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Chapter 65 I'm Free...
Northern took a shard of crystal he had broken from before and offered it to the Night Terror.
The terrific hellion sneered at him… although weakly, it still had its guard around Northern.
'I'm disappointed. I thought we were comrades since the last time we fought." Northern contorted his face into a look of faked pain.
Night Terror let out a grunt and with its claws, picked the little shard from Northern's palm.
Then Northern pointed into his mouth, "its supposed to go in there…"
The monster looked at him for a second.
Dried scars of brutal torture ran across his skin, the fierce and powerful flames in its eyes had now become faint.
Although Northern had removed all the shards, the disgusting veins still ran across its body and pulsated.
'I hope taking the crystal does help.'
So far so good, it has worked for him so this was the best first aid idea he could come with.
After taking it for himself, the pain… both in his legs and shoulder where he was stabbed subsided and made movement a little bit easier.
And as he expected, minutes after using it, Night Terror was able to stand on its own… even with the amount of injuries that scarred its intimidating form.
Although Night Terror still stood powerful however it looked more pitiful than intimidating. To Northern at least.
Northern's clone entered back into the chamber and stood before the two of them.
It happened so suddenly and while Northern was still preoccupied with his thoughts about Night Terror.
If not he would have dismissed the clone since it was outside.
Now, a torrent of suspense fell on the atmosphere, it was too late to do anything.
Night Terror turned, and gave him a low, thick growl… the sparks of horror in its eyes almost reviving themselves.
"What? Don't forget who saved you. Forget the past and let's focus on the future okay? Right now, we have to escape from this damn place and my clone just found out there's no secret tunnel or safe escape."
Even after speaking Night Terror's eyes stayed on Northern for a few seconds.
The two stared at each other in absolute silence, then Northern sighed and face palmed himself.
'What am I even doing? Talking to a monster.'
Night Terror groaned and walked forward, it paused a few steps later and looked at the blinking Northern. Then let out another growl, gesturing its head for Northern to follow.
Dazed, Northern picked his legs and followed closely behind the monster.
Of course, if anyone would know a safe escape route. It has to be the strongest monster in this place… well, second strongest…or is it third or fourth, tenth strongest?...since several Night Terrors now existed.
Northern swallowed his spit and silently walked behind the powerful back of the monster.
Night Terror led without looking back and Northern found that surprising.
He and this monster in question had once been enemies, in fact, he still burned with a semblance of vengeance for it. And yet it was showing its back to him like this.
'Is he not scared of dying… or does it trust me now?'
Northern allowed a discrediting chuckle at himself. It was wild and endearing to think an ultimate soldier such as Night Terror would trust him.
Or maybe he was getting emotionally attached?
'I should check myself… if I am like this towards monsters, what will happen when I get out of this hell and start socializing with humans…'
The thought of going out of the rift…
Northern had chosen not to entertain such thoughts since coming to this place.
Even though he would do anything to survive, he kind of didn't want to jinx it by filling his head with thoughts of what would happen next.
Where the others were?
And where exactly had they all been teleported to?
He was just going to tackle things one at a time. For now surviving this hell takes priority.
'Survival mode on!'
Northern mused with a shameful small smile as he followed behind the Night Terror.
His eyes climbed up the massive back of the monster.
'...still, it's sure is one hell of a monstrosity.'
Now, he didn't feel so bad that he was beaten hands down by Night Terror.
Although he would repay at all means, even if that is the last thing he does before he dies.
They walked through a cave tunnel, endlessly curling dark paths without taking a rest.
At some point Northern wondered if the Night Terror knew where it was going or was just walking aimlessly without a purpose.
He doubted if Night Terror did communicate with him the other time or he was the one that was just imagined it.
Or the poor monster was simply lost… had lost them both.
Within the whirlpool of those thoughts Northern followed without a single complaint.
And in due time, a dot of grey light appeared before their eyes, widening with each step they took.
Northern even felt like running towards it but that would mean overtaking the Night Terror.
He admired the monster for its brave decision to walk in front but he… would… never!
… turn his back to a monster that had killed him once? No, that's impossible.
The excitement of 'seeing a light at the end of the tunnel' can hold on a few minutes more.
He wouldn't jeopardize his life and foolishly attempt to trust a monster.
As Northern and Night Terror came out of the tunnel, a grey sky overlaying, a seemingly endless expanse of brown lush sprawled out before their eyes.
'Where is this place again?' Northern wondered.
The rift was so large that he was beginning to consider, is it really a rift?
Was it really possible for a rift to be this large? Northern couldn't even begin to count the amount of places that he has been to.
Yet the Kingdom of Red Mine is the only settlement of monsters that stood within this vast and hellish realm.
It was hard to believe.
Northern spread his arms into the air, feeling the soft brush of the wind against his skin.
Immediately, he wrinkled his nose and stepped back—the wind came with a rancid odor that disgusted his lungs.
He exhaled a second later and looked around, safe the disgusting smell of the air… he managed to make it out.
A cold smile fell on his face as he whispered to himself:
"Finally, for the first time… I'm free."