After a 6-hour-long journey, Legolas finally arrived at the Timberland Shelter.
Since there were only 2 days till the deadline that was written on the mission description, Legolas had no intention of wasting time.
Having rode throughout the journey on top Akela, now, the massive Wind Wolf's breath was slightly ragged as Predator trailed behind while panting like a beast who was already on its last breath.
Legolas ignored Predator's plight as he focused on the massive shelter that stood before him, the Timberland Shelter was a special one.
Compared to the Gwen Shelter and the Blue Scale Shelter where Legolas had been to, the Timberland Shelter was much more developed and also seemed much less affected by the beast apocalypse.
There were more high-rise buildings here, with a lot of other evidence that pointed at the greater fortune of this shelter compared to others.
Legolas savored the beautiful view for a few minutes before coming down from Akela's back. This was when he finally paid attention to his 2 contracted beasts as Predator's dangerous tongue wagged to show he was tired.
"Tired…"
"Tired…"
"Tired…"
"I know, I know, no need to communicate telepathically". Legolas patted Predator before the Nightmare Beast could finish him with its complaints.
Predator was stubborn though as he continued. "Tired…"
"…" Legolas glared at Predator, finally prompting him into silence.
He sighed at his contracted beast's antics before addressing them. "I intend to enter inside this shelter alone, they can't see me with you guys, at least not yet".
"So, for the time being, I want you both to be in the beast plane. There, you can decide to either rest or hunt, do anything you like".
"Are we on the same page?"
"Yes, master".
"Tired…"
Legolas ignored Predator before continuing his actions anyway.
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You have activated active ability: Beast Plane Summoning
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Once Legolas projected his Summoner energy into the beast plane, the familiar rainbow bridge appeared as for the first time, Akela wagged its tongue in anticipation. It was finally about to return home.
Unlike Akela, Predator directed a weird look at this rainbow bridge as the light from the bridge extended to wrap up the 2 contracted beasts.
To Legolas's surprise, even though she was not his contracted beast, the rainbow light also enveloped Lucky who was still asleep from evolution despite growing a few inches larger every day.
The next moment, all 3 beasts disappeared.
Once they disappeared, Legolas got prepared before bringing out another bottle from the remaining 4 bottles containing the Ultimate Man Potion as he downed its contents without any hesitation.
A few seconds later, his face and build changed into that of an entirely different superhuman warrior that Legolas saw some time ago.
He finally walked into the Timberland Shelter like every other human.
Legolas's priority as he entered this shelter was finding an inn to stay in and locating the business merchant Keane's mansion. Every other decision that he took would be from what he got after achieving his first 2 objectives.
…
The Timberland Shelter had differences from other shelters.
Like most shelters, the 3 main class academies were the leading powers but the power division was much more diverse. There were governors in charge of the different prefectures.
The Blue Sea prefecture was under the jurisdiction of Governor Bam who was a powerful Pugilist and was also a close friend of the businessman, Keane.
More than a week ago, the wealthy businessman, Keane came under the attack of an unknown assassin and was left in a terrible state.
The wealthy businessman survived but his life still hung on a thread. Despite this, the anonymous assassin still made threats on finishing the job.
This act did not just put Mr. Keane's life in danger, but it also angered Governor Bam who was a close friend of the businessman. In terms of the economy, this act also brought a lot of panic to the prefecture.
Even as all efforts were made to save Mr. Keane's life to no avail, so also did Governor Bam try to find the assassin's trails to no avail.
Inside the Keane mansion…
A somber atmosphere was in the master's room as sobbing sounds could be heard; the physician was finally about to give his verdict.
The old man shook his head. "The poison is too strong; I can't purge it the natural way. It's also a new poison, I still can't figure out its configuration to try concocting an antidote".
"At best…" The old man sighed. "He'll only survive tomorrow".
Hearing this from this man was like hearing the master's death sentence. Being the best physician in the whole shelter, this old man's words were taken with the weight of gold as Governor Bam sighed dejectedly.
"Thanks for trying your best Old man". The Governor finally turned to his friend's family to comfort them. "I'll definitely find the assassin!"
Once the Governor and the physician left, the master's wife followed as his 2 children held her in a tight hug. In this tight hug, Jackson was the only one comforting Sophia and their mom as both women broke down in tears.
"I don't want to lose dad…, I can't…" Sophia sobbed.
It took a few minutes but Jackson was finally able to persuade both women to leave the room. Alone with his dad now, Jackson tried to hold his feelings but he could not as tears involuntarily rolled down his eyes.
"Mom and sister need us the most at these trying times, I still can't believe that strong-headed Richard refused to leave his regiment".
"Is his regiment more important than family?"
"F*ck his regiment!" He vented his emotions before laying down close to his poisoned dad as he looked at him, hoping for a miracle.
In these trying times, he already learned that money could not solve everything. Even with all their money, his dad was still about to die, and he felt awful.
…
After returning to her room, Sophia lay on her bed and cried her heart out.
For over an hour, she just kept on crying until her heart calmed a bit and she started thinking rationally. She thought for a bit and out of options, she remembered only one channel that she could ask for help, the Hermit.
Sophia kneeled beside her luxurious bed. "Your Excellency the Hermit…"
She barely started praying before a knock on her window interrupted her. Shocked, Sophia sprang to her knees and felt even more spooked when she saw an unknown man now clung to her windows.
"Who are…?"
She was about to scream when this stranger made a hand sign that made her calm down by using his 2 index fingers to form a weird square shape, this was the agreed-upon peace sign of the Hermit's gathering.
Sophia stood petrified, even more shocked and slightly astonished now. "Are you…, the World?"
"Yes".
From there, everything progressed naturally.
Once he was let in, Legolas held a long discussion with Sophia. After spying on the physician's diagnosis and all, Legolas finally understood why the mission indicated that he only had 2 days remaining.
After 2 days, Mr. Keane would either die to the poison or the assassin.
This realization added an emergency element to this mission, having promised her already, for the Hermit's image and probably for Sophia, Legolas wanted to save this filthy rich businessman by all means.
"This is an emergency, Sophia, tell me all that you know about the assassin!"
"I want to know what happened that day, your dad's schedule, who he met, who came to the mansion, everything helpful, I need to know it!"
Due to the authoritative tone in which he requested it; Sophia answered instinctively. When she was done, Legolas patted her slightly before leaving.
This was an emergency; he was off to work immediately with the information that he could get through Sophia.
He was already after the assassin.