My Demon Pet System

Chapter 41 - Hunting

"It seems obvious to me that you feel closer to this place. After all, this is where you woke up," Enatsu reported, walking quietly. "Mm... so" he murmured, trying to orient himself from that exit.

"If Ambershire is that way, to the west, we just have to continue north to reach the heart of the forest. Right?" Yoichi asked. ??

"And how do you know that the lake is in the middle of the forest? You told me you didn't remember its location!" Enatsu hissed, turning to his friend.

"Well, usually lakes and springs are located where vegetation is denser. In places where there is no man. I just guessed it with a little logic, that's all," Yoichi explained.

"Uh, we have a natural sciences expert here... well, good to know" Enatsu joked, implicitly complimenting him. "If we walk north for an hour or maybe two... we should reach the wildest area. We just have to diverge from the main road, it shouldn't be very difficult," he continued, picking up the pace.

Yoichi and Kenji were right on his heels, walking down the tiled road. On it, dozens of caravans and people from the north of Tentochu made their way to Goldhaven.

"Tell me something else about these Inoshumas. What do I need to know to tame one of them with a Demon Tooth?" Yoichi asked, out of nowhere.

"Ah, right. You were right to tell me. First, you need to make sure that you prevent the specimen you want to catch from escaping. Most of them are coward and prefer to run away rather than fight," Enatsu explained. "Once you do that, you'll have to kill it and then go for its center of gravity."

"Okay... do we already know where it is? I mean... the point where I have to stick the Demon Tooth", the young tamer insisted, listening with interest.

"Fortunately for you, I know by heart the bestiary of the most common demons. So yes, I know where the center of gravity of the Inoshumas is. Right on its forehead, between its eyes," Enatsu replied, bragging about his knowledge.

"Got it. So I have to kill it and then plug the spine in the middle of its forehead. It doesn't seem particularly difficult, I can do it! Why don't you catch one too?" Yoichi joked. "We can go back to Goldhaven in half the time on horseback, right?"

After that question, Enatsu's expression became uncertain. For matters related to his family's past, he had never thought of using his tamer skills.

"I don't have any Demon Teeth. I can't," he answered.

"Stop saying gibberish. I'm going to give you one. Here, take this" Yoichi said, pulling out one of the Demon Teeth purchased at the Old Bazaar and handing it to his friend. A smile printed on the young tamer's face encouraged the merchant to take the object.

"Yoichi... I don't..."

"Hey, relax. I should be the scared one. I've never caught a demon and I don't know if I can do that, so I assure you you won't be judged or mocked by anyone. I promise!" he cheered, with one hand on his chest. "We'll learn together, my friend. We will become tamers of all respect, you'll see" he continued, confident of his words.

"If my father knew what I'm going to do..." Enatsu thought aloud, looking at the Demon Tooth in his hands. The thorn of the Crimson Lotus was so long and sharp that it looked like a dagger. Small purple veins were concentrated on its tip.

"Forget about your father, for a single instant. You're hundreds of miles away from home, acting as an independent man. One thing for sure is that your grandfather would be proud of you if you became a tamer," Yoichi repeated, knowing he had brought up a sore spot.

"Nah, you don't know my parents. They've always been very protective of me since I was a kid. For them, tamers are evil and unscrupulous people. Although both my father and I were born with our Oracles, I was always prevented from fighting", the merchant explained. His gaze rose towards Sora, who fluttered happily.

"Sora is still at level one of its first evolution, did you know?" he confessed, trusting his friend.

"What?! I mean, how is that fair?" Yoichi gasped, not believing those words. "Your demon pet deserves so much more! I don't know any more Waromu, but... I can tell you that Sora would be a very good fighter. I notice it from the way it tends to protect you and..."

"All right, Yoichi. You convinced me. I'm gonna try to tame an Inoshuma, but..." Enatsu affirmed, pausing his sentence. "If the taming process is not successful and Sora suffers serious injuries, I will never try again" he concluded.

"It sounds like a very good start. We have a deal," Yoichi answered, winking.

Time continued to flow inexorable and the midday sun lost altitude, descending gently towards the western horizon of the forest. Having skipped the meal the night before, the two adventurers began to feel a sudden hunger.

"We were crazy not to buy anything to eat! *growl*" Enatsu whined, touching his grumpy stomach. "At the Old Bazaar we could have bought all kinds of food, we had endless possibilities! It was because of your hurry, Yoichi!" he mumbled.

"Maybe you're right. However, you too could have worried about the food issue, don't you think?" he abruptly replied. On an empty stomach, the two friends' answers suddenly became scurvy.

"How about using Sora's skill? The sooner we find the lake, the sooner we can find something to eat," Yoichi suggested.

Without adding a word, continuing to puff like a locomotive, Enatsu stopped by a tree. He let his back slip on its hard bark, sitting on the ground. A slight breeze blew through his hair, moving the grass around them.

Activating his Waromu's ability, Enatsu's eyes turn yellow.

Yoichi couldn't help but be fascinated by that exotic parrot demon. Although it wasn't the first time he witnessed that show, he wondered what it felt like to fly, to move in the sky without limits and frontiers.

This enchanted forest is worth to be explored in its entirety, he thought. Who knows how many rare demons lurk among its plants or underground.

"I can see it!" Enatsu gulped, breaking Yoichi's daydream. "The lake is right there, in front of us."