Chapter 51

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A FAINT rustling broke through the silence, and I squinted, trying to trace the source of the disturbance. The sound of creaking wood echoed sharply in the still air. Who in the world is rummaging around here?

I forced my eyes open, only to be greeted by a jaw-dropping sight: the carriage was in ruins, splintered and broken, while the food supplies lay scattered and half-eaten. Standing amidst the chaos was a massive cat, its form imposing and undeniably wild.

“Meoww.” The creature let out a deceptively innocent sound, stretching languidly. The remnants of crushed fruit clung to its fur, and bits of it clung around its mouth as it munched. The juxtaposition of its hulking form with the playful nibbling was almost comical.

But my attention was drawn to its distinct coat. A mix of snowy white fur with large patches of earthy browns and blacks adorned its muscular frame, almost like a patterned tapestry. The markings on its legs were darker, blending into its powerful limbs, while its green eyes gleamed with a predatory light.

A sudden flash of recognition jolted through me. No, it couldn’t be…

“Chewy?” The name tumbled out of my mouth, unbidden. At the sound of it, the creature’s demeanor shifted instantly. Its ears flattened, and it let out a guttural hiss, baring its sharp, glistening fangs. The playful, harmless facade evaporated, replaced by a wild, untamed fury.

I took a cautious step forward. The massive feline mirrored my movement by retreating a step, its muscles tense and ready to pounce. It hissed again, louder this time, a warning I couldn’t afford to ignore.

Raising my hands slowly, I softened my tone, trying to steady my own heartbeat. “It’s okay... I’m not here to hurt you.” A tentative smile crept onto my face, though every fiber of my being was on high alert.

The cat’s eyes flicked between my outstretched hands and my face, its growls simmering into low, rumbling warnings.

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The ability [Beast Tamer] has been activated.

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The moment hung precariously in the air, the fate of our fragile connection balanced on a knife’s edge.

The massive cat continued to growl, its sharp claws scraping against the dirt as it lowered itself into a pouncing stance. Its piercing green eyes locked onto me, analyzing my every move.

I took another cautious step forward, my hands still raised. The tension in the air was suffocating, each second stretched thin like the calm before a storm. But I couldn’t back down now. Not when I had a chance to reclaim something precious from my past.

“I want to tame it,” I whispered to myself, my voice steady despite the fear creeping in. “And I will tame it.” My gaze softened as memories flooded back. Chewy also died when I died, right? So what if... this is also him? My chest tightened. This is the cat who stayed by my side, even when he had nothing—no proper meals, no comfort. He chose me, even in those dire moments.

The beast growled again, louder this time, but I didn’t flinch. Instead, I took a deep breath, grounding myself. “Chewy,” I called out again, my voice a mix of desperation and hope. “It’s me. I’m here.”

The beast hesitated for a moment, its growl faltering. But just as quickly, it lunged forward. I barely had time to react as its massive form knocked me to the ground. My back hit the earth with a thud, and the wind was knocked out of me. Its claws pinned me in place, its snarling face inches from mine.

Every instinct screamed at me to fight back, to run, but I forced myself to stay calm. “It’s okay,” I said softly, despite the weight pressing down on my chest. My hand trembled as I reached up, hovering near its face. “You’ve always been by my side, Chewy. Let me be here for you now.”

The cat’s growl deepened, its fangs glinting dangerously. For a moment, I thought it would strike—but then, something changed. Its eyes softened, the wild rage dimming slightly. It sniffed at my hand cautiously, its whiskers brushing against my fingers.

I held my breath, barely daring to hope. Slowly, its claws retracted, and the pressure on my chest eased. The beast stepped back, its ears flicking uncertainly. I sat up carefully, keeping my movements slow and deliberate.

“There you are,” I murmured, a smile breaking through as I extended my hand again. The massive cat hesitated before finally pressing its head against my palm. Its fur was rough but warm, a comforting sensation that brought tears to my eyes. “You remember me, don’t you?”

The system chimed again, its holographic text glowing faintly in the corner of my vision.

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You have successfully tamed a beast! Congratulations, dear player!

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Chewy let out a low, rumbling purr, its massive body relaxing beside me. I ran my fingers through its fur, feeling a mix of triumph and relief. This is him. It has to be.

“Thank you for coming back to me,” I whispered, my heart swelling with a newfound determination. “We’ll protect each other again, just like before.”

But then my gaze shifted to the shattered remains of the carriage. Splintered wood and broken wheels lay scattered around, a grim reminder of my now nonexistent transportation. The food supplies weren’t much better—half-eaten fruits and torn sacks littered the ground. I sighed deeply. Great. Just great. My journey is off to a fantastic start.

My eyes darted back to Chewy, who now sat lazily, licking his paws as if he hadn’t just destroyed my carriage and devoured half my supplies. His massive tail swayed behind him, the very picture of contentment.

“Well,” I muttered, hands on my hips, “I guess we’ll have to make do.” I scanned the remaining supplies, gathering what was salvageable. Some bread loaves were still intact, along with a few jars of preserved fruit. I carefully packed them into a makeshift bundle, tying it securely with a piece of cloth.

Once everything was arranged, I turned back to Chewy. His massive frame loomed over me, his green eyes watching my every move. I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve eaten half of my food, and my carriage is wrecked. So, you owe me.”

Chewy tilted his head, as if considering my words. Then, as if on cue, he rose to his full height, towering over me. His muscles rippled under his thick, patterned fur. His once-wild demeanor had softened considerably, and now he looked... almost playful.

“I can ride you, right?” I said with a small grin, patting his side. Let’s see if you’re as useful as you are destructive.

Ngumiti naman ako nang pinalibutan niya ako, ang buntot niya ay maingat na bumalot sa aking tagiliran habang pinapahid niya ang kaniyang ulo sa akin. His fur was rough against my cheek, but the gesture was undeniably affectionate. He let out a deep purr, a sound that seemed to resonate in his massive chest.

Taking that as a yes, I slung my bundle of supplies over my shoulder and climbed onto Chewy’s broad back. His thick fur provided a surprisingly comfortable seat, and his sturdy build made me feel secure. “Alright, Chewy. Let’s get moving.”

With a low growl of acknowledgment, Chewy rose, his powerful legs propelling us forward with ease. The ground seemed to blur beneath us as he broke into a steady, loping run. The wind whipped past my face, carrying the scent of pine and earth. For the first time since my journey began, I felt a surge of hope.

“Good boy,” I murmured, leaning forward slightly as Chewy carried me effortlessly across the rugged terrain. “We might just make it after all.”

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The moon hung low in the sky as nightfall draped the forest in darkness. Exhaustion tugged at my limbs, so I decided to rest. Spotting a massive tree with wide branches, I climbed up, Chewy close behind. To my surprise, he scaled the trunk with ease, his claws digging into the bark like it was second nature.

“Well, look at you,” I muttered, settling on a sturdy branch. “Even with all that bulk, you’re still a cat at heart.”

Chewy gave a soft, rumbling purr as he perched beside me, his tail swishing lazily. I leaned back against the tree trunk, letting out a tired sigh. “Huh, what a day,” I murmured, pulling a piece of bread from my bundle. Tossing it into the air, I barely had time to blink before Chewy snapped it up mid-flight, his sharp teeth making quick work of it.

I laughed as he munched loudly, clearly enjoying his snack. “You’re lucky you’re cute,” I said, reaching over to scratch the thick fur around his neck. His purring grew louder, a deep, resonant sound that seemed to vibrate through the tree.

Just as I began to relax, a familiar holographic frame materialized before me.

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The next training session will be given to you any minute now!

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I narrowed my eyes at the system's announcement. “The 8th one, huh?” I muttered, my voice laced with suspicion. “How hard could it be this time?”

Almost immediately, another notification flickered into view.

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Trial of Toxic Fangs

Survive the night against a pack of venomous wolves. Annihilate them all using your ability.

Reward: Advanced Alchemy Recipe [Venom Immunity Elixir] Failure: Severe poisoning and system debuff for 24 hours.

Decide your course with great caution!

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I swallowed hard, my eyes scanning the dark forest below. A low growl rumbled through the trees, followed by another, closer this time. The wolves were closing in. Chewy’s ears twitched, his playful demeanor vanishing as he crouched low, muscles taut beneath his thick fur. His sharp eyes glowed fiercely in the dim light, locked onto the shadows shifting in the distance.

“Alright, Chewy,” I whispered, my heart pounding. “Looks like we’ve got work to do.”

The howls rose, a haunting chorus that sent a chill racing down my spine. My grip tightened around my Aether Pouch, the pulsing glow of the elixirs within matching the frantic beat of my heart. The venomous wolves were near, their foul stench mingling with the damp forest air. Their presence tainted the night, promising a bloodbath.

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The ability [Alchemy] has been activated.

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I yanked out an Explosive Elixir, its fiery orange light cutting through the oppressive darkness. “Chewy,” I muttered, mounting him swiftly, “let’s paint this forest red.” He growled low and menacing, his massive frame coiled like a spring ready to unleash devastation. Together, we descended from the towering tree, Chewy’s claws digging deep into the bark before landing with a ground-shaking thud.

The wolves emerged, ten of them, their hulking forms slinking out of the shadows. Their eyes burned an unholy green, venom dripping from their elongated fangs, sizzling as it hit the forest floor. The vegetation beneath them withered and died, leaving a path of decay in their wake.

They charged.

Without hesitation, I hurled the Explosive Elixir.

BOOM!

The detonation lit up the night, a wave of heat and force tearing through the lead wolf. Its body was flung backward, slamming into a tree with a sickening crunch. Blood spattered the foliage, painting grotesque patterns across the bark. But the others didn’t falter. They snarled, their blackened teeth bared as they advanced, eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

“Chewy, go!” I commanded, and he surged forward, claws tearing into the earth. He slashed at an incoming wolf, his claws ripping through flesh and bone. Blood sprayed, staining his fur, but he didn’t stop.

I reached into my pouch mid-motion, pulling out a Smoke Elixir. With a flick of my wrist, it shattered at our feet, engulfing us in a dense, suffocating fog. The wolves howled in frustration, their glowing eyes darting around in search of us. Hidden within the shroud, I prepared my next move, a set of darts dipped in Venom Neutralizer Elixir.

The moment the smoke began to dissipate, I struck. One by one, the darts found their marks, embedding themselves deep into the wolves’ flesh. Their venom attacks faltered, but their rage only grew. Blood dripped from their wounds, their snarls morphing into guttural growls as they pressed on, maddened by pain and fury.

A wolf lunged at me, its jaws snapping inches from my face. I ducked, the beast’s venom splattering onto a nearby bush, which shriveled and crumbled into ash. I whipped out a Blazing Elixir, smashing it onto the ground. Flames erupted, forming a blazing inferno that trapped three wolves within its deadly embrace. Their agonized screams filled the night as their flesh burned, the stench of charred meat thick in the air.

But there was no time to revel in the moment. Another wolf came from my blind spot, its venom-drenched fangs aimed for my throat. Before it could strike, Chewy intercepted, slamming into it with bone-crushing force. His jaws clamped down on the beast’s neck, tearing flesh and sinew in a brutal display of feral dominance.

The ground was slick with blood now, the once lush forest floor transformed into a battlefield of death and decay. I pulled out my Barrier Elixir, hurling it down just in time to deflect a venomous spray aimed directly at me. The shield shimmered as the venom hissed against its surface, the ground beneath it scorched black.

“Enough of this,” I growled, my eyes narrowing. I retrieved my last Explosive Elixir, the most potent one yet. “Chewy, keep them busy!” He roared in response, his massive paws crushing the skull of a fallen wolf before charging at another.

With a battle cry, I hurled the elixir into the center of the remaining pack.

BOOM!

The blast was catastrophic. Wolves were torn apart, their limbs scattering like broken dolls. The forest trembled from the impact, a deafening silence following in its wake. Blood pooled in the craters left behind, the ground soaked with the remains of my enemies.

Panting, I stood amidst the carnage, my hands trembling but steady. Chewy limped over, blood dripping from his claws and maw. Despite his injuries, his emerald eyes gleamed with fierce pride.

The familiar chime of the system echoed through the air.

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Congratulations! You have successfully completed the task Trial of Toxic Fangs! Rewards will be given shortly!

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I dropped to my knees, the adrenaline finally wearing off. Chewy nudged me gently, his massive head resting against my shoulder. “We did it, buddy,” I whispered, my voice hoarse. “We survived... and we conquered.”

In this trial of blood and venom, I had proven that my alchemy wasn’t just a skill—it was a weapon.

fin.