7 Hunt(4)

Ray killed all the beasts in some seconds. These beasts which were so difficult to kill some hours ago was being butchered by him with minimal effort.

Ray was thrilled with this newfound power.

*Yes. Savour this feeling!! You will have more power if you continue moving to the pathway I arrange you to..* said the system in a bewitching yet cold voice.

Ray absentmindedly nodded.

A seed for having absolute power quietly sprouted in his heart...

He wanted more of it but later understood that everything had a price!

He had to pay a painful price for having them!!

Roar...

At this moment, the demon dog finally removed the pile of debris fallen on it. It glared at Ray's direction only to find its kin lay dead on the road. It went berserk at that!

With a crazed look, it dashed toward Kai slashing its bloody claws towards his head. Since it couldn't kill Ray, it would make him remember the pain of losing his kinsmen.

It happened so suddenly that everyone was caught awry. Kai stood there in a daze. He was frozen shocked at the face of death. He opened his mouth in fright and circulated his lips as if trying to speak some words slowly.

He could practically see the claws of the beast descending upon his head and was a few inches away from making contact.

"Kai!!" yelled everyone in panic as they rushed towards him.

Ray's eyes emitted thick killing intent and he used his last bit of energy to madly dash towards Kai.

Just as those bloody claws were going to crush Kai's head, a blade descended on the beast's body.

"Die bitch!!!!" roared Ray as he cleaved the beast's body into two!

Kai stood frozen as some of his front hairs were cut off and fell before his eyes. His eyes were wide open as he saw the ferocious wolf getting cleaved into two and falling on the ground.

Just a second late and it would have been him to be in that position!

Kai slumped into the floor weakly gasping for air!

He was too close....too close to death!

It felt horrible!

He placed his heart to his chest and could still feel his heart thumping at a fast speed as if wanted to come out of his chest!

It was not a dream at all!

"Kai? Kai??"

"Kai? Answer me dammit!!"

"Are you okay?"

After some moments, Kai finally got up from his stupor and looked at his friends who were anxiously calling him and weekly smiled at them.

"Man, I thought I will die today!" laughed Kai bitterly.

Ray felt immensely guilty. He felt intense remorse for his powerlessness and failure!

"I'm sorry." he mumbled weakly.

"I'm sorry Kai! I'm sorry. " sobbed Ray weakly.

Kai and others were shocked seeing Ray sobbing pathetically. Ray was the youngest of them, only 19 years. Even though he went through strong winds and cold, he was still protected by others while doing missions. For them, he was still a growing child!

He was not an overpowering person or wasn't mature like an experienced person!

Now that for his mistake, his friends were in danger, he couldn't forgive himself!! Ray feared what would have happened if he was late!! He broke down at that moment.

"Sorry...sob..sorry.."

Leo tried to say something but couldn't exactly say it out loud. Kai went forward and gave Ray a bear hug.

"Boy, it's okay! Don't cry. See aren't I alive and kicking well right now? said Kai as he patted Ray's back.

"umm..I'm sorry.."

"Argh...you are making my shirt wet from tears. Okay, stop crying!! Everything's okay!" soothed Kai as he sighed.

It should have been him who should have cried and not Ray. Kai sighed as he patted Ray's back.

"If only you were a girl then I would have hugged you day and night for you to cry!! But now I'm feeling disgusted!" sighed Kai as he said exaggeratedly.

Ray pushed him away and glared.

All the guilty feeling was now gone!!!

Others smiled at their interactions.

"Let's call it day. Its been more than 3 hours since we left home. Our parents will be worried!" said Lucas.

"Yeah. Let's go home!"

Ray cleaned the beasts' body and the system collected necessary things and went home... He vowed that he would never allow his friends in mortal danger!! Everything has to pass through him to get them!

.....

It was almost 4 am when they reached home. Their parents were shocked to see their tattered clothes and blood. Their mom thoroughly checked them while their fathers gave them a thorough round of scolding.

Ray and others glanced at each other and smiled.

It was so good to be at home!

Ray gave them level 2 beast meat for eating. He did have level 4 beast meat but they couldn't digest higher level beast meat now! It will cause indigestion and other problems. Level 2 beasts meat was fairly okay for them!

All of them cleaned up and straight went to sleep. They had fully exhausted their energy after such an intense battle. Only Ray was still energised after levelling up. He was shocked to find himself still full of energy.

"System what's happening?" asked Ray bewildered.

*Immortals don't sleep or eat or excrete! You can sleep if you wish. But sleep is the best way to recover from mental strain!*

"Holy crap! I wish to eat, drink, sleep like a mortal!!" yelled Ray mentally.

*You can do them if you wish to do so. With the increase in your level, your body won't require them. So, it won't be a problem.* advised the system patiently.

Ray lay on the bed as he stared at the window outside. The red moon was so eerie!

"System, is there any way to make them stronger? "

*Let them consume more meat and drink the blood of higher-level beasts. Drinking it will also make them strong gradually.* replied the system.

*Oh, just an advice, you should check the system exchange store. You may find something useful there!* advised the system in an ice-cold voice.

Ray's eyes brightened at that!

"Show status" he chanted excitedly.