Aeris and Nyro, both stood with a shiver running down their spines in union. Their eyes was about to pop out of their pupils.
To their surprise, Ash fell in the same shock state like them. Clearly for a different reason.
Aeris was so confused that his power didn't detect Ash coming from behind. Nyro was shocked that Ash replicated his style after just one witness of the technique.
Ash, the most shocked of them, staring at the sky as the panel moved along his line of vision.
'Skin Fracture?! What the hell is that?!' Ash wondered, completely lost of the fact that he received something he never thought of having. Still, he knew it was something valuable and maybe it would serve a purpose in his life as a traveler.
As the panel disappeared, the surprise on his face vanished as well and returned his gaze to the fallen Hollowbane who died by his own hand, literally.
"That... was unexpected!" Nyro said, his tone hinted at his surprise for witnessing a fallen Hollowbane, that was supposed to be dead, getting killed with a single blow from the lowest level among them.
"Ash, what is your level?! Like really! Don't surprise me!" Aeris wondered, asking Ash just to be sure that he didn't cross the line about his level.
Ash looked at them both, smiled, and said in an even tone:
"Well, it's not about my level. It's more about how I use my power. Powerless, actually, compared to you and Nyro." Ash indeed was right. Aeris showed a power that could see the patterns of someone else's intentions and powers.
Nyro's power was about moving unnoticed. A shadow stealth, moving among terrains unseen like a ghost. Basically, his power was vanishing his very presence as he wasn't even here or there from the beginning.
Ash was the only one who didn't have such specialized power. His only advantage was relying solely on the power he gained from leveling and EXP and also by using his intelligence and manipulation aspects.
Aeris seemed to pale after hearing that response from Ash. after a short moment of silence, Aeris shock his head and broke the silence.
"No! Ash, you must be at least level 6 by now! I knew that the Hollowbane wasn't dead yet. I wanted to lure him using a manipulative move I learned from you, Ash. I wanted the Hollowbane to realize that we aren't going for it anymore..." Aeris paused for a moment.
"It was part of the plan I discussed with Nyro before you wake up. But that turn in the events... Well, you surprised me! You even nearly matched the speed of the hollow dash! So tell me, what is your level?"
Upon hearing this explanation, Ash knew there was something wrong! Instead of answering Aeris, Ash opened his mouth a bit and touched his chin. Ash fell in overthinking.
'Level 6! Wait, I'm level 3 now. How is my power at level 3 matches the same as level 6?! Huh! Does that mean that my power at level 3 exceeds the power of Aeris at level 6?! Wait wait!! What is going on?!!'
Ash got immersed in deep thinking, trying to find a clue about that strangeness in his power level.
"...ASH! HEY!" Aeris shouted, breaking the immersion of Ash in his deep thinking.
"We need to return to the old hut. The sun is about to set." Nyro continued, taking a couple of steps ahead. Aeris and Ash followed right after. though Aeris's gaze never left Ash, wondering in silence how could a level 3 traveler be that powerful.
Aeris smiled and continued walking, taking the lead as always.
***
As the last rays of sunlight vanished along the horizon, the trio managed to get to the hut on time which was situated on the verge of the river.
They pushed the door open, exhaustion clearly written on top of them all. Along the way back, they faced dozens of Fluffbanes and few Fangbanes. Fortunately, they didn't encounter another Hollowbane or any other variation. Who knows how many variations of them existed.
Nyro managed to break into level 6 just like Aeris. But Ash? No, he still has a long road ahead before exceeding level 3 and reach level 4.
Aeris, as the center of their formation and the healer, dropped on the only bed they have like a dead corpse. Nyro too was on the brink of falling to his knees, resting his back to the bed.
Based on the place they are in, they need to keep someone watching the surroundings as the others rest. Ash was exhausted too, but not as their level of fatigue.
"Guys, you can rest. I will take the watch." Ash said leaving both of his companions rest inside the hut.
It was beautiful watching the sky of this new world, especially at the most time Ash favored.
The twilight was something. Not like earth, it was magnificent. Ash was so glad that he was the one taking the watch to witness that mesmerizing scene.
Ash took a seat on the wooden dock beside the hut and locked his gaze at the sky.
'This... world isn't hell after all. Now! Let's see what I got...' Ash thought, his thinking shifted instantly to the loot he gained.
[Traveler: Ash Verlane]
[Code: *789#1000]
[Level: 3]
[EXP: 215/700]
'So, my code didn't change after you died, Elarion...' Ash thought, causing one of his veins to pop on his forehead in anger, anger of someone he tried to save, risking his own life, but he failed. He felt furious recalling that he couldn't save an innocent soul who got sent to this world or whatever it is.
With a shake of his head, Ash focused on what is in front of him.
'Inventory...' Ash intended, excited to see it for the first time.
[Inventory: {Dark Gauntlets}, {Skin Fracture}]
'Oh! Let's see what my gauntlets have first!' Focusing on its panel, another variation of detailed information popped in front of his eyes.
[Dark Gauntlets: ERROR!]
[State: Incomplete]
[EXP Required: 1000]
'Incomplete?! Wait! Does those gauntlets have a true form?! And I can have it If I leveled it up! WOW!' Ash opened his mouth slightly in surprise.
Finally, with a focus on the other item, the panel shimmered.
[Skin Fracture: Hollowbane]
[State: Incomplete]
[Fractures obtained: 1/3]
'Hmm, so I have to collect two more. Maybe another two kills, or it was just a stoke of luck?' Ash wondered, anticipation clutched to his nerves as well as curiosity.
"I think I will have to wait for another prey to find out." Ash said aloud, resting peacefully on the wooden dock near the hut.
"The first day is about to end, huh? It felt like a month of events..." Ash paused, a pause that drifted his mind into recalling the moment of torture he endured under Reive's mercy .
With a slight tone of sadness that doesn't make any sense, Ash said:
"Reive, I hope I can see you again."