I couldn’t inspect the plants like I could with monsters, so I decided to name them Silver Oaks because of the pale green leaves that glinted silver in the sun.
Heading in deeper, I heard the unmistakable trickle of running water. A couple minutes later, I found a small but deep stream coursing down from the mountaintop. I had the suspicion that if I followed this further, I might find a waterfall.
I crossed the stream with a leap and headed up to its source. The incline became steeper, and soon the trees opened as a pillar of stone rose up, spanning high into the mountains. The stream ran down its face and I thought of some old giant falling here in grief. How long had it been weeping?
A few dozen feet away, I found something that was even more exciting, a shallow cave that was begging for someone to claim it.
The idea of turning a cave into a shelter always seemed batty to me. I just thought of insects, mold, and pissed-off wildlife. This one, however, was dry and well-lit. It was only about twenty feet deep and ended abruptly. Its floor was chalky, and though a few deer droppings littered the place, it was otherwise unoccupied.
I ran back to Pachi, ideas rushing through my mind. I had around four or five hours until I would log off and hang out with Shin. As I found my friend, licking the gore from her lips, I called her name aloud.
What is it, litter sister? she asked, a flash of humor dancing in her eyes.
I’ve found our home. All I need to do now is cut down a couple trees and get building.
She seemed to take my plan in stride and didn’t even bother to respond as I unloaded our bags, searching for the tools I’d need.
Now, if I could just remember where I’d put the hatchet, my own schemes could begin to unfold.
3: “Two days’ hunger made a fine sauce for anything.”
— Car’a’carn, He Who Comes with the Dawn
MADI
Tejón never got that deer, at least not from me. He did, however, insist that we spent several hours hunting. The following morning found me butt-deep in the brush, flushing out a group of towering elk.
Tejón waited to ambush them as they bounded past his position. I didn’t think he had a chance. No offense, but the bear was as round as he was fierce. But as I charged out, axe held high and a scream in my throat, I saw Tejón explode from a stand of trees. He snapped several of them easily as he ran through, intent on his quarry.
The biggest elk was a male with an impressive rack of antlers. At first, the creature increased its speed, changing its course to veer away from Tejón. But as the bear sprinted toward it, the elk realized it had little chance. In an act as brave as it was stupid, the male turned its antlers to Tejón in defense and even made a mock charge of its own.
Rather than run straight into the bristling weapon, Tejón stopped short and swung his paw around the side of the elk’s head. The impact snapped the poor creature’s neck, ending the fight before it had begun.
It wouldn’t take too long to do that again, Tejón reasoned as we walked side by side, approaching the city of Bridgerun. I am hungry still, and we did not catch a deer as you promised.
I no longer smiled or laughed at his insistence. It had become annoying long ago. I said I’ll buy you a side of beef. Have you had beef before? It is delicious, I promise.
Though mollified, the bear scattered rocks in the road with a series of frustrated chuffs.
I’d taken the antlers. They were too impressive to leave behind. Each was around three feet in length and had eight long points. Any hunter would be proud to show them above their hearth. I was curious how much they might be worth in coin, though.
As we made our way along, I took the time to catch up on a few changes that had occurred in my character since the trow had jumped us. Aside from the obvious gain of reaching Pet Bond Level 1, I found a notification related to that gain. No way! I’d apparently met whatever requirement was necessary to unlock my axe’s hidden ability!
God’s Rib Axe
Quality: Epic
Durability 300/300
250-500 damage
+10 Stamina, +10 Strength, +5% XP gained
Special Ability: Companion Mend Unlocked!
By achieving Pet Bond Level 1 with Tejón the stone bear, you have made amends for the death of Marduk the Mighty. Killing a god, even one that has been twisted with foul magic, always comes with a cost. But your attempts to amend the injuries done to this world have paid off.
Companion Mend (Active): Coax the dormant mana within your companion pet to restore 30% of its total HP over 12 seconds. Cooldown: 15 minutes.
I ran over to fist bump Tejón, but he ignored me. I used the new ability, even though Tejón was uninjured, just to trip him out. I watched as a ball of green and white light leapt from my hand and absorbed into his flank.
As the magic touched him, the bear flinched, then turned back and looked at me. Did you do that? I felt something like fire run through me, but it… it felt good.
My laughter made him snort, but I apologized and explained the new ability. He admitted it would let him fight more enemies, and bigger ones, too. From Tejón, that meant he was good and happy.
Next, I checked to see what had changed with Tejón’s skills. He’d used something powerful on the trow, and though I planned on asking him about it, too, I was curious to see what the game would show me.
Mauling Frenzy: A furious series of attacks
