Sahara, a fennec with remarkable ears, embodies the very essence of her species. Her oversized ears are not just a distinctive trait; they are the key to her survival and extraordinary abilities.

Like two sentinels raised to the sky, Sahara's ears play a crucial dual role. First, they are a sophisticated thermal regulation system. Acting as natural radiators, they allow her blood to cool, giving her exceptional resistance to extreme desert heat. This adaptation, so vital in her original habitat, paradoxically becomes a challenge during our high-altitude training. To compensate for her cold sensitivity, I designed a wool hood, a true protective cocoon when she curls up on my head.

But it's in the realm of hearing that Sahara's ears reveal their true wonder. They capture sounds far beyond the limits of her already keen sense of smell, transforming the world around her into a symphony of information. This exceptional auditory acuity has proven to be the key to unlocking her hidden potential: her "ruh of prescience."

Flash (Essence): A mystical ruh allowing glimpses of the future through dreams. When awake, it offers fleeting insights into the next 10 seconds, manifesting unpredictably.

Thanks to this synergy between her supernatural hearing and budding prescience, Sahara has become much more than a mere companion. She is my most precious asset, a sentinel of the future, capable of detecting dangers before they even manifest.

"DAD! Dodge to the left!!!"

Sahara's cry tears through the air. Without thinking, I dive to the side. A deafening crack resounds behind me – the tree crashes where I stood a fraction of a second earlier.

"KrKrKrK"

A chilling laugh rises, halfway between a bestial growl and a human mockery. My heart races.

"Sorry dad, I'm ready now!"

Sahara's voice in my head. Our telepathic link, our secret weapon. A letter, a number – a quick code to anticipate danger.

"It's okay, let's start the hunt!"

My voice betrays my excitement despite the tension. The demonic laughter draws closer, a menacing echo among the trees. We scan the edge of the forest, all senses alert.

"F1!"

Sahara's warning explodes in my mind. A dark mass bursts from the undergrowth. I throw myself to the side.

Time seems to freeze. Without using Mireye, I examine our assailant. A bear... but not like any other. Something is terribly wrong.

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The beast before us defies rational description. What was once a bear is now an abomination, a nightmare made flesh. Its colossal mass is riddled with gaping holes, oozing a black, viscous substance. Each orifice seems animated with its own life, pulsing to the rhythm of a corrupted heart.

Its face is a mask of pure terror. Its eyes, two bottomless pits, stare into the void with an insatiable hunger. Its mouth, enormous, opens to reveal rows of sharp, twisted fangs, dripping with a putrid drool that freezes the ground on contact.

The air around the creature vibrates with an unhealthy energy. Impossible appendages emerge and retract into its flesh, like tentacles from another world. Its odor is that of death itself, a miasma that would repel even the fiercest predators.

Yet, faced with this incarnation of horror, I remain still. My heart beats calmly, my muscles relaxed. I feel Sahara on my head, equally serene.

This thing, as terrifying as it may be, is just another obstacle on our path. A challenge to overcome, certainly, but nothing we can't handle.

"Argh, I'm not one to comment on others' appearance... but you really hit the jackpot of ugliness!"

"Krkrkrk," the beast chuckles before rushing at me like a putrid avalanche.

I dodge its paw swipes with the grace of a dancer. "Too slow, big guy. Ever thought about going on a diet?"

Suddenly, a vile substance spurts from the creature's pores, corroding the roots on the ground.

"Oh, charming! You sweat your own barbecue sauce?"

Without losing my mocking smile, I draw my blade. "Sorry, old chap, but I don't plan on letting you drool on my new coat."

"Streak"

In the blink of an eye, I propel myself forward. My blade cuts through the air with a deadly whistle, cleanly slicing the abomination's throat. It collapses with a repulsive gurgle.

My ruh has an Essence-type emanation, so I can use any technique that follows the concept of my line-of-sight teleportation.

Where "Blink" allows me to go from point A to point B in 0 seconds without traveling the path, "Streak" allows me to get there at the same speed while following the path. As a result, the monster never saw it coming.

"Look at that, Sahara! Not a drop on my blade. Maybe I should retrain as a surgeon, huh?"

"So cool, dad!" exclaims Sahara, impressed.

But the carcass is still moving, its pieces contorting in a macabre dance.

I raise an eyebrow, more amused than worried. "Well? You want more? Okay, come on teddy bear, let's kick it up a notch. I'll show you what 'annihilation' means!"

Arsenal Ifrit Lv3 - Sc—--

"NO DAD! STOP!!!"

Sahara's panicked voice resonates in my mind. I freeze instantly, the flaming energy dissipating around me.

"What's wrong?" I ask, vigilant.

"I used Flash! When the flames touch its rot, it creates a powerful explosion!"

While Sahara explains, the abomination takes advantage of this respite to reattach its head to its repugnant body. It charges, but its assaults remain futile against my nonchalant dodges.

"Thanks Sahara," I say, a mischievous smile on my lips. "Your foresight is worth its weight in gold. And now, I know exactly how to deal with our slimy friend without blowing up the forest."

*Arsenal Jann - Lv3: Titan's Grasp*

The ground trembles beneath our feet. Colossal stone hands spring forth, gripping the monster in an implacable embrace. Slowly, methodically, I add layer upon layer of rock, transforming my creation into a hermetic sarcophagus.

"Alright, now take the final bouquet, big guy!"

*Arsenal Ifrit - Lv 2: Flame Strike!*

With surgical precision, I infuse intense heat into my stone prison. It glows red-hot, transforming into a giant oven. Inside, I imagine the creature consuming itself, its explosive rot confined in its makeshift tomb.

When my attacks end, the stone hands loosen. All that remains is a pile of ashes and an acrid smell of charred flesh.

"And that's how it's done!" I exclaim, dusting off my hands. "Clean, dry, and burn. Who would have thought spring cleaning would apply to monsters too?"

As the ashes of the monstrous bear scatter in the breeze, I turn to Sahara, still perched on my head.

"Well done, little one. Without your warning, we would have had a not-so-eco-friendly fireworks display."

"Kek kek!" Sahara chuckles, her large ears quivering with pride. "We make quite a team, don't we, dad?"

"You can say that again," I reply, affectionately scratching her chin. "Come on, let's stay on our guard. I have a feeling our furry friend was just the welcoming committee."

We resume our journey, the forest becoming denser and more hostile as we advance. The trees themselves seem to be watching us, their twisted branches forming grotesque silhouettes in the shadows.

Suddenly, Sahara stiffens on my head. Her ears pivot frantically, picking up sounds far beyond my hearing.

"Dad," she whispers in my mind, "there's something... no, many things approaching. They're fast and... not natural."