Demon Wolf

“Two hundred and seventy contribution points? For a sword?” Wolf glared at the glass display case, his gaze shifting from the price tag to the wicked-looking flamberge with a spiky cross-guard designed like a jaw chock full of jagged teeth.

“It’s a fine piece of craftsmanship intended for the Blood Saturating realm. Even second stage Tendon Strengthening warriors could use it without fear of melting it with Qi when fighting all out.” Eleanor paused, then amended her statement. “For several minutes, at least.”

Wolf stopped himself from grumbling curses about the outrageous price. A healing pill, more potent than his potions, sold for one contribution point.

“I’ll take it.” He snorted, glancing at the Blood Saturating realm inner disciple, who kept inspecting her feet instead of encouraging the shopper to make a purchase. “I would like to see your selection of spears and bows. How much do Qi-infuseable arrows cost?”

While the jittery disciple bobbed her head, Eleanor’s lip twitched hearing Wolf’s questions. “You will need good armor. The pieces, which can nullify ten attacks of peak Blood Saturating Monster Beasts, cost one thousand contribution points.”

“I need no armor.” Eleanor paused mid-step at Wolf’s words. The cocky statement made her jaw go slack. The stern woman took a breath to compose herself, unable to recall when a disciple dared deny her order.

“Corpsewood has been standing for over twenty millennia.” She explained. “It’s Boreo’s oldest secluded world. Its environment is savage, its Monster Beasts ancient, and most native creatures had reached at least the middle stages of Blood Saturating. A tribe of Gilded Apes guards the world’s crux, and it’s likely Corpsewood will last until Friends deem it ready for harvest.”

It was Wolf’s turn to stare blankly at Elder Dread. He had no idea what she was talking about. He knew Gilded Apes were humanoid apes, covered in metallic yellow fur. They had a reputation for fighting other Monster Beasts by using their intellect; but when brains failed, they resorted to their powerful physical bodies and the great coordination of their war-parties.

Wolf was about to ask what a world crux was and who the Friends were, but Eleanor continued speaking. “The environment won’t be like the Earth Pavilion trial. Nobody will select your enemies to showcase your potential. Monsters will fight to devour you and advance their own cultivations. Then there are the members of opposing sects and organizations fighting over benefits. Please take your life seriously.”

Genuine concern in Eleanor’s voice surprised Wolf. He mistook it for the desire to protect one’s charge, when in fact it was an urge to safeguard one’s merchandise.

“Don’t worry, Elder. I take my safety seriously. I have ample reasons to survive, regardless of what life throws my way.” He did not know whether it was the words or the steely gaze, but the statement somewhat pacified Eleanor.

“So, you will buy the armor?” she asked, hope gleaming in her eyes.

“No.” Wolf shook his head. “As I said, I never relied on armor. Ten days isn’t enough time to get accustomed to it. It would impact my movement; worst case it gets me killed instead of saving my life.”

Eleanor frowned. She opened her mouth to protest, but Wolf did not give her a chance. “I’ve known myself for twenty years. You met me today. Please, trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

Still giving him a ‘you know shit, kid’ look, Eleanor sighed and nodded. “As you wish. But you must buy an amulet which blocks the force of a single peak Blood Saturating attack.”

Wolf almost laughed at the Elder Dread’s defeated expression. She reminded him of Mandy when she crumbled under Sky’s wet, begging gaze.

“Yes, Madam. I will buy that amulet.” Wolf ignored the indignant glare and walked between the transparent cases displaying the Treasure Hall’s most extravagant stock.

It makes no sense. Pavilion Master lives in a hovel, while showcases are made of paper-thin glass and lacquered, luxurious wood. This box costs more than her home. Wolf browsed around while following the nervous inner disciple on a store clerk mission.

Various items caught his attention.

Stability and tranquility? Odd enchantments for armor, Wolf inspected runic arm bracers made of hide covered in fine green scales. I guess they are good for archers with shaky hands, or when you’re tired enough your arms tremble— What the hells is that?

Wolf spotted a golden armor with fully defined abs and breast space, which gradually inflated as Wolf observed it. He cast Eleanor a confused glance and the woman smirked.

“That body armor molds itself to match the wearer’s torso. It provides full anatomical support, and you can wear it against bare skin for maximum comfort. It absorbs three attacks outside the protected zone and always reduces the impact to your torso by the equivalent force of a second stage Blood Saturating warrior’s fist strike.”

“It’s gaudy and conspicuous,” Wolf mumbled, and Eleanor nodded her assent.

“It’s something rich Young Misses purchase to flaunt their wealth.” She bit her lip, refraining from adding ‘and to impress men.’

“These are the best spears we have up for sale, Senior Apprentice Brother.” The clerk motioned towards a tall glass case. She kept her gaze locked onto the mosaic-decorated floor, still afraid of meeting Elder Dread’s gaze.

Inside the exhibition case, Wolf saw seven spears. Their lengths ranged from two to two and a half meters, but other than similar general shape and hefty price-tags, the displayed weapons shared few common features.

The biggest, thickest spear, nearly a pike, grabbed Wolf’s attention. It’s identical to the one I had during the core disciple trial. It was handy, and I can wield such a hard weapon as a staff and as a spear. The problem is, if I stab into something too tough, the spear might shatter.

He then shifted his gaze to the adjacent spear. Its shaft was slim and slightly shorter than the black half-pike; a red tassel hung from the head. The timber looks like rosewood, but it’s bound to be something sturdier. The spearhead is flat and leaf-shaped, ill suited for heavy clashes. Then again, this should be a flexible spear, and the head’s runes are ones for fortification and material’s durability enhancement, probably to mitigate crappy design.

Wolf inspected and hefted all seven weapons, brandishing them several times to test their reach and balance. Unfortunately, the first two remained the only viable candidates. Both had long reach and tiny Spell Formations fortified them, leaving Wolf with a choice between the soft approach and the hard one.

My physique is better suited for brute force, and I hate it when people make a weak design for the sake of fancy ornamental appearances.

“I’ll take this one.” Wolf picked the heavy spear, updating his bill from two hundred and seventy contribution points to four hundred and eighty. “I would like to see your bows and arrows.”

The woman in charge of the shop gave Elder Dread a shy glance. Once the terrifying elder nodded, the disciple scuttled towards the back of the store, where the Treasure Hall kept the bows.

“Does the Earth Pavilion sell healing pill recipes and ingredients here?” Wolf asked Eleanor, following the clerk yet again.

“You can buy ingredients suitable for disciples here; as for the recipes, you need to browse the Knowledge Hall. Are you an Alchemist?” Wolf caught the note of curiosity, which Eleanor failed to hide.

What should I say? The question I asked makes no sense if I can’t perform alchemy; so, if I say “no”, she won’t believe me, despite it being the truth.

“If you give me the recipe and ingredients, I can produce pills, given enough time.” Wolf told the truth, then decided he should be humbler about stealing the fusingcube’s merit. “I’m not good at it, but it saves money.”

He paused for another moment before adding, “And in the secluded world, I will be able to have new medicine if I run out.”

Eleanor rubbed her chin at that last statement. “I’ll see what I can find in the Knowledge Hall. You should stock up on antidotes and healing pills anyway, but you are correct; being able to make your own medicine on the spot and replenish your supplies might make a difference.”

She shifted her gaze towards Wolf and saw his weird look. “I’ll charge you an adequate amount of contribution points,” she said with a snort.

“Alright?” He grinned, then focused on the bows. Unlike spears, which were bunched together, each bow had its own case, at the bottom of which stood the weapon’s draw weight.

I could shoot javelins with this one. Wolf’s gaze lingered on the sturdiest bow, with a listed draw weight of four hundred and fifty kilos.

“I can’t infuse this with Qi, right?”

Eleanor shook her head. “Energy bows and immaterial arrows are a thing of legends. Allegedly, some immortals use them, but I don’t know whether that’s based on fact or tall stories of those who supposedly witnessed battles between immortals. However, you should buy arrows designed for Qi infusion, if you plan to resort to archery.”

 

sleepydad88

Dear Reader,

Thank you for your support. Unfortunately, I am forced to reduce the number of weekly chapters to three for a period of time, starting from next Saturday.

My financial situation is poor; the last paycheck I received was for April, and last week management terminated my whole team, myself included. I will have to waste my time on studying hypothetical interview questions, preparing for interviews, and applying for jobs, all of which are time consuming hassles.

That said, I will continue writing. Even if it's one chapter per week or month, I will not abandon Wolf's journey.

Best,
Sleepy Dad