NOVEL NEXT Chapter 87: Canine Reunion
"This is the Whispering Woods," Beatrix said as the wolf pack thundered through the forest. "It is dangerous around here."
Ethan clung to Artis Lupine's green-furred back. His fingers were buried deep in her coarse mane. It felt somehow exhilarating as the wind whipped against his bloodied face.
Regardless of being attacked and humiliated, Artis had come to rescue him. Was it because they slept together? He hadn't activated the DOMINUS slavery on her. Then, was she attracted to Ethan Cromwell as a Dark Nymph?
Beatrix and Athena rode the silver and gray wolves, respectively. The black wolf brought up the rear, its golden eyes scanning for pursuers.
But Garkash and his Orcs didn't give pursuit. The Orc camp was miles behind already. They were vicious creatures, but not brave enough to venture into the Whispering Woods where greater dangers lurked.
Ethan's wounds throbbed weakly. A vial of red and blue from Athena had recovered some of his health and mana, but everything still hurt. Orc poison wasn't very potent, but the amount injected into him over the past two days could probably tranquilize a giant.
[HP: 60/100] [MP: 80/160]
A system notification flashed in his vision, pulling him from the haze.
[Challenge completed: Prevent the Rape of the Orc Queen]
Ethan blinked at the overlay. He'd forgotten about the quest because of the gruesome battle and action drama. Rescuing Luka Voltha from that conjugal mast counted as completion, even if it nearly killed him.
[Reward: AP +10]
'10 attribute points!' he thought triumphantly. 'That is the highest I have ever received!'
[Reward: Dragonfrost]
[Description]
[Dragonfrost: A dagger made of an ice dragon's tooth. When infused with MP, it can freeze its targets with a strike. A powerful weapon for close combat.]
'Hmm. This weapon is like Dragonfang,' Ethan thought, remembering how the latter, made of a fire dragon's tooth, had helped him shatter Luka's enchanted chains. 'Only that Dragonfrost's effects are different. Is there a complete set of Dragon daggers?'
[Skill: Ghost hands level up!: 3~4]
[Can generate 4 Ghost hands]
[MP cost: 12] [Effect: 50 seconds] [No Cooldown]
'Wow! Four hands could be really, umm, handy. I can handle four targets in four directions at once!'
[Skill: Poison Resistance level up!: 3~4]
[If attacked by a poisoned weapon, the weapon will suffer 2x damage]
'Thank you, system! At least, now something will come off getting hacked as many times as I did today.'
"Count Cromwell!" Athena called out, snapping him out of his system scrutiny. "Are you okay, or too dizzy? Careful, or you'll fall off the wolf and die."
Ethan realized he had been staring at the screen for too long. It would take time to allocate attribute points, so it would make sense to put it off for later. "I'm fine."
The wolves slowed down as they approached a secluded glade. It was surrounded by ancient oaks and bisected by a crystal-clear stream.
The pack halted, their tongues lolling in exhaustion. Ethan slid off Artis with a groan born of pain, fatigue, and relief. His legs almost buckled as he hit the mossy ground. "I need to lie down for a while."
Beatrix and Athena dismounted, too. However, their first reaction was different and dramatic. The witch grabbed Ethan's arm and pulled him away from the wolves, while the warrior drew her massive sword with a metallic hiss.
"Ethan, get away from them!" Beatrix snarled, her silver-blue eyes locked on the massive beasts. "Those are Dark Nymphs! Servants of Lucifer! We'll end this now before they turn on us."
"I can see that the green one is a Dark Nymph," Athena chimed in. "The other three I can't tell."
The wolves tensed, growls rumbling from their throats like incoming thunder. The black one bared fangs, the silver crouched, ready to pounce, while the gray snapped at the air.
The green wolf, that is, Artis Lupine, positioned herself between Ethan and the women, her green fur bristling in alertness as if protecting the other three.
Ethan pushed himself up, staggering into their midst despite the weakness. Couldn't he catch a break?
The Cromwell heir planted himself between the pack and his companions, with arms outstretched. "Stop! This isn't how you treat your saviors. They just pulled our asses out of Orc hell! Even if they're beasts, they risked everything for us."
Beatrix's hands lit up, sparking electricity. "Don't be naïve. They're no saviors! They're monsters! Dark Nymphs corrupt and devour you. Step aside and let us handle them!"
Ethan met her gaze steadily, keeping his voice firm. It was time for some Earth-style psychology. "And what about you? The witch council banned you for grimoire magic and called you a devil's pawn, too. Isn't it the same prejudice you're extending to them? You know better than to judge like that. Don't their actions show these wolves want to protect us?"
The taunt hit home. Beatrix's face flushed, and she let her magic ball dissipate. Memories of her exile flickered in her eyes. There were trials, accusations, and isolation.
She exhaled sharply. "Fine. Point taken. But they can't be trusted. Make them leave. Now."
Athena relaxed her arms but didn't sheathe her sword. "Bea is right. We owe them for the escape, but their kind is too dangerous. If only you could see through my divine sight."
Ethan nodded, glancing at Artis. The green wolf tilted her head and whimpered with understanding in her eyes. "I need to go with them privately. To thank them properly. I'll be back soon. I promise."
Beatrix crossed her arms. "You're risking too much and one day will suffer for your foolishness. Alright. If you're not back in fifteen minutes, we're coming after you. And we'll burn first and slice first, then ask questions later."
"Deal." Ethan gave the girls a weak smile, then turned to follow the pack deeper into the woods.
Artis led the way, her tail swishing with familiarity, while the three larger wolves flanked her protectively. The glade vanished behind them, replaced by denser foliage and the soft gurgle of the stream that widened into a small pool.
In the heart of the wilderness, the mighty wolves waded into the water without hesitation. The black one plunged in first, shaking off Orc blood and grime. The silver followed, dipping low to drink deeply. The arrows clattered from its hide as its wounds knit shut with unnatural speed.
The gray beast splashed playfully, washing gashes from axes, then lapped at the cool liquid. Steam rose from their body as their perfections returned.
Ethan leaned against a boulder, watching in awe. The poison's fog lifted slightly in the fresh air. Before him, Artis paused at the pool's edge, her form shimmering.
Her green fur receded like melting snow, and she tore open the wolf form like fabric. Instantly, she was the green-haired boy whom Ethan had first met. Then her bones reshaped with soft cracks, and her limbs elongated.
Artis' beautiful curves bloomed as she transformed. In moments, the wolf was gone, replaced by a stunning human woman—nude, unashamed, her perfect body glistening in the moonlight.
Artis Lupine walked towards Ethan. Her flawless, full breasts rose with each breath, and her hips moved erotically over toned thighs. A bush of green pubic hair hid her genitals, but she probably didn't intend to.
Ethan stepped forward and grabbed her by the neck, kissing her deeply. She smelled so good, of wild musk and pine. He didn't shy away from encircling her waist and getting a few gropes of her toned butt shamelessly.
"I missed you," she whispered. "I thought you left me forever and hated me."
Pulling back slightly, Ethan cupped her face. "Artis... Thank you for saving me. I should've believed you back then. When Beatrix and Athena accused you of being a minion of the Chaste Devil or whatever. I was wrong. I'm sorry. But how did you find me?"
She smiled and kissed him again. "Apology accepted. Well, your scent called to me through our bond. I couldn't ignore it. I've been tracking you for days and finally found you in the Orc camp."
Ethan raised his brows in intrigue. Then he chuckled weakly and glanced at the wolves still in the water. They watched him with intelligent eyes, no longer growling. "Who are they, anyway? Others like you? I thought you were one of your kind."
Artis laughed, as if it were a stupid question. "Don't you recognize them, my silly lover?"
She turned, gesturing to the pool. "They are your sons."