The sunlight dappled through the trees onto an attractive duo who were sitting across from each other at a porcelain-white table in the middle of the forest. The two took sips from their teacups in a refined manner and engaged in conversation that was every bit as pleasing to their palates as the tea.
''Sil, it's time to depart, playing time over.'' Alex declared as he stood up, Silveria pouted, she could have wished to spend more time leisurely enjoying tea like this but she knew when to stop. Her goal to lighten Alex's mood after last night's discussion seemed to have had some effect as his face was brighter today.
''Let's go massacre some monsters then.'' She was grinning which in turn caused Alex to smile too.
''Indeed.''
As the duo moved to the next floor where they appeared in another ghost town.
What was once a wide avenue that led to Aeredale was unrecognizable as nature had begun reclaiming the now-unused area. Gardens are bustling with insect life who've made their home in the now tall grasses and overgrown bushes.
Remnants of packages and magazines still lay at some of the doorsteps, unopened and long forgotten. At least the animals got some use out of them. Broken cars and rusty pieces of metal littered some of the larger driveways, stripped from all but their most useless parts.
Airedale, once a growing town on the rise to a better future was now a forgotten remnant of a time long passed. Silence had taken hold and would've been deafening were it not for the many animals that had made this place their home. Bird songs, rustling bushes, and the occasional howl filled the air.
The fountain in the town square was still full of water, though without filtration it had turned green and overgrown with algae and other plants. But at the very least the ducks seemed to enjoy it.
The more time would pass the more the traces of those who lived here will disappear. Even now there were only remnants left, it'd be only a short while until there was nothing left. But there was an odd sense of harmony as nature reclaimed what was theirs and resettled an old balance.
''I wonder how many dungeon cities this Abyss swallowed.'' A curious Alex wondered and Silveria walking beside him offered a reply.
''Probably a lot.''
Sensing the monsters rushing as soon as they walked into the ghost town Alex extended his left hand which had Silveria's cross tattoo on it and she turned into her original form.
Armed with the silver gun Alex killed the monsters rushing in, mostly goblins, hobgoblins, and some orcs.
After killing the last monster Alex pursued his lips together unsatisfied.
''This won't do. At this rate, it will take longer before increasing my level by one. Tch! Where are the big shots?"
Silveria was silent, she couldn't feel anything even with her powerful divine sense spread out.
''Lamenting won't do us any good. Let's continue, I'm sure that eventually, I'll meet them.''
Alex continued his exploration until he passed the center of the city when he felt something unusual. For some reason, he could spread his divine sense in a certain direction. Intrigued he headed in that direction, he saw an old dilapidated house, passing through he saw a garden, the thing causing the blockage seemed to be inside the garden.
A thick plot of moss-covered grass is encircled by intertwining hedges, flower bushes, and shrubs. A pagoda stands in the back left of the garden, left barren, but still in balance with nature.
The rows of flowers were growing without boundaries, there's not even a single weed in sight; they're home to all sorts of life. The hedges, flower bushes, and shrubs reach 1m/3ft high, but this is unusual, and perhaps unique to this garden. A single path, marked with round stones, curls around the garden, beckoning people to explore the garden, and showing them the best sights at the same time. The grass is starting to reclaim even all pieces of land, eager to expand its dominion.
The pagoda was almost like a caretaker of the garden in its own right. The rows of flowers are eye-catching in their own right, and the hedges, flower bushes, and shrubs are hard to miss, but there's no way to win when the garden is designed with a focus on the pagoda.
The pagoda became suddenly shrouded in darkness sending chill to Alex's spine. It feels like this pagoda didn't have depth.
Suddenly, there was a shriek in the depths of the pagoda, a whisper of wind, and suddenly Alex was stared at by a loathsome soul of death and ash. Two raging eyes stare at him with a wicked furor, and another shriek escapes from its drooling mouth in pure agony.
A thick, bony brow adorns its wide head, which itself is glowing faintly in the dark. A constant plume of smoke escapes the creature's curved nostrils set within a fat nose.
Its wide head sits atop a hard, blubbery body. Scars and still-open wounds cover its torso, perhaps part of whatever those creatures call culture.
The creature rushes forward, its four legs easily carry its draconic body with a poised energy.
Alex hasn't been able to look away from the creature, and it hasn't stopped staring at him.
He was wishing for a powerful foe that could increase his XP making his level rise quickly and voilà he was served.
''A Level 190 Demon!" Alex couldn't stop the smirk growing on his face.
''Grrrrrrr!" The demon growled menacingly as it was ready to pounce on Alex, the latter grinning.
''Silveria transformation.''
Swoosh!
Silveria transformed into a pistol. This small machine pistol is an in-demand model amongst civilians who just want a nice extra piece for their collection.
Its subtle weight makes it quite easy to handle. It has a lot of power with extraordinary precision.
This particular machine pistol comes with an ivory grip, expensive decorations, and a light-duty barrel, which could be gilded if so desired.
This weapon was originally designed as a cheaper alternative to another version, but it soon became a household name among gun owners and is now in use by many recreational gun owners.
Its official name is the JE-E3Q, but it generally goes by its unofficial name: Nightmare.
As soon as Nightmare was created the demon lunged at Alex at the speed of a bullet, arriving before him in an instant.
Unfazed Alex aimed the gun's muzzle at the demon before him and declared.
''Welcome!"
BANG!
A shot from point-blank range.
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