Chapter 15: Hellhound and Earth Bear

Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Hellhound and Earth Bear

[With your help, the Earth Bear, Thun, has mastered a new skill. Decryption Points +400]

The message had just flashed in his mind, but Hesia didn’t even have time to read it closely.

The figure was sent flying by a swipe from Thun’s paw, crashing into a tree trunk several yards away like a broken sack and letting out a dull thud.

However, his tough Physique prevented him from being knocked unconscious on the spot.

Jared struggled as he slid to the ground, quickly adjusting his stance to a kneel, his eyes filled with lingering terror.

But the immense impact still left his mind in a state of chaos.

The rich aura of the Earth Element lingering in the air told him this was a high-level Demon capable of skillfully casting Earth Magic.

’It can talk, too... Could it really be a legendary Earth Bear?’

’Someone who can form a connection with such a creature could not possibly be an ordinary person!’

’But... what was that pure white light from before?’

Jared felt it was somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t possibly connect it to the Entry Level skill of a Knight apprentice—[Holy Light Strike].

On that bear’s paw, the power of that white light was simply terrifying.

He suddenly remembered the talking dog.

’Could that really be a disguised Hellhound?’

’So... this frail-looking kid is actually a monster hiding his strength, and that sudden blush on his face earlier was him casting some kind of special skill!’

The more Jared thought about it, the more a chill ran down his spine. A drop of cold sweat slid from his temple. He felt like a fool who had stumbled right into a Hunter’s trap.

As a Stalker, he knew that if the first strike failed, the only creed was to flee a thousand miles away.

Facing an enemy so far beyond the scope of his intelligence, continuing the fight was no different from suicide.

Seeing that the guy wasn’t dead, Thun was about to land another blow to let him taste the Power of a bear.

With a POP, a thick cloud of smoke instantly filled the air, and the enemy’s presence vanished within it.

Seeing the enemy retreat, Hesia’s tense nerves finally relaxed.

He let out a long sigh and patted Thun’s thick arm. "Thun, thank you. You saved me and Bruce."

After spending a few days together, Thun’s speech had become much more fluent.

He dispelled the Holy Light from his palm and said in a deep, rumbling voice, "Hesia, you’re hurt."

The shattered stones from earlier had torn several gashes in Hesia’s clothes, and there were a few long, thin bloody scratches on his arms and cheeks.

"It’s nothing, just a few minor scrapes." Hesia waved his hand dismissively. "What are you doing here?"

Bruce, who was standing nearby, said, "This guy has been secretly following us every day. He only turns back after seeing us to the edge of the Woodland."

Realizing he’d been found out, Thun pawed at the ground and let out an embarrassed grumble. "W-well... I just wanted to... make sure you left safely..."

In his eyes, Mr. Bruce was truly unfathomable. Everything was within his grasp.

You can’t judge a dog by its cover.

"Mua has a way to heal you," Thun invited. "Hesia, come back with me."

Hesia didn’t hesitate. As a Transmigrator, he knew that even the smallest wound could lead to infection.

Walking through the woods, he sank his consciousness into the ball of light in his mind.

[Race: Earth Bear]

[Decryption Points: 475]

[Term Extraction: Requires 520 Decryption Points]

’400 Points in one go!’

’Helping a target grow really is a shortcut for farming Points. But that means I’m still 45 Points short.’

’There are only twenty days left until the contract deadline.’

’Thun’s Affinity gain is already near its limit; the last few interactions only yielded 1-2 Points each. It’ll be hard to close this 45-Point gap by farming Affinity in the short term.’

’That man earlier was a Stalker? Why did he want to kill me?’

’The original owner’s memory fragments are incomplete, but I vaguely recall that Hesia moved from Horder City to this remote corner called Print to hide from something...’

’Does that mean the enemy is from Houlder?’

’But the Atmesia Clan has been in decline for generations. If they really had a mortal enemy, they probably would have acted long ago instead of waiting until now.’

’Unless... it wasn’t convenient to make a move in Houlder? Or perhaps this enemy only appeared recently?’

Hesia’s thoughts raced.

’Regardless, it has to be connected to Houlder.’

’I need to find a way to protect myself as soon as possible. I won’t be this lucky next time.’

...

Before long, they arrived back in the depths of the Woodland, at the cave where Mola rested.

"Mua, look!" Thun ran to his mother as if presenting a treasure. He raised his bear paw, and a soft ball of Holy Light lit up in his palm. "I just protected Hesia! Mua, I’ve become a Knight!"

Mola was leaning against the rock wall.

Though she hadn’t shown herself, she had been silently watching everything that had happened over the past few days.

To be honest, the power of a [Holy Light Strike] was nothing compared to the innate Power of an Earth Bear.

But this light represented Thun overcoming the shadow of cowardice in his heart.

This growth and transformation brought Mola more comfort than any amount of immense power could.

Her gaze fell upon Hesia.

This seemingly frail human boy had not only taught Thun to speak but had also guided him to find his own path and ignited the light of courage in his heart.

[Affinity with Earth Bear, Mola, has increased. Decryption Points +50]

Hesia hadn’t expected to receive so many Points from Mola.

He rejoiced inwardly. His Decryption Points had reached 525.

[Consumed 520 Points to extract a term from the Earth Bear—Earth Affinity]

[Earth Affinity]: You have a natural connection to the Earth Element. You can sense, guide, and absorb Earth Elemental Energy more easily. Your learning speed and power for Earth Magic are increased. The more contact you have with the ground, the faster your Magic Power recovery.

Just then, that resonant, bell-like voice "rang" in his mind once again.

"Human, thank you for everything you have done for my child."

"I am the ’Rock Vein Speaker’ of the Earth Bear race, the guardian of our people’s memories and the pact with the earth. Your kindness deserves to be rewarded. State your request."

’A pact?’

That word struck Hesia’s most sensitive nerve.

He quickly collected his thoughts and seized the opportunity to ask:

"Honorable Rock Vein Speaker, I would like to ask you a question about a contract."

Hesia concisely described his predicament: a Demon named Salamakis had signed an ancient bloodline contract with his family...

Mola listened quietly to his story. Her massive head shook slightly, and her voice carried a hint of regret.

"I am sorry. A contract of blood is fundamentally different from a pact with the earth, which originates from natural law. In this matter, I’m afraid I cannot help you directly."

Hesia’s heart sank, but Mola’s next words rekindled his hope.