Bab 73: Chapter 73: Rock Deer; Contract
I found myself back out in the woods, Cameia's shadow looming a distance away from me.
Smiling at the shadow, I went back to observing the land around me, before grinning.
"There you are..."
Dropping to the forest floor, I knelt beside the tracks before following them.
They were heading further east, the tracks growing fresher and fresher.
Scaling back up a tree, I started quietly scouting around, trying to find a potential nesting spot for such a large deer.
It was a deer controlling earth chakra, so...
Looking around, I noticed that the river was nearby, which had a lot of stones and small crevices to hide in.
Checking the tracks as well, I grinned when they also turned towards the riverbed.
Following them, I observed the river, taking in the few animals that were drinking from the cool, clear stream.
Noting them, I then started checking for any caves or divot in the ground, finding a few.
The caves were more likely to be housing this deer, but it could have altered the terrain with the earth chakra, so...
Pursing my lips, I looked over the riverbed, staring intently at the areas I had taken note of.
Was there any heavy chakra clouding these spots..?
Hmm...
Squinting my eyes, I swept my gaze over the grey pebble strewn shore, taking in the various animals around the calm river.
The amount of chakra in the air wasn't as palpable as it was at the village, but...
Trying to find something here is a pain.
Continuing my search, I eventually found a small trace of earth chakra permeating one of the crevices, creating a small mound on the shore.
Maybe thats..?
Summoning my bow, I dropped onto the ground, slinking my way over to the mound.
My arm may hurt to all hell, but my legs were still fine, so if it was here...
Checking the trees on the edge of the river, I nodded to myself, before laying an arrow on the string.
Gently nudging the mound, I jumped back when a rock spike shot out, trying to spear into my gut.
Standing on a branch, I watched as a giant deer rose from the earth, shaking its head.
It's antlers were made from solid rock, the jagged tips easily capable of piercing a person.
Standing almost double my height, the deer looked around warily, trying to find me.
Chuckling, I drew the arrow back with a wince, aiming at its thick neck.
Letting the arrow fly, it whistled towards the beast, prompting the deer to turn its large head my way.
Narrowing its brown eyes, I watched as it stamped its hooves on the ground, the stones of the riverbed forming a wall in front of the deer.
Clicking my tongue as the arrow harmlessly clanged off the stone wall, I nocked another arrow, flickering to another branch.
Sending that arrow hurtling towards the deer, I didn't wait to see if it landed as I went to yet another branch, shooting another arrow.
The deer blocked those as well, huffing in annoyance as it glared at me.
Stamping its hooves again, I dropped to the ground as a dozen stones were flung towards the branch, shredding it.
Pursing my lips, I unsummoned my bow and drew my new blade, sliding my left hand over the shining blue metal as I pushed chakra out that hand, coating the blade.
Since I was unable to use chakra from my right, I would just need to use it on my left.
However, I still felt more comfortable using the blade in my right hand, so even as I felt the sharp tingling in my biceps, I held the blade tightly.
Staring intently at the deer, I watched as it snorted at me, stamping its hooves on the stone ground.
Narrowing its eyes, it slammed its hoof on the ground again, stones shooting towards me at high speeds.
Easily blocking them, I rolled to the side as the deer summoned another spike, which erupted at my previous location.
Rushing towards the large beast, I dodged and rolled around the numerous spikes and stones it ent towards me, eventually reaching it.
Flicking my blade upwards, my eyes went wide as it easily sliced through the thick, tough muscles of the deers neck, severing the head from its wide shoulders.
Blood sprayed onto me, coating my body.
Watching the head drop to the ground with a thud, I panted as the sharp pain in my arm grew to be too much, making me release my grip on the swords handle.
"Kokoro."
Cameia appeared beside me instantly, catching both me and the blade.
Panting, I chuckled as I stared at her, smiling weakly as I said "This... is getting a little... too common... haha..."
Cameia just stared at me, tilting her head.
Sighing, I handed her a storage scroll, watching as she swiftly placed the corpse inside the scroll.
"Come on, lets go home..."
I nodded, staying silent even as she scooped me into her arms.
Nuzzling into her chest, I stared up at her calm, still features, trees flickering past us as she sped through the forest.
She looked down briefly, those gold eyes of hers meeting mine as she said "Rest."
Pouting up at her, I sighed before burying my face into her chest again, closing my eyes.
~~~
Stepping out of the house, I took in a breath of the cool, crisp air, enjoying the sounds of the night.
"You did well."
I turned, looking at the large Hawk that had landed beside me.
"Thanks."
It nodded at me, returning its golden eyes to the large moon above us.
"So how does this contract work?"
"Place your hand here, human."
It extended its wing, nodding its head at me again.
Pursing my lips, I hesitantly laid my hand on its soft, warm feathers, before...
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So, next chapter will be all about Kokoro's contract with the Hawks on Mount Hane. It'll be a little like how 'Tango with Death' did their contract; another trial inside the Summoning World, and a new technique for Kokoro to master.
Besides that, after this chapter we should likely hit 600K views, so thank you all so much!
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PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Ketsueki_Hasu
Ketsueki_Hasu Whew~
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone