Two days have passed since the start of the siege. Most Hunters who haven't joined yet have changed their minds and combined forces to launch attacks on the wolves.
Although very little news has come out, with the help of Xiaoxiao's carefully created gadgets disguised as bugs, she was able to learn about the current situation.
Reinalyn had gone missing, which further fueled the Hunters' hatred, launching a massive attack to reclaim their territory. But throughout all of this, the Wolf Lord's inactivity had begun to become a major concern. Why was it still gone? What is it waiting for? This naturally made the Hunters wary of a possible ambush, but they continued to rage forward, since slaughtering wolves would weaken the hoards.
Hope sat across from Xiaoxiao, wearing a slightly annoyed but concerned expression.
Xiaoxiao grabbed a cup from her table and drank, looking at Hope and asking, "So, how are you supposed to deliver the artifact shell to Zixin if he's trapped in Mount Lorebale?"
Hope lightly shook her head and said, "Delivering it is not the problem. The issue is the fact that I'm not sure if he's even fine."
Xiaoxiao contemplated for a second, rubbing her chin as she wondered. A flash of understanding crossed her eyes as she spoke, "Based on my understanding of him, surviving isn't an issue, no?"
Hope paused, staring straight at Xiaoxiao with a confused look, and asked, "How did you come to that conclusion?"
Xiaoxiao smiled lightly and shifted her gaze to the small opening at the door. Two eyes watched from behind, belonging to Arbane.
Hope withdrew her gaze and commented lightly, her hands trembling, "I know that he's capable, but it doesn't necessarily take away from the dangers. In fact, there might even be more trouble coming his way."
Xiaoxiao's eyes narrowed upon noticing Hope's trembling hands. Then, a word came to her mind: Affection?
Her mind trembled, coming to a conclusion: That must be it! Hope definitely has feelings for him.
She straightened her posture and spoke as softly as she could with a gentle smile, "As his companion, it's your duty to trust in him."
Hope nodded and stood up. She glanced at Xiaoxiao, feeling as though she was hinting at something, as a word came to mind: Misunderstanding.
She smiled wryly before thanking her and leaving. Once out, she saw Arbane's strange expression, containing his concern and worry. She slowly walked over and crouched, and asked softly, "Are you fine?"
Arbane nodded and asked, "Will we be ok? Are we in danger?"
Hope tilted her head in confusion, and Arbane explained, "I mean, if the Hunters lose, won't Mount Lorebale fall into the hands of monsters and be forever lost?"
Hope fell silent, beginning to ponder his words: His concern makes sense, after all, Mount Lorebale is a huge part of Daisal's worth, because monster loot is rare. But knowing him, he probably doesn't mean this. So, what could he be referring to?
Hope lowered her head as her thoughts rushed like a flood: The Wolf Lord… that must be it. But what about it? Sure, it's strong; I even encountered it myself, but it's nothing that can't be handled. It's not like it's all-powerful or something. Is it the possibility of it leaving Mount Lorebale? But that's impossible. How would he even come to that conclusion…
Hope fell silent as a thought born from countless thoughts clashing surfaced in her mind: Intelligence and limitations… did he conclude that the Wolf Lord understood that it's like a trapped bird in a cage and is desperately trying to find a way to escape?
The moment she thought of this, a cold chill ran down her spine, her expression stiffening.
It's not far-fetched, but… She sighed and stood up, patting Arbane's head lightly.
"No need to worry. After all, there are Hunters out there fighting right now." She spoke as she dashed off.
As she ran, she muttered to herself, "The longer I wait, the harder it'll be for me to get up Mount Lorebale and meet Zixin back at the chamber. It's either now or never."
Outside of Xiaoshop, Hope raised her head and wondered: Is Zixin actually safe inside Fang Hau's Chamber? Sigh…
She then felt a strange movement inside her bag. She shook her head and dashed off, searching for an empty alley. After she found one, she stepped in and took out the gourd.
The moment it came out, it turned into black liquid that fell through the gaps in her hand. She crouched down and observed as the liquid started to move and slowly formed the figure of a cat. A second later, two blue pupils appeared in its eye sockets. It raised its head and spoke firmly, "Mount Lorebale is in danger."
Hope shrugged, "I already know."
The cat shook its head and elaborated, "No, I was referring to Fang Hau's presence. It has somehow become thinner and thinner; it almost feels like a fog of mystery has concealed his existence."
Hope tilted her head in confusion, but her eyes suddenly lit up: Could it be?
Her hands trembled, and she asked, "Did he imprint his soul on you?"
The cat nodded and added, "Indeed. And it's due to this one-sided connection that I can sense his presence on a much larger scale than anyone else."
To think he chose to imprint his soul to an artifact of all things… But looking back, it's a very reasonable choice. She sighed deeply and smiled lightly.
"Do you know what happened to him?" She asked, narrowing her gaze.
The cat shook its head and commented, "He probably decided to take a step."
Hope grabbed the cat and dashed off, as a thought ran through her mind: Not yet. He can't die on me yet!
The cat's expression turned into confusion as it stared at Hope with a curious look. Noticing the shift, Hope opened her bag, placed the cat inside, and made sure to give it space to breathe.
The cat withdrew its gaze and muttered to itself, "Fang Hau chose the right people…"
After an unknown amount of time had passed, Hope arrived at the surface–Daisal. She took a deep breath and headed towards the foot of Mount Lorebale.
As she walked down the streets, she noticed the dark and gloomy expressions of the townspeople. She withdrew her gaze and commented, "Although they're not part of the hunt, they're still affected…"
She shook her head and quickened her pace. After a bit, she saw that Hunters were walking about, carrying supplies to one another. Upon the sight, she fell silent.
"It's good to see you." A familiar voice entered her ears, and when she turned around, she saw a cloaked figure wearing a mask–Lady Silk.
Hope fell silent and asked, "Can you do me a favor?"
Sophia waved her hand and nodded, and Hope followed after her. While walking together, she said, "I'm willing to help you as long as you don't reveal my identity."
Hope nodded and surveyed her surroundings.
She continued to lead Hope, and a minute later, they stepped into a room. Inside were several beds with Hunters lying down, their bodies covered with wounds.
Hope's pupils dilated for a second before returning to normal. She stepped forward and arrived in front of a Hunter. This person was a middle-aged man with several wounds on his arms and legs. His face was pale as Hope began to work. She took out a small medicine bottle from her bag and started to apply it. After which, she took out bandages and wrapped the man's wounds carefully.
She continued to work through the day, helping Hunters return to the frontlines after nursing their wounds.
Several hours later, Lady Silk returned and inquired, "How's the current situation with the patients?"
Hope glanced at her, her eyes having noticeably darkened from exhaustion, and said, "So far, most of the injuries have been taken care of. Luckily, there wasn't anyone who needed to be amputated."
Lady Silk listened with a smile and commented, "Bringing you was indeed the correct choice. My fame after this hunt would surely rise."
That's if anyone here even lives to tell the tale. Hope finished her words in her mind.
Hope tilted her head and probed, "That doesn't really matter. Anyway, why did you steal the artifact shell from Arbane? I never asked when you gave it to me."
"That's because I concluded that it might be yours, and I got a little too curious." Her gaze fell, her words reminding Hope of a certain someone.
Sigh, so Zixin does rub off on others as well, huh? She laughed internally when she thought about it.
Hope focused her gaze on Lady Silk, who was just about to speak, but before the words could even come out, a familiar man stepped inside–Vanor.