10 The dog goes “woof”

In the world of the uninformed one could look towards nature to see the law many choose to live by. Although there are many positives, it doesn't change the fact that, at times, the wilderness could be a more forgiving place than the city. There you would at least know which beasts were out for your blood, and you could fight against them with that knowledge.

However, this forest's animals were different, through Zecht's nen the animals were continuously evolving, growing stronger every day. And it was this nen that allowed the silhouette to rule the forest of illusion. It never did rely on its sight, rather it couldn't back when it was still young a hunter had slashed its eyes out. But one could say it was a blessing in disguise, because of this his other four senses had matured to a level even beyond others of his own species. Particularly his sense of smell, he was nearly completely reliant and perhaps Mary would be able to hide or maybe even leave if she were in any other forest, but the King would not forbid a trespasser leaving his territory alive.

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8 am

Wandering for the last 2 hours she had found going in random directions was her best choice, going north led her either east or south west, south led her north east, west, or south east. Through many tests of trial and error she had found that the directional change didn't happen until she had progressed 5 meters from the clearing she was in. However, after those 5 meters everything else seemed to be up to fate.

With a sigh filled with exasperation she told herself, "only six more days in this god-forsaken forest, and then I'll be able to give my bastard of a teacher a piece of my mind."

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"Haha! A "good" teacher, Ha! Yeah, your student really seems to respect you!" Zecht burst out laughing.

"Well, Zecht I don't recall asking you for your opinion, now did I?" He said pressuring Zecht with his killing intent and nen.

"Ahhh, don't be bothered! It was just a joke! I swear on my life!"

"Sure, and my student isn't entirely human."

Zecht took a moment to calm himself and thought to himself, "he's not lying about his student, so what on earth is she?"

"Let's continue the show shall we, Zecht?"

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"Seven god damn times! No matter which way I go I just keep ending up here!" Shouted Mary in frustration, "My eyes and ears are useless here! Every thing just blends together, I swear I know this clearing better than I know my own face!"

Although what she said was technically true as she had only seen herself a few times it still doesn't change how frustrated she was.

From a distance a new sound began to ring in her ears, it was subtle and if it were not for her having her guard up at all times she would have missed it. It's was the sound of a stick being stepped on. From the sound she knew that whatever it was was tracking her, it was observing her every movement getting ready for the one strike that would give it a chance to land a fatal wound. Pretending to let her guard down she sat down with a line of trees behind her. And then it came, overhead came a claw striking downwards, aiming to cut her to ribbons.

Avoiding the strike by rolling to the side she saw it and screamed, "Are you kidding me?" Before her was a blind dog, it was massive. In fact it was the largest dog of its breed, it was a Pomeranian with dark gray fur and red eyes. "I could punt this dog miles away! What kind of person calls this pipsqueak a beast?"

Seemingly understanding her words it began to bark in rage.

Because of how little of a threat it seemed to be Mary began to walk away, however when she was around 1 meter away from the dog she could hear a tree falling behind her, along with a monstrous growl that seemed to shake the forest. Its fur had receded into its body, its teeth had become razor-sharp knifes, and its claws seemed to run with blood.

"Me and my big mouth." Complained Mary before getting flung by a massive paw.

The beast had the same temperament as she did as shown by it holding back its strength. It was going to play with her, its toy, for as long as possible.

Coughing up blood Mary began to run away as fast as she could, going through trees, under bushes, hoping the forest would let her escape. With a deadly smile the beast trailed her with slow, heavy steps, waiting for the moment she'd lose all hope.

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"I told you she can't beat that thing!" Said Zecht, "no amount of physical training could ever put you past it's strength."

"I'm well aware Zecht, however, this was all within expectations, after all when a dog is pushed into the corner it's primordial instincts will awaken to defend itself. Now quiet and observe MY dog."

"I can't believe your still so confident in that child, well never mind then, if you have no care for her neither will I, I'll be making the forest's layout even harder as of now."

"I wouldn't have it any other way Zecht."

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"You played me uncle!" Mary kept screaming, "How the hell do I beat this demon without my nen!" She could already hear his mocking tone saying "figure it out."

She had noticed that the beast, although it was not directly behind her, was still following her. Mary knew it had to know how to navigate through the forest, and that it was tracking her through smell. That much was obvious, with no eyes it could only be tracking her through scent. She needed to find its weakness and she needed to find it fast, lest she become dog food.