Terror Filled

Now in a rather open practice field stood Yu and Udo facing one another, each with a relaxed face that seemed assured of its victory

"As the old man is our group's benefactor I won't kill you, can't say your face will remain intact though"

Udo jabbed at Yu but all he received was a dull stare, clearly his opponent wasn't one to enjoy trash talking

Seeing as there was no need for words he took out a yellow crystal and started chanting, a hexagram formed on the ground from which a three-meter wolf came out

"Dire Wolf"

Recognising the big wolf Yu blandly called out its species, sure it was big compared to the rest of dire wolves but it wasn't as big as the one he recruited near Halferg, perhaps the only special thing about it were those abnormal red eyes

'I wonder how that guy is doing, I hope they didn't hunt him down'

He cared a little for the big wolf, but even if it did die he wouldn't be saddened by that, after all setting aside the fact that it almost killed him they didn't even spend much time together

"Your guess is on the mark but also far from it, this is a variant Dire Wolf with the ability to enter enraged state, anything under Gold that stands in its way will be ripped to shreds"

Explained Udo haughtily, making it look like this was a top-notch beast

Instead of answering Yu merely strung the mysterious syllables once more to call out the squirrel who finally woke up yesterday night, without it being awake he wouldn't have started this fight anyway

As soon as he did so everyone was shocked, not at the small-sized golden furry creature but the fact that he did no use a Soul Stone to summon the beast out, his hands were clearly clutching the branches when he chanted

"Grimoire?"

Jax asked looking at the old man who was raising an eyebrow as well but not in surprise at the grimoire like them, instead it was the fact that squirrel came out the hexagram rather than the troublemaking canine he'd heard so much about

"Aren't you going to use your flaming wolf?"

"She's not in a condition to fight right now, plus this little one is easily capable of finishing the job"

"Hmm"

The old beggar said no more, Udo though couldn't help but speak with a sarcastic tone

"What's this I see? I'm using summons to fight since your crippled but even your beasts are crippled? You have been gifted with so much yet you're still useless"

His tone oozed with envy, it didn't take a genius to figure out he wanted a grimoire as well

"Am I not sending an able beast now"

"You call that little Gemarium a beast? Why don't you just admit you can't put up a struggle and give up, I wouldn't want to be known for bullying the weak"

"And I have nothing against being labelled a bully"

With that said he brought out a crossbow from his storage ring further astonishing them by the fact that he possessed spatial items before shooting at the big wolf

The beast merely sidestepped the bolt and snarled at him for the pitiful attempt of an attack, at least until it felt a small thing land on its back

"The little squirrel actually rode the arrow to jump at it when it evades, a very smart move but now what?"

Udo questioned and an answer Yu quickly gave

"Reck it"

BAM!!

The small weight on the wolf's back quickly turned so heavy it could barely stand, the heavy punch that came afterwards made sure to put it down breaking a bone or two in the process

"What is that!!?!!"

Seeing a four-armed giant manifest on his beast's back gobsmacked not just Udo but everyone else, even the old and experienced man was left shocked, a beast that could transform like this was never seen before

While the spectators stood mouth wide open the squirrel proceeded to shove two of its hands into the wolf's mouth forcefully opening it to rip the poor fellow apart

"Don't kill it"

Its kill move was put on hold by Yu's orders, the battle was now finished so there was no need to start an irreversible hostile relationship

"You think you just won like that?!"

Or so they thought until Udo rushed at him with a spear in hand, the young man was not satisfied with this result and turned to fight the crippled him instead

"Humph, suit your self"

Storing the normal crossbow he took out his trusty weapon, Dead Silence, a tool that never failed to deter his enemies

"!!"

Sure enough, Udo stopped dead in his tracks alarmed by the deadly energy aiming at him, it felt like just another step spelt his demise

"STOP!"

Trudy quickly appeared between the deadly foe and her son

"The test ended my son lost, please stop"

She requested with a shaky voice, in fact he could see her entire body shaking in fear right now, the strong-looking woman nowhere to be seen

"Hmm?"

Her reaction was overboard, even her son who should be weaker than her didn't shake like this which puzzled Yu

"The battel's over kid, put it away"

Since the old man said so he stored the dangerous weapon and called back the squirrel who was more than happy to turn into its small form once more and take its rightful place on his shoulder, stretching its body lazily and slumping against his neck for another long sleep

"You did well"

He caressed it gently, then unsummoned it and turned to the spectators

Much to his surprise he found Jax giving him a cautious stair, Calum stood before Celaine protectively while the woman in question had fallen on her butt, her body was quivering in fear as an unpleasant smell of urine wafted to his nose

Giving the old fellow who brought him here a side-glance Yu couldn't hold back from commenting

"Capable hands, you say"

"Haha.."

The old beggar gave a dry laugh in response, ignoring his snide comment and facing Trudy instead

"See, he's strong enough to join your group"

The previously outgoing woman was now taking deep breaths to calm her beating heart, even with the dreadful energy dissipating her state of mind remained effected

"No, now more than ever I can't let him join us, not with that type of energy, old man I don't believe you would even entertain the thought of bringing him to this group"

"He needs a safe place to stay and you guys must overcome your trauma"

"That doesn't mean taking it into our modest, we can't possibly live with him, just look for yourself what the mere presence of his energy does"

Pointing to Celaine she emphasised her point

"Haah"

Seeing how steadfast she was in her decision he sighed, his face turned serious for the first time since Yu saw him

"I'm calling in a solid from you, consider it payback for the time I saved you and the last request I have for you all"

"...."

When put this way there was no room for her to reject him at all, all she could do was look at her comrades for help

Calum was just standing there looking at Yu with a malic filled gaze, Celaine already zoned off while Jax had his shoulders slumped, a tired sigh escaping his lips

"Fine old friend, we'll do it, however, this is the last favour we will eve be doing for you and if anything happens because of your "friend"...consider our blood on your hands"

Jax answered in her steed, clearly he didn't like it as well but refusing was out of the question, their dignity as a mercenary group would reach rock bottom, just like their reputation

The old fellow nodded and looked back at Yu

"Hear that kid? You're now a member of this group"

"...."

"I'm sure you overjoyed beyond words, go in now and wait at the hall while they...sort out their thoughts"

With a dull gaze Yu complied and headed toward the hall, he didn't know what was going on nor what this group really was but one thing was for sure, it didn't look like a welcoming home whatsoever

'Just my luck'

Cursing in his mind he evacuated the group's line of sight, only then did they relax a little from their extremely tense state