Chapter 39: Bountiful Harvest
At the moment, the monsters gathering around the Entry Crystal seem to have already decided who will get the Entry Crystal — a monster Gorilla whose entire body is covered in thick flames, burning ever so brightly and hot. But unlike its counterparts, the flame covering the Gorilla was white.
It was a Flame Gorilla with a Gift that distinctly intensify the strength and hotness of its flame.
Evidently, throughout the days that numerous monsters went in and out of the Eclipse Forest, a competition between monsters on who will get the Entry Crystal was taking place. The Flame Gorilla was covered by dozens of wound marks and scabs all over its body, indicating just how difficult the competition was. But in the end, the Flame Gorilla still won that competition thus earning him the right to receive the Entry Crystal.
However, unbeknownst to the Flame Gorilla and the other monsters around the Entry Crystal, a third party has secretly sneaked his way nearby them, ready to steal the item as soon as an opportunity comes.
This third party was none other than Kayn and Natas.
Kayn was hiding behind a densely covered spot nearby the group of monsters, whereas Natas flew up above them to act as Kayn's eyes.
Since it is impossible for others to hear him if he doesn't let them, Natas didn't keep his voice down and reported to Kayn as loudly as possible everything that is happening, "The Flame Gorilla is currently talking to the other monsters as a form of showing respect and sportsmanship. This is the best time for you to steal the Entry Crystal and make a run for it,"
Unlike Natas, Kayn couldn't make any sound in fear that he would get discovered by the Flame Gorilla and other monsters. Although no monster can kill him in the Eclipse Forest, that was only the case if there are one or two monsters. However, right now there are multiple monsters around them, making it extremely dangerous, and not to mention stupid, to try and fight them.
Kayn was certainly not that type of person, so he is waiting for Natas to tell him when to take action.
"Go now!"
Good thing that it didn't take long for Natas to give the signal.
Without any hesitation, Kayn made a dash straight toward the Entry Crystal.
As the Flame Gorilla and other monsters were busy making useless pleasantries with each other, they were not able to notice Kayn's presence approaching the prize of their competition.
Natas, who was watching everything unfold, can't help but pray to a God, completely forgetting that he was a God himself.
In an inconspicuous manner, Kayn arrived in front of the Entry Crystal. He turned to look at the Flame Gorilla and the other monsters and confirmed that they still didn't notice him and that he has more time to plan out an escape.
According to their prior plan, as soon as he has the Entry Crystal, he has to immediately make a run straight toward where Selina and Leah are currently at. But the problem is, how?
He is more than aware that as soon as he gets the Entry Crystal in his hands, the Flame Gorilla and the other monsters would immediately notice him. By then, they would make sure that he won't escape with the prize of their competition.
Supposedly he did escape, but along the way here, they encountered some monsters which they have already killed, confirming that aside from the Flame Gorilla and the other monsters present here, he should expect to encounter other monsters in his escape.
In that case, he has to fend them off as well…
"Pull yourself together!" Natas exclaimed loudly.
Kayn's thought was quickly interrupted by Natas.
"It's useless to think of what will happen later as there are multiple variables and factors you have to take into consideration which you don't have enough time to think about deeply. Just take the Entry Crystal and follow me! I know that you don't trust me with your life, but please trust me with your safety. Whatever happens, I will make sure that you will be safe. If it's really necessary to sacrifice the Entry Crystal, then I'll tell you to do it without a second thought! So, just go and grab that thing! Now!"
Hearing Natas' words, Kayn immediately stopped his thoughts and was no longer bothered with anything else. "Screw it! I'll think of what to do when the problem comes!"
The Entry Crystal wasn't a big item. It was simply a piece of a diamond-shaped item with a 12 inches length and a 5 inches width. Meaning, he can hold it in his hand while running away from this place with no trouble, at all.
Just like what Kayn expected, the moment he moved the Entry Crystal close to his body, the Flame Gorilla and the other monsters nearby instantly noticed the change of the location of the source of the dense mana coming out from it, promptly making them realize that someone is trying to steal from them.
"Time to run away!" Kayn didn't hesitate to make a run toward the direction of where Selina and Leah are. Behind him, the Flame Gorilla and the other monsters quickly started chasing after him upon seeing him leave.
"I'll entrust you my safety, Natas!" Kayn exclaimed as he watches Natas flying up above in front of him while doing his best to lead him to a safe route.
"Rest assured," Natas replied while still focusing on looking for a secure escape path.
Hearing Natas respond, Kayn no longer bothered talking as he similarly concentrated on avoiding the continuous attack coming from the Flame Gorilla and the other monsters chasing behind him.
Although the Flame Gorilla and the other monsters were still far away from him, they could still launch an attack by simply throwing various heavy objects at his location. As for the Flame Gorilla, it was throwing fireballs in his direction, instantaneously burning the grasses and trees into dust wherever it landed with its white flame.
Seeing such a sight, Kayn can't help himself from gulping down a mouthful of saliva. As much as he tried to avoid thinking about it, he started imagining a scene of him instantly turning into dust upon making contact with the white flame. Albeit he was still feeling confident that he can defeat the Flame Gorilla, the only problem is the other monsters behind it as they could potentially negatively affect the sword technique that he plans to execute in order to kill the Flame Gorilla.
"Forget about trying to kill the Flame Gorilla and focus on running away," Natas was able to understand Kayn's thought, thus he quickly reminded him to not do it.
He also believes that Kayn can handle the Flame Gorilla because although the latter's flame is very intense, the weapon that Kayn is using is not just any ordinary sword.
The majority of the sword, weapons, equipment, items, and many other more that Heroes, Superhumans, and even ordinary people who can afford to buy are crafted at this age using materials that can be found in the 'Tower'. So, it is expected that a common problem like the intensity and hotness of a white flame is not a big deal at all. With the right use of a sword technique, Kayn could slay the Flame Gorilla with ease.
However, their main goal right now is to get to where Selina and Leah are, not to kill the Flame Gorilla. Albeit they'd definitely still do that, but only after they find Selina and Leah.
"I know!" Kayn clearly understood that.
"To your left!"
…..
"To your right!"
…..
"To your right, again!"
…..
Natas continued to lead Kayn to a safe route and paths that can hinder the pursuit of the Flame Gorilla and the other monsters, but despite that, they were still gaining up some distance from them.
If this continues, it would only be a matter of time before the Flame Gorilla and the other monsters catch them. Considering their current location, they'd still be far from Selina and Leah when that happens.
"I have a plan!" Kayn called out to Natas.
"Let me hear it out first before you decide on doing it!" Natas replied. In their current situation, they can't just do whatever they want to do.
"No, you will be the one to do this plan, not me!"
"Don't tell me…" Natas could already guess what is inside Kayn's mind right now.
"I want you to go ahead and find Selina and Leah first. Tell them my current situation through whatever method, and ask for their assistance!"
"No way in the 'Tower' would I do something like that!"
"Well, you are outside the 'Tower'!"
"I promise to guarantee your safety!"
"And I saw you do that! And this time is no different from that!"
Natas thought for a bit before asking, "Are you going to be fine on your own?"
"Who do you think I am?" Kayn smiled confidently.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Superhuman!" Natas chuckled.
"Just go and do it, ex-God!"
"Before I leave to find them, please remember that if ever a situation comes where you have to throw away the Entry Crystal just so that you can survive, don't hesitate to do it! Your life matters more than my intention,"
"I never thought that Leah's character is contagious,"
"I am just expressing my concern,"
"Stop nagging, ex-God!"
"Try to stay alive as long as possible, Superhuman!"
When all is said and done, Natas no longer hesitated and hastily left to find Selina and Leah. On the other hand, Kayn no longer treated the matter at hand as relaxed as before when Natas was still helping him.
Regardless though, he was still feeling really confident in his own ability. He might no longer be the number one Hero on Earth, but the experiences he had learned on the journey to becoming one are still deeply engraved on his bone.
"What could ever go wrong with that, right?"