Cayden’s Shock

****(POV)

We are currently fighting a giant porcupine. A rank 2 beast. This beast is one any in our party of four is able to easily defeat alone. However, there is still danger involved. New hunters often die from underestimating the forest itself.

Yes, a rank 2 is weak, but there are monsters everywhere around. One second of distraction is all it takes for a surprise attack from a monster to annihilate an entire party. It is something I have seen happen many times already in my career. Our group is an elite one. Most of us might eventually reach rank 3. It is the rank that separates the common soldiers from the true elite. Of course, there are further ways to progress but without the backing of a god, it is a hard path to tread.

Of course, I do revere the god of hunting, but I'm way lower on the list of favored ones to receive his blessings. Me getting promoted would be a way to impress the divine one and maybe acquire new abilities.

Because of the reasons stated above, I am always conscious of my surroundings. Even while I am directly bearing the brunt of the porcupine's assault with my shield. Even as most of my vision is filled with its huge body.

That's how I saw him approach. Someone with quite the shabby appearance. I'm not sure what he went through but it seems painful. I am usually the cautious type, but I can't feel any danger from him. Call it a sixth sense I've developed. If anything he feels ..happy? Yes, happy is the word. He seems glad to see another human being after being alone for a long time.

Oh? What's that? As I keep expertly blocking, I realize there is a wolf at his side. A small wolf. Really small. There is one weird thing, however. I didn't notice it until now. It almost seems like its presence is removed from the world. There are two options, either I was too overwhelmed by the young man's state…. or this wolf is not simple.

Option 1 I don't need to care.

Option 2 I also don't need to care. Because it would be way stronger than me.

We smoothly finish the fight. This wasn't a challenge to begin with. The surroundings are clear of any foe. Good.

"Where the hell did this pervert come from?"

I'm not the only one who has noticed him. After all my teammates are good. But yeah, that knight is as much narrow-minded as he is good with a sword. Our ranger seems really interested in the wolf itself…and that hammer user of ours actually spoke! Seems I am not the only one sensing something peculiar about that creature.

Our knight proceeds to go slash at him. THAT DUMBASS! Wait….wait?! The man is dodging seemingly effortlessly. While spewing invectives at that? Damn, that's impressive. Even I would be short of breath if I had to face such an onslaught.

Alright enough. Time for me to step in.

"Alright stop it already. Friend, how about coming back with us to the border town? Here wear this."

I hand him a coarse blanket. It will do for now. My teammate is trying to pet the wolf, it growls. It seems to be really proud. It also listens to the commands of that guy. Is he a monster tamer? A monster tamer with these movement abilities is really impressive.

The key tactic when fighting a tamer is to go for the human and let the beast be. But what do you do when said human is more agile than the beast itself? You get fucked that's what happens. I'm not sure if the wolf following him is actually strong, but either way, the guy has insane potential. The way he moves is as if he had plenty of combat experience dodging slashes with minimal movement. He'll go far.

As we walk back to town we are chatting. He says to be coming from the inner region of the savage archaic forest. My colleagues don't believe him, but I do. Something about him doesn't add up. Solo wanderers don't simply show up in these parts. When they do, they die. Quite fast at that. This territory is merciless after all.

We can now see the walls. Not the biggest there is but still awes most people. I'm initially proud to be showing it to him, but then I notice his expression. Unimpressed. I'm good at reading people. If I had to describe it, I would say he thinks these are useless. This doesn't make much sense. He might have seen more impressive structures in a bigger city, but he should still realize its effectiveness.

Oh …what if? No that's not possible. Or is it? That would be an idea so far stretched! What if he has seen so much more of this world than me. What if he has seen rank 4 beast kings before? No way…. or maybe? The only explanation I can think of.

Let's do this. I'm going to bring him to a friend of mine. He runs a used good store, but he is an honest one. Sells quality …looted products. We chat a bit, then comes the budget question.

"You don't have any money, right?"

[Wolfie, you brought that coin we usually bet with?]

Wait. He bets with his wolf? What? Definitely «not simple» flag right there. Out of nowhere comes…

OMFG! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!

Am I dreaming right now? Is this some elaborate prank?

There is no fucking way this is real.

This is impossible.

I'm sure right now my jaw is so slack from shock an egg could fit inside. Even a huge motherfucking dragon egg would fit.

That's how fucking astonished I am.

Let me get this straight. This wolf. Yes, a wolf. Just brought out a white gold coin.

A MOTHERFUCKING WHITE GOLD COIN!

These coins to the general public are a myth. Their very existence is doubtful.

Yet everyone fucking knows about it.

Coins that are worth entire cities. Traded only between the most powerful sects.

Possessing one for an individual is said to be only possible for rank 4 individuals.

Yet ..he owns one.

No worst. His fucking pet owns one.

0_0 WTF!!!!!

I watch in a daze as he gets fully equipped with cool-looking gear. One that has the only property of being sturdy. Peculiar choice but understandable.

If I thought what came before was unbelievable what follows is even worst.

He tells my friend to keep the change as a tip. He literally just gave away a fucking city.

What is happening?! I need to confirm. I'm totally dreaming.

"Y-young man. A-are you sure?"

[Yes, what's up?]

"T-there is no way we can accept something so precious!"

[But it is simply one coin, no need to make such a fuss no?]

----------------------------------

My brain just shuts down. My friend somehow accepts the payment.

He has balls of steel that merchant.

I wouldn't accept such a heavy thing.

We leave. The young man happily follows me out. I answer a few of his questions.

He wants to go register at the hunter's guild. Am I about to witness the birth of a legend?

BUT SERIOUSLY, WHO THE FUCK IS THAT MAN THAT CAN NONCHALENTLY GIVE AWAY A WHITE GOLD COIN!!?!!?