Level-Up Apocalypse: Surviving With The Assimilation System
Chapter 97: The Bard

It wasn't many steps past the set of nearest trees that the edge of the forest was found, along with what laid past it.

A barren stretch of land extended as far as the eye could see; not a tree in sight nor a single weed.

The soil was gray, lifeless and devoid of growth. Thousands of swords were left plunged into the hollow land, with the ashes of those who fell all that remained.

"What we saw back there was only a glimpse of this. Hell, mates…This was a war to end all wars," Jasper remarked.

"To end the world, rather," Magnus said.

Finn felt the abundance of death in the air as his stomach sank in his body. It was a surreal sight, as though standing upon a graveyard of millions.

The barren wasteland seemed to stretch on as an entire region of its own, leading them forward amidst the field of abandoned weapons.

"Look at that—it's the keep, isn't it?" Jasper pointed out.

"That's it, but…That seems like an unreasonable place for it to be," Magnus responded.

Far ahead, Finn saw it as well: a chunk of land hovered high up in the air, holding upon it the glistening castle. A floating island of colossal scale; the sight of it alone made his stomach spin.

"How the hell are we supposed to reach that?" Jasper questioned with an exhale.

"It's really high up there…I don't see a bridge," Charlotte said.

"Just gotta keep looking then," Finn said, beginning to move again.

"Up there, look—" Charlotte pointed out ahead.

Finn squinted, making out a single landmark that stood in the graveyard of steel and ash.

It was a statue as tall as a skyscraper, of a figure dressed in draconic armor, though missing its head. The monument was hidden a moment prior by the haze of ash in the air.

All around its base were hundreds of plunged swords, though they did not look lost through battle.

The blades were stuck into the ground in orderly fashion around the fractured statue, as though placed in reverence.

"A broken monument," Finn said.

"That's what the old man was talking about, right? It has to be," Jasper asked.

Finn took a step closer to the massive statue, getting a better look for whatever it may have hidden. Getting close brought his acute senses to hear something peculiar—

"Ashuuuu…"

It was a soft sound, like that of a singsong breath, though it didn't make any sense coming from the statue.

Charlotte was right beside him, giving him a look as if asking "Did you hear that?", bringing him to nod before slowly moving around the statue's base.

There was a small platform at the feet of the monument, leading him to step onto it as he circled around to its back.

"Ashuuuu…"

That same noise met his ears as he found it leading him to what lingered behind the statue. What he found was somebody laying there on the sculpture's base, fast asleep.

'What the…?' He thought.

It looked to be a girl with short, messy hair of a white-and-pink shade. She wore a baggy, pale sweater that seemed to be used as a blanket as she tucked her knees into it.

Charlotte was just as confused as he was at the discovery, "A person…? Finn, is she?"

"Yeah, she's from our world for sure," he answered.

["Sleuth Status"]

[Name: Nova]

[Age: 25]

[Class: Pathreplaceer Bard]

[Level: 33]

"…Aaahhh…"

The quiet chatter seemed to loud enough to disrupt the slumber of the girl as a yawn left her lips.

Finn took a step back with Charlotte, watching the drowsy stranger blink a few times before rubbing her eyes.

'What's with this chick? How the hell did she fall asleep here of all places—?' He thought.

The strange girl sat up, yawning once more before stretching her arms over her head. It took a bit longer until her olive eyes found the ones looking at her.

"Oh," the sleepy girl said, tilting her head. "Good morning."

"Morning?" Charlotte hesitantly responded.

As Finn stood there, he found himself having to look down as the girl who was older than him yet looked younger stood only to his midsection.

Jasper and Magnus found their way over soon after, just as taken aback by the peculiar person.

"I'm Nova. Nice to meet you," the hoodie-wearing girl cheerfully said, playfully saluting.

"Why were you sleeping here?" Finn asked, rubbing the bridge of his nose while trying to understand the dumb idea.

Nova chuckled while rubbing the back of her head, "Well…I got sleepy, so I laid down. There was nothing around, so I thought it was safe. Nothing ate me up, so it worked out!"

"How exactly did you survive this long?" Magnus mumbled while shaking his head.

Though the small-statured woman seemed air-headed, the level she was at made Finn second guess dismissing her. Even just standing there, it was hard to discern any skillful qualities from the short girl as she rocked side-to-side while humming.

'The truth is, she's made it here…by herself it looks like. Pathreplaceer Bard…That's definitely a powerful class,' he considered.

"Are you here alone?" Finn asked.

"Surely you have companions somewhere, right?" Jasper added in.

Nova hopped down from the small platform as her sneakers hit the dried soil, looking back, "I didn't make it here by myself. I don't need anybody else, I'm fine on my own. But, I'm not opposed to joining you guys…if you have, err…"

The condition of the playful girl's request didn't need to be said as her stomach did the talking for her, bringing her to nervously laugh.

Magnus sighed, sliding the bag he carried off his shoulder, "If you're hungry, then say so. We're not in the business of letting anybody starve."

"Please and thank you!" Nova admitted without hesitation.

While the hoodie-wearing girl happily ate away at a loaf of bread and a green apple, the others sat on the edge of the platform while watching.

"Did you come through the woods? You could've gotten food from the old elf," Jasper asked while watching the bubbly women.

Nova looked at the knight with a raised eyebrow, though having to finish chewing and swallowing before answering, "Didn't see anything like that. You've got a neat accent, by the way!"

"Err, thanks?" Jasper responde.

Finn couldn't shake it while looking at the girl how she was able to survive alone.

'She must be capable. That, or she's been lucky,' he guessed.