'Yes.'
With his command, a new screen popped up in front of him, displaying his details.
====
Name: Aaron
Bond Energy: 60/100
Physical Stats:
Strength: F+++
Agility: F++
Endurance: F++
Skills:- Fusion, Quick Reflex, Scout Instinct, Dual Strike, Electric Touch.
---
[Bonded Beasts]
======
Glimmerfox (Glimmer)
Loyalty:- 40%
Power level: F+++ {Potential:- D}
Skills:- Quick Reflex, Scout Instinct, Dual Strike.
Evolution path:- {Requires 50 bond energy points, 5 red mana crystals, and a 50% loyalty to be able to experience its first evolution.}
Thunderhoof (Unnamed)
Loyalty:- 20%
Power level: E {Potential:- C}
Skills:- Electric Touch.
Evolution path:- {Requires 60 bond energy points, 10 yellow mana crystals, and a 50% loyalty to be able to experience its first evolution.}
(The Thunderhoof currently needs nine more yellow mana crystals to evolve.)
=======
Looking at the screen displayed in front of him, Aaron could see that his strength and endurance had increased a bit since the last time he saw them.
Also, he could see that Glimmer's power level had increased, but that wasn't all.
The Thunderhoof's details were also displayed on the screen and this allowed him to know exactly what was required for the stag to evolve.
'Sixty bond energy points and ten yellow mana crystals, huh,' Aaron uttered in his thoughts.
'The bond energy required for the Thunderhoof to evolve is a bit higher than that of Glimmer, but this shouldn't be too difficult to reach once I can find a good source of yellow mana crystals. However, finding the yellow mana crystals won't be easy.'
'And the same goes for the red mana crystals as well.'
'Actually, I haven't looked for the red mana crystals yet because it is not my main priority right now.'
'But I guess I'll have to look for the crystals once the dark forest has been completely purified,' Aaron concluded in his mind before deciding that it was time to call it a night as well.
He got up and returned to his room.
The next morning, Aaron gathered his team at the gates. The plan was simple: they would push deeper into the forest, clear out any remaining threats, secure as many resources as possible, and then purify the forest as well.
It sounded easy but it definitely wasn't.
One wrong move during their journey and every one of them would be killed before they were even able to find the shrine.
Aaron knew this, and so did Aurora and Diana.
Meanwhile, Luna stood nearby and watched anxiously as the three of them prepared themselves for their departure.
"Be careful," She said with a trembling voice. "All of you."
Aaron smiled and ruffled her hair. "We will."
Luna forced a smile and tried to be strong for her big brother.
With that out of the way, the three of them set off on their journey to the dark forest.
Upon arriving at the forest, everyone could see how it had become darker than it was yesterday. The dense canopy of the trees let in almost no sunlight and an unnatural silence filled the air.
Glimmer padded ahead and her pointy ears swiveled as she scanned around for danger. Diana walked beside Aaron with her sword at the ready while Aurora followed close behind with a bottle of potions in one hand.
The three ventured deeper into the forest but Aaron suddenly stopped and signaled for everyone to remain still as well.
The girls did as Aaron requested and Glimmer bared her fangs while letting out a low growl.
=======
[System Notification,]
Beast Type:- Demonic Beasts {35 in numbers}
Detected Specie:- Dark Hounds.
Threat Level: Low.
========
"What is it?" Aurora asked with a voice that was barely above a whisper.
"Demonic beasts," Aaron replied in a whisper as well and pointed to the direction he could see them from. "There are a lot of them."
"What type?" Diana asked.
"Dark Hounds."
Hearing his response, Diana's grip on her sword tightened and she stepped forward. "Dark hounds are easy to deal with. We can deal with them quickly if we strike now."
Aaron nodded in agreement before turning towards Aurora. "Your Highness, please wait here and cover us from behind. Glimmer and I will draw their attention and handle anyone that comes our way while Diana will handle the rest."
The ladies nodded in response and Glimmer let out a sharp bark as her furs shimmered.
Aaron readied his sword and everyone moved to carry out the plan.
The Dark Hounds were heading towards Aaron and the girls, but the demonic beasts hadn't noticed them yet. So Aaron, Glimmer, and the girls had the element of surprise on their side. However, the sound of a twig snapping echoed through the air, and the dark hounds became aware of their presence.
The beasts growled as their eyes glowed like little crimson orbs.
They moved as one and their roars echoed through the forest trees.
Seeing how thirty-five demonic beasts were stampeding in his direction, Aaron felt a chill run down his spine, but he didn't let it discourage him from fighting with everything he had.
"Go!!!" Aaron shouted and Glimmer darted forward from the thicket of bushes she was hiding in.
Her body shimmered and distracted the demonic beasts, but Aaron followed right behind her, stunning any beast he came across with his newly acquired ability {Electric Touch}.
His sword swiftly sliced into a beast's flank, causing it to howl in pain, but another beast lunged at him, forcing Aaron to dodge.
Meanwhile, Diana moved with precision, and her blade sliced through two beasts in quick succession. More dark hounds charged towards them but she swiftly sliced them in half.
A couple of other dark hounds tried to strike Diana from her blind spot, but Aurora quickly spotted them from where she stood, so she immediately cast a spell, and five orbs of glowing red light appeared out of thin air.
The orbs glowed around her but slowly morphed into spears made out of fire.
The flame spears pierced through the wind and sunk into the hounds' flesh, causing every single one of her targets to disintegrate into ashes.