it wasn't a no-frills mark to understand so quickly. What she just had to wish for was that he would be able to get the ideas, somehow.

The fourth mark was a complete straight dash. The line has no curves but contains about six stones attached from the origin of the line to the endpoint. Seth hesitated for a second, looked at Gina, and muttered:

"This one seems a little bit straightforward. Since it's a path description, then it should be indicating a straight pathway."

"That's it! Yes!", Gina whispered with a pleased expression and asked: "But, you haven't understood the first three marks and haven't studied the last one. You have to keep trying. "

"I'm trying, it's just that the mark signs are too difficult to understand. I'll keep trying but, let me take a look at the last one", Seth voiced, eyes back on the book.

And the last mark was like a Double L, facing different directions. It looked complicated simple though, but was also tricky at the same time.

"I know this is a path with different corners but I don't really get it. Uhh! This is devastating", Seth said after a rough sigh and immediately closed the book, frustrated.

However, Gina wasn't too perplexed. She lengthened her left arm, placing it on Seth's right shoulder to appease his hot mind. At that moment, the day was already dark and the ghosts were already approaching the forest from Phantom Falls.

"You don't have to worry too much, it's normal. You just have to keep trying or we are going to die by the outrage of the Destruction Spell", Gina said.

After some while, she thought of something. Regarding her countenance, it seems like it was that could help. Her face was serious as her lips curled rightwards, then, she glanced back at Seth putting on an inquisitive look.

"Have you once checked the Special Record of your attributes?", Gina asked.

"No. What's that? ", Seth asked with an astonished expression.

"Gosh! You should have done that!"

"I don't know if anything like that is programmed in my system. The system hasn't stated those words before", Seth said, looking slightly furious.

"Uhh. Okay, you have to let your system show you that right now."

"How? "

Seth asked, he stared at Gina with a look filled with doubts.

"Just... Just inhale and exhale, inhale and exhale again, and then command it", Gina lectured and then held his back.

Seth sealed both eyes and made his first inhalation. Before exhaling, the system suddenly displayed an extensive amount of words on his retina. Without hesitating and letting Gina know, he calmly read the words step by step as though reading an interesting fantasy novel.

< Special Record mode. >

< Tier 1.>

< Tier 1a ~ Mind reading and description ability (unlocked). >

< Tier 1b ~ Vision ability (locked). 1000exps needed to unlock. >

< Tier 1c ~ Transport ability (locked). 3000exps to unlock. >

< Tier 1d ~ Time Control ability (locked). 5000exps to unlock. >

Seth smiled and waved to Gina, still concentrating on the notification of the system. After those parts were shown, another bunch of words appeared.

< The Safe Route Direction needs proper explanation, use 40 status points to activate the Description ability. >

Immediately, Seth shouted:

"I must activate description ability! "

< Description ability activated. Five stone marks of Gazehelm pathways. >

< First sign: Zigzag Conduit. >

< Description: a complicated route, curved at every corner. It leads to the chambers of Green Demonic spirits which is signified by the stones attached. >

< Second sign: Cross Conduit. >

< Description: a path blocked by the vast tents of the Skeletons with Flesh. It leads nowhere, rather, to get one into danger, just like the first route. >

< Third sign: Double Parallel Conduit. >

< Description: a trickery route that leads back to the take-off point of the route. At the junction, the Witches live and prepare to kill lost humans. >

< Forth sign: Vert Conduit. >

< Description: a straightforward yet dangerous route. Filled with both blood-sucking and meat devouring Zombies. It's a straight path, but it is presumably the wrong way. >

< Fifth sign...>

< You have used up your purchased points for the Description ability. Renew purchase for 250 status points. >

"What?! Oh shit!", Seth exclaimed, clenching his fist in anger.

It was so annoying for the purchase to run down at this moment. The four marks he had seen and understood the description were not good at all. With the way it sounds, they were going to die if they dared take those parts.

Gina had sat quietly for some time since Seth was busy interacting with his system. But after his yell, she didn't hesitate to know what happened.

"What's it!"

"The 40 points I had used for the Description ability activation have been used up. I only have 150 status points and the required cost for reactivation is 250 points", Seth informed, grimacing.

"Okay, I can loan you again. We have to be fast. The atmosphere of Deadmouth is becoming ominous."

"Okay."

Gina neared her eyelids just like before, and opened her palms wide. Exhaling and inhaling, she calmed herself to be able to interact with her system.

Seth waited impatiently, eager to see the description of the last sign. However, he was hoping for a good inscription to avert them from fighting against strange creatures in the dreadful pathway.

Unawares, a high-tone scream from outside distracted Gina's system transfer, causing Seth's heart an ascension to the mountaintop of pure apprehensiveness.

"Somebody help!!!"