"Good God, what is this horror?!"
Indeed, the silhouette belonged to a dog; a German shepherd, to be precise. But it was emaciated in places and in a state of advanced decomposition; it looked like a zombie dog. Moreover, it appeared to be infested with a multitude of worms that protruded from its body and moved freely. Even when they fell from the animal's body, the worms rushed back without the creature offering any resistance. Faced with such a sight, the boy couldn't help but observe:
"I suppose you're not just a stray dog looking for scraps..."
But before Nate could finish his sentence, the dog lunged at him with its mouth wide open. He barely managed to dodge just in time, regaining his stance.
" What speed! That was close!"
As Nate noticed the deep bite mark the dog had left on one of the trees, he thought:
"(And those jaws are made of concrete! How is that possible, given its condition? Either way, I can't afford to get caught; otherwise, I'm done for. I'm glad I brought my knife with me.)"
He grabbed the sheath at his belt and drew a hunting knife. With his weapon now unsheathed, the young boy declared, determined for battle:
"Come on, I'm waiting for you, mutt!"
As if the dog understood this challenge, it charged at Nate, attempting to bite him. But unlike the first attack, this time, the young boy was not caught off guard and skillfully dodged. This was followed by a second charge from the dog, which he also evaded, then a third, and a fourth... After dodging the fifth attack, Nate countered with a powerful kick that sent the dog flying several meters away. But the animal, determined to sink its teeth into flesh, got back up.
Nate realized something.
"This isn't how I'll get rid of it; besides, a prolonged fight isn't in my favor. I'll put everything on the next attack; it's now or never!"
Nate charged at the dog, knife in hand. Seeing this, the dog charged back at him. When they were close enough, the dog leapt for Nate's throat. Anticipating the move, Nate slid under the dog. Fueled by momentum, he plunged his knife firmly into the dog's lower abdomen, literally tearing it open. The creature emptied its remaining insides in a ghastly deluge of worms. The dog collapsed under the young boy's intense gaze, who was panting heavily. Once the dog finished its agonizing struggle and lay still, Nate took a deep breath and thought:
"What was that thing? I've never seen anything like it."
Realizing he wouldn't accomplish anything on his own, he concluded:
"Well, I'd better head back; maybe Kaiju sensei will know what to do."
He turned on his heel and started the journey home, musing:
"At least this training is starting to pay off; my senses are sharper, and I'm in better shape. Soon I'll..."
But Nate abruptly halted as he sensed danger from behind. This time, he didn't have time to react when...
Bite!!!
"Aaaaaaggghhhhh!!!"
The pain was excruciating, and Nate couldn't fully comprehend what was happening. How could the dog he had just killed have its jaws clamped onto his arm? But that wasn't his immediate concern; if he didn't act quickly, he was going to lose that arm. He tried to stab the dog with his other hand, but the creature understood and released him, leaping back.
"Damn! I was too careless..."
Before he could catch his breath, the dog pounced again, an assault Nate barely managed to evade. His movements were slowing; the arm that had been bitten was going numb, and the sensation was spreading through his body. At that moment, he understood that this fight had to end immediately; otherwise, the consequences would be dire. However, he still lacked the resources to finish it. So, he decided to retreat and find a strategy. But the bloodthirsty dog wasn't ready to let him go, launching attacks that, fortunately, missed.
"(Damn it... I'm really in a bind; plus, I can't see a hint of flame. If only I had access to that damn inner source.)"
But he quickly composed himself:
"(No, it's not the time to think like that; besides, I can't rely on my powers. I need to get rid of it on my own.)"
Another attempt to bite came, but this time, Nate countered and sent the dog flying:
PAAAM!!!
When the dog regained its footing, it lost sight of Nate, who was now hidden in the foliage of a tree. The dog didn't realize they had returned to the spot where it had first attacked the young boy. Determined to make Nate its meal, the creature sniffed around, searching for him. Meanwhile, Nate analyzed the situation:
"(This dog... its olfactory organs must be completely rotting, which is why it can't find me. That gives me a bit of time, so let's think... I slashed it earlier, and it recovered as if nothing happened. That reminds me of something.)"
At that moment, he recalled that he had burned the butler in a similar fashion, and it had had no effect.
"(I don't know who sent this thing after me, but I'm certain it's not a coincidence. And if it's him, then...)"
Nate's eyes shone with extreme rage, which alerted the dog. But it was too late; the young boy had already leaped down from the tree with such speed that the dog had no time to react. With all his energy, Nate impaled the creature with his knife, driving it deep into the ground and immobilizing the thrashing animal.
Still fueled by rage, Nate rushed toward the enormous rock he had carried earlier and lifted it entirely, as if it were a trophy. Then, with an unexpected surge of strength, he leaped several meters into the air towards the animal, which could only watch in a daze as he soared, the heavy rock weighing several hundred kilos in his hands, shouting:
"Don't underestimate me; I'm not the same as I was two months ago! And believe me, the next time we meet, the anvil will be YOU!!!"
Then, with a violence unprecedented, he smashed the rock into the ground, crushing the dog with a deafening roar:
KBOOOOOOOMMM!!!
This is the power of an Elementalist!