Chapter 25 – Something

Several hours passed, and they were still climbing, but the most noticeable thing was that the pace was starting to get slow. And the front group started to take notice.

Most of them could still keep up with the pace, but the less experienced ones really need a rest.

Carl had also been close to exhaustion for almost 30 minutes now. Even with the perks of his rank 1 body, he was beginning to not only feel tired by going uphill all this time but also feel the effects of the increasing altitude.

_Pant, pant, pant_

His breathing was turning ragged, and he couldn't help but lower his head down. The others in the group were also not in a good condition, even some veterans.

All of them here had a rank 1 body or higher, but as they climbed higher to the mountain, the altitude was increasing and it was taking a toll at their health and physical abilities.

It didn't matter if they were not regular humans. With high altitude living, their body could not immediately adapt to the lower air pressure and decreased oxygen.

"Stooop!" the captain shouted, "We rest for five minutes, and climb again. I know everyone is tired, but the night is closing in on us and we don't want to get stuck here at the dark."

Raising his head, the front group seemed to be better than ever. It was obvious how resilient their bodies were.

"That's what we get for letting anyone with us. Just look at that fatty, he out there muffin like a pig," Mason whispered to the Captain.

Carl doesn't know what they were talking about, but the man Mason had been glaring at him for a while.

Carl was in a state of rest and currently absorbing a little world mana to regain some stamina, when Alex came over, with a smile.

"You acclimated to the weather yet?"

"Does it look like it?" Carl scoffed.

Hearing him, Alex chuckled lightly, as he jugged at his water bottle.

Then he shot a glance at the others who were also panting.

"At least you're doing better than them. You're a newbie, right? Those guys at least have experience. I swear at first they probably underestimated you."

Carl was a little boggled too seeing Alex's skills at first, but he won't mind a small talk.

"Newbie or not, it doesn't matter that we're now all here." Carl said what should be the obvious.

Alex stared at him for a while looking as if he did not expect that answer.

"What?"

After a small laugh, Alex replied, passing over his water bottle. "No matter what, it's good to show them that you're not just here to piggyback on everyone. Some of the front group wasn't convinced of taking you along at first.

Alex reclined his back at the tree and Carl showed a faint smile.

"You mean that guy?" Carl asked.

While jugging the water bottle, he then cautiously sneaked pointing at a man at the front group and they both laughed together.

The man was naturally Mason. The battle axe wielder. During the entire climb from the moment he was taken by the captain; anyone could notice that he seemed to have problems with him, glaring and snorting at him like a crazy psycho.

"Anyways, the rest point is nearby. We can't go walking with the night looming on us." Alex said, and looked at the path headed above.

Carl of course agreed with this. Night at the wild was a big advantage for hunters.

Looking at Alex, Carl decided to ask something.

"Alex."

"Hm?"

"You're blessed by an element, right? What kind?"

Alex looked at Carl and smiled.

Carl did not pay attention.

"I'm surprised you knew. That's strange I never said it."

"I heard the others whispering about it." Carl replied.

Alex thought that indeed was the case, and honestly his element wasn't a secret either. Carl would figure it out anyway. Especially since the Captain seemed to know him for some reason.

"You find it out soon." Alex said.

During their rest, the faint sun above the mist started to fade and darkness indeed started to envelop the surface. The cicadas also started to sound louder.

A few minutes later, the group was seen climbing again, and now in a faster pace. Their footsteps were now loud and screeching against the ground, totally without care to the monsters in the area.

And if they were some monsters they encountered—mostly boars and wolves— they were dealt with quick and efficient.

But then, the group stopped in their tracks.

"TROUBLE INCOMING!"

The scout who was normally walking ahead of the group rushed down shouting, catching everyone by surprise.

_VRUUUUUU_

In a few breaths of time, they then realized what was happening. Behind the scout, a thundering noise from the higher grounds was turning louder by the second. In the dark, something unknown was approaching at a high speed!