From the deep thoughts about his future path came a short nap that replenished his stamina significantly.
Although it couldn't be compared to a full eight hours' sleep, given their current location, it was more than enough for Northern.
When he woke up, the rest had also risen, the fire had been extinguished, and everyone seemed prepared to move forward.
He silently rose from his sleep, stretched his body and savored its fulfillment, then studied everyone's expressions, determining their state of mind.
They all seemed fine for now. The Lieutenant's subordinates looked somewhat tamed and conversed amongst themselves, although Shane looked a bit paler than before they'd gone to sleep.
Alystren seemed to be in a great mood, while Shin was just there, nothing out of the ordinary, his face laden with focus.
Ryan was silent, leaning against one of the trees behind them with his eyes closed and arms folded.
The only person missing was Lieutenant Dante.
'Did he keep watch throughout the night?'
Night or not, it was bedtime-Northern had called it that without much thought.
A few seconds later, the Lieutenant returned, looking around before stopping, and his authoritative voice rang out.
"I see we are all ready. I managed to scout the area and it is as Northern said. There aren't many enemies ahead, but the few we will encounter are enormously powerful."
'The Captain even took his time to scout. This man is just so amazing,' Shane's eyes glittered with sparkles despite her pale face.
The group immediately began to march forward, through the twisted trees in the dark and ominous forest.
They continued on foot, their pace neither too fast nor too slow. Having regained much energy from their rest, the journey progressed without stress.
They were careful not to expend themselves walking, lest fighting become difficult and torturous.
After a while, their surroundings began to change. They were rising higher towards the mountain, and because of that, the air became thin.
Breathing became a hassle, and their surroundings grew hot as if an invisible scorching sun had been buried in the ground.
But they continued nonetheless. The twisted trees had greatly reduced in number, becoming even more sparsely scattered than before.
The ground seemed dry-most of the water had streamed down over time, leaving the mountain top dry, plain, and hard.
Northern flinched and narrowed his eyes. He could feel it; they were getting closer to the center of the rift. To its core.
"Something about this place feels unsettling. Any idea what could be wrong?" Lieutenant Dante inquired, looking at Northern.
"Well, we're getting closer to the center of the rift. I suppose that's one reason, but I also suspect some monsters are moving to attack us."
Northern closed his eyes and raised his awareness. His danger sense through Spatial Awareness spread around and even beyond the mountain, allowing him to vividly grasp the situation around them.
"Well, around thirteen to nineteen of them. They're all Catastrophic Destroyers."
"What pathetic luck we have," the Lieutenant lamented in a bored tone.
"Don't be sad. We signed up for this when we entered a tier seven rift," Northern made an effortless attempt to cheer the man.
Even in such dire straits, the two of them could still attempt humor. The rest of the group was left speechless.
"Well then, let's do this..." The Lieutenant grabbed his sword and was pulling it out until Northern's voice stopped him.
Dante frowned first, then raised a brow.
"You should sit this one out." Northern was looking forward first, then turned his face to Dante.
"I'll take care of them all by myself. This is so everyone can get maximum rest. If I'm right, which I hope I'm not, there'll still be more Behemoths waiting for us, and let's not forget that the guardian of the rift is a Belial rank. I don't know what a Belial looks like, but I don't assume it's going to be anything compared to what we've faced so far."
"Exactly, that's all the more reason for you to save your strength."
Northern smiled at the Lieutenant. "I appreciate your concern for me, but I'll be fine. Besides,
I'm not the one who will be fighting..."
Lieutenant Dante frowned suspiciously. "What do you mean?"
"Lieutenant, can I use my next wish?"
The Lieutenant was silent for a few seconds, hesitating to answer but eventually did.
"I wish for you to keep everyone here while I move forward to the top of the mountain to finish the Destroyers. Should any slip past me, then you'll be alert to kill them."
Lieutenant Dante narrowed his eyes. 'This guy... he's definitely hiding something...'
He exhaled and responded. "Fine. But don't push yourself too hard."
Northern gave a crooked smile and turned away. He looked at his father and caught Ryan glancing towards him.
Then he walked forward, leaving the others behind. Soon, his figure became distant. When he was sure he had gone far enough, he summoned.
Pillars of black flames erupted behind him as he walked, and as they dissipated, several
beings were revealed, moving with him.
A black-haired man with calm, warm, yet unsettlingly vicious eyes, wrapped in a black, almost modern-era suit.
Behind Revant, a dark lustrous monster with four devilish red eyes and arms trotted menacingly, its tail curled to one side.
Towards Northern's right, a tall man who exuded an antique aura walked with his hands tucked into the loose neck of his inner garb-that now freely displayed his neat black tie and
Behind the man was a lithe black figure with an intelligent and scrutinizing look in his eyes. On his chest was a lightning-shaped white line that branched out to spread over his body. Behind them all was a glossy hunched monster with jagged teeth and two red orbs glowing from the depths of its mouth-Corpse Eater
Then following Corpse Eater from behind was a large white tailless beast, walking on all four legs. Each movement caused its fur to dance in the wind, its blue eyes radiating excitement. Led by their master, these quiddities of the void marched to battle, together for the first time.