Chapter 237: Chapter 237 - Umbrawrith Harvest
The same kind of monster appeared again. The shadowy, octopus-like abomination. But as Atlas narrowed his eyes, he almost wanted to laugh. Something was different.
Its tentacles were half-torn, dangling loosely in places, and its movements were sluggish compared to the night before.
Serenith had truly blasted these monsters mercilessly. Fortunately, then, not all of them had died, leaving some for Atlas to claim.
He steadied himself as Kate sprinted past him and Tessa, darting back into position. The moment the monster crossed the threshold, Tessa raised her hand and her shimmering domain unfolded once more, locking the creature inside with them.
Atlas summoned every skill at his disposal, energy flooding through him as he lunged forward. Thrust after thrust, the Wavebreaker Spear pierced the air. The monster writhed, trying desperately to ensnare the spear’s tip with its flailing limbs, but it was too slow. Its mental assault struck again, yet it lacked the crushing force of the previous night.
Atlas pressed the advantage, chaining together single-target skills, each strike cutting deeper into the weakened beast. Still, its high level gave it resilience. This was no instant kill.
The battle dragged on, steel against shadow, until at last, the sound he had been waiting for rang in his ears.
[You have killed Umbrawrith Lv. 145]
[You received 122,275 Exp]
[Exp: 218,781/577,658]
Atlas panted heavily as the system message flickered before his eyes. Not from physical exhaustion, but from the sheer mental strain pressing down on him.
Then he noticed something odd. The experience points... were still split with Serenith. Perhaps because she had played a significant role in weakening these monsters earlier that day. Even if she wasn’t present in the fight itself, her impact lingered.
Still, progress was progress. It was better than nothing.
Moments later, Kate reported another monster approaching not far from their position. Atlas, however, wasn’t ready for another round just yet. His mind still throbbed with fatigue.
That was when Edrik spoke up, his voice calm and steady. He would take this one himself.
Atlas gave a short nod. "Alright then."
What surprised him more was Edrik’s insistence that he didn’t need Tessa’s domain to weaken the foe further.
So Atlas and the others stood back at the edge of the clearing, watching. Edrik walked forward with deliberate ease, his dagger already in hand, his stance composed and graceful.
From the distance, Kate charged back in her beast form, leaping past him in a blur of speed. The force of her movement sent a gust of wind rushing by, tugging at Edrik’s perfectly combed hair. Yet he didn’t so much as flinch.
The monster barreled closer, shrieking with a sound that tore at their ears. But Edrik remained utterly still, calm as stone, as if the deafening roar had no power over him at all.
"I have never actually seen Edrik fight," Luna remarked quietly beside Atlas, her eyes following the man’s movements. "I thought he was only your personal... Butler? Assistant? Or something along those lines."
The fight began, and Edrik surged forward. His body blurred as he dodged the monster’s tentacles, weaving left and right so quickly it seemed as if multiple versions of him were darting around the creature.
Tessa added her own observation, her tone even. "Edrik carries himself like someone seasoned in battle. His mind is untouched by the monster’s pressure, and he moves with complete confidence."
"Whoa... Edrik is so cool..." Kate gasped, eyes wide, tail flicking in awe. "He looks like a veteran assassin!"
"Assassin?" Atlas repeated under his breath, frowning slightly. He knew very little about Edrik’s past. Perhaps he would need to obtain a copy of his record later... to finally learn the truth.
The fight ended quickly. Far more quickly than Atlas had expected. In less than half the time it had taken him, Edrik brought the monster crashing down. He remained standing tall, posture composed, every movement precise and clean.
Applause broke out from the group.
"Edrik is so cool! Next time, let’s race and see who can kill more monsters!" Serenith shouted from a distance, pumping her fist.
"Edrik, that was amazing. Please teach me to fight like that sometime," Luna added, smiling.
The others began to approach, closing in on the calm figure still standing with his back to them.
"Edrik, that was such a clean fight," Tessa commented.
But something was... off. He did not respond. He just stood there.
They slowed, then Atlas took the lead, circling around to see his face.
What he saw made his jaw drop.
Edrik turned toward him, his expression strained, clearly trying to maintain his cool demeanor. But tears streaked down his cheeks.
"My Lord," he said, voice tight, "I am fine. The monster was not a problem for me."
"Edrik... why are you crying?!" Serenith shouted in disbelief.
"This is not crying," Edrik said stiffly. "It is sweat."
"Sweat does not come out of your eyes!" Serenith burst out laughing. "Hahaha!"
Edrik straightened his back, schooling his expression even though the traces of tears still glistened faintly on his face.
"I can still handle a few more monsters after your next turn, my lord," he said calmly before walking back toward their resting spot.
But... was that it? Had Edrik glimpsed something from his past, just as Atlas had when fighting these monsters?
Was that why he had broken down, why those tears had slipped past his composure?
Atlas smiled faintly to himself. Seeing this hidden side of Edrik—so different from the calm, refined mask he always wore.
**
The hunt pressed on. Atlas stepped forward once more to take his turn. This time, they moved faster. With the monsters already weakened, Atlas had to push twice as hard—maybe even more—if he wanted to secure the same level gains he had managed the night before.
Two kills. Three. Four. Five. Six.
It was a completely different pace compared to yesterday. Still, each battle with these mind-twisting creatures drained him heavily, forcing his will to the limit. Yet despite the toll, the steady rise of his level filled him with grim satisfaction. He could feel himself growing stronger with every strike.
By the time dawn broke, Atlas had lost count of the exact number of kills. A dozen, maybe more. But the result was undeniable.
He had climbed three full levels in a single night.
[Level: 93]
[Exp: 145,140/631,224]
An extraordinary result!
They repeated the same strategy as before. Serenith unleashed her overwhelming firepower on clusters of monsters during the day, pounding them into weakened states before collapsing back at camp, exhausted but grinning through her fatigue. Each time, she gained levels at a staggering pace. By now, she had already reached level 97, soaring far beyond any of Atlas’s other subordinates.
The others took full advantage of the breathing room she created. After a day of rest and recovery, the cycle resumed at night. With the monsters already weakened, Atlas and Edrik struck down wave after wave. This time, the hunts were sharper, more efficient, the teamwork refined. Not only did Atlas climb, but even Edrik began to rise steadily in level, the two of them grinding forward alongside Serenith’s reckless brilliance.
By the end of yet another grueling night, as the system notification flashed before his weary eyes, Atlas realized he had once again surged forward.
[You have killed Umbrawrith Lv. 145]
[You have leveled up]