"I misjudged my opponent, and that might be playing with me."
Calmly breathing, resting in a cave, Sam judged, "Maybe it perceived danger—that's why it transformed into its real form."
He summoned his companion.
A small, cute as same as cat appeared before his sight. And its name is Emberfluff.
It rubbed its ear endearingly.
"It's cute," Sam admired, despite his life being filled with darkness and hopelessness.
No matter how many times he saw it, he couldn't help but steal more peeks: two dish-shaped, pointy, furry ears in orange, with sparks coming out of its tail, which was a mix of orange and white. Its body was covered in soft white fur with orange on its feet.
But what made it most adorable was the small, rounded pattern around its neck.
This was Sam's first beast, the one he grew attached to after enduring many hardships.
"Ouch!" Sam groaned.
His body condition was too poor.
"I shouldn't take risks, but I need that creature," he muttered.
The Emberfluff shrank in concern, but Sam caressed its fur, his thoughts drifting to memories.
He didn't even know why he was still surviving—all his comrades were gone, and he was the only one left in his team.
What was his motivation, despite all the darkness?
"No," Sam resolved. "I need to become stronger—that's why I'm enduring these hardships. I can't let history repeat itself. I must become a sword for my master. That's the promise I made."
Sigh! He doesn't and can only blame that he wants to serve a master lifetime, and this was fed up in his mind.
Returning to the present.
"Let's rest," he murmured, falling into a deep slumber.
***
Elsewhere…
"Hey buddy, wake up."
Cursing, the short man woke up. "Is there really a need to wake up this early?"
The tall man's face darkened, and he kicked him.
"Ouch! Why did you hit me?"
"We don't know where we are, and you're still worrying about sleep?"
Instantly, the short man sat up and clutched his head. "Ouch! I forgot. Sorry! Because of the injury, my body was too tired."
The tall man immediately lowered his head. "Okay, you take a rest, and I prepare something to eat."
"Thanks."
"Done? Can we look for him now?"
"Let me fill my belly first. I was hungry all night."
"Okay, okay."
...
"The blood trail ended. We can't follow anymore."
"Okay," the tall man said, transforming into a werewolf.
"I can smell it." He pointed to a stone.
"We have to follow that route."
The werewolf began moving, and the shorter man followed.
***
"It's enough for today," Sam muttered, hunched over as he packed up the leftovers.
Caressing Emberfluff, his mind wandered. My body has suffered serious damage.
Only one option remained, but it was risky. Shaking his head, he murmured, "No, I have to take the risk."
His eyes flickered. They've come sooner than I expected.
Taking out an additional set of attire, he put it on.
Now they can't tell my condition.
"Aah, my throat is sore," he said, gulping water from his flask.
Casting a glance at the flask, he smiled. "This might become my weapon."
His eyes flickered as he tapped on a rock.
Ding, ding.
"You hear that sound?" the tall man in werewolf form asked.
"No. Follow the sound," the short man replied.
"Okay," the werewolf said as they quickened their pace.
Ahead, they saw a small opening, concealed by hard rocks and covered by the tightly entwined branches and roots of a tall tree.
Both halted. "Should we check?"
"No need. You can both enter."
Hearing the voice, their eyes met.
"That boy!"
Instantly, they moved toward the cave entrance.
"Ouch! I can't enter. Let me transform back," the tall man grumbled, reverting to his original form. Both entered the cave.
They drooled.
"Bro, can we share?"
"I'm full. You can have it."
"Thanks, buddy," the short man said as they both broke into the food.
"Man, this is tasty!"
"Yeah, way better than the crap we had this morning."
"Thanks, buddy, for the food," one said, burping.
Scratching his head, he asked, "Got water?"
Sam's eyes flickered, but he replied, "Yes," and handed over his flask.
"You have a storage ring?" the short man asked curiously.
"Hmm."
"Strange! Isn't a storage ring only usable if you're...?"
His eyes narrowed. "Are you… elite level?"
The tall man also froze, scrutinizing Sam.
Shaking his head, Sam replied calmly, "Nah, I'm beginner level. It's custom-made."
"Eh! Bro don't fool us. We're raiders, and I was also beginner level once."
Sam shrugged, offering no explanation. "Do you know the way out of this forest?"
The tall man's face darkened. "Don't know."
"Oh," Sam murmured. Don't tell me they got involved because of me.
"What's your goal?" he asked.
"Initially, just to exit the maze. But after encountering a Mega Planet's creature, we decided to hunt it down and earn some money."
Sam nodded. This forest was indeed a maze—dark, hot, and moist, with continuous dripping water. The main issue was the inability to navigate.
Leaving these thoughts aside, Sam asked, "Any plan?"
The duo rolled their eyes.
"Buddy, did you see that creature? We need a plan—and to restore ourselves first."
"Hmm," Sam agreed.
"That creature might still be searching for us after exiting its boss mode."
"That was the perfect time to kill it, but…"
"Hmm. We were lucky to escape alive and fortunate that we ran quickly before that creature could regain control of itself."
"Two days should be enough for us to recover. And you?"
Sam remained calm but raised an eyebrow. "I'm ready anytime."
Smiling brightly, the short man replied, "Great. We'll leave on the third day."
The trio settled into their routine: hunting, eating, and sleeping.
…
On the third day, Sam's hair stood on end as he glanced at the smiling duo. The trickery of raiders? Today, I'll find out.
The three set off together.