Ash awoke in pain to his entire body due to the effect of using berserk. Reaching out in his link, Ash beckoned to Grim who was doing watch duty.
The little raven appeared looking kind of guilty. Grim hopped over to his tamer who lightly reprimanded him.
"Hey buddy, I know what happened was an accident. That doesn't mean you can get cocky because of a small power increase. We're better than that, aren't we?
If we let this power get to our heads, then it'll be that much easier for our enemies to kill us. If I remember correctly, your flock would have killed us successfully had they not underestimated my friend and I."
Grim had a sour expression, or as much as one could have if they were a bird. That last comment felt like a punch in his tiny gut. His partner was right, hubris was the downfall of his previous family.
Ash could feel the bond between the two enhance a bit. The bond felt a bit thicker than previously. Grim looked at his partner and conveyed his apology. Ash jabbed a finger into his partner's chest saying, "I forgive you." Grim responded by flying on his head and using his beak to peck at his partner's noggin.
Ash and Grim stretched a bit before Ash had Grim try and find something edible within a half mile of camp. Grim flew off with Ash continuing to stretch and loosen his muscles.
'Didn't think I'd be injured so much from using my skill. The blood affinity is a deep pit that I have barely unearthed. That old bastard always stressed a good physique and fitness, now I get why. If I was physically weaker, then I might have died. Berserk seems to put a burden on my body heavier then when I consciously use my affinity to speed up my blood.'
'No, there has to be more to it then that. I lose control way more with [berserk] than just speeding up my blood flow. There are components to my skills I need to break down more.'
'I haven't even used my death affinity yet. I need to try that in my next battle.'
Grim returned with a fat rabbit with a now broken neck. It was a pretty big rabbit that had Ash smiling.
"Good work buddy, this rabbit right here is called a garden robber. They're rich in vitality, next time bring more. This one rabbit is more than enough for us to share."
The little raven dropped down the rabbit and perked up like it had accomplished a major feat. Ash thought for a moment before scavenging for some edible plants. He set them not too far from the dead rabbit as he started a fire while dividing the plants between himself and Grim.
The fire was small but made with intention. Created to give off very little smoke, but still produce enough heat to roast their food. Skinning and prepping the rabbit, what followed was a short and quiet wait as the food cooked. The two ate in relish as the meat was gone in mere minutes, but both were well satiated.
After their meal, the duo then got ready to head into the territory of the cryptic golem once more. Ash had his saber ready as Grim flew steadily in the air not too far. The duo headed further into the territory quickly meeting some of the weaker zombies.
Seeing his opportunity, Ash tried using the death element on his saber. The moment he did he felt a distinct change, as did Grim. It was an ominous element, that had the saber giving off an aura similar to a cemetery. Moving to a straggler zombie, he cut it's arm.
The arm went flying but not much else happened. The zombie responded slowly, trying to take a bite out of Ash. He swiftly dodged as he infused the element into his punch that knocked the zombie back. No effect, on the zombie or Ash himself.
Annoyed but also relieved, Ash cut the head of the zombie off. Seemed this element was just as special as everyone made it out to be.
'Gotta admit, at least I'll only have to focus on one element. Gonna take some time to get the death element down, blood seems the easier of the two. Too many elements means shallow understanding in them. Dad stressed that almost as much as physical training.'
"Hey buddy, you should also try using your death element."
Ash directed Grim to used his death element on his talons to harm a straggling zombie. His claws closed a deathly black infused into his claws. Using a simple scratch caused damage but nothing else.
'Seems like we should test this element on monsters that aren't dead.'
Scratching his head Ash watched Grim crush the zombie's skull and moved forward.
The pair hadn't gone deep into the territory previously, barely touching the outer ring of the cryptic golem's territory.
As the wandered deeper into the territory the pair met a crowd of zombies. One of them looking visibly different to the others with steel-like skin and it seemed to smell the pair as they approached.
Both of them prepared for a fight when they saw something bizarre. Another group of zombies approached.
This group seemed a bit more special than the others as a couple had armor, another two would spaz every couple of seconds with their eyes doing the same, and the last one was burly compared to the rest.
Focus of the first pack switched to the second pack as they eyed each other. Ash was a bit confused and backed away, as did Grim. He knew that monsters would have territorial fights but something seemed off.
He could hardly think further before the second group of zombies took off running to the first group. Ash observed the first group and found that they seemed afraid.
Ash observed quietly as he witnessed the cannibalistic ruthlessness zombies had. It was like a scythe cutting wheat. The first group could offer little resistance.
Black blood, limbs and entrails flew everywhere. The first group had each member killing a few zombies. The ones with armor used hatchets and had long arms. They a particular move that had Ash gasp. The two linked arms and spun creating a deadly cyclone that mowed down the other zombies.
The ones twitching were agility based as they moved quick using claw like hands to hack apart their enemies.
The burly one was clearly the lead. It hung back until most of the work was done and targeted the only zombie that was special in the first crowd.
It was fast for how bulky it was. It moved fast enough that Ash could barely see. It grabbed the zombie hard enough that the shoulder collapsed from just the shear grip strength. Mouth opening, it devoured the struggling zombie's head as a nasty crunch reverberated.
Ash had made the executive decision to retreat the moment the burly one moved. They ran out of the territory. Before reaching their camp. The two used some powder to hide their scent and continued on.
The duo went back to camp with Ash rethink his plans.
'Ok, there are more to these monster than I let on. Cannibalism is gruesome because of how strong monster with that trait can get.
I feel like I underestimated the zombies, we haven't even meet the boss and random underlings are too much. We have to get stronger before we leave. If we don't we'll be crushed for being weak.'
This world was cruel. Ash knew that should he leave this place as a weakling, he was going to be somebody else's slave. Protecting his village, seeing the world, and becoming a ranked tamer hung on strength. Something he sorely lacked.
Ash punched a tree and remembered something he neglected. The jade slip taken from some other kids right when he stepped in the realm.
Opening his bag he got a hold of the two jade slips. Holding them he put them to his forehead. After a few seconds a smile appeared on his face.
Grim squawked as though asking him what he gained. The boy smiled, two new techniques that would aid them in surviving.