"So Raphael, how well are my stats in comparison to average?" Maruti was staring deep into his status and asked curiously.
"Well, to compare you to an average adult you seem lacking in strength and agility both.
But if I compare you to someone around 15 years age, then you surely leave them behind."
Aftersome thinking for sometime Raphael continued, "Well for the average healthy adult male, I mean healthy, who are rather fit and had kept their body in natural shape. Their stats are around and average 20 points in every stat. But for an 15 year old Or less boy the stats only go up ti 10 to 12 points in average. "
Maruti raised his eyebrow and a smile formed on his face as he enquired again,
" So that means, I am above average among people around my age. That's a good thing, as due to my passive skill I will soon gain Extra 40 stats in every stat. My power definitely will rise to the next level with that."
But for that I have to keep surviving along with my family, a worried expression flashed on his face as he thought of his future.
To cheer him up, Raphael said in a rather exciting voice, "Well look at the bright side Master, you have a very high mana. It looks like Master's mana affinity won't lose to anyone atleast for now, even your stamina is rather high too. So don't worry about anything and focus on reaching Level 10 quickly to get a class and let's take small steps for now. "
Maruti's worry became a little less as he realised that he truly has a unique power, so he has to utilise it well.
Then they both chit chatted with each other and time went by, and after 4 hours his father woke up and told him sleep
Before sleeping Maruti told his dad, about tomorrow's action and also checked his stats.
***
[STATUS]
NAME : RANDHEER PANDIT
RACE : HUMAN
LEVEL : 01
TITLE : NONE
CLASS : NONE
STR : 25 AGI : 20
VIT : 35 MP : 15
STA : 22. DEX : 15
HP : 130. MANA : 75
[SKILLS]
ACTIVE SKILLS : NONE
PASSIVE SKILLS :
1. (PROTECTOR Lv1 : You will always protect your Family ones Before yourself. When present with your family member, You will gain a 5 percent gain in strength per family member. A maximum of 20 percent increase in strength is possible. Your family members are those who you accept as family, current Family members 5 and the members can't increase above 10.)
2. (TENACIOUS LV5 MAX : You will leave behind most people if it comes to a tenacious will. At the times of mortal danger all stats plus 20.
In case your family members are in danger all stats +30. If whole family is in danger the all stats +50.)
***
"Wow, Master's dad is powerful. His stats are well balanced except for poor mana affinity. And what a great passive effects even on Level 1, it gives a total 20 percent increase in strength." Raphael's eyes sparkled.
Well, as a reminder, Raphael is only visible and audible to Maruti.
" Mhm, Though it may not be that effective now, but in the future a boost of 20 percent in strength will definitely be tremendous. "
" And the second passive effect is similarly great, in this beginning time that passive skill is really great."
Well for that we have to be around him, or atleast survive along with him.
"Dad, you are the most powerful among us and we have to hunt monsters from tomorrow. So we have to be brave enough to Hunt, to kill for our family."
Said Maruti with a serious expression and looked at his father in his eyes.
Seeing his son's serious expression, Pandit couldn't help but chuckle and said," You brat, did you forget who the head of the family is. Don't worry we will prevail. "
" So let's prepare now, cause we have to go into the forest to hunt and become strong. We can't hide cause that will only make us weaker as time goes."Saying Pandit brought the weapons bag, he pulled out two machetes and handed one to his son.
" Before leaving tomorrow we have to do status check of every one so that we can use everything we can. " After saying good night, Maruti went to sleep and left his father to gaurd the remaining time.
Before sleeping, Maruti reminded, Raphael to wake him up around 5am.
"***
Next day, 5.30 am
The morning came Quickly. Maruti was the last to wake up.
He came out of the tent, and to his surprise every family member of his were surrounding something.
He asked, yawning," What's happening every-"
His words were stuck in his throat when, he saw a pitch black coloured fur of an animal, which was licking everybody and wagging it's tail.
"Ah! Lil bro, see Timy has mutated, he even became big."
Meena Said while rubbing her face on TIMY'S.
Maruti asked Raphael as to what's all about.
"Well actually your family is quite fortunate, and even I forgot that you had a dog. Usually every animal mutate and become Very aggressive. Only some, I mean really small percentile recover their previous behaviour."
After listening to Raphael, Maruti sucked in cold breath.
He calmed his heart down as he saw Timy, who was atleast the 4 ft in height now, had larger claws, and protruding white fangs that seemed to crush even metal.
He went to Timy and seeing him, Timy jumped on him and licked his face wet.
"Ok ok, good Boy."
Then he looked towards father and said,
" We now have another front line fighter. So now Father we can have fight without worrying.One of us can stay with family while the other can hunt with Timy."
Saying he asked timy "Timy can you show me what you got. " he tried to explain him with signs.
"Woof woof!!"
As if understanding completely he backed of from Them and disappeared.
"!!!"
"woah!!"
"So fast!" Maruti exclaimed and Raphael explained. That it's probably an agility boost skill. He appeared again and started flickering around.
"Okay, Timy, what else?"
Timy stopped and opened his mouth and howled, his howl or rather a sonic wave.
"So stro-" when the family were about to cheer, Timy once again did something.
It started running and jumped, it almost jumped 5 meters above and swiped his claws.
The wind in front of them made a tearing sound as if it would be torn apart.
Then something amazing happened, in front of everyone's wide eyes, a large claw shaped mark was formed on the ground of about 2 meters.
"woof woof! Ha! Ha!"
Timy turned around and barked excitedly as if. Waiting for praise. But except for Maruti everyone was frozen.
"Well done Timy." Maruti gave a pat on TIMY'S head while smiling warily.
He asked in his mind, "Are all the monsters this strong from The start.?"
"No, That's not possible, TIMY'S way to strong for a beginner monster. I Guess he must have killed something yesterday which gave him 2 skills. As to why two skills I guess, the agility he showed to us was his natural after killing something huge. Come on Master ask him. "
Raphael gave a logical explanation and this calmed Maruti a lot. Unless they came across a strong monster like Timy they will be fine.
" Dad did Timy went out last night? "asked Maruti after some thinking
Pandit got startled and thought for sometime before replying," Yeah he went towards the south last night but came after 2 hours."
"Towards South is a forest, so your guess is right afterall." then He turned around and asked Timy "HEY boy did you kill something, last night, was it strong?"
"woof woff!"
Surprisingly to everyone, Timy nodded and pointed towards south with a paw.
Maruti stuttered and asked,"Can you understand me clearly? If yes, then take us there."
"Woof woof" , Timy then pushed him towards south, as if saying,' yess i can take you right now. '
"Wow, it really is true, okay dad, we are moving within half an hour." Maruti said excitedly.
"This, aren't you being too excited. Calm down a bit." said Urmila,
Maruti, was a bit shocked himself, as to why he was so eager to go there.
Then Raphael reminded him of his passive skill.
He then understood, that the seemingly useless passibe skill, LIGHTNOVEL LOVER, Was somewhat dangerous as it affected his thought process. He took deep breaths and said
" Yeah, you are right mom. Dad please protect mom and everyone and within that time. Please do their status check and write it down on a paper."
"I and and Timy will go to find that monster corpse, to check it."
Pandit was baffled but when he thought what his son said was logical. With Timy protecting him, his son would be safe and then when he could even hunt and become strong
. After which both father son duo could easily take care of their family while hunting together.
" Okay, take Care and don't be reckless."
Pandit said and handed him a small bag with necessary things required for hunting.
Maruti smiled after seeing everything was right. His mother, the old lady blessed him To return safely.
He then turned around and walked towards Timy to go. Suddenly an idea formed in the corner of his mind.
He asked Raphael, "Hey, Can I make my pet, as in the novels and anime where you form contract."
To his Dismay Raphael shook his head, that this could only happen if he would choose Tamer as his class, then he could get a skill related to Taming.
Though he was saddened, he didn't know what to do but suddenly he got an idea and cut his finger. Everyone was again shocked and worried. When he closed his face towards and his forehead touched Timy's.
"Timy will You be my pet if yes accept me as your master." As he said those lines he droped 3 drops of blood on Timy's head.
Then after a moment, nothing happened. After 5 minutes still nothing happened.
"Hahhahaha" everyone laughed
"My son is really being his age" both the parents laughed aloud.
Maruti's face showed sadness and when he was standing up.
His eyes flickered and A notification popped up.
"Would you look at that? Timy really is different." Raphael said with a glee.
(TIMY : SHADOW DOG, WANTS TO FORM A BOND WITH YOU. WOULD YOU ACCEPT TIMY AS YOUR BOND?)
YES/NO
"HAHAHAHHA" Maruti laughed and quickly accepted
[NOTICE]
You have accepted TIMY as your BLOOD BOND.
NEW ACTIVE SKILLS AQUIRED : BOND FORMATION (UNIQUE SKILL), BOND EMPOWERMENT.
ACTIVE SKILLS : BOND FORMATION, BOND EMPOWERMENT.
1.(BOND FORMATION LV1 : UNIQUE SKILL: YOU CAN NOW FORM BLOOD BOND WITH CREATURES ACTIVELY.
DROP 3 DROPS OF YOUR BLOOD ON ANY CREATURE WHO WANTS TO FORM A BOND WITH YOU.
COOLDOWN : NONE
SECONDARY EFFECT : YOU CAN FORCE A CREATURE TO FORM A TEMPORARY BOND WITH YOU BY DROPPING 5 DROPS OF BLOOD IF THEY ARE IN AN EXHAUSTED STATE.
COOLDOWN : 1 DAY)
2.(BOND EMPOWERMENT LV1 : INCREASES THE POWER OF THE BONDS BY 20 PERCENT FOR 5 MINUTES.)
Both Maruti and Timy could now feel each other being connected by a mental link.
Maruti could even understand Timy's emotion.
"I love u Timy, you are such a charm. Truly lucky Charm for us."
The sun was now rising, showing the rise of a new day.
"Dad we will soon be back, please be safe and protect everyone. Be careful."
Said maruti
"You brat, go and take care youself. Timy you too take care."
After nodding Maruti started running, and soon Timy caught to him, Timy barked and this time Maruti understood what Timy was saying.
He held Timy's shiny black furry neck, and jumped on his back. Then Timy ran swiftly and they soon left everyone's sight.
"Sigh, Our son Really is a mon-" Pandit who was again going to say something was hit hard by the mother and daughter.
"pang"
Both pouted and seemingly angry went into the tent.
"!!! What did I do"
Pandit said in confusion as he rubbed his head.
***
Around 5kms in the south, at the edge of a forest, giant trees around 30 meters were uprooted. And no life was present around.
That's where Maruti and Timy were heading.
Riding on the Back of Timy, A black dog who arguably now looked more like a wolf.
Soon Maruti is going to face his first dangerous battle.
*******