The Countess Lives Twice in the Apocalypse-Chapter 110 - 2.5

[This Zone 1 of the North cannot be activated.]

The system’s texts read as if reprimanding Jannah from trying to grab something through the door.

"You already said that." The Countess stated, her eyebrows furrowing deeper in both agitation and confusion, "What was this door made of? Why can’t I go through?"

She tried to have her stallion go inside the door, knowing full well that it leads to the basement staircase, but she couldn’t, as if something invisible or cannot be seen by the naked eye is stopping her horse’s movement

The strange and cold substance has been locking her arm out from reaching further into the darkness, as if she was pressing against a rubber.

However, she was stubborn, having not received any response from the system, she decided to push her luck.

She pushed her arm further into the darkness, her unsuspecting limb slipping through the unique substance that was too cold to the touch, making Jannah shiver involuntarily.

[Ding!]

It seems like the system had enough of her shenanigans and had responded to her question.

[To enter a Zone in particular locations in the map, every party member of the player must have its associated Zone Pass given by the player which can be obtained from any nearby Sphere of Heroin.]

"Zone? Zone Pass? What is it this time?" Jannah grumbled under her breath and pulled her arm out of the basement door, glaring menacingly towards the system’s text box.

[Acquiring and equipping Zone Pass will give access to the Zone 1 and the rest of Zones.]

"Access? Okay, I think you’re not answering my questions at all. I asked what the door was made of, not what I should do to get through." Jannah glared pointedly and grabbed the edge of the system, her lips curled down into a frustrated sneer.

Even though Jannah was on the verge of exploding, the system still continued to give her information about the Zone.

[Any member who does not have Zone Pass given by the party leader will find an impassable black miasma blocking the entrance.

Hence the reason why Zone Pass is a must have.]

"Oh." Jannah murmured, the previous frustration leaving her body as she read the information given to her, "So, first.. I have to activate the statue of tranquility in the capital, get those zones pass or something from the sphere of heroin that was nearby?"

[Zone Pass cannot be obtained unless the Statue of Tranquility is activated in its area.]

"I guess the statue of the first ruler does play a huge part in this system." Jannah murmured, her eyes glancing away from the system’s texts to the basement door that was named as Zone 1.

[Ding!]

Hearing the notification, Jannah looked back to the system again.

[The Statue of Tranquility reveals most locked teleport landmarks all over a certain area.

Until the Statue of Tranquility is touched and activated, no locked teleport landmarks in the area will show up on the map even if the player manages to come across one by an accident.

Transportable landmarks are also out of question. ]

"I get it, I get it." Jannah mumbled, frowning when she read the last sentence from the system.

"No need to repeat what you already said." She grumbled under her breath and swerved the horse’s reins to the right as she opened the map, "If Zone 1 is still unaccessible then might as well depart for Chivahon."

She sat comfortably in the saddle, her body balanced perfectly atop her horse’s back, her eyes trained on the map to see where the nearest person was, calm and confident, her hands guiding the reins.

Her horse moved beneath her, its movements steady and even as he followed his owner’s guidance.

The Countess’s eyes were fixed on a specific spot in the map, watching as the blue dot blinked as she got closer, her mind focused on the task at hand.

She rode through the thick fog that blinds her a few feet ahead of her, the horse responding to every movement of the reins as she directed him towards her desired destination.

When she went to the nearest person to her, she immediately called them.

"I’m over here!" Jannah exclaimed, her voice echoing loudly and guiding the person through the thick atmosphere of the dark fog.

"Countess Rafelon?" The person called out, their voice dripping with uncertainty.

"Yes, that’s correct! It’s me!" She answered them to assure them and asked even though she knew that her little sister wasn’t with them, "Is Jeriel with you?"

"She’s not." The person said, now sounding relieved.

They emerged from the fog, their face looking troubled and anxious as they approached her.

"What’s wrong, Princess Huenazia?" Jannah asked.

"There’s something here with us." The red haired princess didn’t waste any time to say what was troubling her, going straight to the point, "It answered me with your voice, but since it didn’t answer my question, I didn’t go near it."

Tensing, Jannah frowned and eyed her surroundings.

She can’t see any red dot in the map so the person before her is the real deal, but could she really trust her?

Is that really you? Jannah asked through the mental link, her eyes narrowed.

The princess flinched for a moment and turned to Jannah, a look of surprise crossing her features before she nodded grimly.

It is me, Countess. Princess Huenazia answered with a sincere tone.

That’s a relief. Jannah responded, nodding her head through the Princess’s direction before swerving her horse to the other direction, her eyes already set in the next blue dot on the map.

Jeriel, stop moving. Jannah sent the message through her mental link with her little sister.

A blue dot stopped moving, two dots away from her.

Alright, move to your right and go straight ahead, you will find the exit towards Chivahon. She said, her gaze landing on the nearest blue dot.

I’ll be waiting for all of you here then. Jeriel responded, sounding exhausted.

Eulicies? Stop moving. Jannah connected her mental communication to the Duke, watching the nearest blue dot halting its movements. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Countess? The Duke asked, his voice hopeful.

Stay there, I’m near you. Jannah said before she saw the Duke at the distance.

"Countess!" Duke Eulicies exclaimed, his purple irises widening in relief when his gaze landed on her approaching figure, "I thought I won’t be able to find someone before sunrise."

"Same here." Princess Huenazia said, a frown settling on her face, "This place is unsettling."

"I agree." The Duke nodded his head, his eyebrows furrowed as he glanced at the princess, "I think we’re not alone here. It would be best if we leave this place before sunrise."

"I’m working on it." Jannah informed the two of them, her eyes glued on the remaining three blue dots around them that it seemed like they were moving unevenly, lost and confused as to where they were supposed to go.

Kirie? Jannah called out to the green haired lady, hoping that their communication link would connect.

My lady! Thankfully, Kirie responded to her call almost immediately.

I can see that you’re with someone right now, who is it? Jannah went straight to the point and led the two high-ranking people behind her towards the exit of the town.

It’s me and Lord Nige, my lady. Kirie answered, her voice dripping with worry.

Keep your composure and head to your left. That exit is near you, Jeriel should be waiting there. Wait for me to get out, okay? Don’t panic. Jannah was quick to give Kirie an order to keep the lady’s out of the gutter.

Understood, my lady. Kirie said before Jannah felt their communication link cut off.

Jannah couldn’t see anything ahead of her because of the fog that seemed to get thicker as minutes passed by, making it hard for her to scout the area.

Lucienta? Can you hear me? Jannah called out to the pink haired lady, her eyes scanning the area around the last blue dot that wasn’t moving towards the exit, but looked like it was stuck in one place.

Jannah waited for a good minute for the response she was waiting for, but when she received none, her heart started racing.

Lucienta? Answer me if you can hear me. Jannah called out once more and didn’t think twice to slam her reins, guiding her horse towards Lucienta’s location, her heart pounding roughly inside her chest.

Jannah’s body leaned forward in the saddle as she dug her heels into the stirrups, kicking it to the horse’s side.

My lady..? Lucienta’s voice was weak and shaking, making Jannah grip the reins.

Lucienta? Are you okay? Are you in danger? Just stay in place, I’m almost there. Jannah said, slamming the reins harder and urging her stallion to go faster.

Demo responded immediately, his body surging forward as he increased his speed according to Jannah’s wishes.

Jannah’s body moved with the rhythm of her horse as his hooves pounded the ground with a steady thumping sound, the sound echoing through the air as Demo ran faster and faster.

Jannah’s face was pale, her focus fixed on the map.

When she arrived at Lucienta’s spot, the sight before her made her eyes go as wide as saucers.

The Duke’s reaction was the same as the princess, jaw dropped and eyes wide.

Before them, Lucienta was buried under a pile of undead.