I woke up to birds chirping.

There was also bird poop on my head. Always a good start to a day.

I floated up a piece of tissue up and wiped it off. I guess that might not be the best use since I didn't have any way to restock them, but whatever.

Biggie was already up, striping the flesh from a dead deer it probably hunted, but Sheepy was still snoring like a pig in my cargo section.

Hey. Wake up!

Sheep grumbled, groggily getting up.

"What?"

Time to farm more stone wolves.

"Seriously? Can't we just do it later?" Sheepy complained. "I like getting stronger, but it gets really boring after a while!"

Urgh. First, it decided to become a gardener and now it's too lazy to level up. Was it really even worth keeping around?

"As lazy as you are foul. I expected no less." Biggie commented with its mouth full, still chewing. "It is welcome, however, crystals are not easy to come by."

"What, are you trying to encourage me?"

"Back to sleep, vile sloth."

Arguing again... Come to think of it, where did Biggie even get its mana crystals?

I guess now that I knew I could just find a summoning pet to level up, they were less important for EXP. Still, Biggie was probably leaving once the two days were up and they probably had some other uses. If nothing, the crystals should still sell for quite a bit too, right?

Hey, stop arguing!

The two of them shut up.

Wolf, where did you get your mana crystals in the first place?

"Peculiar, but it's not hard to obtain them. A neighbouring nest of giant ants offer them up for trade." Biggie answered. "Truthfully, their presence stirs unease within my heart, yet they are surprisingly amiable."

Wait, what? The ants I fought?

You mean they are smart enough to offer trade and stuff?

"Indeed. They are a very intelligent race."

...

Of course, the ants were sentient too. Of course.

Uh, I might have upset them though. I think they'd attack me if I tried to trade with them.

Killing one of their members was probably a big no-no.

"What?" Biggie seemed shocked.

Yeah... self-defense... Do you mind helping us trade if we need to?

"I see... I do not mind, but I will not be helping you partake in any trades after my contract is over."

What about as a favour for a friend?

"Friend? I was not willingly dragged into the contract but threatened with my kin."

Sorry. I guess that was wrong of me.

Biggie grinned widely.

"Do not fret, I think not badly of you. In spite of the threat, you did offer me newfound strength as penance," it said. "The sheep is the only one I despise, but I cannot be called out of my den constantly."

Sheepy glared at Biggie, then resumed eating grass.

I guess I wouldn't like it either if someone just kept calling me out to do errands.

Oh. Can you at least tell me what they normally trade the crystals for?

"They do not seem to want much but food. Good cuts of meat will fetch a decent price." Biggie said. "If you are in need of them, I do not mind sparing some. Two days of service are a minuscule payment for the strength you have granted me."

Come to think of it, I didn't really look at Biggie's stats.

[Please name your pet.]

[Grand Wolf, Lv9]

[EXP: 234/900]

HP: 350

MP: 870

STR: 8

MAG: 27

DEX: 10

AGI: 12

DEF: 2

[Class: Shaman]

[Special Trait: Champion]

...

What the heck is with those crazy high stats? Am I really that weak? First the sheep and now the wolf...

Yeah, I would appreciate it if you gave me some crystals. Also, you sure you don't want to stay with us a bit longer? Maybe you can protect your family better if you become stronger?

Biggie laughed.

"I appreciate the offer, I really do. But it would be for nought if my clan perished while I was gone."

Welp.

We ended up continuing to farm for a bit, but unfortunately, the EXP gains seemed to have dropped by a huge amount now that all three of us reached Lv10. Biggie apologised and said it wasn't skilled enough to summon anything stronger.

I decided to take one of the crystals Biggie had stashed and asked Tablet to scan it.

[Inferior Mana Crystal]

[EXP: 200]

If each wolf gave around 20 EXP... and Biggie needed to suck a crystal every five to six wolves summoned...

Yeah, I guess it was no longer efficient.

I think we've farmed enough.

"Finally! I didn't even get stronger after like what, a whole hour? Why is it so slow now?" Sheepy complained.

"Imbecile, is it not obvious? Would we not have infinite power if growth was linear?"

Don't argue! Biggie, I think if you want to see your friends earlier, I don't mind since you've done enough. Can I have some mana crystals though?

Biggie took me to its den where it gave me ten mana crystals. Only 2000 EXP was just sad though. Shouldn't it have given me more? It sucked on so many earlier!

[Just a tip. You can use the crystals to level up me or Radio.]

"You don't have to upgrade me though... I'm not very useful." Radio mumbled.

Wait, I can do that? And Radio, you do help a lot when I need to talk to people.

"Uh..."

[When my level increases, new system functions might be unlocked.]

[This includes features like a quest system, a shop and a better interface.]

What? Shouldn't stuff like this be available right away? That's so unfair!

[Radio will unlock various abilities to help too at higher levels. This includes support and combat skills.]

"Wha-what? I can help out in combat?" Radio sounded somewhat excited.

Okay okay, whatever! Just split the EXP between you two.

[Tablet has reached Lv2!]

[0/2000 EXP]

[Quest system unlocked.]

[Radio has reached Lv5!]

[0/600 EXP]

[Milestone reached! +1 Skill Point.]

"Yay!" said Radio. "Ah! Please ignore that 'yay'. What type of skills can I unlock? Do I roll for a new skill too?"

[I would suggest getting a class first and rolling for class-related skills.]

Wait, you can roll for class skills instead of just random skills? Why didn't you tell me?

[Because I didn't feel like telling you.]

...

[Anyway, I recommend the Bard class.]

"Oooooh! I like the sound of that!" said Radio. "But are there any other options?"

[What other class could a radio be?]

"Uh... uh... not sure..." Radio sounded a bit dejected. "Bard it is then!"

Bards... They were pretty good for support, aren't they?

[Radio is now a Bard!]

[New skill: Song of Encouragement]

[Increases the highest stat of anyone who hears it by 20%.]

Wait... anyone?