The beast roared, with a roar that shook the ground and the trees around them. Then it rushed towards Rugo with its messy claws, the beast swung them down at Rugo.

Unflinched, Rugo parried such force with one hand without breaking a sweat. Rugo held the beast’s claws and crushed them with his fingers grip power. He spun and unleashed a backhand horizontal strike.

The beast ducked, but was getting pushed back by the sheer force Rugo unleashed. The beast took a few steps back, realized its opponent was strong.

“(He is strong! He parried that claw strike with one hand! The claw strike that produces force rivals Gomara’s technique! So this is the power of guardian of Kralv!)” thought Cain. He was watching the fight under a tree.

“Meip!” Beil came from behind Cain.

“Sorry Beil, we’re taking a while, and the fight hasn't over yet, get close to me in case something comes,” said Cain.

“Meip!”

“Alright, then, now let’s see…” Cain took out the Book of Gomara. “Hmm… oh! There it is, Rabid Beastwolf,” he found the information about the beast in the Book.

“The description is just like how Rugo had explained… and here it is, it comes from the unfortunate one of the Clastival Wolf twins.”

There was a sentence that picked Cain’s eyebrow.

‘When a Clastival Wolf transforms into this beast, kill it immediately, it’s a plague.’

“... Truly unfortunate one this beast,” said Cain.

Rugo and the Beastwolf circling each other. Because their clash earlier, the place became an open area.

They both dashed to each other, Rugo skillfully evaded the attacks from the wolf, he slashed everytime the beast attacked with his claws. But the wounds Rugo inflicted only made it became more agile and stronger.

The tenacity of the Rabid Beastwolf made Rugo had to stand on the defensive. But even on the defensive, Rugo’s defense wasn’t easy to break, he deflected each time the beast attacked, he even countered with a powerful uppercut to the jaw and destroyed the remaining claws. And Rugo hadn't even got a single scratch even though he was on the defensive side.

Realizing it did not work, the beast took a step back, and Rugo made this opportunity to the fullest. He attacked the beast with a hard-catch speed, his movement was nimble, he never struck on the same place, he moved around the beast, launching every hardest strikes as many as possible.

Rugo cornered the beast with ease, but he stepped backwards to give the beast a chance to counter, as if he was toying with the beast. The body of the beast was a mess, the damage Rugo unleashed was devastating.

The beast knew its enemy was overpowered, thus the beast charged its power and took a stance.

Seeing the gesture the beast made, Rugo also took a side stance, with his body faced to the side, his right leg came forward to the beast, and his left leg to the opposite but straight aligned with his right leg.

The Rabid Beastwolf growled at Rugo, the moasrahn replied with a grin. A breeze swept the leaves away on the ground. Both of them stood still.

“Thoars kei hivda, fo lingrard,” said Rugo.

The beast leaped, the ground the beast kicked web-cracked, with speed almost rivaled Cain’s Magnum Glint. It leaped towards Rugo with mouth wide open, its fangs and teeth were its last attempt to even scratch its opponent.

Calmly, Rugo bent his upper body backwards, and he pulled his left leg to his back direction, to keep the center of gravity.

The jaw made a clear clashing sound when it snapped, it bit the air. The beast failed, it was still flying above Rugo.

Rugo smoothly evaded the horrendous jaw. But evading was not only Rugo’s intention. The moment the jaw went past above him, Rugo’s left leg kicked the ground, propelling his torso towards the beast. Rugo accurately bit the beast’s throat with his fangs. Not only he evaded the attack, Rugo also successfully caught his enemy’s vital point.

Rugo slammed the beast while still biting its throat to the ground, then he lifted the beast to the air with his powerful jaw and slammed it again. The beast roared in pain.

Still biting the beast’s throat, Rugo’s right hand gripped onto the beast’s body, and his left hand held the jaw. Rugo ripped the beast’s throat with his mouth.

Blood spurted out from the throat. Some splashed on Rugo’s face.

“Damn, it’s so brutal!” gasped Cain.

Rugo stepped backwards. He spitted the throat remains to the side.

The beast in front of him kicking its leg, gasping for air. The kicking was getting weaker as the moment passing by.

Rugo sighed while looking at the beast. It finally lost its life, he took another step backwards to avoid the pool of blood around the beast.

“It’s over, huh?” said Cain as he walked towards Rugo with Beil, “eh?” Cain looked at forest direction.

Five figures appeared from behind the trees. They were moasrahns, one of them was Argen, the rest were deer moasrahns, the sentries.

“Brother!?” said Argen, “I thought you’re already out from the forest, what happened?“ asked he.

“Ah, Argen,” Rugo turned around to Argen while wiping his mouth of the blood with his forearm. “Short story? I just took your first job! Sorry, brother!” he laughed lightly.

“Hmm… judging from the beast corpses along the way here, it’s a beast horde, right? You both stopped the beasts?” Argen looked around, ignoring his brother’s laugh.

“Yeah, we stopped the horde,” said Cain, “oh, by the way, Argen, about your father’s swo-”

“He means Varestaz is awesome! Right, Cain?” said Rugo, he cut Cain’s words and stopped Cain from facing Argen by gripping on Cain’s shoulder, preventing the sword to be fully seen by Argen. He glanced at Cain, a sharp glance that told Cain not to tell what happened to the sword.

“Y-yeah, it is,” said Cain.

“I see… I’m glad to hear that,” Argen glanced at Cain’s waist, where he could see the sword, only the hilt that was, because Cain’s coat covered the sword from half of the hilt to the Argen-thought-the-blade-was-there. And Cain position wasn't faced towards Argen, his right shoulder was. So, all Argen saw was the hilt.

“Right, well then, I’ll leave the cleaning to you guys,” said Rugo, “we’ll be off.” he looked at Cain. Cain responded with a nod.

Cain turned around and carefully moved the hilt so Argen wouldn't realize it. He and Rugo started walking, leaving Argen and the sentries. Beil also walked beside them.

“Cain!” shouted Argen.

“Y-yeah?” Cain looked behind over his shoulder, not exactly looked at Argen.

“Keep my father’s sword well!”

“Don’t worry about it, brother!” said Rugo. He lightly smacked Cain’s back and waved at Argen. Then they walked again.

…

“Why did you do that?” asked Cain. He sat on a big tree root that fully emerged from the ground.

“What? About the sword? Heh, I just saved you from a hassle,” Rugo replied.

They were at a creek, still in the forest. Rugo washed his face with crystal clear water from the creek. Beil was playing in the water cheerfully, Cain took off the bandana before hand.

“Hmmh… really?”

“I know my brother, he wouldn't let you go.”

“He’ll find the blade shards.”

“And we’ll be already out from the forest by the time he finds the shards,”

“What about you then? You don't care about your father’s sword?” asked Cain.

“Swords, lances, knives are just secondary weapons to us, no matter how good they are, our fangs and claws will be still our main weapons. But Argen is a bit different, sometimes, he prefer other weapons to our natural weapons, don't know why, but that’s just who he is.” Rugo also cleaned his forearm that was smeared with blood.

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“Then why do you use weapons at all if you have claws and fangs?”

“We moasrahns value our enemies based on their skills and strength. We only use our fangs and claws for the strong ones, the weak ones? Our secondary weapons do the trick.”

“I see…” Cain paused, “you used your fangs and claws against the wolf.”

“That wolf was strong, don’t you think?” Rugo stood up, he finished cleaning the blood from his face and arms.

“Yeah, it’s quite strong… then what did you say before you fight it? I heard it faintly, but I’m sure it wasn't Vikr tongue,” said Cain.

“Thoars ha jugrav,” said Rugo, “you’re worthy to be felled by my fangs, that’s what it means. Oh and the other one, thoarsi kei hivda, fo lingrard, it means you’ve lost your way, let me slay you.”

“Hoo… cool, must be your native tongue. By the way, what I’m going to do with this hilt?” Cain unsheathed the hilt.

Rugo leaned on a large stone and crossed his arms. “It’s up to you, though it will offer you nothing unless you fit another blade there, and you’re welcome to just put that there. I’m sure Argen will find it,” Rugo pointed at a large stone with almost flat surface on his right side.

Cain pondered his head for a moment.

“I feel bad to just leave it here, but like what you just said, it will offer me nothing if I carry this around,” Cain scratched his head. “Ah, whatever! Sorry, Argen!” said Cain as he got up and put the hilt on the stone.

Cain gazed the hilt for a moment, then he rolled his eyes towards Rugo.

“If it’s okay to ask, where’s your father? Or your mother? I didn’t see them when the elders saw we off. Are they…?”

“Yes, they’re no longer in this world,” said Rugo.

“Ah, sorry… ugh, now I feel worse, Varestaz must’ve been really important for your brother, it’s your father’s legacy after all.”

“There’s nothing to sorry about, I remember them as powerful warriors, it just fuels me to be better than them,” said Rugo while clenching his fist. “And Argen? Avoid overthinking about it. How about yours?”

“Mine? Been an orphan since I still wet my bed, barely remember them,” Cain shrugged.

“We’re the same then. Let’s go, it just a minute or two and we’ll be out of the forest,” said Rugo.

“Yeah, let’s go, Beil!”

Beil came out of the water and shook the water off his fur. After Cain dried Beil with a piece of cloth a bit and tied back the bandana, Rugo led them out of the forest.

Moasrahn Elder’s House

“Now, we’ve lost Rugo, Balrth’s strongest moasrahn from our young generation. I expect you’ll give extra effort to train other moasrahn warriors, at least on his level, right, Bilvrast?” asked Koghr, he sat with other elders.

“That’s what I’m doing everyday. But, you underestimated Rugo by saying he is Balrth’s strongest from our young generation. He is a lot stronger than that, well, give him time,” replied Bilvrast.

“True, Gias’s blood run through his veins, the thick blood of a Reaver,” responded Fizol.

“Argen?” asked Geam.

“He’s among the strongest too, but sadly, nowhere near his brother’s level. He’s also son of Gias but unfortunately, he doesn't have Reaver magic like his brother,” said Fizol.

“Too bad, huh? Rugo hogged all the Reaver bloodline from their father,” Bilvrast laughed.

“Reaver magic, huh… a rare magic from our race that uses the caster’s lifespan to use it,” commented Fizol.

“Yeah, it’s rare already, but the practitioner is even more rare,” said Bilvrast.

Moasrasns who had talent for Reaver magic were rare, and the ones who mastered it were even harder to come by. Because even using a slightest of this magic reduced a portion of the practitioner’s lifespan, harsh training was issued for moasrahns who had this magic, most of them died because of overusing it. It was risky, but beyond the risk, a tremendous power awaited, a power that always tempted who had talent of this magic.

“I saw last month mock battle, Rugo beat Argen even without using Reaver magic,” said Koghr. “Can Rugo fully use Reaver magic, Bilvrast?” asked Koghr

“Not yet, but I know he broke the limit easily because of his mixed blood, he is a hybrid after all.”

“Indeed, Gias was a jaguar moasrahn, he was a master of Reaver magic, and his wife, Glea, a snow leopardess moasrahn, the master of magic resistance… as you said, give him time. Moreover, he’s traveling the world right now, he’ll grow, and I hope there is wisdom that’ll develop from his traveling. Who knows, maybe he’ll lead our people one day,” said Koghr.

The other elders nodded in agreement.

“By the way, I think human in the past also in possession of Reaver magic, though it’s not as perfect as ours,” said Koghr.

“Human is a cunning race, I bet they got it from us,” said Fizol.

“Speaking of human, what do you think about that human called Cain?” asked Koghr.

“He is amusing! Hahah!” said Bilvrast.

“I couldn't really measure him, but he’s strong for sure,” said Fizol.

“It’d be good if Rugo befriends him, I know Rugo would surprise everyone when he enters a town or some human settlements. So maybe Cain could help him with that, if they travel together after they get out from the forest that is,” said Koghr.

Geam nodded in agreement.

“Heh, Rugo is smart, and with his keen and perceptive mind he’ll manage even without the help of Cain, don't worry too much about it. But I agree, traveling with a human companion could give him a broader perspective,” responded Bilvrast.

Outside Balrth Forest, Ezilai Kingdom Territory

A meadow presented to Cain and Rugo after they got out from the forest. The breeze gently whistled over the grass, with the sun hanging over their heads.

“So, I’ll be going to Ezilai Kingdom’s beach town. Where will you go from here?” asked Cain.

“Hmm… I still don’t know, but it intrigues me when you said beach town, I’ve never been to one,” said Rugo.

“Beach? Oh yeah, you never leave the forest.”

“Meip?”

“Hm, maybe, I’m sure it will be a good experience,” said Rugo in response to Beil.

“What did Beil say?” asked Cain curiously.

“He said ‘will you come with us?’” Rugo chuckled, “alright, I’ll come along to this beach town if you don’t mind,” he added.

“Not at all! Let’s go!” said Cain.

After an hour of walking in the meadow, they finally found the main road. They could see a caravan, heading their way from forest direction.

“There’s a caravan, let’s greet them,” said Cain.

“Sure,” Rugo replied.

They waited the caravan to come to them by the side of the road. Cain could see four closed carriages, with some horsemen.

But before the caravan reached them, it stopped. Some people with weapons came out from the carriages. The horsemen also unsheathed their weapons. Two horsemen and four armed men came closer towards Cain and Rugo cautiously.

“What are they doing?” Cain frowned.

“I have a hunch,” said Rugo.

“What?” responded Cain.

“Hey! You! Who are you? What is that creature beside you!?” shouted one of the horsemen.

“My hunch is spot on,” Rugo groaned. “I’m not just any creature! I am a moasrahn! We mean no harm!” he shouted.

“Shit! It talked!?” said the horseman, he was bald and clean shaved.

“I thought it was a beast!” said a long-haired horseman, he had a braided beard.

The other four men were also puzzled.

“Ask them again, Bogram!” said the long-haired horseman to the bald horseman.

“The fuck should I ask, Dearg!? Are you blind? Look at that! That supposed-to-be-jaguar is standing with two freakin’ legs! And it talked! And I understand what he’s saying! And they are armed! Well, only the beast! But who knows maybe that man has a dagger or two underneath his coat!”

“Calm the heck down, Bogram!” said Dearg.

They looked confused.

“Oh, I understand…” Cain sighed. Then he walked towards them.

They tensed up when Cain casually came closer.

“Sorry, we really mean no harm, that is my friend,” Cain pointed at Rugo with his thumb, “not a beast just a moasrahn, you know them, right? That extinct race?” said Cain.

“Ah, I know that word! Moasrahn, eh? But are you really sure??” responded the haired horseman called Dearg.

“That thing said that itself, you moron! Didn't you hear!?” said the bald horseman, Bogram.

“I thought I misheard it, but when I heard it three times by now,” an old man came out from the carriage, he wore a pale yellow robe, hanging on his chest a long white beard.

“Let see,” he took out his spectacles from his pocket and wore it, then he walked closer to them.

“Fascinating!” he said, with a face of excitement.

Bogram and Dearg just shrugged at each other.

“My name is Ogen Farenn, I am a professor at Heldar University, focused on moasrahn history,”

“I am Cain, here is Rugo.”

Rugo walked closer to them.

“I can't believe it… I finally have the chance to meet what I pursue in history itself, moasrahn!” said Ogen. “Heh, I never believed moasrahns with their prosperity just fall with a war and go extinct!” he added.

“(Looks like what Cain said is true, humans think we’re extinct,)” thought Rugo.

“I’m sorry for my bodyguards behaviour, they have foul mouths but they’re just doing their jobs. They thought you’re bandits,” sneered Ogen.

Bogram and Dearg awkwardly smiled at Cain and Rugo.

“No problem, we’re just on our way to the beach town when we saw your caravan. So I thought we could hitch a ride to the nearest village or maybe the beach town if your destination is there,” said Cain.

“You’re going to Ulstena? Sure! You can come with us! That’s my next stop before I go to Heldar University at the capital.” said Ogen enthusiastically.

“That’s the beach town’s name, huh?” said Rugo.

“Indeed, the famous weary-cleansing town for its vacation vibe, though I find the town is boring by now because I always go there with my family every year,” said Ogen, “come, you can sit with me in my carriage,” Ogen invited Cain and Rugo.

“Carriage…” mumbled Rugo. He and Cain followed Ogen to the carriage.

“But, I’ll ask a price for that,” Ogen turned around towards Cain and Rugo after he opened the carriage door.

“I already know about it, human professor. Let’s get it on with it,” Rugo just casually went inside the carriage, “oh, quite spacious in here! Come in, Cain!” he said.

“You already know??” Ogen looked inside at Rugo who had been sitting comfortably inside the carriage.

“Yeah, Information, right? Wait, knowledge is more appropriate for a scholar,” said Rugo with a grin.

“Superb! Your kind is always this dangerously sharp-witted? Ah, nevermind!” Ogen was surprised and excited. “Come in, Cain,” he turned his gaze towards Cain.

“Right,” Cain took Beil from the ground and went inside the carriage.

“Oh, I didn't realize that one,” said Ogen as he saw Beil, “you are pretty odd group combination; a human, a moasrahn and an otter.”

“Memeeiip!” cried Beil, Cain put Beil on his lap.

“Of course we are, Beil!” said Rugo with a little smile.

“... Beil?...” Ogen paused, then he looked at Cain, then Rugo, then to the otter. “This otter is called Beil?... did you just talk to the otter!?” Ogen looked at Rugo, he was clearly baffled.

“I did,” said Rugo.

“He did,” said Cain. They said the same time.

“Sweet Goddess! Animal tongue!? Wasn't just a myth!? Hah! Everyone in the University will envy what I will learn!” gasped the professor.

Ogen got in the carriage after he hand-signaled his bodyguards to continue their way to the beach town, Ulstena.