Chapter 49: New Visitors

Moving through the forest, they found roughly a dozen giant student groups, searching for anyone above the sapphire rank that didn’t join them.

They were also already clearing out any groups of monsters they could encounter; it honestly looked to them like a working machine, with its only flaw being the unfairness given.

When a group of one emerald member and five topaz barely managed to beat an emerald beast, they were forced to give their leader the crystal; only when beating lower-level beasts, which were useless for the boss, did they get to share it.

Just that such groups rarely targeted lower beasts because the emerald students wanted to rank up from their class.

Being able to gain a crystal of their tier so easily, Steven found himself jealous, even after they had been searching for half a day already for nothing—tons of emerald and sapphire beasts, but not a single diamond in sight.

It nearly felt like there wasn’t any at all; Steven could catch himself believing this test was especially designed by Elizabeth for him to beat up his fellow classmates. After all, this demoness never planned anything good.

As the second day started nearing its end, another wave of supply drops had been announced, but they were far out of their reach or motivation to risk themselves out there.

But that wasn’t the only thing that got announced as her voice echoed through the sky once more, letting Steven stop mid-sprint.

"I’m proud of everyone that made it so far, but due to unknown complications, your numbers have barely gone down."

Steven stared at the sky, already wanting to curse at her.

I have also seen all of you hungry to find diamond-class members.

Steven grabbed Merency’s arm, signaling her to move onto the tree, which she did just a moment after.

’’Your nice fellow classmate Lumiel offered himself to help me out.’’ Her voice transformed into dark laughter.

’’To reduce your numbers.’’

Steven could only smile; it was another diamond class for free points. This is going to be good, really good for him, but Merency seemed nervous about the announcement.

But Elizabeth wasn’t finished. "Also, Mr. Eden will participate as well."

Steven froze in place, debating whether to laugh or curse at her.

As Merency beside him whispered into his ear. ’’Edward too? We should return to our base...’’ Her confidence seemed to be broken by just the mention of Edward.

Steven looked at her, worried. What was she talking about? It’s only Edwards and Lumiel, and both of them didn’t cause more of a threat than Lucy or June.

"Why, we still didn’t find a diamond-class monster yet." He didn’t like returning with empty hands, after all they had risked to get out here.

He also needed to still check on the spot where he had felt June underground, most likely close to another altar, if not even the altar itself.

And if Lucy finds it, she should be able to make her connections with the runic knowledge of June’s craftsmanship, which could become a heavy burden for his operation.

Especially after how suspicious she had acted towards him yesterday night, shaking his head, he needed to continue searching out here without telling Merency anything.

"It’s also more dangerous to stay at one place if they are trying to set up a trap to catch us.’’ He was sure Lumiel would try to engage him openly, but together with Edward, they could come up with some kind of plan to increase their chances.

Merency nodded at his explanation, still looking like she was thinking about something serious.

BANG

An explosion not too far to their left shook the entire ground; as four radiant flaming dragons ascended to the sky, it seemed like Lumiel had already gotten into his first fight.

’’But we should leave from here right now.’’ As he grabbed her hand and they jumped down from the tree together, they landed heavily on the ground, and another explosion shook the area.

The two new participants seemed to have a bit too much fun inside of here with nothing to lose, making him jealous.

As they were running towards a much denser part of the forest just across an open field, the explosions stopped.

As he turned around, sensing their mana slowly growing closer as if they weren’t yet sure who to hunt but soon would be, he felt a prickle of unease.

He thought about maybe finding a place for a surprise attack, but with barely anything around there would be no time to prepare anything.

There was only a single small statue standing in the middle of the field, not even enough to hide behind it.

Merency also stopped beside him as he continued to stare in the direction of Lumiel and Edward, who seemed to have finally caught their track.

’’They are drawing closer; we need to hurry.’’ He spoke not, moving only, staring into the distance.

As Merency touched his shoulder softly, ’’Steven behind...’’

But she cut her off, ’’Not right now, we need a plan for them if we don’t want to fight.’’

But Merency only shook him harder. "No, Steven, listen to me behind you."

"No, they are in front of us. Can’t you feel them?" He spoke, finally finding a fitting stone formation to hide in the distance.

’’Not them, the statue.’’ She spoke in a voice like a whisper of fear.

As Steven turned around, staring where the statue had been standing, there was nothing, only its pedestal remaining.

A golem? Or something similar, maybe just a monster? No, he would’ve sensed it, mana, before. Stevens’ mind was already racing as he heard somebody call out to him.

"Steven, there you are. I have been waiting for my revenge."

Lumiel’s voice echoed through the sky.

As they appeared just at the corner of the field.

But that wasn’t what Steven worried about.

Instead it was a stone figure, standing just to his side.

Moving towards them.