Chapter 3 – Welcome to America

Volume 4: When the Demon Tide Rises

"Human. Pathetically weak. What do we do, Dog-Ge?"

From the footsteps alone, Xing identified the approaching creature's race and approximate strength.

He was much stronger than One-Eye, but he was still accustomed to asking his advice. In Xing's eyes, One-Eye knew more about the world.

"Ignore him. I'm nearly done…"

Xing rolled his eyes. Who knew what One-Eye meant by nearly?

…

The footsteps drew closer as One-Eye's thrusts grew more forceful. An elderly but powerfully built man appeared with a Hunting Rifle raised.

Neither pet stopped what he was doing. The shepherd beneath One-Eye, however, whimpered as though she had seen salvation.

"Dad, save me…"

Even Xing, who didn't understand her language, could hear the anguish.

Seeing his "daughter" being raped, Old Sam raised his rifle and roared.

"You mutt! Let her go!"

How he'd decided something like One-Eye was a mutt was anyone's guess.

One-Eye ignored him.

Bang!

The lead shot struck his head and ricocheted far away. It did nothing to him. If anything, his movements grew fiercer.

Then he gave two strange whines and slid off the shepherd as though his legs had given out. He lay on the ground with a lewd expression, lost in thoughts of his own.

…

Freed at last, the shepherd whimpered miserably and trotted to Old Sam. Her gaze toward One-Eye held anger and helplessness-and, strangely, something else as well.

Relieved to see no physical injury to his "daughter," Old Sam breathed out. Then he looked at One-Eye lying on the ground staring at the sky and Xing still devouring his meal. Anger flashed in his eyes as he raised the rifle again.

Bang!

Once more, the shot bounced off One-Eye's hide and vanished somewhere into the distance.

The rifle had been modified, but it could not bridge the gulf between Level 2 and Level 5.

Realizing his attacks couldn't harm the two enormous monsters, Old Sam began to regain his senses. He patted the shepherd's huge body with one hand and backed away, rifle in the other.

Then he stopped.

…

Wen Yu and Kuangliu had heard the first shot from nearby.

Wen Yu had handled guns in his previous life. Kuangliu's familiarity with them went without saying.

"Want to take a look?" Kuangliu asked leisurely.

"It's fine. My Soul Pets can handle it."

Wen Yu assumed Xing and One-Eye had encountered an enemy, but the sound of the gun had killed his interest.

A thousand of those junk weapons couldn't hurt them.

"I mean we've finally found a person. We could ask for information."

"Oh…"

Wen Yu drew the syllable out.

He hadn't thought of that. He was on his own; his location didn't particularly matter to him.

Kuangliu was much keener to return to Huaxia.

"Let's go, then."

Wen Yu slowly got to his feet, then shot toward the gunfire at tremendous speed.

Kuangliu wasn't far behind. Crackling spread over his body, and he followed like a streak of blue light.

…

"Who are you?"

Old Sam stared at the two Asian men who had appeared in front of him, struggling to process it.

Asian people were hardly unusual in America. Yang, one of the Bosses of Las Vegas Settlement, was from Huaxia.

But when one of these men clapped his hands and both enormous Mutant Beasts shrank, then leaped onto him, things became distinctly strange.

There were certainly Mutant Beasts other than One-Eye and Xing that could change size after the Apocalypse. But Old Sam had never encountered one.

He swallowed hard at the terrifying heat radiating from the men and the oppressive aura of strength around them.

As a farm caretaker, he had met many people and even more Mutant Beasts. He knew one thing well.

People were far more frightening.

Even the strongest, most vicious beast would ignore the "bugs" around it once its stomach was full. Powerful people, in a sense, killed according to their mood.

Perhaps noticing his fear, Kuangliu smiled and spoke in fluent English.

"We're soldiers from Huaxia. We ended up here for reasons we don't understand, and we'd like to ask you a few questions."

Watching Old Sam hold the rifle with trembling hands, still wary, Wen Yu thought briefly and took a Level 3 Magic Crystal from his Spatial Ring. He tossed it over.

"Payment. For help."

His English was clumsy, but Old Sam understood. He nudged the crystal with his foot, then quickly bent to retrieve it.

When he straightened, he was smiling again.

"Come on, man."

He beckoned and led the enormous shepherd back the way he had come.

…

The cabin was small, but had everything they needed.

The moment they entered, Wen Yu hurried to the bathroom.

The thousand-floor tower had offered neither comfortable beds nor showers, and some of its Trials had been filthy. Both men carried a distinctly unpleasant smell.

Clear, cool water poured over Wen Yu's body, restoring a feeling of ordinary life he had almost forgotten.

Outside, Old Sam rummaged through his belongings and found two sets of clean clothes. Then he lay on the bed and began chatting with Kuangliu.

He might be old, but he was energetic and far from foolish. These two Class Holders were unquestionably powerhouses.

Even Lord Klaus's aura didn't compare.

And Lord Klaus was a mid-Level 4 Class Holder.

More importantly, neither man seemed to mean him any harm.

If he looked after them properly, the rewards…

Old Sam's calculations were certainly clicking along.

Kuangliu sat quietly on a chair, examining the cabin. Old Sam spoke first.

"Hi, friend. Welcome to America."