I decide to join them and lean against a tree. I’m used to sleeping against a wall, so this gives me a sense of comfort. As I begin falling asleep, Mange taps my head with his finger, disrupting my sleep. “Wake up! We gotta look inta somethin’!” Even Mange’s whispering is obnoxiously loud! I climb to my feet and put my sword and shield back on, then follow Mange deeper into the woods. I keep my weapon and shield on my hip, but I stay vigilant. Mange doesn’t say a word as we walk through the darkness. Mange suddenly stops and crouches down. I bump into him and stumble a little as I regain my composure. “I need ya ta step between the trees here.”

I get nervous. If Mange is weary of this, what chance do I have if it’s something dangerous?! I reach to draw my sword and shield, but Mange raises his arm to stop me. “No gear. I’ll protect ya. Jus’ go.” This man is insane! Why should I enter this spot unarmed?! I hesitate, but at the same time, I would like to say I trust Mange’s word. I walk forward, slipping between the trees. Immediately, my body feels heavy, and my health and mana bars are glowing with a red aura. This means that I’m under attack, right?! I cautiously look around, looking for any signs of what may be watching me. I can’t see very far in the darkness of the woods. I continue looking and listening for any kind of movement.

A ruffling sound in a treetop catches my attention! I quickly look up to see something moving away quickly! Something is here, and it’s quite large! Much larger than the alpha wolf, and presumably with wings! I keep hearing tree branches ruffling as it moves from one to the next! Although I can’t focus on it, I’m starting to see a movement pattern! I decide to look to where it’s going rather than where it’s moving from. As it hits one branch, it briefly stops on a branch, illuminating it in the moon’s light. Some kind of owl beast! That stare… cold and hostile! It sends chills through my body the same way Mange’s stare did! Could this be an ability they have?!

My body is heavy! I can’t stop shivering! This glare is much more intense than Mange’s was! The owl creature dives towards me! I… can’t move my arms fast enough to grab my equipment! The creature raises its feet towards me, preparing to grab me with its large claws! I look away! There’s nothing else I can do against this kind of opponent! I suddenly hear the creature make a pained screech just before it crashes onto the ground! I look forward once more to see what had happened! An… arrow in the creature’s wing?! Can Mange use bows?! As that thought ran through my head, Mange charges from the trees, slamming his shield into the creature! It rolls across the ground a few times before stopping on its back, flopping around with its wings!

Mange reaches to his side, pulling out a long, spiked piece of an Elk’s antler! As the owl creature manages to climb back to its feet, Mange’s shield begins glowing! Mange swings his shield, as if he’s throwing it, sending an illusionary glowing shield flying towards the creature! It hits the creature directly in the chest, stunning it! Mange charges forward with the antler drawn! He swiftly stabs the creature in the chest! After one last death screech, the owl falls to the ground! Mange stands over it for a moment, as if he’s confirming it’s definitely dead. “Oi! Look at this!” I quickly run over to Mange. Mange raises his shield, making it glow by the owl. It… it has a name and level?! How does a savage monster have a name and level?! It's name is Guillotine, and it's level is a whopping 45! That's below Mange, but leagues above me!

Pondering the ideas of what such a creature could have done to become a Hero, it eventually disappears, but it doesn’t leave bones behind. I look up at Mange. He has a concerned look on his face. “Th’ bird wasn’ th’ Hero here. It was a pet. I noticed it when I came lookin' fer food.” I… what?! This was only a pet?! Who could tame such a powerful creature that even Mange had to strike more than once! Mange spins around, looking back to the trees. “Good eye on ya, snake girl! Amazing shot!” I quickly turn back as a figure approaches us. It’s… the Viperion! She must have been the one to shoot the arrow! As she gets closer to the light emitting from Mange’s shield, I can see the glow of a level appear over her head.

She steps closer to us as she looks up at Mange. “I don’t… understand what just happened.” Mange grabs the Viperion’s shoulder. “Welcome ta the Hero club!” She looks down at her hands. “How? I wasn’t the one to vanquish the beast…” Mange gives a light chuckle before taking his shield back off. “It ain’t about killin’ stuff. It’s about th’ act. Ya did the right thing at th’ right time. Simple as that!” Mange grabs her arm, raising it up to open her statistics panel. “Lessee what class ya chose!” Her statistics panel appears. It says she chose… Tamer? I wasn’t given that option before. Perhaps it’s in accordance to your fighting style? Maybe personality? I’m not entirely sure. “Tamer?! Good! We’ll find ya a pet tomorrow!”

The Viperion saved my life, and has been rewarded for it with newfound power! She looks above her head to see her level. “Viperion. Level 1? Is this a power-indicating system?” She looks over my head to see that I am level 8. “I suppose that means I’m not too far off our fearless champion, then.” She looks back at Mange to see he’s level 67. She immediately puts her hand over her mouth, letting out a very heavy gasp. Mange grabs her and spins her around, facing her in the direction of the camp. “Now, now! Don’ worry about th’ details none! Jus’ keep this between us fer now, alright?” She nods her head quickly with her hands still over her mouth. “Good girl! Let’s get some sleep! We got some huntin’ to do tomorrow!”

In a surprise twist, the Viperion has now joined us in the line of monsters that have become Heroes. It’s good that our numbers are growing! That will relieve some stress from Mange and I. However, there’s so many questions, I can barely keep track of them all. Who did the owl belong to? Why was it out here alone? What is with that eye power that stronger opponents use? There are still so many questions to be answered! At least it seems I’m in good company while we answer them together. Another day is on the horizon with many more trials awaiting us as we seek new land.