Chapter 3: I gained a new ability but it's still trash Part 1
Fuck... Fuck... Fuck... How did I get myself in this situation?
Klein thought to himself while he tried to stabilize his heavy breathing. He is currently lying prone onto the ground while he hides himself under a bush.
I hope that the scent coming from these flowers can mask my scent. If they are the same from my old world, those fuckers have a good sense of smell.
Crack...
A sound of a branch being broken pierced trough the quiet night.
Sweat formed on his forehead, and nervousness starts to kick in. Klein tensed his body trying to stifle his movements. He wants to make as little noise as possible or better yet, none at all to hide from that guy.
Klein stifled his breath, hoping that his pursuer will not notice him and will look at another area. 'Well, it is best if it gives up,' Klein thought to himself optimistically.
Grrrrrr....
Klein heard a low growling and without looking, he instantly knows that he has been found out.
He relaxed his tense body and took a deep breath. He instantly bolted upright and run with all his might.
Klein didn't dare look backwards. He knows that it is chasing him and gaining distance.
His legs hurt, and his lungs feel like tearing. Klein gulped a mouthful of air, weezing, and he tried to catch his breath.
Klein tries to pray to all the gods and deities he knows from his previous life and this one, hoping for a miracle or at least praying to give him more strength to somehow get away from the massive beast that was chasing him.
He was also thankful of the fact that his agility and stamina is not fixed at 5.
A few moments later, he tripped when his foot struck a protruded root.
And everything had been going well.
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Awoooooooooo!!!
Awooooooo!
Consecutive howls dominate the night, similar to roosters cackling in the morning. They broke the rhythm of the cicada and the latter were blanketed by the powerful howls of wolves.
It made Klein nervous, but he quickly calms himself after looking at his companions. His companions didn't pay any attention to the howling. They laugh merrily while sitting around a camp fire.
The caravan had already traveled for three weeks but their destination is still not on sight. But if the old man Rico's word is to be believed, Klein's party will arrive at Leans after another day of travel.
This fact made Klein even more nervous. His experience that came from various literature that he had read in his previous world tells that it is the perfect time for something bad to happen.
The calm before the storm.
Their three weeks of travel had been peaceful. Too peaceful.
No bandits! No beast! Nothing!
Klein felt that it would remain so if he wasn't part of this group. Klein has already considered himself as a protagonist of a story. And the protagonist always encounter bad things whenever he let his guard down.
Klein shift his focus to a heavily bearded man. He is recounting some anecdotes from his Prime as an adventurer, complete with the hand waving to make his story more believable.
Though, Klein didn't believe any of it. He felt that his stories may be fake base from how boastful his words came out. If not fake, it may be heavily exaggerated because he always seems to be the hero that saved the day.
Though, Klein's other companions eat up his every word because he had great talent in story telling.
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Awoooooo...
Another howl. Klein's nervousness instantly shot back up.
"Are you sure that they won't attack us?" Klein whispered to the man beside him, Rico.
It was the third time that Klein had asked this question. A trace of frustration can be seen in the man's eyes and he answered Klein with a word of reassurance.
"Don't worry! Wolves are hunter by nature. They don't just rely on their sharp sense of smell to hunt their prey. They are smart creatures. They know how to analyze the tracks left behind and if they see ours, they'll know that we have number on are side."
"Wolves travel in packs, right?"
"Hah, ha ha. So you are worried about that," Rico laughed. "Most of the time, there are only 6 wolves in a pack, 10 at most. They consist of an alpha male, alpha female, current offspring and some yearling. If two packs meet, they won't join forces that easily. A fight may even break out. Unless..."
Rico, the head guard, paused for a bit. He eyed Klein curiously wondering if he should finish his sentence. Rico can tell that Klein is a bunch of nerves right now and he didn't want to scare the the poor boy some more.
"Unless what?"
'To hell with it,' Rico thought to himself before answering.
"There's some special case where a pack exceeds 30. And it's because of the existence of a variant wolf called Hungry wolves. They are wolves that by some stroke of luck manage to absorb pure mana allowing them to evolve and to mutate. Hungry wolves are much stronger and larger than normal wolves. They are stronger than your average adventurer. Your best bet to survive is to run as fast as you can. Though, I doubt you'll see one in your life. They are as rare as people with Blessing. And even if there is one, Kelly, boastful that he is, can easily fend off one hungry wolf."
(A.N. Climber and Adventurer are not the same. Climber are the ones who climb the tower, while adventurer are what you would see from fantasy novel. They take quest and so on. Climber are much stronger than adventurer because of the benefits the former get from the tower.)
Rico explained while hoping to comfort Klein with his words but it achieved the opposite effect. Klein became even more nervous.
I just know it. Something really bad will happen.
"What are the two of you whispering about?"
A fragrant scent interrupted Klein's musing. This timely arrival made Klein's mood much better.
Klein looked back and was not surprised to see Esme. She's the only one who maintains to smell good after three weeks of travel.
Esme is the Merchant's daughter who is the head of the caravan. She has a dark complexion that extruded an exotic beauty. She has dark hair and dark brown eyes that further enhances her complexion. She has a cute smile on her lips that emphasize her youthful charm.
Klein's first impression of her is of a girl that has been sheltered from the world. A spoiled girl that doesn't know how dark the world truly is.
In short, she is a naive girl.
She later become Klein's most frequent conversation partner this past few days. Of course, old muscled dudes versus a youthful girl, Klein will always choose the latter everyday of the week. The fact that they are close of age also helps.
Klein later learned that Esme was born from a concubine mother that spoiled her very much, an affirmation of Klein's first impression.
Her father, the merchant, after seeing this decided to bring her on his travels to broaden her horizons.
Esme was no match for Klein and she instantly became putty in his hands. Klein's experience in his world has been put into good use leaving Esme into a blushing mess.
After some teasing, she will always run away with a red hue on her face. Though, she always come back to him because she is fascinated with his stories.
Coming from a world where there are all kinds of genre, Klein has so many stories to tell. And novels about a perfect rich handsome male CEO and a female whose only quality is her looks are her favorite.
Klein only needs to substitute the CEO as a prince and Esme is eagerly eating up his words.
Klein didn't bother learning why girls like that kind of stories. At least because of this, Klein managed to take advantage of Esme.
Klein released a dark laugh. Tonight, Klein planned to further his advances. He has been patient, too patient. He only managed to hold her hand, afraid to scare the girl.
The wolf threat has vanished from his mind with Esme's arrival.
Currently they are watching the embers of the bonfire. Esme is sitting beside him with her head on his shoulder. His wolfy hand is on her waist and unbeknownst to the girl, it is slowly inching up. She is too absorb in his stories.
Just a little more... Klein thought to himself before continuing.
" 'Is this really happening,' she thought to herself.
She can feel his hot breath on her neck, sending shivers on her body. She wanted to struggle but what can she do. She was pressed against the wall..."
Gotcha.. Klein's wolfy hand finally reach their target and he feels an imaginable softness.
'Can I kneed it?' Klein thought to himself, wondering how far can he go before Esme notices
Sadly, Klein's question will forever remain unanswered because a commotion turned up.
Hooooooo.
The sound of horn honking stopped the festivities.
Instantly, everybody become alert while they wait for the incoming danger. Weapons are unsheathed and everyone assume a fighting pose.
A scout would not blow his horn for nothing.
"Let's hop inside the carriage," Klein said to the girl on his side.
"Uhmm."
With or without her confirmation, Klein would take her to a safe place anyway. He wanted to hide with her. There's no way that he will stand in the line of fire.
Klein escorted her, keeping her close to his body, while whispering assurance that everything will be all right. It's also important to note that his hand is still in a naughty spot.