Chapter 63: Monster Hunt

[NEW QUEST: Monster Hunt]

Objective:

Defeat ten corrupted beasts to gain EXP and loot.

Bonus Objectives:

Defeat at least one DDD- Rank Corrupted Beast.

Collect three rare crafting materials.

Maintain at least 75% of your stamina throughout the hunt.

Rewards:

500 EXP

Rare Item: Mana Infusion Crystal

Skill Enhancement: Basic Combat Mastery → Advanced Combat Mastery

Access to Evolutionary Blueprint for your bonded beast

Failure Penalty:

None.

Time Limit:

None.

’Hunt, huh… okay, that doesn’t sound too bad, so where do I find these monsters?’

[Displaying map… the red dots are monsters vastly stronger than you, the bigger the red dot, the bigger the gap. Green ones are the same level as you. Gray dots mean they are weaker than you, simple, right?]

’Yeah, I like this. Let’s get started right away.’

He got to his feet, looked at Yenna who was still blushing. “It’s time for us to level up, let’s go hunt some monsters.”

She stopped blushing, her expression got serious. “Right, I’m ready.” This new attitude shocked him, this wasn’t like her, there was no hesitation in her words.

’Hmm, did my mana affect her in some way? Or is it because of the bond?’

[Both. Now that she is linked to you, she sees the world differently, is very loyal to you. Your mana also affected her personality when it comes to combat… she will be more like you now.]

’Somehow I don’t like that.’ He thought, looking at her as many things came to mind, he wondered if this was the right choice.

[Do not worry, she is still herself. Right now she has not fully adjusted. Once she does that, she will go back to normal, but you should always expect her to be more aggressive than she was. There is nothing that can be done about that.]

’I see… Well, I’m sure it will work out. For now, let’s just go level up.’ He rested his hand on his sword, exhaling as a pain rose in his chest. ’The backlash for using that power is intense, I feel like my chest is about to be ripped open.’

“Let’s go, Wren, please protect your siblings, we won’t take too long.”

“Kayy.” She replied happily.

The duo ran out of the cave, through the forest. Vell increased his speed to test how much the bond affected her. To his surprise, she was keeping up way better than before, she wasn’t wasting any movements, only used enough mana to keep him in her view.

’This is so strange, he tamed me, a human? Just how is that possible? And this power I’m feeling, it’s amazing, but I also feel changed. I’ll finally be able to fight alongside him.’ She couldn’t help but smile. She’d been struggling, but now she had a chance, she wasn’t going to waste it.

They were jumping from tree to tree, continuing their swift, coordinated movement through the forest. Vell felt a sense of satisfaction watching her keep up. She wasn’t just following him, she was adapting by the moment. Each leap, each motion she made seemed imbued with a sharpened focus, a resolve that hadn’t been there before.

’Hmm, four gray dots on our right, this is perfect.’ He changed directions, increased his speed even more. Yenna tried her best to keep up, as the monsters came into view, Vell vanished, leaving her alone with them.

“Eh… Vell?” It was too late, the monsters noticed her, charged at her. She froze for a split second, caught off guard by his sudden disappearance. The four corrupted beasts, a group of twisted Feral Hounds, snarled as they lunged toward her.

They looked hungry, she looked tasty.

Her instincts kicked in almost immediately. She tightened her fist, her body moving on its own. “Focus,” she muttered, narrowing her eyes as she assumed a defensive stance. The first hound leaped, its claws aiming for her throat. She sidestepped with precision, gritted her teeth, connected a powerful punch that broke the monster’s jaw, sending it flying.

’Oho, those gauntlets are not bad. I don’t think I’ll need to intervene, she’s got this.’ He watched from a safe distance, a smile on his face.

She bumped her fists together, a smirk playing on her face. “This is awesome, come at me, you mutts.”

The remaining Hounds growled, circling her cautiously now. Their instincts told them that this prey was far more dangerous than she appeared, but their pride wouldn’t let them retreat. One of them darted in from the side, its claws aiming for her midsection. She twisted her body just enough to avoid the swipe, her gaze resembling that of Vell.

“Thanks for the meal.” She took a step back, lowered herself sideways as she wound up her punch. It glided through the air, with inhuman precision her punch connected with a sickening crunch. The impact shattered the creature’s ribcage, sending it crumpling to the ground.

’Wow, what was that? Such a devastating punch, and the way she threw it… is this really Yenna?’ He was so happy that he wanted to join her, but this was her fight, he had to hold back for her sake.

The remaining two monsters hesitated, their hunger clashing with a growing sense of fear. Her eyes locked onto the remaining hounds, her smirk turning into a full-blown grin. She raised her fists, adopting a stance that mirrored Vell’s combat crouch, low, balanced, ready to strike. The beasts exchanged nervous glances before lunging simultaneously, hoping their numbers would overwhelm her.

“Hmph.” She didn’t flinch. Instead she charged forward, meeting them head-on. Her movements were sharp, fluid, as if she’d been fighting like this for years. The first hound snapped its jaws at her, a big mistake on its part, as she harshly grabbed its mouth, wrenched it open with sheer force. The last one, seeing this, tried to run. She glanced at it calmly, ripped out the teeth of the one she was holding, dropping its dead body.

She then infused mana into the teeth, threw them at the monster, piercing its legs, causing it to crash to the ground. She strode towards the incapacitated beast, her expression playful. The once timid and hesitant demeanor she had was nowhere to be found. She moved with the confidence of someone who’d spent years battling monsters, though this transformation was still fresh. The hound whimpered, dragging itself away from her, but its injuries made escape impossible.

Vell could hardly believe his eyes. ’She’s a natural. That bond amplified her combat instincts so much… Maybe too much?’ He kept his hand on the hilt of his sword, prepared to step in if her aggression spiraled out of control, but then something else caught his eye.

“A green dot nearby, this is my chance, I can’t lose it.” He glanced back at Yenna, who stood triumphant over the defeated hounds, her expression glowing with newfound confidence. ’Don’t do anything stupid.’

He disappeared.

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