I WAS The Rank–1 Hero Chapter 44: Demon Continent [3]

"Is everyone ready?" I asked, turning my head, to look at the three of them.

"..."

"..."

Silence.

No words ca out.

'Seriously?'

They all took subtle glances, as if urging soone else to go first.

They were definitely nervous.

What could I say? Their nervousness was reasonable. Thrown into a territory with countless unimaginable threats.

I can't bla them.

Unlike , they were different.

I had spent my last three years fighting countless demons and monsters, I was the strongest human known to mankind, before I died.

We may have been the sa age, but in the end, we were all just 17 year old brats...

My gaze swept across the interior of the cave.

The fla ignited by Anna still flickered over her head, painting the walls in its orange hue. She wore the sa mask of nervousness and fear, just like the other two.

Julius opened his mouth, but no words ca. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. "W-We're ready, let's head out."

Anna and Aria shared a look before nodding.

"Alright... prepare your weapons," I instructed, "always stick close to each other, don't wander off on your own, if you notice anything weird—Just inform ."

Everyone stared at blankly.

"I already knew it, you really are different." Aria comnted.

I t her gaze, raising a finger to my lips, I smiled. "Just follow my lead, I'll guarantee your safety. But in exchange, promise one thing: whatever you witness from now on—don't question , don't stop , and don't speak of it to anyone. Alright?"

Silence.

They weren't dumb. Just by observing , they could tell—I was soone who held authority, even in a place like this.

And they were true, the mont I began my history lecture, I simultaneously scanned the whole forest with nearly 50 KM radius, and I surprisingly noticed three groups of humans probably our classmates, moving in the direction of south.

We need to catch up to them, if they wander off too far, then... the risks would be too fatal.

"Julius, lift the entrance," I ordered.

Julius who was now holding a long sword in his hand stood in front of the entrance.

"Alright..." He said.

Aria and Anna too were also wielding swords.

'Everyone has swords now! What's wrong with everyone!?'

There are other weapons too, but sword and spear were still the main two weapons recognized by the noble houses.

Rumble! Rumble!

The ground shook, as the entrance of the cave shattered to dust.

The darkness once again lingered in the air, engulfing us in its nightmare.

I drew my black katana, gripping the hilt between my fingers. My eyes scanned the surroundings.

I wouldn't use my [Doombringer] unless the situation worsened—after all, it was publicly recognized as the official weapon of the Rank-1 Hero, [Hope].

But I can freely use my multiple Elentals, if I wanted to. But only if nobody from the Hero Association was around. To the general public, Hope's utilization of multiple Elental was kept confidential.

'Alright, I will only use two elentals at most.'

I had already decided which one: Fire and Ice.

I was the first to step outside the cave.

One by one, the rest followed.

"We're going south." I declared.

"Hmm? Why?" Julius asked.

I turned around, locking my eyes to his, I said with a deep voice, putting my index finger on my lip.

"No questions."

"..." Julius tried to open his mouth again, but no words ca out.

Step. Step. Step.

With every steps we took, the darkness began to intensify.

All my senses were on high alert.

I activated my skill.

[Elental Sense]

Distorted images of various Colors ford in my mind, providing a dynamic view of my surroundings.

One again, I noticed... Nothing.

Not a single sign of life.

Not even a bug.

Weird.

There were about three groups of humans just a mont ago, where did they go?

Sothing's not right.

Whoever orchestrated this mass teleportation must have had a reason.

Let's call that person 'X'.

That X wanted sothing...

But, what?

Living livestock's?

No. Then we would be dead by now.

Sacrifice for so ancient ritual?

Again, No.

Then, what...?

I couldn't point my finger at X's reason.

What could that X wish to achieve, by teleporting a group of students?

Suddenly, a realization hit .

'Of course!'

This mass teleportation, was nothing but a mass kidnapping.

X wanted to instill fear in humanity by capturing their children.

There's a dispute between human and demons, from ages.

None of the party was willing to surrender.

For more that ten years, we were in a constant state of stalemate.

Sigh...

I exhaled.

"After ten whole years. They finally made their move." A mumble escaped my mouth.

Interesting.

It's definitely the work of a Fallen, or may be a Dragonit.

My heart pounding in my chest. Thumping against my rib.

A grin crept onto my face.

Excitent surged through .

I covered my face with my hand, hiding my expression from the others.

Realizing my mistake, I quickly forced a neutral look.

After ten whole years...

They are onto sothing. This much I concluded.

***

Taking each step carefully, we walked several kiloters. It had been almost an hour now.

"I'm tired," Anna cried.

Stealthily taking a water bottle from my Inventory Ring, I handed it to her.

"Here."

"...Where did you get this?" Anna asked narrowing her eyes, before snatching the bottle.

"Did you forget our promise—"

"Yeah, yeah, no questions," she rolled her eyes, "you're impossible."

A few minutes passed.

The only sounds were the rustling of leaves beneath our boots.

Then sothing unusual caught my eye.

A faint green glow flickered in the distance, standing out in the middle of the pitch-black forest.

"What's that?" Julius noticed it too.

"Strange." Aria comnted.

I added, "Let's move carefully."

As we moved closer, the glow beca more intense, emanating from a massive tree. Its leaves, stems, and even its roots pulsed with an unnatural green light.

"What is that...?" I mumbled under my breath.

The others remained silent, equally captivated by the sight.

Cautiously, we approached.

Our weapons were ready.

Every step forward, seed to intensify the glow, as if the tree was reacting to our presence.

A chill crawled in my spine. My three years of life as [Hope] had shown many peculiar things, but nothing like this.

Then, I noticed sothing strange, there was a hollow space at the base of the tree.

An opening just large enough for a whole person to enter.

Peeking inside, I saw sothing unexpected. A spiral staircase leading downward.

Each step radiating a faint yellow-green glow.

All my senses were triggered.

'We should turn back now!?' I thought inwardly, turning around.

But then, suddenly—

"Is this... so kind of entrance?" Julius whispered, he moved towards the stairs, slowly.

No one answered. Confused, we exchanged glances.

'Not good!'

"Hey, stop!" I tried to stop him, but it seed his senses had vanished, almost as if he were hypnotized.

I turned to the others.

Anna and Aria seed fine.

Sigh... I sighed deeply before following Julius down the stairs.

One by one, we descended.

The further we went, the heavier the air beca.

A current ran through my body.

A strange, hum, vibrated through the air.

Then, as we took the final step, we froze.

Our eyes widened.

"Wh-What the hell!" Anna scread.

Before us stretched an enormous underground city—made up of entire trees, and solid rocks. Its structure bathed in sa yellow-green glow just like the tree above.

"What—What happened?" Julius stamred, he seems to return back to his senses.

"Julius?" I placed my firm hand on Julius's trembling shoulder. His breathing was shallow, his pupils darting wildly. "Julius, breathe. What happened to you?—"

"What is that song?" Aria asked, cutting my words off.

"What song?" Confused, I asked.

I focused.

Silence.

Nothing.

"I don't hear any song—!"

"~Laaaaaaa... Laaaa... ~Laaaaa ~Laaaaa..."

My blood froze. Instinctively, I drew my katana.

End of Chapter.