“Damn it. Not another secret quest.”

Feng’s eyes twitched as he read the quest notification only to be interrupted by Cythe’s exuberant exclamation.

“Yay! I leveled multiple times, got a title AND a secret quest! This is awesome Feng! Hmm… How should I allocate my stats…”

Feng stared at Cythe as she allocated her stats, realizing for the first time how it looks like when a large amount of stats are increased all at once.

Cythe’s muscles literally toned under Feng’s gaze and she visibly looked healthier and tougher. Feng’s brows twitched as he observed the changes and deadpanned.

“Did you just dump all your stat points into strength and constitution…”

“Umm, I used all of my ninety points but I did put a few into endurance as well!”

Feng palmed his face upon hearing her reply and sighed.

“You should have put some into dexterity to gain better control over your weapon… Never mind, too late for that now. Let’s just get moving before we lose the trail. ”

Cythe and Feng quickly set off leaving the forest “clearing” they created behind, though it took quite a bit of effort on Feng’s part to observe the area to pick up the trail again due to the widespread damage…

The forest grew abruptly darker around them within a few minutes of walking, the many huge black oak trees creating a canopy so dense that they felt as though they were walking underground under dim lighting. The undergrowth became twisted and knotty, only a few hardy ferns surviving in this dark environment alongside copious amounts of mushrooms and fungi.

“Dear… This is kind of creepy and it makes me feel a bit claustrophobic.”

Cythe scooted nearer to Feng and said in a small voice.

The oppressive silence of the dark woods only grew as the soft echoes of her words faded away with only the slight cracking sounds as they continued ahead with Feng holding Cythe’s hand reassuringly.

“Huh?”

Cythe reacted with confusion to Feng’s sudden squeezing of her hand and turned towards him only to see a wary look on his face as he mouthed a word… ‘Observe’?

Black Wolf (Corrupted)

Type: Canine Monster - *ERROR*

Level: 47

Attacks/Weapons: Claws, Bite, *ERROR*

Traits: Pack-mentality, *ERROR*

Stats: *ERROR*

Weak Spots: *ERROR*

Description: A black wolf found only in the [Black Forest], its stealth, speed and cunning lets it stands at the top of the food chain in the [Black Forest] and that’s as a solitary predator. These apex predators move and hunt in the packs that even the most experienced hunters are wary of. Though they rarely attack humans for the fear of reprisal, the gleam of madness within their blood red eyes now fail to reassure you that the same applies for these corrupted wolves…

Feng grimaced as he read the information window, knowing that these enemies are a much greater threat to them. He barely managed to spot the slinking silhouette of one, having detected the bloodlust surrounding them as they entered this portion of the woods.

“Careful. They have surrounded us. The boss might be around as well. Keep your guard up.”

Feng whispered urgently to Cythe as he let go of her hand and loosened up his muscles preparing for the impending fight. His eyes darted around wildly, trying to spot any signs of the hidden wolves but only to widen as he realized they were upon them!

With two springing directly baring their fangs at Cythe’s neck and leg respectively, taking advantage of her relative weakness and unprepared state, Feng had little time to react and no way of blocking both.

*CLANNGGG*

“FENG!”

The twin black blurs leaped at Feng and he nimbly dodged one but the other’s pounce sent him flying a distance away as he shoved Cythe out of harm’s way.

The large wolf covered Feng’s body as they landed heavily on the ground and Cythe stared at the sight dumbly for a moment while a huge wolf stepped out of the shadows accompanied by four other smaller wolves...

The wolf lying on top of Feng moved as though it was about to raise itself off the ground and Feng… only for a heavy killing intent to spring forth. The previously gloomy and creepy atmosphere was completely blown away by this new surge of raw anger and deadly intent emitting from… Cythe.

“No. No… Not again. Never again. No. NO. NO ONE TOUCHES MY LOVED ONES! “

All the monsters even the hulking wolf paused at the loud scream of Cythe and took a step back as her eyes flashed red and her weighted chain swung out and SLAMMED into the side of wolf on top of Feng…

*BOOOMMMM*

The force released was so huge that the wolf was ripped away from Feng and smashed into black motes against a huge oak tree… which entire midsection exploded into splinters as the chain weight crashed into it before the remaining trunk slammed down into the ground.

The enraged Cythe then turned her gaze on the remaining five wolves and charged straight into their midst swinging her weapon in wide arcs around her, ripping apart the unfortunate trees around her and descending the entire scene into chaos.

The wolf pack scattered at Cythe’s unexpected head-on attack and more accurately they fled from the heavy falling trees caught in the storm of Cythe’s indiscriminate anger. Regaining their equilibrium as they spread apart, only one wolf having been caught up in the initial attack and perished, the wolf pack circled around Cythe as she charged in wantonly, none of her attacks connecting with the agile creatures.

Circling around Cythe as she charged in straight lines whenever she catches sight of the wolves, the beasts tried to spring an assault from her flanks only for the attacking wolf to be obliterated by the chain being swung around in completely random patterns.

The intelligent monsters did not attempt any further aggressive moves after but only watched and dodged her wild strikes as they constantly circled around her. Clearly waiting for her tire, the corruption evidently failed to wipe away their cunning hunting tactics and it looked like their opportunity will come soon as the effort of swinging the heavy chain and smashing through the trees took a visible toll on Cythe. Her breathing came in heavier and heavier pants…

*AAWWWOOOO-*

A howl which was abruptly cut short caught the remaining wolves’ attention, revealing a dirtied Feng standing over the sliced throat of… the third remaining wolf, the other having already been silently disposed during the chaos created by Cythe.

Unbeknownst to Cythe and the wolves, Feng had managed to draw his blade in time and the monster springing at his neck was treated to his saber's point. The sabre drove straight into its open jaws and reverberated as it penetrated all the way through to smash against the beast’s skull.

While mostly unharmed, Feng was sent to the ground by the momentum of the large beast and dazed for a moment. His attempt at rolling away the dying wolf was misinterpreted by Cythe as a motion from the wolf and thereafter the oak log actually fell on him and pinned him down.

After freeing himself from the fallen tree, Feng evaluated the situation and decided to take advantage of the fact the wolves were afraid to engage Cythe directly in order to thin the pack and quietly stalked his prey.

“FENG! YOU ARE ALRIGHT!”

Cythe’s rage dissipated as she caught sight of Feng and was about to rush over to him only to stop as he gestured at her to stand back, seeing that she was tired from her frenzied rampage.

Eyeing the large wolf monster and the remaining accompanying wolf, Feng took the chance of their confusion to observe the ‘boss’ monster.

Black Wolf Alpha (Corrupted)

Type: Canine Monster (Elite) - *ERROR*

Level: 54

Attacks/Weapons: Claws, Bite, *ERROR*

Traits: Pack Leader, *ERROR*

Stats: *ERROR*

Weak Spots: *ERROR*

Description: The Alpha of the Black Wolf Pack has grown to the size of the bear but moves with the alacrity of a cheetah. The honed survival instinct allowing it to survive and thrive over the years have created a fearsome predator said to be the true lord of the Black Forest…

Feng’s pupils dilated as his heartbeat sped up, his grip tightened around the sabre and dagger in his hands as his body tensed up for the challenge…

‘This is going to be… fun.’

The corners of Feng’s mouth twitched upwards into a small grin as he spoke… and vanished.

“And then there was one.”

*SCHHLLLINNGG*

Crossing the thirty plus meters in an instant, Feng blurred in next to the last wolf standing and unleashed powerful aura strike which sliced cleanly through the beast in a flash.

A heart beat later, a faint line appeared through its neck and the wolf head slid off cleanly and hit the ground before it burst into black motes.

Facing off with the Alpha, Feng stared deeply into its glowing red eyes as he searched for any openings to make his attack…

*BOOOMMM*

“Get on with it already!”

The two combatants burst into motion as the Wolf Alpha was forced to leap aside to dodge Cythe’s sudden flying chain attack. Feng happily took advantage of its distraction, using [Qing Gong] to enhance his speed and dashed past the beast leaving a cut across its flank.

Skidding to a halt, Feng turned back to face the elite monster just in time to see the gash he left spill black inky motes before it closed up within seconds.

*GRRRRRR*

The angry growling of the Alpha sent involuntary shivers down Feng’s spine and he snarled back at it in response trying to keep it distracted while he complet-

Swearing at being caught in his preparation, Feng threw both of his weapons at the Alpha approaching at the speed of a bullet, lunging at him with fangs bared. Buying himself a precious few seconds as the monster was forced to slow down to dodge the incoming weapons, Feng grinned as the beast resumed its charge with greater confidence with Feng now unarmed.

‘Finally. Done!’

Standing his ground as he tightened his stance, flames burst into being around Feng’s hands as the mana he was manipulated finally ignited not a moment too soon.

Turning as his outstretched hand brushed the wolf’s crest with its fangs only inches away, Feng redirected the rushing beast with his contacting hand guiding it to the side… and lashed out with his other fist in the same instant.

‘Jun Ma Taan Da’ (Turning Stance, Dispersing Hand And Punch)

The blow utilizing the wolf’s forward momentum against itself severely jarred it, stopping the alpha in its tracks… and more importantly its inky black skin appeared to shrivel under the flaming fist. A glimpse of fur was revealed for a microsecond but the inky blackness surrounding that patch of fur swarmed in and covered it up.

Not letting up on the monster, Feng lashed out with a side kick connecting with its front leg and mercilessly stepped down, scraping away at its leg and grinding his foot down on its paw.

Stepping in immediately after the kick, Feng launched his signature barrage… only with flaming fists this time at the Alpha’s large head which stood at his neck level.

‘Shiong Ma Tse Kuen’ (Advancing Stance Chain Punch)

While each individual blow did little but jar the monster’s head slightly, the large canine would have been slowly driven backwards by the continual stream of blows if not for the paw pinned under Feng’s foot.

Feng unashamedly exploited the inevitable dazed status effect inflicted by the rain of fists, as per real life, the stream of blows jarring the head jostles the brain leading to it being stunned… An effect which could not be withstood even by the toughest and thickest skull as concussive force bypasses the defenses entirely.

The inky darkness retreated under Feng’s blows and as the Alpha’s furry head was revealed, Feng saw the glowing red eyes similarly dim into a dark steel gray before it whimpered under his fists.

“WAIT! Feng, stop!”

Cythe who crept closer while Feng was pummeling it called out suddenly. She had been quietly looping her chain sickle around the large wolf’s paws. Yanking hard, the chain tightened around the paws and the canine monster toppled over on its side.

To Feng’s surprise, even as the monster fell sideways out of his reach, it never struggled against the chains but instead whimpered…

The reddening of its eyes as the inky shadows crept back up its neck to its head quickly clued Feng in that the beast was an unwilling victim of the corruption. Grimacing as he raised his fists once more, Feng felt disgust taint his prior enjoyment of the fight. Killing a previously proud creature in such a fashion when it probably did not seek this fight…

“Wait! Feng use your flames, the shadows look a lot fainter, I think if you can just burn it away without killing it!”

Cythe called out and stopped Feng again.

“Why? We need to complete the quest anyway, even if it is no longer corrupted, there’s still no guarantee it will not raid the sheep flocks.”

Seeing Feng’s insistence, Cythe yanked the chained wolf further out of his reach towards herself before he could attempt a killing blow.

“But… it’s so furry and cute… Please Feng? I’ll take care of it, I promise!”

Seeing that the corruption is creeping up the Wolf Alpha’s head once more, Feng decided against arguing with Cythe and instead slowly ran his hands through the corrupted portions.

Black motes flaked off as the flames licked away the corruption, the beast’s steel gray eyes grew a glint of intelligence as the last of the corruption was burnt away and it suddenly lowered its head towards Cythe.

Fearing an attack, Feng clenched his fist. As he was about to send the wolf flying with a hard blow, he stopped cold, stunned as it had gently licked her cheek instead.

“… I guess you are right but… it won’t follow you… Are you even listening…”

Feng’s words trailed off as he stared incredulously at Cythe who was crooning to the previously hostile large wolf and scratching behind its ears.

“Aren’t you a cute doggie! Did we hurt you just now? You aren’t? Such a big strong boy!”

The wolf had a slightly annoyed expression as though he understood Cythe’s words but still couldn’t help but relax into Cythe’s hand and enjoy the head scratching. His tongue lolled out and tail started wagging slightly.

*SQUEEEE*

Cythe let out an excited squeal at the wolf’s dog-like expression and rushed at it. Hugging the large canine, Cythe could barely wrap her hands around half of its neck and it simply looked confused at the sudden close contact.

‘Poor bugger.’

Feng shook his head and eyed the canine in pity as the wolf’s eyes bulged as Cythe went into full-on hug mode and SQUEEZED.

‘At least it’s no longer me…’

“Let’s get you out of these chains now boy! You will be a good doggie wouldn’t you?”

Watching as Cythe happily skipped around the large beast as she removed the chain; Feng eyed the alpha wolf and instantly understood its intention to flee.

Casually walking over to it, he looked it in the eyes and spoke softly out of Cythe’s hearing.

“I won’t do that if I were you. Else it will be MUCH stronger when she finds you… Trust me.”

Both males shared an understanding look surpassing species and shivered… The wolf’s ears drooped and its muzzle dropped with the understanding of its fate and looked completely dismayed.

“I’ll call you Shaggy! You are a big shaggy cute doggie after all! Cool! It says here I tamed Shaggy and I got a new skill called taming!””

Feng could barely restrain his laughter at the clear mortified expression on the large wolf’s face as Cythe returned and enthusiastically announced her new pet’s name and skill.

‘Heh, at least it’s not me.’

*DING*

New Title Gained: Cythe’s Bonded

Congratulations! Due to your close ties and loyalty to Tamer Cythe you have gained a new bond with her.

+10% Stats when defending Cythe

+10% effectiveness to buffs from Cythe

No experience penalties apply when partying with Cythe

“Ooohh tamed list… wait why are you on it Feng?”