This elder of mine is really absent minded today. It takes a while before he hands some meat over. I guess he is still worried about the wolf pack. Good thing the little guy is patient.

But seriously I wonder who the owner is? Why would he leave this poor creature all alone here?

A wolf is kinda wild. You'd expect it to be able to hunt for food itself.

But there are 2 issues:

- This one is obviously extremely weak! Not even 3 m long so not even a rank 2.

- We are currently in the savage archaic forest. A disaster zone teeming with monsters.

Now either this wolf is friendly with the other ones outside or there is some food somewhere stashed in the house. Only reasons I can see for its survival since it doesn't seem that hungry.

Also, this wolf is white. There is only one possibility.

THIS WOLF IS A SHINY!

That much is obvious when gazing at the cute, fluffy and soft animal.

What does that mean?! He's a living rare collectible. That would explain that a super expert would make it his pet.

But I truly wonder who lives here. Either someone insanely strong or someone that has a way to get out of the forest using a secret passageway.

I guess it would also be possible for as self-reliant hermit …but where would such a person be right now?

[Hey little guy! Do you have any idea where your owner is?]

He seems confused. Well that's normal. What about my friend? Still absent minded. Guess I won't use him to brainstorm.

[It's fine. We'll wait for him together! Alright do you want to play fetch?]

Haha. He's frowning. Is that wolf from a Disney movie?! How can he be so human-like?

[Don't worry about it. I'll teach you. You see this bright red ball? I'll throw it and then you'll try and go catch it as fast as possible!]

"...."

[Catch! *Throw*]

"..."

"S-sectmaster. Perhaps this game is not to his liking."

Guess I'll just pick it up for now. I wonder what the issue is? Oh, I think I know!

[Hum. I guess it can seem weird at first glance. But it's really fun. Hum how about giving an example?]

"…."

"…."

[Alright. Let's do a few rounds just the two of us! We'll let the little guy watch how it's done.]

"…."

"Sectmaster…you want me to play fetch with you?"

[Who else is there? I can't really do a proper example alone.]

"…."

"A-alright."

[Fetch! *Throw*]

Alright! He's properly going after the ball. Now what about the wolf? He's watching intently.

"Here you go sectmaster, the ball!"

[Perfect! Good job!]

Why do I feel like he's disdainful now? Well no matter he'll get it after a few times.

[Fetch! *Throw*]

"Again?!"

[Of course! We'll go at it until we succeed!]

"-_-"

****

A few hours later. The elder is panting lying on the ground. At the beginning he was reluctant to keep playing fetch. Then I told him to value this as a training opportunity. Honestly, his top speed is really impressive. He is definitely a worthy warrior! What about the wolf? He's…. amused….and sneering.

Well, this plan of mine successfully failed grandly. On one hand I only managed to make the bipedal one retrieve the ball. On the other hand, the wolf seems closer to us than before. Before when I was petting it, I could see some wariness in its eyes, but now it's gone.

I swear this fellow looks the more humane in our party of 3. If just looking at his expressions haha.

Well whatever. Time for a break.

So, it is time for the hot spring!

ONSEN TIME MOTHERFUCKER!

Or it's what I'd like to say. Turns out it ain't so easy.

1- Generating enough water and digging a hole is a bothersome endeavor.

2- Using the current little pond as a base is a great idea…. until you realize that would probably kill all the fish inside that are obviously not used to high temperatures.

3- That would be a total waste of mana for heating said water. Remember we are in a deadly disaster zone. I'm pretty sure this is a peace zone. Don't ask me why. Either way if anything unexpected happens it's better to have mana available.

4- I am not some overpowered light novel character that can shit magic from his ass. Oh, you want a hot spring? Let me just dig a lake with an earthquake and fill it with enough water to inundate an entire kingdom. Then let me summon some hellfire to increase the temperature gently. Because everyone knows hellfire is the best for that. Then let me just use creation magic to turn stones on the ground into a magnificent bath house because this obviously makes perfect sense. How am I suddenly a certified architect? That's because I was a normal Japanese student in a previous life. Everyone knows it is compulsory education to learn how to make buildings, gunpowder and atomic bombs. Duh.

5- There is no potential harem candidate even present so why the fuck would I spend so much effort. That was a joke haha I already have Luna.

So, because of these reasons I take a short cold bath in the nearby spring. Then it's time to eat dinner. Then begins the exploration!

There is no way the domicile of a super expert carries no opportunities!

There is obviously a secret inheritance meant for a fated one!

There is obviously a basement with all kinds of treasures!

There is obviously some kind of magic item to control the surrounding beast kings and become invincible!

Worst case there is obviously some kind of naïve pretty rank 5 lady I can swindle to get her protection!

Or not ….

I've been searching this dilapidated house for days now! How the fuck is it so broken?! There is no sign of any potential owner coming back. What the fuck is this luck.

*Sigh*

This place doesn't even make sense. What's the point of it even existing? The barrier is the most valuable thing here. I guess the shiny wolf?

Only issue is even when this wolf is unguarded against us …why is it so uncooperative?

[Fetch! *Throw*]

"Here you go sectmaster!"

Or so he says. Smiling.

I meant for the wolf to go fetch.

What's with this situation?

Ah whatever.

THIS IS BULLSHIT.