Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 36: Into the Wilds

"That."

As we turned around to where I pointed, we saw that the blur wa a black jackal-like creature panting as it turned towards us and glared at us with red eyes. If I hadn't intervened and tackled Kazu in time, he might've gotten mauled by that monster. And from its expression, it seemed to be angry that it missed its prey as it walks closer to us. Even though my [Investigate] ability was turned off, I already knew what we were up against.

"A [Mad Jackal]... Never thought we have to face it again."

It was actually one of the first monsters we encountered in the <Tested Wilds> and one that had almost killed us in our first outing. Of all of the monsters in this forest, it had to be that crazy jackal that was first to greet us in our second outing.

"Looks like it. At least there's some good news with this. I do want revenge for what it did to my arm last time." I knew this is just my tough facade talking, but just seeing that jackal just gave me me goosebumps. Then again, I was also a bit angry at it for giving me such a traumatizing experience. I even had to try and forget that incident because that lingering pain that translated too well in my head when I went offline.

"I guess now's a good time to test out my new staff. So prepare yourself, [Mad Jackal]!" Kazu then pointed his staff towards the monster with a grin. "You're about to be in a world of hurt for what you did to us weeks ago!"

Before I could do anything, Kazu had already started on gathering magical energy from his staff as he began his incantation. "Spirit of Slyph, hear my call. Spin the wind that is all around. Push my foes with the gale of sound!"

As he chanted this, the wind began to grow bigger, at which I instinctively backed away to prevent myself from accidentally getting caught in the crossfire. At the same time, the jackal then pounced on my brother and tried to bite him. But...

"Take this! [Gale Force]!"

Taking out my sword, I plunged it into the ground, clutching the handle of it as Kazu's staff released a strong gust of wind enough to push the [Mad Jackal] away from him and it crashed into a tree behind it. Just seeing it with my own eyes makes me realize how dangerous this power was, yet I couldn't help but grin the sight. I had also learned that skill at Level 6, and I had used it once during our few fights with some monsters in the plains. And unlike Kaz, mine was a bit too wild. I guess his skill set helped him control it better than I did with my own [Gale Force].

"Hah! How do you like that? You're looking at the new and improved Kazu of the [Insignis]!"

My eyes widened at this, and not just because of his bragging. Did he just call himself "Kazu of the [Insignis]"? Just hearing that from him made me cringe a little. It reminded me a lot of of Zac's lame pickup lines from whenever he tried to flirt with a girl. Could Kaz have picked that up from him?

But before I could comment on it, I felt another shocking sensation in my head, a sign that my [Minor Danger Sense] detected another attack. Unfortunately, I noticed it too late this time, as another [Mad Jackal] pounced on my brother from another bush.

"Hey! Get off me, you lame excuse of a mutt!"

First that stupid quip, and now this? I seriously needed to question both my luck and my brother in the near future. For now, I quickly drew my bow and arrow and shot the latter jackal in the right temple area of its head.

[CRITICAL HIT!]

Good! Seeing that notice and the monster stop its attempt to maul my brother gave me enough time to pull my sword from the ground and swing it towards the beast's neck, decapitating its head completely. Thankfully, the corpse quickly disappeared before Kazu noticed what happened, saving me from the worries of him being traumatized. Guess the options I set in during our character customization really helped us a lot on preventing any R-rated events in this game.