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My initial idea was to go to the mission alone, to get used to working alone and to have some experience and confidence in myself, but staring at the hungry spirit wolf before the eyes, all those thoughts emptied my mind. I had to swallow my breath and resolve my mind again.

I narrowed my eyes at the spirit wolf, gripping the hilt of the sword tight. The wolf before me was slightly larger than an average lion in my old world if only lions ever were average. It had grey and black fur all over its body with savage teeth bared. It was not as horrifying as the six-legged nightmare beast, but this one was hungry enough to chew my head easily. Using its four majestic limbs, the wolf lunged at the very sight of me.

I kept my stance and armed the sword with spirit force. The sword lit up in a radish glow, even though I was not using purgatory, my spirit force had the glow of red.

Narrowing my eyes, I welcomed the wolf while keeping my anxiety under control by breathing evenly. My legs moved rapidly, and with how I got to know the new body in two weeks' time, I made a side swing to its lower body, though it connected only to its upper body as it lunged at me.

The attack was heavy, but the spirit wolf was not a helpless beast, either. The blood that I claimed from it was barely enough for it to show me some respect. My legs moved again, raising the sword on my right side. As I was moving towards the wolf, the wolf came at me as well, howling its savage cry.

I lurched the sword in an attempt at another slash, but the wolf overpowered me, ignoring the pain I caused it. The wolf climbed upon me as my back fell to the ground. The grass was soft, but I had no time to appreciate as the hungry thing was over me, attempting to appreciate the taste of my flesh.

I jerked my sword, as my heartbeat rose. The huge wolf that was over me, trying to give a bite to my head, though I stopped it with the sword against its savage claw.

Yes, I have the strength of an average knight, but that was not enough to overpower a huge spirit wolf like this one. Moreover, the residual instinct was not working, meaning I had to cope with the beast and my fear at the same time.

What can I say? It's too darn exciting. Maybe a little too much for my own good.

In the contest of strength, I clearly lost, but I already had everything planned for what I would do if this situation came to be. Before coming here, I had thought of dozens of possibilities to fight out with a wolf or other savage beast in the mountains under different circumstances. It was the only way a normal person like me could survive; prepare for every possible way.

And more importantly, the current situation was not out of the possibilities.

I supported the entire sword, pulling my right elbow against it, while my left arm pulled a knife out of my waist. Within a second, I infused an outrageous amount of spirit force into the dagger and jabbed my left arm right into its neck. The dagger pierced the weak neck of the spirit beast, and I hammered my arm again on the dagger as Scarlet dark blood oozed out in a spray. The wolf howled in weakness and pain as its head throbbed against me.

I finally had the strength to pull my body. Even though I tried not to stain myself with the blood, a good portion of it tainted my left arm, shoulder, and chest. The wolf died in a couple more seconds as its lifeless corpse stained the green grass. I managed to stand upright and breathed in and out heavily.

Why did I try it again?

I could have done all that easily. All I had to do was: draw in the flames of Purgatory, and that would not have smeared me in blood, either.

Then why did I force myself into close quarters against such a savage beast? For the thrill? Trust me, Scar might be a battle-thirsty maniac, but I take no pleasure in it. Not in the slightest here.

Some say hunting is fun and thrilling, yet all I felt was horror and disgusting feelings inside. I gave myself time to get over this, though I kept my eyes on the dead wolf and the blood all over.

It was not thrilling in the slightest. Though I did feel some thrill duelling with Kyle and Ben, it is to be added that neither of the two had been intending to kill me.

Why did I give it a shot? The answer comes through another question: why am I training to be a knight if all I do is burn everything with fire? Because it was not enough. Only I know what we will face, and I did not want to die, knowing I could have trained better in both ways.

Well, I was not all bad, after all. I managed to kill a spirit wolf in close quarters. Maybe when I lose my fear, I will find the thrill too.

Letting out a self-conscious breath, I crouched down to open the head of the spirit wolf, sticking the dagger. Blood gushed out of it, and it was to be added that I was not doing this for some sick pleasure.

In Shrankor, all the spirit beasts slowly formed a spirit core in their head or in some other places. This beast supposedly should have had one in its head as well; unfortunately, there was none. I guess that explains why I managed to kill it so smoothly.

"Looks like I have to make my way with these teeth and nails," I muttered. Other than the spirit core or the spirit heart, there are a few other things that could be sold, though the price of them would be marginally lower. Ignoring the hide that I could not take, I might be able to get 20 dynes or more with the nails and the elongated teeth. They were useful as magical ingredients.

By the way, it was not the only beast I killed. I killed another wolf and a fox, though there was no spirit core either and I used a bow to do that. My archery was surprisingly good. Well, with the high perception and dozens of metres of distance into play, of course, it would be easier. Other than that, I found a dozen stalks of the herbs we were looking for. That would add a couple more dynes.

Cutting out the money for the horse that we borrowed and the mission hall fee, I will have about thirty dynes if I find nothing else after these. Quite a sum for my first mission. I thought I would manage even less, but four hours to get that much money made me quite satisfied, though I knew this was no way near the capital I would need in the future. One thing at a time, Aaron, I told myself.

Moping the blood as much as I could, I moved to pick up my bow and arrows. I had enough of a close-quarters battle for today. I wondered if the other two had any luck with their search.

The sun and moon on the horizon told there was only about an hour of the light left, while the stiff wind was blowing fast. I really would not like to spend more time on the mountain today. Even though this part was not covered with snow, and there was no blizzard incoming any time soon.

Winter was quite cruel here, though the true winter was yet to come.

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