Level Up: Voidwalker-Chapter 338: Once A Month At Most

Atlas spent time with Noorah before the fox girl returned to her monster form and climbed onto his head. Once she was comfortable, he continued traveling south until reaching the border between Astoria and the empire, causing Theo to dive low.

'Flying this close to the ground will keep us safe from the watchtowers and enemy monsters,' the Blood Bat King's voice echoed in his mind.

Following that, they were crossing hills that were covered in a thin layer of snow. The two of them continued like this for hours until the sun started to set. Atlas was about to open a portal to the Otherworld, but his mana cut out.

''Huh?'' he muttered before trying to cast a spell, but still nothing.

While trying this, Theo gave him the answer. 'A Mana Storm is starting, master. I suggest we find a place to camp for the night.'

''Look for a mountain cave,'' Atlas replied to the creature as they battled through the heavy rain. ''We'll kill any creatures that appear.''

As they pressed forward, a dense forest loomed on the horizon, sprawling at the foot of a towering mountain whose jagged peak stabbed through the roiling clouds. Theo ascended into the churning, ink-black storm.

The clouds enveloped him, their biting energy lashing at his skin as his mana surged wildly, spiraling out of control and searing through his veins with chaos. Moments later, the wind howled as they navigated the rugged terrain.

He noticed the sprawling forest below giving way to the sheer, cloud-piercing face of the mountain. Atlas's sharp eyes scanned the rocky expanse, his gaze locking onto a narrow ledge jutting out from the cliffside, partially shrouded in mist.

With a steady hand, he pointed toward it, his voice cutting through the storm's roar. ''There, Theo, that ledge!''

'On it, master!' the bat king replied.

The giant creature plowed through the rainstorm just as Medusa spoke in his mind. 'Atlas! What's going on!'

He looked down only to see the white snake's head pop out of his shirt, surprising him. Atlas chuckled before stroking the older woman's head, making her happy as she headbumped him.

''We are trapped in the real world,'' he revealed. ''But I found somewhere for us to rest.''

Following that, Theo started flying up the side of the mountain and landed on a ledge with a cave, causing the Blood Bat King to speak. 'Master, there's a monster dwelling in this place, and it's strong.'

When Atlas heard this, he climbed off the creature's back and hit the ground with a thud. Just then, a massive Cave Bear marched out of the darkness, and its power was a level below his.

Without waiting, he took out his blades, but seconds later, Medusa lunged out of his shirt and started to grow larger as she crashed into the surprised bear. Atlas watched as the older woman bit down on the neck of the creature.

It let out a pain-filled roar, but soon enough, Theo flew forward and crashed into the beast, slashing into it with his sharp talons. He went to help as the snake woman's voice echoed in his mind.

'Stay back, we'll deal with this beast,' she said. 'It's full of that horrible Chaos energy.'

When Atlas heard this, his eyes narrowed, but he couldn't sense anything from the dying bear that was bleeding everywhere. Blood splashed against the cave walls as Medusa tightened her hold on it.

A split second before sinking her teeth into the creature's flesh, she sensed its chaotic energy surging wildly. With a fierce bite, she crushed its spine, the beast's thrashing ceasing instantly as it went limp.

The older woman, her task complete, seamlessly shifted back to her human form, her eyes sharp and unyielding. Nearby, Theo rested, catching his breath while the rain lashed down, soaking the giant bat.

'I'll guard the perimeter, Master,' rumbled the beast, thick fur glistening with rain. 'The storm doesn't touch me.'

Atlas nodded before they stepped inside to see a cave go deeper into the earth. When Medusa saw this, her green eyes narrowed. Be careful in here, my love. There are monsters in the darkness that are stronger than me.''

''Can we cave in part of this place? Theo can come in then,'' he suggested while glancing around.

''That's a good idea, nothing can crawl up behind us while we wait the storm out,'' she responded.

Moments later, she transformed into her snake form and started destroyed the cave causing it to cave it. Ths gave them enough room to rest in as Noorah jumped out of his shirt and explored the cave.

The little white fox yipped, its pristine fur streaked with mud from the storm-soaked ground. Atlas scooped her up gently, cradling her against his chest as he strode toward the cave entrance, the Bat King's lair looming ahead.

''Theo, get inside!'' he called, his voice cutting through the howling wind. ''No monster will dare approach until this storm passes.''

Theo, hearing the urgency in Atlas's tone, obeyed without hesitation, darting into the shelter of the cave. Outside, the tempest worsened, thunder cracking like a whip across the sky, each boom sending ripples of chaotic mana pulsing through the air.

Once inside, the Blood Bat King curled up in front of the fire, Medusa started seconds ago. As that happened, he began stroking Noorah, who enjoyed the attention. Atlas sat next to the older woman and got comfortable as the hot air washed over him.

''It should take a day to pass,'' the white-haired beauty said. ''Mana Storms are bad down in the south, especially for magic users.''

''Does it happen often?'' he responded.

Medusa shook her head with a smile. ''Once a month at most, before it happens, we can hide in the Otherworld,'' she said.

Atlas agreed with a nod. ''Sounds good to me.''

Following that, the two of them sat there as Noorah was out cold with a happy expression on her face. Theo was sleeping near the entrance as the Bat King was still on guard, thanks to the Cave Bear.

He draped a handful of soft, woven blankets over Medusa's shoulders for her to rest upon, their warmth a small comfort against the cave's chill. Then, a spark of recollection crossed his mind, he had a sturdy tent packed away. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

With practice, he retrieved it from his Item Box and set it up in moments, its taut fabric forming a cozy shelter within the cavern's rugged confines. Atlas gently guided the older woman inside, his steady hand reassuring as he ensured she was settled comfortably.

He tucked the edges of the tent securely, shielding her from the biting cold that slithered through the cave's stone walls, its icy tendrils seeking to sap their warmth. Once that was done, he joined her.

Medusa drew him into a love-filled embrace, her arms wrapping tightly around him as she nestled his head against her chest in a playful gesture. The older woman's lips curved into a warm, amused smile at the closeness.

The storm outside the cave roared with fury, its howling winds hurling sheets of rain against the jagged stone entrance. Thunder cracked, shaking the air, while flashes of lightning briefly illuminated the cavern's rugged walls.

Inside, the fire Atlas had built flickered valiantly, casting a warm, golden glow that danced across the interior, pushing back the damp chill. The couple had settled within the tent he'd pitched earlier, shielding them from the cold seeping in.

Theo curled up near the cave's entrance, his steady breathing a soft counterpoint to the storm's fading wail. Inside the tent, Atlas and Medusa drifted into sleep, their bodies nestled close beneath a shared blanket.

Noorah slipped quietly between them, her small form snuggling against his side with a contented sigh. At dawn, he stirred, a yawn escaping as he blinked awake. The wind outside still whistled, its sharp notes softened by the cave's stone walls.

He glanced down at Noorah, still tucked against him, and Medusa, her face serene in sleep, their warmth a quiet anchor in the lingering chill. Atlas smiled before climbing out of the tent, only to feel the cold air.

''Damn it's freezing,'' he muttered.

Atlas rose with a stretch, his muscles stiff from the night spent in the cave. He stepped carefully toward the entrance, the faint glow of dawn barely piercing the storm's relentless gloom.

As he reached the jagged opening, a torrential wall of rain greeted him, lashing the world beyond with savage intensity. The downpour roared, each drop striking the earth like a hammer, blurring the forest into a chaotic haze of green and gray.

Instinctively, he pulled his weathered cloak tighter, draping its heavy fabric over his head to shield himself from the spray that ricocheted off the cave's mouth. Bracing against the wind's howl, he edged closer to the ledge, his boots scraping against wet stone.

Peering out, he froze at the sight below, a colossal wave, churned by the storm's fury, surged through the forest like a living beast. It roared down the valley, a frothing tide of mud and debris.