[ Special Task ]

[ Survive the ambush ]

[ Reward: instant level up and a random rare skill ]

Elrianthe paused, surprised by the content of the task.

'Special? An ambush? What the hell!' She wondered.

“Wait.” Elrianthe spoke up, her voice sounding confused. “Something's not right here.”

“What is it, boss?” Taygeer asked, walking beside her.

Elrianthe looked at him, wondering how to explain it to him.

“I have a bad feeling...”

*WRRRAAAWWWRRR*

A powerful roar coming from the direction of the cave entrance interrupted their conversation. Everyone turned around in horror, unsure of what could have made such a loud sound.

Elrianthe spotted a huge black bear, covered with numerous marks of deadly battles that it had probably won due to its powerful strength. It was so big that it measured more than three meters, not standing on its hind legs.

“Run!” Shouted Elrianthe to the rest, who, like her, were shocked by the encounter.

“Where?” Asked Duncan loudly, realizing that the only way they had was deep into the cave.

“Forward, dammit!” She called out, breaking off into a run.

They all started running ahead as much as they could. Elrianthe, running slightly ahead, nervously looked for some kind of branch, tunnel, or anything that could help them escape or fight the black beast chasing them.

The beast did not give way, but eventually the structure of the cave allowed the group to gain distance. The twisting nature of the tunnels, which worked against the monster's sizable size, allowed them to temporarily lose the chase. When they reached the next larger chamber, a new problem appeared before their eyes.

“More bears!” Duncan shouted.

The wounded bear they had chased earlier was standing there in the company of another, enraged, large individual. Although it was not as imposing as the black giant, it still posed a serious threat.

“Fuck, we have to get rid of them before the big one gets here.” Said a breathless Elrianthe. “Matt, Taygeer! Block the entrance!”

“With what?” Matt asked.

“With anything!” She exclaimed.

“What are you planning?” Asked Mitta.

“I'll take care of the wounded one. You, Duncan, and Carl attack the other one.” She ordered Elrianthe, after which they went on the offensive.

'Let's hope it's worth it.' She thought, running toward the bears.

< Daze >

The wounded animal, watching the approaching enemies, lost control of its body for a moment. Two seconds later, when it regained its sight, it saw an elven woman holding her hand on its head.

< Domination >

[ Using < Domination > successful ]

[ Successful acquisition of a new puppet ]

[ Brown Bear Level 6 ]

[ Control: 70% ]

[ +30xp ]

Elrianthe, pointing her finger and issuing a command using < Silent Suggestion >, ordered the wounded bear to attack her companion.

Carl and Mitta were facing the hostile animal when suddenly another bear ran between them and pounced on him. Surprised, the larger bear took a few steps back.

“Attack all together!” Elrianthe called out.

Mitta moved in pursuit of the wounded bear, getting close enough that the animal's massive body shielded him from their common opponent. Carl ran up from the other side, trying to approach from the side, while Duncan, standing on a nearby rock shelf, fired precise shots.

The bear finally reached the wall and put up a fight, having no other choice. Carl's sword, Mitta's fire, Duncan's arrows, and the sharp fangs and teeth of the elf-controlled bear determined its fate - it soon dropped dead.

*Stomp, stomp, stomp*

Meanwhile, louder and louder footsteps were coming from the tunnel leading to the chamber. Vibrations spread over the ground as if someone were pounding it with a hammer.

“He's finally arrived.” Matt said. “Look out, here he comes!”

*WRRRAAAWWWRRR*

The black beast broke in as Carl once did with his warrior, infiltrating the exit of Elrianthe's digestive system before she put an end to it.

< Master's doping >

“Taygeer, I'm counting on you!” She called out to Elrianthe, using the leftover magic to use the skill.

[ Magic points: 6/154(-66) ]

[ Exhaustion: 24/100 ]

'I can't do anything else.' She thought, reviewing her status. 'I could run away, but I don't want to leave Taygeer. I promised him freedom after all this and I want to keep my word. I'm not like my old boss.'

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The beast rushed to attack Matt, who barely avoided being hit by a huge paw. From the other side, Taygeer came running, delivering a powerful sweep with a heavy two-handed axe. The blow penetrated deeply and stopped only at the femur, leaving a bleeding wound behind.

The rest of the group joined the fight, taking their turns attacking the huge black bear. Duncan and Mitta aimed for its eyes, limiting the beast's visibility, while Carl and Matt inflicted minor slashes on it, opening the way for Taygeer's powerful strikes. The bear under Elrianthe's control, supporting Matt and Carl's efforts, tore open wounds that were already open and used its mass to ram the beast, often stopping its attacks.

“They're not doing badly...”

*Bang and crackle*

[ Puppet Brown Bear was killed ]

A sudden turn of events interrupted Elrianthe's praise. The black giant hit her pet so hard that it flew to a nearby rock, shattering its head and dying on the spot.

“Fuck... You fought well.” She whispered.

*Crack*

“Aaaa!” Shouted Matt, grabbing at his shattered arm.

The last few minutes of the fight had consumed a considerable amount of the monster's energy, and the incessant bleeding had robbed him of even more. However, before he completely saps his strength, he still manages to injure Matt, who now requires the care of a healer.

Taygeer struck again, leaving another deep wound. The beast fell. The worst was finally over when, with another swing, the axe blade dived into the black bear's thick neck, ending its life.

Everyone could breathe a sigh of relief and, exhausted, fell to the ground to rest for a while.

[ Special task completed: ]

[ Survive the ambush ]

[ Promoted to level 6 ] [ 0/3200 xp ]

[ Taygeer Breezetail promoted to Level 7 ]

[ Received the skill < Scholar > ]

[ Scholar (S-class) - A supporting skill that enables one to obtain information about the objects on which it will be applied. It is an invaluable ability for anyone who wishes to explore the world in which they live. This skill has three sub-skills of its own, which are unlocked by increasing the level. It works passively, allowing you to display more information. ]

[ Available sub-skills:

< Research > - use this skill to obtain information about an object.

< Analysis > - ( Level 5 and above) - use it to conduct an in-depth analysis of an object, allowing you to obtain more accurate information, properties, and hidden features. Requires physical contact.

< Simulation > - ( Level 9 and above) - use this skill to simulate the effects of changes you can make based on already learned properties.

Next level: +10% to experience points received. ]

Elrianthe immediately took notice of the phrase 'S-class'. She had not previously come across it in any of the descriptions she had studied. In addition, she noticed what the next skill level would bring her.

“A very useful feature.' She thought, quickly reviewing her list of skills.

[Skill List: ]

Domination (S) Level 3

Daze (A) Level 2

Persuasion (C) Level 1

Master's doping (B) Level 1

Silent suggestion (B) Level 2

Scholar (S) Level 1

'Good. I'll take a look at more of that later. Now, how does this skill work?' She mused, staring at the carcass of a black bear.

< Research >

[ Giant bear Level 8 ]

[ A monster that dominated the heights of the Crow Forest ]

[ Rank: C ]

[ Life Points: 0/3200 ]

[ Status: Dead ]

“Miss Elrianthe.” Mitta called out. “I found a mushroom from the list of ingredients for Miss Alison. Now we have everything.”

“Let me see.”

< Research >

[ Green dwarf dunghill - a mushroom that grows deep in caves and, depending on how it is prepared, can have medicinal or poisonous properties. ]

“Okay, let's go back before something bigger shows up.” Elrianthe said.

In a nearby town...

Gaz was sitting in an inn at a table at the end of the hall, waiting to speak with a customer's intermediary who was about to make a decision on the purchase of one of his slaves.

It wasn't long before a well-dressed older man, resembling a butler of the rich aristocracy, sat down across from him. He had gray hair and a graying mustache under his nose, but confidence and professionalism shone from his blue eyes.

“You, from my understanding, are the trader?” The butler asked.

“That's right.” Gaz replied.

“My master has heard of a rare specimen in your possession.” Said the butler.

“That's right. I have some rare slaves. Which one caught your master's eye? That beautiful priestess from the Temple of the Five Supreme? She would make an excellent bed slave. I also have a big cat-man who would be great for...”

“Cut the crap, with apologies.” The butler interjected, interrupting Gaz. “My master is a collector. He collects only rare women. From all over the continent. Do you understand? He's not interested in abducted priestesses or animals he can buy at the market. I'm here for the elven woman you claim to possess.”

“An elf? No kidding...” He asked surprised.

“I'm not in the habit of joking. Tell me more about her.” The butler replied.

“Well. She is an elf. She has blond hair, smooth, fair skin, a beautiful face... and she's a virgin.”

“What is her name?”

“Elrianthe.”

“And the last name?”

“I don't know. She didn't say...” Gaz replied, scratching his head. “Is it relevant?”

“Very.”

“Why?”

“Elves are like demons among humans. They can turn entire cities into ruins if they want to. Especially the strongest ones, who are very proud of their lineage. After all, we don't want to bring a demon to our domain waiting to be released, do you understand?” The butler warned.

“I don't recall there being any problems with her...” Gaz wondered. “Which families do you have in mind?”

“I don't know about your knowledge of world history, but three names we should be wary of. Kanari and Azory are two of the strongest elven families that serve the royal family.”

“And what is the name of the royal family?” He asked curiously.

“Just don't mention it in front of anyone. According to records, members of this family were supposedly slaughtered down to their feet, but in fact, some managed to escape and are still hiding today. Elves will do anything to find the missing members of the royal family. The name of the royal family of the elves is... Atlanta.” The butler replied, pronouncing the last word especially quietly.

“I understand.” Gaz replied.

“Well. Are you sure she's a pure-blood?”

“Without a doubt. You can see that at a glance.” Gaz assured.

The butler glanced over, but in the end, decided that he wasn't the one who would make the decision, so it was a waste of his time to talk with criminals.

“So be it. My lord likes to evaluate the specimen himself before buying, but he's very busy at the moment. So I propose this: since we're talking about an elven woman, we'll sign a preliminary deed of sale, but the final decision will be made by my master when he personally shows up and sees the woman.” The butler suggested.

“Sure, of course.” A delighted Gaz replied. “And as for the price...”

“Don't worry about that.” The butler replied. “We'll pay as much as you wanted, but I must warn you. My master doesn't buy garbage. You have one week. Bring it to a suitable condition so that it can present itself well. Do we understand each other?”

“Sure. Thank you very much for your trust.” Said Gaz, taking the paper with the purchase agreement from the butler.

The butler left the tavern, and Gaz ordered another drink.

'I'll finally get rid of her! Nothing will mess up this day for me anymore.' He thought, full of joy.

He took another look at the contract.

Buyer: Marquis Sigismund Beg

Price: 500 gold coins

“Now I understand why it went so easily. Oh, naughty Mr. Beg. I hope she will serve you longer than your average toys.”

Gaz bought another bottle of expensive whiskey and set off towards the keep to share the good news.