Chapter 160 - Day CDLXXV

I woke up while Nadia was still sleeping, with her head on my shoulder. It was still dark and silent outside.

I had a dream. A dream I thought I won't have ever again. I thought it was just a creation of my stressed mind. Mind that brought me that strange vision of the burning city, but it returned. Was it because of Blue? - I kept asking myself.

I was unable to go back to sleep, so I got up. Waking Nadia in the process.

- Dong to - she mumbled, still half asleep.

- Shhhh... Go back to sleep - I kissed her gently on the forehead and got out of the bed.

She quickly drifted away back to the realm of dreams. I on the other hand quietly dressed up and left. It was nice and chilly outside. What was even more important, empty. So I could use the device without any problems. I bought new clothes and went to the bathhouse to wash myself up.

Water was cold since people just started working. Going to the cafeteria was pointless since food probably wasn't yet prepared, so instead, I went to find my cart, and buy everything needed for clearing up the whole wolf den. I also got some snacks, to munch on while waiting for Amit and Rishi.

They showed up a bit later, before rush hours, and soon after we were ready to go. Jayadeva came with his son.

- You can't sleep? - asked Amit.

He had a backpack hanging over his shoulder, and weapons by his belt. Axe and a sword. Also, a small shield fixed to his forearm.

- You could say that. What's he doing here? Is he coming with us? - I discreetly gestured towards Jayadeva.

- Yes. He wants to make sure it's going to work. You might be able to kill the werewolf alone, but he doesn't want to allow his son anywhere near that beast if it's not safe.

I sighed.

- I thought they knew what they are doing.

- This is just additional safety - he said lowering his voice, as the rest of our party was approaching.

- Good morning - said Jayadeva, as they finished preparing.

Rishi had a backpack with supplies, two swords fixed to his belt, and a shield hanging uncomfortably on the other side of his waist, opposite to the weapons. His father brought a spear and a small bag.

- Morning. So you are also coming? - I asked.

- Yes. I want to make sure it's a safe operation. I know very well that bosses are way stronger than normal creatures in this world.

- Fine. Let's go then.

- I also wanted to say thank you for the crystals you provided. We will definitely pay them back in equipment.

- Sure. No problem. Just discuss the details with Hatta, I have enough on my head.

- Yes, of course.

- So, are we ready to depart? - I looked at all of them.

Everybody confirmed with a nod.

- Good. Let's go then - I said grabbing the handles of my cart, and started walking.

They followed me. Amit engaged both of them in a conversation, explaining that they don't have to do anything until we reach the boss chamber. Everything will be taken care of.

Jayadeva tried to talk to me, but I wasn't in the mood, still hunted by the visions of the burning city. I really wanted to find what this dream was about. There just had to be something, since it repeated itself.

Amit cane to help, and defended my silence, explaining it as some kind of ritual before a tough fight. They bought it, so I didn't look like a total asshole. To be frank, I didn't also want to talk with them. They seemed to me like a family on a field trip, when in fact we were entering the warzone.

Safety of the city twisted their picture of a harsh reality outside, or maybe they were just putting so much fate in my skills. Since I was so used to depending only on myself, such an idea was too alien for me to accept.

Taking only one small break, we finally reached the hunting ground, and both I and Amit stepped to action. I went ahead, clearing whatever came our way a bit further from the group, and he took care of everything else. I also used the shadows to collect the crystals and pull the cart, so we didn't have to stop at all.

With all of this, we rather swiftly made our way to the cave. I entered ahead of others, to deal with the hordes of wolves, so they didn't have to. Our progress through the cave was also quite fast, and eventually, we reached the silver doors.

- So... I'll go first, and you enter a moment after me. Count to a hundred or something, and when you are inside, try to stay as far from the werewolf as possible. When I call for you Rishi, come as fast as possible, and aim for the neck. Keep cutting, and cutting until you chop the head off. Do we understand each other?

- Yes - said the boy.

The rost nodded.

I went inside and closed the distance as the boss underwent the usual transformation. I managed to deliver few clean cuts, but that was not enough, and I was actually forced to retreat a bit, as he started swinging his claws.

I put some ki in the pudao and activated the Shadow fusion skill. The fight was on.

I focused on one of his arms at the beginning. Allowing him to attack me, and then using Shadow walk, to strike as his limb was extended. It took a moment to cut it off. Then a time for the next one came. It was way easier when he could strike me only with one hand, and bite his sharp teeth.

I increased the speed, utilizing the full potential of Shadow fusion, and soon the second arm was cut off. The only problem was, the first was already regrowing. I did few consecutive Shadow walks, to appear from different directions, all around him, targetting his legs.

Soon the bees were on the floor, regenerating.

- Now! Come! Aim for the neck! - I yelled, doing my best to prevent the beast from regrowing the dangerous limbs.

Rishi ran through the cave with an ax borrowed from Amit, and as soon as he could, started striking over and over at the werewolf's head. It was a terrible view as a nervous kid couldn't aim properly and massacred the beast's head, before finally chipping it off. He then fell on his ass, tired, and terrified. Boss corpse turned into smoke, leaving the price on the ground.

- Good job - I said. - The crystal is yours.

Jayadeva came running to his son. It took a solid moment for them both to come to their senses.

- You did well. I know you are scared, but the second time will be easier, and you will get used to this. This monster wasn't real. Just remember that - said Amit, after getting a bit closer.

- He is right - I confirmed. - Let's go back to the city to rest. You have now a class point to spend.

He looked at me, trying to smile, but it was still too early to get rid of the overflowing emotion and adrenaline in his veins.

I looked briefly at Amit. We both knew without any word exchange, that there might be trouble because of how the kid felt.

We helped Rishi to get up, and put him on the cart. Amit tried to ease the situation all the way back to the city, as my shadows kept pulling.

Jayadeva was a bigger obstacle than the trauma. I hear his whispers to Amit, about pulling off the whole operation. It was a waste, but I also believed that Wuxia should deal with that problem, not me.

I sold the score upon arrival for a nice number of 145 250 points and went to take a bath, then fill my stomach at the cafeteria. I met there Nadia, and we returned together to my room.

The day came to an end with 6 911 071 points remaining on my account.