My body hurts.
Thankfully there was no heavy damage dealt by the beast on me. Merely bruise and maybe sprain on my ankle.
I'm limping.
The main source of pain is when the Tiger-wolf crushed onto me, and smashing me on the ground. That hurts my back so fucking bad, I could still feel it aching.
No matter.
Dusting myself of debris, I thank the gods for letting me survive that encounter. Beneath my calm exterior, that confrontation was rattling and terrifying. I have never encountered an animal that looks like a wolf but half the size of a brown bear.
I look at my dagger. The savior of that situation.
"He really thinks ahead," I murmured, looking south.
Turning my eyes on the ground, I saw the blood of a beast trailing towards the deep foliage. I've done severe damage on the beast, and if that animal cannot clean that wound it will die of infection – that is to say if that beast manages to go past being stabbed on the eyesocket with a long dagger.
"Best not to go towards that path," Even with the injuries, a beast is a beast no matter what angle, made only dangerous by being mortally wounded.
I shook my head, and took deep breaths to regain my composure. Adrenaline still flows, my heart is beating loudly, and my body is hot.
After a while, I took from the pouch the map and tried to discern where I was.
It seems I am not out of Valor fully. The area where I stood is labeled a hunting ground, a favorite area for the inhabitants of the Silver land to find food – meat – to either sell or eat. In the memories of Roland, there was no mention of him meeting the humble folks, as Roland is recluse and the memories of his childhood have long since become a blurry marriage of passing thoughts and feelings.
In simpler terms. While I know what Valor is, I don't understand it.
"No matter," I said, gripping the map tightly, "Finding people is priority anyways, finding the library is. It doesn't matter If I met someone or not, but if I do, let's hope to god that it's friendly people and not bandits hiding in the grooves…"
The sounds of leaves crunching and the unmistakable noise of footsteps closed .
Much lighter than the beast.
Much more meticulous than the beast.
But it doesn't matter.
I unsheathed my sword once again, and held the dagger on my chest tightly.
It could be a monster again.
A much more agile and dextrous monster capable of moving with silent steps.
Or maybe it could be something worse.
A dem-
"I smell a human!~" A cheerful voice shattered my preemption, momentarily loosening my grip on my sword.
The bushes ruffled, and out came a brown-skinned figure appeared.
My eyes widened.
What greeted me is the sleek and tall figure of a woman, Pretty in every sense of the word. Nice curves, and lean defined muscles on the exposed skin of the arm, legs and stomach. What caught my attention however is her other features. On the tomboyish pixie cut hairstyle, are two distinguishable feline ears of dark fur, and beneath the silky hair are angled eyes with vertical irises.
They were big, unlike her flat chest.
"I feel you've just thought of something rude," She narrowed her eyes, but her smiles never went away, "Hello, armed stranger!~ My name is Fang, the demi-human of Valor, the huntswoman affiliated with the vanguard of the hunter's guild situated here! May I know your name?"
"Roland Si-" I almost said my surname, "Just Roland the Wanderer, pleased to meet you Miss Fang…"
She smiled.
"What curiosity have brought here?" I asked.
"ah~ " She points her index on her chin, " You see I was hunting a Namer roaming these woods~ A fearsome beast out of the league of a normal huntsman. Have you seen it?"
"I-"
I don't know what a Namer is-
"Ah, silly question, just by the scent that hangs in the air and the conspicuous blood on the ground and your person, it is clear you've encountered it! May I ask where the body is?" She got close and sniffed me with her nose.
Sweat forms on my forehead.
But, I guess she's talking about that Tiger-wolf beast.
"Yes, I've encountered, fought with it actually, though it unfortunately escaped my grasp."
"Really?~ That's good then! A fellow hunter is now here, "She said, showing a thumbs up, "This will make my job easier. Say, would you mind lending your aid to me? I'll make sure to make it worth your time~"
She's asking for help.
An advantage.
"I do not mean to come off as rude, but what is it for me? My time is not to be given freely."
She smiled, though her eyes seemed to flash a bit of disappointment.
"Justifiable!~" Fang exclaimed, "It is normal hunter culture to be transactional. So! If you lend your aid Sir Roland. I will do one request just like you did mine if you agree! It has to be reasonable please!"
She side-eyed, "No odd request~"
Woman.
I do not know what you think of me, but I surely assure you I am not one of them.
But, this is a good development.
If I could gain the help of another person, a beastman no less, finding the ruin will be easier than before.
"I agree with your offer then," I sheathed my sword.
She beams.
"Good choice, Sir Roland!" Fang exclaimed, "With two hunters hunting the Namer, this job will be a cake walk for sure!"
She offers me her hand.
I took it and we both shook hands.
They were soft.
"Though you may remain silent, I could see the energy behind your eyes!"
She put her hands on the two holsters on her hip.
"This will be a fun one~"