Divine Beast Ascension

A large canvas bag suddenly appeared in Oli’s hands but it was empty. Before the other could say anything or the leopard could roar, the bag suddenly filled up and the aroma of dried meat filled the air. Oli wafted above the bag’s opening and grinned at the leopard. “You want it?”

Rather than roar, the leopard snarled and licked his lips.

“Then go get it!” With all his might, Oli tied the bag shut and threw it far into the forest.

Not wanting to surrender free food, the leopard glared at the party and roared yet again. But the leopard then bolted after the giant bag filled with boar jerky.

“Oliver...” The others were still in shock and Shadur was barely able to speak as he clamored to his feet. “That–”

“We still need to run!” Oli turned back and picked up the doctor yet again.

.....

No one complained as the party fled from the scene, hoping that Oli’s make-shift tactic was enough to tide the leopard’s appetite. A sense of relief fell over them as Shadur began using his reserved nature essence to heal Oli’s side, which was bleeding but most of the damage was superficial and not much to worry about.

Normally, the suns would begin to set by this time but it was the end of the sun cycle. Instead of each sun eventually tucking away for the night, their individual paths through the sky came in intervals that didn’t allow night to exist. That aside, the entire party was feeling exhausted from fleeing and their aching wounds or essence depletion made that worse. Their speed eventually fell to a steady hike through the woods and not fleeing for their lives.

Shadur was now walking on his own while the swordsmen were panting but not complaining. Oli was feeling winded as well after carrying Shadur all that way while also needing to recover more essence.

The party only stopped after exiting the forest. They could barely make out the south gate and were much further east than where people normally entered the forest, but they were happy to rush into the open field and set up camp.

“Can you guys set up the tent?” Oli asked, taking long, controlled breaths. “I’ll keep watch while you all rest for two hours. Then we’ll hurry into the city.”

“I can help with guard duty.”

“No offense, Johan, but you’re only at half strength right now with only one good arm. Rest now and I’ll wake you if anyone dares approach the camp. Here, they won’t be able to ambush us so we’ll see it coming,” insisted Oli.

“Okay...” Johan sighed, looking back to Leon before grabbing a corner of Shadur’s tent.

All three of them worked fast to get the tent up and rest. They weren’t entirely comfortable knowing an attack may still be possible, but they needed their rest and were as comfortable as they could be in an open field with no blind spots surrounding them. After more than a day of either trekking through the woods or running for their lives, falling asleep wasn’t too difficult.

Before an hour could pass, Oli noticed the first thing nearing their camp at great speed. It was too fast for his eyes to predict. Yet Oli wasn’t scared, worried, or tense at all. He happily chuckled as that black blur sped into the campsite and leaped into his shadow.

‘Thanks, Vloz... I owe you one.’

‘Consider it part of my work for that manual. I didn’t bite you too hard, did I?’

Oli shook his head lightly. ‘No, it’s mostly superficial. And if there wasn’t any damage at all, it would be too suspicious of a wound. How badly did you get the other guy?’

‘I only used enough force to deter following you. I don’t want anyone thinking a perennial beast had arrived in the mountains, not even your companions. Having people search for me is the last thing we need.’

‘Oh... So he’ll live?’

‘Yes, that man is very much alive. But they also genuinely fled and haven’t bothered chasing after you guys. However, it’s likely that they’ve already returned to the city, so long as they didn’t harvest any lilies themselves,’ reasoned Vloz. ‘Traveling horseback makes that the likely scenario.’

‘Hmm... how do you think I should handle the Libarn Guild after all that? Do you think the entire guild is like that?’ Oli asked.

Thinking for a moment, Vloz replied, ‘That depends. I’m not sure how large the guild is. If it’s as large as they say, then it’s likely that they have a fair share of bad apples festering among the trusty merchants. Or it may be the other way around. From your short conversation, it seems you’ve already met people that likely know more about them, so you’ll have to ask for the both of us.’

‘Does that mean you’ll be staying with me now?’

‘It’s best to enter the city like this, so don’t expect me to come out until we’re in a private room somewhere.’

‘After this, the Practor Family offered me a guest courtyard,’ mentioned Oli. ‘Getting them the necessary herbs to heal one of their own and eventually boosting their reputation through the city tournament is enough reason to warrant my own courtyard, after all.’

“Oliver...”

Blinking, Oli glanced behind him and sighed, “Johan, I told you to get some rest.”

“I tried, but I can’t...” Inviting himself to sit beside Oli, Johan overcame his nerves. “I’m... sorry...”

“Huh?”

“I’m sorry... for not believing you.”

“What do you mean?” asked Oli.

Johan barely met Oli’s gaze, stating, “I’m sorry for not believing you about the leopard. You were right to have led the leopard away from the campsite back then, and it’s wrong of me to hold a grudge about you...”