Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill-Chapter 193: Forbidden Zone (1)

"How are you feeling?" Victoria asked, her voice soft but curious. She was eager to learn more about the demon she was supposed to rescue—a demon she already knew quite well, though she didn't realize it. After all, she had been talking to William through the sword for weeks without knowing his true identity.

William clenched his fists, feeling the familiar surge of mana coursing through his body. "Pretty good," he said, a hint of relief in his voice. "I can finally use mana again."

Despite the relief, there was a lingering frustration. During the time he had been trapped in the mansion, unable to access his mana, he hadn't leveled up once. For someone as driven as William, it felt like wasted time—time that could have been spent growing stronger and preparing for the challenges ahead.

Victoria glanced at him, her expression a mix of admiration and curiosity. "You're stronger than I thought," she said. Then, hesitating for a moment, she added, "Could you… maybe teach me some things?"

William smiled faintly. "Of course," he said. "But not right now. First, you need to get a demonic lineage. Once you have that, you'll be able to learn all the techniques I can use."

Victoria's eyes lit up at the prospect, and William noticed a small smile forming on her face as she looked ahead. She was clearly excited about the idea of gaining new powers and learning advanced techniques. And why wouldn't she be? She had left everything behind—her school, her life—to help William, even if she didn't fully understand the extent of his plans.

William felt a pang of guilt. He knew he was using her to some degree, but he was determined to make sure she didn't leave empty-handed. 'The least I can do is give her a bloodline and teach her some things,' he thought. 'She deserves that much.'

Their destination was clear: the forbidden zone, the place where Kier had gone and where the demons had once thrived long ago. It was a place of mystery and danger, but also of immense opportunity. With the dragon's incredible speed, they were making good progress, though it would still take a few days to reach their goal.

During the journey, Victoria was full of questions. She wanted to know everything about demonic powers, the forbidden zone, and what they might encounter there. William didn't mind answering her questions. In fact, he enjoyed the conversations. It gave him a chance to reflect on his own knowledge and prepare her for what lay ahead.

But as they traveled, something unexpected happened. Three days into their journey, William received a notification from the system that left him uneasy.

[Your SSS Portal skill has changed due to unknown reasons.]

[There's a high chance you will transport to another time, and not the one you were used to.]

[There's also a chance you'll transport to another world, but that has a lower chance.]

William frowned, his mind racing. Why had his SSS-rank portal skill changed? What did it mean? Would he now be transported to a different time period—or even another world entirely? The implications were staggering.

Despite his curiosity, William knew he couldn't afford to test the skill right now. His priority was finding Kier and securing the secrets of the forbidden zone. But the notification also reminded him of another pressing concern: James and the king. They were counting on him to return with the ingredients for the antidote, and he had no idea how much time they had left.

'It's been a long time,' he thought, his stomach tightening with worry. 'I don't know if the king will last that long…'

The weight of his responsibilities pressed down on him, but William pushed the thoughts aside. For now, all he could do was focus on the task at hand. The forbidden zone awaited, and with it, the answers—and challenges—they so desperately needed.

A few more days passed, and by the time they reached the outskirts of the forbidden zone, nine days had gone by since they began their journey. The dragon, with its incredible speed and endurance, had carried them far, but now it was time to part ways. The creature landed a safe distance from the forbidden zone, its massive wings stirring up dust and leaves as it touched down.

Flying directly over the forbidden zone was too risky. The area was shrouded in mystery and danger, and even the dragon seemed wary of it. As Victoria and William dismounted, the dragon turned its head toward William, its eyes glowing faintly as it communicated mentally.

"I know it was you talking through the sword," the dragon said, its voice deep and resonant. "Don't do anything bad to Victoria. She's kind, and she deserves better than being used. One day, we might see each other again."

William nodded, a mix of respect and gratitude in his expression. "Thank you for everything. You've done more than enough. Go, be free."

The dragon let out a low rumble, almost like a purr, before spreading its wings and taking to the sky. It soared upward, its majestic form quickly becoming a speck in the distance. William watched it go, feeling a pang of loss. The dragon had been an invaluable ally, and its speed and strength had made their journey possible.

Victoria stood beside him, her expression a mix of awe and sadness as she watched the dragon disappear into the horizon. "Will we be okay without it?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

William turned to her, his tone reassuring. "I think so, yes. We managed to escape from Jonas and the slave traders. The dragon helped us when we needed it most, but we're safe now. We'll be fine."

Victoria nodded, though her eyes still lingered on the sky where the dragon had vanished. She trusted William, but the loss of their powerful ally was hard to ignore.

The two of them turned their attention to their surroundings. They were deep in a forest, but it wasn't like any forest Victoria had ever seen. The air was heavy with silence, devoid of the usual sounds of birds chirping or small animals rustling in the underbrush. It was unnerving, as if the very life had been drained from the area.

"Where should we go now?" Victoria asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to break the eerie quiet.

William scanned the area, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. "Let's look for the road," he said. "If I remember correctly, there should be a few villages near the border of the forbidden zone. We can rest there and gather information before heading deeper."

They walked for a few minutes, the silence of the forest pressing heavily on them. The dragon had landed close enough to the road to make their journey manageable, and soon they found themselves on a narrow, dirt path that cut through the trees. The road was overgrown in places, as if nature itself was trying to reclaim it, but it was still recognizable.

As they followed the road, William kept his senses sharp, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. Roads were usually safe, with little risk of attacks from beasts or bandits, but this was no ordinary place. The forbidden zone was notorious for its dangers, and William knew better than to let his guard down.

Victoria walked beside him, her hand resting on the hilt of Asura. The eerie quiet of the forest made her uneasy, and she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. "Do you think we'll run into trouble?" she asked, her voice low.

"It's possible," William replied, his tone cautious. "But we'll deal with it if it happens. Just stay alert."

After a while, the road led them to a small village. The houses were modest, built from wood and stone, with thatched roofs and small gardens. There weren't many of them—perhaps a dozen at most—but it was a welcome sight after the oppressive silence of the forest. A small stream ran through the village, its clear water turning a wooden water mill that creaked softly as it turned.

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"We finally found life in this place," Victoria said, her voice tinged with relief.

But as they stepped into the village, they immediately drew attention. The villagers stopped what they were doing, their eyes narrowing as they stared at the newcomers. It wasn't every day that strangers arrived in their isolated community, and their expressions ranged from curiosity to suspicion.

Soon, a middle-aged man approached them. He was taller than most of the villagers, with a muscular build and a face marked by a few scars. His aura was strong, and he carried himself with the confidence of someone who had seen his share of battles. His hand rested on the hilt of a sword at his side, and his gaze was sharp as he addressed them.

"Who are you," he demanded, his voice firm but not hostile, "and what are you doing here?"

William stepped forward, his posture calm but respectful. "We're travelers," he said. "We're passing through on our way to the forbidden zone. We mean no harm."

The man's eyes narrowed slightly, as if weighing William's words. "The forbidden zone, huh?" he said, his tone skeptical. "Not many people go there willingly. What's your business?"

William hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "We're looking for someone," he said. "A man named Kier. He passed through here not long ago."

"Kier?" the man said, "could you describe him to me?"

He shared details about Kier's appearance, and to his surprise, the man knew him!

"He came here 20 days ago."