Once everyone was seated and buckled in, the craft lifted off with a soft whoosh, rising above the treeline and circling upward.
Within a few minutes, the chopper touched down on a flat helipad carved directly into the mountain’s upper ridge.
And there it was: A massive blue-and-violet portal, swirling like liquid starlight and suspended in the air.
At the ridge, three people stood waiting.
Two of them wore dark hooded jackets over battle armor, their faces hidden behind tactical helts with visors. Quiet. Observant. One held a long rifle, the other carried a set of chains.
Between them stood a woman with a confident posture and chin raised slightly. She had dyed blue hair, streaked with silver at the tips, and wore a sleeveless black coat over tight tactical pants. A lip piercing and jet-black lipstick accentuated her wild charm.
Around her, two monsters loitered... A crimson-furred wolf, nearly the size of a car, whose amber eyes glead with aggression. And a massive firebird, its wings trailing embers as it stretched lazily in the sun.
Li Xue whispered to Lin Fang, leaning her head sideways, "That’s Sora Lu, a freelance A-rank hunter we hired. As you can see, she is a tar. The other two are our fellow guildmates, both are B-rank."
As Lin Fang and the other three approached, the red-furred wolf growled lowly, baring its teeth, while the firebird flared its wings and gave a shrill cry. The two beasts clearly didn’t appreciate Lin Fang in their space.
Lin Fang instinctively halted. Li Xue narrowed her eyes. "Sora..."
As she called her aloud, Sora placed a gloved hand on the wolf’s head, stroking it calmly. "Easy there. They were friends." She then reached up and patted the firebird’s side too, whispering sothing that settled its wings. Their posture eased, but the warning in their eyes remained, and Lin Fang couldn’t help but feel a gaze on him, making him wonder whether they sensed Nesis’ presence, but he threw away that thought as he saw they were only Rare grade monsters.
anwhile, Fan Yujing checked his digital wristwatch. "It’s 9:12." He looked up, scanning the mountain ridge, and spoke aloud. "Where are those Dark Warrior Guild experts. They should’ve been here already."
Qin Wuyi, the one with the rifle, shrugged. "On their way, Cap."
"Alright," Yujing muttered with a nod. "We can’t go until they co anyway. Let’s wait."
He turned back and gestured toward the newcor. "Anyway, this is our new guild mber, Lin Fang. He will be joining us for this exploration."
The others gave curt nods. They didn’t voice any opinions about Lin Fang’s plainfolk status or lack of mana, but he could feel their subtle gazes, asuring him in silence. Their eyes lingered on the Direwolf cub on his shoulder, but they said nothing. Lin Fang remained calm, offering a polite smile and a respectful bow.
Fifteen minutes later, a heavy gust swept through the summit as a giant flying mantis landed first with its sickle arms gleaming in the morning sun. From its back, a muscled, bald young man in his tank top and cargo shorts dismounted, landing with practiced ease.
Seconds later, a shadow glided over the clearing before a dark-scaled Wyvern descended next to the mantis. On top of its back was seen a tall woman, her face obscured by goggles and a scarf. Both monsters were Commander Tier, Lin Fang quickly noted through his interface—Level 37 and 38, respectively.
[Na: Flying Mantis – Rare Grade – Lv. 37]
[Na: Shadow Wyvern – Epic Grade – Lv. 38]
"Finally," Fan Yujing said as the two dismounted. He gestured again. "You are here. I’m Fan Yujing. These are my guildmates. This is..."
He was about to introduce others, but Bu Mokong grunted, interrupting him. "Save it, Mr. Fan. Introductions don’t matter once you’re inside the Rift." His voice was rough, almost sounded like gravel. "By the way, what about Master Li’s status?"
Fan Yujing answered. "He has already gone inside with the main party."
Bu Mokong nodded plainly as he stepped forward toward the portal, "Alright. Then, let’s go."
But just as the group began to form up, Lin Fang raised a hand. "Wait. Can we hold off for just a bit?"
Fan Yujing paused, frowning. "What is it?"
"I’m... waiting for a friend," Lin Fang said. "They should be arriving soon."
Fan Yujing raised a brow. "Are they an explorer?"
"Not really," Lin Fang admitted honestly. "But I gave my word to et once. Please, just fifteen minutes more."
Li Xue cocked her head. "Soone important?"
Lin Fang just smiled. "You can say so."
The team exchanged glances. So looked annoyed, especially Bu Mokong, but as Li Xue gestured to him with just her facial expressions, Fan Yujing ultimately nodded. "Fifteen minutes. No more than that."
Lin Fang exhaled quietly, his gaze drifting again toward the skies, hoping Zhi Yan would make it in ti.
After a while;
So of the team mbers began to shift impatiently. Qin Wuyi tapped his armored boot against the stone floor rhythmically, while Bu Mokong kept exhaling loudly with crossed arms.
Even Keith rolled his eyes, muttering sothing under his breath about "babysitting civilians."
Sensing the tension building, Li Xue stepped forward with a calm smile and open palms. "Everyone, please... just a few more minutes. We all know how chaotic timing can get on the mountain routes. I’m sure it won’t be much longer."
Sora tilted her head and muttered, "You said that ten minutes ago."
Still, Li Xue’s status as the guild leader gave her enough weight to atleast force her guild mbers to keep their patience. For a little while longer, the group stayed quiet.
But ti ticked on. Fifteen minutes turned to twenty-five, twenty-five turned to 40 minutes, and the atmosphere soured. Forget Bu Mokong, even her own guild mbers started getting impatient.
And in the end, Fan Yujing snapped his wristwatch shut. "That’s enough."
He turned to Li Xue. "We’re wasting ti. Many groups have already gone inside. We can’t afford to wait here anymore. Whether your boyfriend cos with us or not, we will be entering the rift.
Li Xue couldn’t help but let out a reluctant sigh and gently pulled Lin Fang aside. "Gege..." she said in a low voice, "I know you were waiting, but... these people aren’t your friends. And you know that I won’t be following you inside because of Betty’s absence."
She glanced at the group, their weapons ready and their monsters restless.
"If you annoy them too much, you’ll have a hard ti keeping your footing inside. Your safety depends on working with them, not against them."
Lin Fang looked at the portal, then at the sky one last ti.
Zhi Yan still hadn’t co.
He closed his eyes briefly, inhaled deeply, and nodded. "Alright. Let’s go."
"Good call." Li Xue smiled, grabbing his arms with a smile and pressing her body against him for the sake of appearances as she said aloud, "Stick close to the group all the ti, make your safety priority over anything, and just rember that your task is just to experience this world. I’ll wait for your success."
Lin Fang could only force out a smile and nod.
Together, the eight-mber exploration team turned toward the swirling rift ahead, presenting their tickets to the guards stationed at the portal before entering it. Li Xue, who remained behind, muttered as everyone vanished from her sight, "Good luck, Lin Fang."
*Ding!
[You have entered an Unknown Beast World.]
[Classification: Low-Tier Beast World.]
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