It’s been three days since Ryner started living at Suky’s house. The animals had gotten more or less used to him since he did nothing but laze around next to Da, the old tiger. He wasn’t causing trouble and their impression of him as a dangerous wolf started changing to a powerful wolf. As such, so long as they didn’t become his enemy, they knew they would be fine.

“Oi, Ryner! We’re going out today.” [Suky]

Suky showed up in the living room where Ryner always stayed at with a red scarf in her hand.

“Wooof? Woof woof woof? (Huuh? Why do I have to?)” [Ryner]

The lazy wolf raised his head from his sprawled position and asked the beastman taking care of him. However, since she couldn’t understand him, she simply crouched down and put the scarf around his neck.

“Stop moving. You’ll need this. It’ll let people know that you’re one of my pets, so they won’t run away or attack you. Look, it has my name written on it.” [Suky]

“Woof? Woof woof woof woof woof? (Seriously? People will leave me alone so long as I have this?)” [Ryner]

It would appear that she was pretty well-known in the city. Then again, she was an eccentric woman that bought a huge house to shelter a large number of pets. That and the word probably spread thanks to her boyfriends who broke up with her.

“Come on. You need to do some exercise to stay in shape. If you’re the man my friend chose, then you should be fit, be strong and have a nice body.” [Suky]

Once the scarf was secured around his neck, she got up and left while gesturing for him to follow her.

“IF you don’t come, I won’t feed you anymore.” [Suky]

She tacked on a threat at the end.

“Uwaah, I actually became someone’s pet.” [Ryner]

“Our Missy is nice though.” [Da]

“Says the guy who kept watching me getting hit all the time.” [Ryner]

The old tiger only laughed as Ryner reluctantly got up.

“Ah, whatever. I should check out the state of the city while I’m at it.” [Ryner]

“Ryner? Are you going somewhere?” [Mi]

Just as he was about to start walking after Suky, Mi showed up while rolling a red ball with her nose. Having grown greatly attached to him, the red and white puppy had been spending her time with him. She was another reason why the animals weren’t wary of him since she always happily frolicked with him. Though, in his case, he just lazily watched her as she jumped around him.

“I’ll be going outside for a while.” [Ryner]

“I wanna go too!” [Mi]

She stood on her hind legs and put her front legs on his left front leg to support herself.

“No. Stay here.” [Ryner]

“Ehhhh~? But, I wanna go with you!” [Mi]

She begged as she looked up at him.

“No.” [Ryner]

“I wanna go! I wanna go! I wanna go!” [Mi]

Mi started throwing a tantrum because she couldn’t stay with him.

“If you behave, then we’ll play together after I return.” [Ryner]

“Really?! Then, I’ll be good!” [Mi]

Her sad expression instantly became cheerful and she was energetically wagging her tail.

“(Kids are so easy.)” [Ryner]

That was what Ryner thought as he went after Suky.

Walking next to the reddish brown-haired woman, the wolf stared at his surroundings. The streets were painted a vivid green because of the rows of trees and grass planted on both sides of the roads. Beastmen made their way through the crowd to go about their business. Some were shopping with grocery bags in their hands while others were going on less-friendly errands with weapons hung on their waist.

Those who looked more like animals were lightly dressed since their fur already served as a natural coat. There was a man that had the head of a bear and was walking bare-chested, showing his torso that was covered in brown fur.

“(Oh, these guys look like werewolves.)” [Ryner]

Ryner thought carefreely as he watched a group of four dog-headed men who were armed and wore light armor.

“Wanna go to the ruin today? It could be our chance to get beastification.” [Wolf beastman]

“No way. We’ll get killed before we even reach it.” [Wolf beastman]

“You’re too eager.” [Wolf beastman]

“Idiot.” [Wolf beastman]

“The ruin in Ofauvra is the only one in the world to have a relic. It’s like it was put there exclusively for us beastmen! We should go in, get beastification and find some Artifacts!” [Wolf beastman]

“Always the same conversation with you. We’ll die by some Seeker’s claw before we reach the second floor.” [Wolf beastman]

“And the upper floors have been sweep clean. If you want to find an Artifact, you’ll need to go to the deeper floors that no one has gone before.” [Wolf beastman]

“We’ll need an expedition team, supplies and some S RANK ADVENTURERS…! Just to stay alive.” [Wolf beastman]

“Give it up. It’s just not for us who have low mana pools and are broke.” [Wolf beastman]

Ignoring the four noisy friends that were entering a tavern, Ryner turned his eyes to Suky who was walking next to him. Since she had enough decency to not walk around in her underwear, she was wearing what looked like black spats and a black tank top. There was also a brown belt with a rectangular pouch on her waist. The young woman was lightly dressed, but it appeared to be normal in the city.

As they walked through the streets, people would turn their heads and stare at him. There was either fear or surprise in their eyes, but once they saw Suky and the scarf with her name woven on it, they seemed to accept his presence.

“It’s a wolf!” [Beastman]

“Looks like that’s Suky’s new pet.” [Beastman]

“She did tame a tiger before.” [Beastman]

“As expected of her.” [Beastman]

Such comments could be heard from the men and women passing by them. Suky looked like she was used to it and just ignored the commotion, though she did greet some acquaintances that she met by chance. She really was well-known in the city. Then again, it might be because of how she kept adopting pets to drown her sorrows over the lack of a man in her life.

“Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. We’ll be doing a quest today.” [Suky]

While looking forward, she began talking to the wolf next to her.

“I’m an adventurer. That’s how I put food on the table. Since you’re not really one of my pets and you’re freeloading off me, you should help me out.” [Suky]

She looked at him and grinned mischievously like a cat. On the other hand, Ryner blankly stared back with his sleepy-looking eyes. That seemed to have caused her grin to widen.

“Well, I’m only E rank, so we won’t be doing anything dangerous like a subjugation mission. The guild forbids me to until I rank up. The quest is something that I’ve been doing for years, enough that the client became my regular customer and I get a good deal out of it. We’ll be meeting him since he’ll provide us with a cart.” [Suky]

After a while, the two of them reached the gate from where people were entering and exiting the city. On the side of the road, away from the traffic, was a wooden cart pulled by a black horse. In front of it was a middle-aged man that had a pot-belly and green hair. On top of his head were cat ears and his tail could be seen from behind his legs. He was smiling jovially when he saw Suky.

“Suky! How’s it been?” [Client]

“Not bad, Borin. Sorry I’m a bit late. I had to drag my helper with me.” [Suky]

After raising her hand to return his greeting, she pointed next to her with her thumb. The cat-eared man saw the black and white wolf that had a red scarf around its neck and nodded in understanding.

“Is that your new pet? You never get tired of adopting them.” [Borin]

“This is different. I’m just taking care of him for a while to help out a friend.” [Suky]

“Really now? Taking care of a wolf for your friend? What a weird favor she asked you.” [Borin]

“Whatever. Let’s get down to business already.” [Suky]

She punched him on the shoulder and went towards the cart.

“Ahhh, that hurts… Yes, yes, like I requested from the adventurer guild, it’s the same as usual. I’ll give you the bonus too. You’ll probably need it even more since you have one more mouth to feed.” [Borin]

Teary-eyed, Borin rubbed his shoulder as he confirmed with her that the specifics of his request didn’t change. He would pay her the amount of money that he promised and he would give her some cuts of meat. This was a formality that they went through as the client and the adventurer that accepted his quest. He handed her a pouch filled with money which was the payment for the meat. Her own payment would come after she completed her job.

“Great. I want the best cuts of rock beef, Borin.” [Suky]

Suky said as she patted the horse on its neck.

“Hahaha, you drive a hard bargain. You know you could do quests that pay more like collecting magic stones from mana beasts or subjugating monsters. Then, you could buy it off me at my store.” [Borin]

“You know I’m only E rank since I keep refusing the rank up test, so I’m not allowed. And, I don’t specialize in fights. You’ll get me killed.” [Suky]

“In that case, go to the ruin and get beastification from the relic. Who knows? You might even find an Artifact.” [Borin]

“I’ll need to go through three floors to reach the relic and each one is a huge, dark maze infested with monsters that can slit my throat from behind, shoot me with spikes or smash my skull to pieces. And if I want to find an Artifact, I’ll need to go even further inside the ruin, so no thanks.” [Suky]

“If you find an Artifact, you’ll instantly get fame, wealth and power. With a rare, magical weapon in your hands, you can take on tougher quests and quickly rank up. If you’ve had enough of the adventurer life, you can sell it for a fortune, or you can aim for a nobility title. I’m sure there’ll be some nice, young men who’ll want to marry you.” [Borin]

“Are you saying I’m late for marriage?” [Suky]

“Hahaha! Your glare’s as scary as ever!” [Borin]

Suky’s eyes turned hostile and she spoke in an angry voice, but Borin tapped his round belly and laughed instead of being afraid. While Ryner was watching them converse with each other, four wagons stopped in front of the gate. A couple of white sheets covered a squared-shaped cargo like curtains, but there was a small gap that allowed him to see inside.

“Oh?” [Suky]

When Suky noticed what Ryner was staring at, she also directed her line of sight towards it.

“A shipment of slaves.” [Suky]

She said out loud and Borin also looked at the wagons.

“Yeah, probably criminals or people in debt… Or some unfortunate ones that were caught by slave traders. They’ll be doing manual labor or working as servants for some rich folks like the nobles.” [Borin]

The cat-eared man commented as the slave merchant was showing some documents to the guard which gave him permission to enter the city and sell his “products”.

“I’d like to have a cute girl as my slave and help out in my store.” [Borin]

“I’ll tell your wife you said that and butcher you for her.” [Suky]

Suky’s voice sounded awfully serious, causing Borin to break into a cold sweat.

“It was a joke! A joke! I’ll give you the best cuts of meat, so don’t tell my wife!” [Borin]

“You’ve got a deal. Then, let’s get going already. Ryner, we’re leaving for the village closest to Ofauvra. We’ll get some fresh rockcow meat there and transport it back for Borin.” [Suky]

“Ahh yes, I’ll leave it to you like usual.” [Borin]

Ignoring the two next to him, the black and white wolf continued to stare through the gaps of the sheets. Under them was a steel cage and people were sitting in it. They were wearing worn-out robes with a hood covering their head. One person was clearly in his view and he was sitting inside the cage while facing him. He couldn’t quite see his face because of the hood that hid his eyes. But, there was a metal collar around his neck to denote his status.

“Come on, Ryner! Hop in!” [Suky]

Suky called him from the driver’s seat of the cart. Ryner, turning his back to them, jumped inside the cart and the two departed from Ofauvra with Borin seeing them off. The slave wagons were entering the city after the guard returned the documents to the merchant while another one checked the slaves. As they went through the large gates, the slave Ryner was staring at slightly raised his head. He watched the wolf’s cart leave with a smile on his face.

After about an hour, they reached a peaceful village.

“Borin owns a store and he’s running low on rockcow meat. This is where he gets it. He’s pretty picky and wants fresh cuts delivered as quickly as possible. Well, that’s why his store sells the best stuff.” [Suky]

The green-eyed beastman said as she directed the horse. They went past the houses and arrived at a field where many boulders that were two meters tall dotted the place. That was what Ryner thought as he looked at his surroundings. However, he noticed that these boulders were moving and eating the grass. These things were animals that were covered in irregularly-shaped plates of rock that served as natural armor.

They had four stout legs as well as a small, round head with a horn on their nose. Because of how low their head was located, they looked like they had a huge bump on their back or a turtle with an egg-shaped shell. There were some people keeping an eye on the herd and they were dressed like farmers. They had long, wooden staffs in their hands with a metal hook on one tip and a short sword was on their belt.

When they saw Suky, they waved at her since they had become acquainted with this furry beastman. One of them walked up to her to greet her. It was a blue-haired man in his thirties that had blue scales on his cheeks and a lizard tail. He was surprised to see a wolf in her cart, but it looked tamed and he knew that she had a penchant to adopt pets. So, he decided to pay it no mind and waved his hand while smiling.

“Suky! You here for some rockcow meat?” [Beastman]

“Yeah. Borin sent me. Here’s his payment.” [Suky]

Suky tossed the pouch Borin gave her and the man caught it, opening it to check the contents.

“You’re just in time. We’re about to butcher one now.” [Beastman]

The villager pointed at a part of the field where a walking boulder, which was a rockcow, was being led away from the herd. Six men were poking it with their staffs and lightly slashing its rocky exterior with their swords. By doing so, they stirred the docile creature that let out deep cries that sounded like a cow towards their desired location. It was a big house that had no windows and was made of wood. Once the rockcow slowly went through the huge sliding door, they closed it and went to work.

“(They’re gonna slaughter it right next to its herd?)” [Ryner]

A while later, the door opened again and the villagers exited the building with a large bag on their back that was completely full. Strangely, among them was the animal that should have been executed for its meat and yet was unharmed. However, it didn’t come out unscathed since it had actually lost some body parts. Except for the head and legs, the creature now had a physique similar to a pink cow. Its round, bulky body was gone. Its big, round back had disappeared.

All of the plates of rocks had been carved and pulled out of it and they were most likely in the bags. It was like the rockcow had shed its voluminous, rocky armor and what was left was its skinny, but fleshy body. Despite having been mutilated and taken apart by six people, there wasn’t a trace of blood on it. The villagers hadn’t inflicted any injuries on the animal.

“(… Huh, it’s like they shaved a sheep’s wool. Does that mean its rock-like shell will grow back?)” [Ryner]

That was what Ryner thought from the cart as a man approached them with a bulging bag on his back. Then, he passed it to the man that was standing with them the whole time and went back to the herd of walking boulders. The beastman set the bag down and pulled out from it a piece of the rockcow.

“(The hell is this?)” [Ryner]

It looked like a thick scale made of rock that was about the size of his hand. Attached to it was a big chunk of pinkish red meat, giving the entire thing a deformed, cylindrical shape.

“Look how fresh the rock beef is. The color and texture is just right. This will definitely be tasty if you smoke it and eat it with beer.” [Beastman]

He said as he showed it off with a smile on his face.

“Nice. Borin will be happy with the batch. Thanks as always.” [Suky]

After he put the chunk of rock and meat back in the bag, he passed it to Suky who tossed it in the back of the cart, next to Ryner.

“I’ll be hurrying back home now. Can’t have the meat rot and turn as hard as stones or I won’t get paid.” [Suky]

“Be careful on your way back.” [Beastman]

After waving at him, she turned the cart around and proceeded to return to Ofauvra. The uneven road made the cart shake.

“Thanks for coming along, Ryner.” [Suky]

The mischievously smiling woman looked behind her. Her grin widened once she saw the wolf that was lying down on the bumpy, wooden surface with an annoyed expression.

“So? Wasn’t it nice to go out for some fresh air?” [Suky]

“Woof. Woof woof woof. Woof woof woof woof? (No. You said you needed help. What the hell am I even here for?)” [Ryner]

“So it was nice, huh? That’s good.” [Suky]

She turned her head to look ahead of her while pleasantly smiling.

“… Woof woof. (… No boyfriend.)” [Ryner]

“WHAT WAS THAT?!” [Suky]

Her pleasant grin disappeared in an instant and she glared dangerously at her passenger.

“(In a way, this kid is pretty amazing.)” [Ryner]

That was what Ryner thought as he stared at the angry woman in a carefree manner.

*Author note* CHAPTER PRODUCTION WILL SLOW DOWN FOR A WHILE

I've got some stuff to do, so the next chapter won't come in a week.