My friends are gods

Chapter 15: Descent into Humu

Han Li fell through the portal, his body tumbling weightlessly through a swirling vortex of colors. Despite the chaos surrounding him, his thoughts were clear: Why do the gods insist on being so dramatic? Couldn't they have just handed me a map and wished me luck?

The descent abruptly ended with a thud as Han Li landed unceremoniously on soft grass. Groaning, he sat up and brushed himself off. The air smelled crisp and earthy, and the sky above was a serene shade of blue, dotted with fluffy clouds. In the distance, jagged mountains loomed, their peaks dusted with snow.

"Well," Han Li muttered, getting to his feet. "At least they didn't drop me into a volcano this time."

He glanced around and noticed something peculiar: a glowing inscription on the medallion the God of Strength had given him. It pulsed with faint light, and when he touched it, a deep voice boomed in his mind.

"Welcome to Humu, Mortal!"

Han Li jumped, nearly dropping the medallion. "Do you have to be so loud?"

The God of Strength's laughter echoed in his head. "Get used to it! You're not alone, Han Li. We'll be watching over you. If things get... intense, we might intervene—but only if it's necessary."

Han Li sighed. "Define 'necessary.'"

The voice didn't answer, and the medallion stopped glowing.

---

The Journey Begins

Setting his irritation aside, Han Li surveyed his surroundings. He didn't have a plan, but the gods had been clear: this was the Lower Realm, and survival here would be no easy task.

He began walking toward the mountains, figuring they were as good a destination as any. Along the way, he passed through a dense forest where sunlight barely penetrated the canopy. The silence was unnerving, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves.

As he walked, he felt a strange energy in the air, like the world itself was alive and watching him.

---

First Encounter: The Ravager Beast

Han Li's instincts kicked in when the rustling grew louder. He turned just in time to see a massive creature charging toward him. It was a Ravager Beast, a hulking, bear-like monster with glowing red eyes and jagged spikes protruding from its back.

"Of course," Han Li muttered, drawing the Blade of Eternal Flame. "Because why wouldn't there be a giant spiky bear in my way?"

The beast roared, its claws slashing through the air as it lunged at him. Han Li dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack.

He countered with a fiery slash, the blade's flames searing the beast's side. It howled in pain but didn't retreat. Instead, it became more aggressive, its movements faster and more erratic.

Han Li gritted his teeth, realizing he couldn't rely solely on brute force. He activated the Earring of Clarity, enhancing his reflexes. As the beast charged again, he sidestepped and delivered a precise strike to its legs, causing it to stumble.

The Ravager Beast roared in defiance, but before it could recover, Han Li raised the Blade of Eternal Flame and delivered a final blow. The beast collapsed, its body disintegrating into glowing particles that scattered into the wind.

Breathing heavily, Han Li sheathed his sword. "One fight down. A million more to go, I'm sure."

---

Divine Assistance

As Han Li caught his breath, the medallion began glowing again. This time, the voice of the Goddess of Wisdom filled his mind.

"Well done, Han Li. You handled that better than I expected."

Han Li smirked. "Was that a compliment?"

"Don't get used to it," she replied. "You'll face far worse than a Ravager Beast. Here, take this."

A faint shimmer appeared before him, and a small, intricately designed pendant materialized in the air. Han Li caught it, examining the runes etched into its surface.

"What is this?"

"The Pendant of Insight," the goddess explained. "It will allow you to sense danger before it happens. Use it wisely."

Han Li slipped the pendant around his neck, feeling a surge of energy as it bonded with him. "Thanks. Anything else I should know?"

The Goddess of Wisdom chuckled softly. "Survive, and maybe I'll tell you more."

---

Village of Hopeswell

After hours of walking, Han Li stumbled upon a small village nestled in a valley. The wooden houses were simple but sturdy, and smoke rose from chimneys, filling the air with the scent of roasted meat.

As he approached, the villagers regarded him warily. A group of children peeked out from behind their parents, while a burly man with a pitchfork stood at the forefront.

"Who are you?" the man demanded.

Han Li raised his hands in a non-threatening gesture. "Just a traveler. I don't mean any harm."

The man studied him for a moment before lowering the pitchfork. "You don't look like a bandit. Come, we don't get many visitors."

---

A Warm Welcome?

Han Li soon found himself seated by a fire, sharing a meal with the villagers. They introduced themselves as residents of Hopeswell, a small settlement on the outskirts of the realm.

"Strange things have been happening lately," one of the elders said, his voice trembling. "Beasts more aggressive than usual. Shadows that move on their own…"

Han Li's interest piqued. "Shadows, you say?"

The elder nodded. "Yes. Just last night, one of our hunters didn't return. We found his body near the forest, drained of life."

A chill ran down Han Li's spine. He couldn't shake the feeling that the shadowy figure he'd encountered before might be connected.

---

Cliffhanger: The Night Attack

As night fell over Hopeswell, Han Li stayed awake, keeping watch from a small hut. The village was eerily quiet, the only sound being the crackle of distant fires.

Suddenly, the Pendant of Insight began to glow, its warmth spreading across his chest. Han Li shot to his feet, gripping the Blade of Eternal Flame.

The air grew cold, and a dark mist began to seep into the village. From the shadows emerged twisted creatures, their forms barely humanoid but terrifying nonetheless.

Han Li raised his sword, his heart pounding. "Looks like I'm not getting any sleep tonight."

In the heavens above, the gods watched intently. The God of Strength clenched his fists, ready to intervene if needed, but the Goddess of Wisdom stopped him.

"Not yet," she said. "Let's see if he can handle this on his own."

The chapter ends with Han Li facing the approaching creatures, the gods debating whether to step in, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.