Sensing the shock and confusion in the Snow Wolf King's tone, Peter, who was sitting at the front, also turned his head to look back.
Peter: "?"
"You're actually fine?"
His tone was filled with shock.
His expression was full of disappointment.
Asher: "..."
'Good grief.'
'So this guy did it on purpose.'
Asher didn't really feel like talking.
Seeing the meaning in Asher's eyes, Peter first touched his nose guiltily, then immediately switched to a completely justified expression.
"Ahem!"
"Isn't it better to be fast?"
"As for feeling a little bit uncomfortable, isn't that normal?", Peter said while glancing at Asher again.
"Besides, you got used to it just fine."
The Tier 7 Beast Tamers who had been thrown off by the Snow Wolf King looked up gloomily at Peter and Asher.
Even without turning around, Asher could feel the burning gazes drilling into his back, as if they were about to set him on fire.
Asher: '…What a sin.'
He hadn't done anything, yet thanks to Peter's mouth, he had somehow maxed out the hatred value from these people. Asher didn't even know what to say.
He could only stare at Peter in exasperation.
Peter stared back, looking even more righteous.
After a moment... Peter's eyes lit up, "You're actually pretty tough, kid!"
The Tier 7 Beast Tamers, who felt like they had just been insulted: "..."
Asher, who was still sitting on the Snow Wolf King, was considered tough? Then what about them…
"I guess it's because I train a lot," Asher said, his gaze drifting as he sighed. He reached out and patted the Snow Wolf King's back, signaling for it to let him down.
As for why he wasn't feeling dizzy like the others… Asher thought of Little Raven. Because of Little Raven, his field of vision was different from ordinary people.
Even during the Snow Wolf King's high-speed sprint, Asher could maintain a clear perception of his surroundings, not losing his sense of direction due to excessive speed and falling into disorientation.
Following Asher's gesture, the Snow Wolf King used its long, fluffy tail to wrap around him and lower him to the ground.
The stares directed at Asher lessened slightly.
Fortunately, everyone had strong adaptability. It was just that the Snow Wolf King's insane speed had been a bit too much, making them look so disheveled.
After a brief adjustment, everyone returned to their original state from when they first set out—spirited, full of energy, and ready to go.
Peter also jumped down from the Snow Wolf King's back.
"Everyone, get ready. We're about to enter the mist. Summon your strongest beasts," The playful demeanor was gone, and Peter, now serious, carried the imposing aura of a Ace Beast Tamer.
"""Understood!""", the Tier 7 Beast Tamers responded in unison.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Everyone released their strongest beasts, each one an Tier 8 powerhouse.
The air, land, and water were instantly filled.
From the flying Blackgold Roc, Blissful Bird, and Ethereal Crane in the sky, to the ground-based Flying Cloud Tiger and Electro Thunder Lynx, and even the water-type Spirit River Fish.
Asher, upon seeing the Spirit River Fish: "?"
The Beast Tamer of the Spirit River Fish was a slightly older woman with a side ponytail and a gentle, wifely aura. She had been quiet the entire time.
Their eyes met.
As if understanding Asher's unspoken question, the woman smiled slightly and said, "Professor Asher, hello. My name is Nia Corlis. I managed to become a Tier 7 Beast Tamer thanks to your help."
Asher's gaze fell on the Spirit River Fish, suddenly understanding Nia's meaning.
"My Rainbow Scaled Koi Fish had just reached high Tier 7. When you discovered its new evolution path, I immediately attempted it. I really like this form."
Peter, who had yet to notice the Spirit River Fish, suddenly turned his head upon hearing this.
His gaze landed on the Spirit River Fish, eyes full of amazement.
"This is… the form you discovered, Professor Asher?", Peter looked between the Spirit River Fish and Asher, his awkwardness evident from how he addressed Asher as 'Professor.'
But just by sensing the powerful energy emanating from the Spirit River Fish, Peter knew this form was anything but weak.
Especially compared to the Rainbow Scaled Koi Fish's usual evolution into the cumbersome Banyan Fish, this form was undoubtedly far superior.
The only problem was… the Spirit River Fish's appearance.
Peter nodded knowingly, giving Asher a certain kind of look.
He understood.
He totally understood.
Asher: "?"
Question marks filled his mind.
'Wait?'
'What does this guy even think he understood?'
'Why does it feel like he is the one who doesn't understand anything at all?'
"Right," Peter said, deciding not to explain.
Everyone knew without saying anything, that was the best outcome.
Peter looked at Asher, "Professor Asher, you… never mind, just summon all your beasts. I'll keep an eye on you."
The other Tier 7 Beast Tamers nodded in agreement.
That made sense.
The mist's safety level was unknown. Judging by the Red Soil Exploration Team's sudden loss of contact, it was definitely dangerous.
They hadn't summoned all their beasts because there were too many people. Having too many beasts out would hinder their search.
One Tier 8 beast per person was enough.
But for Asher…
Well, better to have more. If something really happened, even one extra second of protection could make a difference.
As for why they didn't just assign their own beasts to guard Asher…
Because without a Beast Tamer bond, the response time would be significantly delayed.
Asher, now receiving this 'special treatment': "…"
He didn't particularly want this special treatment.
But what could he do?
Their concern and worry were sincere, so he could only accept it with reluctance.
Whoosh—
All four of Asher's beasts were summoned.
Little Raven, Cat-Worm, Little White Snake, and Little Jellyfish each found their usual spots on Asher's body with practiced ease, the whole process smooth and effortless.
Even Peter and the others were stunned.
"Not bad," Nia finally spoke, smiling, "Professor Asher's beasts seem to be exceptionally well-trained."
As she spoke, her gaze lingered on Little Raven.
Even just by looking.
Nia could feel the immense presence radiating from Little Raven.
Considering that Asher was only an Advance Beast Tamer…
'No, no, no.'
'There was no way this golden-red bird is merely Tier 5.'
An Advance Beast Tamer/ Tier-2 could contract four beasts, at least two of which had to be Tier 5.
The remaining two had to be at least fourth-rank.
But…
Although most people couldn't determine a beast's level at a glance, Nia's talent, [Level Perception], allowed her to instantly gauge the power and threat level of beasts.
Activating her skill—
What she sensed made her jaw drop.
'Sixth-rank?'
'Though only at the lower stage, I am still sure it's sixth-rank.'
'And among the remaining three… two are Tier 5?'
The weakest, Little White Snake, was at high fourth-rank, on the verge of breaking through.
Nia was shocked.
'Goodness.'
She could only exclaim in astonishment.
Asher had only contracted and nurtured a few pet beasts, otherwise, he would have already become a Tier 3 Beast Tamer without a doubt.
For other Beast Tamers, the biggest obstacle to leveling up was usually the contract limit of their pet beasts. Their strongest pet beasts often couldn't meet the required level, getting stuck at Tier 4 or 5 without breaking through.
But for Asher, the situation was entirely different.
The thing restricting Asher's own level wasn't the upper limit of his pet beasts, it was their lower limit.
He didn't have enough contracted pet slots open.
The number of pet beasts required for his level wasn't met.
Not to mention...
Nia's gaze swept over the four pet beasts beside Asher one by one.
Danger.
Each pet beast emitted an aura that made her feel uneasy.
She could barely understand why Asher's strongest pet beast, Little Raven, gave off that kind of feeling.
What she couldn't understand was why even the one that looked like the weakest, a little guy resembling a Jade Silver Serpent, also gave her an intense sense of crisis.
It felt as if... she was being stared at by some kind of legendary beast.
A chill ran down her spine.
Nia: *Completely numb*
Asher noticed Nia's gaze, but he didn't think too much of it, assuming she was just curious.
Nia also had no intention of pointing out the strength of Asher's pet beasts.
There was no need.
As long as she knew it in her heart, that was enough.
Although the other Beast Tamers couldn't immediately determine the strength of Asher's pet beasts, they could at least tell they weren't weak.
On top of that, Asher himself was a Tier 2 Beast Tamer, and with a group of Tier 7 Beast Tamers around him for protection, there wouldn't be any problems.
Confidence was overflowing.
Taking a deep breath—
The group, fully prepared, took their first steps into the mist.
Flying pet beasts hovered at low altitudes to keep watch, while the Flying Cloud Tiger and the Electro Thunder Lynx guarded the left and right flanks, carefully observing their surroundings.
The Spirit River Fish led the way. Though its presence wasn't particularly significant, water-attribute pet beasts had some special perception in misty environments, as mist was also a form of water.
The Snow Wolf King stayed at the back, covering their retreat.
Every step the group took was cautious, and through the power of their contracts, they maintained a constant, strong connection with their pet beasts.
Then...
The expressions of the Beast Tamers with Blackgold Roc, Blissful Bird, and Ethereal Crane gradually turned odd.
Their gazes occasionally flickered toward Asher, who was walking behind them, and toward the large gold-and-red bird hovering above his head.
Calling it a "large bird" wasn't entirely accurate.
In terms of size, the Blackgold Roc was the biggest among the four bird-type pet beasts present.
When it spread its wings, it might not completely blot out the sky, but it could easily carry an adult man on its back.
However, the Blackgold Roc's Beast Tamer could sense something unusual, a faint, cowering sensation coming from the Blackgold Roc...
And it wasn't fear of some unknown beast lurking in the mist.
Nor was it fear of the Blissful Bird or the Ethereal Crane.
It was fear of the golden-red bird behind them.
The Blackgold Roc's Beast Tamer had every reason to suspect that if he weren't forcing it to lead the way, the Blackgold Roc would have already tucked in its wings and curled into a ball, trembling!
The Blissful Bird's Beast Tamer wasn't faring any better.
Although slightly smaller than the Blackgold Roc, the Blissful Bird was an extremely popular bird-type beast.
Its elegant, fluffy feathers, uniquely shaped like willow leaves or crescent moons, made it especially beloved among its kind.
Particularly in nest-building, the Blissful Bird had an advantage over all others.
However...
Through their contract, the Blissful Bird's Beast Tamer could feel the bird's inner panic, trembling with fear.
Blissful Bird: 'He-hel-help! Help bird!'
Blissful Bird's Beast Tamer: "?"
And then there was the Ethereal Crane's Beast Tamer.
Purely in terms of appearance, the Ethereal Crane was the most beautiful among them.
Its iridescent plumage, shimmering with a cascade of colors, was one of the reasons for its name and also its most distinctive feature.
Ethereal Crane was strong.
And its personality was obnoxiously arrogant.
Its favorite thing to do was flaunt its feathers in front of other bird-type beasts.
If it encountered a bird with better feathers than its own, Ethereal Crane would immediately launch into a jealous frenzy, attacking its rival relentlessly. After emerging victorious, it would pluck the defeated bird's most beautiful feathers and stick them into its own plumage.
Ethereal Crane's Beast Tamer had originally felt quite relieved.
Even though there were three bird-type pet beasts in the group, none of them looked as stunning as Ethereal Crane.
At worst, Ethereal Crane would just show off a bit.
But unexpectedly...
Ethereal Crane was behaving far too obediently.
So obedient that its Beast Tamer began to wonder if the Ethereal Crane had been secretly swapped out by some unknown beast in the mist.
But the contract between them was real, there was no way for an beast to perfectly mimic that connection.
'So where is the problem?'
Ethereal Crane's Beast Tamer focused on sensing Ethereal Crane's emotions.
And then—
The three Beast Tamers, almost simultaneously, sneakily glanced toward Asher and the golden-red bird above his head.
Just by looking with their eyes, they couldn't see anything unusual about that pet beast.
Little Raven: ╭(╯^╰)╮
Blackgold Roc, Blissful Bird, Ethereal Crane: QAQ *Shivering*
The three Beast Tamers each had complex emotions in their hearts.
Although they didn't fully understand.
They had a vague realization.
Asher's golden-red bird was absolutely not ordinary.
Otherwise, how could it possibly frighten their Blackgold Roc, Blissful Bird, and Ethereal Crane to such an extent?
Noticing the three Beast Tamers' gazes, Asher: "..."
Asher looked up at Little Raven, his eyes filled with helplessness.
'Alright, that's enough!'
'They're all our own people!'
'Do you understand the concept of 'our own people'?'
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