The foul smell of blood and corpses hung in the air like a miasma. All around the arena, multiple still bodies of the night wolves were strewn around.
Some were missing heads, some had been split in half while others had most likely bled to death.
Standing in the bloody macabre was none other than Wise. He had a bloody scratch on his face, a gift from the night wolf alpha and in his hands the shadows there slowly retreating.
'I have a lot to learn.'
Although Daphne's ability was the one he had the longest, he had not practiced nearly enough to hone his skills.
This world had far bigger threats than the night wolves and he would have to prepare for the time they would inevitably come.
Taryn emerged from the shadow barrier she had been placed in only to be greeted by the gory sight.
Her eyes searched the arena in haste, trying to locate Wise and confirm that he was still alive.
Once her green eyes landed on him, relief flooded it in an instant.
Wise walked up to her and placed her hand across his shoulder. She had lost her spear sometime during the battle so walking without it was bound would be difficult.
It was then Taryn noticed the injury on his face. She reached out to it and her expression softened. "Are you okay?"
"Mmhm," Wise replied as they walked away from the arena.
The crowd remained silent and only when he had almost left did the cheers begin. And once again he was praised—
As the Demon Slayer.
[
[
[Perks: The host shall receive 10% resistance to all demonic attacks (Inactive)]
[Activation task: Slay 50 Demons]
[0/50]
Wise glanced at the screen and skimmed through it before closing the tab, deciding to look into it later.
When they both returned to the waiting area, Taryn found her walking stick and pulled him to the side.
By now, it was late into the night so most of the warriors had left, while the prisoners had been returned to their cells.
As a result, the place was oddly quiet.
"Where are you taking me?" Wise asked but Taryn ignored, instead she stopped and searched the room until she found a bench.
She then led Wise to the bench and made him sit before wandering off once more only to return with a first aid box moments later.
It was a nice thing to do, but Wise was a dragon, although his regeneration was not magical, the injury would heal before the morning. "I'm fine…"
"You're the only reason I'm alive." Taryn gave him a shy smile while tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ears.
"At least, let me treat your wounds."
Seeing that there was no way out of it, Wise simply nodded.
Taryn picked out a piece of what Wise suspected to be a sterile cloth and uncorked a round bottle with a slim neck.
Immediately the cap came off, Wise's nostrils were assaulted with a very intense peppery scent.
"It's to prevent an infection…" Taryn looked apologetic. "It's going to sting a little."
Wise chuckled. "How bad can it be?"
Taryn dabbed the liquid on the cloth and placed it on his face—
Wise suddenly shook, almost falling off his chair. Then he coughed and righted himself. "It's… it's not that painful…" He said, trying his best to seem calm.
But in his mind—
'What the hell? Why does it sting so much?!'
It felt as though hot water was being poured directly into the wound.
When Wise thought she was finally done, Taryn removed a small substance wrapped up with strips of cloth from her clothing and undid the wraps.
Within it was a thick green substance that resembled a softer version of clay.
"It will accelerate the healing…" She explained and reached for his face, but as her hand reached his cheeks, it lingered there for a few moments.
Her eyes were locked on Wise's eyes, lasting only for a second before she withdrew.
"All done!" Taryn smiled.
"Thank you—"
Wise paused when he felt it, his muscle fibres rejoining, the flesh reforming, the damaged vessels forming new ones.
It could only be the effect of a powerful healing remedy.
"Thank you Taryn." He said, letting his gratitude seep into his voice.
Taryn nodded. "You're welcome."
Wise then began walking ahead. "I think we best leave this place before we are locked in."
Taryn hurried up to catch up and then they proceeded to leave the arena behind.
***
After walking Taryn to her shop and making sure she wasn't going to do anything as stupid as joining the next match, Wise left and began making his way to the queen's mansion.
Although he had been given directions to the place the last time, he still had to ask for directions a few times until he finally arrived there.
When he did, to his surprise, the girls were already outside waiting for him.
"Good evening girls."
"Are you okay?" Freya asked, hurrying over to his side. "Why do you always have to face the toughest monsters?" She asked, annoyance creeping into her voice.
Esme stared at his cheeks and ran her hand gently across it. "Aren't you injured? Do dragons really heal that fast?!" She asked, her eyes wide in excitement.
Daphne on the other hand gave him a look before looking to the side.
Wise sighed. "I'll explain later Daph, but for now…" He looked up at the moon. "I'm guessing we have about four hours before we have to get back to bed."
"What to do something fun?" He asked, with a smile on his face.
"The Ork city has many pleasures and it looks like our time here is slowly coming to an end."
"Why don't we enjoy as much as we can while here?" He asked.
"There are many places I want to check out! Freya chimed.
Esme clapped excitedly. "Me too!"
Daphne was quiet but Wise could see the makings of a smile on her face.
"In that case, shall we?" Wise took the first step forward, and the girls followed closely behind him, hurrying to walk by his sides.
Just like the last night they were out, Wise could feel countless eyes on him, no doubt the queen's men.
They had been dispatched for one simple reason, keep them in the city.
But Wise could not shake off the thought that they felt a little more nervous than before.
'Because of my performance?'
It was unlikely—Wise had no doubt that the queen had far greater feats, feats that would dwarf his little shadow show by a lot.
'Then what is it?'
Deciding that there was no point agonizing over the concerns of invisible men, Wise continued down the street, the princesses coming along with him as they made their way to their first stop.