Chapter 83

The feline eyes stared down at me intently. Fierce claws gripped the rock. The mouth, breathing heavily, revealed sharp fangs.

However, it was fluffy and had a cow print.

Just looking at its face was scary. Its size was also intimidating. It was definitely taller than me. Yet, its overall appearance was mismatched, leaving me at a loss for how to react.

The monster moved and quietly descended to our side. Kokushin moved to shield me from behind, but he didn’t draw his sword. There was a presence, but no hostility.

"Hey, this doesn’t look like a monster from around here, right?"

When I asked in a whisper, Kokushin nodded slightly.

"It’s a Grandlard Black Longtail Panther. I’ve heard of it, but this is the first time I’ve seen one."

Wait. Did you just cast a spell? The name has a lot of room for criticism, but it’s a panther, right? It’s fluffy, but I can’t see its lithe body.

"Black and white, though?"

"It’s probably a mutant. I’ve heard that some adventurers tame such creatures."

"Really? When did that happen? So that’s why it’s sitting so calmly?"

While we were whispering, the panther remained seated, staring at us. When our eyes met, it lifted its head as if in surprise. I saw a glint of metal around its neck.

"A tag?"

"Probably a guild card."

"Oh, I see. They put them on tamed monsters too."

Indeed, if you can’t tell at a glance that a monster is tamed, it might be killed. However, the tag on this one was buried in its fur, making it almost useless.

"Growl"

The panther, after making a sound, slowly got up and turned around. It took a few steps and then looked back at us.

"Is it telling us to follow?"

What should we do? I looked up at Kokushin. After a moment’s thought, he nodded and said, "Let’s go."

"I’m worried that the tamer isn’t nearby. They usually don’t stray too far."

"Hmm, you know a lot."

"When I was a guard, I had a tamer as a comrade. He tamed a bird monster. If it’s away from its contractor for too long, it can have issues. That’s why he didn’t like sending it on long-range reconnaissance."

"I see."

There are certain limitations.

"Growl"

Before we knew it, the panther had started climbing the steep mountain. It nimbly leaped from rock to rock. Kokushin and I exchanged glances and followed, clinging to the rocks like rock climbers. As we clung to the rocks, we heard a "squeak" from above. Looking up, we saw a mouse monster fall after its neck was slashed. The panther snorted, "hiss," as if clearing the way for us.

I was a bit regretful. I was the only one doing a lot of physical activity. What’s with this rugged terrain?

"Growl growl"

Finally, the panther stopped. It stuck its front paws into a gap between the rocks and looked at us, growling.

We approached cautiously and peered into the gap where its paws were inserted.

"Oh, it’s a person."

There, wedged in the gap, was a girl. She was probably a tamer, with a bob cut and likely still in her teens. She didn’t seem to have any major injuries, but she was unconscious.

Wait, I hope she’s not dead. If a tamer dies, what happens to the tamed monster? No, no, I shouldn’t be thinking such insensitive things.

While I was lost in thought, Kokushin was trying to get her attention, but there was no response.

"Ugh"

The panther sat beside us and growled softly. Yeah, I know, you’re worried. We’ll do something about it. However, even when Kokushin stretched out his hand, he couldn’t reach her. His body would get stuck halfway. I guess I have to go.

"What should we do?"

Since I’m smaller, I can probably reach her. Should we tie her with a rope and pull her up? No, that could be dangerous. Hmm.

"Oh, I know. Let’s use earth magic to lift her."

"Earth?"

Kokushin tilted his head, but it’s faster to show him. I slid down into the gap between the rocks and stopped in a position where I was straddling the girl.

"Sorry."

I gently placed my hand on her neck. She was warm and I could feel a pulse. Good, she’s alive. After confirming, I reached into the gap near her stomach, which was lying sideways.

"Earth, come forth!"

I don’t really need to say it, but it adds to the atmosphere.

Soft earth started to come out. The girl wasn’t lying flat on the ground but was stuck halfway. So I continued to fill the gap below her. Her body moved slightly.

"Keep going!"

The girl was being pushed up from below. I moved up while adding more earth, a rather advanced technique of putting earth into earth, but it worked without any issues. My magic power was fine, probably because I wasn’t forming a shape.

"Raito!"

Kokushin’s voice and a touch on my head. Just a bit more. After building up the earth, I lifted the girl’s upper body. I’m not thinking about how she smells good. I passed her to Kokushin and wiped the sweat from my forehead.

I climbed up and stuck my head out of the gap. The panther had grabbed the girl’s cloak and pulled her up. Thanks. But it was a bit scary. Please don’t lick me. Your tongue is rough!

"So, how is she?"

When I asked Kokushin, the panther seemed startled and returned to the girl’s side. It looked worried, nudging her hand with its nose. I wished I had that kindness earlier. I took a gulp of the basic healing potion I always carry. The pain in my cheek subsided.

"There don’t seem to be any major injuries, but she’s not regaining consciousness."

If she has a head injury, it’s serious. But we can’t stay here until she regains consciousness. We’ll have to let Kokushin carry her. As I was thinking this, the panther lay down and started to communicate with us.

"Are you saying we should put her on you?"

"Growl"

But, are you sure? You’re big enough, but will it be okay?

While I was hesitating, the panther started to wriggle under the girl, trying to get her on its back. She didn’t show any signs of waking up. I guess there’s no choice.

"Should we tie her down?"

"Growl"

The panther nudged my nose, then Kokushin’s, and then twisted its body to nudge its own back.

"Wait, can three of us ride?"

"Growl"

The panther didn’t nod but looked at us with a determined face. It’s a panther, after all. Its body is fluffy.

The girl in front, then Kokushin, and me in the back. Kokushin wanted me to be in front, but I’m scared. I always bury my face on roller coasters. I remember being asked, "What’s fun about that?" I like the feeling of floating.

The fluffy fur feels amazing. It’s softer than I thought, and when I straddle it, I sink into the fur a bit.

By the way, if the panther runs, will we fall? We’re just holding onto the fur. Panthers’ backs flex a lot when they run, and we’re going down a rocky mountain.

But the panther stood up and, as if to say, "It’s okay!" growled and leaped. We flew through the air, and I clung to Kokushin’s back, amazed.

This thing, it’s flying!?