Prey.

sitting under the Olive tree were Liam and Maria, after hunting down some animals they started a small burn fire to roast the meat.

'don't know why we are under the tree meant to be used as bait' thought Liam, taking a glance at Maria.

after hunting, Maria had insisted that they eat under the Olive tree, according to her believes the Olive tree has a connection with love.

"Hey, are you sure this is okay??" asked Liam, holding a big piece of meat, from its structure it resembled the thighs of a four-legged animal.

"yeah, my tummy won't be growing anytime soon" replied Maria, in a carefree tone.

Different races had different gestation periods, and power levels also had a hand in play, as an angel she had sufficient prowess to tell how long it will take before putting to birth.

Though might not be accurate due to different circumstances, there were still different methods to increase or decrease the gestation period.

looking at her, Liam had no choice but to eat silently, ever since their relationship started they always had to hide from the outside world.

So he saw this as a good chance to enjoy life, even though something goes wrong, he wouldn't mind.

But looking towards her tummy, he felt a slight headache, 'i guess I would have to protect him with everything I got' thought Liam, deciding to stand firm.

*tweak* hearing a sound, they both turned towards their left, meeting the eyes of a wounded deer.

Deer were not really considered monsters, they fell under the class of animals, though some fell under the monsters class due to their power level and nature.

"It's beautiful, even though it's wounded," said Maria, looking at the deer with sparkling eyes.

'don't know if the poor thing should be happy or sad' thought Liam, looking at it. "I guess I will have to heal it up," said Liam, walking towards the deer.

"yup, I got no problem with that," said Maria.

'though it would make fine food, if it helps him in copping, I think it's for the best' thought Maria, watching Liam's every single move.

on reaching the deer he bent down, as if entranced by the humanoid being in front of it, the wounded creature didn't move a single bit.

touching its neck, and rubbing its fur, Liam cast a spell, clearing all injuries and stains on the deer's beautiful fur.

"you know, deer are really nice animals," said Liam, still rubbing the deer fur. "wish I could train one," he said, in a dejected tone.

"you can always do that," said Maria, standing up from her location. "we just have to reach our location, a place where no one can harm us" she iterated, in a soft and comforting voice.

"I know," said Liam, as if released from a spell, the deer turned to look at both Maria and Liam, running immediately after noticing that it was too close for comfort.

speeding off towards the boundary of the core region, which was just a little distance from their current location.

"back to the plan, our prey would be coming soon," said Maria, still looking at the vanishing deer.

"I think will go a little further from the tree," said Liam, looking in the same direction as Maria.

" yup, this is going to be real fun, am finally free to let loose," said Maria, in an enthusiastic tone.

'she's really planning on going all out, poor are those who find the treasure map' thought Liam, trying to put it in a quote.

Deserted region (forbidden land).

In front of Lilith was a giant scorpion, which was lifeless.

After fighting the giant creature for hours, Lilith looked all battered up.

"finally brought it down," said Lilith, in a tired voice, falling to the ground, she rested her head on the ground, closing her eyes.

Due to the glaring sunlight, she had to use her hands to cover her already closed eyes.

'ahh, fuck all this just for a guy' thought Lilith, with a painful expression on her face, 'he doesn't even love me.

"hey there," said a voice, jumping up and taking a fighting stance, she surveyed the area looking for any attacker.

"No need to be scared, you saved my life from that monster," said the strange, small voice again. Looking more vigilantly at her surroundings, she took out a weapon.

It was a silver-bladed sword, with a golden edge, it looked thin and weightless, from the appearance of the weapon you could deduce that it focus more on speed than damage.

"Hey, don't look up, I'm down here," said the small voice creature, finally realizing that she has been looking the wrong way, she looked down.

Right in front of the scorpion's corpse, was a shrimp-like creature that looked pinkish and very beautiful for any female.

She could hardly control her urge to pick it up, "what are you" she asked in a weary tone, to the creature in front of her.

"Hmmmph 😤, call me the most beautiful creature in existence," said the creature, with a narcissistic stance.

'This is a real narcissist' thought Lilith, looking at the creature in front of her, 'but it looks like a powerful creature, getting a powerful companion, or someone that knows the terrain well, would be beneficial' thought Lilith.

"ooh, so you are the most beautiful creature in existence," said Lilith, like she finally discovered a big secret, "but I will prefer if you could cut it short," she said, sounding like a businessman who's trying to sell his product.

"ahh, don't mind me," said the creature, in a forgetful tone. "just call me lord shrimp," it said, pushing its imaginary chest up.

*twitch* 'fuck you, if you are not worthy after all this, I will make sure to eat you' thought Lilith, with a bulging vein protruding from her head.

"Yes lord shrimp," said Lilith, trying to sound obedient, as the demon king's daughter Bowing down to another creature was not in her blood.

"So if you don't mind me asking, where are you from," she asked, trying to sound polite.

"Hmmm, I'm kind of the only one of my kind," said shrimp, with a thoughtful Expression.

'how can it be only him, they are many shrimps' she thought, looking at the shrimp with an agitated expression.

"*ha* so what's your plan now," said Lilith, 'with this, he would ask if he can help me, yes' she thought.

"Nothing, but since you saved me, I'm willing to help you out with your quest" shrimp said, in a prideful tone.

'Finally, I hope he's useful to my course's she thought looking at the shrimp.

"Can I pick you up?" she said, looking at the shrimp.

"yes my faithful follower, carry me," he said, still trying to push his imaginary chest forward.

shaking her head, she picked the creature up, putting him on her shoulder.

"Do you know any water source close by??" asked Lilith, moving forward. "yes, this Lord will lead you there" said shrimp, jumping on her shoulders.