That's right, Eryke had arrived in the Martial World.

"This is the best place for me to hide. Hardly any technological development," he muttered, humming a tune to himself. There was no way he could fight that thing with the entire world working against him.

For starters, he didn't even know how to defeat the guy. So, he chose World Travel and escaped to this place.

You see, it wasn't just his clones that could travel between worlds, he could too. But until now, he hadn't dared. The other worlds were too dangerous, and he didn't want to risk his life.

Now, though, the danger at that gate was simply too great.

Eryke had a faint, nagging feeling: even if he somehow managed to defeat the Leviathan, another enemy might descend from the skies to smite him.

So, he chose the smartest option, World Travel to the Martial World, and decided to chill for a while.

"Definitely one of the best places to live," he murmured.

This world was peaceful and spiritual, something you rarely found in modern cities filled with towering buildings and the endless noise of traffic.

"Ha." He exhaled, a puff of white mist escaping his lips.

The crisp, cool air wrapped around him. It was calm and refreshing, something he found himself genuinely enjoying.

"Lalala~"

Eryke turned his gaze to the blue prompt glowing in front of him.

[You have managed to slay Leviathan, the World-Ender of the Guardian Beast World]

[You have gained 164 EXP]

[The Leviathan has revived due to external influence]

[Your EXP has been halved: 82 EXP]

"Hmm, experience? That's new."

Eryke furrowed his brow. "Has the system changed or something?"

Immediately, the prompt in front of him shifted.

***

Talent (SSS-Class): Clone (Level 6)

EXP: 82/164

Skill: Allows the user to create up to six clones.

Unique Abilities: Hive Mind, Synergy, Quick Reflex, Skin Fortification, Dash

***

"This is new."

Eryke stared at the updated panel, deep in thought.

"Is this because of my strength?" This thought immediately appeared in his mind as he contemplated.

"With my strength increase, this blue panel might be evolving with me."

Although it was a small change, this might trigger a bigger event in the future. Who knows the future?

Eryke was definitely excited about it as he gripped forward at the sky with thoughtfulness.

His tired, weary eyes gradually closed.

"Sigh." Eryke the Third travelled around the place, circling around Eryke to protect him.

"My life is tough."

In his gaseous form, he was like an ethereal existence, like a ghost hunting living things.

It was quite the eerie sight to see, one that could make the people who saw him be scared shitlessly of being a ghost.

"What should I do here now?" he wondered silently.

Eryke the Third glanced at the main body, who had already fallen fast asleep, and paused thoughtfully.

"Well, I didn't receive any instructions… but guarding him is what he'd want," he muttered.

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

The moons hung at their highest point, the moment of culmination, their silvery glow bathing the peaceful forest in a gentle light.

Within this calm forest, a small shadow darted rapidly through the underbrush.

Its ragged breathing echoed clearly in the quiet night.

Suddenly, the shadow stumbled and fell.

Then came the sound of soft sobs.

Bathed in moonlight, the figure was gradually revealed.

A little girl with silver hair.

Tears filled her eyes.

But beneath the tears, a deeper fear was buried.

"Over there! Look!" A loud shout rang out from behind, making her flinch in terror.

Gritting her teeth, she pushed herself off the ground with the help of a tree stump and ran faster, though her small legs could only carry her so far.

Blood dripped from her scraped knees. Her breath came in ragged gasps.

Each desperate inhale was like a trail, leading her pursuers straight to her.

Eventually, her strength gave out. She collapsed, utterly exhausted, at her limit.

"No," she whimpered, "Move… move!"

She screamed with all the strength she had left, but her legs refused.

They were frozen in place, heavy as stone.

Her pursuers finally emerged from the shadows behind her, sneering down at her with twisted grins.

Moonlight bathed them, revealing their grotesque forms, green-skinned humanoids with barely any teeth and disfigured, lopsided bodies.

They looked like monsters torn straight from the pages of a nightmare.

"Ahhh—!"

The little girl screamed in terror.

"Little brat, you can run, but you can't hide," one of them growled, leaning forward to reveal a hideous face warped by malice.

"No… no—" she shook her head violently, her eyes wide with desperation. "I can't go back to that place… not again!"

"Haha! Foolish brat," another sneered. "You know the price for escaping, don't you? We're going to skin you alive and turn you into pills."

The monster loomed over her, its jagged teeth bared and saliva dripping from its open maw.

The little girl let out a desperate cry and tried to push it away, but her small hands had no strength. Her efforts were in vain.

It did nothing to stop the horror bearing down on her.

"No…"

As the creature's jaws inched closer, she squeezed her eyes shut, shoving against it with everything she had, but it wasn't enough.

And then, suddenly, there was no pressure on her arms.

"Huh?" She opened her eyes, confusion flickering across her tear-stained face.

In the dim moonlight, she could barely make out the silhouette of a black, hazy figure, his back turned to her.

A deep, magnetic voice echoed softly in the stillness:

"Are you alright, little girl?"

"N-No…" she stammered, her voice trembling.

"Sigh. You must have faced your difficulties." The black figure spoke softly.

In an instant, his form moved, slicing through the air with incredible speed.

"Huh?"

The green-skinned monsters froze, momentarily stunned, their eyes scanning the surroundings in confusion.

"Where the hell is he?"

"Damn it. The master said there should be no accidents."

"We're in big trouble when we get back."

There were five of them now. One had already collapsed, the first to fall, he'd been the closest to the little girl.

As they spoke in frustration, one of the green-skinned creatures moved forward cautiously.

With a swift, silent motion, he reached out to another of his kind and drove his hand straight through its chest!