Few days later, Shay crept around the area, heading southwest while hunting beasts for his bestiary. Although surviving took priority, skipping on free advancement seemed illogical. Thus, he scanned his surroundings for small groups of Alpha Growlers, or solo advanced ones.
[Bestiary milestone reached. Reward: Fire Hide's Resilience]
[Description: Takes Supreme Growlers properties, giving user extra protection against flames and raises toughness two-fold.]
[Achievement 'Skip a Beat' unlocked. Reward: +4 points for each stat.]
[Description: Skip filling one or more monster evolution tiers in the bestiary.]
[Strength reached over 100 points.]
[New active skill gained: Bullet Punch]
[Description: Allows the user to deliver a devastating strike with enhanced force. When the user channels his strength, air pressure builds in front of their fist, forming a pure energy sphere. Upon impact, the power releases, amplifying the punch based on strength. Mana cost: 10]
Shay stood before the deceased, standing stupefied as he read through the descriptions. He was frozen, still gazing at the interface's content. Then he shook his head and concentrated on gutting the corpse, placing his loot inside the clean backpack and returning to his newly acquired spot.
When he had woken up before, luckily, no beast tried to kill him while asleep. After that, purification, preparation and provision hunting became a part of his life. He even located an abandoned cavern at the close mountain range, serving as a temporary hideout.
That's where he went, the sun sinking beneath the horizon, shooting out an orange, warm, soothing sunlight. The moment was ideal for a retreat uphill toward the cave. On the go, he slaughtered a few Alpha Growlers without collecting their goods, as the forest would be overcrowded with Growlers.
The nights in that area seemed way dangerous than in his landing zone, revealing his whereabouts and the reason behind traveling southwest. However, before moving out of his base, he wanted to gain the last skill.
As he got closer, traversing through the rocky hills, shadows of the night caped the land, changing Shay's vision. Although everything seemed black and white, his system was connected to his sight, making it the only vibrant detail.
[Bestiary]
[Lower Growler - 13/50] [Skill: Growler's Sight]
[Alpha Growler - 24/30] [Skill: ?????]
[Supreme Growler - 0/10] [Skill: Fire Hide's Resilience]
"If only I would have filled the other goal," he said, a sigh escaping his mouth.
The moon rose and slightly changed the interior's color. Inside, the weakening fire crackled, tiny particles of ash escaped the campfire. A delicate fragrance infused the vicinity as the monster meat sizzled on a charr-ended stick, supported by rocks to keep it steady.
"For having torn clothes and inconsistent hygiene, this feels too comfy."
He waited a little more, as he despised fatty food, gazing at the dripping grease.
Crash! Thud.
The closer area shook, as dust raised before the entrance, obscuring Shay's vision. A wolf's form, clear within the cloud, remained still as the sight cleared.
"Why is Shadow Lurker in this area?!" he screamed without realizing it, throwing his arms up and widening the gap between his legs, one foot forward. Cold Sweat condensed on his forehead, streaming down through his chin, as his thoughts were disturbed.
The beast, injured from its snout to tail, proved harmless once he could see clearly. Multiple slash wounds, scratches, and even torn out flesh change its appearance.
'What inflicted such wounds on it inside this zone?'
Loosening his awareness, he dropped his guard and approached the intruder of his peace. It seemed it knocked itself down from falling, head down.
[Mission: Save the wounded Shadow Lurker. Reward: Companion.]
Despite his eyes passing over the prompt, there was yet no assurance it wouldn't assault him while he shortened the space between them, proceeding to move closer carefully.
This creature also looked like a wolf. However, its features were dark black, and were partially mended with shadow. Its special, half physical, form allowed traveling through darkness without making a step. Its fur resembled a void dark, disappearing flame.
After ensuring its state, he lifted the unconscious body, whispering, "Where are your parents, buddy?"
His excellent power control now permitted him to put the canine gently close to the pitiful blaze. A stack of sticks on the other side supplied his needs for the night.
Suddenly, a realization struck his mind as he gazed at the charcoal on a stick. "Awww. I've ruined the meat."
Shay searched through his backpack, pulling out the only plastic sealable bag that survived, serving as a steak storage. Two pieces of Growler carcass dived in its own blood. He picked up a sturdy rod and cooked both delicacies.
A more glorious aroma filled the cavern, awakening the injured fellow from the potent smell. Although he didn't tend to his injuries, the heat helped to heal the wounds, stopping the bleeding.
Sniff. Sniff.
The Shadow Lurker tried rising, but was too weak to succeed. Thus, Shay grabbed both the sticks with pierced meat and stepped closer to it.
"Here… take it," he said, throwing a single piece before its muzzle.
Somehow, the beast didn't feel sceptical and finished the feed in a swift bite, waving its tail at a fast pace.
He sighed, staring at his wooden stick as grief crossed his thoughts. He threw his meal at the creature, examining the catch. As their gazes clashed, it again tried to stand up.
He signaled his pal to stay, so he could enjoy its dinner without hurting itself. Yet, it insisted on getting up, holding the steak with caution.
"Ok. Ok. I'll come closer."
The sound of sliding resonated throughout the cave as he moved himself nearer.
Whoosh.
The black figure, about half Shay's height, used all its strength to leap and lean against his side, shoving the delicious thingy before his eyes.
"You want me to take a piece?"
No sign of response came out of the wolf, still waving its tail around. So, he grabbed onto it, tearing it into two pieces.
Shay's lip corners lifted, stroking his companion's head with his free hand, both munching loudly.
[Quest completed.]
"What should I call you? Thinking about it, your appearance and my name are like one word. I shall name you Shade!" he said, patting his new friend. "Shay & Shade suits us well!"
Through the night, they slept soundlessly, waiting for the light to wake them up.
******
Blarken started searching the last potential area around the encampment, the east. When he scanned western and northern part, he came back if he didn't return.
'Where did you wander off to, kid?' he thought, fainting calmness shaped his face slightly, exchanging it with a frown.
After reaching the Growlers' zone, through his spread mana, he sensed every beast in 10km radius, sensing a familiar, yet unique aura with another one close to it. Somehow, he saw a hair thin line drawing around the landscape, connecting these two.
He stopped as his attention narrowed down to one other target.
"Is that… even possible?"
******
Meanwhile.
Ding!
A loud bang obscured Shay's mind, shooting him up from his slumber.
[Bestiary milestone reached. Reward: Silent Step]
[Description: Reduces noise of the user's movement, making them nearly undetectable. Adds 10% chance of inflicting critical damage from a stealth attack.]
"But I didn't…"
[Mana: 0/10]
"What the fuck is going on with my system?!"
Shay shouted, confusion overwhelming his consciousness. He exited the cave and scanned his surroundings.
"Where did the six kills come from?" he said, scratching his tilted head.
In a few seconds, a dark, larger figure appeared in front of him. The wolf's fur shimmered with the joy of seeing its master.
He knew his companion well, as he felt an invisible bond that helped him recognize his pal."Weren't you tinier, Shade?"
His companion then lowered its head, walking closer to him.
Stroke.
With saying nothing, he realized Shade might have been the reason the Alpha growler's kill count requirement was completed. Also, if he felt a deeper connection, which surpasses feelings, it might have to do something with his emptied mana reserves.
Bang!
While dived deep in thoughts, an enormous creature appeared out of thin air, shattering the rocky platform before the cave entrance. Shay's sense of danger pierced all around his head.
"Oh… Fuck…"