Chapter 11
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 011
Chapter Title: Follow Me?
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"Pleased to see you, wolf."
-Woof!
As Andy withdrew his hostility, the wolf rubbed against him happily, tail wagging furiously.
Andy reached out and stroked its back. The glossy, fluffy fur felt wonderful under his hand.
He let out a sigh of relief.
'Glad we didn't have to fight.'
Andy wasn't a warrior or a knight. He was just a timid twelve-year-old boy. He wasn't the type to seek out battles.
He'd boldly entered the wolf's forest, but deep down, he'd been anxious about facing the beast in combat.
Fortunately, the wolf didn't attack. Instead, it greeted him warmly, nuzzling against him.
With the tension gone, Andy hugged the wolf. He could feel the animal's high body heat.
"You're so warm... I envy you. With all that fur, you won't feel the winter chill."
-Woof.
"Let's stay like this a bit longer."
The boy held the wolf close, soaking in its warmth. His skin, chilled by the early winter air, began to thaw.
As he warmed up, Andy murmured to himself.
'Now I can come to the wolf's forest anytime. I've confirmed that the wolf remembers me.'
The other villagers couldn't come here. This was the domain of a spirit beast—a massive wolf. An ordinary person entering would be in grave danger.
But Andy was different. The white wolf wouldn't attack him. He could roam freely here.
As he lost himself in thought...
-...
The wolf stared intently at something. Andy followed its gaze.
It was fixed on the herb bundle he'd set on the ground—specifically, the Yohan Grass beside it.
Suddenly, an idea struck Andy.
'Could the wolf find herbs for me?'
This white wolf was unusually clever, not like an ordinary beast. It had understood his request to find Tom, remembered him from weeks ago, and welcomed him joyfully.
And as a mountain creature, it knew every nook and cranny—unlike Andy, a human.
With the wolf's help, finding Yohan Grass would be easy.
Convinced it was worth a shot, Andy asked right away.
"Wolf, can you find this herb for me? It's called Yohan Grass. As you can see, it's a vivid green. It usually grows in shady, damp spots between rocks... and it holds mana. You handle spirit power too, so you can sense mana, right?"
-Woof.
"Can you find it?"
The wolf sniffed at the Yohan Grass.
It snorted around, taking in the scent.
-Woof!
The wolf barked energetically.
It was quite a sight.
'Did it understand?'
It sniffed after his words and barked in response, as if it fully comprehended.
Could the wolf really find Yohan Grass?
Excitement bubbled up, but Andy shook his head, tempering his hopes.
'Don't get your hopes up. Yohan Grass is rare, even for a spirit beast. And I'm not even sure it truly understood me.'
A wolf hunting herbs? It sounded too unrealistic. Andy decided not to expect much.
He looked up at the sky. The sun was already setting.
The surroundings were growing dim.
"Ah! It's getting dark already. Dario must be waiting."
He'd promised to meet Dario at dusk. The herbalist was probably worried now, with Andy overdue.
"Guess I should head back. See you tomorrow!"
-Woof!
"Tomorrow!"
Andy parted from the wolf and hurried to where Dario waited.
The air grew colder as the sun set, but Andy barely felt it—thanks to the warmth from hugging the wolf.
He hurried down the mountain.
"Andy! I was worried sick. The sun's almost down, and you still weren't back..."
"Sorry. I got a little lost in the mountains."
"As long as you're safe. I was fretting over whether you'd run into trouble—glad it was just my imagination."
Dario looked at him with relieved eyes. Andy felt a pang of guilt.
He'd been so caught up in meeting the wolf that he'd made the man worry.
"I was about to head to the village and rally some folks. The mountains at night are dangerous."
Dario said that if he'd been even a bit later, he'd have gone for help.
Andy swallowed a bitter smile.
'No one would've come, even if you'd asked, Dario.'
Andy was an orphan. No family at all. He was an outsider in the village.
Would anyone search for a missing orphan?
No. The villagers wouldn't risk danger for one kid like him. No one would bother.
That was how orphans were treated in this era—ignored, uncared for.
In a harsh world where survival was tough, people focused on their own families. They had no surplus kindness for unrelated orphans.
'Dario's the exception. It's not that the others are heartless.'
In fact, Dario stood out for showing concern and kindness to a mere orphan, unlike the rest.
Andy was grateful. He wanted to repay him somehow.
But he wasn't a full-fledged mage yet. All he could do was help diligently with Dario's work.
Andy lifted the sack.
"Look at this, sir."
"Hm? A sack? What's inside?"
"Take a peek."
Dario took the sack and opened it. His eyes widened in awe.
"Good heavens...! You filled this whole thing with gathered herbs?"
"Yeah. I got lucky today."
The sack was brimming with herbs.
Even for a skilled herbalist like Dario, this was impressive. And in early winter, when plants were scarce.
This haul in such a season left Dario stunned.
He ruffled the boy's hair.
"Kid, is that why you were late—gathering so many?"
"Yeah..."
"Haha. Hard work's great, but take it easy sometimes. I worry you'll push yourself too hard."
Andy nodded at Dario's kind words.
He truly was a compassionate man—not just thrilled by the haul, but concerned for the boy's well-being.
"Alright, let's head home. With this harvest thanks to you, I'll whip up something special."
"Thank you! Mr. Dario."
"Thanks are mine. Come on, it's dark—watch your step."
They carefully descended the dim mountain path.
That evening, Andy enjoyed a hearty dinner.
The next morning.
Andy headed up the mountain as usual.
One hand held an empty sack, the other gripped a sturdy branch for a walking stick. He climbed the now-familiar path.
But his route differed from before.
'Straight to the wolf's forest.'
Instead of scouring everywhere for herbs, he went directly there.
Andy patted his chest pocket. Inside his clothes, a single herb was carefully stored.
Yohan Grass. A precious herb infused with mana.
He murmured inwardly.
'It has more mana than I expected. Digesting it will take a while. Can't do it at the inn.'
Yesterday, he'd tried to consume it in his room. He could hardly wait to boost his mana.
But after close inspection, he held off.
The mana was so abundant that absorption would demand hours of focus.
At least half a day—maybe a full day.
He'd need sustained concentration to integrate it fully. A quick session before bed wouldn't cut it.
So Andy decided.
'I'll eat it in the wolf's forest. No interruptions, and I can stay all day.'
The spirit beast wolf dwelled there.
Its presence kept other wild animals away, creating a serene space perfect for focus.
Plus, he could ask the wolf to stand guard.
Protected by a spirit beast, he could absorb the mana without worry.
Quiet and safe—the wolf's forest was ideal for herb consumption.
-Rustle. Rustle.
Andy climbed vigorously. As he went deeper, animal noises faded, and the atmosphere shifted.
No longer a lively morning woods, but a silent, ethereal forest.
How far had he gone?
"Whew!"
Finally at the wolf's forest, Andy caught his breath. Excitement over the herb had made him rush, leaving him winded.
As he panted and scanned around, a familiar bark rang in his ears.
-Woof!
The forest's master—the massive white wolf—came bounding over joyfully.
Andy stroked its head.
"Good to see you. Sleep well?"
-Woof.
"Full of energy today, huh."
The white wolf rubbed its cheek against him eagerly—just like yesterday's affectionate display.
Andy chuckled.
'Such a big guy, but so affectionate.'
Did the villagers know? The spirit beast they feared was this cuddly.
It acted just like a dog that loved people.
Like owning a giant breed—though this wolf dwarfed any dog.
Anyway.
Andy looked around.
"Where's a good spot to sit and consume the herb?"
He planned to settle in right away. He couldn't wait to claim the herb's abundant mana.
But then...
-Woof! Woof!
The wolf barked lightly and tugged at the hem of Andy's clothes with its teeth.
Andy easily grasped its intent.
"You want me to follow?"
-Woof.
It barked affirmatively.
Andy was puzzled.
'What's going on?'
Suddenly leading him somewhere. Had something happened?
The wolf took the lead, and Andy followed.
It occasionally glanced back to check on him. Andy waved reassuringly.
-Thud, thud, thud, thud.
The wolf's heavy paws echoed as it led to a ravine midway up the mountain.
Tap.
The wolf pawed at a spot between two rocks—as if saying, check here.
"...No way?"
A thought flashed through Andy's mind.
Yesterday, he'd asked the wolf to find Yohan Grass.
He hadn't expected much then.
Yet today, it brought him here—to a crevice perfect for the herb.
With hopeful eyes, Andy peered between the rocks.
And soon let out a cheer.
"Yohan Grass!"
There it was, nestled perfectly—a vivid green herb.
The white wolf had fulfilled his request.
But the surprise didn't end there.
-Woof! Woof!
It tugged his clothes again, urging him onward.
With a mix of hope and disbelief, Andy asked,
"Wait, you found more than this one?"
-Woof!
"Unbelievable..."
Andy was truly awestruck.