The Earth After Rebirth

Kiro closed his eyes. It was his turn to feel a burning sensation within himself. The others new his dire relationship with Isaac, so they expected for him to blow up any minute. They slowly retreated and left him standing there alone.

"System, where do you get off hijacking After Dark's chances to level up? I take it back, I don't want your help anymore. Bring us back to our base, we can just walk." He said as calmly as he could, through gritted teeth.

His friends were impressed that he could appear that cool headed, when they could smell the anger from where they stood.

Ding!

[I'll think about it. For the time being, you're stuck together. It may take me a while to process your request and it's unfortunately too late, even if you stand there waiting, the monsters will surely come to you. Happy hunting.]

It was a peculiar feeling, but he could feel the system's joy when it rubbed that to his face. He didn't think computers had feelings, but this sure felt like it did.

This was supposed to be just about them, he was looking forward to fighting with his comrades without third parties, especially not Isaac. But the system turned it into something else and it made it abundantly clear that there would be no room to wiggle out from this.

Kiro took a few slow breaths, calming himself down. There would be no point in fighting amongst themselves, when there was Prometheus right in front of them.

It was called a mountain but it was more of a valley, a valley with different giant peaks on it. There weren't much trees, but those that were, were almost dark red in colour.

So were the stones. It looked like they were heated up with something that made them gain a very unnatural colour but at the same time not damaging them at all.

Everyone else but After Dark was surprised that they were transported against their will. The system gave them no warning before plunging them into a split second darkness. They marvelled at the sight, as unnatural as it was, it was beautiful nonetheless.

The game seemed to excel on the side of capturing nature and giving it a twist of fantastical beauty. The atmosphere though wasn't pleasing, it wasn't a choking hazard per se, but it was.

"What the hell is going on? Hell training, nobody asked for this!" Saanvi cried, but that too fell on deaf ears.

Kiro had already calmed himself down, so he was his usual self. If he couldn't convince the system otherwise, he had no choice but to roll with its madness.

"Don't tell me you're a little scared?" He asked in a mocking tone.

"Me-e? Scared? Don't project, number two."

Then they witnessed a sight none of them thought possible. Isaac giggled, he stopped himself too late and looked away awkwardly. They'd already heard, so all eyes were on him now.

He could feel their piercing glares, he wished it in his to make him believe that he didn't care. But a part of him did.

After a talk with his henchmen, or friends, he seemed to be doing a lot better. Though he felt strange about the game now, as he suddenly had an urge to log in only to be tossed in a room with the people he despised the most.
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Everybody else had been doing their own thing in-game when this happened to him. So they didn't exactly share his feelings.

"Funny you should call me number two, we beat your asses in the guild wars." Kiro said breaking the awkwardness Isaac had caused.

"To think you'd bring that up, you're a shameless slime Kiro Waynworth." It was Isla who shot back to defend Saanvi.

Kiro was proud of his name, but at this particular moment it felt like he was chewing rocks. This reminded him of his mother when she was frustrated with him when he'd done something wrong.

"Still?" He didn't have the energy to form a full sentence but Isla understood him anyway.

"Still." She gave him a side look, then turned to face the mountain that looked like it was on fire.

Hiro couldn't say he didn't care that Isaac of all people, gatecrashed their quest, courtesy of the system but he was more excited about finding what he was looking for.

The more he looked at the mountains, the more he knew exactly why they'd find what he was looking for. The mana was very dense and they hadn't stepped foot in the territory. It was an exhilarating feeling, the density of mana in each herb determined its rank.

He bet they'd find a herb at every corner. And he intended to pick every single one them, whether he needed them for the true blood potion or not.

"Are we just gonna stand here or go in already?" Ishaan asked, buzzing with excitement that he was finally included in a guardian convoy. Even though he wasn't one.

Ursa walked closer, she didn't really know what to do. She wasn't speaking to either Isaac or the group. She felt truly alone to the point she wished to have never drank the potion. Because then, she wouldn't be here right now.

"This will be a little more dangerous. Especially for you Ishaan, don't be reckless. Felix, he's your responsibility." He barked orders.

Felix groaned. But he understood nonetheless why he had to babysit Ishaan. He nodded sceptically, accepting the mission assigned to him by their leader.

"I don't need a babysitter—"

He was cut off by Kiro's deadly stare. He'd forgotten just how strong he was, despite not being able to see from one eye. The killing intent was very clear, and it was only directed at him, it sent shivers down his spine. He decided to shut his mouth and obey.

'Impressive. With just one look he was able to convey everything and made him submit. I wonder if I could do that—what am I saying? I can't admire that filth.' Isaac stopped himself from complimenting and comparing Kiro to himself.

"I don't know how you guys want to handle this, but if you have a problem with me leading, you can split up from us." He raised his voice to ensure he was heard by all.

Saanvi and Isla didn't have a problem with that, they'd done this before after all. They were actually looking forward to it.

"I don't have a problem with it." Ursa said for the first time.

Isaac gave a 'I don't care, do what you must' expression.

"Let's clear Prometheus then."