“Is this contract some kind of, making Noah my familiar?”

{Right, you already know a lot, right? Then it will be easy}

 

I somehow figured it out when I considered the many popular fantasy stories, including the ones I read recently.

But is that okay?

 

"But why? Based on Noah's previous story, in order to save the World Tree, we must defeat the monsters that currently occupy the seven Veins and the World Tree. It would be easier if we worked together, without the need to make a contract, right? In fact, is it okay to make me the master of Noah? Isn't Noah a better person than me? It just doesn't feel right."

{Well, Chia's assumption might be right, but it's also wrong for my current situation. It doesn't matter, because I trust Chia. From what I've heard, Chia is kind, intelligent, and hardworking, pure-hearted, and unyielding. The proof is that you were willing to help me who was an unknown person at that time, right? That's why I prefer Chia over others}

 

When you say that, it's somehow embarrassing, so please stop. I only saved you because I don't like seeing the oppression of the weak. And then you were just a cute cat in my eyes. So simply it's all just compassion.

 

{There is another reason too. I have many skills that have been accumulated during my previous lifetime. But you know, with my current weak body, I can't fight and use all my skills. So it's useless if I don't use it. Therefore, by forming a familiar contract with me, the shared skills will apply to both of us. So, some of the skills that I have that I can't use now, maybe you can use them for the battle in the future. Because in order to complete the mission, you have to defeat all the powerful monsters that currently inhabit the seven Veins and the World Tree, all of which are extremely powerful beings. Even though all the monsters currently occupying the seven Veins and World Trees are the strongest boss class, but with the many skills you possess, we might be able to find a way or two to take down the World Boss.}

Is that so? So there's a shared skill feature if I have a familiar?

{Not only familiars, all parties who are bound and under you, you can temporarily borrow all of their skills. That includes slaves, subordinates, as well as familiar monsters like me. It would be advantageous if you had more familiars}

"I see, I even just found out about this,... And I didn't think, it turns out that there are slaves here too, huh?"

{Of course, this is a world that works like this}

“But even if I have more skills, will I be able to defeat a monster that is higher level than me?”

{I don't know, it depends on you too. But it's better than nothing, all for the purpose of increasing the chances of winning, isn't it}

“That's right, but still...”

{But it's also true, the chance of winning is still small, right? And if the chances of winning are small, your chances of losing are even greater, if so and you lose then this world will die. So maybe it's better to increase the chances of winning first, how about we practice first?}

“... Right, it's better to practice first. I'm still not ready to suddenly fight a powerful monster. So please guide me, Noah. What should I practice now?”

{Hm, you know, the closest boss monster here is the Lightning Werewolf, Boltz Wolfman. He was the one who prided himself on the swift attacks of his lightning magic. Although I think Chia will suit him since Chia also has high speed, but Boltz Wolfman's lightning attacks are much faster. So my suggestion practicing dodge speed is a good thing to do now}

"Is that so? Will this Boltz Wolfman be my first opponent then?”

{That's up to you, but I suggest yes, not only because of the current closest boss, but because he's also the weakest as a World Boss, except for his attack speed. He only boasted of his quick attacks. Another aspect he ignored. So if Chia can dodge his attacks, defeating him will be easy}

“Is that so? If this boss relies heavily on his quick attacks, then it's true that I am a suitable opponent for him. But for now my [Hazard Perception] and [Evasion] skill levels are still quite low. It's necessary to level them up if I'm to be safe with this boss's quick attacks, right?”

{Right, as expected, you're also a smart kid, even though you're only at this age, aren't you?    Exactly, that's also why I chose you. I will help raise your skill level. After all, I know an effective method to quickly upgrade it.}

“Thank you, Noah...”

.........

......

...

When the sun started to rise again, together with Noah, we returned to the Ashora Meadow to practice and level up my [Hazard Perception] and [Evasion] skills.

The exercises will be kept simple, but although they are said to be easy, they are actually quite difficult for ordinary people to practice.

Covering my eyes with the cloth I ripped from my clothes, with my eyes closed I had to dodge all the attacks launched by Noah. The attack that will be launched is the attack of the stones thrown at me by Noah and with all that, I have to dodge it. 

That's the training.

The more I get used to it, the difficulty level will be raised.

Noah threw stones at me, and I had to with quick reflexes dodge all of his attacks.

All for the sake of raising the skill level to level five, at least.

 

{That's pretty good for a start. Well then, from now on what if I increase the number of throws?}

 

And so, when in the beginning I can do easy dodges, the difficulty will increase.

 

"Right. Please do."

 

Because the more difficult the level of difficulty, the skill level will be so easy to increase. So I gladly accepted Noah's offer.

As the number of stone throws increased, which was about double the actual number and also the speed also increased, I had to focus on the sense of danger and with agile and precise reflexes had to be able to determine where I was going to dodge. This is twice the work to be done.

But this is for the sake of increasing the skill level. So it's okay.

If I'm tired I will rest and eat the Blunitri Fruit to recover my energy.

Repeat and keep doubling the number of throws each time I get used to Noah's pace.

We do this until the sun goes down again.

And finally,...

That's a lot and both of my skill levels have both gone to level 7 now.

“Thank you very much Noah for your time, but I have to go home for a while. Is it okay?"

{I know. Come back tomorrow night here, we'll start then. I wait}

"Okay."

 

***

 

Time passes quickly. Once night fell back in the real world, I logged back into a regular inn.

Without thinking about anyone around, at a speed that exceeds the speed of any normal human, jump over the wall, I went to the Ashora Meadow through the dark night.

 

{Quite on time}

"So what should I do tonight. Do I have to defeat that boss monster now, Noah?”

{I don't really know, but how about we increase our training a bit more? We fight it tomorrow morning? Just in case}

"I do not mind. So, what's the practice again this time?"

{With the skill level ability you just raised yesterday, how about testing it to hunt wolves. Incidentally night is the time the wolves become active. See, some are even heading here}

“Right, then it will be easy to eradicate it.”

{No, wait a minute. Since this will also be training and aimed at leveling up, how about you impose a limit on yourself?}

"Limitation...?"

{Right, like closing your eyes while fighting}

"May also. It can also increase my level. Fine I'll close my eyes then."

 

Because the harder I solve a problem, the more experience points I get than when I easily solve it.

From the front, the wolves, without any sense of vigilance, came fiercely at us.

 

{I will see it from the top of that tree. Fight and good luck}

 

Saying so, Noah went up the tree and headed for the highest branch. Leaving me alone with a savage snarling wolf.

With my eyes closed, completely, my vision vanished. What remains is hearing, smell, and taste that I can rely on to detect enemies. Then there is the instinct of a sense of danger that will tell me if a danger is approaching.

Cautiously, I readied my stance. Holding the knife in both hands, I directed my awareness to the surroundings.

The sound of rapid footsteps rubbing against the grass was heard. The ragged breaths and growls of the wolves also tell me their location, albeit roughly. But that's enough.

As long as I know the direction of their arrival, I can handle the rest.

That's it, they came together.

By hearing the footsteps that grew more intense with time, it was already concluded that they had come at the same time.

It didn't matter, it was much more difficult to dodge the stones that came at once than it was to dodge the wolves that came together.

Two seconds or three seconds later, two wolves came from the front, with a split second interval, they could have devoured me if I didn't try to dodge.

I pushed back and quickly took a squat stance. With that, I felt the wind passing me above. With a rough prediction, I swung my dagger upwards, at the estimated target.

 

GROAARRRR

 

A loud roar sounded as soon as my dagger pierced something akin to flesh. 

Right on target.

But I don't have to stand still forever, because the reactions of danger come in succession and so suddenly from three directions at once.

With the wolf I just stabbed behind me, and now there are three from the front. There seemed to be no room to go, except for the top.

So with little choice, I jumped pretty high up.

Since I couldn't see, I had to be prepared for a collision with the ground. But it's very hard to detect, so I prefer to adopt a rolling stance to reduce impact and protect vital areas.

But, soon I sensed the feeling of danger again before I arrived on the ground. But luckily it was coming from the side, so that meant the ground was close and there were no wolves where I was going to land.

Taking a quick roll position, I slam myself to the ground faster and then roll away from the sense of danger. Once safe, I immediately took a stand again for the next attack. Then I heard again some footsteps running towards me.

There are two? No, it's five at a time it seems.

I have to get over them.

The clearest sound is on the far left. So it's the closest one for now. Without wasting any time, I immediately plopped down sharply to the left.

Following growls and footsteps, I predict its position. Appropriately, I sparked my dagger into position. It pierced right through its flesh again and a roar of pain was heard.

After that is to take a step back to widen the distance first. It seemed that the remaining wolves became even more furious to see their comrades die while being toyed with by their prey.

With the wolves' fury, their attacks became easy to read now. They no longer cooperate, but attack indiscriminately.

The proof I heard only one wolf approaching this time.

Taking a bold step as well, I advanced towards the approximation of the wolf's position and stabbed it. With the feeling of slicing flesh in my hands, I guessed it hit the wolf again.

Alright next!

***

I think there were so many wolves that I killed that night.

With Noah's guidance, when I'm done with that one pack of wolves, I'll be sent to places that have other packs of wolves and have to defeat them all.

The result was also amazing, the skill level of [Hazard Perception] and [Evasion] increased to the maximum level. Also my [Dagger Art] level reached level 9.

My own level, also rose by seven levels. And according to Noah's suggestion, all SP I add only to agility. All for the sake of balancing the attack speed of the boss that I will face later.

Besides all that. I also received a new notification.

 

[Ability limit has been reached. Skills {Hazard Perception 10} and {Evasion 10} will be combined and converted into advanced skills]

[The conditions have been met. Advanced Skill : {Spatial Cognition 1} has been acquired] 

[Spatial Cognition] is a advanced skill that allows the player to understand the surrounding environment and properly be able to decide how to act based on the situation at hand. The higher the skill level, the wider the spatial understanding.]

 

“I don't know why I got such a great skill?”

{Isn't that great, with that you will be able to easily dodge any attacks now. Come on, it's time to fight that boss monster. I'm sure you will win easily. Maybe}