Argo skinned the warthog, setting the hide aside to dry. He carved the meat into portions, roasting some over a fire and wrapping the rest in broad leaves for storage. Settling down with a drink of water, he glanced up to see a hunting party stalking through the brush, their eyes fixed on tracking beasts, oblivious to his presence.
Just then, he carved two big chunks off the animal and threw the pieces to his bonds. Aslan caught it in his mouth as Athena swooped down, grabbing it in using talons as she flew off to eat in peace. He smiled at this and waited for his food to cook while deciding to upgrade some of his attributes.
He allocated three Beast Points to each attribute, spending all fifteen points. The moment he confirmed his choice, a surge of transformation coursed through him. Argo clenched his teeth as his muscles tore and reformed, emerging stronger. His senses sharpened, vision and instincts honed to a razor's edge.
After that, he noticed the notification popped up, making him smile as it was clear the system was here to make him the strongest.
[HP: 2>5]
[STR: 16>19]
[STM: 6>9]
[CHA: 2>5]
[INT: 2>5]
[Beast Points: 15>0]
When Argo saw the upgrades, his blue eyes lit up, prompting him to pull up his status to see the changes.
[Name: Argo]
[Level: 2]
[Experience: 50/100]
[HP: 5]
[STR: 19]
[STM: 9]
[CHA: 5]
[INT: 5]
[BP: 0]
[Skills: Beast Master (0) - Beast Vision (0) - Hunter (1) - Crafting (0) - Beast Realm (0)]
'Good, I'll start working on the skills while traveling to the Southern Shores,' he mused.
Following that, Argo noticed the meat was done, and he pulled it off the fire, waiting for it to cool down. As he sat there, a roar echoed across the grasslands, prompting Aslan's head to snap up as Athena landed beside him, revealing. 'Looks like the Ghost of the Wild is still hunting down here.'
''How do you.. Wait, it doesn't matter,'' he replied. ''Can you go see if you can spot the beast?''
The Grey Owl shook her head. 'No, it's elusive and I don't want to fly close to the ground, it might grab me.'
Argo chuckled. ''At least you're honest,'' he said, ruffling her feathers. ''I wouldn't want to risk you just to see some creature I'll eventually meet.''
Afterward, he grabbed some meat and started eating as the sun finally rose, lighting up Arda, allowing him to see miles around. Herds of deer and River Beasts emerged from their homes, ready to graze. Ten minutes later, he turned to the Grey Owl as something had been stuck in his mind.
''Did my father die all those years ago?'' Argo asked.
Athena stiffened at those words but glanced at him with a sorrow-filled expression as she nodded. ''As far as I know, Argo. I saw him drop once the goddess whisked me away, but just know, Tarek was one of the greatest warriors; he died to give you a chance at life. Never forget that.''
''I don't,'' he muttered, glancing down. ''I remember his face, the look in his eyes. It's the curse of being reincarnated here. I was aware when coming into this world.''
Argo fell quiet as he finished waiting and stood up, shaking his head. ''Let's get moving, I need to make a whole new set of gear as mine are worn or broken.''
The beasts nodded, and Athena began flying across the sky while he and Aslan jumped down, landing with a thud as he continued walking south.
While doing that, he pulled out the dagger his mother gave him, which was almost broken, and his sling was on its last string, causing him to mutter. ''I'll just spend time down there, crafting everything I need before heading north.''
He pressed on with his journey, hunting beasts for food and resting along the roadside. Along the way, he encountered various Varna, including the Kratavi and a new group, the Duros Tribe. Unlike his own people, these fellow humans were far more welcoming and friendly.
After several days of trekking across the grasslands, Argo stood at the edge of the river that marked the boundary between the Southern Shores, its waters glinting under the golden light of the late afternoon sun. With a deep breath, he stepped forward, his boots sinking slightly into the soft, damp earth along the bank.
The river churned, its currents whispering tales of journeys and forgotten travelers. As he crossed, the cool water lapped against his legs, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of salt and wildflowers from the shores beyond. This crossing was more than a physical passage; it symbolized his departure from the familiar lands of his past into the Southern Shores.
Argo pressed forward, the river's gentle ripples fading behind him as he stepped onto the grasslands of the Southern Shores. The expanse stretched endlessly before him, a sea of emerald swaying in the wind, dotted with bursts of wildflowers in crimson, gold, and violet.
The air was alive with insects and the calls of unseen birds. Each step carried him deeper into this untamed land, where the horizon seemed to shimmer with promise and peril. The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the rolling plains, and his eyes scanned the terrain for signs of danger or shelter.
His pack pressed against his shoulders, but his resolve remained unshaken. He had heard tales of the Southern Shores, stories of roaming beasts, cannibals, and winds that carried whispers. Yet, the path ahead felt strangely welcoming, as if the land itself recognized his purpose.
As dusk painted the sky in shades of amber, the grasslands gave way to a massive forest. It stretched from mountain to mountain. The treeline was dense and unforgiving. A faint mist curled between the trunks, and the air grew cooler, tinged with the earthy scent of moss and damp wood.
Argo paused at the edge, his hand resting on the hilt of his worn-out dagger. The change from plains to forest felt like stepping into another world, one where the rules of the grasslands no longer applied. He could hear the faint rustle, the snap of a twig in the distance, and the low, rhythmic hum of something deeper, something alive.
With a deep breath, he stepped into the treeline, the canopy swallowing the last of the daylight. Just then, Athena swooped down, landing on his shoulder. She looked at him. 'Be careful in this place, the beasts love to ambush prey from the shadows.'
''I'll watch my back,'' he replied just as Aslan appeared from the Beast Realm, sticking close to keep other beasts away from him.
Argo smiled and stroked the American Lion, speaking. ''Maybe I need to get a creature specialized in ambushing? I know the Nightclaws roam the southern lands, and they are giant Leopards. This would be a good choice?''
Aslan nodded as Athena tilted her head. 'Do you want me to try to find one?'
''There's one known as the Nightclaw That Brings Death,'' Argo revealed. ''I remember a Kratavi trader telling me the tale last year. It's told the beast is bigger than its kin and ambushes Urvak, Ashen Ones, and traders, leaving only half-eaten bodies or none at all, causing chaos all across the south.''
'Maybe we should find this 'Nightclaw'? It may be a good third choice, especially when spending time in the south,' the Grey Owl replied.
Just then, he was about to respond, but a notification popped up, making his eyes widen in surprise.
[System Quest: Tame the Nightclaw - Reward: 10 Beast Points + Skill]
Argo was shocked but became happy at the thought of a new skill and wondered what it was. Following that, he continued traveling through the Forest as Athena scouted ahead while Aslan stayed close to him for protection. By the time the sun set, he stumbled into a riverbank that was secluded from the outside world.
He decided to stay here for the night as the Grey Owl landed nearby, revealing. 'I found the Nightclaw, it's a few miles south and cannot be missed.'
When Argo heard this, his eyebrow rose in curiosity, but he decided to wait to find out what she meant. He quickly set up a lean-to before pulling out a blanket made from a Hornbreaker's hide; it kept the cold air at bay. Aslan slumped down beside him, making sure to keep him warm during the night.
Athena landed on his shoulder, using her feathers to beat back the cold. By the time he grew tired, he let out a yawn and fell asleep minutes later. The beasts howled and roared throughout the forest; some tried to climb up, but thanks to the American Lions' presence, they fled into the darkness.
By the time Argo woke up the next morning, he felt refreshed. He stood up and stretched when he noticed the forest had grown silent; not even the birds were making a sound, putting his nerves on edge.