CHAPTER 23

Sapphire and Winter sprinted through the forest in their wolf form, keeping close to the road, just enough to not lose their way or be spotted. Being spotted by humans would be troublesome afterall. This also helped Sapphire realize the many differences between her and Winter.

While Winter seemed faster when the started out, Sapphire slowly caught up and even passed her multiple times. The cause of this being Winter's Greater Acceleration skill, which helped her gain speed faster, but in terms of top speed, Sapphire still remained much faster than Winter. Winter still managed to keep up with Sapphire due to the uneven terrain of the forest slowing Sapphire down.

Winter also became so powerful only due to participating in hunting groups with other wolves. By hunting and killing she slowly but surely grew stronger and gained more skills, and over a longer period of time. Sapphire on the other hand, never even killed anything or talked to anyone, and only started out on the journey a short period of time ago.

Both of them were better in different attributes, the overall result being close enough for there to be no clear winner. Winter possessed better acceleration, more strength, more experience, and more overall skills, and so it seemed easy to determine her the more powerful one, but all of Sapphire's skills were meant to reduce the power gap between her and stronger foes, making it difficult to determine.

"Requirements have been met, acquired the skill: <Acceleration > level 1."

Now that is good. Sapphire smiled as she jumped over a root protruding from the ground.

Due to their fast speed they were able to cover as much distance as Sapphire alone covered in two days in her humanoid form, within half a day with ease. They had even taken a small break and hunted before they reached their destination. Winter clearly being much better and successful at it, but she also taught Sapphire and so Sapphire didn't seem to mind it.

They reached the next town by midnight, which appeared to be a lot more secure than the village or the snowy town Sapphire has been to till now. A large stone wall built around the perimeter of the town guarded it from monsters. Gates were installed in the wall to allow people to pass through, guards stationed on the wall keeping watch on them.

Sapphire and Winter returned to their humanoid forms and approached the town. A white mist covered Winter as she transformed, the complete opposite of Sapphire's. Sapphire found Winter's to be quite cool, while Winter found Sapphire's somewhat unsettling.

They approached one of the many gates, hoping to be able to sneak in but the guards easily spotted Winter's all white clothes, though they only spotted Sapphire once she got close to the lanterns that were hanging from the wall. The guard gave a startled look as Sapphire appeared a few steps away from him and raised his spear at her in fear.

"Easy there, they are just young adventurers." The other guard patted his soldier as he stepped forward.

The first guard lowered his spear and bowed an apology, receiving a forgiving nod with a smile from Sapphire before turning to the other guard.

"May I see your travel permits?" The guard requested.

Sapphire pulled out the adventurer's guild's card from her coat and presented it to the guard. The guard examined it and gave a nod as he handed it back, turning to Winter.

"And yours?" He inquired, holding out his hand.

"She is yet to receive hers, we were informed they will issue it here. She is my older sister so I hope it is alright for this once." Sapphire pleaded with a bow.

"Since that is your sister, I will allow it this time. Do make sure to collect her card as well, many other guards won't be this kind to strangers." The guard warned as he stepped closer to the wall.

"We will, thank you very much." Sapphire bowed again before tugging on Winter's sleeve to pull her along.

The guard signaled to the other above the wall to open the door. The door slowly lifted upwards till it was high enough for them to easily pass. It dropped down again once Sapphire and Winter passed, landing right behind them, startling the two.

"Well that was easy." Winter mumbled as she scanned the surroundings 

Sapphire remained quiet and led Winter through the streets, looking for anything useful. The houses in this town were closer to buildings, being several storeys high. They were at least six floors tall, some even more. Street lights were placed on equal distances close to footpaths on either side of a road.

Sapphire stopped in her tracks and listened closely when they were on a well-lit street. There weren't many people walking by at this time of the night, allowing her to easily hear. Winter tugged on Sapphire's sleeve but Sapphire shook her off.

"What happened?" Winter whispered as she looked around.

"I heard someone say Midnight." Sapphire replied, still straining her ears to listen.

"Well, just look at the sky, maybe they were just talking about the time." Winter stated the possibility as she gestured at the dark starry sky.

"Are your ears really that bad? Well, they could be." Sapphire sighed, gaining a fed up look from Winter. "Follow, we are going to kill all involved." Sapphire ordered as she led the way.

Winter nodded and followed Sapphire through the fairly deserted streets. They stopped in front of a fairly old looking five storey building. Winter glanced at Sapphire who still appeared to be listening closely to something.

"You have a sword?" Sapphire questioned as she turned to Winter.

"No, why would I?" Winter replied with a shrug.

"You know how to use one?" Sapphire asked. Winter shook her head and Sapphire sighed as she clutched her face. "Fine, I guess both are mine then." Sapphire shrugged as she positioned both her katana to easily be able to pull them out.

They were pushed slightly further back for concealment, but now Sapphire pulled them ahead as a sign of authority, something Kurai taught her to do.

"Let's save some wolves." Sapphire mumbled cheerfully.

"So, what is the plan? Is there a plan?" Winter inquired as she turned to Sapphire.

"The plan is simple, we will enter as quietly as possible, block all exits, and kill them all." Sapphire explained with a smirk, proud of her simple plan.

"And what about the wolves afterwards?" Winter inquired.

"I will send a raven back to the elder, she will retrieve them. Till then, they can be hiding in the forest." Sapphire answered as she stepped forward.

"Okay I guess. Let's do this!" Winter cheered, not too loudly.

Sapphire led Winter inside, directly to the reception.

"Hello, how may I help you?" The receptionist inquired on noticing them.

"Dark Magic: Whispers of Truth." Sapphire whispered to herself, heard only by Winter other than herself.

The eyes of the receptionist instantly lost focus as she stared blankly in front of her.

"Are there any wolves that have been captured and brought here?" Sapphire questioned as she stood right in front of the reception.

"Yes, at the fourth floor, there is an auction for ten wolves." The receptionist informed in a voice devoid of emotions.

"Spell release." Sapphire sighed as she stepped back.

The receptionist shook her head slightly and stared at Sapphire and Winter in confusion. "How may I help you?" She asked hurriedly.

"By dying." Sapphire replied coldly as she activated 'Dark magic: Dark Spear'.

A spear made of darkness impaled the receptionist through the chest as she yelped in pain, pinning her to the wall behind her. Sapphire looked at her for a moment before continuing towards the staircase, Winter following closely behind.

The fourth floor consisted of just a single large room behind a double door. Sapphire peeked through the gap in the doors and glimpsed a chained Storm Wolf standing on a stage in the center of over a crowd of people, her expression of terror easily noticeable.

"Kill?" Winter inquired as she tilted her head, having seen the same thing, her head right above Sapphire's.

"Yes, kill." Sapphire replied agreeably as she nudged Winter to the side and stretched her body.

Winter kicked the door hard and it flew open, both Winter and Sapphire walking in with their heads slightly lowered, their faces hidden by their hats. They stopped just a few steps in, allowing the people to realise what just happened.

"Who are you?" A man standing close to the stage, most likely the trader, exclaimed.

"Now?" Winter asked softly.

Sapphire raised her hand into the air, the door being blocked by a thin light blue barrier just as she did. She lowered her hand and tossed her hat and cloak to the side, Winter also doing the same. Everyone gasped on seeing their ears, some having looks of amusement thinking of this to be an act.

"Guards! Capture them!" The trader ordered.

On his order six armed men in leather armor ran towards the two, all of them fairly strong looking. Winter punched the one in front with a freeze attack causing half of his face to instantly freeze. Sapphire unsheathed her katana and sliced through three of the guards as she dashed forward before turning her attention to everyone else in the room. Within the next ten minutes, Sapphire and Winter massacred everyone in the room then freed all the other wolves, but a problem still remained.

"How will we take them out, genius?" Winter mocked as she crossed her arms.

Sapphire grabbed the hand of the one closest to her, a Blood Wolf who let out a startled yelp. "Like this." Sapphire growled as she disappeared into the shadows with the Blood Wolf, who let out a scream which faded into the darkness as Sapphire and her disappeared within three seconds.

All the other wolves looked at the spot where she stood a moment ago in shock, expecting for it to be just a dream. As they stared at that spot Sapphire jumped out, startling all of them and causing a few to scream in fear.

"Just what even is that?" Winter exclaimed, unsettled by Sapphire's powers.

"Shadow Movement." Sapphire answered as she gestured the other wolves to hold each other's hand, all of them shaking their heads as they declined the offer our of fear. Only for a moment however, holding each other's hand just as Sapphire grabbed the handle of her katana.

"Can all Midnight Wolves do that?" Winter inquired.

"I don't think so, I have never seen anyone doing this before." Sapphire responded with a shrug as she held out her hand for Winter. "You want to come with me or stay here?"

"It's pretty spacious and bloody here, just my type, but I will pass for now." Winter responded with a smile.

Sapphire giggled at Winter's sarcasm and Winter gave a satisfied smile at her success in making Sapphire laugh. She gently held Sapphire's hand and allowed the shadows to engulf her. The next moment they were all in the middle of the forest, the buildings and wall of the town still not very far however.

"Okay, listen here now all of you." Sapphire called out as she turned to the ten wolves. "You are all to move northeast, together as a group. Once you encounter a large mountain in your way, it could be slightly to the side too not certainly straight northeast from here. Anyways, head straight east from the mountain. You will eventually reach the Winter Wolf territory where all the four wolf clans currently are. Best case scenario, the elder will get to you before you reach there, worst case scenario, you will be dead before you reach there, so move cautiously."

Horrified murmuring erupted in the small group from Sapphire's speech. Winter elbowed Sapphire, shoving her to the side and attracting the attention of the group with a clap of her hands.

"There is nothing to be worrying about that much, stay as a group, move during the night and rest during the day, even while resting make sure that there are at least two of you keeping watch, take turns keeping watch. Avoid and escape from any stronger monsters, do your best to not engage with anything that isn't prey." Winter commanded, all the wolves listening closely.

The entire group nodded understandingly and smiled at Winter. Winter gave them some more tips as Sapphire sat on a branch and slowly ate some berries, a raven sitting on the branch above her. She offered the raven some berries and gave it instructions and the message before sending it on its way.

"You seem to be quite at rest." Winter observed as she sat right under the tree.

"I doubt they will need to be by themselves for long, the elder will come and get them." Sapphire replied slowly chewing on the berries, dropping down from the tree and sitting on the ground.

"It is better to be cautious still." Winter sighed at Sapphire's lack of leadership and concern. "Regardless, where are we off to next?" Winter inquired as she stood up.

"No idea, I am tired right now so I plan on resting here." Sapphire informed lying down and curling up.

"That is alright with me." Winter replied cheerfully, lying down next to Sapphire and hugging her.

"This is not alright with me." Sapphire snarler trying to push Winter away, failing to do so due to Winter's stronger physique.

"What? This is good for bonding." Winter mumbled as she embraced Sapphire tightly.

"I don't want any bonding, I am good as I am." Sapphire snarled, trying to bite Winter's hand which was just out of her reach.

"Oh you certainly need it, I can tell you have been lonely for a long time." Winter chuckled as she tightened her grip.

Sapphire pressed her knee harder against Winter's stomach, thrusting with all her strength to cause as much pain as possible. Winter groaned in pain and instantly released her, clutching her stomach. Sapphire sighed getting up as Winter rolled around in pain.

"Anyways, you can evolve now so do it," Sapphire suggested.

"Yes, I can, but I remember how hungry I was last time I did. There is nowhere near enough food here." Winter pointed out as she lay on her side, still cluching her stomach.

"Yeah, yeah, I know that. I will gather enough food so just do it. Now." Sapphire commanded as she took a few steps away.

"Fine, fine, evolve." Winter sighed, half to herself. She lied down and appeared to be in deep sleep in an instant.

So this is what it looks like to others, Sapphire observed. Appraise.

"Winter wolf (female), name: Winter, level 30. HP: 1390/1390, MP: 1700/1700, Stamina: 1890/2050, Strength: 533, Defense: 405, Speed: 770, Hunger: 92%, Skill points: 4000.

List of skills: <Greater Howl> level 7, <Transformation > level 10, <Leap > level 10, <Evasion > level 8, <Enhanced Bite> level 5, <All Senses Enhancement> level 6, <Greater Endurance> level 6, <Greater Strength> level 4, <Greater Acceleration> level 4, <Enhanced Claw Slash> level 5, <Greater Fist Mastery> level 15, <Enhanced Status-Condition Resistance> level 4, <High-speed Processing> level 4, <Elemental resistance> level 3, <Enhanced Pain resistance> level 9, <Freeze Nullification> level 10, <Greater Ice magic> level 9, <Freeze Enhancement> level 5, <Spatial Maneuvering> level 9, <Sneak > level 14, <Camouflage > level 9, <Rapid HP Regeneration> level 4, <MP Rapid Regeneration> level 3, <MP Drain Minimization> level 4, <Stamina Rapid Regeneration> level 7, <Stamina Drain Minimization> level 6, <Desire > level 4, <Freeze Attack> level 9, <Thought Acceleration> level 8, <Impact Resistance> level 7, <Fear Resistance> level 9, <Faint Resistance> level 8, <Ice Pulse> level 8, <Perception > level 8, <Healing Magic> level 6, <Light Magic> level 3, <Light Attack> level 2, <Water Magic> level 3, <Water Attack> level 4, <Lightning Attack> level 5, <Wind Magic> level 6, <Freeze Fang> level 9, <Wolf Claws> level 9, <Ambush > level 8, <Reflex Enhancement (Greater)> level 3, <Foresight > level 6, <Lightning Fang> level 4, <Quickstep > level 6, <Exhaustion Resistance> level 8, <Pain Mitigation> level 9.

Titles: None.

"Midnight wolf (Ambusher) (female), name: Sapphire, level 6. HP: 1635/1635, MP: 2115/2115, Stamina: 2374/2480, Strength: 657, Defense: 487, Speed: 1099, Hunger: 94%, Skill points: 500.

List of skills: <Greater Howl> level 1, <Blessing of the Moon> level 10, <Child of the Dark> level 5, <Child of Destruction> level 5, <Transformation > level 10, <Leap > level 10, <Evasion > level 9, <Enhanced Bite> level 1, <All Senses Enhancement> level 2, <Greater Endurance> level 4, <Claw Slash> level 14, <Enhanced Breathing Mastery> level 3, <Dark Breathing Mastery> level 4, <Dual Sword Mastery> level 13, <Sword Mastery (Greater)> level 2, <Dark Sword Style Mastery> level 5, <Fist Mastery> level 13, <Throwing Weapon Mastery> level 8, <Enhanced Poison Resistance> level 5, <Greater Arithmetic Processing> level 4, <Appraisal > level 10, <Elemental resistance> level 7, <Draconic Power> level 6, <Pain resistance> level 8, <Thermal resistance> level 8, <Dragon Slayer> level 6, <Shadow movement> level 9, <Dark Slash> level 14, <Dark magic> level 7, <Sneak > level 8, <HP Regeneration> level 8, <MP Regeneration> level 6, <MP Drain Reduction> level 6, <Stamina Regeneration> level 9, <Stamina Drain Reduction> level 8, <Dark Attack> level 6, <Thought Acceleration> level 6, <Impact Resistance> level 5, <Faint Resistance> level 6, <Shadow Pulse> level 5, <Intimidation > level 5, <Perception > level 5, <Healing Magic> level 4, <Fire Attack> level 6, <Fire Magic> level 5, <Goblin Slayer> level 6, <Skill Steal> level 1, <Poison Fang> level 3, <Wolf Claws> level 4, <Ambush > level 3, <Reflex Enhancement> level 5, <Foresight > level 3, <Fire Fang> level 4, <Paralysis Bite> level 4, <Exhaustion Resistance> level 4, <Pain Mitigation> level 3, <Probability Correction> level 3, <Lightning Attack> level 4, <Poison Attack> level 3, <Barrier > level 2, <Acceleration > level 3, <Human Slayer> level 2, <Krystallite > level 0. 

Titles: <Goblin Slayer>, <Dragon Slayer, <The Shadow>, <Lesser Hero>, <True Krystallite>."

Nothing is going to change by wasting time thinking about it. Appraisal, wake me up in 5 hours. Sapphire lied down as she commanded Appraisal, falling asleep shortly after, a dreamless sleep, like most times.