Chapter 3, The hunt begins.

After much consideration Senani decided to return from his land grant and go back to the woods to hunt. He and Bear decided to head toward the waterfall to Senani's typical hunting grounds.

As they got closer to the cave, they started to see tracks. Senani examined the tracks and realized they were from a human and a bear. The tracks lead in the direction of the cave. They began moving more cautiously as they did not know who the human was, and they did not want to tangle with the possibility of an enraged wounded bear. As they crept closer to the cave, they could hear a scream in the distance and the bear roared. Just up the trail they found a pool of blood. Near the pool of blood, a human male lies on his side. He had clearly been mauled by the bear. He was holding his guts in with his left hand and he was barely alive. As Senani approached the man realized he was no longer alone and begged for Senani to put him out of his misery.

Senani touched the man's arm, and the system brought up the prompt:

"Do you wish to activate a Death Bed Covenant with the man known as Fred?" Yes or No.

Senani choose Yes. Fred looked at Senani in confusion. He had accepted the request as he figured he was dyeing anyway, why not? Once he accepted the gash in his stomach immediately healed. He was able to stand and introduce himself. He said, "Who are you? What just happened? My name is Fred, I am a farmer from up north a ways. I appreciate what you did, but how is this even possible?"

Senani responded, "I am Senani, all you really need to know is your alive, and I have a farm. I need someone to help me operate it. Due to the Covenant, you just signed, I could force you to work and maintain it. However, I would prefer for you to work it because you want to. I can promise you that no one will harm you there. You will be able to farm in peace. If you give me directions to your farm. I will move it beside mine as soon as I am able."

Fred Said, "Your right Senani, I do not need to know, nor would I likely understand if you told me. If you take me to your farm, I will gladly work for you for the rest of my life. My farm is located 5 miles to the north of the waterfall. It is a small 1-acre farm. You cannot miss it. It is the only farm in the area that has a brick farmhouse. If it is as you say and no one can harm me there, take my crossbow and my quiver of bolts. There are only 10 left, I sank 2 into the bear before it got me. Be careful if you go after it. It is injured but I do not know how badly."

Senani closed his eyes and sent Fred to the Land Grant to provide the upkeep to his farm. He then loaded a bolt in the crossbow and continued moving toward the cave. Just past where Fred had been laying, a trail of blood moved in the direction of the cave. Senani and Bear continued to follow the trail. They soon got within view of the cave. The blood trail clearly continued inside.

Senani and Bear slowly entered the cave. He could see a large brown grizzly bear lying in the corner of the cave. The crossbow bolts were visible, and blood was pooled under the bear. Senani placed the crossbow on his back and pulled out his hunting knife. He slowly crept up to the bear as he did not want to be heard. The great beast had to weigh at least 1,600 pounds and would stand at least 5 feet tall when standing on four feet. As soon as he touched it, he received a prompt.

"Do you wish to activate a Death Bed Covenant with the unnamed bear?" Yes or No.

Senani gladly choose yes. If the bear accepted after all he would have a second strong fighter.

The bear chose to live. Even if it meant he would be a servant. That was better than death. Once the bear accepted the crossbow bolts immediately popped out and the wounds fully healed. Senani picked up the crossbow bolts and placed them in the quiver. He then spoke with the bear telepathically.

Senani said, "My name is Senani. The wolf beside me is named bear. I am glad you accepted my Covenant. Do you have a name? Your task will be to protect and aid me. How do you feel about that?"

The bear laughed and responded, "You have a wolf named Bear? Then I shall be called Wolf. What a pair we will be. I am grateful to you for saving me. Even without the Covenant I would owe you a life debt. It will be my honor to protect you and your kin. I can see that this has weakened you in your face. Lie down and rest. I will protect you until you recover your health back."

Senani laughed as well and said, "Then you shall be known as Wolf from this day till your last. I am grateful for the offer of protection; however, I will bring you to my home before I rest." He then closed his eyes and pictured his Land Grant. He teleported himself, Wolf, and Bear there.

Upon arriving at the farm, Senani saw Fred staring at the remains of the farmhouse. Senani could see that he was clearly wondering what had happened. So Senani greeted Fred and told him of all that had happened including how and why the bear named Wolf had come with them.

Fred responded, "I am your servant Senani, if you can find a way to move my farm here as well, then it is yours. In the meantime, I will stay in the cellar if that is okay with you?"

Senani agreed and went to the cellar to sleep and recover. He then asked Rikki-Tiki how he could gain more Land Grant. The idea of having Fred's farm and farmhouse join his was rather appealing.

Rikki-Tiki responded "There are a great many ways to increase your Land Grant. Once you reach Tier 2, you will automatically gain some each level. You can gain Land Grant from quests. You can absorb systems that contain a Land Grant and add it to your own. You can be gifted Land Grant from individuals that have access to one. Or you can create a Covenant with the spirit of a being that contains a Land Grant, though this type of Covenant will not be available until you level up more. You may also defeat the dungeon in a Land Grant if the spirit is not available. Furthermore, the planet you live on is merely a Land Grant of an unknown system. If you can find the system you can absorb the entire planet into your Land Grant."

Senani said, "The world is a Land Grant? What does that even mean? If I were to absorb the world, where would I go? Isn't Reisa the only inhabited planet?"

Rikki-Tiki said, "Reisa is but a small Land Grant. In the Great World, the being that owned this system would be lesser than a bug. In fact, one of the strongest tribes in the Great World are the bugs. This entire Land Grant is smaller than 99% of the planets they inhabit. Though at your strength I would not dare to go to the Great world. This planet of Reisa will allow you to level until you reach Tier 2. I would try to absorb it at that point."

Senani Responded, "What do you mean Tier 2? I am leveling now, what are Tier's?"

Rikki-Tiki Said, "I forget, this world has not advertised the leveling system. As you know there are different qualities of systems. The more I absorb the higher the quality I will be. Currently I am a common grade system. You also can level to increase your power. Once you hit level 20 you will see a significant increase in your power, and you will grow to Tier 2. The requirements to grow between Tier 2 and Tier 3 will be significantly more levels. It should be around 30. Each Tier change will vastly improve your stats. I hope this helps you."

This gave Senani a great many things to consider. He decided to rest and fully heal before he set out towards Fred's Farm.