Chapter 47: Chapter 47
Damien was the first to react and asked hurriedly.
"How many creatures were there?"
The scout swallowed before answering, "I couldn’t get an exact count but dozens at the very least."
The atmosphere immediately became heavier as the words settled down.
Dozens.
That number alone was enough to make everyone nervous.
"What kinds?" Evelyn asked.
"Mostly mutated creatures, but there were spirit beasts too. I could identify them because of their unique appearance and ability to command or talk."
That answer only worsened the situation because normally, different species should compete with each other. Yet according to the report they were hearing firsthand, their conclusion didn’t make sense.
"Did you get any closer or figure out the reason they were gathering around the river?" Damien asked.
"No. I came back immediately after noticing them."
Damien nodded, for that had been the correct decision.
If the scout had been discovered, there was a high chance he wouldn’t have been able to return, not with dozens of creatures hunting him down relentlessly.
After everything that had happened today, nobody was eager to underestimate those intelligent creatures anymore, not even in the slightest.
"We’ll investigate tomorrow."
The decision came quickly, and everyone could only agree.
There was no point rushing out now when most of them were already exhausted, not to mention they had suffered a permanent loss too.
Of an entire limb.
Meanwhile, Lucien was already planning what to do ahead.
First the talking crane, then the evolved cat, then the Three Tribes, and if that wasn’t enough, now dozens of creatures are gathering near a river.
It felt too coincidental, almost as if something was drawing their attention towards this region.
It could be a good idea, or even a bad one depending on the reason for which every beast had gathered.
Good because such places meant it contained opportunities that shouldn’t be normally available, and bad because everyone else would be thinking the same thing, including the beasts who were now capable of sneaking an attack or working in a group.
"We leave at sunrise, only a small group. Lucien, Kaelan, and I should be enough."
Evelyn hesitated, and just as she was about to object, Lucien grabbed her hand before shaking his head.
A larger force would only make them easier to notice and harder to escape if things went badly.
After a few moments, she finally nodded.
"Don’t be impulsive out there."
After discussing a few more details, the meeting eventually ended with a complete agreement from everyone.
Lucien returned to the room assigned to him with Evelyn following behind him.
It was once used as a security room to store personal belongings of people who forgot their stuff and also to check the CCTV of the store.
Meanwhile, everyone had started to talk in hushed voices as they spread the news of the injured awakener among everyone.
Fear followed shortly afterward as even people who hadn’t witnessed the battle firsthand understood one thing.
The outside world wasn’t getting better after the disappearance of the flood and instead, it seemed that the flood was merely the starting stage for weeding out people who shouldn’t have been able to survive, regardless.
Lucien pushed open the door to his room, only for an unfamiliar sight to greet him.
Snowy immediately jumped onto the bed before curling into a fluffy ball. The small ferret looked completely unconcerned with the problems of the outside world.
But the more important question was, what was it doing here instead of being with Emily?
But he soon spotted a small head behind the table, which made his lips curve upwards.
How good is it to be a kid... sigh.
Acting oblivious, he sat down on the bed.
But the same wasn’t the case for Evelyn as she sneaked up from behind and just as Emily tried to peek, she hugged her instantly.
"Ahh!"
The small moment of happiness was more than enough to make him once again realize what they were fighting for.
Peace and Harmony.
Spiritual energy circulated throughout his body as he breathed. Recovery was the best thing to do as he had also used up a little less than half of his reserves, especially the lightning trident.
As the energy slowly recovered, he couldn’t help but let his mind wander.
Was that Sky Roc related to these Three Tribes?
A frown appeared on his face as he recalled the opportunistic spirit beast.
Eventually, exhaustion overcame his mind, and his thoughts faded as sleep overtook him.
The night passed quietly and the morning arrived soon after and the investigation team assembled near the entrance of the settlement in under an hour.
Damien, Kaelan, Lucien, and the scout who had discovered the gathering.
The group departed shortly towards the western river that wasn’t particularly close. And it took nearly an hour before they finally reached the outskirts of the area.
And similar to yesterday, they found no beasts or mutated creatures trying to hunt them down.
The scout immediately raised his hand.
"It’s right ahead."
Everyone slowed down, and the atmosphere among them turned noticeably heavier as they felt the air which seemed richer than in other places.
Lucien noticed it first, followed by Damien.
Spiritual energy is concentrated around this place, but why?
His eyes narrowed, for the concentration was slightly higher than anywhere else he had ever seen.
The group carefully advanced through the vegetation and buildings while concealing their presence.
Soon, the sound of flowing water reached their ears.
Then they finally saw it, the Western River, and the creatures.
Mutated wolves, large boars, several giant reptiles, and even a few spirit beasts were gathered around it.
And just as the report mentioned, dozens of creatures occupied both sides of the river, yet none of them were fighting against each other.
Instead, every single creature stared toward the same location, towards the center of the river.
Lucien followed their gazes, only for his pupils to contract as he found a small island floating amidst the flowing water.
And at its center... a spring of pale silver liquid was emerging directly from the earth. Dense spiritual energy drifted from it like mist, causing the surrounding vegetation to transform under its influence.
The moment Lucien saw it, only a single thought appeared in his mind.
It’s a treasure of some sort.
