Loiterous 013

Icicle traveled with Adian along the road, discovering various new creatures. After the wolves retreated, their territory was taken over by the original inhabitants - [Wild Boars] and [Maws] - giant earthworms that are slow but deal a lot of damage, applying various nasty debuffs.

The surrounding areas seemed to finally get back to how they originally were. With the wolf infestation gone, other creatures made their way into the light, providing a variety of new environments and equipment for the players.

At the exit of the forest, just before the gra.s.slands and farms of Vilen Town, Adian stopped and nudged Icicle to transfer his items. "Here, that's all the furs I collected. You can give me half of the money later."

Unexpectedly, the skimping b.a.s.t.a.r.d was suddenly meek! Icicle noticed Adian's weird behavior but didn't voice his misgivings. He'll probably learn about them soon, seeing how Adian gazes anxiously at the 5m high walls of Vilen Town.

"Where can I sell those for most profit?"

"Sigh, really? You told me you have this great plan and now this?" Adian couldn't believe his ears. "You can get the best price in the harbor. If you happen to find a merchant who's embarking to Glacia Kingdom that is. Otherwise, you should sell it to the Tailor, Marisse. She's a nice middle-aged lady with fair prices."

"Thanks Adian, I'll keep that in mind."

In Icicle's head the wheels started turning. His previous plan seemed rather bland now. This new information simply changed too much. A lot of players were hunting wolves after all, there won't be any deficit of furs anytime soon. However, if he were to secure a trade between the merchants embarking to the Glacia Kingdom, where as the tooltip on one of the items said, it's frighteningly cold, he could earn a fortune!

Thinking about it, his mouth curled into a devious, impish smile. He was about to rejoice when something hostile entered his [Sense presence] range.

Moving quickly in stealth, a 1m long black dog with the features resembling a genuine wolf was about to sink his teeth deep into Icicle's neck, like a vampire thirsting for blood.

Whoosh!

Icicle's right hand instinctively jolted, blocking the trajectory of the hound, forcing it to sink its teeth into his forearm.

-35!

Icicle's gloating face instantly turned sour. He was so full of himself, thinking of a possibility of a great hidden quest and now the pain brought him back. His face grimacing, he struck the black creature's head with his open palm.

-70

Black Hound yelped, its mind shook, rattling like a drum. The damage of this human was ridiculous! It couldn't believe that a human could actually be this strong! It killed a lot of humans before, they were weak, completely incapable of sensing, not to mention hitting it. But not this human! This person reacted and blocked its fatal attack with his arm! Why did this human feel so overwhelming though? It couldn't understand!

Black Hound bared its teeth and was about to enter stealth to launch yet another deadly attack when Icicle glared at it. His gaze petrifying, the air around him rippling, like an endless void.

[Soundless Fear]!

The Black Hound finally understood. The howl that came from the human sounded more terrifying than one of its great great ancestor. No wonder it was scared! This human has to be the reincarnation of the ancestor! Yes, he must be! How can the human be so powerful otherwise?

Icicle grabbed the Black Hound by the scruff, lifting it. He looked at it with disdain, snorted and threw it to the side like a sack of rotten potatoes.

If Black Hound had any misgivings before, they were all gone. Reincarnated ancestor found him unsatisfying! This pride of an ancient race, it had to be the ancestor's spirit that underwent reincarnation! Black Hound was now fully aware that it must appeal to the ancestor to take it under his wing!

Meanwhile, Icicle disregarded the dog completely. He traded with Adian, taking most of his belongings for sell. He also used him to identify his boss and event loot.

As the group of players approached the enormous gates of Vilen Town, beginners hunting Wild Dogs all around them gaped with confused expressions. There was a level 7 Black Hound jumping around, barking, performing tricks around someone in the front.

Icicle who wanted to stay low-key before he gets his set and experience fixed became the center of attention yet again. "The last thing I wanted!" he cursed under his breath. "All because of this black whelp!"

He approached the guards who stood by the town gates and was about to enter when they stopped him, crossing their halberds.

"You cannot bring wild monsters into the town, adventurer. You have to tame it or leave it outside." one of them spoke sternly, brandishing his sharp weapon.

Black Hound saw that its ancestor was threatened and growled fiercely at the guard. Icicle looked at it and couldn't understand why is the critter following him. However, if he didn't do anything about it then he couldn't enter the town. Those guards didn't seem too keen on helping him out either.

"You're not attacking me anymore so it would be a waste to kill you." Icicle sighed inwardly. "What do you want? Are you hungry?"

Woof!

Icicle examined his inventory. There was a ton of wolf meat. He planned to give a piece to the whelp, but when he looked at the Black Hound who resembled a wolf more than a dog, he considered it a cannibalism and decided against it. Thus, he took out a slab of wild boar meat, crouched and handed it over to the hound.

Ancestor was giving it food! What a benevolent ancestor! Black Hound rejoiced and gladly munched on the tasty meat. It was far better than human meat. It looked at its ancestor appreciatively, barking happily.

When Icicle saw the happy dog wagging its tail, his heart softened a little and he patted its head. "Now go. It's dangerous here." he made a "shoo" gesture.

He turned around, about to walk past the guards.

Ding!

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Congratulations adventurer! You've succesfully tamed the [Black Hound]!