Ep. 4 — Chapter 16: Hunting Grounds (3)

We both made it near the location sent by Lia a few hours earlier. I wasn't really sure if either her or the Minimi would still be there, but it was a good idea to head there nonetheless. If they did move elsewhere, then it is likely that they would've left some sort of message behind.

Even if they are unable to send a text now,

Leon must have seen me checking my phone several times already, since he abruptly asked, sounding somewhat impatient.

"Where are we headed?" The question made me turn my head towards him, realising that he had been walking with me for some time now, without me giving him an explanation.

A part of me was sorry that I didn't bother to tell him, but there was another part within me that was grateful of his trust towards me, though I haven't done anything to earn such heavy things.

I checked the location again. We had been walking for a while, and only a few minutes remained before we reached the destination. It made me even more mesmerized, wondering how in the hell did Leon managed to carry me so far in such a short amount of time.

"The place where you found me." I told him. There was a subtle hint of confusion on his face. "What is it?"

"It's nothing,,,but," Leon nervously looked around. His eyes travelled from behind us to the areas surrounding. It was the main road that we encountered the group of Players earlier yesterday morning.

And also where Leon found me.

Lia's car was still there, all beaten up and parts of it had been ripped out of the main body. I wondered if that was the doing of the monsters or other Players who needed weapons. Or car parts, for whatever weird reasons.

"We've passed that point a while ago. Actually, it' been half an hour since." Leon said, looking anxious suddenly. An uneasy expression settled on his face, and a confused look came onto mine. He saw this and tilted his head, "You did ask me some questions earlier, like how I got so far, right?"

I didn't answer. Leon continued.

"I don't think I moved much from my original position." Leon shook his head. "I think it's you."

"What? What do you mean? You said you found me while following the trails of [Experience Orbs]. Was I not—?"

"It wasn't…here."

The both of use looked around the place. Extremely confused from one another's perspectives. I was sure. I was damn sure that it was this guy that carried me. Hell, blonde hair, fit body—and even the same exact voice, I think.

And now he's saying that he didn't find me here?

I thought about something. The possibility of me walking for a much longer time than I realized, getting further than I anticipated. I was so out of it, so it wasn't really an impossible scenario. But I still had doubts. As out of it as I was, it was still all too vivid in my memories.

It did happen. I'm sure of it. But…

"Then, where did you find me?" I asked him. My heart started beating more vigorously, to the point that I could hear it thumping. Leon was stuck in his words, unable to say anything. He started speaking before closing his mouth again, stuttering. His anxiety made me nervous as well.

If it wasn't Leon, then who?

"It wasn't too far out from the factory. The orbs I was collecting were scattered around, but nearby. In fact, I haven't moved much since the beginning either. The bridge was only a few minutes' walking distance from it."

Shit, what was going on now?

It was then when suddenly Leon stoped moving. That prompted me as well, a bit startled by his sudden movements. I turned around, back towards the direction ahead.

There, a group of monsters laid dead. A large number of them. Amongst them were 'Rabrats' a rather powerful monsters especially for newer players. And on my phone, the house ahead was the location Lia sent me.

Leon turned to me and I glanced at him back. I nodded and he mimicked me. We both started moving towards the house. There was a huge hole on the side walls, revealing the interior. A broken staircase and even a hole right through the roof. This must be where the kid took Lia.

We passed by the bodies scattered across the ground, laying all around the streets. Some were penetrated and hung on the fences around the house. The scene was brutal, but I was more amazed by it than anything.

I wasn't sure if it was Lia's doing or not, but whoever did was extremely brutal with their way of handling them.

Though I guess, brutality is what you would need during times like this.

"What happened here?" Leon asked, just as flabbergasted as I was. And just like me, he looked surprised as well. He looked around the place, tracing his fingers around the walls and inspecting the bodies of the monsters. Some were mutilated as well.

[Warning! Your energy level is low!]

[Your Stamina has decreased sharply!]

A sudden wave of fatigue struck me all at once and I staggered. Leon was a bit further away when he saw me stumbling unsteadily.

"Sir Rayes?"

Leon dashed towards me, sliding across the ground and caught me right before I fell down. I felt his hand being placed under my head, preventing it from hitting the ground and the other free arm holding my body up. The speed at which he came towards me shook me a bit.

"Are you injured somewhere?" Leon shook me all around, turning me over and picking up my arms quickly in a panic. He grabbed my face and scanned both sides of it before letting go again.

I raised a hand weakly to slap his panicked hands away and grabbed hold of his collars. "Calm down, I'm not dying."

"You sound…dead?"

"My stamina just dropped, that's all." I managed to let out. What the hell? Why was I so weak now? Even if I'm hungry, how come it's taking such a toll on my body like this?

"Stamina, huh." Leon mumbled and carried me inside the house, stepping right through the hole on the wall. Pieces of wood fell from above as soon as he got inside but he quickly evaded them. The planks struck the ground and broke into several pieces, barely passing by my face, causing me to flinch.

Blood trails could be seen leading up the broken stairs that was missing several steps. The railings were mostly completely destroyed. Shards of glass that were once windows scattered all around.

Leon had a worried expression as he walked around the house. He bit his lips in uncertainty.

"What is it?" I asked him, suddenly annoyed by his helpless expression.

"What?"

"You look troubled. Say what it is."

He looked around once more before turning to me and giving me a response. "Look around. It's all broken. I can't leave you here, Sir Rayes."

Without realising, I let out a 'tsk' that sounded annoyed. Leon eyed me, a bit surprised and I was wide eyed myself. Really, I didn't mean to do that. it just came out for some reason. Suddenly, I felt my face flushing a bit, "Excuse me."

"Ah, yeah…"

Damn it.

[Your Energy is at a critical state!]

[Your Energy is currently at 2%. Failure to replenish before total depletion will cause permanent effects to your physical body.]

I glanced around without moving my head. Slowly, I raised my hand and grabbed Leon's shoulder, leaping up and jumping around him, before staggering back. I leaned against a nearby wall for support and Leon turned around quickly, his face horrified.

"Sir Rayes!"

"Stop yelling. I'll stay here. Go find me some food." I told him, stretching out my hand and shaking my head.

Red warning messages appeared before me but I ignored them. "Now, stop giving me that look and go. The longer you try to find a place for me, the quicker I'll die. Right now, I need nourishment."

Leon was going to protest but stiffened when he heard me saying that I'd die. He quickly nodded and moved, despite his hesitant look. He made for the doors and went out of the house through the hole instead, which was a funny sight. But before he went any further, he turned back to me, confused. "What am I supposed to find? What food is there around here?"

I only stared at him, slowly going down and sitting with my back resting against the wall. "What do you think?"

Leon looked around again before turning back to me once more. Slight realization had reached him, but he was still unsure. I sighed and tossed a dagger at him. He caught it and raised his eyebrows.

At the same time, a blue screen appeared before us simultaneously.

—

Trigger Quest: [Hunting for Food]

Difficulty: -★

Time Limit: —

Compensation: —

Upon Failure: Rayes Kim's demise.

Requirements: Find fresh meat within the hunting grounds to feed Rayes Kim. An 'Event Item' has been added to your inventory to fulfill this event.

—

I leaned my head agaisnt the wall and smirked at Leon as he read the contents with his jaw hung wide. "Come on, boy. I'm hungry."

"Where is the hunting grounds?" Leon asked, panicking.

Well, I suppose you have someone to thank later. After all…

"You're already in the hunting grounds. And someone have already done the hard work for you." I pointed to the bodies outside and rolled my eyes, "Now go get me some fresh meat."