"Ooii, Tara. When are you going to wake up?" Oliver fanned her as she lay unconscious on the floor. It had already been 15 minutes since she fainted. He did not want his mother to return and see her like this.
"Kid, did you think this through before telling her about ? It is not wise for too many people to learn about our abilities," Husk said, now sniffing the food on the table.
"I think this is for the best. Tara has been helping my father prepare for dungeon trips. She is also a tar and knows a lot about dungeons."
"Huh?! So you actually did not fully believe about all the information regarding the dungeons?!" Husk suddenly said.
"No! It is not like that. I just need her help with preparing for dungeon hunting."
"My parents told they found Tara lying in Crimsonmoon Forest,badly wounded, about one year after I was born. She said she had escaped from her village, which was attacked by monsters during a Dungeon Break. Since then, my parents have taken care of her. She offered herself to beco a servant to repay her debt. Even though she is a servant, she is still like family, and like a sister to . I am sure she will be a great asset for us." Oliver smiled as he looked at Tara.
"If you have already decided, then I have no objections."
"Erghh..." Tara slowly began to wake up.
"Are you alright, Tara? Sorry for shocking you. I did not an to do that."
"It is okay... ack!" She suddenly hugged Oliver as Husk stepped closer.
"Do not worry, he is my monster. His na is Velkryss, but I just call him Husk."
"Hey! Do not teach others to call by that na." Husk sounded irritated. A proud, ancient being reduced to such a common nickna clearly did not sit well with him.
"When did you ta him, Oliver? And how did you even ta a monster? I thought the ritual was a failure." Tara had countless questions racing through her mind.
"It all started that night..." Oliver then told Tara everything that had happened, from taming Husk, defeating the illegal hunters, to clearing the dungeons. Of course, he left out the details about the Overlord Tar System.
"So you are telling Husk is actually a boss monster? I have never heard of this! Isn’t it great? We can tell your parents, and they will surely be happy." Tara said as she gently petted Husk, who surprisingly seed to enjoy it.
"No. I do not want to tell them. Not yet. If I tell them that I have been clearing dungeons on my own, they will imdiately stop , especially my mom. That will prevent from getting stronger. Right now, my plan is to clear all the dungeons in this region and try to ta more bosses that can help ," Oliver said with a serious expression.
Tara looked at him. She had always seen Oliver as her younger brother. But sothing lingered in her mind. Sotis, Oliver acted like a spoiled child, yet at other tis, he carried himself like an adult. It was sothing she could not quite understand.
But as his older sister, she knew what she had to do if he needed her help.
"So you told all this because you want to help you on your journey? Sorry, Oliver, but I cannot help you..." Tara said with a stern expression.
Oliver was surprised, then frustrated.
"I see... then I cannot force you," Oliver said slowly.
"...unless you promise that you will always take care of your safety and not do anything beyond what you are capable of. And Husk, please look after Oliver and protect him from doing sothing reckless." Tara smiled.
"Tara..." Oliver’s face lit up, and he hugged her. His height only reached her abdon.
"You do not need to tell . It is my job to keep him from dying," Husk said calmly.
The reason Tara agreed to help him clear dungeons despite him being only ten years old ca down to two things.
First, Oliver’s determination. He had already cleared two dungeons, which ant he had so experience, and it was clear he was serious about raiding all the dungeons and becoming stronger.
Second, the presence of Husk. There was nothing more reassuring than having a boss monster protecting you inside a dungeon. Plus, Husk looked powerful and reliable.
It seed the two of them were truly ant to work together.
"So which dungeon do you want to clear next, and when are you going? I need to know so I can prepare beforehand."
"I am planning to take on the Arachnid Nest Dungeon next. Is there anything I need to bring?" Oliver asked.
"Hmm, Arachnid Nest is a Rank 3 dungeon. Even for the two of you, it will be very difficult to clear on your own because of the large number of monsters. And each of them has poison attacks. Just give one day to prepare," Tara said.
"Thank you, Tara! I really appreciate it."
---
Irmine was at the bazaar in the center of town. There were a moderate number of people, all busy buying their goods. In her hands was a basket filled with fruits and vegetables.
But sothing felt off today. Many people were looking at her strangely, keeping their distance. So even whispered to each other while glancing her way.
It made her feel uneasy.
She headed to the last place she needed to visit, the at stall.
"Nesta, please give one kilogram of at," Irmine said.
"Sure, wait a second." Nesta began cutting the at.
"Nesta, may I ask you sothing? Why is everyone looking at differently today? Did sothing happen?" Irmine asked. Nesta was one of her closest friends, among the first she had made in this town.
Nesta looked at her, then paused and sighed.
"There is talk among the townspeople... about a boy who failed the monster taming ritual. They are saying it is your son... Oliver," Nesta said quietly.
Irmine imdiately covered her mouth in shock.
"How... how did they know?" she whispered.
Without another word, she hurried off toward ho, ignoring all the eyes on her.
"Hey, Irmine! Your at!" Nesta called out, feeling a twinge of guilt as she watched her leave.
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