Chapter 85. Forest Life

Chapter 85: 85. Forest Life

[You have successfully befriended two powerful dragons!]

[The system has rewarded you with an upgrade to your detection magic. Congratulations!]

[This enhancement to your detection magic expands its range and allows you to perceive information around you in greater detail]

[This enhancement also reduces the amount of magic energy you consume compared to usual, so you can conserve your magic energy]

[You can use your detection magic now to check out this latest enhancement]

Kai was thrilled by the system notification that had just arrived just as he was about to fall asleep in the tent.

Everyone was already fast asleep, except for Jo, who was standing guard in place of Nathan.

Jo himself possessed a unique ability. He could sleep soundly, yet his senses remained extremely sharp. Even the slightest movement of an enemy in the distance would be immediately sensed by him.

Because of this, Jo was currently sleeping while on watch. He could still sense the movements of monsters in the distance.

Moreover, Goldy was currently away. Therefore, there was a possibility that other animals and monsters would return to their habitats.

Of course, that was good for the sustainability of the surrounding forest. The forest needed a functioning ecosystem to thrive.

Although that meant it would be dangerous for Kai’s group, who were spending the night there.

After Kai activated his detection magic, he smiled broadly because the enhanced detection magic made everything he saw clearer and provided detailed information as well when he focused on a single object.

Kai could also see Jo sleeping outside while sitting on a large bean bag.

The information about Jo had also become more detailed now. Even his physical characteristics were described in detail.

Kai then tried focusing on an object farther away than he could usually reach—something about 800 meters away.

It turned out to be animals that were starting to gather, since they sensed there was no threat.

Among them were monkeys, deer, squirrels, rabbits, and several birds. They were all out looking for food.

Fortunately, Kai didn’t take all the fruit that was there. He only took enough to enjoy, knowing that the animals in the surrounding forest needed it more than he did.

Animals or monsters wouldn’t come near Kai’s location because of the protective dome.

Even so, Jo suddenly woke up. He approached Kai, knowing Kai hadn’t gone to sleep yet.

"Young master, aren’t you asleep yet? The animals are coming here to look for food. Maybe they’ll make their nests here, too," said Jo.

Kai nodded, "Yep! I can sense them, Jo... let them be, because this forest is better off with them here. I’ll sleep in a little while; you should get some sleep, too."

Jo didn’t answer; he turned toward the tent’s opening, gazing at the night sky, which looked bright because Lunez was shining brightly at that moment.

Lunez, the moon of Ardhez—slightly larger than Earth’s moon—was shining so brightly.

"Young master, listen to this..." Jo placed his index finger over his lips, signaling Kai to be quiet.

Shortly afterward, the howl of a wolf could be heard in the distance.

Only then did Jo speak again.

"I think this is the time when adult male wolves go out to find mates," Jo muttered.

"Huh?"

"There are times like that, but not all wolves are like that, young master. Because I’ve never felt it—"

"Maybe it’s because you’re still too young, Jo," Kai replied.

Jo shook his head. "No, I’m no longer just an ordinary wolf or wolf-monster; my self-control is vastly different from before. I’m an adult now, young master... if humans go through puberty—though that’s only categorized as adolescence—then something like that is a sign that we’ve reached adulthood. When adult wolves reach maturity, during certain periods, they’re tormented by a strange urge within themselves to engage in intimate relations with the opposite sex. That’s what’s called mating. However, wolf monsters are usually better at suppressing such feelings. As for me, I’ve only just realized that I don’t feel that way."

Kai blinked in confusion at Jo’s explanation, which actually made him even sleepier, but he was still curious.

"So? Is that a bad thing for you?"

Jo smiled and shook his head. "No... of course it’s good that I don’t have those instincts. Because if I did, I might end up hurting you or the princesses—and since I’m the strongest here, when that happens, I’d become many times stronger. You might have to kill me then, thinking I’m a threat. Actually, I’m telling you this so you’ll be careful. We’re lucky because the pack of monster wolves is quite far from here—judging by their howls, they’re about a kilometer away."

Kai only then realized that Jo had asked him to be quiet so they could listen to the wolves’ howls—to gauge how far away the pack was from them. After listening to the distant wolf howls, Jo’s expression became calmer.

"I wouldn’t have killed you if that had happened, Jo..."

Jo shook his head. "We have a contract, and if I so much as hurt you, I’d have to be killed on the spot. So you—"

"I wouldn’t do that. I’d find a way to avoid having to do it. Come on, don’t talk about things that haven’t happened yet; it scares me."

Hearing that, Jo felt remorse.

"I’m sorry, young master; I didn’t mean to scare you."

"Be quiet and just sleep with me; tomorrow we have to continue our journey."

Jo didn’t say anything after that; he simply obeyed his young master’s orders. However, Jo was still preoccupied with the question: why had he turned into a wolf prince? Was it really just because he’d gained a little power from Kaileon? Or was there something else?

"Stop thinking and go to sleep, Jo."

"I’m sorry, young master."

***

Kai knew that Jo’s words from the night before would certainly have a terrible impact on the small animals in the surrounding forest.

The raving wolf was hunting other animals to offer as a sacrifice to the she-wolf. As a result, many animals fell victim.

Angeline discovered several dead animals about two hundred meters from their tent. Angeline, who could speak with monsters or animals, easily determined the cause simply by asking the other animals that had managed to survive.

Consequently, that morning Angeline was furious at Jo and Kaileon, who, it turned out, had known all along.

"Why did you just stand by and do nothing to save them? This is absolutely horrifying!" the girl exclaimed, tears streaming down her face.

Jessica just smiled broadly at that moment, thoroughly delighted to see her younger brother in trouble.

"Calm down first, Angeline, I can explain..."

"Even though Jo was on watch, you told him to go to sleep—right when he’d just said the wolves were running wild? Don’t you have any feelings, Kaileon?" Angeline scolded.

Kai knew that Angeline’s way of thinking was still very innocent and naive when it came to things like this. He couldn’t even interrupt her to offer an explanation.

So, Kai grabbed Angeline’s arm to pull her away from the others.

"Kai! You have to explain everything—don’t just drag me off like this! Where are you taking me— Kyaaaa!" Angeline screamed as Kai suddenly picked her up bridal-style.

Kai carried the girl to the river, then sat her down on a large rock by the riverbank.

"Sit there, clear your mind, and listen to me, okay?"

Angeline nodded; she was scared of Kaileon at that moment. Kai looked very serious; he was angry, but he managed to hide it all behind his gentle expression.

Kai sat down next to Angeline, then he began to speak.

"I let everything happen there, Angeline."

"What—"

"Ssshhh! I said listen to me first—calm down."

After Angeline calmed down, Kai continued.

"You know this forest has its own ecosystem, right? The animals and the monsters live side by side, and they also prey on one another. If you hope to wipe out all the predators so the small animals can survive, that means you’re showing favoritism toward the small animals over the predators—who are animals just like them. They need each other. Those cute little birds—they eat worm, but the worm that survive will eventually become free. The birds seem cruel because you’re only looking at it from the worm’s perspective. Try looking at it from the bird’s perspective. That’s the bird’s food, and it was meant to hunt those little worms. The birds will starve if we save the worms. On the other hand, small worm are also predators of the other. But that’s how nature works, Angeline. We mustn’t be biased, because if we save small animals by hunting down their predators, those predators could eventually go extinct. The forest will lose its balance."

Kai, who had been trying to explain using the simplest words he could, was now at a loss for words. He hoped Angeline understood what he’d said, but what happened next was that she started crying.

"Angeline?"

The girl hugged Kai tightly; she didn’t let go even after she’d calmed down and stopped crying.

"Why are you crying?" Kai asked.

Angeline shook her head. "No, I just realized that I’ve only been siding with the weak animals without considering the other side. After all, we’re talking about wild animals, not humans who have reason and can think. I’m sorry, and thank you for making me realize this. I don’t want any animal to go extinct. Also, I realize that we eat game too."

Kai smiled, then wiped the tear tracks from Angeline’s cheeks. He kissed her cheek, then her lips. Angeline smiled at Kai’s gentle gesture.

"But I’m glad, Angeline..."

"Why?"

"Because it turns out you can get angry too—you’re starting to dare to express your emotions."

"Shh, Kai, you’re making me blush..."

Kai laughed at the sight of his blushing girlfriend.