We were fighting a giant slug. It was a poison type and seemed that the forest monsters all contained toxin affinity. Ayumi had reached Level 12 and I reached Lvl 15. She was catching up, faster than anyone could.

The slug sized a cow and had four eyes and three antennas. It was able to detect where we would launch our attack and would harden its skin before Ayumi could ever touch impale. The Slug locked its eye towards Ayumi, preparing for a spray of toxic liquid that could weaken living things. It wasn't lethal but it can pretty much wear you out, making you easy prey. The most acidic part of its body is its antenna, which it uses to eat prey by melting corpses and then absorbing it.

Just as soon as the Level 17 Giant Slug launched an attack, Koneko was able to s.h.i.+eld Ayumi with her new skill called Opalescent Barrier. The barrier looked like a giant convex mirror that s.h.i.+ned a variety of different colors. It was Koneko's new support skill.

It reflected the attack, weakening the Giant Slug by its own ability. Its movement became sluggish and much easier to attack. Even it's hardening skill was taking effect slowly.

Ayumi was able to use her skill which she had unlocked long ago, but she wasn't able to use it until just now since she had her level high enough for the skill to be used.

The skill was called Scorpion. Ayumi's equipped weapon will be drenched in a toxin capable of petrifying anything that it wounded. However it is a one-shot skill, so if Ayumi missed the attack it would go under a cooldown, unable to use it for the moment.

Luckily the Slug has weakened itself by its own skill which Koneko reflected and Ayumi stood on top of the Giant Slug then stabbed it as she whispers "Scorpion". In a few seconds, the effect came kicking in, paralyzing the Giant Slug. I wasn't able to do much and all I could do were to guide them.

"Koneko! Fox form now! Use Ravage!"

Koneko's Offensive Form called Fox Queen learned a new skill called Ravage. It's a three-combo swipe that slashes the target with sharp long claws. After that, the claws revert back to their original size and the skill's cooldown will start counting.

With my fist, I created a momentum using my stride ability and lunged my clenching fist towards the wound of the slug.

"Ahhhhhhhh!" I shouted as I punched deeper as I reach its heart then squeezed it.

"IIIIIIEEEKK!" the Giant Slug shrieked in pain before dying.

We gain a bit of Exp after that.

Nas.h.i.+ki Yakiro Exp 15

Nas.h.i.+ki Koneko Exp 20

Thanks to Koneko being my pet, any Exp she gains is converted to mine. It only made sense since both Koneko and I share the same level.

"Good job, Ayumi." I patted her head.

"You too Koneko." As well as her.

Koneko reverted back to her cat form considering that my traumatic tension started to kick in. I fell on one knee, clutching my chest as I try to breathe deeply.

"What do you plan to do with this Slug? We can't leave it here. It'll rot and the forest will be affected."

"Do you know a nearby town here?"

"Yes. Flynn town is right ahead past this forest. The level of the monster we will encounter, however, will be lower."

"No, it's okay. I already hit Level 15. We should take a rest before tomorrow comes. The Pillar's about to fall anyway near here. We should probably find some rope and sell this slug on the town. I heard its acid is used for enhancing weapons and its meat is used for clothing and toys."

The meat was fluffy and soft. Basically, the skin could be used to make coats, rags, and sacks. The acid, however, is used to enhance weapons in blacksmiths applying Poison Resistance.

Nyaaan!~ Koneko pointed a vine using her paw.

"I see."

We arrived in the Flynn town, found on the further side of the Flinn River, and sold the slug as a battle loot. I gained 20 silver for it.

Apparently, we had to find an inn to stay for the night. I checked out my Event Status and it showed me a time that the Pillar will appear. It's going to appear tomorrow midnight so we can still rest till tomorrow morning.

The food tasted magnificent here and Koneko loved the slug meat. It was hard to bite through and the slug used in the meal was an edible one. It tasted like an oyster mixed with a crab. I couldn't really explain how it tasted.

We went back to the forest to collect more loot to buy new equipment since ours had already worn out. Ayumi's pants had holes in it, revealing the skin of her thigh.

She shot me an embarra.s.sing look and pouted at me. I avoided my contact with her and started to collect mushrooms and medicinal herbs. I didn't know any of these herbs so I decided to sell it instead. I don't know any other recipes yet so It would be troublesome if I made tens of errors.

Ayumi was quietly picking up cherries when I felt a projectile coming towards her.

"Stride!" I dashed towards her and burdened right to my stomach.

"Ugh!" It bursts. It felt like a boxer just punched me in the stomach. It was a transparent air projectile.

"Yakiro!"

"I'm alright, Ayumi..."

It was a monster that looked like a sabertooth jaguar. It popped on my vision with an icon telling me its name.

Level 25 Sabertooth

Tsk! Out of all the monsters, we had to meet this one, who was ten levels above me.

"I'll lure It out in the open! Koneko! It has ears! Use screech when you see an opening. Ayumi, use shadow dash to rush in and stab it with scorpion then dash out again."

"Right!" They dispatched side by side as Koneko turned into her offensive Fox Queen.

Originally, Koneko is a support/healer type but since she's able to morph other forms, she can take an offensive type. And each type of morph had skill trees that can be unlocked.

"Stride!"

My feet began to send me drifting around the Sabertooth as I try to get its attention. It roared at me telling me I'm it's prey. It began to chase me and my plan started to take effect.

I drifted in a straight line, luring it in an open area. I looked behind and it was gaining distance faster that Ayumi could. I would end up getting caught by it, and speak of the devil, it just did!

"Ugh!"

It's pinning me down and bore its tooth on my shoulder. I screamed in pain and it tried to bite my head off but luckily, Ayumi was able to kick it off me. Now he's in the right spot.

"Koneko!" We covered our ears.

"Screeeeeeeeeeeech!"

Koneko used her paralyzing skill called screech. It took effect and the Sabertooth stood up looking like a preserved statue.

"Now to finish this!" Ayumi dashed in with her shadow dash. Ayumi flashed before the Sabertooth in the blink of an eye. She pounced as she unsheathed her silver dagger and pierced the monster as she lunged.

"Scorpion!"

It went down easily as we expected and my wound began to heal. This cla.s.s is really helpful!

Nas.h.i.+ki Yakiro Exp 21

Nas.h.i.+ki Koneko Exp 23

Looks like Ayumi got the highest experience since she was the one who killed it. She leveled up to level thirteen just like that. Two more and she could catch up on us.

We collected the loot.

I obtained another berry. Sabertooth berry huh?

Sabertooth Berry: Consume to gain a special effect (Random).

I see. There's also a Sabertooth stone.

"Hey, I got a stone." Ayumi happily revealed to us a yellow stone.

"Hey! Maybe you'll obtain a pet just like me!"

"Okay. I'm going to use it." Ayumi looked excited. The stone flew out of her hand and floated mid-air. Similar to the one that happened to me. The stone took various and different types of forms until it ended into somewhat of a gold coin.

"A gold coin?" I got confused. Looks like she didn't get lucky.

"It's alright! This golden coin is valuable. It's not money but a world item."

"World item? You mean a legendary consumable item?"

"Yeah."

"What is it?"

'It's a secret!" Ayumi giggled and stuck her tongue out. She looks so d.a.m.n cute! I could just pinch her cheek to death!

.

"I guess it's my turn then?"

I activated my stone and icons started shuffling like a lottery called gacha. I hope I'm lucky! If I get another pet! That would be amazing!

*Better Luck Next Time*

An icon appeared before me as the raffle stopped. d.a.m.n! I wasn't lucky! I might've used all my luck summoning Koneko.

I received a silver ring with a common rarity. It was basically a health ring +30.

Ayumi snickered as she hides her lips behind her fingers. She was making fun of me. The nerves of this girl! Ahhhh! d.a.m.n! You're still cute!

"Hehe, I guess I got the short stick this time." I smiled awkwardly at her.

We sold off the parts of the Sabertooth. Apparently, it was a rare monster that only appears once in a while.

So that's where all my luck went to? I was lucky enough to encounter a rare beast.

The humongous fangs sold a pretty hefty amount of silver coins, summing about 50 silver. So we gained 70 silver in just a day. That's very lucky of us.

We ate and took our personal necessities at the inn. Apparently, there were no separate beds left and only a single-bed bedroom remained.

"I-i'm going to sleep right beside you, Yakiro?!" Her eyes were large and beautiful. She was too embarra.s.sed to sleep with me.

Hey, I can't blame her if she's embarra.s.sed. I mean, Just look at me. All sweaty and trembling.

Ayumi went out of the room, she said she was going to buy something. Koneko reverted to her human form, normally, she still doesn't have her clothes, so I ended up giving her my worn out cape. We forgot to buy clothes this afternoon, we were busy rejoicing our hard earned money.

"Sabertooth berry huh? Gain a random special effect. Don't mind if I do."

-Earned Special Skill Pa.s.sive-

Adamantine Bones: Earn 50 armor and bones will become stronger and durable, able to resist pressure and shock.

Hey! That's great! With this and the hero skill, it'll feel like immortality.

I took another one.

-Earned Special Skill Pa.s.sive-

Stingy Mana: Mana consumed will be reduced slightly.

It's alright, the last skill is.

"Master, can I have one?" Koneko asked looking hungry. She wanted to taste the berry so I gave her one.

"Thank you very much!"

Suddenly a panel appeared telling me Koneko had unlocked yet another form.

-Lioness G.o.ddes of the Crescent Moon Skill Unlocked!-

Special Bonus+

Strength Increased

Health Increased

Damage Boost Upgraded (5%-10%)

Special Appearance+

Sabertooth Empress

Special Skill Unlocked+

Double Psionic Slash

Uproar

Chomp

Double Psionic Slash:

Koneko in her Sabertooth form sends two pulses of blades conjured by a psychic affinity and turned into magic. Penetrates physical armor.

Uproar:

Momentarily raises the damage of the team.

Chomp:

Koneko will use her large fangs and burrow deep into its target's flesh inflicting damage deduction and recovery reduction. If the enemy is paralyzed, it will inflict bleed.

-Bleed: The enemy target will suffer damage over time and continue to bleed. (15 Seconds)

Woah! Those skills are useful! Maybe I'll make a combo with Ayumi's scorpion and Koneko's chomp.

The door of our room suddenly opened and Ayumi surprised me with her outfit. It was a nightgown and the dense type! Still, the nightgown had taken her curves and the features of her body. She looks... charming.

"H-how is it?"

I'm speechless...

"Tell me or I won't talk to you ever again!" She pouted.

"Eee... Ahh... You look... Great..." I can feel myself blus.h.i.+ng.

"Thank you. Koneko, I bought one for you too! It's much more comfortable to sleep in this!"

"Really! Thank you! Ayumi nee-sama!" Koneko smiled happily.

(Nee means sister.)

I looked the other way as Koneko started to change. It's not like I don't wanna see her, it'll just feel wrong. Besides, I think Ayumi will get angry at me.

"Master! How is it?" She asked me.

"You look adorable, Koneko!"

I looked at Ayumi and she seemed depressed. I'm confused.

"Thank you, master!"

"Now lets sleep."

The bed was wide enough for the three of us. Ayumi got on the bed pouting as she lied down. Koneko slept beside her and I slept on the other side of Ayumi. I was nervous but my drowsiness had already sunken deep. Wait! I can't sleep without Koneko by my side!

"Umm Ayumi... I can't sleep without Koneko."

She turned at me, gazing with anger.

"Fine! Hmp!" She got up and walked on my other side, revealing me a glimpse of her soft and slender thighs.

This is weird. If you think about it, I'm sleeping in the middle of two girls. This is weird and fulfilling at the same time yet I didn't have time to fantasized and caught myself drifting asleep.