“Not really, it’s just…”
Lin Shu raised the back of her hand and noticed that the wound she had bitten open earlier to stay alert had already stopped bleeding. In fact, a scab had already formed.
“Are you hurt? Let me see,” Hati said, her voice laced with anxiety.
“It’s fine. I bit it myself, and it’s almost healed now,” Lin Shu said to comfort her. “It seems like the healing speed increased after I came into contact with the moonlight. My mental state has recovered quite a bit, too.”
“Really? Then isn’t that just like me? Our Wolf Tribe’s recovery abilities strengthen under the moonlight.” Hati’s tail wagged happily.
‘Just like Hati…’
Lin Shu said, “I was wondering if it’s an effect of the Familiar Contract.”
‘Oh, right. I haven’t checked the skill changes since the contract was altered. Since I have time now, I might as well take a look.’
Lin Shu concentrated her mind and summoned the system panel. She found it packed with information, and the skill descriptions had changed:
**[Contract Changed]**
**[Current Master: Hati]**
**[Contract Trait: In a moonlight environment, the Familiar’s recovery is slightly increased]**
**[Familiar Skill: Fortified War Banner]**
**[Skill Description: Summon a mobile banner. Within a 30-meter radius of the war banner, the Master and Familiar gain increased Strength, Magic, and Speed. (You’ve been buffed, now go!)]**
‘An area-of-effect skill?’ Lin Shu read the description carefully.
Compared to the flexible and versatile Rose Vines she had before, this skill seemed more inclined toward team support and positional warfare. The disadvantage was obvious — it was limited by its range.
However, Hati was a melee fighter. If she was tethered to a specific area, wouldn’t that limit her performance?
Lin Shu frowned, feeling that this skill didn’t quite suit Hati’s combat style. She continued to scroll down the panel to the Master Skill section.
**[Master Skill: Wolf Soul Sentry]**
**[Skill Description: Consumes a portion of Spirit to summon one or two Wolf Soul Sentries that act according to the Master’s will.]**
‘This looks good!’ Lin Shu’s eyes lit up.
This was a long-range skill. For Hati, it was like giving a melee warrior a “ranged assistant.” It was the perfect finishing touch.
Lin Shu closed the panel. “Hati, after my two previous masters signed contracts with me, a new skill would always manifest. You can try it, too.”
“What? You had two other masters?!”
Hati’s focus, however, landed on the first half of the sentence.
“Then I’m the third — ” But quickly, she wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Phooey, I don’t like the word ‘Master.’ It sounds so unequal.”
“Lin Shu, just treat me as a normal partner. You don’t need to use that title. it sounds really awkward.”
“You mentioned a new skill just now. How do I use it?” Hati’s curiosity was piqued.
Lin Shu suddenly noticed a small, white glow on the fur of Hati’s tail, much like the glowing tail of a firefly.
“Hati, your tail.” Lin Shu pointed.
“Eh?” Hati hurriedly turned her head to look.
She pulled her tail around to the front and held it in her lap. “It’s actually glowing. Does that mean I use my tail to activate the skill?”
As she spoke, she tried flicking the tip of her tail. A large point of light instantly detached from the tip. The white light transformed into the soul of a transparent wolf, floating gracefully in mid-air.
“Whoa!” Hati’s eyes widened. “Is this a clone of me?”
Hati beckoned with her hand, and the wolf soul floated closer to her face. The white light radiating from its body reflected off Hati’s features.
“Not exactly. They should be able to follow your orders, right?”
“In that case, I’m the big boss, and they’re my underlings.” Hati accepted this setting instantly, her smile revealing her sharp canine teeth.
“Wait a second, Lin Shu. Let me see if it can actually do work.”
Hati stood up and walked to the edge of the roof, looking out over the surrounding woods. Her pupils narrowed into vertical slits, glowing green in the night.
Quickly, she locked onto a certain tree and pointed in that direction. “Go!”
The wolf soul floating in the air immediately took the command. With a *whoosh*, it charged in the direction Hati pointed, leaving only a faint trail of fluorescence behind.
It moved nimbly, weaving through branches and rushing to the top of the tree. It opened its mouth, and a crisp *crack* sounded as its sharp teeth snapped shut.
Hati leaped lightly into the air and steadily caught the object the wolf soul had bitten off the tree. She landed back beside Lin Shu and held out the item in her hand.
Lin Shu looked closely. “Fruit?”
Several round wild fruits lay in Hati’s palm, their skins smooth and the flesh plump.
“Mm-hmm. When I was out on missions in the wild, I used to eat this kind of fruit. It’s not very sour; it tastes pretty good.”
Hati sat down again, spreading her legs casually as she took a large bite of a fruit.
“Want to try?”
Lin Shu took one and, mimicking Hati, wiped the surface of the fruit with her clothes before taking a bite. The sweet, refreshing juice flooded her taste buds.
“Yes, it’s delicious,” Lin Shu agreed with a nod.
Hati leaned in closer, her white wolf ears folding back against her head.
“?” Lin Shu looked at her in confusion.
Hati pointed to the top of her own head. “Don’t you think that with my ears down, this spot feels empty? It looks like it’s perfectly sized for a hand.”
“Eh? Does the Demon Hunting Captain also need headpats as encouragement?”
“Let’s not talk about ranks outside of work. You’re Lin Shu, and I’m Hati. When a partner brings back delicious fruit, shouldn’t they get some encouragement?” Hati didn’t seem to care at all, leaning her head even further forward.
As she spoke, her eyes sparkled while looking at Lin Shu, and her tail wagged vigorously behind her.
‘Are all canines like this?’
Lin Shu hesitated for a moment before placing her hand on top of Hati’s head, gently rubbing it.
“Good job, Bruce.”
“Who’s Bruce?”
Hati’s expression froze. Her cheek puffed out in a pout, her eyes filled with dissatisfaction.
“Sorry, sorry! It just slipped out.” Lin Shu realized her mistake and immediately corrected herself. “Thank you, Hati.”
Upon hearing the thanks, Hati instantly grinned and turned her head back, fully satisfied.
Lin Shu stole a glance at her.
‘She really is just like that big yellow dog back in the countryside who seeks rewards after bringing back prey. Except Hati’s fur is white, and she’s actually incredibly powerful when she’s serious.’
Hati looked at the wolf soul floating in the air, poking it with her finger as she muttered to herself, “This little underling should be quite useful. I can probably use it for fighting and for chores, right?”
“Though, if the contract is dissolved, this skill will probably disappear since it came from you, Lin Shu.” She clapped her hands together, swallowing the last of the fruit.
Lin Shu asked jokingly, “Do you not want to dissolve the contract anymore?”
“Eh, having one more or one less skill doesn’t matter. They’re just external things.” Hati waved her hand dismissively, her eyes clear and her smile pure and bright.
“I think it’s quite nice being able to stay with you, Lin Shu. When we finally get to the Sacred Race territory, I’ll definitely take you to eat lots of truly delicious food.”