Chapter 208: Planning to Negotiate
Chapter 208: Planning to Negotiate
"You really slowed down considerably when there's no island in sight…"
"Shut up! I'm busy now!"
Today, I woke up late because I was too tired yesterday. And after making a portal back to my room in Cassau and grabbed some meal that Lina cooked and left in my room, I continue travelling to where the werewolves should be.
Though this time, I no longer swimming.
Swimming, although for me it's faster than running, it's also exhausting. With the stronger pressure from water and my whole body is moving, I get tired easily. That's why this time, I'm running. Doesn't matter if my speed slowed down, I still choose to run this time.
So, what if I didn't reach the Werewolves' nest in a week? Ten days? Two weeks? A month? I'll just be patient and continue running while looking for any island I can rest on. And each time I encounter an island, I left a Blobby in that island so I can make a portal to that location when I needed rest in case there is no more island while I'm continue moving.
And running also saves stamina. Although swimming built more muscles since I need to move my whole body, and the strength from water pressure is also building up my endurance, I prefer running this time. And running on water didn't take much Aura. Just a little on each sole of my feet. Though I will still swim from time to time to build my strength.
And right now, Victoria just stated that I'm slowed down because there is no prize in sight. No island to stop at. And every time I see an island, I would get faster.
I'm worried now when I return back and Albert or the others will give me unreasonable request with something as an exchange. But I won't be swayed so easily! They won't be so easily getting something that will motivate me!
Hmm? I see another island. Let's plant another Blobby on that island. Rest for a while and then continue moving forward. With this pace, we should be able to cross the ocean in longer than seven days. But it's fine. I still have two years of break from fighting the cult.
Now then, I have reached the island. And this island is considerably bigger than other islands I passed by before. There are also monsters in this island. And observing with my Divine Vision, there's a dungeon in the middle of this island!
What to do? Should I explore the dungeon or continue to where the werewolves are? What to do?
"Roy, what's wrong?" Victoria asked after seeing me confused with my decision.
"I see a dungeon in this island. Now I'm considering if I should get a werewolf first or should I enter this dungeon. Though if I enter this dungeon, that mean I will stay in this world for much longer."
"I don't think it's such a hard decision for you. Did you forget already? I have already told you that monsters and even animals in this world are stronger than in humans world. Do you think you are ready?" Victoria asked.
"…you're right. I'll mark this place with a Blobby so I can return at a later date. Maybe with everyone as well. For now, I'll focus on getting a monster."
I haven't encountered any powerful monster in this world so far other than the Earthworms and that group of monkeys. Which is good since I don't have to fight pointlessly. But if I could encounter any powerful monster quickly, I might get interested in contracting them. And then I can get home faster.
Maybe I should just get home every day instead of staying here all the time? Nah, I'll just stay here for a while longer. Good thing Victoria is here with me so I won't get lonely. And Sonia would visit every day as well.
…but travelling everyday is boring. I guess I'll rest for a little longer here.
And finally, after twelve days of running, swimming, and leaping on air, I have finally crossed the ocean!
"Finally, I have arrived!"
"No. Not yet. The Werewolves settlement is still quite far. You took your time crossing the sea." Victoria said.
"That's not a sea! That's an ocean! It's way bigger than a sea!" I complained.
Taking twelve day to run with my speed, that's no longer a sea. That's an ocean.
And now, my running speed is almost as fast as my swimming speed. Crossing the ocean sure does improve my physical ability. Even I can finally take ten steps mid-air now.
"So, where is the Werewolves' nest?" I asked Victoria.
"That way. I think there's no point in scouting that area since Werewolves have a keen sense of smell. If you get too close to their settlement, they will notice you. Maybe their sense of smell can even reach as far as your Divine Vision is. The only thing you can do is go there directly and talk to their leader. The Werewolf King." Victoria said as she pointed their location.
"Werewolf King? I wonder if he wants to be my contracted monster?" I asked again.
"You want the Werewolf King as your contracted monster? Well, I can kind of guessed it, but that would be difficult. The Werewolf King is the same as any other Werewolves. It's a title given to the strongest Werewolf. Unlike Orc that has Orc General, Wizard, and Emperor, Werewolves are all the same."
"But just like human, they are individually different, right? I think if they can speak, the negotiation will work well." I said confidently.
"You think it will be that easy? They are a species that loves battle the most. No matter what kind of negotiation you are offering them, battle is unavoidable." Victoria said.
"That's even better! You didn't tell me that they love battle before. Now I'm almost one hundred percent sure I can get a powerful werewolf as my contracted monster!"
"Even better?"
"Victoria, what do you know about the state of this Monsters World?" I asked.
"The state of this world? It's basically everyone for themselves. Survival of the fittest."
"Survival of the fittest, right? Is there any monster out there who will go all the way trying to conquer this world or are they fine with just staying in their home?"
"…I think I understand what you're trying to do. Most of the monsters with high intellect would make a shelter or home for themselves so they won't go all the way to pick a fight with other species. That mean even though the Werewolves are famous for their love of battles, they don't go out of their settlement to fight a battle against other monsters. But they will still fight against trespasser." Victoria said.
"It's good that you catch on quickly. What I will give them is a war. A war that will happen in my world, but in this world, it will still be a while until that war comes. I'm sure a race that loves battle won't reject this offer. Then after I contracted a Werewolf and establish an alliance with the Werewolves, Albert will do the rest for negotiation. I'll just open up a portal for them to come and go to human world. If I make a contract with the Werewolf King, the other Werewolves should obey their king, right? At least until the king is dethroned." I explained.
"Giving a war to a race that loves battle… there is indeed a high chance that it will go smoothly. But I still think that you will end up fighting against them anyway before you negotiate."
"Yeah, that's a problem. Maybe I should improve my Divine Vision first? Victoria, do you know where we could find All-seeing Eyes?" I asked Victoria.
"Javier said that their location should be in this continent as well. But it's much further than where the Werewolves is. Maybe it would take even longer time than for you to cross the ocean."
"Sigh… I guess I'll fight the Werewolves first. Maybe I can ask for a one on one duel against a Werewolf."
And from what Victoria heard from Javier, it will still be awhile until I reached their location. That's why I decided to find a safe place first in this new island/continent to mark with Blobby.
So, I asked Victoria to lead me to where we could find a safe place. Maybe another place with dragon skeleton?
"In that mountain, there's a cave where Javier used to rest. I think that should be a safe place. But if not, it should be fine since there's only weak monsters in that area. You should be able to defeat anything in that area." Victoria pointed at a mountain in sight even without my Divine Vision.
"Let's go there first before continuing our journey. Having a safe place is our priority."
While going to the Werewolves' settlement will took me a few days, going to the cave only took me about one hour. It is easy for me to reach there. And the cave entrance is at the wall of a cliff. It will be difficult for other monsters to enter.
When I entered the cave, it was occupied by some kind of bird monster. But I killed it with ease and feast on its meat. I'm craving for a fried chicken now.