CHPT 98: Adjusting

"WRAGH!.....fuck."

Claude escaped the torturous realm of his nightmares, swinging and clawing at nothing as he fully woke up. His sore muscles punished him accordingly in response to his sudden aggressive movements.

He groaned as the thin bruising along his arms where the Shaman grabbed him made themselves known.

"God damn, Arne. What happened to increased healing?" Claude asked while sitting up just to be taken back to the floor by Frosty.

"[Good morning to you too, Claude. Also, you need to eat for your body to perform its natural functions. So wake yourself up and get hunting.]" Arne said.

Claude nodded and removed his gauntlets so he could reach into the pond and splash some water onto his face.

As soon as the lukewarm freshwater hit his skin, he could feel himself being energized. At the same time, he felt his claws tap against the top of his head— he'd never get used to waking up with claws, fangs and hairy forearms.

"Woah!" He said as he took his hands from his face and looked at them for the first time,

They were further along than usual. His long black claws reflected the tiny bits of sunlight that broke through the dense forest coverage above him, but they weren't what was different. It was everything else.

The light black hair that usually covered his forearms now ran up near his elbows— and looked thicker. The freakiest part was his skin, it took on a slight leathery texture and was a grayish black color. The first thing he thought when he saw it was his arm in the Astral Realm after being bitten.

"Arne, what's happening?" Claude asked as he eyed the thick veins bulging out of his leathery black hairy forearms.

"[Your body is adjusting to your Lupine form. You're getting stronger, Claude.]" he replied.

"That's good. But Samuel and Tai are much farther along. I've still got work to do."

"[Well— yes. But they're different.]"

"Doesn't matter." Claude replied as he stood up and headed out of the forest.

The morning sun heated his skin as soon as he stepped out of the shaded forest. Based on how much sleep he needed and the position of the sun, he assumed it was around 9 AM— meaning he had plenty of time to eat, study and train.

While he removed the grass band from his hair, he looked at the front of the cabin with an overwhelming feeling of sadness and hatred. It seemed like everything was a reminder of his worst experiences in life.

Before his thoughts could take a dark turn, he shrugged out of his armor and started stretching to warm his muscles.

"Alright Frosty. Let's find some food." He said after stretching and lightly jumping on the balls of his feet for a few minutes.

"WOUUF!"

***

Claude and Frosty had been following a deer trail for around an hour when the scent suddenly became stronger. It was nearby.

Claude crouched low behind the bushes and plants as he looked around for the nearby deer. His nose was telling him it was straight ahead, but he couldn't see it. There was too much in his vision to focus on the possible outline of a deer. Luckily his eyes weren't the only thing he needed to see.

As he closed his eyes, he activated his skill, (Sensory Focus) and took in a big breath of air through his nose. He was met by all the same smells, just stronger and much more precise.

He focused on ignoring the other scents and honing in on the deers individual scent. His head began to move in the direction of the animal involuntarily— like he was following its slightest movements with his nose.

Reflexively, he opened his eyes and found himself looking straight at it. It stood partially behind a tree that it blended with perfectly.

"Nice try." He thought before activating (Beast Trait) and pursuing his prey with Frosty.

***

After killing the deer, Claude sat a campfire near the cabin with Frosty as they ate in comfortable silence.

"Your going to teach me how to use every part of this deer, right?" Claude asked.

"[Yes. But until then, we need to discuss another matter.]"

"What?" He replied.

"[Tonight will be your last Night Run before returning to the University.]" Arne said.

"That's true. I need to get as much EXP as possible tonight. I need to get stronger."