Chapter 4

Usually, it would take an hour or two to reach the forest on foot. But with Kurai and using Ryder's enhancement, he arrives in a fraction of the time. 

The average speed is at most thirty-five miles per hour, but Kurai isn't a typical wolf. His maximum speed is a little over double at seventy-five mph. Ryder's strength enhancement and nullifying wind resistance are closer to 120mph. Meaning they travel a distance of five miles in two and a half minutes.

Upon reaching the forest, Ryder dismounts Kurai and sets foot into the woods. Soon after, they come upon a pond and many types of herbs and other assorted edible plants. 

Ryder retrieves the paper with the guild quest from his storage space. He picks what he needs and the amount requested. Then he analyzes the other herbs, and Ryder finds; mint, spearmint, peppermint, sage, oregano, tea tree, and other assorted plants.

Across the small pond lies a hill with rocks leading into the water. Ryder's gaze catches a white flash. Atop the outcropping, a wolf with gleaming golden yellow eyes and wings like an angel stretched out from its back. 

The wolf's gaze matches Ryza's and she says, "Who dares to trespass into my territory." The wolf hops across the rocks and stations itself near Ryder, showing no aggregation, and poise like a princess.

~That wolf, is a Mythic Beast. Mythic Beasts are one of the more rare beasts in the world.~

Essence Beast refers to beings that possess an Essence crystal, a stone that forms in a creature out of Xeros. Essence Beasts have different classes depending on the strength of the beasts. 

Essence Beasts range from just slightly more substantial than normal animals to ten times stronger than most C-rank adventurers. At the top of the class are beasts that possess some intelligence, such as Kurai. 

After that are Mythic Beasts, which make up less than five percent of all Beasts, they have an intelligence that is just as if not better than a human, though most tend to avoid humans. To defeat an average, one would talk minimally twenty A rank adventure.

Lastly is Celestial Beasts. The majority of these Beasts are made up of dragons. However, other Celestial Beasts do exist, and they are the rulers of their kind or have their territory. To defeat a Celestial would take at least five SSS rank adventurers, and less than ten exist in the entire world.

'So, Kurai is a special Essence Beast who inherited some intelligence.'

~Yes, he was. But after you gave Kurai a name, he evolved into a Mythic Beast. Like the white wolf you see in front of you, except she naturally obtained power over her life.~

'So, more or less, this could be quite beneficial, or where my life ends.' He grins. Kurai had taken a defensive stance when the wolf made its presence known. Ryder puts his hand in front of the black wolf's face, and Kurai relaxes. "Why don't you go hunting for a bit? Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

Kurai stares directly into Ryder's eyes, then nods and disappears into the shadows. "Quite, brave of you to send away your guard dog. You must be quite arrogant to think that you would be able to defeat me alone." The wolf hops down along the rocks moving closer to him.

"I don't need a shield. I can handle myself quite well. But you don't want to fight. You are as curious of me as I am of you." He says, the wolf standing fast as he inches closer and closer. "I'm not trying to make enemies, and you are wondering why a Mythic Beasts is serving a human."

"I see. You are quite perspective for a human. I am indeed interested in you about how you can command a Beast that could easily overpower a human with ease." She says standing only a few feet away.

'Gotcha.' He thinks to himself. "When I found him, he was only a mere Essence Beast with basic intelligence. It wasn't until I gave him his name that he evolved into a Mythic Beast."

"Impossible it takes decades, even centuries to evolve into a Mythic, and just a name caused him to evolve." She says in disbelief. After composing herself, "Human, you are quite fascinating. I ask you, what is your intentions for him? I mean, a tamed Mythic Beast could sell for a large sum of money."

Her gaze narrows on him, staring with an intense look. He grins, and again it holds a sinister look, "Money doesn't interest me," he turns, looking through the tree into the open field, exposing his back to the wolf. "I made a promise to him, I promised that I would help him rebuild his pack, and after that, he is free to do what he wants. Even now, if he wanted to leave, I would let him. He chose to follow me if he later chose another path. He should follow it."

"I see." She gazes off into the distance, staring off into space. "I believe you. I have heard no deceit in your voice. If you would, I too would like to follow you. I would like to see the power of the human who could tame and evolve a Mythic Beast."

"I am not opposed, so I guess I should give you a name as well." Her white fur reminds him of the glowing shine of a magnificent full moon. "How about Luna Hikari."

"It sounds wonderful. I love it." She says as a white glow emanates from her body, and the air all around her begins to swirl. 

'Now what happened? She didn't evolve, but Luna's appearance has slightly shifted.'

~You're right. Luna has not evolved, but her species altered. She is now a White Lunar wolf. It seems the name you choose for a beast will affect its type depending on the name. It is unheard of.~

'Maybe I have a special ability, and I'm the only one that can do it. Like some kind of innate power.' He wonders. Then a light bulb moment happens in his head, 'What if it has to do with the amount of Xeros I can control. Maybe because I was summoned here and not born, the Xeros that summoned me was infused into me.'

~That is possible, and it would make sense.~

Ryder gives a loud echoing whistle, and Kurai appears next to him within seconds. "Yes, Master."

"We are leaving now." They walk to the edge of the forest line. An idea pops into Ryder's head, "Luna, those wings on your back are not just for show, right."

"Correct, I am much faster when traveling through the air than on land." So she says as Ryder pets her wings, then he says, "Would you let me ride you to get back to town." 

She thinks about it for a second, then nods, and she kneels down, allowing Ryder to hop on her back. Luna takes flight, and they soar across the sky, with Kurai following on land. A few minutes pass, and they arrive near the gate.

"Luna, you might have to wait out here, same with you, Kurai. Even though you can hide in my shadow, I feel it would be unfair to Luna if you were with me while Luna is stuck out here. Also, I can't walk around town with two massive wolves. It would draw way too much attention." 

"One moment," Luna interjects. As she does, she begins to shrink to the size of a pup. "Some Mythic beasts can shift sizes. I can teach you Kurai so you can travel as well." Luna shows Kurai how to change his size, and then they make their way to the city.

Ryder then heads through the massive gate and then to the Guild Hall. At the counter, and sets the bag in front of the clerk. The girl looks at him in astonishment. It would be at least a four-hour round trip for an average adventurer, but Ryder made it in less than an hour. Due to the incredible speed of his two wolves.

Most adventurers would be gone for most of the day. They would complete quests and gather items to sell, such as parts of beasts from hunting or medicinal herbs.

Ryder sets the black guild card on the table, the clerk takes the herbs and puts them behind the counter. She then puts a stamp press on the card, and it gives off a slight glow. "You have officially completed your first quest. Thank you for your service."

After that, Ryder spent the rest of the day taking on more jobs and multiple at a time. Eventually, he had completed enough quests to rank up to F-rank. Then by evening, he heads to the inn and retires for the night.