Valerian, The Legendary

Chapter 368: Blade Dance.

Valerian was fighting against the three cats and having a lot of trouble. These beasts had not given him any time to rest, and it had been half an hour since the fight began. The young man could not back off from the situation either. He invited this upon them.

What scared him was the pack of meat buns. If he could not deal with these cats quickly, then there was a chance that even more of them might pop up and attack him. Valerian held two blades and constantly blocked attacks from two sides while dodging the third one. As he adapted to the pace, the enemy was getting better with their coordination.

Valerian noticed the change in their attacks, but as they became coordinated, it made them slower too. The shadow tigers were not social creatures. They were raw and wandered the dungeons alone. Valerian was probably the only one who could unite them to kill.

On the other hand, Shiba and her team were moving toward the corner where Valerian was fighting. These people had been wandering the dungeon for a long time, and they knew the ways inside this dark labyrinth. Their speed was quick, and their actions were decisive. The team of three had reached the tenth floor. Their coordination was at peak and point.

These beasts on the first floor were nothing to them. Viney asked, "What do you think? Dealing with one shadow tiger is not a big deal."

Captain shook his head, "If that were the case, we would have already found him. However, since he has yet to come this way. It means the situation is different than what we anticipated."

Shiba was positioned in the back of the formation and said, "Captain is correct. We need to hurry. Viney, pick up the pace."

The team nodded, and they all picked up the pace. Shiba was concerned because Valerian had the strength she had seen in the top dungeoneers. When he described his world to her, she sensed a tinge of fear in his eyes and voice.

He feared he might forget that world if he stayed here too long. She did not wish for him to suffer from something that cruel. This was the reason why she wanted to help him.

...

Valerian did not know that Shiba was heading his way. The young man was completely dedicated to the battle at hand. He was injured too when the cats attacked him a few moments ago, his foot slipped on a piece of rubble, and a shadow tiger landed her claw on his face.

It was as if telling him to get lost. The beast left three shallow-cut wounds on his cheek. The young man took a few steps back, and the big cats stood still. Valerian did not wipe his cheek. He silently gazed into the blue eyes of the beasts before him. The young man thought, ’Why am I having trouble dealing with these beasts? What are they?’

The three cats attacked him in a streamlined formation, but Valerian still thought, ’They are not stronger than even the wolves from the other day. Their speed is nothing compared to Fortuna or Linea. Why am I suffering, then? Did I rely too much on magic that I cannot deal with them?’

The knives blocked the attack, and the thoughts kept moving on. The debate in his heart was why he was being forced back. Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind, "If you wish to go back home, then fight. Fight like your life is on the line, Val."

This voice was not something he had ever heard before. However, it seemed to be resonating from the depth of his soul. His body seemed to have reacted on its own. The shadow tiger was closing in on him, and Valerian could see its movement as if time slowed around him.

Both his hands were on his sides from defending against the two attacks earlier. In his eyes, only the metallic glint of the claws remained. Thinking about this, Valerian bent his knees and charged forward. The big cat had jumped on him to wound him lethally, but it left enough room for Valerian to dodge from under it.

However, the two other Shadow Tigers were also ready to attack him from the sides. Valerian did not fear them, and he stowed away his knives. Then in a blink, he took out several flying knives from the holster on his thighs and flicked his wrists. The cats saw the blade coming and dodged them.

But things were not that simple anymore. Valerian had let go of his hesitation. He flicked one pair of knives at where the cats were, and all the rest were flicked at where the cats would be. The attack was made in one breath, and before the shadow tigers had the time to dodge, three flying knives had stabbed each one in the sides.

The last shadow tiger had also turned around and was coming at Valerian, but this beast was not using its claws anymore. It bared its fangs at the back of Valerian’s neck. The young man turned around, and a knife shimmered.

He caught the body of the shadow tiger and pulled his knife out of the mouth of the beast. He dropped the beast on the ground and stowed his knife back in the holster. The young man walked over to the side and began to breathe. The stunt he pulled off earlier, he was not breathing.

He was leaning against a wall when he spotted Shiba and the rest standing nearby. He did not react much because he could see the shock on their faces.

A minute later, the corpses of the beasts vanished, and only claw bones were left. Valerian picked up the claw bones and stowed them inside the bag on his back.

He looked around Shiba and asked, "Can I do anything for you all?"

Viney walked forward slowly and asked, "How did you kill those beasts in one breath?"

Valerian said, "Is it that surprising?"

Viney nodded and asked, "Please tell me how you did this. I want to learn."

Valerian said, "Practice, that’s how."

He looked around and said, "We shall leave this place because I have exploded things out of proportion."

Shiba followed his gaze and found the packet of meat buns on the ground. She was surprised by the proportions and said, "Leave quickly."

The team moved quickly through the dungeons, and Valerian walked behind them. However, his stance was completely relaxed, as if it were his home. While the group was fighting with the beasts, Valerian was simply slaying them with one or two blows.

His speed was too quick for the beasts. Shiba and the team were doubting themselves. They thought that the young man was simply a beast in human clothing. He was killing them with ease, similar to squatting a bug.

The people exited the dungeon and headed straight to the Guild building. Valerian picked up a package of meat buns, and the vendor thanked him. The young man submitted his task to Prim and collected the reward.

His gaze ran over to the task board, and he asked, "Madam Prim, can I accept multiple tasks simultaneously?"

Prim nodded while sorting out the clerical details and said, "You can pick the tasks, but you need to deposit some security amount. For ten tasks, it will be ten gold coins."

Valerian asked, "Why do I need to deposit a security?"

Before Prim could speak, Shiba said, "If you fail to complete the tasks, then the guild will organize a party to recover your remains from the dungeon."

The young man nodded and said, "Madam Prim, please deduct ten gold coins from my deposit. I want to accept ten tasks together."

Many of the guild staff and the dungeoneers were present in the place, and they were shocked to hear this. They could not believe that this young man would accept ten tasks simultaneously. They all looked at Shiba and the rest of the people, thinking this guy was with them.

Viney asked, "Valerian, are you sure? You do not have a party to help you with these tasks."

Valerian replied, "I did not intend to ask for any help. Madam Prim, I am sure. Please start the procedure."

Prim nodded and said, "Very well, it will be done in a few hours. You should get some rest in the meantime."

Valerian nodded and walked out of the guild building. The shock he set out for the rest of the people was too much. They all knew this guy was just a level one dungeoneer, but if he managed to complete the ten tasks in one trip, he would be promoted by ten levels.

Shiba chased after Valerian, and she had to warn him of the hidden danger that came with fame. She caught Valerian entering the inn opposite the guild building. She called him out and said, "Valerian, wait. I have to tell you something?"

Valerian stopped at the footsteps and asked, "What is it?"

Shiba did not give him a chance to react and grasped his wrist before pulling him away. Valerian asked, "Where are you taking me?"

Shiba said, "Someplace of relevance."