Chapter 4 - One Punch, One Level
I understood then.
The wolves had not been bad luck.
Veyr expected me to die.
Maybe he had arranged it.
The serpent nudged my hand with its head.
[Blood Contract available.]
[Share growth? YES / NO]
I selected yes.
Heat burned across my wrist. A black scale-shaped mark appeared beneath my skin.
[Companion acquired: Sable]
[Species: Black Vein Serpent]
[Condition: Critical]
Sable slid into a crack between the bones while I hid beneath a broken altar.
Two outer disciples climbed down.
"Veyr said check the corpse," one muttered.
"What if he's alive?"
"Then fix it."
I waited until they separated.
The first disciple found the dead wolf I had dragged into the pit.
"Here!"
He bent over.
I hit him from behind with Defiant Breath active.
One punch.
He folded.
[Opponent defeated: Body Tempering 2]
[Combat insight gained.]
[Body Tempering progress: 100%]
My bones cracked like dry wood.
Then rebuilt themselves.
[REALM ADVANCEMENT]
[Body Tempering — Stage 1]
[Strength +3]
[Endurance +2]
The second disciple turned.
"Kai?"
He had enough time to look confused.
Sable's tail swept his legs out.
I put my foot on his sword hand.
"Who sent the wolves?"
He shook his head.
I pressed harder.
"Veyr! Elder Veyr! He said failed roots bring bad luck during recruitment."
A simple answer.
Then he ruined it.
"But the wolves weren't supposed to kill you."
I frowned.
"What?"
He swallowed.
"They were supposed to drive you into the Bone Pit."
May you like
Something massive shifted in the darkness below us.
