Lanek looked around for the source of the voices, but there were no figures in this space aside from Sanguineus, Kazuma, and himself. He could see Sanguineus’ eyes darting around now, searching for the voices as well.
THIS MUST BE MADE RIGHT. The voice boomed from the ghostly trees.
Yes. Stealing my servant’s mind and reducing him to a mindless beast… Such an insult cannot be borne. The whispers responded.
Lanek realized that the two entities were not speaking to him. He felt tiny and insignificant.
No, not insignificant. More that you are of no use. Not yet.
THE VOID SPEAKS THE TRUTH. BACK TO THE MATTER AT HAND. THE SOULS CANNOT BE UNBOUND FROM ONE ANOTHER.
True, they cannot. The vampire that served the Void is long dead. As is your wolf, Primordial. All that remains is this creature. Perhaps we could give them another chance?
AS THIS ABOMINATION?
As something new. The Void can take its madness, let the creature develop its personality and consciousness without the veil of insanity.
I SEE. THEN I WILL TAKES ITS HUNGER AND MOLD ITS FORM INTO SOMETHING HONORING THOSE LOST IN ITS CREATION.
“May I ask a question?” Lanek asked meekly, half-expecting to be smote by one of the beings.
You wish to know if the beast will still be enslaved to the weapon.
I AM PLEASED AT YOUR CONCERN FOR THIS BEING’S FREEDOM. REST ASSURED, IT WILL BE ABLE TO CHOOSE ITS OWN PATH.
Lanek nodded, relieved at the Primordial’s words. Without another word, the two beings began flooding the area with power, directing it into Sanguineus. Lanek winced at the agony in the beast’s howls, howls that progressively became higher pitched. A cloud of black and green energy hid Sanguineus from view, but seemed to be getting smaller.
IT IS DONE.
How I do love seeing something new after all this time!
Lanek watched the cloud dissipate, leaving behind a small wolf, roughly the size of Kazuma. However, its coloring bore no resemblance to the frost wolf he had seen in the visions of the past. Instead, the wolf was a very dark gray with deep red streaks running through the fur. The tips of its ears, its paws, and its snout were all a deep red as well.
Most striking of all were the changes to its eyes and mouth. Its sclera was a black void surrounding a rich red iris. Its mouth appeared to be very much what one would expect from a wolf, until you noticed the huge fangs emerging from its upper jaw that brought to mind a canine equivalent of a saber-toothed tiger.
I shall take my leave now. Never forget, Lanek. The Void will be watching you with interest.
MELODRAMATIC AS ALWAYS. The Primordial intoned in disapproval and a hint of exasperation. NOW, SANGUINEUS. WHAT WOULD YOU DO FROM NOW ON? I CAN SEND YOU TO YOUR REST OR PERHAPS LANEK WOULD LIKE TO MAKE YOU AN OFFER?
“Before I even consider making another contract, could you tell me what happens when I die? I do not want to bind these creatures to me only to have them return to their prisons or wander aimlessly once I’m gone.”
THOSE THAT HAVE BOUND THEMSELVES TO YOU WILL BE FREED UPON YOUR DEATH. SANGUINEUS WILL NOT BE TRAPPED AND STARVING IN THE WHIP NOR WILL KAZUMA RETURN TO THE ASHEN DEPTHS. THEY WILL BE GIVEN THE OPTION TO GO TO THEIR RESPECTIVE RESTS ALONE OR ACCOMPANY YOUR SOUL ON ITS JOURNEY TO WHATEVER FATE AWAITS YOU.
“Thank you. With that information, I have no qualms with offering Sanguineus a contract.” Lanek said while activating [Soul Contract].
Sanguineus, Blood Wolf (lvl 1) has accepted your contract.
EXCELLENT. GO NOW, WITH MY THANKS FOR HELPING TO RIGHT AN OBSCENE WRONG THAT WAS ALLOWED TO GO ON FOR FAR TOO LONG.
With those final words, the pocket dimension faded and Lanek found himself standing in the middle of the street in Caelis. Not knowing how long he had been there, Lanek ran into a nearby building. With a thought, Lanek called upon both Kazuma and Sanguineus, watching as they both coalesced before him. However, something new happened this time, Sanguineus had sprung from the chain whip rather than Lanek himself.
What the hell? He thought as he watched Kazuma and Sanguineus promptly inspect one another. Despite his confusion, he had to smile as Sanguineus started to prance and leap all around the mist cat.
Eldros, Primordial of the Wild, is pleased with your actions. He has bestowed a new title upon you.
Title acquired: Friend of the Wild
YES! That is going to be useful. Thank you, Eldros!
[Friend of the Wild]
You have proven yourself an ally and friend of the Wild through your actions. Continue aiding nature and its creations and the Wild will endeavor to aid you in your journey in return.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
Gain +1 SPI, +1 CON, +1 DEX, +2 free points per level.
Right! I need to check on that level up.
Name Lanek Solvinsson Species Human (Transmigrated) Class Soulbinder lvl 6 Titles Acolyte of the Void, Friend of the Wild HP 75/170 MP 35/35
ATTRIBUTES
STR 20 CON 34 DEX 20 PER 21 RES 30 SPI 7 FREE POINTS 7
After giving his attributes a quick glance, Lanek applied the free points to dexterity. He really needed to improve his agility to help him react and dodge in combat. The rather painful experience with the ash goblin and how it had thrashed him was not one he cared to repeat.
I may have to start putting some of my free points into strength, its the only attribute that doesn’t get anything from leveling up now that I have that new title.
While watching Sanguineus explore his surroundings, Lanek decided to [Identify] the chain whip once more to see if anything changed.
Sanguineus’ Vessel [Unique][Growth]
This weapon is the result of experimentation during the Age of Devastation. On the brink of extinction, the creators of this chain whip imbued Sanguineus with the ability to drain blood from those it slew while channeling the vitality into its wielder. However, instead of bolstering and healing its wielder, Sanguineus retained the vitality and mana of its victims.
With the aid of the Void and the Primordial of the Wild, this chain whip has gone from a cursed prison to a vessel for the Blood Wolf, Sanguineus. When Sanguineus is not present within the vessel, it will function as a simple weapon. However, when Sanguineus returns to his vessel, the weapon will be imbued with a life-draining effect that will drain the blood of its foes to provide a regeneration effect to its wielder.
Holy shit… It’s not cursed anymore and actually works the way it was originally supposed to? Hell yeah, things are looking up!
However, with that thought, Lanek realized that he likely wouldn’t force Sanguineus into the whip very often. The little beast looked far too happy to recall and he had spent enough time in the whip since its creation.
Hold on. If Sanguineus can have a vessel and link to an item, can Kazuma? Can anything I contract be linked to a vessel? Lanek’s mind raced with the possibilities of weapons or armor bearing the attributes of his bonded companions. That’s a thought for another day, though. I have no idea where to even start.
“So, what do you guys think? Do some more hunting or get the hell out of here?” he asked while scratching Sanguineus behind the ears. The cat and wolf exchanged a glance before growling at the doorway. “Say no more. Hunting it is.” Lanek responded while hefting his kanabo in his right hand and wrapping the whip around his left arm.
“We’re going to need to be careful, though. I’m still at less than half health.” At those words Sanguineus cocked his head and nosed the whip. “It’s up to you buddy, I won’t force you into the whip. I might ask, but I’ll never force you.”
Sanguineus nodded before dissipating into a red fog that was sucked into the whip. Not wanting to waste the blood wolf’s time in the whip, Lanek switched the whip to his main hand and tucked the kanabo into his pack.
“Lead on, Kazuma. Let’s find some more prey.” Kazuma chuffed and bolted away immediately. Apparently, the big cat had already found a new target.
Lanek followed as quietly as he could. Sure, he was a bit more confident now due to recent developments, but he still didn’t want to attract a group.
Two blocks later, Lanek caught up with the cat, finding him crouched and staring around a corner at something, body tensed and waiting to attack. Lanek peered around the corner and smiled. At the sight of the creature before them, Sanguineus began to radiate hate. Hate and rage.
Lesser Gaunt
lvl ???
???
What? Why can’t I see a level or description? To his surprise, the System responded to his question.
Information on entities that have not been integrated into the System cannot be properly provided.
How is that possible?
Unknown.