"Yes barf him out..."
"Umm, well then I uh"
Just attempting to barf took Hnung a few minutes. The scene was so dreadful that Cedric felt like vomiting up as well.
"I-I'm free..."
Dux, who had gotten out, gripped both of his axes and attempted to stand up but nearly fell over because of the slimy vomit. Dux was so coated in vomit that the sight of his entire body made him wretch.
But for him who had finally escaped from inside the stomach, he was joyful. He would have dissolved from the heat if it had been too late.
[My child, I am glad you are alright]
"My goddess?"
Dux was relieved to hear the goddess' voice, but he was startled to see a large wolf and the ogre who had assaulted him and killed him.
Dux immediately assumed a fighting stance and tightened his hold on the axe. He was prepared to fight or run away if there was a chance.
"My luck has run out, two beasts, right in front of me as soon as I got out."
Dux was mentally preparing how to avoid a confrontation and leave the area. He couldn't handle the prowess of the ogre, and now that there were two beasts. He knew that he was at a huge disadvantage.
"Calm down now Dux, I am the one who helped you get out. Lux the goddess has sent me to help you"
Seeing how alert Dux was, Cedric explained right away out of concern that a fight might break out at any second. In the guise of the goddess Lux, Cedric gave a message to Dux.
[My child do not fret. This wolf is my creation. He would help you go home.]
When Dux heard his goddess speak, he stopped scowling at the wolf.
However, he was very tense looking at the ogre. But the ogre was oddly not attacking him for some reason, but even so, Dux was still on guard. The image of him being devoured by the ogre and torn to pieces was still fresh in his mind.
"Since you are sent by the goddess, help me get rid of this ogre. It has to die, so it wouldn't hurt anyone else in the future."
"I'm sorry Dux but I cannot abide by such an order, the god Orcus the one who created the Ogres has declared to protect this ogre."
"W-What? But it's a foul beast!"
"I'm very sorry for what I have done to you beast-man, I have been corrupted by hunger, and my senses were overtaken by such desire.."
Dux remained vigilant. As someone who had personally tasted death and the pain of his whole body getting torn apart, Dux had developed a hatred for the ogre.
[Hidden Mission 1 Completed!]
[Hidden Mission 3]
[Description: After being killed by the ogre, Hnung. Dux has started to be alarmed by the ogre's strength. As a result, Dux has designated Hnung as his opponent and nemesis.
If this racism persists, a never-ending chasm between races would be established. If this hate persists, a trait will be passed on to both the beast-man and ogre races, which could have an impact on their future.
Dux's hatred of the Ogres is something he can pass on to his offspring and the next generation of Beastmen. This will eventually lead to disputes over territory and possibly even a war between the two races.
The host must transform Dux's animosity toward the monster into a friendship.]
'Yep, I expected this...'
Dux's expression of dissatisfaction was visible to Cedric. Although Dux isn't as alert to Cedric in his wolf form because he sent a message to Dux using Lux's character, Dux was on high alert to the ogre.
[I'll be here for you always, Dux, to keep you safe. The ogres are experiencing difficulties. If you spend some time with him, I have no doubt you'll be able to relate to what he's gone through.]
"Goddess..."
The goddess had access to information that Dux did not. He was still filled with rage, though. He was upset with the ogre for causing him agony and suffering.
"I have to get home wolf"
Dux's top concern was returning home. He was aware that everybody was concerned for his welfare. He wanted to go home asap to see his friends, and Lenta as well.
"I understand the urgency, but we are far from the camp. It will take three days to go back."
Even though it was a lie, they needed to spend time together to restore Dux's perception of the Ogre. Three days is more than plenty, and Cedric decided to speed things up so he could tend to the other Beastmen.
Due to the creatures and monsters roaming, he was concerned for the safety of the other Beastmen.
"I understand..."
Dux had no idea where he was and trusted the wolf in front of him because the animal had been sent by his deity.
"It will take two days for us to go back, but our first objective is getting you cleaned up Dux"
"I understand, I can also smell the disgusting odor."
"Let's find a lake and also rest up"
Both Hnung and Dux nodded. They started to follow Cedric's directions. Cedric was also scanning the map to see if there was a lake close by; fortunately, there was, and it was just close by.
The relief was palpable for Cedric knowing that there was a lake nearby. He wasn't sure if he could handle Dux's body odor. Cedric, who had a wolf's body and a stronger sense of smell than a human, was being suffocated by Dux's odor.
Hnung also comprehended Dux's rage toward him.
'Who would treat you nicely after causing you such excruciating pain and even devouring you?'
Even Hnung was unable to be kind to such a beast.
[I want you to mend the friendship between you two over these three days. I want you to establish a friendly connection. This is done not just for the benefit of your tribe but also for that of their tribe.]
"Yes my god"
As they followed Cedric's lead, he led them into the nearby lake.
"You can bathe yourself, me and Orcus are going to hunt for food."
Dux nodded his head and began to bathe. While Cedric and Hnung were off to catch some food.
Three bunnies were seen by Cedric, but unlike normal rabbits, Cedric would normally see in Tv or pet shops. These rabbits had huge sharp teeth and sharp claws. They were slightly larger than average.
Cedric and Hnung started hunting, which was simple because of their combined expertise. In addition, Hnung had regained all of his health, and his stats were back to normal. Because of this, it only took Hnung one blow to finish off a bunny.
Additionally, Cedric bit the rabbit's neck with his pointed teeth; with just one bite, blood began to drip from the bunny's neck.
The two continued their hunt, and after catching three rabbits they came upon two wild boars. Hnung killed them both with a single punch.
As they made their way back to the lake, Hnung was the one holding the corpses of the animals they have killed.
Dux was placing his clothing on a sizable stone when they got there. He was simply wearing a brown rag over his privates while he dried his clothes. Dux built a little bonfire as well.
"You are back, with food as well.."
It was still noon; Dux took the meat so he could immediately cook it.
While Cedric was getting used to the body of the wolf. He and Hnung were beside the lake.
"Should we leave the cooking to him?"
"Yeah, he knows how to cook. Why?"
"Oh, it's nothing, it's just that, I could eat the meat raw. My tribe rarely cooks the meat."
"Why though? Cooked meat is tastier than raw."
"Well, we don't have the skills to create a fire...Sometimes if we do create a fire it would be accidental, then we can enjoy a cooked meal."
"No wonder...you should observe Dux. He knows a lot about cooking, and has many other useful skills you can learn."
Hnung nodded his head. Dux, who was using the axe to strike another rock, caught his attention. Hnung was highly interested in learning how Dux started the fire. As a result, he started to carefully observe Dux's every move.
While Dux, who was feeling the intense gaze, felt shivers.
'Why is he looking at me? Nope just forget it, let's just continue and cook food.'
Dux finally succeeded in shaping the stone after a few attempts. He took a small branch and wrapped the stone on top using some vines.
Dux created the small knife because he couldn't skin the animal with the large axe he had. Dux finished the knife and started skinning the beast. Just skinning the wild boars and rabbits took some quiet time. His level wasn't the same as Callidus who can swiftly skin an animal.
Dux could clearly remember how Callidus would swiftly skin an animal in just a few seconds.