"Are you supposed to be my escort?"

I turn towards the voice and find a rather haughty looking woman facing me. She stood, idly crossing her arms as she looks me up and down with piercing blue eyes, as if judging my worth. Her dark hair framed her face as she nodded, satisfied.

"That depends on if your the apothecary I'm looking for or not."

I take a quick look around and find others walking off to finish their contracts as I turn towards her once again.

"That would be me, I'm Cassandra. Who might you be, I've not seen you around here before?"

"I'm a little new here, I'm Qui Bai. Hope we get along." I extend out my hand, which she takes in her own and bows to me.

"My safety is in your hands."

*CONTRACT: The Apothecary

Protect Cassandra as she collects supplies.

*CONTRACT: A Novice

Reach Level 10

*CONTRACT: Train

Reach Intermediate Sword Mastery

I nod my head, slightly shocked at both being bowed to after this recent meeting and the sudden notifications, but put it to the back of my mind as she started towards the forests near the town.

During the trip, she makes casual conversation about things like my unusual name, my bokken, and what company I work for. The venture was surprisingly uneventful as I watched her collect her ingredients. Upon inquiry. I learned that it was to make a kind of healing salve that can close smaller wounds. Seeing that mercenaries often got hurt, it was in high demand and she needed to restock.

Seeing that she was finishing up, I look closely to make sure nothing happens on the way back. After walking about halfway through the forest my hair starts to stand on end. The feeling of being watched floods my body and adrenaline slowly starts pumping through my body as I quickly scan my surroundings. There was still at least two hours of daylight left but the dimmer light causes my vision to fail me.

I quickly spend whatever points I have into Dexterity and notice an improvement from before. It was then I ran towards Cassandra at a blinding speed, the points spent well worth at as a wolf leaps from the brush towards us. I draw my weapon and swing at its open mouth, connecting and sending it flying back where it came from. I ready myself for a fight as I spot movement from two other spots, my eyes flicking back and forth as I try to position myself to protect my Contractor. I feel them circling us, the point I put into Dexterity in full effect as I barely track their movements through the dim light. I notice Cassandra was quivering behind me, looking around in a panic. It was then that From behind me, another wolf lunged at Cassandra, who was an easier target, but I was faster. Spinning around, I push her to the ground and swing at the wolves head, hearing a sickening crunch, it fall several feet from me, dead. I have no time to celebrate as two other charge the now prone Cassandra. Once again making use of my advanced Dexterity, I reach down while intercepting one and throw a stone at the other, accurately hitting its eye, causing it to miss Cassandra by a hairs breadth. It was then that I felt a great pressure forcing me to the ground. Looking up I see the snarling maw of a wolf, saliva dripping down as I hold off its ravenous bites to my throat. Looking over I see the other wolf shake off its eye injury and slowly close in on Cassandra. Improvising, I bring my foot up to the stomach of the wolf and kick it off, over top of me. It lands in front of the Cassandra, but the hesitation of the other after seeing its pack mate reappear allowed me to return to my feet and return in front of her.

My breathing was ragged after the short exchange with the two now very angry wolves. Looking down I see some shallow cuts on my arms but nothing serious as I revert my attention back to the wolves. Taking the initiative after the short respite, I kick a stone towards one and and rush the other, but my plan backfires as it dodges and zeros in on me, seeing me as more of a threat. They both leap at me and time seems to slow down. The starved looks in the eyes of the two show a resolve to die here. I drop to my knees and rise with enough force to drive by bokken nearly through one wolf. The other land and lunges again from behind me. Still having one near me, I turn and throw it atop the other. Seeing them on the ground I rush over and quickly dispatch the two. A quick hit to the head mashes their brains as I gasp for air, adrenaline still flowing from the fight. Looking down at my wounds, notifications ring in my head.

*You killed Wolf x3

XP Gained: 300

*Level Up

*Level Up

I look towards the shocked looking Cassandra,

"Let's get the fuck out of here."