Chapter 93: Companion

"Is this, mithril?" When Muria brought Troy back to his residence, the white tiger, seeing the blue mountain range for the first time, was astounded, knowing full well what it was.

"It's just a mithril mine." Muria also looked somewhat regretfully at the blue hillock in front of him. It would have been nice if it were an entire mountain of mithril.

Ever since learning that there was no limit to the number of personal weapons he could have, Muria had been extremely eager to acquire legendary metals. Rather than fret over what specific weapons to create, he figured it was better to just make all the weapons he desired.

"Ah, it's nice to have an epic elder, casually handing out legendary metals." Troy sniffed around the mithril mountain a few times, a smug smile appearing on his face, then darted into a stone temple.

"Big cat, wait up." Muria chased after Troy, and the moment they entered the great temple, they were greeted by a rich aura of life—it was the temple where the Life Pool resided.

Muria watched Troy, who had already rushed to the edge of the pool and was about to lick the water with his vibrant pink tongue, stretched out a large hand and grabbed the big cat by the tail, dragging him back over ten meters.

"Muria, why are you being so stingy, not even letting me drink a few mouthfuls of water?" The white tiger licked its lips, looking dissatisfiedly at Muria.

"It's not that." Muria rubbed his face, struggling to hold back a laugh. "This is my bathing pool; it's not dirty, but you can drink as much as you want. It's no problem even if you drink the whole pool."

Given that Titans like Muria had bodies free of any impurities, especially since he began consuming elemental crystals, it was unlikely there could be any impurities. But it wasn't really about whether the water was clean.

"You actually use the sap of the Tree of Life for bathing?" The white tiger growled. It had never imagined anyone would use such a precious substance for bathing; every Titan it knew used the sap to heal internal injuries.

"Isn't the Tree of Life's sap meant for bathing?" Muria looked helplessly at Troy.

"Who told you that was its purpose?" The big cat glared at Muria with its azure tiger eyes. "Do you know how precious this sap is? It's so rare that even we mythical beasts don't get a share, only Titans like you."

"Is it really that valuable?" Muria looked confusedly at the shimmering blue pool behind Troy, never having thought the sap could be so precious.

Turning to Cassiopeia, who managed most of his affairs including his first dip in the Life Pool, Muria sought confirmation.

"Other Titans consume the Tree of Life's sap directly," explained Cassiopeia. "You are the only one who uses it for baths."

"Just me?"

"Yes."

"No, wait. I remember each Titan is allotted only a certain amount of the Tree of Life's sap. Why does Muria have so much?"

Troy turned his querying gaze to Cassiopeia, incredulous that Muria had enough to use for bathing, even diluted.

"Because of Lord Ansul," Cassiopeia replied. "Titan resource distribution is absolutely fair, but Muria's father provides a batch of legendary demon carcasses to the elven Tree of Life each month in exchange, thus Muria owns this Life Pool."

"Father." Muria was taken aback, learning this for the first time; all that he took for granted was fought for by his father in the abyss.

"Heh, I see." Troy paused, then looked at Muria with envy and a hint of jealousy. "It's good to have a powerful father."

After musing, Troy suddenly remembered the scene just before—if Muria hadn't grabbed his tail in time, he would have drunk someone's bathwater, a fact certain to be mocked if it got out.

So, the big white cat turned around with a hostile look and pounced on the still-moved Muria, pinning the thirty-meter Titan under its massive body.

"Muria, you better not mention what happened today," the big cat threatened fiercely, pinning Muria down.

"And if I do?" Muria looked amusedly at Troy, noticing the big cat had kept its claws sheathed, sparing him any harm.

Troy was stumped, unable to find a threatening reply. It couldn't outfight Muria, and when it came to parental power, Muria's background utterly dwarfed his.

"Heh." Seeing Troy struggle to find threatening words, Muria suddenly rolled over, tossing the big cat off and into his arms, then began to stroke its fur.

"Big cat, if you want me to keep today's events a secret, sign a contract with me. Become my cat."

Caught in Muria's arms and struggling to break free, the snow-white big cat stiffened at the word "contract," then ceased its struggles, its tiger eyes wide with disbelief.

"What did you just say?" The big cat sought confirmation.

"Become my cat," Muria said with a bright smile, sensing success from Troy's reaction.

"I'm not a cat." Annoyed, the big cat swatted at Muria's face with a large paw, claws still sheathed. "I am a White Tiger, master of the winds."

After swatting Muria's face, the tiger jumped out of his arms and elegantly strode to the edge of the Life Pool, looking back at Muria. "Mind if I take a dip?"

"Heh." Muria waved a hand. "Feel free. But once you're done, you're my cat."

Ignoring that, Troy tested the water with a paw, then gracefully walked into the Life Pool, submerging with a look of utter contentment.

Soaking in the Life Pool was a sublime pleasure, with gentle currents of warmth seeping into every limb, making one feel light enough to fly.

"Ha ha." Watching the contented tiger soaking in the pool, Muria, excited, stripped and dived in with a splash.

"Big cat, you've agreed at last." Muria swam up to Troy, hugging it and beginning to stroke its silky white fur, even underwater.

"When did I agree?" The big cat cast an incredulous look at the smug-faced Muria, lightly pushing against his chest but not too forcefully.

"Entering the pool means you've agreed," Muria declared, sensing the weak resistance in his arms, his smile widening.

Silent, the big white cat simply lay in Muria's arms, allowing him to stroke its fur from head to tail, occasionally playing with its snow-white wings...

"Mmm." In the green depths of the pool, Muria suddenly opened his eyes to find the white tiger gone from his arms; he sheepishly rubbed his forehead. "I must have fallen asleep, stroking the cat and dozed off, sigh."

"Cassiopeia," Muria called for the spirit. "Where's Troy now?"

"In the hall where the Void Egg is placed," the graceful Cassiopeia appeared before Muria in an instant.

"What?" Muria looked incredulously at Cassiopeia. "Why didn

't you stop him?"

"There was no need," Cassiopeia replied calmly. "Troy will soon be your companion, and all rooms here should be open to him. Besides, he was bound to learn of the egg's existence eventually; there's no need for secrecy."

"Well... alright." Muria flew out of the pool, dressed, and headed to the hall. "Troy!"

Entering the hall where the Void Egg was kept, he called out to the white tiger, who was crouching on the ground, scrutinizing the black giant egg in front of him.

"Muria, what is this?" Troy stood up, his expression unreadable, his cool blue tiger eyes calm.

"This, it was given to me by my grandfather," Muria said, sensing trouble.

"To be your mount or battle companion?"

"...Yes," Muria hesitated, then nodded.

"If you already have this egg, why do you need me?" Troy's voice was devoid of emotion as he looked at the egg. "Whatever hatches from this egg will surely be stronger than me, a perfect partner for you."

"Troy." Just as Muria was at a loss for words, Cassiopeia floated in. "This egg is from the void; we don't know what will hatch from it, nor when it will hatch, and Muria needs a companion now."

Hearing this, Troy's gaze lingered on Muria, silently watching him.

Muria met Troy's gaze, showing a bright smile with all eight teeth:

"Troy, sign a contract with me, become my partner in life and death?"

"You already have this egg."

"Like Cassiopeia said, we don't know when this egg will hatch. It might not even hatch by the time I become epic. And who knows what might come out of it? If it's some kind of monstrous thing, I'll probably end up slapping it dead."

"An epic, you dare say." Hearing Muria's words, the big white cat showed a hint of a smile.

"Sign the contract with me."

"Alright."

Troy, gender undetermined, leave your comments.

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