23 Journey to the west...

After we woke up, we all had some breakfast pasta and some milk tea. I could tell they don't eat stuff like that, but if they want to be under my army, they have to eat my rations too. Well, they are also free to go and find themselves food, but to save myself water, I asked for Cassia's memory, and the day started.

Nephis had to be the one who has a plan, even though I am the leader right now. But let's hear it. "If what Sunny said about the scavengers is true, then we will move in the opposite direction of them to the east." Well, her plan was not terrible, as we have to move from this hill today. Those scavengers will finish their food in two days max, but I think our group's oracle has some other plans.

Cassia looked nervous but also a little excited to tell us something. "Guys, I had a vision last night."

"Oh really? What was it about? Was it the future or the past?" I asked her.

"Well, I think it was a vision of the future, as I saw a city and, more importantly, other people." It looks like this vision did not change, at least. So, in the end, we have to go to that city.

"It was a huge city with giant walls, and on its hill, there was a castle full of people. I even saw Sunny leading me through its gate." I looked at Sunny and made a decision. Let's test fate and see if we can change her vision. It will be me who will be leading her.

I shook my head. "So you saw a vision in which there is a city and even Sunny. Well, we have to go there then, as I don't think we have another clue. But where is that city?"

She pointed her finger in the west. "I think it's in that direction. I can't see, but that's the general location." I took a deep sigh. Well, it's not going to be easy.

Sunny was the one to chime in this time. "Did you really see it correctly? That's the direction where hundreds of those scavengers gather. It will be crazy to go there." I could see the dread on his face. It was a little funny.

Nep finally spoke up. "If what she is saying is true, then we really have no other choice. We will sneak past them, and if nothing else, fight." Sunny was now really giving her the 'she is crazy' look and looking at me as if I was going to give him some different answer.

"Well, it's decided then. We will have to go west. And don't worry, Sunny. You saw me back then. I can make short work of those scavengers. I will protect you." Sunny looked at me like I was crazy. I would really laugh out loud if he keeps doing it.

"Did you also go crazy? I know you are strong, but forget about saving me. I don't think even you can face hundreds of them." I chuckled and looked at him, knowing his future or a version of it.

"Sunny, you know Dream realm is a crazy place where logic can become your downfall. So yeah, I am crazy, and you too will understand soon enough." I looked at him with a big smile, which freaked him out more, but it is what it is after so many deaths. If I was still sane, that would be insane.

So, in the end, we decided that I will lead them, as I was the strongest, and Nep will be the second in line. Sunny will be in the back, scouting and providing info, and Cassia will be the president that we will have to protect. I explained it to them like it was a game. One way I know how to explain shit.

So we made our way down in the Crimson Labyrinth, and Sunny's shadow was on work. We are moving rapidly as Sunny will help Cassia walk and protect her, while I will lead them, and Nephis will keep watch. Overall, it went on for some time. We have already crossed the statue we stayed at. The pace was good, but Sunny signaled us to stop, so we stopped.

I looked at Sunny and asked, "What is it, and if it's scavengers, how many are there?"

Sunny looked at me and said, "There are six of them. All Awakened scavengers. What should we do? Go find another path, or not?"

"Just six of them, huh? Well, that's just a small group. We will kill them fast and keep moving for now, as it will waste more time to find another path." I looked at Sunny. He looked worried, but Nep looked ready, as I had already planned it.

"Come on, Sunny, grow a little spine. I will take care of three of them. Nep will take two, and you can handle the last one, can't you?" I can already see the question coming a mile away.

"But those fuckers are three meters tall, and I am not as strong as you. How will I even kill them?" Well, it was not up to me but his master or, I say, Nep, our vice leader. So, I gave her the signal.

Nephis now looked serious. Gone was the awkward girl. "Have you ever studied the scavenger and its weak points?" Sunny shook his head, and she continued.

"Well, there are three weak points. One is obvious, their joints or the gaps in their armor so they can move. The other is their torso, between their neck, and the last one is harder. It's their back, where the skull and brain are. So, it will be a killing blow." Sunny was now thinking hard, but he was still not convinced, but still, he did not want to look like a burden, so he accepted.

"Don't worry too much. You guys will be enhanced by my ability. I have not tested it out, but it will be a huge boost, at least double in power. So, it will be a cakewalk. And if things go bad, I will handle it as a leader." I looked ahead with optimism even when all I had is pure nihilism at heart for it,or even my life in general.

So after walking for a bit, we are now ready to face scavengers. I activated my enhancing skill for the first time, and I don't feel much change in power, maybe some percent, but I can see my army's mouth wide open. Even Nep was looking shocked. Well, she would be, as she almost bridged the gap of one rank now.

I gave them commands about which ones were mine and which ones where there and when they have to target it so it will be most efficient. We are doing it because we want to be fast, so the first one to attack will be me. Sunny will go make Cassia sit in some safe place. Then Nep will attack, and finally, the last one is Sunny's.

After the plan was ready, there was nothing more to discuss, and I went ahead with my greatsword. I bolted at a fast speed, and my sword was already inside the neck of one of the scavengers. I turned around with the dagger in the other hand, parried away the pincer coming at me,and put his pincer down with my parry. I slid my sword out and jumped in the air,thrusting my sword into its head. I put my foot on the guard of the sword and pushed it in fully. Just like that, two dead, just one left for me.

Nephis was feeling really powerful right now. A red aura was making her more powerful, and it made her feel like there was a fire burning in her heart. It brought out her strong emotions inside that she did not even know she had, and it was showing. Just like that, she cut off the limbs of the scavenger like it was nothing and killed it by sliding under it and striking from below. Now, she was dealing with her last one.

Sunny wrapped his shadow around himself, and it doubled his power. The red aura was making his fears go away. Instead, there was just passion and confidence he had never felt like this. His power was now 4x, and he was more powerful than the scavenger by a margin. Just like he was told, he jumped on top of its head, plunged his sword, and used his foot to pull down the sword along with all his power. He could not believe it; he killed his first Nightmare creature on his own.

Just like that, we took care of every single one of them, and we even collected the soul shard. I gave away all of mine, as I already explained, for me, they don't worth anything. I was getting more powerful just protecting them every day; that's all I needed. We continued on our path with the help of Sunny's shadow. If there was one or two, I took care of one and let Sunny get familiar with fighting. Sometimes, Nep joined us in killing scavengers.