Chapter 175

Paws-ing A Quest

Five.

I am ashamed that it took me so long to realize that I might have missed the bigger picture, by focusing on completing my portion of the land acclimation quest.

Remember, I had a minimum of five key spots to convert, but up to eleven total spots that might need to be fused together in order to make this process truly work. My job was to start in the center and work my way outwards. While the others started at the edges and worked their way inside.

I was so focused on getting my five spots, that only afterwards did I realize that something major had happened.

First, I needed to check the progress that I personally was responsible for.

Acres of land claimed (295/20).

Yes, that is what my five total conversion points were capable of combining. While the lands weren’t a solid mass of land, as there were still strips of Blighted soil that separated most of the land mass, we could safely say that the majority of these spots were in fact connected. For the sake of this particular quest, all that was required to claim the land was for us to have a presences on the land, for the land to be cleared of the Blight, and the land to be connected to other parcels of land that we were trying to claim.

Simple.

Too simple.

No, I am not trying to jinx this quest, on the contrary, I was mentally going through the list of things that could possibly go wrong. Not that I wanted to give the game world more ammunition to use against us, but mentally I was trying to prepare for every contingency.

Then I realized something that I sadly should have noticed earlier.

Yes, Ms. Kujo was unattended to.

I still had a quest to help get all of Ms. Kujo’s thirteen pups to birth, and what was worse was the fact that Ms. Kujo had just been in a severe battle with the giant dragon.

While Mallory seemed to have everything taken care of when it came to dealing with the dragon, I only now realized that I was a terrible doctor.

By and large, my part of this was over. I had cleanly connected all 295 acres that I had been charged with linking. Or as our guild map noted my achievements, all sixteen pre-cleared land masses.

At this point I was considered to be a free agent, in regards of what I could do with my time. We all sort of assumed that I would be able to get through my sections quicker. I did have a personal title and a guild title helping me out with this process, while the guild only had their guild title that made casting nature magic 50% easier.

Nature’s Friend (X):

You have helped clean up over one hundred thousand pounds of trash, and have been recognized as one of nature’s true champions. Rewards: Life and Nature based Spells are now 50% more efficient. Neutral rating to most woodland and creatures found in the wild.

Yes, while I had that title as a personal title, the guild that I joined also happened to have that same exact title and value. The title of course came from my time before joining the guild where I used the guild to launder stolen money from a heist. I got experience, levels, and a title from cleaning up gold that had somehow been mis-identified as trash and left on the floor. While Mallory’s guild got a title and over ten million gold coins that were free of any links to the Legrand empire.

A win-win, but one thing that isn’t stated is that the Titles stack, versus being cumulative. What I mean by that is that rather than just being able to cast Life and Nature based spells at 150% proficiency, I actually get 225% proficiency from the effect of both sets of Titles, meaning that these spells are extremely easy for me.

Anyways, I am getting distracted.

Now that I am at the free agency portion of my work, I can do one of two things, continue on and start linking even more sets of land to the center, or I can trust the other six mages to do their part and focus on making sure nothing untoward happens to Ms. Kujo.

In the end I go with option two, not because I trust the other mages to be able to hit their three marked areas, but rather I think being a monster veterinarian is a pretty cool job description.

“Cassiopeia Spiritlight, MMV MD on the way.” I say to myself as I turn about, trying to orient myself. I still have a hard time with telling actual directions, something that I will try to correct here shortly. Maybe I need to learn to cultivate both sunlight and darkness energies, thus I can tell what time of day it is from the ambient energy around me? No, that still makes no sense, as I just imagine myself cultivating while facing the south, feeling the sun on my left side and assuming that the sun is setting when it is actually rising.

No, I think the only thing that will truly help me identify directions easily is two things. First, being able to cultivate to find out the location of the sun at any given time. Then the second thing, and probably the most important thing, I need to get a watch.

The only problem is that all standard, and even the more robust watches will corrode quickly from being in contact with me. Only high grade, high end mechanical equipment can withstand being near me for any length of time. Meaning, that as usual, if I want something, I will likely have to make it myself.

In this case, I will need to use my rare and bloodline enhanced skill Gear Infusion to create components that are strong enough to be around me and not degrade over time.

Yep, just another thing added to my own personal Cassie-Do list.

Fortunately, I know the area that I am at, as this is the center of our guild’s territory. When it comes to finding my way around a place I have already been, the process of moving about is relatively easy. In this case, I just look for the typical landmarks. Yep, the tree that makes the slanted ‘Y’ shape to the right, that is east. Then follow that to the building complex that spells out ‘nom,’ a quick half left by the roadway and roundabout that spells out ‘yo’ and I am finally on the correct path towards where I left Ms. Kujo at, after the battle.

Yeah, I know, with a mapping system like mine and nearly twenty kilometers of visible area around me, how do I get lost? No clue.

I’d like to say that it doesn’t happen, that I don’t get lost, rather I am just really getting into the role of an enigmatic magical cultivator, but really it happens a lot more than I’d like to admit. Particularly with how much we have built up the area around us. I mean over a thousand acres are what we are trying to claim at the moment, which means a lot of random markings for me to try to find and use to orient myself.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Poof.

I keep Teleporting, but no sign of Ms. Kujo.

Until four jumps later. I am almost certain we are past the area where we fought, as there is clearly the impact crater where I forced the beast to land.

Oh, wait, it walked?

I guess it had to have deep gouges in the ground, the claw marks, and then yep, the blood stains on the ground that still pulse with untapped magical potential.

Just seeing the remnants of the dragon’s blood on the ground, and the way the ground is already glowing with extra vigor and vitality right there makes me want to shake my head. So much energy wasted, stupid dragons leaving their blood all over the ground like it was something that could easily be replenished or reused. Well for the dragon itself, yes.

As for me, I would likely need to bathe myself in at least a tub’s worth of the beast’s blood if I wanted to see any tangible effects from such a potent material. Then the idea of bathing in blood just causes me to shiver.

Taking a second to look at the glowing blood stain, I realize that maybe it was a good thing I haven’t learned to increase my power by bathing in the blood of my enemies. That sounds awfully unhygienic and disgusting. And that is why I will never gain uncontrollable amounts of power.

Though to be honest, I am more than happy with the status quo. Well mostly, I do want to continue to explore, whether it is going further up the never ending Arcanarus Tower, or whether it is exploring my new love, the Library of the Tribunal, which should be northwest of here, which should be that way? I mentally think to myself as I point off in a random direction that I think is northwest, but again I now realize just how bad I am at directions and that I might have a few other areas to improve on.

I am going straight up on a path that I am fairly certain will take me directly towards Ms. Kujo, when I see her.

No problem, slight adjustment left, or west, well in a westerly direction and boom right to Ms. Kujo, exactly when and where I wanted to meet her.

Sleeping.

Ms. Kujo is passed out.

Looking at her, I can quickly see why, she is now sleeping on the last few strips of dragon wing jerky that she managed to tear off of the giant creature. Apparently, she got here, took her feast ate three quarters of it, then passed out due to the heat.

Kujo himself is there, staring at her and over her.

Bristle.

As I appear, he instantly lets the fur on his head, neck, and spine rise up as he instantly begins to growl.

“GRR!”

Only after turning and seeing me does he instantly calm himself.

I can’t almost see the moment he recognizes me and seems to feel sorry for growling at me.

Hrmm, hrmm.

Kujo almost whimpers an apology.

“No worries, in fact I would be angrier with you if you weren’t so protective of her,” I begin, then reach my hand out towards Kujo. He lowers his head, so his nose is under my outstretched arm and hand. At which point I pulse healing energy through him and give his vitals a quick check.

He is fine, a bit tired, likely from running around and trying to provide for Ms. Kujo, but other than that, he is in top health.

“You need to rest more.” I state, then pause to look from him to Ms. Kujo, again a pointless gesture as I don’t need to turn to see, but it generally helps those that are visually oriented to figure out what I am talking about. As I turn to face Ms. Kujo I continue, “though I can fully see why you aren’t getting enough sleep.”

I give a few more quick pats and caresses on Kujo’s wet nose, then pull my hand away, making sure to wipe it on my pant leg, then head to Ms. Kujo.

She is passed out, full chainsaw snoring mode. It is kind of cute, especially considering it is coming from a giant death trap of a monster.

FWWWW-Gnannnaghgha-FWWW-Gnannnnagghghg.

I am all the way to her and placing a gentle hand on her paw, before she even realizes that someone else is there.

Yes, that is how comfortable she was with Kujo being on guard, that she was passed out in the middle of an open field, a few hundred meters away from where she just had a battle with a giant dragon that she tore strips of meat from, and she felt comfortable enough to pass out entirely until someone dared to touch her.

WOOOF!

Ms. Kujo awoke to consciousness instantly, and I could all but see and feel her muscles coiling to strike at me. Yet, with two words, I managed to get her to stop mid-strike.

“Good girl,” I state, as my third eye is open and helping me evaluate everything that is happening.

Pregnancy-wrestle.

Ms. Kujo tries to roll over but is stopped as the shape and size of her stomach are causing her to exert more force than necessary to sit up. She sees me, but I am already pulsing my Healing Magic into her, and causing her to feel instantly better.

“You are slightly dehydrated,” I begin, noting the most obvious problem. As my energy continues to course through her and the pups, I decide to do something about the first problem. “Kujo, could you dig a hole right there, please.” I state, while pointing to a spot just in front of Ms. Kujo’s torso. It should be at a spot that would be easy for Ms. Kujo to reach without having to move too much.

Just as requested, Kujo begins to dig in the exact spot I pointed out.

Pause.

After a few quick swipes, there is a hole that could easily be deep enough for a jacuzzi for me. Unfortunately, that is not enough for what I believe Ms. Kujo needs.

“Deeper, about double that.” I say, hoping that Kujo understands these terms like double and deeper.

Yet, to my surprise, Kujo begins digging even deeper.

Seeing that he understands my request, I nod to myself and then continue my diagnosis. Only to realize a few things.

“Wow, you poor thing.” I tell Ms. Kujo, who is finally able to sit up vertically without looking like she is going to topple over. Ms. Kujo just tilts her head towards me. “Well, the good news is that all thirteen pups are fine and healthy as can be. The bad news is that you need to start taking better care of yourself. I mean, just look at your paws, they are all bloated. That must be painful.”

Then I begin touching and pushing lightly on the paws.

Wince.

Well, I wasn’t pushing lightly on them, as I was using almost all my strength, but for her size and the fact that these paws went up to my waistline I felt the force used was gentle for Ms. Kujo’s comfort. Yet, despite this, she visibly winced in pain.

Seeing her slight snarl of her lips I nod.

“Just as I expected. I am going to teach you a few exercises to do, in order to help regulate your body. This should help you also make sure the pups remain strong as well.” I state, and before I even realize what I am about to do, I pause for a second wondering if I am about to create the ultimate monster. As I am thinking the best way for Ms. Kujo to lower the swelling in her paws is by teaching her how to forcefully circulate the blood within her body that is just pooling at her paws. Yes, that is right, in other words I am contemplating teaching Ms. Kujo how to cultivate.

I pause for a moment, but then realize that I still have time to make this potentially world changing decision.

Silence.

At this exact moment, Kujo is done digging the hole that I requested. He stares at me somewhat happily, panting with excitement and smiling in the way that only dogs can, with their lips pulled back and their teeth showing in that ominous, but non-threatening way that shows excitement.

I pause, looking at the hole for a moment, then realizing that it is now deep enough that I would need to climb out if I fell in, I nod in approval.

“Good job Kujo,” I say, as I provide a quick Rock Melting spell to the area, just enough to quickly warm the exposed clay dirt, then a few tons of pressure to melt and compress the heated clay to work out any breaks or fractures. Then within a few seconds, the hardening is complete, and we have the equivalent of an empty obsidian lined swimming pool.

For a moment I wonder what an obsidian swimming pool would look like, then realize it would likely burn the heck out of your feet in the summertime. After that realization, I understand why these are likely not a thing. Still, everything is ready for me to make this Cassie sized swimming pool into the largest water dish in the area.

Magically Infused Water.

I create my own blend of seltzer water, one infused with mana and minerals alike.

Just one sniff from Ms. Kujo is enough for her to instantly trust the water that I am creating and for her to start slurping the water down almost as quickly as I can create it.

Slurp, slurp, slurp.

True to form, Ms. Kujo drank deeply of the specially formulized water I had created.

“See, I told you, that you were dehydrated.”

Nod.

Ms. Kujo gave a slight head nod of approval while continuing to slurp down her water.

Hrmm, hrmm.

Apparently, the water smelled great as even Kujo himself wanted some, though he clearly knew not to get in the way of a pregnant lady and her food. Instead, he just waited off to the side, letting us know that he too would like to partake, but not outright demanding anything.

“You trained him well.” I said to Ms. Kujo.

With that Ms. Kujo stopped her massive slurping to look from me to Kujo and then back. At the last pause she nodded her head, then looking down at the still rapidly filling pool, or oversized dog bowl, whichever works for this, she lapped up two more gulps. As she did, she stared at Kujo the entire time, locking gazes with him, as if daring him to claim anything.

Kujo for his part just stared and then after a second looked down to the ground defeatedly.

Hmph.

At that, Ms. Kujo who was near to bursting with magical energy moved her head away and seemed to allow Kujo access to her giant bowl in the ground.

With this, I went over to the engorged stomach of Ms. Kujo and felt the two massive pools of energy converging. There was the already mana and Qi rich meat that had been slowly dissolving in her stomach, that now met the quick acting mana infused vitamin water that seemed like it would cause only more tension within the pregnant dire phase wolf.

Part of me realized that Ms. Kujo would be fine. As all she really needed to do right now was go back to her cave, and rest for a bit, and she would eventually recover from this food coma that was about to take her again.

Then I realized that I would have been ticked had someone had a simple way for me to make it, so my hands and feet didn’t swell during my pregnancies.

This of course led me back to that most heretical idea I had earlier, the one where I taught Ms. Kujo how to cultivate, as a way to help her forcefully regulate her blood flow and personal health. At that, I had the idea, if you can train a dog, you can train a human, right?

I wasn’t entirely certain of that last thought, but it might help some of my struggling students push themselves that much further knowing that I taught the local animals to cultivate. With that heretical thought, I decided to go on with the next stage of this crazy plan. Afterall I was done with my portion of the Guild’s land reclamation quest, meaning anything I did would be for my own personal leisure.

At that, I figured why not spend a few hours trying to teach a new dog old tricks, but before I did anything, I first needed to make sure she was onboard with this plan. Facing Ms. Kujo, I then proceeded to ask the most serious question I could ask at the moment, a question that would likely change the landscape of not just our Guild, but the world itself.

“Do you want to learn to Cultivate, so you can avoid having swollen paws like these in the future?”