Observing their worried glances, Ethan felt a sudden inspiration spark within him. Despite the tension lingering in the air, he couldn’t help but think of a way to lighten the mood and surprise his teammates. An idea formed in his mind, one that was both creative and entirely unexpected given their circumstances.
With a smirk, Ethan activated his Earth Manipulation skill, his hands moving with practiced ease as he began to shape the earth beneath him. The ground rumbled softly as the raw material gathered, molding and twisting under his control. Slowly, a lustrous and polished structure began to take form, emerging from the rough stone and dirt.
Before long, the shape became clear. A carriage, crafted entirely from strong and sturdy earth elements. The surface was smooth, glistening under the bright sunlight that filtered into the cavern.
Its design was sleek and shiny, with polished curves and sharp lines that made it stand out amidst the rugged environment. The carriage, despite being made of earth, looked almost lifelike, as if it had just rolled off an assembly line.
“Nice!” Ethan exclaimed, stepping back to admire his handiwork. The creation looked surprisingly realistic, a perfect blend of practicality and imagination.
The others stared in astonishment, their eyes wide with disbelief and curiosity. The sudden appearance of such a carriage, left them momentarily speechless.
“Whoa, Ethan, It’s really awesome. You even have that kind of skill? Is that why you didn’t want that class.” Marcus asked, his voice filled with both awe and confusion as he approached the carriage, running his hand along its smooth surface.
Iris, Cedric, and Yona gathered around as well, their earlier tension replaced by a sense of wonder.
“Yeah, It’s nothing extraordinary. We can use Mana to push it to leave this place as soon as possible.”
Their faces lit up with fascination as they tried to imagine such a thing. “You mean this… Carriage could move on its own?” Iris asked, her voice tinged with excitement.
Ethan nodded, a smile playing on his lips. “Correct, but not completely. We need use mana to push it. But don’t worry, I have plenty of Mana Reserves.”
.
.
Ethan and others hurriedly sat on the Makeshift carriage and Ethan used Earth Manipulation to speed it up.
Ethan sped up more, understanding everyone’s urgency, while crossing numerous rocky terrains and long trees with precise control.
They were impressed by the speed of the Carriage, while marveling Ethan’s side profile, full of focus.
The road was a little bumpy, but They enjoyed the outside view, putting their mind at a little ease.
—
After several minutes of travel, they began to approach the outskirts of the city. The sight that greeted them was far from what they had expected. The towering walls of the city, which had once stood as a symbol of protection and safety, were now cracked and crumbling. Large sections of the wall had been completely destroyed, leaving gaping holes through which the wild forest could be seen.
Ethan’s expression grew serious as they neared the city’s perimeter. “It’s worse than I thought,” he muttered as he thought of Emily and Innkeeper Greta’s safety.
The others fell silent as they took in the devastation. The city, once bustling with life, now seemed eerily quiet. The streets were deserted, and the only movement came from the occasional flutter of torn banners in the wind. The air was thick with the stench of smoke and ash, a grim reminder of the recent battle that had taken place.
“So, guys, do you want to part here and look for your own family and friends by yourself? Or should we move together to search them one by one?” Ethan asked breaking the silence.
Cedric and others pondered and answered, “I think the first option would be great. In that way, we could search for them more efficiently.”
“Yeah, I also think so,” Marcus added.
Everyone agreed with the plan and got of the carriage while taking their backpacks.
However, Iris didn’t move, and neither do Ethan. Ethan looked at her perplexed, and Iris answered in return, “Ethan, please help me find my family. I am actually a little scared.” She said while shivering.
Ethan noticed the vulnerability in Iris’s voice and saw the anxiety written on her face. He gave her a reassuring smile, his earlier seriousness softening. “Of course, Iris,” he said gently. “We’ll find your family together. You’re not alone.”
Iris didn’t have any indvidual fighting capabilities, which could be very dangerous amidst this crisis of uncertainties. So he decided to help her while feeling pity.
The rest of the group, already gathering their belongings and preparing to head off in different directions, paused for a moment, catching the quiet exchange.
Marcus, Cedric, and Yona exchanged brief, understanding glances before turning back to Ethan.
“Yes, Ethan, please help Iris find her family,” cedric said looking at Iris.
“No problem. Stay safe, everyone,” Ethan replied to the group as they began to disperse. “If anything critical happens, head to the relief camps. We will regroup there.” His tone carried the weight of responsibility, but also a confidence that seemed to bolster the spirits of his teammates.
“Same to you, Ethan,” Marcus replied, his voice filled with resolve. “We’ll find them and meet you at the camp.” With that, they each set off into the city, moving with a mix of urgency and caution.
Ethan turned his attention back to Iris, who was clutching her bag tightly, her eyes scanning the broken walls and desolate streets.
“Let’s get going,” he said softly, leading the way as they moved deeper into the city. The makeshift carriage behind them dissolved into earth particles as it was made for temporary use. He had to use a lot Mana to maintain its form thus far.
As they walked, the devastation around them became more apparent. Buildings that once stood tall were now reduced to rubble, and the silence of the streets was almost oppressive. Ethan kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, his senses heightened as they navigated through the debris.
“Iris,” Ethan began after a few moments of silence, his voice low but steady. “Do you have any idea where your family might be? A place they might go to for safety?”
Iris blinked her big eyes as she pondered and hesitated, her eyes distant as she thought. “They might have gone to the old house on the outskirts near the Verdant River,” she said finally. “It’s a bit secluded, and we always considered it a safe place.”
Ethan nodded. “We’ll start from there, then. Stay close to me.
Iris nodded and stepped closer, feeling secured by his presence. She looked at him gratefully and continued on their journey.
Ethan and Iris set off towards the outskirts of the city, heading in the direction of the Verdant River. As they navigated the broken streets, Ethan kept his senses alert, guiding Iris through the desolate terrain.
After a while, they encountered a ferocious beast called Shadowfang Wolf.
The Shadowfang Wolf emerged from the shadows of a crumbling building, its eyes glowing with a predatory hunger. Standing slightly taller than Ethan and Iris, its dark, black fur bristled with menace, and its razor-sharp fangs gleamed as it snarled, revealing a mouth full of deadly teeth.
The beast’s powerful muscles rippled beneath its fur, and its movements were both graceful and intimidating, like a dark wraith prowling through the ruins.
Ethan instinctively moved in front of Iris, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword.
[ Appraisal ]
[Shadowfang Wolf ]
[ Power Level: 17 ]
[ Health: 1,000 ]
[ Abilities: ]
[ Shadow Step: Allows the wolf to move swiftly through shadows, becoming nearly invisible and reappearing at will.]
[ Razor Claws: Enhanced claws that can slice through most materials with ease.]
[ Regeneration: The wolf can heal minor wounds rapidly, making it difficult to wear down in prolonged combat.]
Despite its impressive abilities Ethan was unmoved, clearly confident in his abilities.
As the wolf lunged at him, he casually swung his sword, severing the wolf’s head cleanly with swift motion.
While Iris sighed in relief, Ethan approached the dead body and used Skill Absorption, finding its abilities interesting.
[ Congratulations! You have acquired a new active skill: Shadow Step (E).]
[ Congratulations! You have acquired a new active skill: Razor Claws (E).]
[ Congratulations! You have acquired a new passive skill: Health Regeneration (E).]
—
“Let’s continue, Iris.”
After a little bit of walking and sprinting, the duo neared the Verdant River bank, their breaths steady and their senses alert. The sound of the flowing water grew louder with each step, mingling with the rustle of leaves and the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet.
As they moved forward, following Iris’s direction, a small wooden house gradually came into view. The structure was modest, nestled between the trees and partially hidden by the overgrown vegetation that had begun to reclaim the area.
It looked worn by time, with patches of moss clinging to the wooden planks, but it was still standing—a beacon of hope amidst the devastation.
