Chapter 26: Temporary Animal Companion

“Let me know when you’ve made your choice.” With that, Cregan tossed out his words, turned around, and found a stone to sit on. He pulled a pipe from his pocket and began puffing away with a rhythmic click-clack.

Lu Kuan, well-versed in such matters, quietly fished a gold coin from his pocket and approached Cregan with a courteous air. “Mr. Cregan, I’m sure you know these animals better than anyone. Would you mind helping me pick one out?”

Cregan frowned, clearly reluctant, but when he saw the gold coin in Lu Kuan’s hand, the old goblin’s expression changed instantly. “Of course, of course! Since Lord Lorr recommended you personally, I’ll certainly help. So, what are your requirements?” The speed with which he pocketed the coin and the sudden smile on his wrinkled face was a revelation to Lu Kuan.

Unperturbed, Lu Kuan smiled, “Ideally, one with high shadow resistance, and ferocious—exceptionally fierce.”

“Hmm…” Cregan nodded, scratching his nearly bald head with brown nails. He rose on his toes and began searching through the small grove.

Lu Kuan waited patiently at the side. The strength of this animal companion was crucial; the demon he was soon to face was a level thirteen elite, and even Lu Kuan wasn’t completely certain of victory.

Just then, a player approached, glaring at Lu Kuan with hostility. “Did you just pay that NPC?”

The newcomer was an orc monk—his face unfamiliar. Lu Kuan frowned slightly and said nothing.

Seeing Lu Kuan silent, the other sneered, “What, feeling guilty? People like you ruin the game environment, never follow the rules, bringing your bad habits from the real world right into the game…”

Lu Kuan was stunned: What’s wrong with this guy?

Trailing the monk was a female gnome player, dressed as a mage, who tugged at his sleeve and tried to persuade him, but he clearly wasn’t listening.

As the monk opened his mouth to say more, Lu Kuan waved him off, sizing him up and down. “Let me guess, you picked a pet with terrible stats and felt cheated. Now you see my method and suddenly feel it’s unfair?”

The orc monk’s expression froze, a hint of discomfort showing in his eyes. Lu Kuan saw right through him, deciding not to waste any more time on such nonsense.

He was about to turn away when the monk stepped forward, blocking him and raising his voice. “Don’t leave! People like you ruin the game, teaching NPCs bad habits. Why else wouldn’t the old goblin help me?”

Lu Kuan couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.

Help you, just because you ask? Are you charming as a flower, radiating charisma, or perhaps a heartthrob with a score over twenty? The old goblin’s job isn’t to help players choose pets—helping is kindness, not helping is the norm. Listening to the orc monk, you’d think the goblin owed him something.

Had this been Lu Kuan at eighteen in his previous life, he might have argued a bit. Now, he simply found it absurd. He stepped to walk around the monk.

But unexpectedly, the monk grabbed his shoulder as if he’d caught him in some wrongdoing, shouting, “Don’t run! Come see the Lord Mayor with me—you don’t deserve to stay in Lava Fortress…”

Seeing the other growing bolder, Lu Kuan’s expression darkened. He raised his foot and kicked the monk squarely in the stomach, sending him tumbling.

The orc monk fell, but instead of anger, his face twisted in delight. White light flashed in his hands, and a pair of metallic gauntlets appeared. He grinned wickedly and charged at Lu Kuan.

Most people caught off guard by such a turn would be at a disadvantage, especially since one was a ranged class and the other a monk famed for close combat. But unfortunately for him, his opponent was Lu Kuan.

As he kicked the monk over, Lu Kuan used the recoil to step back, snatched up his hunting bow, and let loose an arrow with a swift motion.

It wasn’t extraordinary reflexes—once violence erupted, Lu Kuan’s mind held no thoughts of “peace” or “let’s settle down.” He believed in ending things at once.

So, as the monk lunged forward, he was met with an arrow straight to the face!

“-19!”

“Concussive Shot hits, immobilized!”

“-41!”

“Ah! Stop!”

“-50!”

By the time the gnome mage’s shriek rang out, the orc monk’s health was already halved, and the distance between him and Lu Kuan had stretched to over ten meters.

“Please, stop! I apologize on his behalf!” The petite gnome girl, nearly in tears, cried out desperately, seeing that her companion was no match for Lu Kuan.

Lu Kuan responded with a cold smile, launching another Splinter Arrow that pierced the monk’s thigh. The orc monk collapsed, unable to move.

“A monk who can’t even use basic rolling skills dares to provoke so openly?” Lu Kuan muttered disdainfully as he stowed his bow.

This time, the provocation came from the other side, and Lu Kuan’s response was justified. Even if he killed the monk, it wouldn’t count as malicious PK, but since this was inside Lava Fortress, any fatal incident would draw the city guards, preventing Lu Kuan from leaving for a while.

He had no intention of wasting his time here.

“Did you really have to resort to violence for a few words?” The gnome girl wiped her eyes, gazing sorrowfully at her companion, and sobbed softly.

They seemed to be novices, their pitiful appearance attracting a crowd. Lu Kuan shook his head. “No one owes you anything…”

Without caring whether they heard him, Lu Kuan strode toward Cregan.

The old goblin had finished his task. At his feet lay a fire mongoose, about the size of an adult wolf. Its gray-white fur marked it as mature, and its fierce gaze showed no fear as it stared at Lu Kuan.

“This little creature is the fiercest among the adult mongooses, and both its parents have high shadow resistance. I’m confident it won’t disappoint,” Cregan explained, his tone full of assurance.

Lu Kuan looked it over, satisfied. “This one will do.”

Cregan quickly handled the paperwork, handing Lu Kuan the summoning stone for the fire mongoose. Whether due to the earlier gold coin or not, the old goblin gave an exceptionally detailed explanation.

“Each pet has its own summoning stone, which also serves as proof of your contract. With it, the fire mongoose will never betray its master. Of course, when your strength improves and you gain your own animal companion, you won’t need this anymore.”

“But if you want to fight side by side with your pet, you’ll need plenty of practice. Especially for us rangers, an animal companion is like a second pair of hands, a second pair of eyes. Mastering your animal companion is much harder than it sounds…”