Liam stared at the Direwolf for a few moments. Then, he raised a brow and restated, “Happiness...”

“Correct.”

“How the hell am I supposed to give you such a thing?” Liam asked.

“It's a vague request. Easy to fulfill,” Scath answered.

“I doubt it, but fine. So I receive some of your strength in exchange for that?”

The Direwolf nodded.

“I guess I'll just have to figure it out as I go along...” Liam muttered, sighing.

“That's all any of us can ever do,” Scath replied.

Great... a philosophical animal companion. If I didn't know any better, I'd think I was losing my mind. Liam thought.

Before he could say anything else, a beam of light erupted from the pedestal, extending through the heavens. Just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished, leaving behind a glowing yellow thread floating above their hands. It pierced through both of their heads before dissipating.

“So, what now?” Liam asked, puzzled by the spectacle.

“We are done,” Scath said. “Until you reach a point that we can speak directly again, I would appreciate it if you found a way to help my kin.”

“Those other Direwolves outside?” Liam asked.

“Yes,” Scath replied, panting. “They are the last Direwolves in this land.”

Furrowing his brows, Liam said, “I heard there were a lot of wolf dens around here.”

“Normal wolves, yes. Direwolves, no. We get hunted on sight.”

“And you plan to come with me to town?” Liam asked.

Nodding, Scath answered, “It should pose no problems.”

Cutting off their conversation, the world twisted and spiraled into nothingness. The next moment, Liam opened his eyes to find himself still petting the beast's head.

You have successfully formed a contract with Great Direwolf Scath!

Contractor Class gained one level!

Stats adjusted.

Skill added.

“It seems you finished,” the mist woman said. “You wished to return home, yes?”

“I did,” Liam replied offhandedly. His attention focused on the soft fur of Scath's head. Although hesitant due to his lack of interaction with any type of dog in the past, he slid his fingers along the creature's skull. Its large, fluffy tail began to wag back and forth in response. Honestly, Liam wondered if Scath could even be considered a wolf.

“If you ever wish to return here,” the mist woman said, “Scath will be able to lead you here.”

“Alright,” Liam replied while deep in thought. “How am I supposed to bring a giant beast back into town?”

Scath raised his head and made eye contact. Liam could have sworn the beast smiled just now. To his surprise, the Direwolf's body began to tremble and morph. All Liam could do was stare, dumbfounded, until its body collapsed into its shadow. Blinking, he gawked as Scath completely merged their shadows together.

“I'm sure it will be good enough for you, yes?” The mist woman asked.

“Can't deny that...” Liam muttered.

Nonchalantly bidding farewell to the mist woman, Liam left the cave. Darkness had fallen over the land. Nora would just have to deal with his tardiness.

“Old geezer, you still awake?” Liam asked.

'For another minute or two, I think. I only woke up in that cave because the mana from that pool basically acted like smelling-salts.'

“I might go back at some point,” Liam said while ambling toward the pack of Direwolves.

'You should, as long as you don't try to use the roots to live forever or something.'

“I won't. Anyway, question.”

'Yes?'

“Earlier, someone saw the scars on my back. Was just wondering why they are still there when you tore my body apart before.”

'I put it back the way it was. If you want the scars to go away, get mana so you can use our species' abilities.'

“I have new abilities from it?”

'I've got to go to sleep now, but they might be on the skills screen or something. Honestly, I'm not sure how it works.'

“Alright, I'll look at it later,” Liam said. Somehow he knew Noctis returned to his hibernation in the middle of the sentence, though.

Noting to himself to check his skills later, he moved on to greet the pack of Direwolves. When he approached, they sat up almost in unison. They all looked at Liam’s shadow and bowed their heads slightly.

“So... you lot can understand me?” Liam asked.

All of them moved their heads up and down. Some of their personalities showed through just by the eagerness or lack thereof behind their nods.

“Scath wants me to help you somehow, though I'm not exactly sure how at the moment. Anyway, where's the one that attacked me earlier?”

Nine of the ten remaining Direwolves directed their gaze toward the one closest to Liam. It looked at the others and tilted its head. Now that Liam had the opportunity to observe their traits, he realized it was the only one completely covered in gray fur. It also looked the most emaciated out of the ten.

“So you're the bastard that tried to bite me...” Liam muttered while rubbing his chin. “Man, you look like shit now that I look at you.”

Again, the Direwolf tilted its head. Sighing, Liam decided that following up on the offense no longer felt worth it.

“Are you guys able to stay safe in here?”

All of them nodded again. Some of them lied down.

“Alright. I'll come back tomorrow and we'll go hunting.”

With that, Liam left the Direwolves behind and traipsed through the wall of fog. When he stepped through the other side, he looked back. Only a normal forest filled his vision.

So that's why that mist woman said Scath would lead me back... Liam thought.

* * * * *

As Liam passed through the city gate, the guards glanced at him warily but mostly ignored him.

Stepping into the shop, he headed for the back, but a man at the counter stopped him.

“What are you doing?” the man suspiciously inquired.

“You must be that husband the woman from earlier mentioned,” Liam muttered. “I bought the upstairs area.”

“Oh, so you're the one,” the man replied, visibly relaxing, “Your girlfriend went out looking for you.”

Pursing his lips, Liam assumed the man referred to Nora. She could probably handle herself, but wandering around as a wanted person could be bad. Ruing the fact he would need to search for her now, he asked, “Do you know where she went?”

“South, I think. Muttered about how you were hunting, though you seem to have failed in bringing anything back to feed her with. You might not have another mouth to feed in the future,” the man answered, chuckling.

Not comprehending the humor in the man's statement, Liam said, “I'll be back later. Sorry if we wake you after I find her.”

“Before you go...” the man muttered as he turned and rummaged through a messy drawer. Eventually, he seemed to have found what he was searching for and handed it to Liam. “Here, it's a key so you can get back in after we close. Just remember to lock it if you don't mind.”

Raising a brow, Liam asked, “You trust me with the key to your store?”

“No, but I know who to confront if anything disappears,” the man retorted.

“Fair enough...” Liam muttered. “Thanks.”

With that, Liam left in search of his annoying companion.