Chapter 68: Arrival at Rayakan

Chapter 68: Arrival at Rayakan

As the water gates into Rayakan opened, Kai barely saw them. He caught brief glimpses of majestic architecture, a bustling port, and grand statues of hunters past, but they didn't matter. His attention was entirely focused on the woman lying lifelessly in his arms.

Ever since her final exertion, Zae Zin Nim had shown no signs of consciousness. If he hadn't caught her, she would have fallen into the river and drowned. Her condition was clearly worse than before, but she didn't even cough, just oozed black bile constantly. He'd been watching her carefully and her eyelids hadn't so much as fluttered.

It was a small comfort that they had made it to the city. With Barroguk knocked so far back and their opponents' method of flight damaged, the barge had made good progress. Everyone had been tense that they would face another threat at the gates, but when they came in sight of Rayakan, Razzagah had breathed a sigh of relief. Apparently his enemies wouldn't attack him in front of an audience.

"You did more than anyone could have asked of you."

The voice penetrated Kai's haze and he looked up. For a moment he didn't even recognize Razzagah Lantrian, then he shook himself. They had arrived at the city. His job was done and they were, in theory, safe.

"I know that you're worried about your friend," Razzagah went on, "but I need to pay you. The two hundred Eagles I promised, plus an extra hundred as hazard pay. If there's anything else I can do, I'd be happy to throw in a little more as a courtesy..."

"That's..." Kai wanted to tell him to go away, since the last thing he wanted to do was think about a Lantrian. But he had a lot of problems and not very many resources, so he didn't have much choice. "She needs some standard healing potions, as well as some Class potions. The kind that grant you a portion of mana in a different Class."

"Tricky order, but I'm sure I can arrange something. Is that all?"

"We need an inn. Somewhere close. And not affiliated with any of the clans."

"Done and done." Razzagah touched his shoulder gently. "I need to go now, Kai, but remember how grateful I am. Without you two, this shipment would have failed and I might be dead three times over. Follow my assistant and they'll help you with what you need."

One of the workers from the caravan guided Kai away from the docks to a tall inn only a short distance away. He barely saw it, mostly focused on ensuring that Zae Zin Nim didn't bump into anyone. With her hood fallen over her face, she looked almost like someone who was simply ill. They received a few strange glances, but he was in the company of a clan official, so everyone looked away and assumed it was clan business.

Soon he found himself with an entire inn room to himself, an impressive one with two beds. Kai asked for food and a tub of hot water from the innkeeper. Only once everyone else had left the room did he allow himself to sit down and rest.

His hand still ached, but the bloodstains were the only remnants of his injuries. The worse loss was his gauntlet, which he broke apart and even picked out of his flesh in a few places. It was too much to hope that the steel Tusquo had made so long ago could have stood up to such a powerful opponent, but he still felt the loss. Now his only weapon left was one gauntlet, and it wouldn't be good enough if he needed to face off with Barroguk again.

Total Power: 74

Cultivation: Qi Condensation 10% (12)

Physique Level: F-8 (46)

Soul Level: 4 (16)

Monstrous Hunger - VI (zeta)

Direboar's Strength - III (gamma)

Aquagorgon's Health - III (gamma)

Isulfr's Bite - I (alpha)

Rockspider's Claw - II (beta)

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His Physique had improved, which was a petty consolation prize after the brutal fight. He was more interested in the fact that Rockspider's Claw had increased to beta rank. That strongly suggested that he had tapped into it during the fight, but he couldn't do it again. At least, he had failed during the fight, and he wasn't going to make any attempts that would destroy their room.

He tried to cultivate, but struggled to focus. Eventually the tub's water had cooled and Zae Zin Nim appeared more relaxed. Even though she was dripping wet, he gently lifted her out of the tub and set her down in one of the beds. As far as he could judge, she was as stable as she could be, given the circumstances.

Now he just needed to stay alert in case they were attacked by a clan. Kai sat down on the other bed to rest his eyes for just a moment and was unconscious almost immediately.NewW novels updates at novelhall.com