*Bai's POV

I'm scared... Mushin had no effect as I ran through the forest. I feel something breathing down my neck, something terrifying. I know if I stop running I'll die, I can't stop, I won't stop. My sword is nowhere to be found, the comfortable weight i'd grown used to no longer there. A root, springing up from the ground catches my foot and I stumble, unable to catch myself.

I hit the cold, dew covered ground and turn behind me. A shadow stands over me, salivating. Its gaping maw showing only razor sharp teeth, Its claws bloody, from unknown prey. I look into its eyes and see no emotion, no hatred nor hunger. The pitch black sclera and carnivorous yellow pupils stare into me, right before it charges me with a snarl. I shut my eyes, ready and waiting for my inevitable death, which never comes.

My eyes snap open as I rocket to my feet, peering into my surroundings before a sudden pain rocks my body. I collapse back down onto my bed and look around. I notice I'm back in my room in the inn. I see my bloody clothes looking brand new to the side, piled neatly in the corner with my sword resting on top.

Looking down at myself, I see a thick layer of bandages around my chest. I feel around for broken bones or any open wounds only to find none. Looks like I'm in debt again, I sigh out loud and hear footsteps coming towards my door. The handle rattles as it swings open, revealing three figures who enter the room. Rorik, with a trademark frown entered fist, followed by Ed, a kind smile on his face, and Garth entered last, he looked haggard and pale, a forced smile on his face.

"Now then, I assume explanations are in order." Ed takes the initiative, looking towards the others as he speaks. He turns to me, a glimmer of sadness in his eyes.

"The party you went out with is all dead, I suppose that's the first thing you'd like to know." I nod my head, I expected this from the beginning, I knew it would happen before I even ran. I wasn't foolish enough to try and fight something that far out of my league.

"Second, is about the monster you fought. It wasn't a werewolf in case you were wondering, although similar. It was adventurers call monsters, not specifying any type but it's just what they're called. What you saw was a werewolf turned monster, something that made it far stronger, yet it lost its consciousness in the process."

"That doesn't explain how it happens in the first place? Why would it attack us? And what was it doing here?"

"That kiddo, is something we don't know either. The most we can say is that it's basically a being that craves destruction. Something that somehow, you wounded. You see, the heart of a monster isn't in one place, it changes position to ensure it has no weak point. But you drew it to a position before you blacked out."

"Saved my ass in the process too." Garth waves and gives his piece, his haggard look contrasting the gleam in his eyes as he talks. He sits on the end of the bed, seeming too tired to even stand as he looks towards Ed.

"As I was saying, you somehow hurt it, and I have a strong suspicion it was that sword of yours. It somehow drew out the heart and let Garth kill it, though not without getting hurt himself. I'd like to ask now just to be clear but... just who are you, Bai?"

Though I see Garth is relaxed, I see a curiosity in his eyes as well. Rorik and Ed however, I see glints of hostility hidden behind their concern. I think quickly, not wanting to give away too much, but unsure of what to say.

"Well I'm not so sure myself actually. I just kind of woke up in the forest a few days ago. I do know what the sword is, I mean kind of. It's name is Pardus, and I'm pretty sure it has an extra effect on wolves, though I didn't really get to test it. But that's honestly all I know."

A frown forms on all of their faces, I'll take a wild guess and say they don't know what to say. Seeing that I honestly don't know who the owner of this body was, it was true.

"Then I guess we'll just keep an eye on you, seeing that the monster seemed to want to come after you specifically, I think there's something off... with either you or that sword." Ed gets up to leave, but not before giving me another once over as he walks out the door, leaving me with Garth and Rorik.

"I know he seems a little serious, but he's just worried about you and all of us. Don't worry either, you can still do missions and stuff, just probably with a guardian. At least until we find out what drew that thing to you."

"Speaking of, it looks like it beat you up pretty bad. I thought you were an A rank? I don't think I could have hit it if it was that strong."

"Yeah, It would have been easy if I knew where its heart was at the start, and it didn't heal so damn fast. The only reason I figured it out was that cut you made under its arm. When the heart is wounded, it lets out a kind of ooze or acid, which I found. After finding that it was easy pickings from there, shame it took so long."

"Maybe if you payed attention from the start, you wouldn't have been beat up so much."

"Maybe if you were faster I wouldn't have had to fight alone in the first place."

"Maybe if you didn't rush off we could have gone together."

"Maybe if you weren't so slow, I would have."

"I'm NOT slow!"

I watch the bickering of the two with a soft smile on my face. Seeing them like this kind of takes the stress away. Even if I owed Garth a debt I couldn't ever repay, I think it'll be worth sticking around a little while anyways.

"So how long until I'm ready to go again?" Rorik turns and looks me up and down quickly.

"I give it a week, then another to train a bit before I let you take any more jobs. Though that's more for Garth's sake than yours. He needs to heal up a lot more than you do. Either way, I think it's time for us to go, get some rest."

I nod, watching Rorik help up Garth, holding him to make sure he can stand on his own. As they make their way out I shout out.

"Garth... Thank you." I get that trademark smile as he looks towards me again.

"No problem, just try not to make it a habit." He lets out a heart laugh, that turns into a cough as he leaves the room. The door shuts and I'm left by myself, in the silence. Until a notification pops into my view,

*CONTRACT: Survive Completed

You have played against the odds and did the impossible. You escaped with your life, and even assisted in the killing of a monster far above your current strength. Well fought!

*Rewards: 10 Skill Points

*Intermediate Sword Mastery 1/100

*Many gods look down upon your weakness

*You have obtained the interest of The God Of Swords

*Yebisu's smile lands upon you

*CONTRACT: Train Completed

You've started on the path to supremacy! Just remember, you've only scratched the surface.

*Rewards: STR +2

DEX +1

CON +3

INT +1

WIS +1

*CONTRACT: Train

Reach Advanced Sword Mastery.

I look at the long string of notification, shocked by the sudden power boost and gods. Last time I checked Yebisu was the god of fishing, which I've never done. I won't deny it or anything, it's just unexpected, and it didn't tell me what it did. The rest are just simple stat boosts, and I even got Intermediate Sword Mastery!

Satisfied by the turnout, I lay back and sleep, hoping the week passes quickly and I can leave again. After all, I can't get stronger laying in bed, I think.