HP: Bad Intentions

Fleur's attitude toward Blake had shifted subtly but unmistakably over time. Though she didn't consciously acknowledge it, her actions spoke volumes.

She engaged with him more often, her initially cautious demeanour softening into something resembling camaraderie. For Blake, this was hardly surprising—being a druid meant he naturally drew others to him. His aura was magnetic, especially to magical creatures.

For Fleur, who carried one-quarter Veela blood, the pull was inevitable. Her Veela instincts responded to his presence, even if she didn't fully realize it.

However, this shift didn't go unnoticed.

Cassandra, far more attuned to human emotions, sensed the growing closeness between Fleur and Blake. In a quiet yet deliberate way, she often positioned herself between the two, as though silently reminding Fleur of her place.

Meanwhile, Blake remained blissfully unaware of the subtle rivalry brewing between the two girls. His focus was on their expedition and ensuring their comfort along the way.

Seated on the sturdy back of Xiaocai, his trusted Acromantula companion, he had set up an arrangement that was almost absurdly luxurious given the circumstances.

In front of him was a small table laden with provisions. A jug of cold juice gleamed in the sunlight, flanked by an assortment of snacks. Most were simple items he'd got from the convenience store, yet their abundance reflected his meticulous preparation.

"This journey is supposed to be dangerous," Blake mused aloud, taking a sip of juice. "Might as well make it enjoyable."

His words captured his paradoxical approach to life: a mix of relaxed confidence and painstaking readiness. The source of his assurance lay in the unique failsafe built into his abilities.

Should things spiral out of control, he could abandon the challenge and safely extract everyone, his magical beasts included.

Of course, doing so would mean forfeiting the dungeon's rewards—a one-time opportunity that Blake was not stupid enough to waste. Still, he wasn't particularly worried. Given his strength and resources, the odds of encountering an insurmountable challenge were slim.

The group travelled in relative ease, their conversation interspersed with the occasional growl or chirp from the magical creatures accompanying them. It was during one such moment of calm that a sharp, piercing cry cut through the air.

"Jiu! Jiu!"

A blur of gray swooped down from the sky. It was one of Blake's owls, a loyal scout that served as his eyes in the skies. The bird landed on his outstretched hand, issuing a series of urgent hoots before taking off again.

Blake's expression grew serious as he raised a hand to halt the group.

"What is it?" Cassandra asked, leaning forward slightly.

"We've got company," Blake said, his tone calm.

Both Cassandra and Fleur exchanged uneasy glances. The idea of facing an unknown enemy in this otherworldly environment sent shivers down their spines.

Blake, however, appeared unperturbed. "The enemy is just beyond that hill," he said, gesturing ahead.

The magical beasts surrounding them seemed to sense the impending confrontation. Their growls grew louder, and the air buzzed with tension. Blake raised a hand to quiet them.

"Easy, everyone," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You might not even get a chance to fight. These enemies aren't worth the effort."

As the group crested the hill, the scene before them drew gasps from Fleur and Cassandra.

"Z-zombies?" Cassandra stammered, her hand instinctively clutching Blake's arm.

"Yes," Blake replied, almost amused. "They may look terrifying, but they're just low-level fodder."

Below them stretched a horde of grotesque zombies. Their decayed bodies shuffled forward, iron-blue skin marred with maggots writhing in and out of gaping wounds. Their clawed hands and jagged teeth glinted menacingly in the dim light.

The sight was enough to unnerve even the most seasoned warrior. Fleur and Cassandra, despite their training, couldn't help but step back in instinctive fear.

"Roar!"

A guttural cry echoed as the zombies spotted the group. In an instant, they surged forward with unnatural speed, their grotesque forms moving with alarming agility.

Blake also didn't expect that the enemy arranged for him by the system would be such a good monster like Zombies. Can a necromancer be afraid of undead creatures? This was basically food delivery!

Blake raised an eyebrow. "Fast little things, aren't they?" he remarked.

The horde advanced, their numbers overwhelming. Yet Blake remained calm, raising his left hand and uttering a single command.

"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Scatter."

The effect was instantaneous. The zombies crumbled where they stood, their bodies disintegrating into fine dust. The roaring chaos of the battlefield was replaced by an eerie silence.

Fleur and Cassandra stared in open-mouthed astonishment, their disbelief written across their faces.

Blake turned to them, a wry smile playing on his lips. "If I were you, I'd close my mouth and cast a Bubble Head spell. Breathing in zombie dust isn't exactly pleasant."

Realizing the truth of his words, the girls quickly performed the necessary incantations, enveloping themselves in protective bubbles.

Blake waved his hand, conjuring a barrier around their table set up to keep the dust out. "There, all clean," he said, clapping his hands together.

The group resumed their journey, though the air felt heavier with unspoken questions. Fleur finally broke the silence.

"How did you do that?" she asked, her voice a mix of awe and suspicion. "So many zombies, gone in an instant. What kind of spell was that?"

Blake chuckled. "Nothing special. Zombies are weak against my techniques. Even without me, our team could've handled them easily."

Fleur glanced at the imposing magical beasts surrounding them, their glinting armor a testament to Blake's preparation. For all his humility, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than he let on.

As they traveled further, Blake found himself growing restless.

"This dungeon is supposed to be dangerous," he muttered under his breath. "So far, all we've seen are weaklings like those zombies. Where's the challenge?"

He glanced at his companions—both human and beast. The magical creatures, adorned in custom gear, exuded an aura of invincibility.

"Tsk," he said, shaking his head. "I might've over-prepared."

Cassandra noticed his frustration and chuckled. "Only you would complain about not finding stronger enemies in a place like this."

Blake sighed, leaning back against Xiaocai's broad back. "What's the point of a dungeon if there's nothing to fight? I need stronger monsters for loot, new materials, and better equipment!"

Fleur watched him quietly, her expression unreadable. Despite his complaints, she couldn't help but admire Blake's drive. For someone so powerful, he carried himself with a surprising mix of ambition and humility.

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