The birds hadn't fully woken when Erian headed out, hence the dark sky. But it was getting brighter each minute as the sun rose.
Twenty kilometers to the Blood River was the last stop since the temperature and radiation here was so high it could instantly kill the human driver and melt some parts of the vehicle
Erian alighted from the public transport, along with other students who were all seniors. From the juncture, the massive shape of the volcano towered over the sky and the ground like a living, breathing alien spaceship. With blood-red lava shooting upwards to the sky from different locations, looking like millions of star pillars connecting the volcano to the sky as though holding this part of the sky with the pillars.
Erian couldn't help but be stunned at the magnificent scene. Ignoring the heatwave that warped the air constantly, he started walking up the upward-sloped street that headed towards the Blood River.
Despite his effort to be inconspicuous, he caught the attention of quite a few senior students heading in the same direction. The big backpack behind him seem to have given away his intention of heading towards the volcano as this was the basic backpack carried by most students who intended to head there.
It wasn't really rare to see students heading in the same direction, it was just that Erian appeared quite young. Their eyes inadvertently swept towards his chest. They were shocked seeing a single flaming fist badge on his chest.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Another one heading to feed those abominations in the volcano." Someone muttered under her breath.
Noticing Erian, about seven of the eleven second-year and third-year students instantly slowed down. Different expressions were on their faces and even when they tried to hide them. The malicious intent in their smiling expressions was easily noticed by Erian.
Erian felt his heart skip a beat and a chill running down his spine. He immediately halted his movement and his expression turned serious.
"I really didn't think this through." His eyes squinted halfway when he saw the seniors also halted their movement as though waiting for him to continue.
The guides he had read completely disregarded the fact that there would be students within the Blood River mountain purposefully hiding the struggles that would ensue once one encounters a fellow student.
For a new student to dare enter the volcano along with the backpack on his back which cost about fifty thousand blood points, it signified just how rich he was. To the second-year and third-year students, Erian was like a mobile money bank.
Why were they heading to the volcano? It was to kill monsters and harvest their genes and if they are lucky enough, they could harvest Super-genes and cells in exchange for blood points.
The cost of Erian's backpack alone was worth a few harvested genes therefore, why would they risk their lives killing monsters when they could kill Erian and gain even more than a single trip worth? Even if killing Erian is considered breaking the one-month rule, it wouldn't be considered so if they kidnapped him until the one month shield period is over and then torture him until he voluntarily transfers all his blood points.
Erian turned around and immediately backtracked.
"Hey, junior. You've already reached here, don't be scared to go further." A smiling male second-year student blocked Erian's way, speaking in a gentle manner.
"Thanks for the concern senior, but the fear is overwhelming, I need to head back to reorientate myself." Giving a casual reply. He ignored the senior and continued walking back.
He hadn't gone far when an alluring smell hit his nose, a few seconds later, a seductive third-year female student appeared before him like an apparition.
Erian's pupils constricted. His senses were top notch but he didn't even see her move!
Her alluring eyes locked onto Erian's as a pretty smile carved her beautiful face. "If you are nervous, let senior sister will accompany you into the mountain. Maybe I will reward you if you show me your bravery. I really really love courageous people." Her slurring words were like a soft breeze, tickling Erian's heart with each sentence.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmErian's eyes almost glazed over and as he was about to nod, the waves his body naturally emitted suddenly shook.
"Hmph!" Erian's eyes turned cold and he harrumped loudly as his three main waves erupted out from his body in an arc, forcibly defending himself from hostile waves, he took several steps backwards.
'She hadn't even activated any of the Female Titan tactics and he was almost affected by her. Sure enough, non of the third-year students are to be underestimated.' With what she just displayed, she wouldn't have to kidnap him for a month and he would have followed her, voluntarily transfering all his blood points and treasures to her if he hadn't been careful.
"I appreciate your care, but I'm too frightened to head further. Sorry."
Erian's immediately stomped his feet and the rock beneath him cracked. His body shot down the street like an ejected projectile. He dared not stay a single moment longer.
Meanwhile, the students revealed dissatisfied and disappointed looks on their faces seeing the free money bag run, they glared at each other.
Erian stopped after running at full speed for about ten minutes.
He shook his head as he entered public transport back to his apartment. Once he reached, he contemplated on his actions "I was too impulsive."
He wouldn't have thought in the direction of the blood river volcano previously but after the easy battle with his fellow students, his strength made him think he was invincible which eventually led him to thinking he could also survive the harsh environment of the blood mountain.
Closing his eyes, his symbiote merged along the pores near his chest, merging with his cells to form whirlpools. The wind in his room warped as his body constantly sucked in the swirling nuclear energy from all directions. It was little, but it was something. Moreover, it was also an effective way of strengthening the genes. Doing this for a while would further compress the cells, allowing for more space for transplanting supergenes.