Entering Apocalypse in Easy-Mode

*TAP!*

*TAP!*

*TAP!*

...

They ran over the dark sandy ground. Each of their footsteps made a low sound as they were muffled by the sand. Grains of sand were thrown into the air behind their steps.

The roars of the Lesser Cerberuses who were busy searching for prey sounded in the air every few minutes. They are like security guards who report to each other at regular intervals.

'If that's true, it won't be long until they find us.'

Clyde looked around him with wary eyes. Who knows if suddenly a three-headed dog appears from behind the dark shadows lurking around them?

But Clyde wasn't the only one who understood they had to exert caution. All the party members also looked around them.

Every step they took was filled with rising fear and anxiety. The task they have to do is so dangerous.

They have to find their friend in the middle of a forest full of Underspiders and other monsters. And they had to do it as quickly as possible before the Lesser Cerberuses found them.

No one knows where Haru has been since the last time they left her. And this forest is quite vast.

The odds are all against them. However, to save their friends who were left behind, they depend on a small hope amidst all the risks.

Clyde thought, if he had friends like this back then, maybe things would be different. He was already among the Celestials and was enjoying a different life.

Instead, he got a terrible betrayal. It was only when he felt what it was like to have a companion who walked with him through the path of a ruined world, they betray him instead.

Clyde knew most of it was his fault for being too naïve. To wish for friends in such a world was foolish.

He had even guessed that Rodney and company were keeping something to themselves. However, after a heated fight with the Outer God, he forgot all about that even though that was when he was most vulnerable.

Clyde immediately shook his head to get rid of all those thoughts. Thinking about it any longer would only make him more depressed. Better he focuses on the task at hand now.

"What are you thinking?" Leyan who was running beside him asked.

Clyde turned. "It's nothing." Then he looked forward again.

Leyan still stared at him for a few moments while running. He could see a glint of something that looked like sadness or depression in his eyes.

But Leyan didn't say anything because it was none of his business and they had only met today. Even though he knew that most likely Clyde was thinking about the people who betrayed him at the Selection Stage.

"Watch out!" Kei shouted.

Her exclamation made everyone immediately alert. They all immediately noticed an Underspider shooting webs at them from above.

The five people immediately scattered to avoid the web. As soon as the web fell on the ground, it immediately clenched tightly.

'Shit! I let myself let my guard down again.'

Clyde cursed himself. Then drew his sword and began to prepare to fight. All the other party members also prepared their weapons.

The spider slithers through the trees on its eight fast-moving legs, creating disturbing rustles that make anyone who heard it shudder.

Leyan pulled his bowstring and then shot an arrow almost instantly. Clyde didn't even have time to see when the arrow appeared.

Unfortunately, the arrow just shot past the Underspiders and disappeared into the dark night sky.

"Hey!" Leyan turned to Clyde. "Show me you're useful, kid!"

Clyde gritted his teeth. But he didn't say anything even though Leyan's words sounded condescending because he saw him as a kid.

Clyde who had already drawn his sword dashed forward.

"Hey!" Samuel called out to him with a shocked expression. But Clyde ignored him.

"Uhm... I didn't think that he would actually go," Leyan said with a guilty look.

But whatever he or the others regretted, it was useless now because Clyde was way ahead of them. He then kicked off the ground and shot up.

Clyde slashed his sword at the Underspider. However, it was able to dodge quickly.

Clyde landed on one of the black tree's branches. Then flow Mana to his feet.

'I can't stand out too much here.'

Lightning sparks appeared in the area from the ankles to the soles of his feet.

'OK. I think that's enough.'

The power of the lightning will double his speed even when Clyde only uses a little of it. Coupled with his already extraordinary speed, Clyde is sure he will be able to catch up to the Underspider.

He kicked the tree branch and left a scorched mark. In the blink of an eye, Clyde was already in front of the Underspider.

The human face that was at the top of its head showed an expression of shock. Clyde ignored it and swung the sword he had also covered with the power of lightning.

*SRAATTT!*

The slash only managed to cut off three of its left legs as the Underspider tried to dodge. It jumped with its remaining leg on another tree and then shot a netball at Clyde.

Clyde was sure that the netball wouldn't be destroyed by a slash from a normal weapon. So he poured more Mana into his blade and slashed at the orb.

His sword split the netball and burned it instantly with lightning until it was charred. Once again, the Underspider's human face showed shock.

Feeling that this battle would not end well for it, the Underspider tried to run away. But of course, Clyde wasn't going to let it get away.

Leyan and Kiara were already preparing to shoot their attacks. But to their surprise, Clyde had caught up with the Underspider in the blink of an eye and thrust his sword into the monster's body.

*CRAAATTT!*

The purple liquid that was supposed to be its blood splashed out onto Clyde's face and body. Then, Clyde jump and landed on the dark sand along with Underspider's lifeless body.

He used his coat sleeve to wipe the purple liquid on his face.

"It's done," Clyde said briefly.

Samuel, Kiara, Kei, and Leyan stared at him with dazed eyes for a few moments.

"That's impressive," Kiara said.

"Thanks."

Clyde can issue that fast speed without spending a lot of Mana. And ended the Underspider in a matter of seconds. Of course, that's impressive for someone who just entering The All Territory for the first time.

"Let's hurry. We have to quickly find Haru before something finds her first," Samuel who had returned from his dazed phase said.

They all ran again through the dark and terrible forest. Within this forest, it was as if all things were observing them and reporting their whereabouts throughout the forest.

Clyde had such a feeling while surveying the trees and bushes around him. He never put his sword back into its scabbard because he had to stay on standby.

"You guys have a clue where to look for her, right?" Clyde asked.

"Pretty much," Samuel replied.

"Then about how to find her after that? There's something that should lead us to her, right?"

The answer he expected came longer than he wanted and it made Clyde uneasy.

"Not really," replied Samuel.

"So the only way we're looking for her is by combing the woods?" Clyde asked.

"Yes, pretty much."

The four of them could hear Clyde's long breath. But nobody said anything because Clyde had every right to feel that way.

"There!" Kei suddenly pointed in a direction while they were running. All eyes went in the direction she pointed and saw something stuck in a tree.

"This is one of Haru's daggers," said Kei.

On the dagger was a purple liquid they recognized as Underspider's blood.

"So, the possibility that Haru is still alive is quite high," said Leyan then looked around. "She should run to a place where she can hide well."

They all looked in all directions to find any clues as to where Haru might be moving. However, they could only see a dark forest around them.

"Can't you call her or something?" Clyde asked.

Samuel shook his head. "No. In this place, our abilities are truly limited."

The roars of the Lesser Cerberuses that seemed to have increased in number rang out from around them. It was as if the Lesser Cerberuses were surrounding them and approaching from all directions.

And that situation made them even more anxious. Plus, they still haven't found Haru.

"How about we split up?" Clyde made a suggestion.

"That's certainly not a good idea and you know it," Leyan replied.

"But we can find her faster. Or would you prefer she is found by the dogs or spiders first?" Clyde said.

They are all pondering for a moment.

"Let's split up," said Samuel. Of course, that decision made Leyan, Kiara, and Kei look at him.

"The three of us will be together." Samuel pointed at Leyan, Kiara, and himself. "Meanwhile Clyde will be with Kei."

~~~