Step.
Step.
Ash walked down the middle of the grand canyon, with Aisha right beside him, carrying the bag loaded with their goods.
As they walked, Ash had his eyes fixed on the system in front of him.
The slight, imperceptible glow reflected in his eyes, despite no one else being able to see the glowing screen.
[Name: Aisha]
[Class: Warrior, Job: Fighter]
[Level: 25]
[Skill(s):]
[Talent Skill]
[Survival Instinct Lvl 19]
[Cleave Lvl 10]
[Weapon Mastery Lvl 23]
[Artifact Skill: Speed Boost (Maxed)]
'Her stats look good and all, but it's not as impressive as I expected it to be by now,' he thought to himself, Aisha's footsteps echoing right beside him in the quiet canyon. 'Since she has been fighting monsters by herself, I expected her skill levels to have been maxed by now. Should I intervene and manually update her stats with my points?'
The thought stuck in his mind for a while as he contemplated what he should do. When they finally get to Othwood, the first thing he wants to do is find the bastards that killed Aisha's parents and make them pay for their crimes.
That said, she has to be the one to take revenge with her own hands, or it would all be for nothing. It would be an even bigger risk if she is too weak to complete the task, even after the road has been paved for her.
"She needs to get stronger," Ash blurted out loud.
Then, suddenly, a new message appeared.
[Using your points as a direct means to upgrade your slaves is highly recommended.]
Ash suddenly stopped, which caused Aisha to do the same.
But rather than looking at him, she found herself staring at the far distance behind him, her expression thoughtful.
Meanwhile, Ash had his full focus on the system.
'I remember you said the same thing when you first arrived as well. But you never told me how the points can be used to level them up.'
[Correct.]
[Would you like me to elaborate?]
"Yes."
[Request confirmed.]
[Slave enhancement can be made with points by purchasing the 'Slave Bond Seal.' Upon using the seal, a slave can accept a full boost in power and growth every time the seal is activated.]
'So it's not a permanent thing?'
[Correct. It can only be activated when the seal is active. Depending on how strong the master is, the slave will be equal in strength, if not stronger. The seal is located on different body parts, but most often on the neck or the lower stomach.]
After hearing this, Ash turned and looked at Aisha. "Come here."
That was all he said before he gently drew her close and raised her chin with one hand, placing his other hand on the side of her neck, slowly rubbing the skin.
"M-master! What are you doing?" Aisha's face turned beet red as her mouth hung open, unable to resist her master's touch even if she wanted to.
Seeing that there was nothing on her neck, Ash pulled away slightly and asked, "Have you noticed any weird markings on your body since you've been contracted to me?"
"Markings? I don't understand what you mean, master."
'How am I supposed to describe it when I haven't even seen it myself?' Ash thought, frustrated.
He was about to pull away completely, his hand slowly leaving her neck.
But before he could let go, Aisha grabbed his hand back, refusing to let him go.
She then glanced to the side with a deeply embarrassed look on her face.
"I remember now… I do have one, but… it's in… well..." She squeezed her eyes shut. "It's close to my wee-wee spot!"
"Wee-wee spot?" Ash raised a single brow.
Aisha's face turned an even deeper shade of red as she gasped a bit, before quickly moving her face to the other side in humiliation.
Then, she pointed tentatively at her lower stomach and spoke.
"It's here… this side, right here…"
Ash looked at where she was pointing. "You called your lower stomach your 'wee-wee spot'?"
Feeling even more embarrassed that he had asked, she used both her hands to cover her face, her voice murmuring from underneath her palms.
"Please don't say it out loud like that! I want the ground to swallow me whole if you do."
Ash sighed. "It's not really a big deal anyway. If you say that is where you found the sigil, then it's a good sign. It means there is a chance to make you stronger than you already are."
"Stronger?" Aisha peeked through her fingers, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Yes. Though I don't know exactly how it works, I am sure we can figure it out along the way." Ash looked up at the sky. "For now, we should set up camp here. It's getting dark."
Aisha turned to check as well, and she could also see the sun gradually setting, painting the canyon walls in hues of orange and purple.
As an adventurer, she knew how active monsters would get once the sun went down.
"Hai! Please allow me to set up our tent!" Aisha leaned forward, her hands clasped on her chest, her eyes sparkling with pure adoration.
"Do you even know how to—"
"Yes, I do! I read about it in a book before we left. Please let me do it, master," Aisha pulled closer, practically begging.
Unable to argue with her enthusiasm, Ash agreed and watched as she leaped happily away with the bag in her hands to find a good spot.
Sigh.
'I really don't get that girl.'
Standing still, he glanced back to the side, a bit further toward the entrance of the grand canyon.
'Speaking of which… don't tell me these people are following us now.' He glared at the shadows.
From where he stood, he could clearly see Echidna and Kelvin hiding poorly behind a large rock.
The only reason he was able to spot them so easily was because he could see a lock of Echidna's bright blonde hair on the ground, sticking out from their cover.
Actually, ever since they had entered the grand canyon, Ash had noticed that the pair were following him, but he had ignored it and simply assumed they were just going in the same direction.
But now… he realized he might have been wrong.
Behind the rock, Kelvin gritted his teeth, his fist clenched in remembered anger.
"Why are we doing this? I find this very upsetting. Is there a real reason why you're so adamant about following that idiot?" he demanded in a harsh whisper.
"Shhuush!" Echidna hushed him urgently. "Do you want him to know we are here? Keep your voice down!"
"Why are we keeping our voice down?" Ash suddenly appeared directly in front of them, his arms folded and his eyes glaring down at the pair.