~Next morning…

After quickly [De-Summoning Luna],I quickly out from the inn and for the city gates, It was a lot less excited than I care to admit.

Once we were outside the city I summoned Luna back who happily sat on my shoulder as we walked the path to the forest. We made it there pretty quickly if I do say so myself. Following the river we quickly found the nesting spot I saw before. Large holes covered the sides of the embankment, most of the entrances were partially flooded. At first I kept my distance to see if any snakes would show up.

But it doesn't seem like they'll be back any time soon. Quickly pushing my way through my cover of the tree line and slowly walking over to the side of one of the holes I knelt down next to it. Luna gently sleuthed down my arm onto the floor. Before sniffing the ground and looking up at me.

“Alright I don't have a picture or anything so when you get down there look for black flowers. And if you see anything dangerous make sure to come back fast!”

Pointing a finger around at some near by flowers.

After a few seconds her tail began to wag before she jumped head first into the water. Watching her, she slowly swam down until I could no longer see her.

…

..

.

~10 mins later…

I wonder how long she's going to be down there for, I'm starting to get worried…”

After a few more minutes a small air bubble floated to the surface. Within a few seconds Luna shot out from the water a single flower between her jaws. After she started moving fast towards me, I put my hand to the floor.

Dropping the flower to the floor. She happily climbed up my arm and rested on my shoulder. Her breathing was much heavier than before. I could actually hear it. But she stood silently with a bright smile on her face, scratching her chin for a second before quickly picking up the lotus.

“Well one down… All have to figure out an easier way.”

*Ping

Adam: Hey, we're short one member in the party. Do you wanna join for an hour or so?

You: Huh well… I guess it wouldn't hurt right?

Adam : City?

You: Sure, All, Start heading for the city.

Message sent!

Throwing the lotus into my inventory I started back down the river towards the city gates. After walking for a couple of minutes on the river side I finally came to the clearing. It felt like it took a lot longer than normal. After leaving the first I headed straight for the city gates it only took a couple of minutes. Most of it was just running up and down hills.

A few minutes before reaching the gate I decided De summon Luna. I don't want her drawing too much attention, She's way too cute. I've gotten a bit better at moving Luna’s tattoo. It's not like it's that large or anything but I'm at least able to move it up my arm to the side of my shoulder. It took a bit longer than I care to admit on getting it there so all have to practice another time to get better.

Walking up to the city gates there were crowds of people standing outside the city.

I guess all just let him know I'm here. I don't wanna go down in that mess ha. Throwing up the menu i quickly sent him a message

I just got to the city. I'm down the path a bit.

*Ping

Message sent!

Within a few minutes he came charging out from the crowd. After a second or two, Three people emerged from the crowd closely behind him.

Waving him down he quickly came running over. Reaching out both his arms he hugged me.

“It's good to see you again how ya doing?”

Backing off a bit as the three other people reached us he became a bit more serious. And stood a lil taller.

“Pretty good just getting the feel of the game. You know the norm…”

“That’s Perfect!, Well this is my team.” Gesturing at the people behind him. It consisted of two male humans and a single elf girl. The tallest of the guys carried a bow, He was dressed in a full hunter's outfit with a dark red hood, resting on his shoulder was the hide of a red fox. It's a mob that's pretty popular and hard to find... The other man was dressed very casually in hide armor, a single silver dagger attached to his hip adjacent to multiple throwing knives, Stationed on his belt.

The girl on the other hand… I had no idea. She had no weapon? If she was in a fighter class I could understand. What really threw me off was her armor. It was a rather casual set of hide armor but the leather had a red tinge to it? I had no idea there was red leather. I wonder if it gave you a special effect?... What about fi… Adam quickly snapped his finger in front of my face.

“You good Shin?”

“Yea yea. Sorry I spaced off.”

“Well this is Lucus, Gin and Ena.”

“Nice to meet ya guys.”

Sticking out my hand Lucus happily grabbed it shaking for a second before letting go. Gin stopped for a second before copying Lucus.

“Good to work with you! All be the hunter” -Lucus

“Nice meeting you… i'm the assassin” -Gin

Lucus was rather loud on the other hand Gin spoke quite softly.

Stepping forward Ena put out her hand. Grabbing it and shaking it for a second before she walked back and stood next to Adam Not saying a word, only Nodding her head.

This will be interesting…

“So Adam. what are we going to be hunting?”

“Well I was hoping we could hunt some black bears. There are a few ways in the forest but it shouldn't be a problem getting there.”

“Huh I haven't seen one yet, lead the way.”

After a few minutes of talking with the other we started towards the forest. I was just there… I should have just told them to come over there. Well I guess it's good to get to know everyone on the way....

For what I can tell both the guys are new to the game just like me and only recently started partying with Adam. They seemed like pretty nice guys though Gin was pretty shy at first he started to talk a bit better after a while. I'm still not too sure about Ena. Before we knew it we were already at the forest edge.

Turning towards my normal path I headed for the river side without thinking.

Adam quickly yelled behind me.

“Hey, we're heading this way, it's safer.” Pointing over towards a small trail leaving into the woods.

Running over towards the group, Adam put his arm on my shoulder.

“I would stay away from rivers… there's a lot of snakes and poisonous plants that kill low levels fast. The paths are the safest way to get deeper into the forest.”

“All keep that in mind, Thanks.”

Turning around he headed down the path the other quickly followed. Heading in after them I caught up to the back. There wasn't anything too bad by the river… I must just be lucky…

After walking through the path for a couple of minutes, we came to a split in the path with a sign pointing towards each way. Looking towards the signs the screen Blinked in front of me.

*Ping

← Snakes Den.

→ Bears cave

“Why put it in a different language if it just pops in front of us…” Adam quickly closed the window and headed down the bear path.

Quickly following behind him we started walking down a long and darkly wooded area. After walking down the path for a couple of minutes we finally reached a larger part of the path. Adam quickly stuck out his arm and put his finger to his lips. Stopping all of us behind him.

“We're getting close so let's get the plan straight. All be in front then Shin the Lucas and gin.” looking over a Ena he smiled

“Please guard the rear.”

She smiled before gently nodding.

“When we find a bear we all surround it. And move from there, got it?”

Everyone quickly raised their hand and gave a thumbs up. Quickly following Adam we walked for about.. 4 seconds before we started to hear heavy breathing down the path ahead moving a bit faster down the road we came to a larger opening then the one we were previously maybe about thirty feet small paths stretched in every direction between the dense set of tree walls.

Standing in the middle of the clearing was an abnormally large bear… completely dawned in Dark black fur its growl shook the grown. It still hadn't noticed us but not for much longer. Adam drew a small circle in the air. Every quickly moved around the beast. With so much movement how wouldn't he notice us? Within a few seconds he was on his feet. How is that normal… he was too huge. His steps echoed as he charged towards Adam who just happened to be the farthest in front and right in front of me.

Within seconds Adam quickly Slammed his cane to the floor within seconds large roots shot from the floor completely entangling the bear.

Adams' voice stressed as he spoke “ 10.. Seconds!”

Everyone began throwing everything they could at it. Using my pole as I struck it in the head a couple times… It didn't do much besides piss it off…. Whelp last idea..

Jamming my staff into its face I quickly chanted to myself…

Adams yell was barely heard over if large growl which rug through my ears

[~Impact]

Quickly a large ball of light rocketed from my staff before shooting directly to its forehead.. The roots quickly retracted into the ground after shaking a couple of times. The bear's head shot back before slamming back down. A large growl rang through the forest. Quickly jumping back I looked at the others' damage. Tons of knives and arrows filled his sides. Looking back at the face of the bear he was breathing quite heavily. One eye squinted shut his forehead dripping in blood.

Looking back at Adam he was using the cane like he really needed it. Ena was handing him a potion of something. The bear quickly charged at me. Jumping back he had gotten a lot slower. I quickly ran around to his back leg. Swiping at me he just barely missed… one shot and I'm done for even if he's this slow. He must be relying on everything but his sight right about now…

[~Luna]

My arm quickly Shined before Luna slowly crawled out from under my sleeve and slithered up my shoulder. Quickly running back to Adam, Gin and Lucus drew its attention. who looked like he was doing much better.

“Do you think you could hold him for 5 seconds?”

With a huffed breath “... I can give you 8 at best.”

“That's more than enough.” reaching up I gently patted Luna's head.

“Luna ima need one more favor.”

Looking over at the bear's front leg and pointing.

“ Go use poison just once.” clasping both my hands together she gently rubbed her head against my neck before I knelt down and she slithered off my arm.

“Ready? Let's go, Adam hit it.”

Slamming his cane to the floor once more the floor began to shake and grow before three large roots shot from the floor wrapping around the body of the bear. Luna and I quickly ran to the bear. I quickly started chanting as soon as I got to his leg…

[~Impact]

A large light shot once more slamming into the leg of the bear. A small gash formed and blood quickly started pouring from its wound.

Adam yell was once again drowned out by the growls and moans of the bear. the floor shook and growled, Reaching down I quickly threw Luna up to the wound she just beryl was able to sink her teeth in before the tree's roots began to shake.

Pulling back to the ground I ran over and pulled Luna from the bear's leg and jumped back as fast as I could. He just barely nicked my leg sending me into a spiral as a few slamming down on my face I slid a good 3 feet before I lost momentum. My health was down to about a quarter…

Luna, who flew out my hand quickly sleuthed back to me and crawled up my arm as I got to my feet. The bear's eyes began the water and both its legs gave up under it before it could take another step he came crashing down with a large thud. The last growl that followed shook the whole forest. Hundreds of birds shot from the surrounding tree line… how'd they only now get scared?...