102

Essential for Journeying

The team composition remained unchanged: Forseti, Hela, and Hermond ventured into the forest together.

Unexpectedly, shortly after leaving the meeting point, a piercing sound echoed through the sky. In an instant, a silver-armored warhorse with eight legs materialized before them, as if by teleportation or sheer speed. The steed exuded a fierce aura akin to a dragon's.

"Daughter," Odin, seated atop the warhorse, greeted Hela with a proud smile. "I knew you would triumph over Skadi."

Hela bowed respectfully. "Father."

Forseti and Hermond saluted in turn. "Master Odin."

"You've all performed admirably, Hermond and Forseti," Odin acknowledged with a nod.

Turning his attention back to Hela, he continued, "I'll take you to Nidavellir."

"Nidavellir?" Hela was taken aback.

Odin chuckled. "Yes, for your warhammer. The Dwarf King has readied the mold. It's time you paid a visit."

Hela hesitated. "But the hunting festival isn't over yet."

"My daughter, you've already secured victory in the hunt. Waiting a few more days won't make much difference. Let's go," Odin insisted jovially.

Left with no choice, Hela mounted the eight-legged steed and instructed Forseti and Hermond, "Return to the assembly point and wait until the festival's conclusion."

"Hiss--"

With a final neigh, the eight-legged horse vanished.

Forseti nudged Hermond. "Is that eight-legged Pegasus faster than you?"

"How should I know? I haven't raced it... But it can traverse space freely, something I can't do," Hermond replied.

"Shall we head back to the assembly point now?"

"Let's explore the forest a bit; perhaps we'll encounter some interesting prey."

Thus, they wandered through the forest, taking in the scenery.

Before long, they stumbled upon a clearing, where they kindled a bonfire and prepared for a woodland barbecue.

Unfortunately, luck was not on their side. Just as the fire crackled to life, rain began to drizzle, gradually intensifying and threatening to extinguish their flames.

In a moment of inspiration, Forseti scooped up the silent stone-eating Little Shilut, tapping his forehead. "Spit out some stones."

"Wow—" Little Shilut opened his mouth, spewing debris that swiftly coalesced into a two-meter-high rock wall.

Though thin, the wall proved surprisingly sturdy, capable even of withstanding dragon flames, far surpassing ordinary stone.

"Come on," Forseti beckoned again.

"Wow—"

Another wall emerged.

"Good boy. Once more," Forseti encouraged.

In no time, Little Shilut encircled the bonfire with a rudimentary structure, shielding it from wind and rain.

Forseti and Hermond settled inside the makeshift shelter, contentedly watching the rain outside.

"This is essential for traveling," Hermond remarked, patting Little Shilut.

Turning to Forseti, he added, "Where did you find this? I want one too."

Meanwhile, Little Shilut sat on the ground, visibly deflated, as though drained.

"Hungry?" Forseti inquired.

"Yeah." Little Shilut nodded.

Forseti scanned their surroundings, then dashed out, returning shortly with several large stones. He crushed them and fed them to Little Shilut, who ate contentedly while rain drummed overhead.

Gradually, Forseti's gaze drifted to the adjacent wall. Knocking it lightly, he marveled at its solidity, surpassing even Asgard's finest stone bricks.

Glancing at Little Shilut beside him, Forseti couldn't help but stroke his chin.

Swift and sturdy construction—Little Shilut was a budding star in the universe's real estate market, if not for his insatiable appetite.

Night fell.

Hermond rested while Forseti kept vigil.

"You've eaten again? Still hungry?" Forseti watched Little Shilut, who had devoured another batch of stones yet seemed eager for more.

Little Shilut nodded. "Eh-eh."

"Quiet now; Hermond's asleep. Stay here; I'll find you more food," Forseti instructed.

With that, he exited the shelter to search for suitable stones nearby.

After several fruitless searches for large rocks, he ventured further and eventually stumbled upon a massive, gleaming boulder under the moonlight.

It resembled the type Little Shilut preferred, prompting Forseti to approach and attempt to move it.

The boulder proved too heavy, forcing Forseti to resort to his warhammer, striking it repeatedly.

Suddenly, Forseti's expression shifted, a sense of foreboding tingling at his senses. He swiftly dodged aside.

"Ow!"

Without warning, a colossal black shadow pounced, shattering the boulder into pieces.

Forseti recoiled in shock, now able to discern the figure: a giant wolf—larger than any elephant, the largest wolf-like creature he'd ever seen.

Dodging its assault, Forseti swiftly retrieved his Ice Shaper's longbow and an arrow from Sanctuary space.

Bow drawn, the cold condensed.

The giant wolf, still disoriented, fell victim to the Ice Shaper's Arrow, struck in the knee and crippled by icy power.

"Ow—" The wolf's movements slowed significantly from the freezing effects.

Disliking the cold as much as Frost Giants did, Forseti quickly stowed his bow, brandishing Verðandi's Fist to engage the giant wolf.

Though formidable in size and strength, the giant wolf lacked unique abilities. Forseti maneuvered deftly, exploiting its size and mobility.

Moments later.

Justice's Hammer!

Seizing an opening, Forseti leaped and delivered a punishing blow to the wolf's forehead.

The impact dazed the giant wolf, staggering it. Despite the blow, its robust physique enabled swift recovery; before Forseti landed, it retaliated with a powerful claw swipe.

Caught off guard, Forseti was sent flying, crashing into a tree and feeling the impact in his chest.

As the giant wolf prepared to charge once more, Forseti hastily struck the ground with his warhammer.

Sword of Justice!

A longsword of holy light and flame erupted from the earth, slashing a deep gash across one of the wolf's front legs, blood spattering.

Regaining his footing, Forseti charged forward, holy light imbuing his strike as he targeted the wolf's injured joint.

"Ow!" Hindered by the icy chill and the pain, the giant wolf howled, limping away.

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