The sound of boots touching the ground was the only sound that echoed in the area. Some splashing sounds could also be heard whenever the boot made contact with the damp ground. The sound of droplets was covered by the footsteps.
The black boot was covered with mud, but the person wearing it did not even spare a glance about that matter. The cloak fluttered with each step the person took.
A low growl was heard from a distance. The man, clad in black attire from head to toe, looked in the direction the sound was coming from. There, he saw a large wolf standing on the boulder, looking at him like a predator.
The big wolf, which had blue fur and two horns at the side of its head, let out a howl. Right after that, the number of wolves increased. He could hear more footsteps running in his direction like they had been called by the horned wolf.
"Tsk, there are more of you."
An annoyed tone from the man can't be hidden, not like anyone would hear him anyway.
He pulled out his sword from his scabbard. The sword that was the colour of black and red was shining slightly under the moon, but he could feel something touch his nose.
"I need to go back now."
The sky was clouded by dark clouds, and he could also smell the incoming rain. The rain would come down. He needed to go back home tonight. After he finished with these beasts.
Oooooo!!
The howling sounds continued one after the other. Now, there are more than 40 blue wolves aside from the horned wolf.
The growl from the wolves did not even give him a mundane feeling like fear. He knew he was surrounded, but that was not a problem. He could sense everything around him clearly, even though it was dark.
Grrr!
The wolves began to jump on him all at once. The horned wolf watched from above like a king; surely that wolf was the alpha.
Without much movement, he swung his sword around. The red colour followed his movement whenever he swung his sword towards the incoming wolves.
A growl and a whine decorated the surroundings whenever he hit the target, also leaving many trails of blood on the ground and his black cloak.
The wolf's body scattered everywhere in just a few minutes before he turned around when he detected a strong presence behind him.
The horned wolf managed to wound him with its sharp nails. The alpha wolf growled at him, but he dashed towards the wolf without wasting any time. The alpha wolf also jumped at him.
With a swing of his sharp sword, the body and the head separated from each other. Blood sprayed out before he jumped away to avoid his cloak becoming dirtier. The alpha died with just a single swing of his sword.
More wolves were coming in his direction. Even though the leader had been defeated, he danced around with his sword, killing every single wolf that came into his peripheral view.
×××××
Pitter patter.
Splash.
Pitter patter.
Splash.
The tied-up beasts were hung behind his shoulder. He kept walking despite the heavy rain that had soaked his entire clothes, even though he had covered his head with the cloak. His walk was accompanied by silence, which was much appreciated after the howling of wolves just a moment ago.
He liked quiet more than loud. The rain gave him a greater sense of comfort than the hot day because the rain would wash away his scent and tracks in this large forest, which was full of unknown lurking beasts.
He went out of the area that was full of high and big trees to the more open spaces, still within the forest. A lone wooden house was in that open space, like a safe area, because if it was not raining right now, the moon would shine its light on the house, giving it its light.
He opened the wooden door before he went in and closed the door. He placed his hand on it, shaking it a little to make sure it was secured. He places the wolf beast he has brought along with him on the corner before he walks towards the fireplace to heat the surroundings. Now he could feel the cold rain against his skin.
He discarded the wet robe and hung it on the rack before opening his black boot to let it dry near the fireplace. He also discarded his wet, burgundy clothes, leaving him with only his pants. He put his sword beside the rack before inspecting the wound from the alpha wolf's attack just now.
When he saw that it was not that severe, he went into his kitchen to make something to warm his body.
He let out a sigh after he sipped on the black coffee he just made, taking in its aroma, and sat down on a chair near the fireplace. He leaned back and closed his eyes.
"What are you doing?"
His soft voice echoed in the empty house. He took another sip of his black coffee.
"It's raining and cold. Come here to heat your body."
He said it again, but it was accompanied by silence again. He did not budge any further and just sat there silently while drinking his coffee until he emptied the cup.
He let out a happy sigh after he could feel the heat slowly rising in his body. He brushed back his semi-dry hair before he put the cup down on the floor. He stood up and faced one of the closed doors.
"Come out now; you shouldn't be up right now."
The black-haired man with a red undercut crossed his arms over his bare chest and still fixed his green eyes on the closed door. He let out a sigh when he was replied to again by the sound of the rain outside. He bent down to pick up his cup before he strolled into the kitchen again to discard it.
He went out of the kitchen to be met with a different view. The closed door was now open, revealing a dark view of someone standing at the door frame, looking at his movement.
"Do you want tea or coffee?"
×××××
The black-haired man walked carefully down the stairs while being followed by someone from behind.
"You shouldn't walk; you might open up your wound."
The silence was becoming customary for him now. He did not mind being ignored because he knew that the person behind him was listening attentively to everything he said.
They arrived at the last stairs, only to be met by a dead end. It was a plain wooden wall, but the man raised his hand to touch the wall before a click sound was heard.
"Open up."
The wooden wall was disappearing like a hologram being shut down before a door was presented in front of them.
"Hm?"
He smiled when he heard a baffled hum from behind him before he opened the door. The sound of the door was quiet. He entered the room before he made way for the person to enter. The person slowly entered the room before he closed the door, and a clicking sound was heard.
The person looked back at the door and then at him. He shrugged and motioned to his guest to lay down on the bed, where the pillows and blankets were scattered everywhere.
"We should clean the wound before it gets infected again."
His guest did not sit down but observed him like a hawk, following his every movement like a predator, but he did not care in the slightest.
"You know, I should not have expected you to answer me when there is a possibility that your vocal cord is damaged."
His guest slowly raised his hand to touch his bandaged neck before he frowned.
"So, how about I give you a pen and a book to write what you want to say? With that, we can converse freely with each other. Ask me anything, and I'll answer all your curiosity."
He looked up at the table full of vials and some liquids in the cabinet. With one look, people would think he is a doctor with these many substances and pills in the bottles. But he is far from it.
He reached for a yellow liquid before he opened the lid. He poured the liquid onto the wound on his hand, his eyes twitching slightly. He took out a bandage roll to bandage his wound tightly.
"Clean your wound, eat something, and talk. That sounds like a plan for me. How about it?"
He looked at the standing guest after he finished treating his wound. His guest is on alert right now; he did not even let his guard down a bit, but he understood this sentiment.
Waking up in an unfamiliar house with a stranger you do not know must be scary. But he also has some questions for his guest to answer right now. A payment for treating his guest for all this time.
"Replenishing your energy is a wise choice right now because you have been malnourished. I didn't know how you managed to walk out of this door, but based on that, I know you aren't ordinary. So, if you want to know who I am and where you are, you should introduce yourself to me first."
He did not look away from his guest. His guest began to open his mouth to say something, but he was sure it would be difficult after so long. A hoarse voice was heard.
"Is this hell?"
He tilted his head and blinked in confusion. He did not expect this to be the first question asked by this person. Is he encountering some suicidal maniac?