Chapter 13: Face To Face With Giant

Chapter 13: Face to Face with Giants

Mark's descent down the mountain was surprisingly effortless, a testament to his newfound physique. As he reached the base, he stood before the middle-aged man, and for the first time, Mark truly grasped the enormity of the man's stature. He towered over two meters tall, his massive frame radiating an aura of power.

The hyena and leopard carcasses, now lifeless, seemed like small buildings beside him. Even the young men carrying them were impressive in size, with some reaching exactly two meters tall and the rest not far behind. Mark, standing at less than six feet tall, felt like a child among giants.

This realization sparked a wave of curiosity within Mark. How could he, a former ordinary human, compare to this group of colossal individuals? His transformation had undoubtedly changed him, but he still struggled to comprehend the magnitude of these giants. As he stood before the middle-aged man, Mark wondered what other secrets lay hidden beneath their imposing exterior.

The middle-aged man's gaze, piercing and intense, locked onto Mark, as if searching for something within him. Mark felt a shiver run down his spine, unsure of what to expect next.

The middle-aged man's deep voice rumbled, "What are you doing here? Were you sent to spy on us while we were hunting?" Mark's words caught in his throat as he struggled to respond. He knew he had to come up with a convincing lie, and fast.

"N-no, sir," Mark stuttered, "I'm lost here. I decided to climb up to see if I could spot any of my colleagues." The middle-aged man's piercing gaze seemed to bore into Mark's soul, as if searching for any hint of deception.

Mark's heart was racing as he blew a massive lie, hoping to deflect any suspicion. He couldn't reveal his true identity or purpose to this giant of a man, especially if there was a chance he might know Alex. Trust was a luxury Mark couldn't afford, not yet.

The middle-aged man's expression remained unreadable, his face a mask of stone. Mark wondered if his lie had been convincing enough, or if he had just dug himself into a deeper hole. The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken questions and doubts.

The middle-aged man's deep voice was laced with skepticism as he repeated his question, "You're lost, you say? And you just happened to climb up here, where we were hunting?" He took a step closer to Mark, his massive frame towering over him.

Mark who's mind was racing, tried to maintain the charade, "Y-yes, sir. I was separated from my group during a storm, and I've been trying to find my way back. I saw the mountain and thought maybe I could spot something from the top."

The middle-aged man's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through Mark's facade. "What's your name, boy?" he asked gruffly, his tone implying he didn't believe a word Mark was saying.

Mark hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. He couldn't give his real name, but he needed something convincing. "M-my name is... uh, Matthew," he stammered, hoping the lie would stick.

The middle-aged man's expression remained dubious, his eyes never leaving Mark's face. Mark wondered if he had pushed his luck too far, if the man would see through his deception and uncover his true identity.

Without addressing Mark's previous response, the middle-aged man turned to his group and commanded, "Get moving! I'll catch up with you soon. And remember you must sprinkle that powder every hour." His underlings responded in unison, "Yes, sir!" before beginning their trek, carrying the massive carcasses with them.

The middle-aged man's attention shifted back to Mark, his eyes narrowing slightly. "How long have you been here, and where did you come from?" Mark's mind raced, trying to maintain the facade.

"I've been here for a few hours now," Mark replied hastily, "and as for where I'm from... Central Gate. That's where I grew up." He hoped his answers sounded convincing, but the man's piercing gaze made him feel like an open book.

The middle-aged man's expression remained enigmatic, his thoughts hidden behind a mask of curiosity. Mark wondered what he was thinking, and what his true intentions were. The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken questions and many doubts.

The middle-aged man's gaze lingered on Mark, filled with suspicion, before he turned to catch up with his group. But in that brief moment, his eyes flashed a milky white, like a spark of moonlight, before returning to normal. Mark's heart skipped a beat, unsure of what he had just seen.

As the man turned to face Mark again, his hand rested on the handle of his massive axe, a subtle warning that he was ready to strike if necessary. With his deep, commanding voice, he said, "Move you lier your name should be mark, you're supposed to have been dead a few hours ago, you are a taboo.!"

Mark was taken aback, unsure of what's going on, his he supposed to follow or flee. But with the man's axe at the ready, he had no choice. Mark began walking, with the middle-aged man close behind.

Suddenly, the man let out a whistle and made a hand gesture with two fingers. Two of the young men appeared, responding to the signal. The middle-aged man pointed at Mark and instructed them to bind him with a robe. The two young men swiftly complied, tying Mark's hands behind his back.

With Mark now a captive, the group began moving again, drawing him along with them. Mark's mind raced, wondering where they were headed and what their intentions were. The middle-aged man's earlier suspicion and the strange flash of white in his eyes only added to Mark's growing unease.

The journey to the giants' destination was unexpectedly long and arduous. Based on Mark's estimation, they had been walking for over two hours, yet they still hadn't left the rocky terrain. No lush jungle or dense forest came into view, only an endless expanse of rugged hills and towering mountains. Which causes Mark to wondered if the entire Neitherworld Pit region was composed of this unforgiving landscape.

Another surprising aspect was the young men's endurance. Despite carrying the massive beast carcasses for hours, they showed no signs of fatigue, only slight trembles in their arms and legs. Their strength and stamina were uncanny, probably a testament to their unusual physiology.

Finally, after another hour of walking, the group arrived at the foot of a colossal mountain, one of the tallest in the Neitherworld Pit. Its peak disappeared into the clouds, shrouded in mist and mystery. Mark's initial awe gave way to confusion as they approached the mountain, but his confusion turned to astonishment when he saw the entrance carved into the mountain's side.

The entrance was gargantuan, standing over thirty meters tall and fifty meters wide. Its sheer scale took Mark's breath away, and he couldn't help but wonder what kind of civilization could create such an enormous opening in the heart of a mountain. As they stepped into the entrance, Mark felt a thrill of trepidation mixed with curiosity. He could not help but wonder what kind of secrets lay hidden within the mountain's depths?