Shadow Blood and Fire

Do you know when the sun will rise?" Adrian asked, "Maybe it will be best if we travel once the sunlight comes out, then we can spot beasts easier."

 "You seem unaware of our location, don't you? This planet's rotation cycle spans an entire year, and we are merely halfway through. I regret to inform you that we will not witness daylight for a considerable duration. However, if you wish to endure six months of darkness, be my guest."

After a brief pause, Venok managed to rise once more, albeit with a slight grimace as he placed his hands on his side. Adrian had noticed Venok's discomfort earlier, but now he was certain—Venok was severely injured.

Venok addressed Adrian's unspoken question, "You're curious about what transpired, aren't you?" He continued, "I was on a hunt for an advanced beast, one that a company had specifically requested. The reason behind their interest remains a mystery to me, but this creature is unique to this planet."

Adrian's curiosity piqued as he asked, "Did you manage to capture it?"

Venok produced a crystal from his pocket, identical in size to the one Adrian had received from the Rothsoths. However, this crystal radiated a more brilliant blue luminescence and boasted a more translucent exterior. The core of the crystal was discernible through the sheer clarity of its outer shell—a testament to its superior quality. It was an advanced tier crystal, Eli could tell from Venok's words.

Once they were prepared, they ventured back outside. Venok led the way, ensuring they stayed close to the buildings rather than traversing the open streets. Should any threat emerge, they could swiftly seek refuge indoors for combat. Adrian couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation at the thought of acquiring the advanced tier beast crystal after eliminating Venok and witnessing his injuries made Adrian believe his plan would be executed with ease. He would gain not only complete armor but also a high-tier crystal—a deal too good to pass up.

Suddenly, Venok halted as he spotted something in the distance. "Look there," Venok pointed. A single dead Rothsoth lay in the middle of the street. The two men surveyed their surroundings before cautiously approaching it. Upon closer inspection, they discovered that the Rothsoth's head had been completely crushed.

It looks like it wasn't killed not too long ago and had its head's been pounded in," Venok said as he bent down to get a closer look. Then he suddenly pulled out a beast crystal. "Whoever it was they didn't have time to remove the beast crystal, they were probably being chased by something else. "Strange, Venok stared at the beast Crystal and it just look like a random beautified stone. "What the... Is this...How?. Venok couldn't believe what he was seeing, if this was an ability recruiting such a person into Starie group will net him more merits.

He started to inspect the Rothsoth on the floor and found a trail of black blood. Single drops leading somewhere.

"Come on, let's go see who this person is, there is always advantage in numbers."

Adrian stared at the footprints, "There is another person, I guess things will not be that easy, several thoughts began to play in his mind, what of it was another scavenger like himself, perhaps even stronger or Venok companion, what if Venok was leading him into a trap."

The two of them continued to follow the trail until it eventually led them to a building, as they entered the first floor it was mostly empty with no signs of anything, but Venok decided to continue to follow the trail of black blood that led up the set of stairs.

"What happened here?" Venok thought. As they walked up the first set, they could see more and more black blood splattered everywhere on the walls. Then when they walked up even further, the two of them were stunned at the scene.

Lying on the ground where ten Rothsoths dead, completely still, Venok immediately got to work and just like he suspected each one with their beast crystal turned into stone as it seems to lack energy and there were even two Rothsoths with different skins, silver and grey.

Even Venok who was a well-established Traveller felt like he would struggle taking out Ten at once. Although the beast where of the weakest tier it was hard to imagine fighting ten of them and coming out unscathed but that doesn't mean he would lose as this are just basic Tier beast but there was no blood of the perpetuator while the Rothsoths bodies were covered with tiny holes which corrode their bodies making nothing on the beast keep it's value. 

The two of them then decided to climb to the roof. This way Venok had a bearing of where he was and could decide where to go next. They stood on top of the roof and looked down, that's when the two of them spotted something.

"Get down quick!" Venok said.

As the two of them laid on their front, they slowly peaked over the ledge of the roof to once again confirm what they had seen.

It was a formidable beast armored with black glossy, obsidian-like carapace, its body stood upright like that of a human. Eight long, spindly legs, each ending in a sharp point, carry its menacing form with eerie silence. Its pincers are oversized and serrated, snapping with the force of a bear trap. Above its mouth, a set of eight eyes gleam with a malevolent intelligence, scanning for prey. The beast's most dreadful feature is its tail, which arches over its back, ending in a stinger that drips with black venom. 

"An intermediate beast," Venok said.

As they continued to watch it, they saw the beast slowly enter into a building.

"Hey what's that building?" Adrian asked, as he noticed the building was in good condition. "Could the portal be inside there?"

"That's the storage room." Venok answered, "I doubt the portal would be inside there, usually those places get targeted by thieves and such so they tend to not make the portal area so obvious and even if it was in there, it would be best if we let the beast leave first. The way I am now I would stand no chance against that thing."

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