Chapter 16

He went downstairs to get something to eat and chat with the innkeeper who was heating up a simple dish for him.

"Yo, the name's Max. Quite a nice village you got here.

The innkeeper, who looked to be in his sixties, took a glance at the kid who took a seat at the bar. "Indeed it it so. We have to thank Kodlak for that."

"Kodlak?"

"Yeah. The village's protector, doctor, magician. He's been keeping us safe for many years."

'Ah, so that's why they didn't have many guards stationed outside.' "I see. Thanks for the meal." Max said and got up to leave the inn.

He was planning on taking a look around, replenish his supplies and get on the road.

While going through the village, he saw a man built much better than the others. He was tall, muscular, had grey long hair with long thick beard.

His face was wrinkled from age but he didn't seem effected by time that much as his steps had quite the strength in them.

They about to pass each other when the man looked at Max.

His ice blue eyes had some mixed emotions in them but Max wasn't sure. 'That is probably Kodlak.' Max thought and walked forward without minding him.

He had no business with the man thus he proceeded to replenish his supplies and set out on his way again.

He was currently in the South of Cyrodiil, close to Bravil. It would probably take him a month of walk to reach there and taking a boat from Bravil would bring him to Imperial City in a couple of weeks.

Or, he could go through the Forest of Rimmen. Go North through there to Skingrad and then Imperial City. That way would be longer, but he was not in a hurry anyways.

He could decide when he got to Bravil.

He spent that night in the inn once more and set out early the next morning.

——<>——

The night time came and Max made a simple camp.

Just as he was about to go to sleep, a red light shone down on him. He opened his eyes to see a red moon on the sky. 'Fuck. Blood moon?'

The blood moon was the term used by the residents of this world to name the red moon. It would occur several times a year and it was in random intervals. Nobody could guess when it would occur. The number wasn't fixed and it changed every year. Sometimes, it wouldn't occur several years.

The problem was, whenever it happened, animals, monsters and creatures of different origins would become restless.

Some could keep their sanity while the others would go crazy.

And he was in the middle of a forest.

He packed up his camp and quickly decided to leave the area by approaching the village he set out from that morning.

If that village stood strong through many blood moons, there had to be a reason.

He walked with fats steps while watching his surroundings, he saw no signs of any monsters yet but he was cautious.

Suddenly, he felt a chill on his back. His hair stood on ends as he ducked.

*Boom

The trees crashed.

Max dropped his bag and made a run for it. Whatever was chasing him was probably above his pay grade. That was Leopold's most important lesson. Always assume you are the weaker party. Make ample preparations and never engage if you get caught by surprise.

He ran when he felt the breath of the beast right behind his head.

He summoned Kanshou and Bakuya in his hands and took a shot at the dark while rolling on the ground.

He felt that he hit something as a whimper came from his target.

When he took a good look at what was attacking him, he saw a huge creature with grey fur and the head of a wolf.

It stood on its two legs. With a hunched back. 'A werewolf. Great.'

He didn't turn back and continued running towards the village.

The growls came from his back and dodged each time. He made especially sure that he didn't get scratched by its claws as the werewolf claws and teeth had numbing poison to kill their prey much quicker.

Even while running, he continued firing silver swords. This was a new trick he learned.

He could project the blades stored in UBW on air and fire them towards a target.

It was mana taxing sure, but it was also a great ability.

Whenever a silver sword or dagger scratched the werewolf's skin, it made a whimper as if it was in pain which it definitely was as silver was quite effective against the werewolves.

He ran and ran. His reinforcement filled muscles and bones groaned under pressure but he continued running towards the village with the werewolf hot on his tail.

He would block those he could block, and dodge those he could dodge.

He was slowly but surely running out of stamina. 'Dammit!' "Gah!"

He was suddenly hit by a swing from the werewolf as he couldn't dodge in time and crashed into a tree.

He got up quickly and summoned Kanshou and Bakuya in his hands. 'I won't be able to get away in time. No other choice.' "Alright! Maximum effort!" He heaved a sigh and pumped himself for the incoming combat.

The werewolf lunged at him, Max rolled on the ground and fired a couple daggers which missed their target.

He blocked a claw with Kanshou and ducked under the other claw, Bakuya stopped the werewolf from biting him.

He was forced to kneel under the power of the werewolf. Reinforcement filled his body at full force.

"Eh? What's going on here?" Then a feminine voice was heard in the deadly silence of the woods.

There stood a woman with long pink hair and pure white leather gear, holding a whip in her hands.

"Ah you look like you are in trouble, you need help?" She asked.

"Would be appreciated!" Max yelled as he dodged another claw.

"Got it! I, Medb, am here to save the day!" Then she took a look at the sky, "Or the night!"

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