MA: 88. Beary Nice To Meet You

The immense time dilation of the Corrupted Zone meant that three months had passed in the real world. That was one hundred and fifty days that had passed in the blink of an eye.

It was impossible to tell what had happened to the villagers of Hearth, or what the world beyond the forest was like. All that they knew was that they were in the middle of the Last Solstice – a period of the year where the sun was furthest from Elysia.

That meant they were either in the middle of Spring or have entered the next year.

Snow filled Red in about how the world worked. How time moved, what the months of the year were, the seasons, and finally what the year currently was.

There were 10 days in a week.

5 weeks in a month.

10 months in a year.

Only spring had one month, which was called the Last Solstice.

“350 Post Advent. But I think we’re at 351 PA right now. Did I ever tell you why we call it ‘Post Advent’?”

“I think?” Red wanted to say yes, but then again, her mind was honed on their surroundings.

She was hunting for prey.

“Three hundred and fifty years ago the world saw the rise of the First Advent. People fought for control over it for decades before it suddenly disappeared.”

“It wasn’t the Nexus?” Red wondered.

“Nope. The Nexus came at around 200 PA. It’s the Second Advent. Our glorious pillar reaching to Gods know where.”

Faint rays of the Nexus shone through the overhanging canopies above. It reflected the light of the sun onto the world, shining a path forward. The sound of rushing water soon surrounded them. It came from ahead.

They followed the sound, and they were taken to the shores of a shallow river.

“Woooow~! So much water! And it’s crystal clear too!”

Red scooped a bunch into cupped hands. Rockie and Three Paw went to lap at its waters. To Red, this meant that it was safe to drink.

However–

“Red, we have to purify it first. What’s upstream will be carried downstream. Bears like to use these rivers a lot for their business, especially higher up the stream.”

–Snow patiently warned her, only for Red to tilt her head.

“Business? Like bears in suits and ties?”

“No. Excuse my language, but they use it to shi–!?”

ROOOOOAR

A loud, deafening roar interrupted Snow. Fresh fish leaped into the air, only to be impaled by the long claws of a towering beast.

“I-Is that a bear!?” Red exclaimed, staggering backwards in what appeared to be fear in the eyes of the brown-furred bear.

It’s a Harpoon Bear.” Snow gulped, but she didn’t display any fear.

Nor did Three Paw or Rockie, who continued slurping up the river water.

The bear stood over three meters tall and boasted muscular arms with claws as long as a meter. The middle claw stretched up to two meters more than the others, making it a suitable hunting weapon for fish, and, incidentally, humans alike.

It was because of this that the bear did not move on all fours and instead opted for a bipedal design. A pair of crimson orbs gazed back at them with immense bloodlust.

“ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

It howled again, causing fish to jump from the water again. A rainbow formed as Red marved at the arcs the fishes made, her mouth agape with awe.

One landed in Red’s arms, causing her eyes to sparkle with delight.

“It’s a human-helping animal, right Snow!? He gave me a new pet!” Red exclaimed, skipping towards the monster with a raised hand. “Mister bear~! Are you here to help us–!?”

“Wait, Red! Harpoon Bears are highly territorial–!”

Swipe

The fish that was held in her hand was stolen by the bear.

It feasted on it, whilst maintaining eye contact with Red, hoping that it would strike fear into her heart.

However…

“… So you’re not a friend…”

Her innocent demeanor disappeared. A deep, smoldering hatred burned in her eyes as she grabbed the blade from her hip.

“You’re an enemy!”

Likewise, the bear’s expression gradually shifted. Its hate-filled eyes suddenly widened upon realizing just who it had angered.

“R-Roar…” The bear was barely able to pronounce a whimper.

Harpoon Bear

LEVEL : 40     ORIGIN : Animalia     HP : 950     ATT : 320     MAG ATT : 0     AGI : 25

Its stats were pitiful, much like the bear.

It turned on its legs, attempting to flee, but Red kicked a rock from the shorelines, striking the bear at the back of the head.

[Debilitate]. This was a new Skill under the Huntress Profession. It allowed her to debilitate an enemy either close or from a distance so long as she was using a weapon.

Rocks, when kicked hard enough, passed as a primitive bullet.

The bear collapsed on its face, allowing Red to approach it casually as she whetted her blade against her nails.

“I thought wolves are the only animals dumb enough to bear their fangs at humans. Spiked Boars too! But now bears!? Heh. Of course you would. It’s in your name!”

Then, with a boot planted on its back, she spoke:

“Snow. Grab some wood. Meat’s back on the menu!”

“Wait, Red! Listen to me! We don’t have to kill it!” Snow called out, rushing to the bear’s side.

“HUH!?”

“You’re just afraid, aren’t you?” Snow cooed, patting the bear’s head.

Red couldn’t believe her eyes.

“You’re siding with an enemy?”

“Harpoon Bears are friendly. Poor thing was startled when he found people in his territory.”

“Then he would’ve eaten us!”

“Clearly not. He could’ve stabbed you, but he took the fish instead, didn’t he!?”

“Now that you mention it… Huh. A bear that doesn’t fight?”

“Haaaaah. Red. Villages around here rely on these bears for fish. In exchange for crops, they’ll happily bring back fish.”

“Weird. So I can’t eat him?”

The bear trembled upon hearing those words, causing Snow to flick Red’s shin.

“Yowch!”

“Harpoon Bears are herbivores. They’re quite smart too. Let’s not ruin the balance of the forest. Plus, he’s not good to eat.”

“Not even for stats? Aww.”

“Not even for stats. Period.”

Red didn’t know the language of mercy that Snow fluently spoke, so it was strange for her to leave a perfectly good kill alone. But she couldn’t argue with Snow who seemed to know what she was talking about.

All she could do was nod her head and obey.

“Alright bear. Get us some fish! Or we’ll gut you like one!”

“… Haaah. Let’s not extort the wildlife and give them a reason to hate humans.” Snow sighed but couldn’t help but laugh at Red’s antics. “Mister bear. I’ll heal you right up. Red. Would you mind gathering some fruits for him?”

Red was about to argue, but the face Snow made caused her to keep her mouth sealed.

“Fine… Three Paw! Sick this bear if it tries anything funny!”

“Bwa!” Three Paw enthusiastically barked before standing on the back of the bear, as if to show it who was boss.

“Don’t do that Three Paw. I hate that Red’s starting to rub on you.”

“Bwa~!”

“Well, I guess you were always cheeky.” Snow smiled.