On the way back, Nina quietly asked Little Bun, "Little Bun… can this cub still be saved?"
Little Bun checked the cub's condition and replied,
[Host, its injuries are extremely severe. Ordinary treatment won't be enough. Your ability is still too weak—if you want to save it, you'll need to buy a Soul-Returning Pill.]
Nina glanced at the price of the pill. It was expensive. Then she looked down at the cub in her arms, breathing more out than in, barely clinging to life.
Her heart tightened. After a moment's hesitation, she gritted her teeth and bought it anyway.
Sal's consciousness recovered slightly. He felt himself being held in a soft, warm embrace. The scent surrounding him was faintly familiar, strangely soothing, filling him with an inexplicable sense of safety.
Back at the stone house, Nina asked Mino to prepare some meat broth while she stayed behind to watch over the cub.
They didn't seek out the tribe's shaman—no one would treat an ordinary wild beast cub.
