parentshiftbook Chapter 920: The Nest
Chapter 920: The Nest
Chapter 920: The Nest
"REY!"
The adrenaline still coursed through Rey's body as the team approached him cautiously, their eyes scanning the battlefield littered with fallen Monsters. Tess stepped forward first, her sharp gaze softening as she noted the blood dripping from his numerous cuts and bruises.
"You're a mess," she said, her tone a mix of concern and admiration.
Rey smirked, brushing off her words even as his legs trembled beneath him.
"I'm fine. Really."
"You don't look fine," Josh quipped, but the usual edge in his voice was absent. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Still... that was pretty cool."
The unexpected praise made Rey glance at him, a raised eyebrow hinting at his surprise.
Josh rolled his eyes and added, "Don't make me say it again."
Tess pulled out a small vial filled with a glowing green liquid and handed it to Rey. "Drink this. It's a Health Brew. It'll patch you up."
Rey hesitated for a moment, then uncorked the vial and downed the potion in one gulp.
The cool, tingling sensation spread through his body, knitting his wounds and dulling the pain in his muscles.
"Haaa..."
He let out a relieved sigh as the restorative effects kicked in.
"Thanks," he said, flexing his fingers to test his recovery.
The others gathered around, each offering their thoughts.
"I've never seen anyone fight like that," Mei said, her voice filled with genuine awe.
"You took out all of them on your own," Isaac added. "That's insane."
Even Tess nodded, her arms crossed. "I hate to admit it this much, but you're impressive, Rey. You handled yourself well."
Rey grinned, the praise fueling his confidence. "So, what's next?"
Tess shook her head. "What's next is rest. You've done enough for now."
But Rey wasn't ready to stop.
"Come on, I can handle more. I feel great!" He gestured to the empty vial, as if the potion had made him invincible.
The group exchanged wary glances, and Tess sighed deeply.
"Rey-"
"If it's too dangerous, I'll retreat," he interrupted, his voice urgent. "I promise. I just need to keep fighting. I need to get stronger."
Her expression softened, and after a moment's pause, she relented.
"Fine. But under one condition-you don't enter the Nest."
"Nest?" Rey asked, his interest piqued.
"It's where Monsters gather in large numbers, usually protected by sentinels and ruled by a King," Tess explained. "The scouts you fought are nothing compared to what's inside. The sentinels are tougher, and a King is... well, let's just say it's on a whole different level."
Rey nodded eagerly. "Got it. I'll stay outside the Nest."
Tess studied him for a moment, then motioned for the group to move out.
"Alright, let's go."
The journey to the Monster Nest wasn't long, and as they climbed a rocky hill overlooking the area, Rey's eyes widened.
Below them lay a sprawling crater, jagged with darkened rocks and glowing faintly with strange energy. Dozens of Monsters roamed the outskirts, their hulking forms casting ominous shadows across the terrain.
Rey's lips curled into a smile, the sight igniting a fire within him.
This was the perfect place to grow stronger.
From the vantage point, he called out his [Status Window], watching as the translucent screen appeared before him.
[STATUS WINDOW]
He rolled to his feet, his movements fluid despite the pain, and finished the bound Monsters
with a surge of electricity.
"Come on!" he roared, his bloodied form defiant as more creatures swarmed him.
Switching tactics, Rey summoned a stream of water using [Moist Meter], weaving it around
him like a whip. The liquid cut through the air with deadly precision, slicing through the hide
of several Monsters.
When they recoiled, he followed up with [Light Shield], blocking a barrage of claws and teeth.
One particularly large beast lunged, its claws aimed for his throat.
Rey ducked and retaliated with [High Sense], his heightened perception allowing him to anticipate its movements. He sidestepped and drove an electrified punch into its chest, the force of the blow sending it crashing into a group of smaller Monsters.
"Haa... this is bothersome." He mumbled.
For every creature he defeated, two more seemed to take its place.
'None of my current skills have enough destructive power to one-shot these guys, and I don't have an area-of-effect ability that will do the trick."
That left him stuck fighting with the small fry, even struggling against their numbers.
If only his H'Trae self could see him now...
'One [Divine Ray] would have been more than enough...' He sighed. 'Well, it's too late to think
about that now.'
He simply had to make do with what he had.
~WHISH!~
The claws and teeth of the Monsters found their mark on occasion, leaving his body riddled
with cuts and bruises.
"Tch!" The pain wasn't dulled, so he felt the raw stings.
Yet, Rey fought on, holding steady thanks to the efficient energy consumption of his skills,
though his stamina was rapidly declining.
Minutes stretched into what felt like hours, and the ground was soon littered with the corpses
of defeated Monsters. Rey stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving and his body covered in blood-some his own, most not.
"Haa.... haaaaa... is that al-?"
"RO00000000AAAAAAARRRRR!!!"
Before he could catch his breath, a guttural roar echoed from within the Nest. The sound was
deafening, shaking the very ground beneath his feet.
The team shouted from the ridge.
"Rey! Get out of there!" He turned to see them waving frantically, but his attention was drawn back to the Nest as its
shadowy entrance darkened further.
~RUMBLE!~
The earth shook.
Emerging from within was a massive creature, easily three times the size of the others.
Its body was covered in thick, obsidian-like scales, and its glowing red eyes radiated malevolence. Behind it came more Monsters, sentinels guarding their King.
The sheer size and number of them made Rey's confidence waver for the first time.
He swallowed hard, his breath catching as he whispered.
"This is bad..."