°How did we do?° The human asked, as Mor lay on the ground breathing heavily.

°It hurts.° Mor complained. °However, we did very well. Not good enough to fight on our own, though.°

°I got that feeling, but it was an improvement. In the beginning, we just went through whatever moves we could think of. Then, with a bit of Ice-kin training, we were fighting like a brute. Now, it is more sophisticated, but we're still not anywhere near using our full potential.° The human mused.

°What do you mean? I think we are very much better than any other Soul-kin in a direct fight.° Mor asked.

°But for how long? Don't you think that strange berserker guy won't catch up quickly? I mean, we have a good grasp of magic use and fighting. However, something is missing.° The human replied.

°And what are we missing?° Mor asked.

°I don't know, but maybe we shouldn't have rejected that Shadow-guy's offer.° The human said.

°Are you an idiot? They are ruthless and evil. You know they tried to kidnap Tiara and tried to kill us. Also, it's a useless thought, as he was eaten.° Mor grumbled.

°I know, I know. However, their skills might be just what we need.° The human argued.

°I don't care. The less we have to do with them, the better.° Mor stated.

°No matter, back to this fight. There are some things we should discuss. First, how is your magic level? How close were we to running on empty?° The human conceded, changing the topic.

°In comparison to our fist monstrosity fight against those raptors, we have improved quite a bit. After this fight, we had enough power left for three more lightning strikes and two more minutes of full enchantment fighting.° Mor reported.

°I didn't think we made that much of an improvement in a year of growth. What's wrong with your reservoir? First, nothing, and now it balloons like being filled with an overcharged air pump.° The human grumbled. °Magic is bullshit, I don't get the rules at all.°

°What does an air pump have to do with the growth of my reservoir?° Mor asked.

°Don't think about it. I just said it as a metaphor.° The human explained.

°I see. Well, I think my father had a comparable growth spurt. It seems my family is strange in that regard, ° Mor said with an awkward shrug.

°Bullshit, like I said. Anyway, how much do you think you have now?° The human asked.

°Enough to not think about using rock throws. We're in the five to six village-level spell range, which is pretty good for someone without an affinity. It should place us in the same range as Orth is now.° Mor explained.

°But Orth can use much more of those spells because of his affinity.° The human said to an agreeing Mor.

°Great. Still another thing. Have you seen what shot those beams?° The human asked.

°I don't know. However, there was another magical presence, quite a strong one.° Mor said.

°Right, I had the feeling something was trying to invade your mind again. However, I was too distracted to really pay attention to it, ° the human stated.

°It must have been something like an illusion mage. However, there shouldn't be any Soul-kin nearby.° Mor said.

°Maybe it was our little red vampiric friend.° The human hoped.

°But that doesn't explain those five beams shooting from cover.° Mor said.

°Maybe it can do both?° The human said.

°If that's the case, it is much stronger than it had shown.° Mor agreed.

°IF it did help us. Then we have to take it as a sidekick!° The human demanded.

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

°No. It is still a monstrosity! We can't bring it back with us.° Mor stated.

°Boo boo!° The human grumbled.

°Shut up.° Mor countered, as he sat up with a groan.

"Are you alright?" Jorgen asked.

"I am, but I don't want to trade places with you now," Mor answered with a stern expression. "Elly was very scared and didn't want you to fight that thing. I also didn't want to, but you dragged us both in."

"Where is she?" Jorgen asked, looking around.

"Watching our surroundings like the scout she is," Mor answered.

At that moment, the girl appeared with the little illusion fox in her arms and another bigger foxlike creature beside her. Her disappointment and anger were quite visible. Still, the appearance of the second monstrosity put everyone back in an attentive state, the Ice-kin hunters gripping their weapons tighter. However, when the big five-tailed beast just nodded and then vanished, it was sent off with the confused looks of the gathered hunters. Elly holding the smaller one still caused quite a bit of confusion and hostility, mainly from Thor and Stren.

°Huh, it seems it was the little one and its mother, father, or big sibling.° The human stated.

The little fox squirmed in Elly's arms, all tails wagging excitedly. Its gaze was fixated on Mor, who let out a defeated sigh.

°I somehow get the feeling it has somehow imprinted on me.° He said.

°So we're bringing it with us after all.° The human commented smugly.

°We will not.° Mor said.

°It might sneak into the city on its own, get captured, and then be killed. Wouldn't it be better if we just took it and tried to explain what happened? I mean, you are a strange Soul-kin, and a little magical vampire illusion pet wouldn't be too out of line, right?° The human said.

°Do you want to get killed as a kind of monstrosity empathizer?° Mor asked. °Because that's what will happen.°

°You don't know that. It might just get waved. We still have our favor from Dino.° The human reminded Mor.

°Still a stupid idea.° Mor grumbled.

Thor raised his weapon toward Elly, Stren following suit, while Jorgen tried to evade eye contact with his furious girlfriend. Titania was the odd one out, as she didn't recognize this as her fault, and a few deaths were normal in such a fight.

"What is..." Thor started.

"Drop your weapon." Elly interrupted him, the ice in her voice making Jorgen flinch.

"You dare?" Thor asked.

"Dare?" Elly asked incredulously. "I dare! Every one of you brainless brutes is responsible for this! And don't think for a second I won't tell the chief what happened here because you four idiotic imbeciles let your pride dictate your actions!"

"I don't like your tone," Thor growled.

"Yeah? Then better get used to it! I won't change it until I scolded you enough." Elly countered.

"Elly, calm down," Jorgen said carefully.

°Oh, god. He's dead now.° The human lamented.

°Why?° Mor asked.

°The worst way to calm an angry woman down is to tell her. He should have just shut up and take it.° The human said, and Mor grimaced.

"Calm down?" She asked the fury piercing Jorgen like an arrow. "I give you calm! The only reason you stupid shitheads are still alive is because Mor joined in, and those two monstrosities were helping. I almost shot them for their troubles, but then I recognized the illusion and the attacks of the bigger aimed to help you!"

°There's the explanation. The bigger one was the beam shooter.° Mor said.

"Great, now we're killing it." Thor decided. "It's a monstrosity after all."

He didn't see Elly move, but the girl closed the distance in a flash, the left-behind fox sitting in the air like a cartoon character for a second. Then her furious slap connected with Thor's face, knocking him down to his knees, a perfect imprint of her hand on his cheek. Thor looked up startled, his ax forgotten on the ground and spat out a tooth. However, when he looked at Elly, he didn't dare pick up his weapon, just as Stren stood there in quiet shock.

The little fox plopped on the ground and instantly scrambled toward Mor, quickly darting through Titania's feet. With the attention clearly on Elly, no one except Mor saw it jumping into the Soul-kin's lap and curling itself into a ball.

"I think we did well," Titania said, then cringed herself when Elly's cold gaze focused on her.

"Well?" Elly asked.

"I mean, it was an alpha," Titania said, suddenly scared of the smaller girl. "That we survived at all is a minor miracle."

"Oh, so you recognize it?" Elly said, leaving Thor with this hurting cheek, sitting on the ground, and stomping right into the face of the bigger girl.

"You might not care that those two died because they were not of your village, but you're just as responsible for that reckless action! We agreed to run if it was anything else than a normal howler!" Elly growled while looking up at the bigger girl, who suddenly had the feeling the little girl was far stronger than her.

"What about the monstrosity," Stren asked carefully.

"Do you want me to slap you, too?" Elly asked. "It saved your worthless lives, so you will be thankful and don't hurt it."

Stren quickly shook his head, the scout girl scaring him more than the alpha howler right now.

"Might I interrupt you for a second?" Mor asked. I think we should leave quickly. There was a lot of magic flying around, and if something else comes looking, we're done."

Elly wanted to say some more things but recognized the wisdom of the Soul-kin and nodded. However, she took another stern look at the four Ice-kin.

"Don't think this is over for you." She growled.

Mor quickly retrieved his weapon and the broken-off horn as proof of their kill, setting the fox to the ground. He and the Ice-kin then made their way back toward the city, the little fox following closely at Mor's side while the still-angry Elly led the way.