Chương 33: Calm Before the Hunt

Maximus returned to his home, his thoughts heavy as he replayed everything that had transpired. I will need to prepare for the worst. He sighed as he took out his pots and bowls and began preparing everything for a new batch of healing potions. This time, he decided to add a portion of the troll's blood to enhance the regenerative effect. As he prepared to brew a new batch, Felix and Oscar had just begun their morning practice out in their backyard.

Oscar thrust forward toward Felix, who calmly parried and pushed the spear aside before stepping in, spinning to the left and raising his sword, the blade stopping just short of Oscar's neck.

"What are you doing? You left yourself wide open," Felix said coldly, his tone sharp with criticism.

"My bad, mate. Was just thinkin' how we're well-nigh finished here…" Oscar frowned, his grip tightening slightly on the shaft of his spear.

"We did well enough, taking everything into consideration," Felix replied with a small shrug, lowering his blade.

"That's not what I mean. What happens to Max once we're off?" Oscar asked, concern plain in his voice.

"He is stronger than anyone has any right to be on the first plane. He'll likely pass the trial without any issue," Felix said, though his gaze drifted slightly, betraying a hint of doubt.

"Will he find any proper mates? What if he mucks up and kills someone he shouldn't? You know what he's like," Oscar muttered, unease creeping into his tone.

"You are not his mother, Oscar. He will manage. Don't worry, alright?" Felix sighed, though the reassurance sounded more forced than he intended.

"Easy for you to say," Oscar shook his head.

"Let's go again, all this thinkin' is giving me proper pain in the noggin." He stepped back, raising his spear into a ready stance once more.

"Stay focused. I don't want to hurt you," Felix smirked lightly as he settled into position.

"You can try, mate!" Oscar grinned, his energy returning as he lunged forward again.

Skill Leveled Up: [Potioncraft (D) LV. 10] Maximus had just finished his final batch when Felix and Oscar walked in.

"Came to get some free potions, huh?" Maximus teased, trying to end their last days together on a lighter note.

"Not at all. Oscar wanted to talk with you," Felix said simply, crossing his arms.

"Hey, hey. I've got nothin' against a bit of free potion, don't listen to this muppet!" Oscar cut in, staring at the pots of rich, fragrant liquid with poorly hidden greed.

"There's more than enough, and this batch should work even better," Maximus said with a small, knowing smile.

"Did you use the troll's blood?" Felix asked, his voice turning slightly suspicious.

"Just a little. Don't worry, Oscar, you won't taste it at all," Maximus chuckled.

"Oh, come on, mate. Why'd you have to go and tell me that for?" Oscar gagged dramatically.

"That's absolutely vile."

"You don't have to drink it. I don't mind," Maximus shrugged casually.

"Fine, fine. I'll take it. You don't need to be shoving it down my throat," Oscar said shamelessly, already reaching for a bottle.

"Anyway, I wanted a word, mate. Since we're moving on soon, I wanted to make sure you won't go giving grief for others, or yourself, without us," he added as he sat at the table, his tone turning more serious.

"I am not a psychotic killer, boys. I left that guard alive back then, didn't I?" Maximus replied evenly.

"Only because you decided he wasn't a threat," Felix interjected without missing a beat.

"All threats will be dealt with accordingly. I'm not foolish enough to create problems for myself. And threats can be handled in more ways than just killing, boys," Maximus said calmly.

"Well, I hope you remember that. Even when we return to Earth, you'll have to adjust to human rules, you know," Felix added.

"I'm not a savage, and I am a human as well. Obviously," Maximus replied with a faint smile.

"Alright then, human Maximus, what are you planning to do about your cousin?" Felix asked, eyeing him carefully.

"Oh, I met him earlier today," Maximus said casually.

"Bloody hell?! You met him? Did you clock him? What went down?" Oscar leaned forward, eyes lighting up as if this were some unfolding drama.

"He recognized me. Doesn't seem like a trustworthy fellow, I'll tell you that. He's also been spying on us. So be careful, you two," Maximus said, his tone sharpening. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"Snide bastard. I knew he was proper dodgy, that one!" Oscar muttered with a firm nod.

"So, what now?" Felix asked.

"Nothing for now. The current me isn't the one he knew. I'll continue on my own. If he tries anything… Well, you know how that usually ends," Maximus replied with a small shrug.

"Well, at least you're consistent. You'll deal with your own family the same way you would with anyone else if they become a threat," Felix said with a heavy sigh.

"Anyway, you don't need to worry about that. I'd rather help you gain a few more levels, so if you hear anything about the Blood King, let me know. In the meantime, I'll meditate and prepare more potions," Maximus explained.

"If you say so. I know you can take care of yourself, but just remember, killing people isn't so easy for most. And try to stay friendly," Felix added.

"If we hear anything about raids, we'll let you know. How about we grab something to eat?"

"I'm absolutely famished!" Oscar sprang up from the chair instantly.

"Alright, let's go eat," Maximus nodded, gently nudging Silex awake before following after them.

Earlier that day.

"Boss, where were you?" Andre asked, glancing up as Toby entered.

"Do I need to report to you, by any chance?" Toby barked sharply, his irritation immediate.

"Brock, any information on the Blood King?" he shouted, kicking the side of the chair and jolting Brock awake.

"Oh, boss. Nothing yet. A few Rangers and Hunter-type classes were sent out to investigate. Only those with stealth skills, from what I've managed to gather," Brock said lazily, barely straightening in his seat.

"Good. If we manage to get our hands on skills like that, it'll be more than worth it. It would make passing the Wildlands much simpler," Toby grinned, a greedy gleam flashing in his eyes.

"Well, Brock and I are leaving soon," Amy added from the side, her tone flat.

"And? You're still a member of this organization, Amy. You'll continue your duties on the Second Plane," Toby snapped without hesitation.

"You know what, Toby? You're really starting to piss me off. Sleep with one eye open," she spat before vanishing in a sudden whoosh, leaving only a faint ripple in the air.

"What the fuck is her problem?" Toby roared, slamming his fist against the table.

"She's still upset about the last mission," Andre explained calmly.

"She finished the mission. So, what's the problem?" Toby asked, clearly unable or unwilling to understand.

"I don't know," Andre shrugged.

"Who cares? A mission is a mission, and the skill stones we got from it were more than worth it," Brock muttered, leaning back again.

"I can't stand annoying bitches. If she tries anything, deal with her," Toby ordered coldly as he turned and stormed into his chambers.

"Everyone's cranky these days," Brock chuckled under his breath.

"Why didn't you tell him she almost got killed and is still on edge because of it?" Andre asked quietly.

"I keep my promises, and so do you," Brock replied with a lazy grin.

"And you really don't want to upset a bloody ninja, do you?" He added with a short laugh before closing his eyes again.

A bald, half-Asian man stood atop the stone walls, gazing toward the distant horizon with a focused expression. Next to him stood a blonde, almost silver-haired woman in jeans and pristine white Vans sneakers, a silver cuirass worn over her red t-shirt.

"You just had to agree to take over as the leader of the village, didn't you? Mister, 'Let's optimize our time,'" the woman muttered, clearly annoyed.

"I agreed to it before this whole Blood King situation, didn't I?" the man replied, frustration creeping into his voice as he added, "The experience boost is incredible, though. We can stay here for thirty days, then use the remaining time to prepare and push through the Wildlands," he argued, still watching the distance.

"And did you forget we also got that quest to kill the wolf?" he added without turning.

"I know. The rewards are insane. But can you really force people to hunt something like that? Who's crazy enough to risk it this late into the first trial?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"Everyone's nervous about being stuck here. They're waiting for a chance to deal with the beast. That's why the previous leader managed to send out that scouting group. So, relax and wait, alright, Maria?" he said calmly.

"Don't tell me to relax, you know I hate that, Franko, you bastard," she exhaled sharply before jumping gracefully off the wall and disappearing into the streets below.

"I'll pay for that later," he chuckled quietly to himself, though his eyes never left the horizon. A moment later, a figure appeared in the distance, sprinting toward the settlement. Behind him was a crimson-red wolf, no larger than a big dog but radiating a dangerous aura. Franko activated a skill, and a sniper rifle made of iron and dark wood formed within his hands. He steadied himself against the wall and took a slow, controlled breath.

As he looked through the scope, a targeting mark appeared on the wolf, centered perfectly on its head. Franko pulled the trigger, and with a thunderous crack, a bullet of condensed mana tore through the air, taking off the wolf's head in an explosion of blood and mana. The fleeing man gasped and pushed himself even faster, not daring to look back at what had just happened. No other beasts followed, and the cloaked scout managed to reach the gates in one piece.

Franko personally let him in and tossed him a bottle of water.

"What happened? Where are the others?" He asked, a hint of concern breaking through his composure.

"The fucking wolf, it can see through stealth. We got surrounded by its pack, and I'm the only one who made it out," the man said, shaking violently.

"Where is it now?" Franko pressed.

"It's circling our position, hunting anything that moves. Once it clears the area, it'll come for us. It's already getting closer," The scout muttered, his eyes hollow with fear.

"Damn it… How long do we have?" Franko asked grimly.

"Maybe two days… Maybe less," the scout replied before stumbling off into the settlement.

"I'd better gather everyone and start preparing. And the damn horde arrives in three days…" Franko sighed heavily. At this rate, even I might crack from the stress… He took a deep breath, steadying himself, before turning and heading down from the gates.

Somewhere in the first plane, a massive, two-meter-tall and three-meter-long, crimson-furred wolf, bearing a large scar across its forehead, sensed one of its own dying and let out a long, mournful howl filled with raw fury and grief. Dozens of smaller crimson wolves gathered around it and howled in unison, their voices rising into a chilling chorus as red mana gathered thickly around them, sending violent ripples through the surrounding region.

As the howling slowly faded, the beast tore a chunk of flesh from the body of the person they had just hunted down and tossed the lifeless remains into the pack behind it. The wolves descended upon the corpse in a frenzy, tearing into it without restraint until there was nothing left. The scarred beast turned its gaze eastward, its eyes burning with cold intent. Without hesitation, it began to move, leading its pack toward the only nearby place that still held anything to hunt. ‎