Expedition: Hunt or Be Hunted (4)
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**BAM!!**
The body of a Wolf Volkoid dropped to the ground, its breath lost, and beside it were five young people who were watching the Volkoid's body.
"Killing this Bronze Level 5 isn't as stressful as that of the stimulation," Ming said.
"It signifies that we have gotten stronger," Draco replied as he processed the Wolf's body. "But still not strong enough."
He folded his hands and squeezed them, remembering the head of the Everett Family, his enemy, whom he had to kill before he could have peace of mind.
"The sun is setting. We have to find a place to stay and bathe because I'm getting hungry, and it feels a bit weird killing beasts. We, ladies, have to freshen up," Rose pouted, making her complaint.
"But where would you guys find water to bathe? I'm sure the rivers here are dangerous with Volkoids around," Ming said.
"Don't worry, we brought water along that we can use to bathe," Rose rolled her eyes. "This is just what I like about the system."
"Let's find a cave that isn't dangerous and rest, because I'm getting tired," Blum said as he stretched his hands upward.
"But where would we find one? I'm sure we're already in the inner part of the forest, which contains many dangers," Ming said dejectedly.
"There is one over there. Why don't we check it out?" Blum said. Meanwhile, in his mind, he thought, *Are you sure of this, Thundero?*
"Yes, it's safe from danger and hidden within the grass. So no worries, you are all safe," Thundero replied.
"Wow, Blum, how did you find this?" Ming and the others were surprised, seeing the cave Blum had pointed out, which was well concealed. It was said that if they had passed this place, they wouldn't have noticed it.
"Thankfully, the cave is big enough to cook and lay our tent," Rose said as they looked at the cave with joy.
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**7:30 PM:**
"Hunger is going to destroy me, Draco. What are you cooking?" Blum's shrill voice was heard.
"Calm down, bruh. Can't you fast? It just needs a few more minutes to be done," Draco said nonchalantly.
It had been about thirty minutes since they arrived at the cave and settled down to lay their tents. As for the girls, they went on a journey.
"We are back!"Rose's voice was heard as she and Sharon appeared in the sight of the boys.
"It sure took you guys a long time,"Draco welcomed the girls back.
"We took turns watching each other while we were in the forest. A Volkoid can attack at any time."
"I'm sure no one wants to do anything else outside because it's getting late. This is the time when Volkoids hunt,"Draco asked. They all signified they had nothing to do outside.
"Okay, Ming, let's move the large stone to block the cave," he continued.
Both Draco and Ming went to the entrance of the cave, where a large stone they had moved earlier lay nearby. Using their telekinesis abilities, they moved the stone, closing the entrance to any danger.
Both Ming's and Sharon's abilities were useful. Ming's telekinesis was perfect for moving immobile objects like the stone used to shut the entrance. Sharon's Wood Elementalist power, Plant Control, was what they used to create stools to sit on.
Taking some plates from his inventory, Draco served the food: rice with rabbit meat.
"Thank you,"Blum said as he dived into the food in a hurry. "Your food is still the same—so sweet and crispy. I wonder if you're a heavenly chef."
Draco's food always tasted like it had been cooked by a god—its sweetness and texture felt divine.
"I wonder where you learned how to cook," Blum continued chattering.
"Table manners! You know you can't talk while eating, and also, this food is very spicy," Draco corrected, his eyebrows raised slightly.
Chuckling, "What could happen to me? And what do you mean... Ouch!"Blum held his mouth in pain as he dropped his food carefully.
"What happened?" Rose asked.
"I bit my tongue. This is the problem caused by Draco's food," Blum protested, noting that every time he ate Draco's cooking, he ended up biting his tongue, whether talking or not.
"Water...." Blum screamed, his eyes red. His frantic search for water made the others laugh. A double-fold blessing.
Drinking water, Blum took a deep breath. This time, he didn't talk again, maintaining his silence. It was better to be careful, or one might die because of food.
"Everybody should rest, because the fun just starts tomorrow,"Draco instructed as everyone entered their tents, with Rose following him toward his.
"Why are you following me? Don't tell me you want to sleep in my tent?"Draco asked in wonder.
"And if so, can't I sleep with my boyfriend?" Rose pouted.
"Okay, you're on your own. I won't stop you from entering a lion's den,"Draco teased, though Rose remained adamant about sleeping with him.
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"That was close. I didn't expect we would really meet a Silver Rank Beast and our first Level 10 beast," Blum said as he removed his sword from the Dracocrocodile Volkoid—a Volkoid with the body of a crocodile but the claws, scales, and horns of a dragon. They are known to be Platinum Rank Volkoids.
But this one only had the claw of a dragon, signifying its bloodline was weak.
This was the second day of the expedition, and Draco's group had been hunting Volkoids, venturing deeper into the inner area of Drymin Forest. Their eyes were now sharp, like elite hunters, filled with killing intent.
They had also met other contestants, but they minded their own business to avoid unnecessary trouble.
"I guess there's only one Level 15 Volkoid at the center of the forest. Killing such a beast would make one achieve the first position in this expedition. So everyone will try their luck, to see if they're able to defeat such a beast," Draco explained as he began to process the Volkoid.
As he processed the beast, he was surprised to see an additional item besides the meat.
[One-handed Sword (Bronze): A weapon for a swordsman. Equipable by all classes (Lvl 10)].
Additional Stats: +3 Strength, +1 Agility.
"Guys, come see this!"Draco called out, extremely surprised by the discovery.
"Another surprise! I wonder how many people know about this information,"Blum chuckled.
"Anyone who has killed a Volkoid of Level 10 and above should know about this,"Ming answered, his mind focused on the weapon.
"But we can't use it. Damn it, I'm still a bit far from Level 10," Blum complained, eyeing the Bronze Sword.
"Catch!"Draco threw the sword to Blum, who looked at him with confusion.
"Don't look at me like that. It's your kill, so you're the owner of the sword," Draco grinned, storing the processed meat.
"Then I won't hold back."Blum chuckled as he stored the bronze sword.
"He's worth making friends with,"Thundero's voice sounded in Blum's mind. "For one to be clear-headed when seeing a treasure, that's rare. It seems he has his own story."
"I know! He's the only one who feels mysterious to me," Blum replied.
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Host: Draco Xandros
Race: Human
Level: (8)
EXP: 225/500
Class: Nil
Talent: Copy Ability
Copied Skill: Thunder and Lightning, Telekinesis, Five-Tailed Fox Power, P!ant Control, Wolf Power
HP: 72/72
MP: 200/ 200
STR: 28
AGI: 28
INT: 29
DEX: 29
STA: 29
DEF: 28
Skill: Scan, Copy
Inventory: Clothes Accessories
Stat Points: 0
Daily Quest: Do 20 Push-ups (0/20), 15 Planks (0/15)and 10 Squats (0/10)
Status: Accomplished
Reward: 5 EXP and 2 Stat points
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"225, it looks like I'm still a bit away from Lvl 10," Draco sighed, checking his level.
They confirmed that if two people hunt a Volkoid, both inflicting damage, the EXP would be shared between them. The person who dealt the most damage would receive the most EXP.
This slowed their leveling a bit, leaving Draco still at Lvl 8, but it was worth it since he was fighting alongside his friend.
"Let's move. We have to get to the center of the forest and kill the f*cking Volkoids, claiming the first position in this Expedition," Draco roared, his eyes ready for battle as his companions supported him, venturing deeper into the forest.
Now it's about who will kill the Lvl 15 Beast and deal the most damage, or the first position might not be yours to claim.