Awakening: I Ascend As A Legendary Ranked Necromancer-Chapter 56: Now, the zone!

"So this is the other side," I said as I accepted a chunk of hot, juicy meat wrapped in foil from Temur. "It’s not what I expected..."

Tim snorted and gestured toward the mountain behind us. "You mean you didn’t expect a beach that ends in a mountain that looks suspiciously like a wall to keep us out from checking out what’s behind it?"

It looked like mid-afternoon, but the sun here didn’t affect us at all. It felt like it existed solely to provide light and no warmth or heat. I glanced toward where our ship had been pulled onto the beach and saw the ghost crew already making repairs.

After battling our way here, it was a miracle the ship had survived and made the final push but it had, and the last of the green coins had been handed over to the ghost captain as compensation to the trouble that was caused to the ship.

And unsurprisingly we weren’t the first team to arrive. The Government team had already pulled their ship ashore and even set up camp before us. We exchanged nods and kept a respectful distance from each other and observed.

The Government also bid on the unclaimed zone and sent a team of their own.

We, the Gold team, quickly made camp and settled around a roasting fire while Temur did what he did best. Cooking something good for us!

"The zone must be on the other side of the mountain," I said, enjoying the way the meat melted in my mouth. Temur really was a good cook and he should consider opening a restaurant in the near future indeed.

"Another ship is approaching," Litha announced.

I looked over and it was a warship, one that belonged to the most powerful freelance Awakeners, not the kind who managed smaller vessels like those that attacked us.

Both teams on the ground watched as the ghost crew dragged the warship onto the beach. The freelance Awakeners didn’t bother anyone and simply began setting up their own camp as well.

I watched them carefully. They looked battle-weary, and some were already breaking off from the group. Then I stiffened.

It’s that beastman!! The one that’s constantly attacking me!

If he noticed me, he didn’t show it. He went about setting up camp as well, as if I weren’t there. I scanned the freelancers, looking for any sign that they were under his influence but I saw none.

’He must’ve ditched his previous slaves and somehow joined this new warship’ I thought, narrowing my eyes. What’s his deal anyway? Is he going to attack or what? 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

I couldn’t find anything suspicious. In fact, it looked like he was deliberately avoiding me. I relaxed a little and soon found myself pulled into conversation as we waited for the remaining ships.

We waited until the sun was sinking before the spirit appeared once more.

The spirit raised a hand, and the sun snapped back to the center of the sky, shining brightly.

"Ah! So this is all of you! What a shame!"

Only four warships had made it, the Gold, the Walkers, the Government and the one belonging to the freelance Awakeners.

The spirit’s voice softened with false sympathy. "To think those warriors will never step upon the ground of the General!"

Of course, it was exactly as the spirit wanted. It was the one who had reduced the number of ships to four, by pitting the smaller vessels against the larger warship and letting them tear each other apart.

"Are they dead? Some had their ships destroyed but are still holding on!" someone shouted.

"No," the spirit said, waving a hand. "Those who are not dead but are not here will be thrown out. Those who are here, I bid you welcome! To the castle land of General Adonijah! You are now worthy of walking these grounds!"

The spirit gestured again. The air twisted violently. The massive mountain behind us shook, rumbled and then vanished as if it had never existed. The spirit disappeared with it.

"Look," Dile said, pointing though he didn’t need to. Everyone was already staring.

Beyond where the mountain had been lay rolling green fields and evergreen mountains jutting from the earth. Far in the distance, barely more than a dot, stood a structure.

Adonijah’s castle.

We all instinctively knew it was the center of the zone and our ultimate destination.

The guild teams exchanged looks. The competition had finally begun.

Every group, except us rushed forward, shoving supplies into their bags and charging into the zone. Even the freelance Awakeners scattered, each heading off on their own path.

"Why aren’t we going?" Cele demanded anxiously. "The others will get a huge head start!"

I looked to Temur as well.

He shook his head. "No matter how fast they run, it’ll take days to reach the castle. And that’s not counting monsters and other Awakeners along the way.

"No need to rush. We need to understand what we’re walking into. Dile, go scout ahead while we finish breaking camp."

With a nod, the beastman vanished silently into the greenery.

As we packed up, Temur explained our roles. "Dile will scout. Torvan and I handle close-combat offense. Litha focuses on defense.

"Tim and Cele handle long-range. Stay close to Litha for protection. You can switch roles depending on the situation. Our priority is survival and reaching that castle."

Everyone nodded.

When Dile returned, he reported calmly, "Seems like a normal zone. I saw animals, but no monsters so far. What now?"

"We move," Temur said. "Eyes open, let your ears sharp and avoid other Awakeners, but be ready for violence at any time."

Dile led us into the shadowed forest, our steps muffled by fallen leaves. I inhaled deeply and the scent of damp earth and green foliage filling my lungs as insects and small creatures rustled around us.

Yes, I thought, nodding to myself. This is a zone.

The air is thick with mana.

Finally.