The Hunters, both experienced and inexperienced, descended into the tunnels in hopes of making a large score to earn some money, or to create beast weapons from body parts they hoped to collect. At the front of the group were over twenty Granians and non-Granians dressed in beast armor almost similar to what Lord Grim had, signifying that they were the most experienced of them all. Their armor sets set them apart due to how expensive and well crafted they were, a luxury that only experienced or wealthy individuals could have access to.
Behind those at the front were the mid-level hunters who had fairly made armor that offered minimal protection. Separate from the ones at the front, their armor was only used to protect their vitals like chests and heads since they couldn’t afford a full set, but they made sure to spare no expenses in terms of their weapons.
Most came carrying traditional Granian hand-made weapons like spears, swords, javelins, and all other kinds. In contrast, others came carrying modern tools and weapons like plasma cannons, electrocution staffs, knock-out gas, and many more.
At the last were the poorest of the poor when it came to skill, experience, and simple armor. This group consisted of those who were either joining for the first time, those who had been around for a while but failed to collect enough money for better equipment, or those who would tag along to collect what the dead dropped behind. In this group were the two humans and one ’human impersonator’ traveling at the extreme back.
Looking at those ahead of him, Ace wondered just how many he could take on before getting injured. Since the commute to where the beasts were was quite long, he opted to keep himself entertained in his thoughts.
’if I’m to guess properly, almost everyone at the back will be the first to go, given that they don’t have armor. Although...I wonder what will become of those who are at the front? They look strong...and rich. I think that armor costs a lot so they must have experience...and strength.’
"Still the quiet kid huh?’ Lily bumped her weight on the Blood bishop, attempting to tip him over just to play on his nerves. As soon as she did, she felt as though her body was slammed into a large and firm tree that refused to budge.
"What are you doing?" Ace glared with disgust, glaring at the woman with his red eyes.
"N-nothing..." she stuttered and then moved over to Cherry. Google seaʀᴄh 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹~𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮~𝚗𝚎𝚝
"Don’t try anything funny, Granian."
"Hey now, I haven’t done anything to you yet." She pretended to cry playfully, only earning her disgusted looks from the Blood Mutant siblings. "You guys are too serious. You’re barely speaking at all. Do I...make you guys awkward?"
[Blood Lust: Activated]
One moment she found herself taunting the humans, and the next moment she found herself lying on the ground with a palm wrapped around her neck, an elbow on her chest and a crimson dagger touching the tips of her nose with the glazing red eyes of the Blood Bishop glaring at her.
It all happened so fast that the Granian didn’t have time to react, let alone see it coming.
’Wha...how...how did he...’
"Your reflexes are incredibly slower than mine. Keep pressing enough buttons and you’ll die." Ace spoke. He didn’t threaten, he didn’t taunt, he rather spoke assertively to make sure that Lily got the message. Although judging by the blush and flustered look on her face and the way her heart was racing, the Blood Bishop figured she wasn’t taking him seriously.
’What a waste of time.’
Disgusted, angered, and ashamed of himself for letting the Granian get to him, Ace let go of her and kept up with the group, joining Cherry who didn’t bother to stay with them. So he decided to do the same. Ignore and keep moving.
"Oh my," Lily returned, giggling like a little excited girl. She threw herself on Ace’s arms again, despite knowing that the person she was pissing off had the power to kill her in an instant without leaving any remains behind. "You’re quite fast...really fast. Imagine if you were this strong on Ear...."
"Finally," those hearing Lily’s voice sighed in relief for they were not going to have to listen to her anymore, including Ace and Cherry.
"THE TUNNELS DIVERGE FROM HERE. THESE THREE POINTS HAVE BEEN DIVIDED INTO THREE POINTS AIMED AT SHOWING WHERE EACH ONE OF YOU SHOULD GO. ON YOUR LEFT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS TUNNEL LEADING TO A SET OF CAVERNS WITH HIGH-TIER BEASTS. THEY ARE DEADLY BUT ONE DEAD BEAST IN GOOD CONDITION CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH A HANDSOME PRIZE. IN THE MIDDLE IS THE MID-TIER BEASTS WHICH ARE A CHALLENGE. THEY ARE DANGEROUS BUT NOT LIKE THE FIRST ONES. IT’LL TAKE AT LEAST FIVE OF THEM TO MAKE HALF OF WHAT THE GIH-END BEASTS GIVE. ON YOUR RIGHT IS THE TUNNEL LEADING TO THE WEAKEST BEASTS. MOST OF THEM ARE SLOW-MOVING CREATURES, OTHERS ARE SIMPLE HUMANOID-SHAPED PESTS THAT WILL KILL YOU IF YOU’RE NOT CAREFUL. GOOD LUCK, AND HAPPY HUNTING."
"So, which one are we taking?"
"That’s not even a question to ask, Lily," Cherry laughed while transforming her hands into claws. Her brother followed behind with his Coagulant daggers gripped in his hands. With a few others, they all made their way to the High-Tiered beast’s caverns. Not because they were interested in making money, but because they wanted to grow stronger. "The only way we can go stronger is by killing the strongest. The more we kill, the stronger we become."
"If you say so." They all agreed and made their way into the High-Tier tunnels leading to the caverns. Upon entering, everyone along with them was hit with a powerful rush of heat which overwhelmed their bodies momentarily. They weren’t even halfway through the tunnel’s entrance, but the energy being emitted from the beasts was felt by all of them.
"This ought to be fun." Ace grinned with excitement glinting in his eyes.