229 Return To The Camp (Pt 2)
>Clack<
>Clack<
>Clack<
Our footsteps made noises as we left the grassy plains and we’re now walking on the road.
It had been a few hours since we had begun our journey, and in a few more, we would reach our destination. No one appeared tired or even desirous of a break.
I noticed Melissa fidgeting a little—she probably wasn’t used to exerting herself so much, but thanks to everyone’s casual and unrelenting march, she couldn’t voice her opinion.
The tarred road that would have once been an express area, was broken down and unkempt. A Demon assault most likely occurred here before I got transported. Considering how badly damaged the cars around were, and the scorch marks that seared through the floor and nearby areas, I had to assume the Demons won the fight.
‘Of course… humans would naturally stand no chance against monsters of such proportions.’
Nukes would have given us a shot at ending them, but it was certain that the Demons would have targeted those spots first. Since we were yet to see any place get blasted to bits by human technology, that had to be the answer.
Thinking about things rationally, though, I would very much have loved to have some nukes for myself. Unfortunately, I didn’t even know where they were located.
‘Pfft. Bummer… oh well…’
As I made these thoughts, my skin suddenly tingled as all the hair on my body rose instantly. I had detected something… something very dangerous.
‘T-this is—!!!’
>GRRRRUUUUUUUWWWWW!!!<
A heavy growl suddenly sounded, dominating the entire area where we transversed.
The Gifteds around me paused, stopping dead in their tracks and they felt the intense pressure of whatever made that noise.
From my auxiliary vision, I witnessed tremblings of fear, the bodies of Gifteds that had already experienced victory now quaked like helpless babies.
There was no monster in sight, looking around the deserted and badly damaged roadside, none could be seen. However, if one merely looked at those places, they would be deceived. After all, the monster that caused such great fear… was above us!
“Keuk!” I groaned as I raise my head to see the flying creature, hundreds of feet above land.
‘Tch! No wonder I couldn’t sense it in time!’
The large Demon’s growl sent everyone into a state of paralysis and fear, rendering none of them fit for combat. Was it bloodlust? Maybe! Fortunately, I was immune to its effects thanks to my [Dominator] Title and the high Level that came with Resistance.
Thanks to the sun that hung in the sky, I had to squint my eyes to see the intimidating demon clearly. Its wings were spread majestically as its enormous body maintained a tranquil state.
“Y-you are!” A gasp instantly escaped my mouth.
I recognized this monster! There was no way I could forget it!
Its brown-like fur, like sharpened wool that could tear a person apart, its dragon-like wings that seemed even bigger than its body, its piercing glare and condescending smile… this Demon was the source of my trauma as well as the origin of my drive to survive.
Even as my body shook a little, I pulled myself together and formed a smile, glaring at it with passion.
“Oi… we meet again… Grizzly!”
As words were formed from my mouth, the Demon that majestically remained afloat gave me a puzzled look. It most likely did not remember me!
I couldn’t blame it. After all, during our first encounter, this very Demon saw me as something even more insignificant than a bug. I was not worth its time as it simply killed another Demon and made off with its prey. I was nothing!
However, now… it appeared I had gotten enough of its attention to qualify as prey!
“You made a mistake that day. You should have killed me!”
My smile deepened and whatever vestige of fear and trauma that remained in my heart concerning the menacing Demon vanished. Right now, I was about to face the root of my deep fear of Demons, the one that showed me despair and forced me down the path of survival.
But, unlike before… I was not going to shrink back and cower in fear. No, I was going to win!
The Demon flapped its wings and began drawing near to us. Since everyone else was petrified in fear, it had nothing else to worry about but me.
With its glare focused in my direction, likewise mine, I squinted my eyes, to estimate the Demon’s strength.
[System Alert]
<Danger!> <Danger!>
[System Information]
– Name: Grizzly Dragon
– Level: 100
– Race: Demon (Dragonoid) – Grade: 2
– Age: 967 Days
[Stats]
– HP: 90,000
– MP: 45,000
– Strenght: 60,000
– Agility: 45,000
– Vitality: 21,000
– Intelligence: 9,500
[End Of Information]
A Grade 2 Demon… and it had the Stats of a Boss!
Relief spread across my body as I reveled in the fact that the monster that inflicted trauma upon me was not weak, at least not by the current world’s standards. So far… it was the strongest adversary I had ever laid eyes on.
‘Of course! So you’re a Field Boss, not bound by a Gate!’
Bosses like this existed in this world, though in the beginning phase, only one of them was present out of the 5 Bosses. I was currently facing my third Boss, and it had even higher Stats than any other!
“Two Danger signs, eh? That means this will be a close fight…”
The system wasn’t wrong.
With Stats alone, it would be tough to defeat this monster who had even higher abilities compared to the Hobgoblin King. Fortunately, in this world, Stats weren’t everything.
Having defeated the Boss of the Hobgoblins, I realized the best way I could fight. Not by struggling against stronger enemies, but by subduing them!
Yes, I, Jeremy Lewis… could only fight the best way I knew how to. As a hoarder!
The Grizzly Dragon, who had been hovering in the air for some time in order to observe my movements, finally gave in to its primal instincts and lunged toward me. My heart instantly raced in excitement as I welcomed it with open arms.
“Come!”