Chapter 199 - Recklessness

Ryu and the others were waiting their turn for their combat ability to check outside of the enclosed arena. 

Meanwhile, Nash was studying Ryu with great interest. He didn't notice it before but did the halfbreed grow stronger? 

A new kind of power emanated from him that wasn't there before, and this invincible force almost made him bend his knees every time he was in his presence. If Ryu ordered, he was afraid that he'd really will.

It was unthinkable that he, a pureblood beast, would just submit to a halfbreed without a challenge.

Did something happen?

Did he acquire an item or a strange power in the dungeons?

No. It was something else. No item nor strange powers could possibly make him feel this way towards the halfbreed. What he was feeling was reverie for someone who was stronger than him. An entity far beyond his reach. It was a feeling that mere items or acquired powers could not bring.

It had to come to Ryu's descent. 

Some beasts tapped their natural powers as they matured. But what got Nash thinking was, Ryu was just a halfbreed. And the question was, what was the lineage of his beast?

He didn't have a tail nor fluffy ears like him. And Ryu looked more human than anything else, except maybe if he was fighting where his fangs and claws showed.

However, those features weren't a clear indication of his beast since many beasts have fangs and claws.

Nash was curious and asked, "I forgot to inquire, but what type of beast is your other half?"

"My other half?" Ryu was surprised from the out of the blue question, and he drew a blank. Even he didn't know what type, and he didn't bother to find out.

Nash guessed that even Ryu didn't know his beast, and he sighed. "Never mind."

"Is there a way to find out?" Ryu asked since he was curious now that someone had asked that question.

Nash thought for a moment before he shook his head. "Usually, every beastfolk had an inkling of what type of beast they are. They either know it through their family and pack or their features.

But you didn't know since you grew up without a family, and I presume in the Mortal Realm, where you aren't exposed to the different types of beast. And there aren't much in your features that would give away of what type you are."

Ryu liked to think that he was a wolf just like Nash or belonged to that category because of his fangs and claws. Or maybe a hugbear, just like Halfjack.

He was going to open his mouth to reply when something caught his attention. A particular form caught his eyes on the many screens scattered on top of the walls.

Rather, he knew her well even from miles away, and her dress was attention-grabbing in this apocalyptic world.

"Rosa . . . ," Ryu murmured wide eyes.

Nash flung his attention on the screen where Ryu was intensely staring. The monitors displayed snippets and captions of events outside captured by what's left of the CCTV cameras.

And right now, there was multiple scavenger group that was out to find food and water. But the vehicle of one of these groups was toppled by a mutated monster. And this was Rosa's group.

"I have to go."

Nash grabbed Ryu's arm. "You can't leave. There's nothing you can do. They're already kilometers away, and without a vehicle and those undead out there, you wouldn't last."

". . ." Ryu couldn't think straight. All he thought was Ferris, and of course, he was worried about Rosa too. Even if she was nasty, he had come to accept her personality. "Even so, I must go."

Nash didn't know what to do. He saw desperation and madness in Ryu's eyes, and he knew that he would go to Rosa whatever happened. 

"Why? She's not even your master or your mate. It's not worth risking your life."

". . ." Ryu's eyes turned to slit, and he snatched his arm from Nash's tight grip. "It IS worth risking my life."

Nash would never understand. He didn't know about Ferris. And right now, he had nothing in his mind but her.

If something happened to Rosa and her traveler's ring was lost, then Ferris . . . 

Ryu drew blood from his tightly clenched fists. He expected that things like this would happen, but he was confident that Rosa would still survive because of her wits and items.

But seeing what happened to her first hand, he regretted that he was not by her side.

Ryu stormed out of the room, but Nash blocked his way.

"Stop. They're made it out alive, Ryu."

Ryu's eyes whisked on the monitor, and the suffocating feelings inside him dispersed a little when Rosa and the others safely made their escape at an abandoned building.

Still, it wasn't enough to completely put his mind at ease. Many mutated monsters and beasts lingered in their area, attracted by the commotion. It would only be a matter of time before their location was found out.

He must get to Rosa before that happens and protect her and her traveler's ring.

But first, he had to be smart at dealing with Nash. Fighting and violence weren't always the answer. And right now, Nash seemed like he would resort to fighting to keep him inside.

Ryu wanted to avoid that. Not because he was afraid, nor was he not confident of beating Nash, a purebred beast. But because he knew that he could kill him to get to Ferris and Rosa in time.

"The plan of storming the Lich's castle is not until the scavenger team returns, right?" Ryu said and added. "If you want to test my combat abilities, then let me go outside there and fight."

Nash's serious face broke a little. He hesitated before saying, "Still. It's reckless. It's not worth losing you."

"Either way, what we're going to do is reckless too. Any moment we could lose our lives out there. What made this situation any different?"

Nash opened his mouth to retort, but Ryu beat him to it.

"If I wouldn't last outside, then consider it that I wouldn't last fighting the Lich. Simple as that."

". . ."

Ryu was right. Every situation at this point was dangerous, whether now or in the future. It wouldn't change a thing if he died now because of his recklessness or died in the future fighting the Lich.

But there was something inside Nash that wanted Ryu to be safe. If not that he controlled himself, he would suggest going with him to ensure he would return alive.

If not for his duties and responsibilities and desire to see Cathy again, he would also make a reckless idea to come with him.

"Fine."