The next day
The shelter they had just arrived at was just as big as the military base they had come from. It was a similar size to the old towns that human civilization used to have. The only difference was that there were no tall skyscraper-like buildings, and the biggest building in this shelter was a military one, which was only three stories high.
The ground they stood on top of was hard and solid, a dry orange colour, with no sign of green life. It was hard to imagine anything being able to grow on these lands. It was clear that the hot, blistering sun had dried out the ground.
Quinn went ahead and announced that the whole group was gifted a map of the area, and our target will be the red zone. Now, I have a skill with my ability to do a lot without being noticed by any of the creatures. It is called shadow Travel.
As the group looks at Quinn with shocked faces, Erin said When did you learn this skill Quinn responded I picked it up recently. I've reached Level 6 with my skill, so as you can tell on my watch, I haven't managed to unlock a few skills with it, and this is one of them.
As they all gathered around Quinn, they sank into his shadow. Then it took off, flying across the deserts towards the red zone.
As the group arrives in the middle of the red zone, they can see all the beasts around them.
As Quinn popped out of the shadow. Alright, we're here.
start spreading out. These fire lizards are everywhere. Or maybe not. I guess we're in a safe spot.
Uh, Quinn, I'm not too sure we should be out here already. Isn't this too difficult for our group?
Peter, you're being dramatic.
You're more than strong enough. He's a level 6. I'm a level 5. We're plenty powerful enough.
And now one can just do whatever the heck he wants.
We have this covered. So stop being a word to word. Alright. Let's get this done.
An hour later, after they were fighting, another group came rolling in. There they are.
I saw them taken off in this direction. Earlier.
They're already out here in the red zone. They must have already collected a bunch of crystals by now. It took us longer to try to catch up to them.
Curse that Punisher. Sir, how are we going to do anything to them?
There's no chance for us to even try to reach him from here. Now, now. I got that covered.
I got some goodies that I got from the second year.
I'm going to teach that Punisher Boy lesson. He needs to stop trying to protect the low levels.
Just because he's now a high-level doesn't mean he gets to be a hero.
And finally, I can actually get some money. Of course, that stupid night demon is causing trouble, still.
If only we could actually get all the good stuff going again, but as soon as that incident is taken care of, we can also get our money paid for as well.
and get back to robbing these low levels.
That sounds like a great plan, boss. So what's this thing you got from the second year?
Bait. A very potent bait after all. We throw this out towards them.
And it will attract all those fire lizards. They'll be surrounded by them very quickly, and we can sneak in and grab that low level.
He's clearly just a pack meal at this point.
He's completely useless. So he must have all the beast crystals right now. They've been out here for an hour.
So, we can take advantage of that and steal him away.
And get all those points. It's going to be sweet.
I know there's no way that they can...
keep him protected at the same time, trying to fight off those creatures.
You ready back there? Yes, boss. Ready to fire at your command. Good.
Now, fire it! As the object goes flying across the sky towards them and lands right next to them.
Quinn looks at the strange object and then the explosion
Smoke walks over the group. What the heck? Quickly uh...
Quinn tries to push away this smoke, but it has started dissolving and disappearing.
A roar echoed across the desert as hundreds of fire lizards came running at them.
Quinn is looking around. This is not good, guys. We got a lot of trouble. I don't know what that was, but it looks like we've been sabotaged.
You guys ready to fight off the entire army? You know I am.
You guys just need to keep up. Let me show you how it's done. Now, in our eyes, a princess, let's not be arrogant.
As they begin to fight off the enemies.
And the horror becomes more intense. They manage ty kill off over half of them.
And there are still more coming. Peter huddledino the middle of them, becoming scared.
But before he even gets a chance to worry anymore, suddenly a bag was thrown over his head, and he was yanked away.
unaware of the others. Sometimes. Later.
He was unbagged at a nearby tower.
Well then, how about you hand over all those beast crystals you got from all that hunting?
Peter, shaking. What are beast crystals. I don't know what you're talking about.
Now, now, let's not play hardball. Hand over the beast crystals. I know you guys have been out there hunting.
You're bound to have a bunch of them already. Even with that horde just hitting them, there's still probably a bunch of beast crystals already.
I don't have any beast crystals. Why would they give it to me?
Right. A pack meal. Not holding all the bees' crystals. That's hard to believe.
I'm just a low level. Why would they give it to me? But that's perfect. You're the low level.
They would give it to you in a heartbeat. Who else would carry all that? They're not going to carry all that themselves. That would be too distracting.
So hand over all the crystals. Even if I had the crystals, I wouldn't hand them over to you, maniacs.
Oh, the hard way. Alright, we can do this, boys. Let's beat some sense into this guy.
Five minutes later, all right i found him. He is in that town.
This is an annoying situation. Why are we just going after him? He's just low level. Why would they even want him?
Beast crystals. Oh Yes
They would assume he was the pack meal. But you're the one who has all of them, Quinn. Yes, but they don't know that.
They're going to assume that he has all the crystals. Of course, I also need to pay them back
for causing that entire horde to hit us. I'm hurt, I'm tired, and I'm grumpy over this nonsense.
We are getting tired of these bullies who think that they are on a different planet and can do whatever they want.
Right when Quinn entered the building-
"Stop right there. Punisher boy. You don't want to get your friend hurt, that goes for you, too, ice Queen. We have a special drug that will finish your friend off, courtesy of the local wildlife. Now, if you want him back, just hand over all the Beast crystals, and we'll set him free."
"Well, you heard him, punisher boy. Don't make any rash decisions. You're so funny.
'I'm going to have to apologize to the leader.' He said not to do anything dangerous today."
Quinn was met with two kids looking to cause trouble.
Somewhere far away, Vincent was looking at them from a nearby cliff, chuckling to himself, "This is a perfectly acceptable amount of troubles Quinn."
Silver, looking at him. "Are you sure that's what he said?"
Vincent, responding, "I'm very good at reading lips. Please don't doubt me."
Quinn quickly shadow locks Peter away to the shock of everyone there.
And then Quinn quickly activates the Shadow Manifestation, summoning all the nearby shadows and creating multiple ropes to tie and secure all the bullies.
Erin, looking at this, whistled, that's amazing. She looks over at Quinn. Oh, that must have taken more out of me than you thought. Just give me a moment. I just need to get a chance to breathe. That was a lot of stamina I just used, and the mental strain of doing all that with no picnic, either, Quinn said.
As that group headed out and left them behind, Erin went ahead and froze the boys to the floor so they could think about the consequences of picking a fight and Quinn releasing their shadows.
As soon as the group got out, always lays into the desert, a massive rumble shook, and out came Off the ground, a behemoth-sized worm.
Erin immediately realized. What this was, this is not good, guys. That is a king Tier.
Immediately, the group spread out and began engaging the creature. Quinn was trying everything he could to fight it off. But with his stamina, so low music difficulties keeping up.
After an hour fighting this creature, they were finally able to take it down. But everyone was quite wounded, realizing that at this point, Quinn decided that they needed to find a place to go hide and recuperate. He looked around, and he spotted a rock outlook. In the middle of the desert, looking up, this area was more of a Rocky/plains type of desert, but it still worked.
As soon as they got under the cupboard of The Rock, they went ahead and started setting up camp, preparing to stay there and get some rest. Luckily enough, they were able to get hold of a portable kitchen. Thanks to a friend of theirs, it wasn't the top-tier one, but at least it worked.
Quickly release the shadow lock, letting Peter fall out, and they were able to catch him before he took any more injuries. He looked pretty banged up, but nothing too fatal.
As all of them got the time to recuperate and sleep, more trouble started rolling up into their area groups, became aware that the area had been farmed out before they got there.
Sometime later, the group finally recuperated and were able to get going rested and fed.\n They stepped out of the cave, noticing. Now that there were a few groups out here. Now, farming, the area, to their shock. When did everyone else show up? Peter said.
Erin, realizing that, at the best of all shown apps, some time later, I guess everyone was farming out the low-level creatures too much. I guess we'll have to go out further to get anything.
They started heading off into the deeper parts of the red zone, where there was a higher chance of running into more dangerous beasts.
Silver, looking at this from a cliffside. Should we warn them not to go out there? They've already run into one king tier. There's a good chance they're gonna run into.
Vincent, looking over, I'm sure they'll be fine. I'm sure they'll be able to take care of themselves. They proved themselves more than capable of doing stuff like that. I'm just wondering what other insane little stunts people are going to try to do to them. How desperate are these groups out here?