The night settled deep and heavy around their camp. The forest had gone quiet save for the rhythmic chirping of insects and the occasional distant hoot of an owl. The campfire burned low, its embers glowing like a cluster of small red eyes in the darkness.
They decided to take turns keeping watch. Yoshiya took the first shift, sitting cross-legged near the fire with his staff across his knees. Omina lay nearby under her cloak, breathing evenly, the faint glint of her new kobold armor catching the firelight. Char Kway and her bear slept soundly on the other side, the massive creature curled like a living wall of fur.
Yoshiya listened to the forest carefully. A few animals passed through the undergrowth, but none dared approach the firelight. It was peaceful—almost deceptively so—after the chaos of their battle with the Taurox herd.
When Omina's turn came, she rose without complaint. She stoked the fire back to life, patrolled the perimeter, and kept her eyes sharp. There was a subtle ease to how they moved now—seasoned instinct born from repeated nights in the wilderness.
By the time dawn crept in, a thin fog hugged the ground, and the birds began their morning chorus. Pale sunlight touched the pile of Taurox loot they had gathered—horns glinting faintly, hides stacked neatly, organs wrapped and tied.
---
They stretched by the fire, sharing a quick breakfast of leftover smoked meat and herbs. Omina stood, hands on her hips, staring at the mountain of loot with mock despair.
"We need a Cargo-kun," she declared dramatically, patting one of the horns as if it were a stubborn mule.
Yoshiya snorted into his drink. "Cargo-kun, huh? If only it existed."
From the other side of the camp, Char Kway yawned and stretched. "Aiya, lucky lah, you got me here," she said with a grin, brushing dirt from her trousers.
---
After eating, Char Kway knelt down and began drawing in the dirt with a stick. "If you want to bring all this back, you must learn taming. Easy to say, not so easy to do, lah."
Omina crouched beside her eagerly, eyes bright.
"Four steps," Char Kway said, punctuating each word with a quick jab at the dirt. "Bonding, Offering, Linking, Marking. If the beast not happy, it bite you one time, lah. So better give nice food first."
Omina chuckled. "Got it. Make friends first, then magic."
Meanwhile, Yoshiya had already started gathering fallen wood and vines nearby, half listening while envisioning a transport solution. He tied a vine experimentally, testing its strength.
---
Char Kway led them a short distance into the trees where a forest boar grazed. It was large and muscular, its tusks curved upward like polished blades. It snorted warily as they approached.
Omina stepped forward slowly, holding out a piece of fresh roasted Taurox meat, the fat still glistening. The scent wafted through the air, catching the boar's attention.
The creature stomped once, twice, then lowered its snout to sniff the offering. Omina didn't rush. She waited, calm and steady, inching closer only when it allowed.
Yoshiya stood a few paces back, barrier magic at the ready, while carrying a bundle of organs wrapped in hide to mask their scent from other predators.
The boar finally chomped down on the meat, eyes half-lidded in contentment. Omina crouched lower, extending her hand, and let her mana flow slowly—not overwhelming, but firm. A faint golden thread shimmered in the air, stretching between her and the beast.
A soft chime echoed in her mind:
> [Skill Acquired: Beast Link]
Char Kway clapped her hands. "Wah~ not bad, lah! First try, got talent leh!"
Omina exhaled shakily, a grin spreading across her face. "Looks like we've got ourselves a hauler."
She reached out and patted the boar's shoulder. "From today on, you're Baboar."
The boar snorted once, almost approvingly.
---
While Omina practiced basic handling under Char Kway's guidance, Yoshiya began working on his plan. He gathered thicker branches, laid them flat in a crude rectangle, and reinforced the structure with vines and bark strips. Slowly, a sled took shape—simple but sturdy.
He knelt to secure the bindings, adjusting angles, tightening knots. His movements were methodical, almost meditative.
A faint glow flashed before his eyes:
> [Skill Acquired: Basic Craftsmanship]
Yoshiya allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. "Not bad," he murmured, patting the sled's frame.
With Char Kway's help, they attached the sled to Baboar using improvised harnesses. The boar shifted its weight but didn't resist, clearly at ease with Omina now. They loaded Taurox hides first, then carefully stacked horns on top. The organs were sealed tightly and tied to the sides for balance.
Omina stepped back, hands on her hips again. "Cargo-kun, version one," she said proudly.
Baboar snorted as if agreeing.
---
As the morning sun rose fully, they gathered around the camp for one last check. Char Kway gave Omina a small scroll tied with red string and a carved whistle charm.
"This is Beginner Beast Taming Scroll," she explained. "And this whistle—aiya, if Baboar act naughty, just blow this lah. Works better than shouting, trust me."
Omina accepted them with a deep nod. "Thank you, Char."
The beast tamer smiled warmly. "No need, lah. You two not bad. Reminds me of my younger days."
They packed up their camp efficiently, extinguishing the fire and clearing the area. As Yoshiya did a final walk around, he paused by the pile of leftover loot—the meat, bones, and a few organs they hadn't loaded yet.
He frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. Even with Baboar and the sled, the pile was still massive. He mentally calculated weights, their travel speed, and how long smoked meat would last.
His stomach sank slightly.
"Omina," he called, voice thoughtful.
She turned, still scratching Baboar behind the ear. "Yeah?"
He gestured toward the pile. "One sled… isn't going to cut it."
She followed his gaze. Her playful grin faded into a more serious expression as she realized what he meant.
The horns alone ate up a good portion of the capacity. Add organs and hides, and they were already pushing what a single boar could handle for a long trek back to Orleaf.
Char Kway, noticing their expressions, tilted her head and chuckled softly. "Aiya… looks like you need Baboar Number Two, lah."