Chapter 8: Hound's Lair

Finding myself to sleep after witnessing Blue’s naked body was a lot harder than I thought. Her large eyes with hazel pupils, her small pinkish lips, and her silky white legs that disappeared below the water surface — the image kept me awake until I was so exhausted my body had no choice but to sleep. I knew she had the confidence to do so only because she trusted me, and that trust was something I didn’t want to break, so I kept my hands to myself.

Pushing myself off the ground I used as a makeshift bed, I washed my face on the lake and donned my jacket. The lake’s mineral water was more than helpful, as it supplied me with immediate energy I needed for the day. However, my stomach still growled and screamed for meat. Nothing beats real food after all. We could only keep tricking ourselves with this water in the meantime; at least until we had finished this business.

I started stretching, and Blue came out of the tent a few minutes afterwards; her cheeks flushed with the morning sunshine. I greeted her with a typical morning greeting, but she went straight to the water and dunk her head inside. After Blue had satisfied her appetite, she asked me for our next course of action.

So I showed her my map and explained what I had in mind. “Let’s go on detour and continue a little bit to the west. Then we’ll turn towards the mountain after that.”

Blue yawned, like it didn’t catch her interest at all, and tied her long brown hair into a ponytail. “Such a work oriented guy. What about the hounds?”

A Blade hound isn’t particularly larger than your regular hound, but the two fangs protruding out of its jowl are a lot sharper and deadlier compared to norm. I wondered to myself how Gramps would react if I brought those back. He would surely jump in joy, I believed, as those materials are hard to come by.

“We’ll encounter them for sure, so be prepared.” I searched my rucksack and handed Blue a bottle of pink potion. “Here, keep one with you just in case.”

“What is this? Is it bitter?”

“It’s a revitalizing potion, Blue. Drink it whenever you feel tired. And no, it’s not bitter since I made that potion after a woman’s drink. See? Even the color speaks for itself.”

“Suspicious.” My medicine was frowned upon, but Blue still slid the potion in her pocket.

I blew a sigh of relief and finished cleaning up our camp. The Undines, after all, had been helpful to us I didn’t want to violate their sanctuary. Spirits appreciate the most little of things. Sometimes we just have to watch out for what we actually we do, and that, in turn, would grant us good friendship towards each other. Perhaps I would actually find a spirit stone by the lake next time — who knows?

My instincts proved true when one hound came after another as soon as we left the lake. I couldn’t help much with all the baggage, so I left most of the fighting to Blue. Her fluid movements seemed more like a dance the more I observed, as she was beginning to adjust to her own capabilities.

The low growls continued as we advance and the vicious hounds even grew in number — this must be their lair! Blue ran wild and began to exterminate the nearest monster, as if their growling was starting to get on her nerves. In a matter of seconds, most of the hounds had laid waste before my very eyes.

“Blue?”

Again, the same expressionless eyes were reflected in Blue’s pupil before she snapped back into reality and the colors returned. “It’s over?”

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“Almost, but you can leave this one to me.”

In the middle of that clearing, a monster looked at me with eyes filled with animosity, as if it would do anything in its power to lead me to my grave. The Blade hound took one step forward with its paw and watched me closely, like it was asking me for a proper duel. One on one.

In response, I dropped my rucksack and signaled Blue to take a few steps back. If I finish this Blade hound in its own game, there's a chance that it would save us the trouble of eliminating this whole pack.

I began to unsheathe my sword while returning the monster’s glare. It seemed like Gramps information was wrong for the first time, as this particular hound didn’t go in for the kill right away. It was suspiciously cautious of me, similar to how a greedy merchant hides his gems.

Its actions rubbed onto me, so I acted cautiously as well. After all, a single swiped from its claws or a single bite from its fangs is all it needed to end my life. While it’s waiting for that golden opportunity, I slightly lowered my left hand to my wooden sword and sneakily applied mana to the spirit stone. The monster reacted to my movement and jumped! But my blade extended and met its mark — the Blade hound’s left hind was pierced! Nevertheless, that didn’t stop the incoming attack, leaving me no choice but to dodge for my life.

After successfully saving myself, I looked at the Blade hound again. I noticed small droplets of blood oozing from its wound. I lowered my blade and with a deep breath, charged after the hound this time. When the monster raised its paws to intercept, I slid under it and stabbed its belly with my sword.

I knew the wound I inflicted was fatal, but I still kept my distance and drew the small knife on my left thigh. The monster turned towards me and revealed my sword stuck on its chest. Just when I thought it was preparing itself for a final stance, the monster jumped backwards and fled.

I didn’t chase after it. The blood trailing on the soil was enough to give away its location.

“Should we?”

“Those wounds are fatal, Blue. There’s no need to chase after it. However, I’m curious as to why it ran when it asked me for a proper duel.”

“It’s a monster; so what do we know, right?”

“Still, there’s something different about it. Let’s chase it after all.”

I grabbed my rucksack and sprinted after the wounded monster. The stench of blood grew fouler deeper in their lair. And over there, we discovered something I didn’t expect to see — babies. More hounds sprang out of nowhere and surrounded us, yet they didn’t attack. They weren’t even growling. They were just silently watching us both.

It wouldn’t make a difference even if they do anyways, as my left hand was already prepared to pour mana on my spirit weapon. Hounds are smart monsters, so I kept my hand there for insurance as we followed the bloody trail.

Then and there I knew the reason for their aggressiveness. That Blade hound was probably female; it was just trying to protect its offspring, like any mother would after giving birth. I should've known better.

In my silence, Blue suddenly grabbed my hand. I turned to look, and she shook her head. A part of me was still a little disappointed that I wasn’t able to harvest the rare materials, but I let the urge go. I didn’t want to involve those baby hounds and turn this into a bloodbath.

I came here in this forest for one thing, and those were not it.