LRAB Chapter 90 What made you suddenly strong?
Chapter 90 What made you suddenly strong?
Beside Ethan, Mark and the others were already discussing how to split the panther's remains. Its fur was valuable, its claws and fangs could be sold to weapon smiths, and the beast's meat was also very valuable.
"How do you want your share, Ethan?" Mark asked, glancing at him.
Ethan scratched his head. He had no idea what to do with any of the remains. "I would rather get my share in coins." He answered after thinking.@@@@
Mark nodded, rubbing his chin. "Fair enough. Once we sell the valuable parts, we'll get your cut in coin. Shouldn't take more than a day."
Ethan gave a brief nod. That worked out perfectly—one more day, and he'd be gone. It also gave him some time to explore this place and grab some of these stronger beasts for his personal army.
They spent the next half-hour skinning and butchering the beast. Ethan was assigned watch duty. As they finished packing up the beast's remains, the group started heading back toward town, their earlier exhaustion replaced with the buzz of success. The hunt had been dangerous, but they had come out victorious, and that meant celebration.
Ethan and Lia returned to the small town along with everyone else. The group directly headed to the famous local tavern , eager to drink and boast about their success. The scent of roasted meat and cheap ale filled the air as laughter and rowdy cheers echoed from inside.
Mark pushed open the heavy doors, leading the group inside, where they were immediately greeted by familiar faces. "Well, well! Back already?" The innkeeper, a broad-shouldered man with a thick beard, smirked as he wiped a mug clean. "From the looks of you lot, I'd say the hunt went well."
"We got it," Mark declared, dropping a blood-stained panther fang onto the counter. "The Blackfang Panther is dead."
A cheer erupted from a few mercenaries seated nearby. "About damn time!" one of them barked. "Drinks on you tonight, eh?"
Mark chuckled, slapping a handful of coins onto the bar. "For the ones who fought." He turned back to the group and gestured toward Ethan. "And this guy? He saved our asses more than once."
"Either way," Mark continued, lifting his drink, "if you ever pass through again, you'll find friends here."
Ethan nodded, taking another sip from his mug. He didn't know if he'd ever return to this place, but it was... nice, in a way, to have that offer.
The celebration carried on as the night deepened, and while the tavern remained lively, Ethan's mind was already elsewhere. Soon he excused himself and went back to the inn along with Lia. The night went by very quickly and Ethan was up at the crack of dawn.
Hastily scarfing down the breakfast he dragged Lia again to the same spot they had fought the panther. When they arrived there, the first thing he did was summon the panther.
He was yet to fill his roster with new minions and this panther was a fine addition. But more importantly, he hoped it could give him some valuable information.
The next second a dark swirl materialized in front of him and the panther stepped out, its sleek black fur shimmering in the dim morning light. Its eyes snapped open and for a moment a predatory gaze landed on Ethan.
"Master!" Lia gasped but Ethan shook his head. "I think it's just the way he looks. He is harmless. See."
Lia, still clutching his sleeve, warily eyed the creature. "He doesn't look harmless..." she murmured.
Ethan smirked. "Maybe not, but he is bound to me now. He won't attack unless I command it to."
To prove his point, he extended a hand toward the panther. It hesitated for a brief moment before slowly pressing its head into his palm. A deep rumble vibrated through its body, something between a growl and a purr.
Ethan withdrew his hand and quickly came to the main point. "What made you suddenly strong?"