Peter was back inside a commandant war room. It was similar to the one where he talked with Cherry. The main difference was the map on the table, instead of two maps, there was only one. On the right of the map, a small square was symbolizing Tol’Osa, the rest of the map was filled with information about the environment. Different wood markers were put on the map indicating critical spots so Peter could see harvest position, danger zone, potential comet impact and, marked with a sculpted stone instead of wood, a hellhound nest.

  “Sophie told me you’re a smart one. What can you tell me from this ?” John said, indicating the map.

  Peter took a good look at the map. The nest was quite far but there were a couple of harvesting spots, marked with red wood markers very close to it. Peter could also see a trail formed by a set of eight black wood chips with a claw carved on it. Near each of them, a small stack of tiny rocks was getting bigger as their chips were getting further from the town.

  “The nest is too close to two harvest sites.” Peter answered, indicating two small wood tokens, one with a rock carved in, the other one with a bush. “I suppose the bush one is indicating food so the situation can escalate quickly. Also, if I suppose these tokens with claws indicate where hounds have been spotted with the number of little rocks near representing the timeline, the nest is getting closer. Can a nest move ?”

  “Well, I’d be damned if I wasn’t already. You got it right.” John said with his usual disturbing smile. “Yes, a nest can move. And it’s indicating an alpha beast inside it. Which means I’m not sure I’ll bring back my whole team from assaulting it. Well, I wasn’t sure until you said you’re coming with us. Your role will be very simple. Take the aggro and deal most of the damage while we give you support and prevent other beasts from joining your fight. I was not sure after your fight with Edgar but your show at Center made it clear. You are strong enough to deal with it.”

  “Why not directly ask me for help then ? ” Peter asked, looking at John with a dubious look.

  “A demon has his pride.” John said plainly. ”And Edgar would have laughed at me.”

  “We can both already admit I’m nothing like that dead goat.” Peter said, trying to imitate John's disturbing smile.

  John laughed at the imitation like a mad person and Peter was really starting to think he was in front of a crazy criminal.

  “Yes, we can. Let’s go hunting this nest.” John said when he was calmer.

  ******

  The truck was moving for a while now. If Peter had to bet, he would have said about two to three hours but he really sucked at it. Soon after leaving the war room, John had regrouped the expedition team and had given the order to start the hunt. There were now twenty four other demons with Peter, waiting in the same truck that was travelling at quite a good speed.

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  From what Peter asked the others combined with Donero teaching, Peter had a couple of info about this technology. The vehicle was called a small heavy carrier abbreviated SHC because, even in Hell, people were lazy. It was propulsed using a special magical stone called hellstone that was feeding on demon power to move the truck. The demon assigned to feed it was called the battery and it was supposed to be an older demon with a lot of power to spare. Here, it was Max, one of the captains who was also the driver. The truck, Peter was not calling it by its stupid abbreviation, was basically a wide and long covered wagon with a strange contraption under it as a motor and a cockpit similar to a primitive truck. Peter was sitting in the cockpit on the right with John in the middle.

  Almost each demon was on standby, either resting against a crate on the floor of the wagon or leaning against a side. Only four demons were on guard, weapons ready, and looking around. There was also a demon in the sky flying along the truck providing aerial recon.

  “Any other question, Primordial Peter ?” John said. Even in the middle of nowhere going toward danger, he still had his deranged smile.

  “Not for now. The plan is simple, the team stays in the truck providing support while I glide and burst the nest and the alpha.” Peter said, breathing slowly. He was trying to stay calm as the whole strategy was resting on his shoulder.

  Suddenly, Peter heard some noise as something put itself on top of the truck. An instant later, a demon put his head near Peter's window.

  “Nest spotted at one o'clock, commandant. The pack around is quite small. They are probably hunting away.” The demon said before jumping back in the sky.

  “Good.” John said before elevating the voice. “Everyone, battle formation. Impact in five. Move your demonic asses and get ready !”

  The truck started to sway as the team was moving inside the truck. The cover was quickly removed as demons were readying their weapons. Most of them were using bow and crossbow, using their power to create approximate arrows and bolts on the fly. Peter could see a couple of demons taking large rifles. Those rifles were nothing like Lucas weapons, they were more exotic and esoteric, made of wood and bones with only very metal on it.

  “What are those rifles ? ” Peter asked. He could see John powering up as scars on his body were getting longer and deeper.

  “Hellstone powered ones.” John answered ”The user needs both a good matching type and a strong reserve of power, and they are incredibly hard to craft. But it was our only option against an alpha before you joined us. Max, statut ?”

  “I prefer a boost, the landscape is not good for the SHC.” Max said as she was accelerating the truck.

  “Romain. Sinister. You’re on boost.” John ordered, looking at the back of the truck. ”Blade, you’re providing an opening for our leader with your team. Max and mine will manage the pack. Everyone ready ? ”

  “Sir, yes, sir !” The whole team said as one.

  Peter was looking at the nest which was right in the middle of a small crater. Well, it was time to unleash his power.

  “Whenever you want, Primordial.” John said as his smile was getting more deranged than ever.

  “I’m going in.” Peter said.

  And he jumped out of the truck.