I Can Copy And Evolve Talents

Northern was not sure of the meaning of what he saw. But he was sure of what his clone's eyes feasted on.

The crystals were being poured into some kind of cocoon, and in those cocoons were monsters that bore a striking resemblance to the general he knew all too well.

It was more than them simply bearing a striking resemblance, It was as if they were all the same.

Before the clone could get out of the way, a guard attacked him. He survived a few strikes, but even with his level of skill, he was not able to land a blow.

But Northern ignored it since he was focused on something else. He paid no attention to the link, and the clone could not equip a weapon without him commanding it.

So the clone engaged another hellion rank with its bare hands.

Northern marched wordlessly on. The war he had been itching to have was finally here. But he wasn't feeling so elated about it.

Night Terrors?

More than one Night Terror?

He was having so much trouble with one already, but hundreds of them, or who knew, maybe thousands? It was dark underground, the little he could see was permitted by the crimson glow of the red crystal.

'But if the red crystals were being used as some sort of material…'

Northern squinted his eyes.

"Oh mann… crap!"

ARRRRGGHHH!!

His outburst startled the monster next to him, so he apologized with a gesture. Although, he didn't really care if it understood him or not.

What was on his mind was of far more importance. If what he was thinking was indeed what was happening down there… then he was doomed.

Dead.

No hope of closing down the rift.

Northern shook his head.

'No, it can't be. That can't be the case…? Na, even hell isn't that wicked.'

He dismissed the idea and focused on the war in front of them, as they all marched forward.

He looked around; since the last war, he had not set his eyes on Night Terror; even now, the terrific hellion was not following them.

Its absence made Northern worried.

What caught his eyes made him full of even more worry… he almost stopped in his tracks—but the monsters indifferently walked forward.

Stretched before them was a narrow mountain pass, a treacherous path winding its way through the rugged terrain.

Towering cliffs loomed on either side, creating a sense of isolation and danger.

The air was still and dark… darker than usual.

A winding road cut through the pass, its worn surface bearing the marks of countless battles that had transpired in this unforgiving landscape.

As the monsters made their way along the road, their presence added a foreboding touch to the scene.

Some walked with determination, their feet kicking up clouds of dust with each step; some, lifelessly, as if dreading the horror that was about to befall them again. Many, indifferently, unbothered by what the future held for them.

With a pale face, Northern wondered.

'What the hell is wrong with these bastards?! What the crap is this terrain?!!'

No one seemed to care except him and that… was very scary… and… lonely…

Northern had no choice but to silently follow; still, he couldn't help but wonder how large were rifts for it to hold such a wide and endless expanse of land.

After a few hours of walking, the mountain path was behind them, disappearing into the distance.

Tall trees now lined the path, their branches reaching out as if to enclose them as they marched forward.

It was as if the path had led them to a place untouched by the passage of time, where nature reigned supreme.

The tall trees stood like ancient sentinels, their branches intertwining overhead to form a canopy that filtered the illumination of the grey sky into scattered rays.

Shadows danced upon the road, casting an enigmatic cloak over the surroundings.

The silence was broken only by the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant murmur of a hidden stream.

Suddenly, they came to a stop.

Northern breathed.

'It's starting…'

His heart pounded with anticipation as he gripped the hilt of his sword and got ready.

He was expecting the same sequence of things to play out, maybe Night Terror would arrive in time to declare the match open.

He waited, knowing fully well that the enemy was labeled afar in front of them.

Suddenly the ground began to shake, Northern's heart quaking with it.

It was dark so it was a bit difficult to see.

A loud primal roar suddenly spread throughout the entire dark forest, instilling fear in the hearts of its foes.

Northern could see waves of fear as it contorted the faces of his allies.

The most bothersome thing was that all of them kept looking at him—including his guardian angel.

Northern turned his head left and right, it was the same thing with them all.

He frowned.

'No… no way… it can't be?'

With Night Terror's absence, there was only one person here who was worthy of leading them into battle.

Northern hadn't thought of it because he had been sure Night Terror was definitely going to come, or maybe he had just been too preoccupied.

What he saw underground had thrown him off his rhythm so much that it was hard to focus on anything.

Still, the eyes that stayed glued to him beckoned to him for something.

Even if he didn't want to do anything, he had to… being in a position that was looked up to… Northern was compelled to fulfill his duty.

Even though they were monsters… it didn't change the fact that he had a responsibility.

'Is this because I fought alongside their general or did I really rank up?'

Northern, gripping his sword tightly, slowly marched to the front, then to the center of the battle.

He looked back for a second.

"No meat shields today?"

That was reasonable since the path to this war front was unlike any other in its distance and passage.

He turned his gaze to the front, fixating it on the figures he could see shrouding themselves in the shadows of the forest.

"Crap. This battle is going to be a tough one." He muttered.

Northern stood silently for a few moments.

"Uhm… so I guess I just have to shout."

He cleared his throat and, with a deep breath, let out a hoarse scream that pierced through the forest.

It was weak compared to their enemy's but it was enough to raise the mighty roars of his allies.

The battle of the Dark Forest began…