Chapter 18
Stones fall and the trees that weren't destroyed or trampled continue to sway. However, despite already having destroyed the mountain, the giant didn't stop. Its path extended, heading towards the end of that dimension, the place where the civilians were left.
After leaving Hye in a relatively safe place, far enough from the creature so he wouldn't be affected by its steps, Samantha leaped. Her feet heading towards one of the rocks in the sky originating from the ancient mountain, and after briefly leaning on it, she pushed the stone towards the monster.
The giant was hit, and the rock, expanding for tens of meters, was shattered upon colliding with its body. The creature stopped, its eyes scanning the surroundings quickly.
"You..."
Samantha widened her eyes as the beast ran towards her. Mid-air, she searched the surroundings but found nothing that could help her reach the ground faster.
Raising her arms, Samantha prepared to receive the impact.
"You insect, die!"
The creature's hand moved, cutting through the air where it passed. However, before actually hitting Samantha, it... stopped?
A furious scream echoed.
[The skill Invisible Steps has been activated]
"Don't hide, you wretches! Show yourselves!"
As the creature continued to randomly trample the area, Samantha fell towards the ground rapidly. Looking at her belly, in a certain state of confusion, she found herself being embraced by Hye's arms.
"You... how?"
Even though he was so close, while acting so primitive, the monster didn't even look in their direction. In fact, it seemed unable to see them at all.
"A skill..? Are you using a skill?"
The end of the fall approaching, and they both landed on top of a tree.
"Huh? Hye, what are you doing?"
The tip elongated to the ground, and after setting his aunt down safely, Hye was left alone on the tree.
"Don't do this! Get down from there now! Don't..."
The tree rose, causing his fingers to part, launching Hye towards the creature at high speed and leaving Samantha behind.
His feet moved swiftly, and as the trees passed by like a massive blur, his eyes didn't even blink. As he approached the giant, without any sign of hesitation, Samantha leaped.
Her eyes glowed as if a dark dust was constantly emanating from them. Her foot moved, cutting through the air in front of her, and after the emergence of an intense wind that cleared everything ahead including all the trees, the monster's legs were separated from the rest of its body.
Its legs stood, but, just like Samantha who was strangely motionless in mid-air, the rest of the giant's body slowly fell towards the ground.
A piercing scream resonated all around.
"Ah, Lucas, we're going to have a long talk after we get out of this place, you can be sure of that. Look what you made me do."
Aside from its mouth, the rest of its limbs didn't move. But, as the endless fall continued, a strong wind accompanied by a warm embrace surged forth.
"So... no cell phone...?"
"Without a doubt, not even a computer. Don't even dream of going out for the next few days."
The dust cloud spread through the air and covered part of the forest. After reaching the ground, Hye ran with Samantha in his arms, and after a few moments, finally found himself under the light again.
"What happened...? Are you okay? Why aren't you moving?"
"Oh, this? It's nothing. You'll be fine, I'll be back to normal in a few minutes. But, more importantly..."
The wind ceased, and amidst the thuds caused by the monster's desperate beats against the ground, for some reason, its screams also vanished.
"What happened to the giant? Was that enough to kill it?"
"I don't know, I'm unsure too."
"Unsure?"
"Yes, I think maybe the neck isn't the only weak point of that monster."
"What? What are you..."
"Ma'am!"
As the hunters approached, Hye stopped walking into the forest. He kneeled and laid Samantha down on the grass.
"Are you both alright?! What happened there?!"
"We're okay, but, can I ask you a favor? Take care of her for me for a moment."
"Of course, but..."
"Hey!"
Struggling, Samantha managed to move her fingers briefly, but nothing more.
"What are you talking about?! Where do you think you're going?! Come back here now!"
"I'm just going to test something, I'll be back soon."
"What?! You...!"
After much effort was exerted, her fist clenched, but silence was all that awaited her.
"...He's gone, right..?"
"Yes, ma'am..."
"Aaah!"
Samantha sighed.
"Damn it! Why did those two have to be so similar? I liked it better when he was obedient."
The hunters around exchanged glances, hesitant to open their mouths. However, after a few tense moments, one of them finally took the lead.
"Um, ma'am... we have a problem."
"What happened? Did the portal to the second floor appear?"
"No, um... The system said that we're now on the second level of the first floor, and according to what the others saw..., there are now two giants instead of one..."
"Two giants... Tell me something..."
Her fingers moved frantically, forcing her movements to return more and more.
"The direction that boy went... is where the creatures are..?"
The hunters trembled, for with the emergence of the dark dust enveloping her body, the external pressure continued to gradually increase.
"...Yes, ma'am..."
Her fist clenched, and the dust scattered. Before their eyes, all the hunters found themselves enveloped by the darkest darkness they had ever seen... the fragments of the void.
"Damn...! Lucas!"
The distance between them is so great... but still, Hye was able to hear her voice echoing beyond the forest perfectly.
"I guess one month won't be enough..."
[Congratulations]
[Level 1 of the first floor of the Tower of the Six has been successfully completed]
[Level 2 will begin shortly]
Before their eyes, the giants walked through a vast ocean and headed towards the forest.
"No..., after this... even two months will be too short..."
Hye halted before the waters, and appearing in his hand, the poisonous dagger manifested. Its lighter green stripes and brighter blade. Somehow, not only in appearance, Hye felt that it was definitely different compared to the last time it was used.