SS Awakening: My Monster Merging System!

Chapter 142: Journey to the Central City [1]

Zich had originally thought the Chosen One Tournament was merely a large competition between several shelters and would be held here, but it seemed there was more to it.

Helen continued, "The rules in Central City are much stricter than those in the shelters. You can’t casually attack others, provoke racial conflicts, or secretly seize tournament resources. At least not openly."

"Openly?"

"The existence of rules doesn’t mean no one will exploit loopholes."

Soon, the two arrived outside the privileged area.

At least three armored transport vehicles were parked by the roadside.

The vehicles were much larger than ordinary shelter vehicles. Their exteriors were covered with thick metal plating, the Association emblem was engraved on each body, and both their wheels and chassis were reinforced with magical protective structures. Several Association guards stood beside them with weapons in hand, their expressions far more serious than those of ordinary guards.

Looking at the protective runes engraved on the armored transport, Zich quickly understood.

This was not just for appearances. They might encounter monsters along the way, other races, or even people who wanted to test the candidates in advance. Since the Association had arranged an armored transport, it meant the route from the shelter to Central City was far from being a completely secure road.

This was also the first time Zich was truly leaving the territory controlled by the First Shelter.

Previously, he had mostly operated near the shelter.

Even entering the Golden Secret Realm had still been within the scope of missions.

This time was different.

He was heading toward the center of the entire first layer.

A place where every race would see him.

The feeling made him somewhat uncomfortable, but it also gave him a little more interest.

He checked his spatial storage.

The only things on him were the necessary potions, spirit bones, several temporary items, some ordinary Soul Stones, and items that might be useful during the tournament.

Slimy seemed to want to jump onto his shoulder.

Zich glanced at it. "Hide. Come out when you’re needed."

Slimy looked a little disappointed, but obediently retreated into the summoning space.

Watching the scene, Helen pouted, resisting the urge to drag Zich’s ears and tell him not to be mean to the cute slime.

Some time later, the vehicle door opened. Several Association staff members had already prepared the seats inside. The cabin was spacious, with stabilization arrays engraved between the seats, while small observation windows and defensive runes lined the walls.

Zich did not enter immediately. He turned back and looked in the direction of his mansion.

This house was the first place in Ascension Mountain that truly belonged to him.

Inside were his trophies, prisoners, traces of his summons, and far too many secrets that could never be revealed to others.

Leaving this place meant that, for a while, there would be many things he could no longer personally watch over.

That was troublesome. However, he had already arranged enough defensive measures.

Zich turned around and stepped onto the armored transport vehicle.

Helen sat in the seat beside him.

The vehicle door closed.

The low hum of the engine slowly echoed.

Bzzz—

The armored vehicle began moving forward.

The manor, the privileged district streets, and the familiar buildings of the shelter gradually disappeared behind the windows.

Zich looked calmly at the road leading beyond the shelter.

Helen glanced at him, and the corners of her lips rose.

"Nervous?"

Without turning his head, Zich replied,

"I’m wondering whether Central City has a good trading district."

Helen fell silent for two seconds. Then she laughed.

"I shouldn’t have asked."

The armored transport drove out through the gates of the First Shelter.

The road ahead stretched toward an unknown land.

Zich leaned back in his seat and lightly tapped the armrest with his fingertips.

As the armored transport vehicle drove out through the gates of the First Shelter, Zich could clearly feel that the atmosphere around him had changed.

It was not that the air had suddenly become dangerous. Rather, the sense of security that had always enveloped the area around the shelter was gradually retreating behind them. Through the window, he could see the protective barrier surrounding the outer layer of the First Shelter gradually fading into the distance, like a translucent curtain of water left far behind as they continued onward.

The cabin was very quiet. The Association’s assigned guards sat at the front and rear on both sides. Every one of them wore formal armor, their weapons secured at their sides, their expressions never completely relaxed. Even though this road was the official route leading to Central City, none of them appeared the slightest bit at ease.

Zich glanced out the window before looking at Helen.

"After leaving the protection zone, this is no longer considered a safe area?"

Helen nodded. "The shelter can maintain its own safe zone, but the First Layer has never been a safe place. The road to Central City is maintained by the Association. There are markers and patrol points along the way, but maintenance doesn’t mean absolute safety."

"In other words, if something happens, that’s normal."

"Very normal."

Zich found that answer far more believable than, "Don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe."

The armored transport vehicle continued forward.

The road was much wider than he had imagined. Gray stone slabs paved the ground, and every so often he could see the Association’s markings. The land on both sides was not completely wilderness. In some places there were old camps, damaged watchtowers, and protective fences that had been torn apart by monsters before being repaired.

For the first time, Zich truly realized that the First Layer was not just one shelter and a few nearby hunting grounds.

The area he had explored before had simply been too small.

The First Layer of Ascension Mountain was much larger and far more complicated than he had imagined.

After the convoy had traveled for about half an hour, the terrain ahead gradually opened up and ...

...A vast plain came into view.