Chapter 169 - The Mark of a New Family
Lupi simply stared at it intently.
"Lupi's mom?"
I'd heard that among wolves, the mother protects the den while the father hunts, especially when the pups are young.
“Lupi-chan...”
"I'm sorry, Lupi. If only I had come here sooner..."
"Whine."
She responded softly, shaking her head.
So, she passed away before I met her...
Was this island operational since the closed beta, or even earlier than that?
"Woof."
Lupi turned around sharply, showing a dignified expression. It was as if she wanted to say her goodbyes were done.
"You're strong."
"Woof!"
When I patted her, she responded as if it were obvious. She's cute and strong.
Even so, I wonder if Lupi's mother, who was here all this time, was sick or something? Or perhaps she was injured and couldn't move?
And what about her father? I guess he went out hunting and never came back, but was he taken out by that Red Armor Bear?
“Shou-kun, please make a grave for her.”
"Ah, yeah. But this place is a bit too stark, don't you think?"
I think that observatory-like spot would be better. This place feels really oppressive.
"Lupi. I want to take your mom outside, is that okay?"
"Woof-woof."
Lupi said, "Of course," but...
"Hm? What's this?"
She picked up a part of her mother's remains in her mouth and placed it on my palm.
[Magic Wolf Fang]
The fang of the phantom beast Managarm. Possesses strong magical power. Crafting: Can be processed into accessories.
"Whoa, whoa. Lupi, you should be the one to have this."
"Woof?"
I put the fang into the pouch hanging around her neck.
It's a memento, so maybe I'll process it later and make a necklace for Lupi. Just as I was thinking that,
"Woof."
She brought another fang and placed it on my palm.
Well, there are two of them, but still...
"Is it okay for me to have this?"
"Woof-woof!"
"Then let's make them matching. A necklace would be good, right?"
Bracelets or something might fall off and get lost, and having them hanging from our necks would give us a more matching feel.
“I also want matching ones with Shou-kun and Lupi-chan.”
"Eh?"
“Because Lupi-chan’s family now is us... I want one too...”
"Ah, yeah. But how? Mion, you only created a character, right?"
To choose this island as a starting point, she'd have to declare nation-building, and besides, there are only two fangs anyway.
“It seems that items crafted in IRO can be converted into NFT art as avatar items. You just need to pay a publishing fee to the management.”
"I see."
For production-focused players, it would be great if they could bring clothes and armor made in the game to their usual avatars.
“Is it no good?”
"Woof-woof!"
"No, Lupi seems okay with it, so it's fine. But only after I make them, right?"
“Yes!”
I was going to make a simple necklace, but if that's the case, I'll have to make it properly.
Well, I don't intend to sell them publicly, so it's fine as long as Mion and Lupi are satisfied.
"Alright, then we'll do that when I've made them. For now, let's clean up that observation deck. Lupi, I'll hold onto your mom for now."
"Woof-woof."
One by one, I carefully picked up the bones and put them in my inventory.
"Alright, let's head back."
“Yes.”
From here on, maybe I'll come back at night?
The mountain path from earlier was still continuing, and I still want to investigate how far it goes. I'm also curious about Lupi's father...
"Hm?"
Just as I was about to leave the cave, Lupi seemed to be on alert for something at the entrance.
This is... something that's stirring my Presence Detection...
"It seems like something's waiting for us."
“Is it a monster?”
"Probably. It doesn't feel like a strong opponent, but I don't like this irritating feeling..."
Is Lupi worried about something in the trees?
I took my round shield, went to her side, and followed her gaze.
"Whoa!"
Thunk!
A fist-sized stone flew at me, and I hastily blocked it with my round shield.
"~~~!?"
Sweee, apparently woken by the sound, poked her head out, wondering what was happening.
"It seems like a troublesome opponent, so hide in my hood for a while."
I used the hardest part of the Red Armor Bear leather for the hood to protect my head in case of emergency, so a mere stone throw should be totally fine.
After confirming Sweee was safely hidden, I peeked from behind my round shield... A red nameplate reading [Crimson Ape].
“Is it strong?”
"Hmm, it doesn't seem like an unbeatable opponent, but I have a feeling it'll be incredibly bothersome."
Besides, I don't think it's just that one I can see. My Presence Detection doesn't just show one spot, either.
"This is annoying. What should we do, Lupi? Should we just make a dash back?"
She shook her head, indicating no.
Then, she stepped forward slightly...
"WOOOOOOON..."
A clear howl echoed, and the Presence Detection responses began to stir.
Wondering what would happen, I braced my round shield, ready to protect Lupi at any moment, when...
""OOOH~N!""
""WOOO~N!""
Ah! Is that Lupi's art [Howling]?!
Howls began to echo from all directions, drawing closer and closer.
"Ooooh!"
Following Lupi as she leaped out of the cave, I saw rust-colored wolves barking at apes at the base of a tree.
Lupi looked at me... She wanted me to knock those guys out of the trees, didn't she?
[Stone Projectile] magic might work, but if I want to hit one and make it fall, it's the bow's turn.
"Please hit."
I drew the short bow from my inventory, aimed, and released!
"KYAAAH!!"
The ape was hit in its left flank and fell headfirst.
And the wolves attacked...
"Woof!"
"Ah, next!"
There seemed to be about a dozen of them, so I'd make them targets for bow skill practice and frustration relief.
...
..
.
[Character Level has increased!]
[Bow Skill level has increased!]
"Phew, I guess that's the end."
“You did it!”
"Somehow. It was mostly thanks to Lupi and the wolves."
A total of 17 Crimson Apes were shot down, all of them falling and becoming prey for the wolves.
"Oooon!"
When Lupi howled, the wolves dragged the apes to Lupi. Uh, two, four... eight wolves. They looked like two families.
The [Howling] art said something about 'commanding kin,' so it's probably not wrong, but I feel a sense of incongruity seeing fully grown wolves, larger than Lupi, bowing down.
[Drab Wolf]
Rust-colored wolves living deep in the mountains. Highly intelligent and hunt in family groups.
Even checking the Appraisal result confirmed they were wolves, but I was more surprised that their nameplates had turned green. It seems they are treated as tamed...
“Lupi-chan, that’s amazing!”
"Yeah, good job."
"Woof~"
When I stroked Lupi, who was wearing a proud expression, the Drab Wolves saw it and wagged their tails... Do they want to be petted?
"Woof."
"Ah, right. I need to thank them for helping."
First, I dismantled the Crimson Apes.
Meat, hide, bones, magic stones (tiny) — it was a decent haul, but I didn't feel like eating the meat, so I gave it directly to the Drab Wolves.
"Thanks."
"Bow."
I gave each of them meat and patted their heads, and they wagged their tails happily. Even big ones are cute.
But then, what game was I playing again?