Chapter 14: A New Ally

     Before Cimmerian's very sharp knife could jab the wide-open neck of the wolf, something happened that made him wonder if he had gone mad or not.

     "Wait!!! Please, wait!" A mature voice of a man reached into his ears.

     Cimmerian suddenly jumped back while looking around to find its source. He assumed a firm fighting stance and heightened his senses.

     "Hey, idiot, where are you looking at?" The same voice called again

     "Shut up! Just show yourself." He answered calmly while still in a fighting pose.

     "I'm in front of you, idiot."

     The wolf, which he had just kicked hard, sat down. It talked, and it even called him an idiot several times. Still skeptical on what he just saw and heard, he shook his head and rubbed his eyes a few times.

     (It's impossible, right? I'm dreaming. Ha-ha-ha. Oh, yes. That bastard Ferm woke me early, I only slept about five hours today. Maybe this is the effect of…) Deep inside, his thoughts had gone like this.

     "Heyyy, where are you looking at?" The irritated wolf yelled.

     When he confirmed that the one who was talking was really the wolf in front of him, he gained back his composure.

     "A talking wolf? And you called me an idiot several times? Whatever… So now, I'm already looking at you. I hope you're ready to disappear—!" He already decided to kill him.

     "Wait, please spare me. I was wrong, okay? Calm down. I attacked your party, and I apologize for that." The wolf lowered its head.

     "Oh? Spare you? Don't be stupid. But anyway…" Cimmerian pondered. "I have a question, then… Are there other wild animals or monsters here who can also talk like you?" He prioritized intelligence gathering before taking action.

     It appeared as though he joined this quest to support Vaissien's whim. However, truth be told, he already did plenty of investigation on whether going here was safe or not. And talking with this weird wolf just now was unexpected to him.

     "No. I'm the only one here." His head remained on the ground.

     "Where's your pack? Please don't lie, if you do, I won't forgive you."

     "A-Actually, I don't have a pack. I'm not a wolf, but a fox. I'm also a boy. Please, don't refer me as 'it'. Most importantly, I won't lie to you. You have my word."

     "Is that so? Fine." He walked slowly toward him as the sharp knife in his right hand glowed from the reflection of sunlight above.

     (What's wrong with this young man? He's so fast, and he's exuding an air of danger. Tsk. Now, I'm dead.)

     He closed his eyes as Cimmerian came closer at him.

   "I'm Cimmerian, nice to meet you. Can you tell me your name?"

     The fox was shocked that he wasn't killed.

     "S-Sorry, I don't have a name. Anyhow, it's nice to meet you." The  fox wagged its tail. He was relieved that he was saved.

     "Is that so? Aren't you so big for a fox? I really thought you were a wolf."

     "I-Is that so? Again, let me properly apologize if I attacked you and your group."

     "No. It's fine. You can go now." He blandly said.

     Cimmerian knew that he wasn't lying. According to the Adventurer's Guild Book, wolves and other beasts can understand humans, but they didn't have enough ability to speak. He thought that this fox must be a singularity or something. So he decided to leave him alone. However—.

     "Are you okay with that? Your friends might think you got careless so I got away, you know?" He was worried, no—interested—on Cimmerian.

     "It's fine. I'll just explain to them later," he ignored him and turned his back, "that you're faster that we initially thought and got away."

     "Wait, it's Cimmerian, right? Since I'm always alone with no family and companion, can I go with you instead?" He pleaded.

     (I sense something interesting in this young man. He has a different scent that most villagers I've come across with.) The fox pondered as his interest was piqued.

     "No. That won't do." Cimmerian replied with a smile.

     "Why? I can help you with hunting, guarding your house, and many other things I'm capable, you know?" He pushed the point further.

     "Listen, I'm happy that you find it worthy to be with me, but our family's… As for these days, we're…" He hesitated.

     "What is it, Cimmerian?" He was a bit worried and curious since Cimmerian suddenly lowered his voice while showing a somber emotion.

     "We're actually saving food, money, and resources these days. If you come with me, who's gonna feed you? I'm broke, you know?" He let out a sigh.

     (Seriously? That's all the reason? It's quite superficial, you idiot. If it were another human, they would have captured me alive and sell me somewhere.) The fox thought.

     "It's fine by me. I'll find my own food, then. So it's a deal. Let's be friends, Cimmy-boy."

     "Yes. Let's be friends. Don't worry, if I have some spare money, I'll feed you sometimes, okay?" Cimmerian patted the fox's fluffy head.

     On this day, a bond of two superior beings was made. It would soon be famous throughout the world.

     The two walked back hurriedly when they encountered Mado and Alfredo. The two were running out of breath.

     "Wait, did you kill the wolf, Cimmerian?" Alfredo asked him.

     "Did you get it?" Mado seconded.

     "Relax. It was a male fox. There was a bit of misunderstanding. Most importantly, he's my friend now. I tamed him." He answered while pointing at the cute fox walking not so far from his back.

     The two immediately readied their weapons in shock when they saw the fox.

     "Please, stop. It's no longer wild. So rest assured. I've already domesticated it."

     There was also a time in his past life when he liked to have a fox as a pet. Maybe, now, it was granted.

     "Wait a minute! Really??" Alfredo's eyes opened wide.

     "Did you really tame it??? You're so cool, Cimmerian." Mado asked while his eyes were locked at the approaching fox. He was captivated by its unique cuteness.

     "Yes. So, calm down. Anyway, let's go back. Everyone's waiting."