historical

Chapter 462: Hiding Aura

Shin continued walking alone in the desert, having fulfilled his revenge and obtained the item. He now needed to meet with Pekka and Rekka, or at least that was his plan. However, a sudden strange sensation caused him to stop in his tracks.

It wasn't the Sand Serpents or the scorpions nearby that bothered him. Even though they tried to attack him, mistaking him for a human, he paid them no mind, taking care of them rather easily. It was something entirely different that made him falter and almost fall to the ground.

"Deoras," Shin called out, his voice cold and deep.

"Yes, master," Deoras emerged, bowing before Shin. He could sense Shin's anger, as his aura leaked and weighed heavily on those around him. Thankfully, Deoras had recently increased his strength, or else he would have been suffocated by the aura.

This formidable aura kept the Sand Serpents at bay, and even the scorpions remained at a distance, no longer daring to approach him.

"I have a feeling that something has happened," Shin expressed his concern.

"Tell me, Deoras, is it right for me to think this way?" he asked, seeking confirmation.

Confused, Deoras replied, "Forgive me, master, but what are you referring to?"

"Can't you feel it?" Shin questioned again, further puzzling Deoras.

Deoras scanned the surroundings, looking for any signs of trouble, but his confusion only deepened. "Pardon me, master, can you tell me exactly..."

"I can't feel their presence anymore, Deoras," Shin interrupted, referring to some individuals named Aella, Terran, Raka, and Blanca.

"Huh?" Deoras' eyes widened in surprise.

He attempted to connect with his fellow members, the shadow wolves, who had accompanied him, but he couldn't sense them either. Many of them had stayed behind, unwilling to come out due to fear.

"Master, I too can't feel..." Deoras stammered and paused, visibly anxious at the mention of whatever was causing this.

The other shadow wolves remained concealed within Shin's shadow, afraid of being crushed under the weight of the unknown pressure.

'What could have happened?' Shin questioned himself.

'Why can't I feel their presence?'

'They are definitely not dead,' Shin noticed that the system didn't report them as deceased. This meant they were alive, but something was preventing him from sensing them.

'Did they suddenly learn a skill to hide their aura?' 'Possible...' 'But...' 'All of them? Impossible!'

Hundreds of possibilities drowned his mind, but he couldn't ascertain any with certainty. One thing was sure; he had to rush back to his place. He had already failed in his mission to get help and had unintentionally exposed the heavenly wolf family. If the Supremes went after them, it might buy him some more time.

"Deoras, return," he uttered, and Deoras understood, hiding back in the shadows.

Shin clenched his fist, anger evident. Though he had achieved his human form, he hadn't received all the rewards yet. He could potentially grow stronger, but now was not the time.lights

He bent his body slightly, as if preparing for a run. Gathering strength in his legs, he released it at the right moment, blasting away from the spot. His agility was unmatched by any beast in the desert. That is, if he decided to use his skill.

[You have used the skill Speed Run.]

His eyes glowed momentarily with green light as his speed increased. Due to his swift movement, it was as if the desert was splitting, creating a path in the middle.

'Nothing has happened to them. They will be happy and greet me when I arrive,' he reassured himself as he kept running.

The day turned into night, and the night into day, but Shin had yet to cross the vast desert. Despite his high speed, the journey took longer due to storms and Sand whirlpools that halted his progress. Dealing with these obstacles, it took him a total of 1 day and 5 hours to arrive at Death Valley, where Rekka and Pekka, along with many other Ghost wolves, were waiting.

As he approached, two gigantic ghost wolves fixed their menacing gaze on him, but Shin could see them clearly with his All-Seeing eyes. "I have acquired the Gem of Lie," he announced.

As a mere human, Shin's presence confused the ghost wolves. His releasing of killing intent startled them, as they hadn't sensed a strong being approach in a while.

"Wow, you've grown strong in such a short time... and what's with that human form?" Rekka asked, staring at Shin, but he was in no mood to answer.

He quickly briefed them on the situation, and upon hearing it, both Rekka and Pekka said, "Yes, let us join you."

"Huh?" Shin was confused. He hadn't demanded them to come under him, but it seemed like the reward of the sidequest was taking effect, and the ghost wolves were becoming his underlings.

"But, you can't leave the valley, right?" Shin protested.

"We can't directly..." Rekka began.

"But we can if you use the Gem of Lie to make us living beings, even if only for a few seconds," Pekka added, their voices in unison.

"I see," nodding his head, Shin observed the numerous other Ghost wolves present. "Are they all going to come?" he asked.

Pekka shook his head and replied, "No. They will remain here to keep our territory safe and prevent other souls from taking over."

Understanding their decision, Shin took out the previously acquired Gem of Lie from his inventory. Holding it in his hand, he could feel its immense power. "I command you, turn both of them into the living!" he declared, holding the gem forward, but nothing happened.

"Uh, are you sure you are the owner of the gem?" Rekka inquired skeptically.

Before Shin could respond, Pekka intervened, saying, "Of course he is, look at the gem's loyalty."

"Then why isn't it working?" Rekka persisted.

"I think it's because he has yet to form a contract with the Gem's soul," Pekka explained, turning towards Shin. He then asked, "Have you formed a contract with the Gem's soul?"

"A contract? No."