Chapter 58: What's Beyond Zone 8?
58 Chapter 58: What's Beyond Zone 8?
Hundreds of people walked in all directions; some headed to the guild, and others went elsewhere to buy street food or various items, even clothes. There was a wide variety of people—elves, dwarves, and humans. I even sensed powerful presences among them.
Leaving the guild, we headed straight to the inn. I really wanted to lie down in my bed. Walking without any problems, I looked around with curiosity. Seriously, for some reason, I feel very happy to be in the city surrounded by people.
Upon arriving at the familiar inn, we entered through the door, filled with people eating, chatting, or drinking. It was a lively atmosphere. Reaching the same receptionist, who turned out to be the same girl.
"Excuse me, how much time has passed since we left?" I asked curiously.
Looking at me strangely. Scratching my head, I forgot to mention that I was on a guild mission. It's normal for her reaction to be like that.
"The thing is, we were on a guild mission," I said calmly.
"I understand, sir. Since you left, a month has passed. I have to remind you that the room rent has come to an end, but if you want to rent it again, you can. No one has paid for the room."
I was in shock. I thought it had only been a few days. I never imagined that a month had already passed Time passes more quickly in the forest, I suppose, or out here in the real world it passes faster. This is strange.
"U-uh, excuse me, sir?"
Snapping out of my thoughts, I returned to reality. "Thanks for letting me know. By the way, I'd like to rent the same room for another month, please."
"Sure, sir. It would be 1 gold and 50 silver, please."
Taking out 2 gold coins, I handed them to the girl, receiving the 50 silver coins. I now have 126 gold and 80 silver. It's good to have a lot of money.
Checking that everything was in order, I received the keys to the room, thanking the girl, and we left the place.
After a few minutes, we reached our room. The same decoration greeted us as it did a month ago. Everything was the same. Smiling with satisfaction, I sat on the bed to lie down.
"This is the life."
Elsa, on the other hand, went straight to the bathroom. "I'm going to take a bath."
With my hands crossed over my head, I remembered the orbs I received kindly from my dear friends from Zone 1. Taking them all out of my ring, I placed them on the bed.
The same starlight glow dazzled all of them. The group that attacked us wasn't a large number. There were a total of 92 orbs, all the same size. Forty-six for Elsa and the rest for me.
Placing the forty-six orbs on Elsa's bed, I began absorbing mine. After a few minutes, I checked the experience I gained this time.
[28,000/160,000] n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Trak!
Hearing a crunch, I looked at Elsa, who was coming out of the bathroom. Her sky-blue hair was wet, her ears showing more clearly; they were very pretty. She wore clothes that could be used at home, shorts with a blouse. The blouse didn't cover her entire lower part; her navel could be clearly seen. I guess the clothing in this world is similar to that on Earth.
Looking at her bed, where her corresponding orbs were, she walked towards them. There was no need to tell her that she could absorb them. Starting with the task, I stood up. Now it was my turn to take a bath.
After both of us had bathed, we called customer service. I was eager for a spectacular meal. I ordered two plates of food; one had a salad with some plants and vegetables I didn't know, but as long as it's edible, it doesn't matter. And for the second plate, a meat pie. Elsa surprised me by ordering the same as me.
"And why is that? Did you take what I said a month ago seriously?" I said with a mischievous smile.
"If I want to develop some muscles, I need to eat well," she said with another smile.
"Well said. By the way, we start your training tomorrow, so I recommend you rest well today."
Tok...tok.
Opening the door, we met the same man as last time. Receiving the dishes, I placed them on the table. The smell of seasoned meat filled our room. Looking at the meat pie, it was bathed in a red substance. On the other hand, the vegetable plate had mostly green leaves and some red or yellow ones there was a liquid at the bottom of the container, I guess it was lemon that gives the characteristic of every salad.
Taking a few leaves into my mouth, chewing slowly, I found it familiar. It tasted like lettuce. Not bad, but its appearance is different. Assuming the small balls are tomatoes, and indeed, it's a normal salad like on Earth. But with different aspects. My eyes focused on the meat pie, and with a spoon, I brought it to my mouth. An explosion of flavor happened in my mouth. This is super good. Making a mix, I ate both dishes together. It's a pleasant sensation. The hot and cold combine to give a new flavor.
After finishing our snack, we called the manager to come pick up the dishes. Once done, Elsa handed me the leftovers of the remaining orbs. Sitting in the chair, I approached the window. Opening it wide, I observed the beautiful night. The sky shone with small star points thousands of light-years away. They sparkled in the dark sky. I always liked watching this kind of spectacle on Earth. In my free time, I always researched the creation of the universe. I liked that topic a lot. I went crazy imagining how a single black hole could be larger than our galaxy. And that the stars we see are nothing more than projections from the past. Some of them may have already spent all the energy they had, darkening and disappearing forever. Even the brightest object can lose its light. I wonder if this world is at the other end of the universe from Earth. I've always had that question in my mind.
I know this world is 5 times bigger than Earth, or maybe more, who knows, I'm not so sure anymore. The novel never talked about what lies beyond Zone 8. The empire is located, so to speak, in an area where we are next to an immense ocean that seems infinite, and in front of us is the End Forest. There was nowhere else to go. The novel never suggested what might be beyond. That intrigues me. I have a feeling that beyond there are more zones and, in the same way, another type of civilization, ranks beyond the sacred, even other types of living beings. I have no idea. Could it be that the forest is a kind of wall that divides the world? Creatures beyond imagination with powers never seen before.
A sense of adventure is planted in my heart. I have considered myself a very curious person, and this mystery of what's beyond Zone 8 is eating me alive. But the answer could be with the three people in the sacred rank. But in the same way, what might be beyond in an immense ocean would be very disappointing, honestly.
Zone 8 is a mystery for simple mortals like me. The only ones who could have access to this information are definitely the emperor and the high-ranking officials of the empire.
And if this piece of land that we possess is nothing more than a tiny part of this world, just by making that idea, I feel a great tingling in my back. The unknown is the greatest fear of every human being. The unknown is unpredictable and mysterious; it's a great uncertainty. But human curiosity is infinite. On Earth, scientists always sent signals into outer space, risking that a hostile species might receive them, but that didn't stop them from doing so.
After all, the unknown and curiosity are two sides of the same coin. Looking in the direction of the endless forest unconquered by us, the flame in my heart only grows stronger. I have to know. I have to know what's beyond. But for that, I need power, strength to defend myself. There's always the possibility that beyond Zone 8 there's nothing but immensely strong creatures. Clenching my fists, my determination soars through the skies. The greatest mystery of this novel is where the corruption,where bloodlines come from comes from and what lies beyond Zone 8. The answers to all these questions lie deep within Zone 8, in a land where no one has ever been, where horrors never before seen reside. A place where everything is unknown, a place never before conquered, a place where answers and more questions await us.
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