Dungeon Raider System
Chapter 718 - 718: Searching for Moonlight Part 2

After the front face attack on the Dolminico's headquarter both Bella and Nika were chased after by their security team and Uriel joined them in the run barely containing his laughter. Their pursuers were resilient as heavenly rank hunters, but also possessed their innate abilities as hybrids which usually gave them an edge against anyone of their same rank.

Despite that advantage there was nothing they could do to capture the attackers. Nika was able to blink from one shadow to the next, Bella could fly and Uriel activated his Dash skill leaving the Dolminicos and the city behind in a matter of minutes and shortly after they stopped to catch their breath, especially Uriel who had been laughing the entire time.

"Did you eat a clown for breakfast or something?" Nika scoffed in annoyance at Uriel's lack of appreciation after being rescued by them.

"Don't you feel at least a bit guilty for tricking her?" Uriel ignored Nika and turned to Bella.

"I don't know what you're talking about." The blond witch shifted awkwardly then blushed up when Uriel explained Nika he wasn't in any danger and was actually on a date.

"A date!? But the Dolminicos are dangerous people. Bella told me they're now selling some sort of drug..."

"It's not a drug, it's a food. More specifically, it's the ambrosia plant we found in the dungeon. It's a tad addictive, but only because it's good and healthy. So yes, Bella was just jealous." Nika became understandably upset by this and she glared at Bella. The fact that she was a witch was already bad enough, but now she had genuine reasons to dislike her.

"It's all your fault. You think you can work me to the bone recovering artifacts from that hole in the ground and then drop me like a bad habit. Consider this payback." Bella said with sharp eyes.

"Fine, I'll give you that. It's not my fault you didn't want to join the college, though. I even offered to pay your tuition." Uriel said.

"And study what exactly? I've been doing fine by the way. Thank you for asking." Bella wasn't just angry, she was scorned and interrupting Uriel's date wasn't nearly enough to leave her satisfied. "and if you really think I'm jealous, then think twice. I'm already over you and wouldn't date you even if you begged."

It didn't take a genius to understand it wasn't the time to ask her any favors and Uriel decided to give her some space. The fact that she decided to join them was all the evidence he needed to know for sure she would help him understand Soulfire's rant about souls, but rushing things would play against him.

Before nightfall the three hunters set up camp on the foot of a small hill. It was secluded enough to not be spotted by enemies at a distance, but also open enough for them to make a run for it in case it was needed.

They weren't tired in the slightest, but moving forward without a light was dangerous and ever since the lightseekers were released in the outside world it became dangerous to turn on their lanterns in the wilderness.

Uriel would have much preferred to buy one big tent for them in the souvenir shop, but Nika refused to sleep in the same tent as Bella, while Bella refused to sleep near Uriel which meant he needed to get a tent for each member of their party.

"At least I got my daily reward for running on foot all day." Uriel said out loud and closed his eyes, but something prevented him from sleeping.

Things weren't much better in Nika's tent where she remained with her eyes wide open in fear that something might jump them in the middle of the night. While her trait was all about shadows, she needed a lightsource to guide herself. Now they were in the middle of the barrenlands and it was so dark even something so menial as a shadow blink could leave her stranded in an even moder dangerous place.

There were several places she knew she didn't want to visit again, but the unknown was still more terrifying.

Contrary to her friends, Bella didn't have any issues going to sleep thanks to her wind barrier that protected her from most types of damage and at least alerted her about danger. She also spent months mastering witchcraft which allowed her to set up a protective barrier around her tent, though it was only meant to camouflage her energy signature and did little to actually protect her.

Her snoring was a rhythmical whistle in the vast wilderness filled with echoing sounds of coyotes and animals, even bugs. Despite her being fast asleep, her hair remained waving to the beat of an unseen breeze that would only affect her hair. Usually, she would tie her golden hair with a hairband to prevent it from moving, but since she exited the city in a rush she forgot to bring them along.

In the middle of the night, the low sound of the zipper of Bella's tent was slowly opened and the sudden shift in the air current alerted her that something was off.

She kept her eyes closed while trying to feel any flux signature to no avail, which informed her it had to be Uriel since he was able to conceal his flux energy to the point his presence almost vanished and although Nika was able to sneak inside the shadows, she did emit a slight but noticeable amount of flux while doing so.

Pretending to be asleep, Bella was able to follow the intruder's movements with precision from the tent's entrance to her sleeping bag. She felt the tug on her sleeping bag and the tender caress on her hair caused by the breath on the back of her head. By then, her breathing turned into heaving and she felt hot all over her body.

She was unsure if she wanted to give in to Uriel's lowest desires as even though it was precisely what she wanted, she didn't want to come off as easy.

"You can't just ignore me for months and then crawl into my bed like a creep!" Bella shouted.

"Who are you talking to?" Uriel, who had trouble sleeping due to his many unanswered questions, asked from his tent informing Bella that whatever was inside her tent wasn't human.