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The Journey to Food Supply Begins
The people seem to trust me, but they have no reason to do so. I only met their Missy by chance. I'm not obligated to help them, yet here I am.
"Hey, Missy, I know I've never brought this up, but the situation in the village... I doubt it's just mere food shortages. Mind shedding some light?"
"I've told you much already. We're considered a taboo, and we live in a survival-of-the-fittest world," she replied.
The territory we own is only a small portion of the forest. Dragons and other monsters constantly come to us.
I see some tears in her eyes. I've known her for only a few hours, but I can tell she's a good person.
"We always sacrifice some of our own as fodder when we don't have supplies. We're weak. All we can do is wonder who's next."
"Princess, calm down," the four others with us tried to console her.
"Taboo, mistakes—who cares about all that? If only the people who say all those things could see how hard you're trying to survive. How far you're willing to go for your people. Can mistakes really do something thing like this ?" I blurted out. I don't know why, but I remembered playing as a mere goblin—people always taunted me: "Maybe he's ugly in real life," and "What a weirdo."
"I'm going to help your kind however I can. So cheer up. By the way, what's your name?"
"Our names are Tharos, Kaelrik, Rhovan, and Fenrik."
The four guys seem a lot more energetic, and I'm glad they're not afraid of me. "So how about you..." I asked, but she didn't respond. Is she still crying?
"Master Zereth, umm, the Missy doesn't have one. You see, she's stronger than any other person in the tribe. We're Boaroth, and she's a Suuvarin."
"Hmm, then I guess you guys are from the same race as elves or dark elves, right? The reason she doesn't have a name is that no one can actually name her, right?"
"Yes, sir, you have most of it correct."
"For a guy who's an idiot, you sure catch on quickly..." Ah, the Missy finally responded.
"Well, now that we're clear, let's keep advancing."
There was a huge wave of silence. I didn't mind it—it helped me think. The system, it's similar to the game. Weaker breeds can't tame higher breeds due to the difference in Aetherion count, but here, they can't name.
I acquired my skill, Sovereign Pact, to tame monsters. It evolved from Beast Tamer. Naming her would be easy, but we're in the middle of nowhere, and the last time I named an in-game being, I lost half my level. What would happen now? I don't even have a level to speak of.
"We're here," a voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Isn't this the same forest you pulled me out of?"
"No, it's not, dummy. This forest is to the left of where we were. Are you that stupid? Also, keep your voice down."
"I'm not the one yelling my head off here."
"Yes, this is Dire Wolf territory, so we ought to keep it quiet if we don't want to get eaten."
"Eaten?" I asked, but... "But you guys didn't bring any weapons. How are we supposed to fight back?"
"Come on, ignore the loser and harvest as many leaves and whatever fruits you can find."
"Leaves?" I know they lack food and all, but even picking leaves will get them killed. What kind of messed-up rule is that?
Swoosh!
"Ahhh!" I felt something, and before I realized it, I was already clinging to the Miss...
"Let go of me, you bimbo!" she shouted, but I heard it over there—footsteps. Something was lurking nearby.
"There's no such thing; we're barely at the entrance. How would they know we entered their territory?"
"Arrgh! You dare trespass into my domain, mongrels?"
"Ah, is it just me, or did a mere dog just call us mongrels?" I got smacked by miss
"Now's not the time, you idiot!"
"Brave of you, human, to call me, the legendary monster Fenrir, a mere mongrel..."
"We apologize for stealing your leaves and fruits. We'll return them. Please spare our pathetic, lowly lives..."the girl said.
"Tsk... Why are you groveling? This is your home too, "i replied.
"Argh... You see, I was feeling a little pity for you. I thought I would let you go with whatever you have on hand. But this human has just disrespected me and my kind!"
Howling—a pack of Dire Wolves surrounded us. I didn't know if I was up to the challenge. My feet wouldn't move, and I was afraid, but I couldn't do anything.
[Acquisition met: Fear Resistance acquired.]
"Huh... the voice of the world."
"Argh!" the Fenrir howled. "Listen, my subjects, tear every single one of them limb from limb! Soon, we advance to their main home."
Tchh... even with Fear Resistance, I'm still shitting my pants. I'm actually resisting fear resistance...
"We're going to die... Please, you can have us and leave our people alone."
"No, I can't falter here. This is it—my big moment."
The Dire Wolves charged right for us, but something was wrong. They were suddenly moving much slower than they had been, or rather, time was moving differently for me.
I'm no slouch... I moved forward but was already behind one of them. Huh, why am I so fast? I only took a step forward...
But I guess I could end it quickly this way.
"Flare Magic: Aetherion Burst!" The skill allows me to engulf my aura with flames and extend them omnidirectionally. None of the Dire Wolves were able to land a blow. Hahaha, I was afraid of you? Tsk. It's time for you to die under the rule of the great Zereth!
"Howling, stop attacking..." Fenrir growled.
"Hmm... Human, I didn't expect you to be so strong, but this is a declaration of war. You, daughter of the Boaroth chief, we shall clash when the moon fully rises... Howling!"
"What was that about? Well, it doesn't matter. You guys can now pick fruits. Make sure they're different kinds too... What to do with the bodies... Hehehe, experiment time."
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