Erik's racing heart gradually slowed as he surveyed the aftermath of the intense fight that had unfolded in the midst of the wheat fields.
The once serene landscape now bore the marks of the violent clash between him and Simone.
Broken stalks of wheat lay trampled and scattered, mingling with the scattered logs that had been used as weapons.
The air was heavy with the metallic scent of blood, intermingling with the earthy aroma of the wheat. Erik's gaze fell upon Simone's motionless body, sprawled amidst the wreckage.
A shiver ran down his spine at the sight before him, a grim testament to the scale of his once useless brain crystal power.
Simone's form was barely recognizable, crushed under the weight of the logs that had struck him with merciless force.
The once deadly thug now lay broken and defeated, his body contorted in an unnatural manner. Dark crimson stains marred the ground around him, an eerie contrast against the golden hues of the wheat fields.
Erik's eyes traced the path of destruction, following the trails of blood that painted a macabre tapestry upon the once-vibrant landscape.
Despite the victory he had achieved, Erik couldn't help but feel a pang of rage. That wasn't how his life was supposed to be when he decided to reveal his power to the school.
Would it have been better for him not to say anything? Probably yes, and he hoped that in Etrium, things would be different. There, he could simply claim his main power was Nathaniel's.
That would be sufficient to give him a good life and many opportunities and to avoid him having the stigma of the weak again.
The problem was that he didn't really know that much about Etrium; he only knew that they had mercenaries instead of forced military conscription, but that also meant that he would be freer than here.
The silence of the countryside enveloped Erik as he stood amidst the destruction he had just caused, his gaze locked on Simone's lifeless form.
The wind whispered through the wheat fields, rustling the broken stalks in a mournful cadence. It was a moment of quiet contemplation, a respite from the chaos that had consumed Erik's life in recent months.
A mixture of relief and sorrow washed over him as Erik acknowledged Simone was dead, but the gravity of the situation reminded him he could not go back to Amber and his friends anymore.
Simone's demise marked the end of a chapter, but it also served as a reminder of the fact that he was still weak in this vast world and that there were people much stronger than him that would do everything in their power to get his secret.
He knew that voices of his ability would get to Becker sooner or later and that he would start hunting him down relentlessly not only in Frant but also in the bordering nations.
The path ahead remained uncertain, and Erik knew he had to steel himself for the challenges that lay ahead.
With a heavy sigh, Erik tore his gaze away from the lifeless figure and turned his attention towards the horizon.
It was still dark, but he was able to see the vast expanse of the wheat fields stretched out before him. It was a golden sea as long and far as the eye could see. Each stalk stood tall and proud, swaying gently in the breeze.
The moonlight cast a warm, blue night hue upon the field, illuminating the undulating waves of grain.
The wind that whispered through the rustling wheat carried the earthy scent of the harvest throughout the air.
It was a picturesque scene of abundance and serenity, a symbol of nature's bounty and the toil of countless hands. Erik then turned to look at the body as a thought crossed his mind.
"It would be a waste to leave his brain crystal here…" With that, Erik approached the wreckage and searched for Simone's brain crystal power.
He still didn't absorb Hais's, and he had to find a way to do it safely now that he was going to be in the wild for a while. Erik dipped his finger into Simone's blood and licked it.
[ENEMY'S DNA ACQUIRED. STARTING THE ANALYSIS.]
[ANALYSIS COMPLETE.]
[FIFTY DNA POINTS ARE REQUIRED TO EXTRACT THE DNA.]
[7010 DNA POINTS DETECTED. COMMENCING EXTRACTION?.]
"No. Leave it for later." He then proceeded to pick up his brain crystal power and swallow it without even cleaning it from the brain matter.
[ENEMY'S BRAIN CRYSTAL ACQUIRED. STARTING THE ANALYSIS.]
[ANALYSIS COMPLETE.]
[FIFTY DNA POINTS ARE REQUIRED TO EXTRACT THE POWER.]
[7010 DNA POINTS DETECTED. EXTRACTION IS NOT ADVISED; THE HOST HAS INCOMPATIBLE DNA.]
[EXTRACTION ABORTED]
"Phew…" Erik sighed. < I'm drained. Should I go back to my home and rest before departing? Maybe hire a healer?> the young man thought.
But then he decided to simply get out of the city; the wounds on his body didn't make him suffer that much, and they started closing already, thanks to his new and improved physique. However, he lost a lot of blood and needed rest and food.
Erik decided to pick up Simone's remains and throw them out of the barrier. Thaids would take care of the body, but at least he would cover the fact that the man missed his brain crystal.
He picked up what he could of the corpse, paying attention to get every bit of the man's skull, and then he retrieved his backpack and took a step forward. Erik ventured deeper into the fields, the golden stalks brushing against his legs as he moved.
Erik's drained steps led him through the vastness of the golden wheat field in the direction of the barrier's concealed opening.
Though darkness enveloped his surroundings, he knew the breach was near. A surge of anticipation mingled with the weariness that weighed on him as he neared his destination.
With each stride, the soft rustle of the wheat stalks accompanied Erik's progress as if bidding him farewell on his journey into the unknown.
And then, as if passing through an unseen threshold, he crossed over into the shroud of the forest after he went past the barrier.
<It has been a while since I have been here,> Erik said to himself.
The night they had transformed the once-familiar surroundings into a mysterious realm cloaked in shadows and dappled moonlight.
The forest stood silent and still, its ancient trees towering above him like silent sentinels. Their gnarled branches reached out, intertwining to form a natural canopy that obscured the moon's gentle glow.
Erik's senses heightened as he delved deeper into the forest's heart. The air was cool and carried the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves.
The forest floor, carpeted with fallen foliage, crunched softly beneath his footsteps. It was a symphony of nature's whispers, a soft chorus of nocturnal creatures hidden from view.
The moonlight, filtered through the thick foliage above, created an ethereal glow that danced upon the forest floor. Shadows stretched and danced with every movement, creating an otherworldly ambiance.
It was a place where reality and dreams intermingled and where the line between the tangible and the intangible blurred. It was the place where Erik would finally be free, but danger lurked at every corner.
As the awakener ventured deeper, he became aware of the subtle sounds that filled the night air.
The hooting of some owl-like thaids echoed through the trees; its haunting call reminded him of the untamed wilderness that enveloped him. The distant rustle of leaves and the occasional twig snap evoked a sense of primal energy that pulsed through the forest.
The forest's inhabitants, unseen yet ever present, added to the tapestry of nocturnal life, but they didn't attack him yet, not even when noticing the body he just threw to the ground without a second thought.
Many thoughts passed through the young man's head as he walked through the forest: how and where he would sleep. How could he protect himself from the thaids at night?
Many questions had to be answered, and solutions had to be found. As he went further, the dense foliage seemed to close in around him, the branches forming an intricate maze that challenged his every step.
Shadows cast by moonlight danced upon his path, beckoning him further into the forest's heart.
Each step was cautious, as if the forest itself held its breath, observing his every move. He actually arrived where he killed Logan, and thoughts about what the kid did to him and what Erik did in return crossed his mind like haunting nightmares. Only they were real.
Erik sighed, and under the watchful gaze of the moon and the ancient trees, he sped toward the innards of the forest, deeper into the place where he could find his death if he didn't pay enough attention.
He carried with him the echoes of his past, the lessons learned, and the hope for a brighter future. Each footfall carried him further away from the gruesome scene behind him, from the pain he had to suffer, and propelled him toward a future yet to be written.
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