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Not only was Raphtalia confused, but the two-headed black dog found itself equally bewildered. It was evident from its experience that the weak human before it was meant to be an easy target. Typically, a single bite would send a fragile creature to the ground, howling in pain. However, this time was different; biting Jason felt akin to gnawing on solid ore—no, it felt harder than the ore itself. The pain radiated through its mouth after that single bite.
Under the intense agony, the two-headed black dog slowly released its grip, moaning in distress.
"Wow~~~!"
With a resounding crack, its teeth shattered and fell to the ground, and to Raphtalia's astonishment, the two-headed black dog truly began to cry. Its low intelligence could only lead it to one conclusion: the human before it was anything but ordinary.
Jason's physical prowess was remarkable, but it was his unimaginable defense that truly set him apart.
Instead of comforting Raphtalia, Jason turned slowly. A murderous aura enveloped him, and his eyes glinted with a predatory ferocity.
"Aww~~~!"
The once-mighty two-headed black dog, sensing imminent peril, felt primal instincts kick in. Coupled with the sharp pain from its injured mouths, it instinctively let out a distressed whine and prepared to flee.
But Jason had no intention of letting it escape; it represented valuable experience.
In a flash, he seized the two-headed black dog by the neck and thrust it to the ground with a powerful motion.
"Boom!"
The creature's massive body hit the ground with a resounding thud, sending dust swirling into the air. The two-headed black dog thrashed wildly, struggling to break free, but no matter how fiercely it fought, Jason's grip was unyielding.
As its desperate cries turned into pitiful whimpers, the creature seemed to beg for mercy.
Watching this unfold, Raphtalia felt only surprise, not fear. The once-mighty beast was now rendered defenseless—a mere puppy in Jason's grasp.
"Kill it!" Jason urged, his cold voice cutting through the tension.
From the beginning, Jason hadn't expected Raphtalia to successfully defeat the two-headed black dog. After all, a significant level disparity loomed between them, and the two-headed black dog was a boss-level monster. His true objective was for Raphtalia to confront her fears and take this crucial first step.
If she could summon the courage to move forward, she would prove her growth today.
Finally snapping out of her shock, Raphtalia nodded and rose from the ground, approaching the two-headed black dog that Jason restrained.
"I can't be afraid anymore! I want to become stronger!" she declared, taking several deep breaths as her determination solidified. Gripping the dagger she had previously thrust into the dog's head, she summoned all her strength and thrust it downward.
Blood gushed from the wound, splattering across Raphtalia's face.
"Roar~~~!"
Despite her effort, the two-headed black dog had not succumbed, and it writhed violently again—but Jason's hold remained un-breakable.
The sight of the blood and the dog's fierce struggle destabilized Raphtalia's resolve, and she wavered, on the verge of collapse.
"Did you forget the iron rule I told you to remember?" Jason's voice rang out, steady and firm.
"I haven't forgotten! I want to become strong! Brother Jason's words are absolute—I mustn't disobey!"
Raphtalia's voice grew louder, until she roared with all her might.
In that moment, she yanked the dagger free from the two-headed black dog and plunged it down again and again.
With every strike, her body became increasingly covered in blood. She did not relent until the creature lay motionless beneath her.
To Jason's surprise, the message EXP 340 flashed in his vision, prompting him to release his grip on the defeated beast.
"Brother Jason... I did it," Raphtalia exclaimed, her face breaking into a smile despite the gruesome scene.
As he looked at her, drenched in blood, a thought flickered in Jason's mind: Had he gone too far?
But that question quickly dissipated. If Raphtalia wished to stand beside him as a warrior, he wouldn't have her be a mere ornament or a liability.
Strengthening her resolve was essential; to grow, a timid heart often required difficult lessons.
Moreover, she needed to confront and heal from her emotional wounds.
"Thank you for your hard work!" Jason said with a warm smile, affectionately ruffling Raphtalia's hair.
"Um," she replied, her spirit newly emboldened.
Raphtalia responded lightly, and it was clear that the expression in her eyes began to shift; she was no longer cringing in fear. She stood tall, her resolve solidifying.
What Jason did next was somewhat cruel. Animal lovers might have fainted at the sight.
After the two-headed black dog perished, it didn't explode like the Balloon Monster or the Mushroom Monster—it required disassembly by hand. With no other weapons at his disposal, Jason resorted to tearing the creature apart with his bare hands, allowing the shield to absorb the remains. The scene was gruesomely visceral.
From a distance, it appeared as if a demon was devouring the hellish dog raw.
Despite the horror of the spectacle, Raphtalia remained at Jason's side, watching as he dismantled the two-headed black dog piece by piece.
Though the scene was terrifying, the rewards were significant.
The condition of the Two-Headed Black Dog Shield is liberated!
[Two-Headed Black Full Shield]: The ability has not been released. Equipment bonus effect: Alarm Shield. Special effect: Dog Bite.
The shield was crafted from leather, shaped like the heads of the two-headed dog, and the craftsmanship was so lifelike that it emanated an overwhelming aura of authority.
The Alarm Shield could alert its wielder whenever a monster came within a 20-meter radius, providing a crucial warning of nearby threats. It was an invaluable auxiliary skill.
"It's done, let's go!" Jason declared after disposing of the two-headed black dog. He took Raphtalia's small hand and led her out of the waste pit.
After some time spent leveling up, both Jason and Raphtalia progressed at alarming rates, especially with Jason utilizing double experience cards. Jason had reached level 30, while Raphtalia had climbed to level 29.
No longer a mere child, Raphtalia had transformed into a slim young woman. Thanks to the battle against the two-headed black dog and the assistance of healing items, she had finally overcome her panic disorder and was no longer plagued by frequent coughing fits.
In contrast to her original self, her appearance was less innocent, more hardened; she seemed less cute and more determined, with eyes that had gained a sharpness reflecting her growth.
As Jason made his way toward the weapon shop to upgrade his gear, he unexpectedly encountered a group of troublemakers.
"Hey there, little brother… life isn't easy for my crew. Why don't you hand over the silver coins you've got, and I promise to pay you back in the future," the lead thug wheedled, his voice dripping with mock sympathy.
Despite sounding like a beggar, the thug had a menacing grin and brandished a dagger, clearly preparing to rob them.
"Do I really look like an easy target?" Jason sighed, bemused that such an outdated plot had fallen upon him.
"Hey, kid, don't try to refuse my generous offer!" the leader sneered, stepping forward to grab Jason by the collar.
But just as the thug's hand neared Jason's collar, a flash of cold light erupted.
With horror, the thug watched as his entire arm flew off, blood spraying from the severed limb like a fountain. At that moment, a figure appeared beside him—it was Raphtalia, holding a long sword with determination blazing in her eyes.
"Who gave you the right to touch Master Jason with those filthy hands?" Raphtalia's cold gaze was locked on the leader, her voice unwavering and fierce.
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