Chapter 157 - Day CDLX

I woke up Amit pretty early. Rishi was already on his feet since he didn't sleep at all, just like me. We ate breakfast, taking our time, and then headed out. Just like yesterday, I summoned the shadows to take care of the carts, and we started walking.

I was aiming for the bears' lair but actually didn't tell them that. I didn't want to make an unnecessary fuss, as I was going to attempt to hunt there anyway. It was a risky move, but I believed I could do it.

The number of bears was seemed to be less than wolves, and they were pretty slow. Incredibly strong, and durable with their thick skin and fur, but slow. With ki strengthened pudao, my incredible power, and shadow walk I thought It's very possible to succeed. Plus I still had Shadow fusion in case of emergency.

I knew more or less where the lair was located, so I did my best to aim for it while hunting the lone bears roaming the woods. It was an easy task now when I finally could pierce through their fur. Yes, pierce, because cuts still didn't work.

- Let me try one - said Amit after witnessing my efforts few times.

We were about to engage with another beast.

- Sure.

He jogged to the bear. The animal immediately stood up, on its back feet, and growled. Amit moved to the side, to get away from the claws, and attacked. The Sword didn't do any damage. Blood didn't appear. He was just testing how good of natural protection it is and didn't try that again. Instead went to stabbing, but that wasn't too useful either.

He circled around the bear for a few moments, attacking from different angles, dodging heavy paws, and teeth or raging beast.

- Need a hand?! - I shouted to him.

- I've got this!

Rishi laughed a bit.

- He really is trying... - he said.

- He is just checking. Checking if it's possible for Wuxia to hunt here. The numbers of enemies here are low, and they are pretty slow. On top of that price of the crystals is good. This could be a good spot for them.

- Oh, I see...

- Hey, Rishi... How would you deal with that bear?

- Me? I would set it on fire. Furr should catch it easily.

I was kinda shocked. I never thought of such a tactic. I focused my attention on him, ignoring fighting Amit completely.

- And what would you do if the trees caught that fire of yours?

- If I had more people, they should easily be able to deal with that, and there is also the possibility of fire vanishing alongside the beast. They turn to smoke, to the point that even weapons disappear. If the flame doesn't have the fuel, it will die naturally.

- That's... Actually a good idea. Do me a favor, and keep it to yourself for now, ok?

He gave me a curious eye and slowly nodded.

- I want to keep this hunting ground for a moment longer - I quickly explained.

He smiled. Then I looked back at Amit. Bloody bear was on the ground and beave lieutenant jammed the broken sword in its eye. The animal turned to smoke, leaving crystal behind.

He turned to face us. He was panting heavily with an open mouth to catch more air. There was a claw mark on his leather armor.

- And, how was it? - I asked.

- Too hard. But there is hope. I just need to come back here and try few other things.

- How about you leave the place to me for now?

He didn't answer, just smiled.

- You really seem out of gas.

- Too much stabbing. This damn thing is very tough.

We had a moment of break, for Amit to collect himself. We actually used it to grab some food. After, we went deeper into the woods, still aiming for the den.

Few more hours of traveling, combined with some hinting, and I started to actually worry if we will be able to reach the destination. I only was there once, and before my arrival, I roamed through the forest a lot, so my idea of where it actually is, was just very vague.

I wanted to get there before night, but tomorrow was also a day.

We took one more break, to eat and rest a bit. Rishi needed it the most since his body was just that of a normal teenager. At least as far as I knew. Even if it wasn't, all the walking was tiring him down heavily.

- It's a lot of walking - he said as I was munching on an apple.

- It is.

- Hey, Peter... What do you think I should upgrade if I'm to deliver the last blow to that werewolf? Strength?

- Yeah. Go mainly for strength, and maybe a bit of dexterity, or whatever you have there. Something to improve your reflexes if... Just in case.

He nodded.

- But you are strong enough to kill it by yourself, yes?

- Yes. I am. Are you afraid now?

- Just a bit... Those bears are tough, and I bet the werewolf is even stronger... I'm just wondering if...

- It'll be fine. Normally it's hard to beat boss down so much that somebody with no skills can just finish the job because they vanish if wounded too heavily. Werewolf is a special case. I can chop off its legs and arms, and it still will stay alive. So... It might work.

- You know... Peter. It took a lot to persuade him to let me go. Mister Amit helped me a lot with this. There was somebody else who was supposed to go, not me. But I really wanted to. I want to be strong, and cool...

Amit just laughed but didn't join our conversation.

- I'm strong enough and will be even stronger when the time comes, so don't worry.

He nodded. We talked a bit more about the werewolf and then returned to hunting. It took us few more hours to finally find the den. Then I announced we should set up a camp, and also switch while guarding through the night. Not too close though. In a safe distance of a few hundred meters.

Amit was giving me a curious eye since he saw the group of bears roaming around the entrance to the underground. He didn't say a thing though.

The day came to an end with 3 211 521 points remaining on my account, and 28 bear crystals on my cart.