Following the incident—sorry, miracle—that was my victory over Jun Bai, I became what the sect referred to as…
> "That chaotic disciple who can't cultivate but keeps winning."
My fan club? Three squirrels and a confused turtle from the nap hall.
My punishment for embarrassing Jun Bai in public?
A joint spirit beast subjugation mission.
Which would've been fine—if they didn't pair me with Yura.
---
Yura, fox spirit.
Sharp tongue, hotter flames.
Definitely smarter than me.
She met me at the northern gate, tails flicking lazily, dressed in a modified sect robe that managed to be both elegant and mildly intimidating.
"You're late," she said.
"You're early."
"I value time."
"I value sleep."
She sighed and summoned a tiny flame in her palm. "Do not get in my way."
"Do not set me on fire."
"No promises."
---
Mission: Clear out a rampaging spirit beast from the Duskridge Forest.
Beast: Crimson-Tailed Howler Wolf
Danger Level: Moderate
Success Rate with our team:
> [System Calculation:]
27%
(Assuming Yura does everything.)
---
Walking through the forest, Yura kept her eyes on the trees, sensing energy fluctuations.
I kept my eyes on the ground, looking for mushrooms or berries that wouldn't kill me.
"Your senses are slow," she said.
"I'm saving energy for when I need to scream."
She didn't laugh. But her tail flicked in amusement. I counted that as a win.
---
We found the wolf.
Correction: The wolf found us.
It leapt from the trees—blood-red fur, glowing yellow eyes, and enough teeth to start a cutlery shop.
Yura reacted instantly—blasting it with a fireball that should've roasted it.
The wolf dodged.
I screamed.
Then threw a rock.
It hit the wolf's tail.
> [System Notification:]
Critical Hit! You triggered a tail nerve cluster!
Effect: Stunned. Embarrassed. Angry.
Yura blinked. "Did you mean to do that?"
"Nope. Pure talent."
She rolled her eyes, then moved in a blur—dancing between trees, flames swirling.
The wolf howled and retaliated, slashing with claws made of condensed qi.
She avoided it, barely.
"You got a plan?" she shouted.
"Yes!" I yelled. "Don't die!"
---
As Yura fought, I fumbled with the scroll the system gave me.
> [System Provided Technique Scroll: "Flame Fart Mirage"]
Grade: Absolute Joke
Effect: Creates 3 decoys that smell like burning onions
User Warning: Useless in windy weather.
I activated it.
Three illusionary Arins appeared. All taunting the wolf.
"Nice fur, you oversized poodle!"
"Your mother was a mutt with mange!"
"I know a dog who cultivates better than you!"
The wolf roared in confusion and lunged… at a decoy.
> [System Shock:]
"It actually worked."
---
With a window open, Yura channeled her Spirit Fox Flame Art: Blazing Vortex.
A spiral of crimson fire engulfed the stunned beast, burning it into submission.
When the smoke cleared, the wolf was unconscious, twitching, and probably reevaluating its entire life.
---
We sat down under a tree to catch our breath.
"I didn't expect you to help," Yura admitted.
"I didn't expect to survive."
"You're not entirely useless."
"I've been saying that for days."
> [Yura Impression: +3 — "Unexpectedly Helpful"]
[Hidden Trait Unlocked: Lucky Idiot]
---
On the way back to the sect, Yura asked, "Why did you throw that rock?"
"I was aiming for a squirrel," I replied.
She smirked. "You're an idiot."
"True. But I'm an idiot with decent aim."
We didn't talk the rest of the way. But she walked next to me instead of ahead.
Which, coming from her, felt like a parade.
---
> [Mission Complete.]
Reward: 1 Beast Core (Grade C)
System Modification: Real reward sold to "Blood Contract System."
You receive: Decorative rock painted to look like a core.
[Secret Notification:]
Yura has begun asking questions about the system.