Through Unknowns

Waking up from his rest, Yao Yun stood up from the bed as he checked his body again if there were any abnormalities. He stretched his body for a few minutes then stared at the kitchen. He shook his head then changed his clothes that were closer to a tracksuit and headed out for a light run. He also had to visit his mother and Jiang Hao's family.

"Yun!"

Someone called behind him. He turned around and saw Jairen waving at him.

"You're up. Going for a run?"

"Yes. Though I don't know if it will be enough for me to warm up…. How about you, sir?"

"We are just taking a break from training Eggy. He is still outside though. Want to join us?"

Yao Yun nodded.

"Then I will follow you later. I still have to see my mother."

"Okay, we will wait for you above."

Yao Yun bid goodbye then went to… which building was it? He forgot to ask which building where they currently resided. When realization hit him, Jairen was already gone from his sight.

"Ah…."

He sighed then ran outside to look for someone familiar. When he didn't see anyone, he resorted to just enter the buildings next to where he resided and asked if there were anyone named Yao Chen there. When sweat started pouring on his face, he finally got in front of the door where his family was. He knocked on the door a few times. Then, there was a crash and small footsteps approaching the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Yao Yun."

Suddenly, the door opened and a small boy appeared and jumped into his arms.

"Big brother!"

"Yao Jin! You… you were just a baby when I last saw you…."

"You know, you know! We killed monsters~ then, 'poof!' we grew!"

"... well… I think this is better…. Where's mother and our siblings?"

"They went out! They said they have to get rosery!"

"Uh… what? Rosery?"

Yao Yun's expression went blank as he thought of a word close to rosery. He remembered Emersyn saying groceries whenever they sold their monster materials to the guild with a glint in her eyes.

"Jin, is it, perhaps, grocery?"

"Yes! That! How did you know that, big brother?"

"I just learned it from a friend. So, do you know when they will come back? How about uncle Hao?"

"Uncle Hao is upstairs! I want to go with you, but I can't leave…."

"Then I will wait with you. Let's go together when they come back."

"Yay!" Yao Jin jumped around in joy. "Outside was incredible, big brother! They have lots of toys and clothes and shoes! We only got little money, so we only got to buy rosery! Oh, no. It's grocery. Anyway! I want to buy more toys with my money!"

"..... how about your clothes and shoes? Don't you need them?"

"I don't care? I want more toys!"

"This kid…," Yao Yun sighed in exasperation as he covered his forehead with his hand. "I'll buy you clothes and shoes."

"Eeeeeehh…."

"Shut up and listen. Do you want to appear dirty and get no friends?"

"What?! I can't get friends if I am dirty?"

"Of course."

"Nah! I have you, mother and siblings!"

"Even I won't get close to you if you are dirty."

"But you are close now?" Yao Jin tilted his head.

"For now, yes. But if you insist on this, I won't get close to you."

The child pouted as his lips trembled. Then, he slowly nodded.

"Okay…."

"Good boy. I have enough money, so I might buy you a lot."

"Then I will not be dirty?"

"Of course."

"Okay!"

Suddenly, the knob turned and the door opened. Yao Chen's figure entered with a few children in tow with bags on their hands.

"Oh, it's you. What are you doing here? You have to join Jairen for some hunting, right?"

Yao Yun weakly smiled as he scratched his head.

"So, you already knew, mother…."

"Of course. Who am I? I just didn't tell your siblings or these little shits would scream in worry and look for you all the time."

"Thank you, mother."

"No problem. Go now. Aren't you going to have a small mission with Jairen's group?"

"I'll wait until all my siblings are here," Yao Yun said as he gazed over at the children clamoring at the bags they brought. He smiled at the sight then turned his gaze at Yao Chen.

"They are all doing their jobs. Since they are the only ones who adapted this fast in this kind of environment, they are tasked to go with the remaining warriors to get provisions. So, go now."

"Okay, okay. Please let them know I am alright."

"I will," Yao Chen said before kicking Yao Yun out of the room.

Yao Yun chuckled as he dusted his knees and went over to the path leading outside of Tamel. When he arrived there, the two guards that were guarding the archway recognized him. They gave him sympathetic glances then allowed him to go outside. Yao Yun climbed up as the light at the end of the passage. He could hear voices that belonged to Daren and Jairen.

When he finally stepped out of the dark, a blinding sun greeted his eyes. He immediately blocked the light in his eyes.

"Yun! Aaaah! It's really great to have a sun!" Daren said as he spread his arms and basked himself under the sunlight.

"... yes," Yao Yun meekly answered.

"Alright. The encirclement is that way where Eggy is fighting monsters with the newbies."

"Newbies?"

"Your siblings. They are ferocious and fearless… and you could even leave them alone with Eggy," Jairen replied.

"...."

"And the ice is melting nicely."

Yao Yun nodded.

"Because of the hellfire?"

Jairen smiled wryly.

"I have to admit, yes. Emersyn did a good thing for once."

Yao Yun opened his mouth, but his words didn't come out. He knew… that Emersyn did more than what they thought. He continued to believe that even if he was wrong. She even did small things to care for their well-being. She took care of their stomach until they were satisfied.

"I don't think it's a good thing. How about the water? Where will it go? If this continues, the whole world will be flooded," Daren mumbled.

"Ah, yes. I forgot about that. No more good things. I'll take it back."

"Anyway, we should go to Eggy and the kids. They might be hungry---," suddenly, Daren stopped as his eyes widened. He whispered, "Emersyn cooked delicious food for us…."

Jairen patted his brother's shoulder and said, "No matter. Let's go now."

When they arrived at where the children and Egbert was, the little children were using their mouths to tear the monsters' flesh and chewed them before swallowing. Jairen and Daren almost screamed from the bloody sight when even children laughed at. Of course, it was their first time seeing this scene even when he was in Central Marsh. After all, they never encountered these kind of beasts besides Yao Yun. When the initial shock subsided, they sighed deep, their hands on their wildly beating heart. Then, their gaze went to the only a.d.u.l.t in the bunch. He… was also using his teeth to tear up monster flesh, but kept on failing.

"Eggy… why are you copying these children?" Jairen asked in exasperation.

"But it seems fun. Now, my teeth hurts," Egbert touched his aching teeth, then abruptly stopped. "The heck! I said don't call me Eggy! I'll tear you to shreds!"

"In your condition?" Jairen raised his eyebrow then pointed at Egbert's trembling body. It seemed like the children followed what he ordered that they should let Egbert go on his own. Of course, he also ordered that they would help whenever they saw the scene as highly dangerous.

"I…."

"Anyway, we are going for another run. Since Yao Yun is here now."

The children stopped whatever they were doing then cheered loudly. Meanwhile, Egbert's face paled then he fell on his b.u.t.t.

"No, no! Please let me go just this once. Please?!" Egbert pleaded.

"I'll be the one luring the monsters this time," Daren said.

Yao Yun looked over the scene and asked, "The monsters they killed is already numerous. Are there still some around?"

"Well, there was a sudden increase of monsters since the day the demon world revived. I heard from the reconnaissance that the monsters were composed of the dark element. So, they focused on recruiting light mages to combat them, but they weren't enough."

Yao Yun raised his arm and felt the current of mana. His suspicion was right.

"The mana thinned," he muttered.

"Really?" Jairen asked as he also tried copying Yao Yun. "I don't feel a single change though?"

"And the current… is getting stronger there."

They all looked at where Yao Yun was pointing.

"The demon world?"

"Something is brewing there, and it's not good. I don't think… that we'll survive if we get nearer."

"That… does that mean we have to stop forcing our way through the hellfires?" Egbert mumbled.

"Emersyn might be hiding something from us…," Yao Yun whispered to himself.