Mutagen

Day 129 - 12:07 PM - Newton Lake, Veteran's Memorial Park, Oaklyn, Camden County, New Jersey, United States of America

Chilly air blew despite how the sun was up in the sky. Without a doubt, the whole place around the tree was separated from reality. It was a place where the laws of physics on Earth did not apply.

In fact, some of the things on the ground started to float. It was as if the laws of gravity began to weaken.

When Mark saw that, he had the urge to make a move. If it continued this way, it would not be surprising if the berserk infected below started lunging at them despite being more than a dozen meters above the ground.

However, he could not start the fight immediately. It was because not only the tree and Ellse had a strong surge of energy protecting them, but the [PsyCrystal] on his arm was crazily absorbing energy.

Mark looked at his left hand. There were already two new marble-sized crystals. 

In the six minutes that this event started, two crystals had already been formed. Mark could not just let this opportunity go away. 

Furthermore, the crystals were different compared to the ones that the [PsyCrystal] usually create. The new ones were gray colored. And for some reason, Mark had the urge to absorb these immediately for some reason he could not understand.

No, it was not Mark. It was the Miasma in his body that wanted to absorb these crystals.

This was one more reason to not start the fight immediately.

Unfortunately, it seemed like he did not have much time to do what he wanted.

Outside the wall that differentiated reality and space affected by the cursed tree, the infected started to gather in droves. Then, they dived into the wall, trying to enter the place filled with magical energy.

Of course, all of them became ground ash that scattered on the ground. Despite that, the infected did not stop, causing more disgusting dust to permeate the air. But it did not stop there. Many of the infected were mutated, and some had [Mutagen Stones] inside their heads. The [Mutagen Stones] were also destroyed.

Unexpectedly, the nail sized stones did not turn to dust but vanished entirely. In their place, a small amount of neutral energy was released that was immediately swallowed by the Miasma from the cursed tree.

It caused the negative energy in the surroundings to grow thicker at a faster rate.

While Mark observed that, he noticed a familiar emotional fluctuation enter his radar. It was surely not someone he knew but had some connections with some people around him.

Soon, the man was in sight. He was agilely jumping from roof to roof, avoiding the infected on the streets.

When Mark saw the person, he had some astonishment.

It was because, for the first time, he encountered a...

"[Level 3]..."

Mark had the inclination to not believe it. Even in Freed's planet, it took five years before the first [Level 3 Psychic] appeared. Nevertheless, Mark would not be able to fool himself. Furthermore, considering that [Level 3 Mutations] had already appeared among the infected, a [Level 3 Mutator] was not that far to show themselves.

No wonder the group that Ellse was in cahoots could not attack the Audubon School directly despite having strong Mutators. But of course, this was not only the factor.

The other factor was Elise and Ellse.

If not for the existence of these siblings, the settlement at Audubon High School had already been long gone.

Soon, Roan reached the border of the affected area. The first thing he saw was Mark and Mei... and of course, Elise that was being carried by them.

"Who are you?! What are you doing to Elise?!"

Roan shouted as he charged towards the border.

But then, he froze as he felt a stinging sensation in his head. He could not help but look at Mark, who was glaring at him with his red, glowing eyes.

"You better not go through the border if you don't want to end up like those."

Mark said, pointing at the infected, diving through the border, and turning to dust.

As Roan stopped on his feet, the stinging sensation vanished. It happened at the same time that the glow in Mark's eyes dimmed.

Roan was about to speak again. He was definitely concerned about Elise. However, Mark beat him to the punch.

"Don't worry about her. She's just unconscious. We are here to bring her back to your parents after she ran away. We just got trapped in her because of your younger brother."

Roan's eyes turned wide.

"How did you... No, he's already dead. What are you saying..."

In the middle of Roan's sentence, Mark pointed in front.

Roan then saw the humanoid floating in front of the cursed tree. Seeing the appearance that was not much different from his and Elise, he could not believe his eyes.

"But he died after birth..."

That was what Roan could only say. However, it gave Mark a vague idea about what happened in their family.

Ellse must have died after he and Elise were born. Such a tragic event for a happy occasion. It could be the reason they decided not to tell Felicia and Elise.

Roan turned back to Mark. It seemed that they really came just to take his younger sister back.

"Who are you two?" He asked. There were no other things for him to do since he could not enter the border.

"We came here with Felicia. This younger sister of yours ran away after meeting her."

Hearing that, Roan shivered. He was on the verge of tears. These two just mentioned his missing sister's name. It was enough for him to believe them.

"Thank goodness... She's still alive."

Seeing that reaction, Mark and Mei could not help but smile. Roan was surely a good brother to his siblings. 

While Roan was in that condition, two more people appeared outside the border. It was a man and a woman.

Unexpectedly, with the wave of the woman's hand, the border was torn, and she led the man inside.

The appearance of the two made both Roan and Mark surprised. At the same time, Roan had a boiling rage that even the glint of his eyes felt that he could kill. 

Surprisingly, they were staring at the same person. It was the man that followed the woman into the border.

"Jude..."

Roan murmured.

Hearing Roan mutter what seemed to be the name of that man, Mark turned to ask.

"You know him?"

Roan turned to Mark, his rage did not dissipate even a pint.

"Even if the world turned upside down. I'll never forget this man," Roan said with seeing anger. "I don't know if Felicia already told you the reason why she left us."

"She already did. That's why we are here."

Mark replied.

"Then it will be easy to explain." Roan glared at that man called Jude once more. "That is her boyfriend that caused her to leave us."

This caused both Mark and Mei to be surprised. Who would have thought that they would meet that guy?

Furthermore, there was one thing that only Mark knew after he laid his eyes on that man.

Who would have thought that it was a [Inheritor] that caused all of Felicia's suffering? Being one with Freed, Mark felt that he was partly at fault.

***

On the other side, the King, Jude, and his Queen were also staring at Mark and Mei. The Queen could not help but feel surprised to see demons in his place. Furthermore, they were [Purebloods].

In terms of status, these demons were not that different from her master. She could not help but feel pressured. If those two were the enemies this time, it would be no surprise that Ellse activated the curse prematurely.

The Queen looked at Ellse, who was still in the middle of releasing the curse, then, to Mark and Mei.

"I wonder why these to esteemed Demons wandered in our territory?"

The Queen asked. Although her words were quite polite, there was irritation in her beautiful face.

"My Queen, what are you..."

Jude whispered.

"Shut up for now." The Queen cut him off. "If we can avoid further conflict, we better do. I don't know why they are not making a move at Ellse, but if they attacked Ellse in the middle of releasing the curse, we might not stand a chance once conflict start."

It seemed that the Queen knew what she was doing. Conversing with the enemy was also a way to stall for time.

At that question, Mark smiled.

"We came to take this girl away, but that guy there had been hindering us."

Jude and the Queen's eyes fell on Elise. They both had unsightly expressions.

After all, Elise was the key to the plans that took years to prepare. There was no way that they could hand her over just like that.

"Why would you want to take her away?"

Jude asked.

But then, another voice chimed in.

"Jude! You bastard! First, it was Felicia, now its Elise!"

Jude finally noticed Roan. He could not help but frown. To think that there was another troublesome character here. Nevertheless, Roan was outside the border, there was no point in arguing with him when there was no way for him to do anything.

Thus, Jude ignored the furious Roan and turned back to Mark, waiting for his answer.

"I just want to take her back? Is there a need for other reasons?"

Mark said in a mocking tone. He was definitely trying to rile up the two.

"Esteemed Demon, I don't think that it will do you any better if you take her away." The Queen spoke in a threatening but calm manner. "Even if you are a [Pureblood], it would be impossible for you to get out of the barrier without our permission."

"That is not for you to decide, though."

Mark smiled as he suddenly turned into a puff of black mist.

The Queen immediately felt a chill as she conjured a red dagger on both of her hands.

CLANG!

Sparks spread as a reddish-black scythe, and the pair of daggers collided with each other.

"Not bad."

Mark said as he appeared in front of the Queen.

"UGH!"

The Queen let out a painful voice as Mark suddenly released a ruthless kick on her stomach.

BAM!

The force from Mark's kick using his [Blood Strengthening] caused the Queen to crash onto the ground and made a house to collapse.

"Illia!"

Jude shouted in surprise.

He glared at Mark and waved his right hand.

Mark could not see anything happen. However, he had the urge to dodge. Thus, he did.

In his place, invisible blades of wind passed by, tearing the Miasma in the surroundings apart.

Mark appeared in another place with an understanding look.

"So, its that guy... It's no wonder his ability chose a person like you. You two are both womanizers."

Jude could not understand what Mark was saying, and he had no notions of understanding its meaning. All he did was wave his hands more, sending dozens of wind blades towards Mark. As Jude did that, he retreated towards the Queen, Illia.

Mark frowned. The ability that this guy inherited was one of his banes. His [Shadow Mist Movement] that allowed him to pass through small gaps in space could be neutralized by this guy. The air was everywhere, after all.

He did not know whether this guy's ability reached the level to be able to do that. However, there was no need to know. It was better to eliminate this guy as soon as possible.

With a flap of his wings, Mark charged towards Jude. Mark intended to end his life and take his head.

CRUMBLE!

CLANG!

Mark's path was blocked by Illia, and their weapons clashed once more.

"Illia!"

Jude shouted, intending to help her.

"You MORON! Retreat! This demon is after your head!"

Illia shouted with great urgency. She did not know why these demons appeared here and seem to want to kill Jude. However, there was no way that she would let that happen.

But then, the thing they were waiting for came.

Ellse opened his eyes, the curse activated, and the ritual finally started.