Similar to the elite classes branched from Warrior and Mage, the place for Beastmaster test was a building complex shared with the other four elite classes branched out of Archer class. The central building linking the four test venues was run by a league faction called Hunter’s Lodge.
“Let me guess, this Hunter’s Lodge is the most prominent league faction for Archer class and its subsequent branches?” Jack asked.
“Yes. Their prestige was similar to the League of Champions and the Order of Magi. Do you want to join this faction?” Peniel asked back.
“How do I collect its points? Can I do it passively like in the other two factions?” Jack asked.
“I don’t think so. Their points should largely be gained by completing quests they post, which should revolve around hunting exotic and rare beasts for their parts.”
“Then no. Exciting as it sounds, I don’t have the time for it. Maybe when World Maker is defeated and I can afford to enjoy this world at my pace, then I will give it a try.”
He asked the guard outside of the main building which one of the sub-building that housed the test for Beastmaster class. After getting the direction, Jack went into the said building without delay.
Despite entering a building, Jack felt as if he had gone outdoor instead. The interior was filled with greeneries. The path through this greenhouse was not straight. There was a stone path winding around the greeneries.
As Jack followed the path, he asked Peniel, “You can’t accompany into the trial dimension, can you?”
“No.”
“You have any idea what’s inside?” Jack asked. He had asked other guild members who had become beastmasters. Strangely, none of them remembered what the trial was about.
“The trial is not about combat. It is more like embracing your animal instinct,” Peniel answered.
“Huh? What the hell does that suppose to mean?”
“I’m not sure. I know the basic guideline but I am not privy to the details within the trial itself. You will have to find out by yourself inside. One thing is for sure, you can’t rely on your equipment, same as the other elite trials. Well, whatever it is. I know you will ace it.”
“Heh, you got that right.”
They came to the end of the path. A woman in fancy colorful garb sat there beside a small pond.
“Are you here for the beastmaster test?” The woman asked.
“I am,” Jack answered.
The woman extended her hand, “give me your hand please.”
Jack offered his. The woman grabbed his hand and Jack felt their mana interlinked.
“Level 30 Archer, you are qualified,” the woman said. She then scooped the water from the pond with a large spoon. “Drink this, please.”
Despite being puzzled, Jack accepted the large spoon and drank the water. He returned the spoon after. “So, where should I go to take the test?” He asked.
“Just wait. You will be soon,” the woman replied with a smile.
“I will be…” Jack’s words trailed off as extreme drowsiness suddenly took over him. He fell to the ground with a thud.
Jack felt as if he had a very long and satisfying slumber. A voice calling for him forced him to wake up. He opened his eyes reluctantly. His vision took a while to adjust. When he could finally see clearly again, he found that he was no longer in the greenhouse. He was now truly outdoor. More precisely, on a rocky hill with a night sky over it, there was a full moon above.
‘It’s night already? How long did I sleep? And how did I get all the way out here?’ Jack thought in bewilderment.
He looked around and was shocked to find there was a pack of wolves by his side.
“Hey, Peniel! What the hell is going on?” That was what he intended to say, but instead, the voice that came out of him was a series of barks.
“What the…!” He finally looked down and realized that he was standing on four limbs. And he had paws instead of hands and feet.
“The f*ck…! I am a wolf?!” He yelped, but of course, the voice that came out was still incoherent barkings.
Suddenly, a very large dark wolf stood in front of Jack, it made a loud bark. Jack was sure he didn’t understand wolf language, but somehow he knew he was being scolded. Jack decided to shut up and observe first.
Seeing that Jack had calmed down, the large black wolf walked around. The other wolves stared at it with deference. Jack knew then the black wolf was the alpha of the pack.
It circled the pack one time before it started howling. The other wolves howl as well. Jack had no idea how to howl so he just looked around awkwardly. After howling, the alpha black wolf started to run. The other wolves followed suit. When running, some bumped into Jack as they passed by. Jack figured he should follow as well so he moved his four legs to run.
‘F*ck! this is so weird, running with all four!’ Jack complained as he forced his four limbs to run.
Jack was now at the back of the pack because he had trouble running. He paid attention to how the other wolves ran, the way their legs moved. He then tried to copy them. He was sloppy but was slowly getting the hang of it as he continued to run.
He was now some distance away from the pack. Luckily, even though he was in wolf form at the moment, his basic attribute stats still affect his speed and strength. Thus, even his sloppy way of running was still fast enough to not get left too far behind.
Jack tried his best to stay at the tail of the pack, making sure not to lose them. His thought had cleared up and he remembered now that he was asking to take the Beastmaster test before he lost consciousness. This should be that test. He didn’t know what was the requirement to pass this test, but he figured not losing the pack should be one of them.
The pack ran down the stony mountain and went into the forest. The dense leaves covered the moonlight so it was dark all over beneath the trees. Yet, Jack’s wolf eyes could still see in the dark, or was it his Dragon Eye skill? But all his skills were inaccessible in this test, so he surmised his Dragon Eye should be off as well. Meaning this should be the inherent wolf’s sight. His vision was also slightly more cloudy compared to his Dragon Eye’s night vision.
His other senses were enhanced thought. He could hear very clearly all the sounds of the night. He could separate sounds that came from the movements of each separate wolf running ahead of him. One thing of his enhanced senses that he didn’t appreciate was his increased sense of smell. The wolves at the front didn’t smell so bad, but there were other foul stenches in the forest. Probably droppings from other animals. Jack made sure to stay away from those stench-generating spots.
As they ran around the trees and bushes following the lead alpha. The pack suddenly stopped. Jack was too absorbed by his running that he put in the break too late and bumped into one of the wolves in front. The two tumbles. The wolf Jack crashed onto made a growling sound as it looked at Jack menacingly. But it was soon hushed by the black alpha who gave both that wolf and Jack a warning stare.
All of the wolves were lying low as they gazed in one direction. Jack crept over the foliage and peeked at what they were looking at.
A few distances ahead was a large bear-like beast. It had thick dark furs with a feline head crowned by bull’s horns. Its limbs were thick which ended with paws that had menacing claws. It had a large lizard-like tail. It seemed to be scratching on tree bark, like a cat sharpening its claws. Jack tried to use Inspect but found that the skill was not available.
As Jack watched the beast in silence, he saw the rest of the pack was slowly creeping forward, toward the beast.
‘Hey, don’t tell me they want to take on that beast?’ Jack thought. Didn’t Peniel say this was not a combat test? Well, she also did say that she was not privy to the details of the test.
From the pack’s behavior, Jack was pretty certain that they intended to take on the beast. He figured that this should be part of the test. He would need to help the pack to win if he was to pass the test. With that speculation, he crept forward slowly as well, readying himself to spring into action at a moment’s notice.
They stopped after creeping rather close. Every wolf was still as they waited for the lead alpha’s sign, including Jack.
The bear-like beast finished playing scratch. It turned and left the tree. When its back was towards the pack, the lead alpha sprang forward. The other wolves followed the lead. Jack was a bit late compared to the others but he hurriedly ran forward as well.
All the wolves bared their fangs as they ran, Jack experienced a sense of aggression and excitement welling inside him.. His fangs were also bared imitating the others.
