As the first light streak in the sky, Alastor and Caroline went to the guild house.

After taking the quest, they went to the wilderness. It describes that the Ozer bear appeared over the western forest and had been causing quite a ruckus to the people who’re living in cityside. The recent victims told him that the monster resides at the small mountain behind the elevated land.

They had to walk for few kilometers to reached their destination. Caroline was able to keep up despite the fact that they’ve been pummeling with hotness.

They finally reached a settlement of farmers. At the other side there was a wreckage displayed. It had seemed that the monster made another victim of its ravage.

The village leader greeted them and took them in on her hut. It wasn’t big but it is suitable enough for people to live.

“My, my. Forgive me, I wasn’t able to tidy up my house. I didn’t expect that someone is going to accept this village request.”

The first thing that Alastor noticed from the old woman are old scars that were hide in her seemingly cultural tattoos, but it didn’t stop in that, he saw several cuts in her neck and her collarbone.

Caroline shakes his head. “Don’t worry, there’s no need for you to treat us with such hospitality. We are thankful enough for you greeting us. We will make our way and promise to do our job.”

“Ah yes, yes.” The old lady enthusiastically nodded. “The Ozer bear appeared few weeks ago.” She then lifted her head to see Caroline and gaze for a while before continuing. “It was a quiet day just like the others. We make our daily living from rice products to animals’ exportation. All was well, but ever since there’s an incident that took over around that mountain, it affected our daily life as well.”

Alastor’s eyes darted around the corner and saw a painting hanging. It was a depiction of a happy woman with her partner who appeared to be grumpy.

“That’s when the first incident happens.” She whined and whimper but suppressed as she continued. “My husband along the other village men were cutting off some trees and chopping it was attacked by the Ozer bear. He sacrificed himself to protect the youngsters and fled back to the village.”

That’s when a single tear dripped to her cheeks and then followed by another.

“It’s foolish. He shouldn’t have fought that monster all by himself. He’s too dumb to act brave like that.”

Caroline felt a sting in her heart. She handed the old lady her handkerchief.

“Foolish or not, what your husband did is noble. You were lucky to have a husband like him. Few only had the courage to face their death and grit out what strength had left.”

Alastor walked out and began to analyze the topography of the land. He strolled outside and familiarized every corner and part of it. He didn’t include the forest at that since it is far too dangerous for him to go alone.

He came back to their given hut and mumbled himself. Caroline already prepared their breakfast. After they ate, Alastor shared what’s in his mind.

“Caroline, how many times you can use your healing and protective magic?”

“7 to 10 times.” She responded.

Alastor pondered again.

“Why? What’s on your mind?”

“I’m estimating.” Alastor responded. “It appeared that we’re going to face a mature version of Ozer bear.”

“So?”

“A mature Ozer bear can rival three people strengths.”

“I thought this is supposed to be a low rank quest?”

“Yes, it is. But this kind of quest was more appropriate to those who can use elemental magic. I’m a Mana Folder, remember? Just like you, I can only use healing magic and protective spell.”

“So, what now?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll think of something.”

It was 3 at afternoon at that time. Alastor and Kate prepared a trap, the most usual and the oldest of tricks. They offered a cow in the middle of the grass field.

Kate was hiding far away behind a log while Alastor was on top of a tree waiting for the Ozer bear to appear.

It wasn’t much long when the wind shuddered from east and birds was rattled by a huge roar. The ground trembled with every footstep the monster takes. Alastor was holding firmly to a branch of tree.

The Ozer bear is 12 feet tall while Alastor is just half of it. Its body is made most of portion is fats and wider in width. Its thick brown fur was effective to protect itself from the cold.

The monster instantly launched itself towards the cow and quickly killed it with its bear claws. It took joy from drinking the blood. It was a temporary joy when Alastor used his transcendent wall to crush the remaining body the cow.

The Ozer bear immediately turned its murderous attention to Alastor and roared.

Alastor dashed and waved his hand. Several walls floated and blocked some ways of the monster. He sprang to his floating wall and spun forward, cutting its broad shoulder.

He landed behind it.

Alastor groaned. “Damn. You’re tall.”

He sped off again. The monster spun with his claw. Alastor bend backward and slide but he was caught with its left leg.

Alastor crash to one of his walls and cough blood.

Caroline immediately rushed to his side and healed him. Alastor felt rejuvenated from her magic. Her magic was quite different than him, Alastor’s magic only does is to seal the wound, but the pain would still linger for somewhile but hers included easing the pain.

“Thanks.” Alastor said.

There came another rumble again. Ahead of them, the Ozer bear charge with its head first.

Caroline quickly manifested a protective magic. Alastor also helped her pouring mana and perform a coerced magic. The magic was perfect but the monster was relentless in charging and had them dragged back.

They gritted their teeth as they endured the bolt of pain.

“Carol, don’t lose your grip. You wanted to be strong, right? Now’s your chance.”

With last push, Caroline uses the last bit of her mana.

The Ozer bear finally stopped and stumbled back. Its head is flaring in red.

“Uh-oh.” Caroline muttered. “It’s pissed, ain’t it?”

The Ozer bear roared louder than before.

Alastor shakily nodded. “Yep, it is. Caroline, you need to get away for your safety.”

The monster began raised its fat elongated arm broke the shield.

They immediately sprinted away. The monster’s attention solely on Alastor and only his huge gait coming after him. The monster threw itself like a bullet.

Alastor felt something whizzed behind. He risked a glance and saw the monster. Alastor quickly leaped and evaded the enemy. His blade had found its way to graze the behind of the monster.

Once again, the monster thundered and furiously attack him. Alastor leap over his floating wall onto another to evaded the attack.

Caroline couldn’t bear to watch him struggle and she began to chant spell. A sphere of water accumulated in her palm and began to shoot the enemy. Her attacks were meaningless, she knew that, but she’s still not going to back down.

The monster was about to rush over her but a shield instantly fell down in front it and blocked its way.

Alastor spun around stabbing its back. The Ozer bear endured the pain and tried to reached him with its claws. With quick reflexes, Alastor slide and spun around stabbing one more time on its belly. The blood is quickly oozing out from its body as it felt its life is beginning to slip past through it, but a monster is a monster, its instincts won’t allow it to back down.

He immediately sprang when the monster was on his line of sight, but the gap is too near for the enemy to reach his position.

Something explodes behind it. It was Caroline’s basic water spell attack.

It was at that right moment Alastor’s waiting for.

He leaped with his sword raised and beaming in light.

The last thing that registered in the monster’s memory was its perception turns upside down and fell into blackness.