There was no need to explain what he might do in the future to FIX. And besides, in the grand scheme of things, this was a small event without much impact on the upcoming future. All he learned from this event was that Miriam was still not compromised.
"Sto.. Stop! I yield!!"
Idhant cried while staggering back from Luvi. His arms were shaking after receiving Luvi's punches. Which made him wonder why there were rumors of Luvi being a useless student having false dreams of achieving something in the tournament.
"Why stop? We have to keep practicing till the day of the tournament." Luvi said, flexing his muscles which have become pronounced with time.
As for Idhant, Luvi was really surprised at this new partner of his.
It turns out, Idhant was also a low ranking student like Luvi, one can see from the classes he took, but his ability was something pretty good.
"Tell me though… How are you doing it?" Idhant was confused. Both of them followed the Knight training method so their physique matched, with the only reason for the difference in strength existing was due to the build of the two individuals.
Unlike Luvi, who was huge and dominating, Idhant was smaller in height and light in weight, it was why he picked up the knife technique to match his build.
Though, the other difference was that his ability, which was originally considered not so great synergized well with his combat style which the teachers have helped him master.
Idhant was capable of causing sight deprivation and if he put his entire focus on it, he was even capable of causing visual hallucinations.
Which he couldn't create when he had to use his body as well, so the most he did was take away Luvi's sight and fight him.
Making him a perfect assassin.
But to his surprise, whenever he got close to Luvi to take him out with his wooden dagger, Luvi would turn to him and punch in his direction, as if he was aware of his position.
"It's actually pretty simple, I guess, not much time has gone by so you might lack actual combat experience, but it's all about the ears."
"I can hear you clearly, which makes your ability a bit useless. And for monster hunts where the beasts are way more receptive, they might notice you from miles away."
Luvi didn't say the rest, he didn't explain how Idhant might be the perfect assassin when he grows old enough and finesse his techniques.
Though he was not so arrogant to think that Idhant didn't know all of this, him choose a dagger as well as throwing techniques were enough proof of that. Now he just needed to learn how to employ those techniques in real encounters and he will be perfect.
'I found a gem.'
Sure, Idhant might not possess the versatility and firepower of Miriam. But Idhant was not so useless.
When matched with a good movement technique that cancels most of the sound, he would have become perfect.
Sadly, Luvi hadn't released such a technique in the world as of yet, and the next time he does. He will not release it for free, but people would have to buy it with money.
Including Idhant.
"So, sile… silent shoes.. should work?" Idhant asked, looking at his feed and the PT shoes he was wearing at this moment, which obviously showed their age.
'Just how poor is this guy?'
"Yeah… But I believe you won't use the money for those shoes?"
"Y.. yeah… That money is for something else…"
700 dollars, it was truly a huge amount for a student. Though that depends on who the person was and their needs.
After the first meeting with Idhant, Luvi had tried looking into him but found nothing incriminating. He was a nobody that no one cared about.
Others in his class barely remembered him due to his mute existence. And it would also seem that he was not working with any seniors.
Making him somewhat safe and worth the money.
"I will be giving you 50$ more, buy some good shoes." Luvi picked up his phone and before Idhant could complain, he sent him some money.
"This? But why?"
"Your bad shoes might compromise us during the battle. They don't suit your combat style, find something more silent and also on your own, try to make as less noise as possible. You are not made for direct confrontation. I would depend on you to distract the beast when time arrives."
The demon they have to hunt had already been publicized to them. Unlike the seniors where the monsters they have to kill change randomly.
For newbies like them, they are informed of their hunt beforehand, along with many manuals on how to hunt it efficiently.
Making it so that this hunt becomes more about courage than the hunt itself. Those with a cool mind would be easily able to kill it, while those that panic would find themselves wasting lots of time.
As for this year's beast, it's a mushroom cow. But its not a cow with mushrooms growing on it.
It's a cow-like beast that has been infected with a fungus which eats away at muscles. Making it much weaker than the normal cow beast that is found in dungeons and way slower as well.
Making it a perfect training dummy for newbies.
"Bu… but I think these will do though." Taking out his specs and wearing them, Idhant said. "I have re… read about these mushroom cows, they barely r.. register enemies… next to them."
"Idhant, I gave you the money and I don't want any mistakes. Don't buy cheap stuff, the price of whatever you buy should be between 45-50$, anything below and you can forget about the rest of the promised reward." Luvi warned.
To him, money was nothing. But it didn't mean that he didn't know the value of money. To him each dollar was equal to a two liter bottle of mango juice.
Two dollars was equal to one portion of cheap biryani.
Three dollars equal to a single game during sale, which was sold 60$ few years ago.
But him being a cheap person didn't mean he would not waste his money on useful things. Just like his expensive computer, his gambling addiction, etc.
Which was why he warned Idhant from pocketing those 50$ away and still using his old shoes.
After the sparring was over, Luvi left for his room and took some rest.
It's been a week since the incident with Miriam and with how much time has gone by, it would seem that Miriam would not expose his actions to the school, which made him somewhat relieved.
FIX: I talked with Miriam and checked her surroundings, nothing suspicious was found. Though, she did tell me about Luvi and some other details about the incident.
DreamMachine: So would you take revenge for a member of our group?
FIX: As of yet, no. But I might in the future.
These words actually gave Luvi some goosebumps, but then he laughed it off. Focusing on the most important topic at hand.
DreamMachine: How is the economy and prices of our techniques coming alone?
FIX: Most of it is done, the site will be up soon after your tournament is over.
DreamMachine: Perfect, I can't wait to earn some more change.
******
"Director, it's becoming harder and harder for us to hide the matter with the dream demons. The cases have seen a stark increase in the last month."
PPA, the international organization that focuses entirely on protecting humanity from the threats of the dungeons, was on red alert during these days.
Since the first case of the dream demon appeared, they have been pursuing the source as well as the nature of these beasts.
And with time, they have been able to come up with various countermeasures to deal with it as well. One of which is a trick Luvi released, Analyze.
Which is easily able to find if the victim is under possession of a dream demon or not. Following which, there were certain tools made with the help of top scholars as well as scientists which were able to force out the dream demons out of the host body.
Though, this was also when they learned that there were ranks among these demons. Some strong and immune to their tools, while some weak that were dealt with easily.
"Is there still no news over the identity of this DreamMachine person?"
"No Director, FBI wasn't able to find anything and seem to have given up, instead, they are focusing on the awakening serum."
"If they couldn't find her, it means that DreamMachine has already sight refuge under someone."
Herschel was frustrated these days. Dream Demons were rampaging across the whole world and people were asking questions. Calling him incompetent for not finding a way to deal with them.
But what can he do?
The very existence of Dream Demons made it so that only a few specific hunters can deal with them. And if not for the hard work of R&D, the situation would have been way worse.
It was only then, when a new report came.
"Director, there has been a certain change in the appearance of dream demons."
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"The rate of their appearance decreased in other countries, besides one."
"?" The look of Hershel, the director of USA PPA was enough for the logistician to continue his words.
"It's India, Sir."