Another

Chapter Five: Another

Zephyr couldn't help but question the injured man's actual species since he didn't look very human, but more wolf.

"You are lucky to have these animals looking out for you." Zephyr searched for the huge white wolf again. "Do you need help?"

[How will you help?]

"I mean, how can I help you?" Zephyr went past the young cubs and got into the cave. One of them bit his leg but he kicked them back.

He just needed to help this man and ask him of the building, there was no time to waste.

The young man's breathing was heavy and he seemed to be muttering something. Zephyr stooped down and studied his wounds. It was fresh, so fresh that it must've happened few minutes ago. "I didn't see any wild animal on the way here."

He tore the base of his shirt and wanted to wrap it around the man's waist, but realized it'd barely do anything. He pressed the clothes there to stop the bleeding. "I can only take him home, right?"

[Yes.]

Zephyr stared at the man for a while.

He knew he should feel pity as a human and maybe even as a dragon, he'd want to help. Yet for some reason, he couldn't care less and his emotions were distant.

Then, he spun on his heel and began walking away. "Someone else should do it. I have a lab to find."

"Wai—!" The man sniffed, and forced his head to leave the wall of the cave.

Zephyr turned to him with an unimpressed look. His hands were at the back of his head, a pose the original body liked being in. "Will you beg me to save you? I don't even know if you can help me in return."

"I-I..." the man forced himself to seat up, wincing and biting his lips as the pain raked through his body. "I was... going to the lab... as well."

Zephyr's hand fell from his head. Did he mean he was also an appointed human tasked with avenging the Gods?

[Ask for a name. I will check the database.]

"What's your—"

"Donovan Dio. My endpoint evolution was supposed to be 'Werewolf Demigod'." He cursed. "It messed up and I ended up with 'Alpha Werewolf' when I wasn't even close to that level. When it appeared, and not in me, it... ah!" He fell back, slapping the ground.

Zephyr wasn't sure what he meant but D.O.C had once spoken about the systems having issues.

[Donovan Dio confirmed.]

[Loading Stats...]

[Name: Donovan Dio]

[Species: Human]

[Age: 21]

[Health Points (HP): 51 / 1100 – Critical Condition]

[Mana Points (MP): 200 / 5000 – Severely Depleted]

[Level: 11 – Intermediate]

[Experience Points (XP): 50 / 550 – Progressing to Level 12]

[Reputation: High-Class Newbie]

[Attributes:

- Strength: 100

- Agility: 120

- Intelligence: 180]

[Ethical Stance: Good.]

[Donovan Dio is someone you can work with. I identify his system as...]

[Backing up....]

[Donovan Dio is without an active system.]

Zephyr face palmed. He only just arrived and he'd be having a human accompanying him. His stats were also so boring. "All his points are begging for death. No skills?"

[That's not an information I can check. His skills, detailed attributes, inventory, etc. can only be accessed by him or a with a unique skill.]

"So his health points are low but those attributes, the strength and agility, is still so high?"

[While his health is low, his attributes remain unchanged. However, his combat effectiveness and ability to survive further injuries are severely compromised.]

Zephyr nodded getting the overall idea. Either way, the young man would be useless to him. "So, he needs immediate help. But his strength and skills are intact? That's unrealistic."

[His attributes and skills are unaffected by his current health condition, however immediate medical attention is advised to prevent further deterioration.]

"I see." Zephyr returned to the cave. He had to help him since he's more experienced, at least. His mission might not likely be to destroy Dr. Leeroy so the moment he gets the information on the lab, he'd dump him. "Donovan, right?"

The young man turned to Zephyr but before he could answer, he was instantly lifted off the ground and over Zephyr's shoulders. He groaned as his stomach was slammed to the shoulders hardly. Zephyr glanced at him then shook his head.

[Be easy with him. He's 100% human.]

Zephyr gave him a pat-pat on the back. "I'd be going now..." he noticed the young jaguars trying to follow him.

He still couldn't see that huge wolf. Could it be the Alpha Werewolf Donovan had spoken about that appeared not in him? He didn't know what 'mythical creature' he was aiming for since there was wolves at the Werewolf Realm, and there were the offspring of Cerberus at the Realm right before the underworld.

"Don't lose me." He faced the young jaguars, before sprinting in full speed back to his house. In less than ten minutes, he reached the curvy street back home and slowed down.

There was a short plump woman standing outside the house, and her most prominent feature, apart from her size, was her vibrant red hair that made Zephyr confirm she was part of his family and probably his mother.

Zephyr dropped Donovan's unconscious body on the ground, and stretched due to stiffness. "I could just tell her that I saw an injured man in the forest, right?"

[Or use the basement. ]

"My room? Why should I take this leaking human into my room? Rooms are place for sleep and rest not treating—"

"Zephyr!"

The woman ran towards him, and as she came closer, Zephyr noticed her hand balling to a fist. She would be attacking him and he had plans to avoid it.

[Don't dodge.]

"Huh?"

Her fist crashed on his face, making his skin rippled. He stumbled back, stunned at the force the short human could use. He felt the stinging pain and then it slowly faded.

Then his shoulders were grabbed and pulled to a hug. The woman rubbed his back soothingly and the feeling almost wiped the pain of the punch. "Don't worry me like that."

Zephyr was frozen, surprised by the sudden affection after the violence. Humans were confusing creatures indeed.

His mother released him and cranked her neck to his back, her eyes widened and he knew what she saw. "Yes, I saw him in the forest, he was injured—"

"Kill that thing!" The mother yelled instantly. She took steps back and pulled Zephyr away from it. Her eyeballs were shaking in their sockets as if she was looking at a monster.

"Thing?" Zephyr turned, thinking she meant the baby jaguars that followed him but the animals had hidden when they noticed another human. "Do you mean the hum—"

"Those people who turn into wild beasts to cause havoc. The government is after them." His mother pointed directly at the man. "Kill it before it kills us, or worse, the government comes for our family."