BXBX NOVEL Chapter 120 Arriving To The Center
After several more hours of trekking the land on ostrich back, Leon and Alten finally began seeing something unfamiliar and unnatural in the distance. Alten raised his head to see what it was, "I think that's it over there!" He said, looking at the large, transparent light blue dome over 500 meters away in the distance.
Upon getting 100 meters away from it, they realized that it connected a few different biomes. Grasslands, where they were coming from. The vast expanse of gently swaying grasses painted a golden hue under the warm sun. A sense of openness and tranquility enveloped the area, where various wildlife roamed freely, from graceful gazelles to playful hares.
As they shifted their gaze towards the distance, about 1000 meters away was a lush jungle that beckoned with an aura of mystery. Towering trees, entwined with thick vines and colorful foliage, created a dense canopy that filtered sunlight, casting a captivating interplay of light and shadows on the forest floor. The jungle's symphony echoed with the calls of exotic birds, the chatter of monkeys, and the occasional rustling of hidden creatures
On another side, again 1000 meters away, the sight of a shimmering blue body of water beguiled them, glistening like a sapphire in the distance, awakening a desire for exploration. This pristine oasis seemed to invite them for a refreshing dip, teeming with an array of aquatic life beneath its surface. The air carried a gentle breeze, which played upon the water's surface, creating ripples that danced in harmony with nature's melody.
The same distance away on the following side were the majestic mountains that rose tall and proud against the horizon, their peaks touching the skies. Cloaked in blankets of lush forests at their base, the mountains soared to snow-capped heights. The grandeur of these towering giants inspired awe and offered a challenge to the adventurous souls seeking to conquer their lofty summits.
Finally, there was even a vast and serene tundra that stretched across the landscape, adorned with a blanket of snow that sparkled like diamonds under the daylight. Endless expanses of icy plains and frozen lakes defined this frigid biome, where resilient wildlife adapted to the harsh conditions, leaving behind footprints that told tales of survival in the unforgiving cold.
As Alten and Leon took in the breathtaking panorama, they couldn't help but be awestruck by the enormity of the exam they were undertaking. Despite their encounters and respectful explorations, they were humbled by the realization that they had only scratched the surface of this vast and diverse landscape.
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm The experiences of everyone else in all of these various biomes must have been drastically different. On top of that, Alten appreciated the Tasnan Wilderlands as a whole, "No wonder they picked this place. It's one of the most densely diverse places in the world id assume. There are so many biomes so close together!"
At last, they arrived at the dome. Peering inside, they were greeted by the sight of a vast expanse filled with hundreds of tents sprawled across the space. Campfires flickered, stalls were set up, and in the center stood some grander marquees that resembled large houses.
Upon attempting to enter, they were promptly greeted by a group of kids. "Hey, you need to prove that you have a minimum of 250 points worth of cores to enter... it's the exam's requirement," one of the two kids stated.
From atop his ostrich, Leon peered down at the kids and remarked, "Oh, really? You lot don't strike me as exam operators. Am I overlooking something here?" His tone was casual as he dismounted his ostrich, and Alten followed suit.
Alten gestured toward the valley and addressed his ostrich, "Head over there, but not too far." He knew that the two ostriches would easily be able to take care of themselves from most threats here, so he pointed them in the designated direction. Both ostriches obediently followed the path he indicated.
"Listen, just show us the cores. Don't make this diffi--" The other kid attempted to interject, but Leon cut him off, brushing past him and forcefully pushing his shoulder back.
"Hey! What's your problem!?" the indignant kid protested, but Leon paid him no attention. Meanwhile, Alten hurriedly jogged past them, catching up to where Leon stood inside the dome.
"Hey... I thought we needed 500 to even get to the center, according to what Sir Julius said..." Alten exclaimed, expressing his concern and confusion about the core requirement.
Leon gazed ahead with a nonchalant expression. "This probably isn't the real epicenter, just a marker to show others where it is. This place is massive; it could hold thousands of people. It can't be the epicenter. I doubt even a hundred... no, not even fifty will pass this exam."
Despite the dome's size, most people seemed to gather near its center. As they reached the core, they noticed yet another dome nestled within the blue enclosure. "There it is," Alten exclaimed, acknowledging that Leon's observation was spot on.
It was a yellow dome, only a few hundred square feet. Within it were the only few marquees that existed in the dome. Outside of it were only normal-sized tents.
The two decided to go to the food stalls nearby since they were tired of eating unseasoned meat all the time. Although it wasn't bad, it could get boring quick.
While walking to their destination, Leon believed he caught a fleeting glimpse of a familiar face inside the yellow dome, heading towards one of the marquees. Yet, he dismissed it as a trick of his mind, attributing it to the boredom that seemed to be playing tricks on him.
They arrived at the food stalls, situated near the middle of the dome. It was a large area. Alten was surprised that kids would prepare such a thing, or even had the time to do so. Looking around, not many that walked by looked to be special, or even that strong looking.
'They came here this quick and had the time to do all this?'