Before that...
"Yu Long...?" My vision was blurry as I began to open my eyes. My mind was still groggy, making it difficult for me to think clearly.
I watched Yu Long gently close the door, seemingly unaware that I had awakened.
I turned to look at Wukong and Bajie.
Both were sleeping in a rather chaotic manner, one sprawled out completely, while the other was barely clothed, with drool staining the pillow.
I got up and glanced out the window.
It was midnight, and the moon had reached its zenith.
'Why did she go outside?' I pondered about Yu Long.
Her behavior today was unlike her usual self, and it was indeed suspicious.
I thought about waking Wukong and Bajie up, but...
'They look so peaceful sleeping... I can't bring myself to disturb them.'
I sighed and picked up the staff I had bought earlier that day.
"Better prepare some self-defense weapons, even though I'm not sure if this one will offer much protection..." I decided to open and gently close the room door.
Gradually, I stepped out of the inn, observing Yu Long standing alone in the middle of the street. I followed her, trying not to make too much noise.
Now...
'That old man is attacking Yu Long!' I broke into a sweat watching the battle unfolding before me.
I had no intention of intervening. Why? Do you really expect someone weaker than a level 1 to engage in combat with someone causing harm to a level 5 individual?
Both of them are engaging in an unimaginably fast and increasingly intense exchange of blows.
"HAHAHA! IT SEEMS THAT EVEN AFTER DROPPING TWO LEVELS, YOU'RE STILL AS STRONG AS EVER!" The old man laughed triumphantly, leaping back.
Then, the fins on his hands began to generate water-like energy, resembling a blade.
"THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!!!" The old man leaped straight towards Yu Long, slashing at her dragon-scale arm.
Dragon scales and blood scattered everywhere, but Yu Long held onto her injured arm tightly, using her leg to block the attack.
But the old man anticipated that, immediately slashing at Yu Long's calf.
Blood spurted out again, but Yu Long redirected the flow of her blood towards the old man's eyes.
"WHAT?!" The old man was blinded by the blood, causing him to halt his attack as he wiped his face.
He really stopped his assault at this moment...?
Seizing the opportunity, Yu Long's head transformed into a dragon's head, blasting a powerful stream of air that sent the old man flying straight into a building.
The building collapsed, creating a loud noise.
"What was that?!"
"It sounds like a building collapsing!"
"What the fuck, I was sleeping."
'Uh oh, everyone is waking up!' I panicked.
Yu Long then collapsed, blood flowing all over her body. Although her face remained expressionless, she could pass out right here.
'Why didn't she transform into a dragon from the beginning?!' I thought as I approached.
"...Master?" Yu Long murmured as she saw me.
I immediately carried her in a princess carry position.
Her blood stained my clothes, making me look no different from a murderer.
"AHHHH!!! THERE'S A MURDERER!!!" A girl screamed when she saw me (bruh).
People began to come out of their houses and, seeing me, they panicked. Some started looking for security.
I started running while carrying Yu Long.
"The murderer is running away!!!"
"Someone help that little gir-"
Before a civilian could finish their sentence, they were cut in half.
People gasped, looking at the body and then at the old man behind them.
"Young people these days are so troublesome," blood trickled from his forehead, giving him a sinister look, as he glanced back at the civilians.
"Hmm, venting anger on them seems like a good idea," he smirked, make his face more scary than ever.
Then, a bloody massacre ensued, accompanied by the screams of many.
***
*Huff puff*
I gasped for breath as I ran while carrying Yu Long. My mind was a blur, why was I running? I mean, couldn't I explain to them?
I kept running until I stopped in a dark corner.
"Master, when did you wake up?" Yu Long got down from my arms, her wounds had healed a bit, monsters really do recover quickly...
"After you went outside."
"...I'm sorry for making you stay awake."
"It's nothing."
Suddenly, a strong aura emanated from behind me.
W-What's this now?!! I panicked, looking back.
There were glowing red eyes, and the figure began to emerge from the shadows.
"The plan seems to have gone beyond expectations, but still successful," the person laughed, pulling back the cloak that covered their face.
It was a seductive woman, with purple hair, big boobs (my eyes were looking there), and a well-proportioned body that reminded me of succubus.
"You're quite lecherous," she teased with a smirk.
"Sorry, I'm usually surrounded by girls with small breasts."
"Well then, you must be a chick magnet," she licked her lips, making my butt sweating.
Wait, why was it my butt?
"Master, stand behind me," Yu Long stepped forward, glaring at the woman.
"It's hard to believe that a princess like you is willing to protect humans," she looked at Yu Long.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Yu Long replied.
"Oh, I forgot that you have amnesia this time." Her skin sprouted sharp thorns this time.
"I'll introduce myself to you, I'm Lin~" she charged straight at Yu Long, closing the distance.
Yu Long's hand sprouted dragon scales, ready to attack.
"Too bad for you, I'm not the type to fight head-on."
When Yu Long's hand touched her skin, bruises suddenly appeared all over Yu Long's arm.
Yu Long stopped her attack, looking at her arm.
"Poison... you're a pufferfish?"
"That's right~ And even if you were level 7, the poison would still be enough to kill you" (Wukong: why are level 7 beings weak now???)
"..." Yu Long stared intently at Lin.
Lin kept smiling, which made Yu Long quite uncomfortable.
'She doesn't intend to kill me,' Yu Long thought, although this poison was potent, it didn't mean there was no cure. If this poison could kill a level 7, it should be stronger.
"Now... I hope you have a good sleep~" Lin waved cheerfully.
Yu Long then noticed her vision starting to blur, her hearing unclear, and her consciousness fading.
"I'm... sleepy..."
Yu Long lay down on the ground.
"Now, only the human remains—wait, where did he go?" Lin looked around.
Suddenly, a staff struck her head directly, knocking her down before she could react.
Lying unconscious on the ground, she remained motionless.
"Surprised BITCH!" I exclaimed, sweating, tightly gripping the staff.
"Kill a level 7? You can't even handle a sneak attack from a level 1 like me and yet you aim to kill a level 7!" I taunted, then approached Yu Long.
A strong gust of wind suddenly appeared behind me.
"AGAIN?! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME!!" I exclaimed in anger and fear, gripping the staff tightly.
"Don't worry, this second time will be the last," he said calmly.
"What-"
A fist struck my abdomen, causing me to cough up blood.
I looked at the man who had attacked me, but my vision was blurred.
My eyes watered, making me collapse.
And the last thing I could see before losing consciousness... was a dirty and worn fisherman's outfit.
"Fuck..." I lost consciousness.