Chapter 308 (1/2)

Simon was profoundly disturbed by the Wild Rider. Well, perhaps disturbed wasn’t the right word, but the other person, shrouded in furs with the large moose antlers spreading from their head, certainly cut an impressive figure. In comparison, Simon felt profoundly underwhelming, just a regular, skinny teen wrapped in leathers.

That feeling was reinforced by the Pledgees of the Wild Rider.

After Thea and David had combined forces to kill the Raid Boss, and Simon was shocked by some of the resulting notifications, he had returned to his physical body to find himself surrounded by two children riding wolves, and an elderly woman on top of a rhino. Tersely, they informed him that he was coming with them.

Simon had seen the interference of the Wild Rider in the battle, although he didn’t really understand exactly what they had done, he assented to going with the Pledgees. All the while, as they rode back together, the children on the wolves were whispering to each other, giving Simon long looks.

He stared at the thick skin of the rhino beneath him, unsure of what to say. Sure, he had definitely progressed in skills, but… there wasn’t anything flashy in what he did. Trying to keep in mind that his assistance was part of the reason that David had been able to kill so many, Simon just sat silently.

After a 20 minute ride, they arrived at a small camp absolutely bustling with humans and animals of various breeds. What was perhaps the most confusing was that some of the animals appeared to be directing the people, and didn’t have a rider, strutting around the camp. The Pledgees gave these animals a wide berth, and hopped to attention whenever these alphas growled.

A tall, shaggy sheep with thick, snow-white fur, of all things, seemed to be in charge, and trotted neatly over towards the newly arrived group, the crowds of barking, crowing, screeching, and hooting animals moving organically out of the way.

It gave them a look, then got down on its knees in front of them.

“What…?” One of the children gasped, and even the old woman frowned. The sheep simply snorted, turning and giving the people the stink eye.

The old woman turned to Simon. “She… uh… she will be escorting you the rest of the way. Get… uh… on her. Be gentle, she-”

The sheep snorted again, louder this time, and the old woman’s rhino made a pained expression and nudged the elderly woman. Simon tried to remain as unobtrusive as possible, and was slightly aghast at the thought of getting on the back of this sheep. Simon supposed that it was larger than a typical sheep, around the size of a motorcycle, but still…

At the prodding of the children, Simon awkwardly walked forward, and put his leg over the sheep’s back. After several seconds, giving Simon time to position himself, the sheep stood, lifting him off of the ground.

Then the sheep began to run. The world seemed to blur. All of his earlier respect was forgotten, as Simon was forced to run his hands through its luxuriously soft fur in order to keep his seat on the sheep’s back. This sort of speed….!

Wasn’t this even faster than David moved?!?

Then abruptly, it was over. There was a single small tent ahead of him, a beautiful, patchwork thing made of brilliant and bright squares of cloth in every color of the rainbow. After Simon had shakily dismounted, the sheep trotted ahead, using its nose to open up the tent and walking right into the area. After a brief hesitation, Simon followed.

So now he found himself sitting with the Wild RIder, simply waiting. Several candles burned throughout the room, and Simon was seated on a series of cushions. Neither had said a word as of yet, and it was really starting to make Simon nervous.

Just as he opened his mouth to speak, the Wild Rider moved, standing. Quietly, they walked to the back of the tent, and pointed. “Your friend is not yet recovered, but… you should speak with your other companion. She.. struggles.”

Blinking, Simon was so shocked by the abrupt movement that he didn’t initially recognize what the Wild Rider was saying. “Uh…. Thea…?”

It was… extremely unexpected that she was the one who was struggling. After the reward she had received for killing the Tier III Raid Boss, wouldn’t she be delighted? Not just the skill, but also that item…

But still, Simon nodded uncertainly and followed the Wild Rider’s direction, walking back into the room at the back left of the tent, almost surprised to find that there was a great space there, another room filled with cushions, where Thea and Chrysanthemum sat. To Simon’s surprise, the sheep was also there, seeming to converse with Chrysanthemum with low growls and snorts.