After taking out the two Level 1 Common rank Apocalypse creatures who had ambushed him.
Lenny snuck into the Eastern region of the Dark Jungle.
Moving through the monolithic trees, he was vigilant and observant. Watching every step.
Right now, he wasn't strong enough, he couldn't afford to be careless in this dangerous zone.
On his way, Lenny encountered three more Level 1 Common rank Apocalypse creatures.
He ignored them all….
Promoting to keep himself hidden so as not to attract unwanted attention from the Terrors inhabiting this landscape.
He breathed in deeply, and the whirlwind brushed his face, causing his bushy hair to flutter.
His eyes scanned through the terrain, moving west, he encountered more and more patrolling Apocalypse creatures.
They all had different forms and sizes, with their strength and Intellect heavily dependent on their Levels.
Lenny crossed the outskirts, making his way into the true depths of the Eastern region.
The journey was treacherous but Lenny was bold and insane, not shaken by the darkness.
He felt warm in the dark, his clothes dirtied by his journey and torn from his battles against Apocalypse creatures.
Each time he killed Common rank Apocalypse creatures and increased his Stats.
He felt wondrously powerful, and that excited him.
He was slowly getting addicted to this strength.
**
Entering into the treacherous depths, Lenny's movements came to a halt as a familiar voice resounded in his head.
"Where exactly are you going?" A gentle feminine voice asked, prompting Lenny to tilt his head.
He was met with a young, dazzling beauty, dressed in a black gown, with smooth porcelain skin and jet-black hair.
Her smile caused Lenny's heart to skip a beat, "Mom?" He called out, "What are you doing here?" Lenny asked.
The young lady giggled softly, taking a step forward "Why do you think I'm here?" She asked, "It's been days since you last summoned us, not to talk of talking to us"
She slightly tilted her head, observing her surroundings "This is the Fallen Realm. Is this your First Apocalypse?" She asked.
Lenny answered with a grin, he shrugged, "Sure, my 18th birthday was just six days ago and I was called to the Fallen Realm just like everyone else"
"This happened to be my destination, although I still don't know what my First Apocalypse is all about" He sighed softly.
The young beauty wrapped her arms around his waist, with her head resting on his back.
Her elegant beauty never fading, "I'm sure your father did tell you all he knew about the First Apocalypse, right?" She asked.
Lenny nodded, "Yeah, First Apocalypse is the most mysterious Apocalypse since it's unique to the particular Awakener or Carrier"
"It varies in the forms of stories, uncovering hidden histories of the past, hunting down particular monsters and even confronting a boss monster or something"
He gently careesed his bushy hair, "I still don't know what my First Apocalypse is all about and how to conquer it"
"Any idea?" He asked, the young beauty grinned, "Maybe, or Maybe not….I'm a member of House Night after all"
"We were once regarded as experts when it comes to solving mysteries and walking in the shadows" She chuckled.
Lenny raised an eyebrow, "Oh?" His eyes flickered with uncertainty, "And can you tell me what you understand?" He asked.
The young beauty unwrapped her arms, and she raised her head, glaring at the crimson moon radiating in the empty sky.
Her eyes saddened, "This should be an unexplored region since there's no Sanctuary around…."
"Since I don't know much, I could only tell you one thing….you are on the right track, you can only conquer your First Apocalypse if you destroy Behovena"
Lenny's eyes widened in shock, a bright smile beamed across his lips, but seconds later, his smile faltered as his mother's next words came shortly after.
Her eyebrows furrowed, "But Behovena doesn't exist" Her voice grew cold and distant.
Lenny frowned, "What do you mean by that?" He asked, but before he could receive an answer, his mother was no more.
His senses returned to the dark expanse he was shrouded in; he softly exhaled, "Tch." He growled.
He gritted his teeth, "Mother and Father, those two bastards are always the same…. always speaking in parables"
He cursed out loud, "How the fuck am I supposed to kill Behovena if he doesn't even exist?"
Not caring if his voice was heard by any Apocalypse creature. He was deeply troubled.
To be honest, the mother Lenny saw never truly existed in the first place.
Atleast to him.....
It was simply one of his hallucinations he had channeled to comfort himself, but these hallucinations were different.
They felt real, it was difficult for Lenny to explain it.
All he knew was that ever since he became a carrier of the Fallen Rune, from the age of 13 to now.
His family has always been with him, in the form of hallucinations, comforting him in his darkest days.
No one understood it. To the rest of the world, Lenny was insane, a psychopath who lacked both remorse and empathy.
A threat to society, yet too significant for the Government to dispose of.
"Tsk" Lenny kissed his teeth, not hiding his discontent. He slightly tilted his head, "I should get to the center of the Eastern region before deciding what to do…."
"I must figure out what Mother meant by Behovena doesn't exist, yet I must kill him to conquer my First Apocalypse"
Lenny currently had two goals in his mind, to saturate his Stats as an Awakener by hunting Apocalypse creatures and conquering his First Apocalypse.
And he was determined to achieve them.
He turned to leave the scene, venturing into the depths of the region.
As he turned his back, exiting the scene.
A crimson tattoo flickered on his neck, written in an ancient language, once translated.
It read only a single word.
BEHOVENA!