As Dante and his group continued their journey, curiosity gnawed at him. He couldn’t help but wonder about the club that Jack wielded during their recent battle. The weapon had proven formidable, and Dante’s newly acquired skill, "Eye of Appraisal," might reveal more about it.
Focusing his skill on the club, Dante examined it closely. At first glance, it appeared to be a simple weapon, but as the appraisal took effect, hidden details emerged. The wood bore intricate carvings, faintly glowing under his scrutiny. A subtle aura of power emanated from the weapon, hinting at its storied past.
Club of Orc
Rank: Iron
Description: An old club that was once wielded by an orc chieftain. It demands a wielder with a Strength stat of 15 or higher.
Attack Power: 10–25
Durability: 28/40
Effects:
Grants +3 Strength.
Grants +2 Defense.
Dante made a mental note of the club's details .
As they finally arrived back at the apartment, relief washed over them. The familiar surroundings provided a temporary sense of security . They had expected to find the three woman, waiting for them, but the apartment was eerily empty.
Ray's brow furrowed with concern. "Where are they? They should have been here."
Natasha scanned the living area, her expression serious. “There’s no sign of a struggle or forced entry. It looks like they left willingly.”
Jack gripped his club tightly. “But why would they leave without telling us? Something’s not right.”
Nir, who had been sitting quietly, added, “Maybe they left a clue. Let’s check the place.”
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The group immediately began searching the apartment. They scoured every corner, from drawers to under beds, looking for any sign of where the girls might have gone. Despite their exhaustive search, there were no notes, no messages—nothing to explain Selene and Sarah’s absence.
Dante leaned against the kitchen counter, frustration etched on his face. “This doesn’t make sense. They wouldn’t just disappear like this.”
Natasha nodded, her worry evident. “We need to find them. They could be in trouble.”
Jack turned to Dante, his tone resolute. “What’s the plan?”
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Dante looked at his friends, his jaw tightening as determination lit up his eyes. “We can’t stay here and hope they come back. We need to find them. Whatever it takes, we’ll make sure they’re safe.”
Nir hesitated, his face lined with worry. “Dante, are you sure about this? We just survived a battle with that orc and Joshua. You lost your right hand, and Ron…”
Dante cut him off, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “Nir, do you know what courage is? Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. We can’t abandon them—not now, not ever.”
Nir opened his mouth to protest but stopped when he saw the intensity in Dante’s eyes. That fire, the unyielding determination, was something Nir rarely saw in anyone. He realized that Dante’s decision wasn’t reckless; it was born of loyalty, responsibility, and an unwavering sense of duty.
Nir sighed and nodded. “Alright. I’m with you.”
Jack smirked and swung his club onto his shoulder. “You didn’t even need to ask.”
Natasha gave a firm nod. “Then let’s not waste time. We’ve got a car—we’ll cover more ground that way.”
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The group quickly gathered their gear and returned to the car parked outside. Natasha stepped up to the driver’s seat without hesitation. Among them, she was the most experienced behind the wheel and in the best condition to drive.
Dante slid into the passenger seat, scanning the quiet streets as Natasha started the engine. The sound of the car felt unnaturally loud in the desolate city. Jack and Nir took the back seats, double-checking their weapons as the vehicle began to move.
“Where do we even start?” Jack asked, breaking the silence.
Dante pulled out the small map they had pieced together from the remnants of a tourist brochure. “They wouldn’t have gone far without a reason. If they left willingly, maybe they were looking for supplies or following a lead.”
Natasha’s grip on the wheel tightened. “Then we check every place nearby that makes sense—a store, a hospital, anywhere they might think they could help.”
Nir leaned forward, his voice low. “And if they didn’t leave willingly?”
Dante didn’t answer immediately. His gaze hardened as he looked out the window at the crumbling city. Finally, he said, “Then we find whoever’s responsible, and we make them pay.”
The car sped down the empty streets, its passengers united in purpose. Whatever lay ahead, Dante and his group were ready to face it. Their friends were out there, and they wouldn’t stop until they brought them back.