I stared at the system window in confusion.
Mind Control?
Since when did I have a skill like that?
At that moment, the Broxshigal turned around and began walking away.
…Wait.
I quickly shouted,
“Broxshigal, come here!”
It stopped immediately.
Then it turned back toward me and walked over.
I swallowed as I looked up at the bear-sized monster.
“Sit!”
It lowered its huge body to the ground.
“Stand!”
It got back up.
“Bark!”
“Chik! Chik!”
…What?
This actually works?
The Broxshigal moved exactly as I commanded, like a puppet.
Mind Control works on monsters too?
Out of curiosity, I tried using the Charm skill on it.
[Activating ‘Charm’ skill.]
[Skill activation failed.]
[Target is not suitable.]
Hmm.
Looks like Charm doesn’t work on monsters.
Still, it didn’t matter.
I had gained a new skill, and it worked in situations like this.
“Wait…”
A brilliant idea hit me.
I immediately checked on Theodore.
“Theodore, are you okay?”
No response.
My heart dropped. I quickly placed a finger under his nose.
He was breathing.
Just unconscious.
“Broxshigal, come here.”
It lumbered toward me.
I secured Theodore’s armor to the spikes on the Broxshigal’s back and tied it tightly using its fur.
Okay. He should be stable enough.
I grabbed the stiff fur and climbed onto its back.
It smelled awful, but this wasn’t the time to complain.
Holding on tightly, I gave the command.
“Take me safely to the surface.”
“Chik.”
It kicked off the ground and ran.
Wind hit my face as I clung to its back.
This is amazing.
It’s like a free car!
We didn’t encounter any major threats on the way. The monster seemed to instinctively avoid danger.
Some Broxshi appeared, but none dared approach.
Soon, faint light appeared ahead.
As it climbed up over rocks, sunlight burst into view.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Fresh air filled my lungs.
We’re out!
When I opened my eyes, I saw green trees, blue sky, and heard birds chirping.
Normal air and sunlight had never felt so precious.
“Oh—Theodore!”
I had almost forgotten him.
I climbed down and carefully lowered him from the monster’s back.
“He’s still breathing…”
I patted the Broxshigal.
“Good job, Galgal.”
Suddenly, it began trembling.
“Chik…”
“Uh?”
This feels bad.
Did the skill wear off?
Its eyes slowly filled with hostility.
Was there a time limit?
It would’ve been nice to know!
“Grrrk…”
“Damn.”
I hurriedly tried to activate the skill again.
[Activating ‘Mind Control’ skill.]
[Skill activation failed.]
No!
Just like Charm, it must be limited to once a day.
The important thing now was survival.
I gripped the meat tenderizer tightly.
“Grrr!”
It lunged.
“Ahhh!”
I swung—
But before I could hit it—
“SKREEEE—!”
A sharp sound cut through the air.
The Broxshigal shrieked and collapsed, foam spilling from its mouth.
What just happened?
Before I could process it, its body fell forward.
Behind it stood someone familiar.
I blinked.
“Duke…?”
Why are you here?
Jerome looked just as surprised.
“Miss Amervier? What are you doing here?”
“I got lost in the mountains… But what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in the North?”
“I had personal matters in the South.”
Then his eyes moved to Theodore.
“That is Commander Blair of the Holy Knights. Is he with you?”
“Yes.”
“He looks in urgent need of treatment.”
“He was badly injured fighting monsters.”
“I have people nearby, including a healer. We should regroup.”
Jerome fired a small flare into the sky.
As white smoke rose, he looked at me carefully.
His clear blue eyes scanned me from head to toe… and stopped at the meat tenderizer.
“…Why are you holding a meat tenderizer?”
Good question.
Even he could tell it wasn’t ideal for fighting monsters.
“It was the only thing I could use…”
He frowned slightly.
What was I supposed to do?
His group soon arrived—mercenaries, a mage, and a healer.
One of them stared at the Broxshigal’s corpse.
“Duke, Broxshigals live in caves. They don’t normally come to the surface in daylight.”
“With recent monster abnormalities, it’s not impossible,” Jerome replied calmly. “More importantly, there’s an injured man.”
The healer examined Theodore.
“Commander Blair? His condition is serious. We must move him immediately.”
They placed Theodore on a stretcher.
Then a few of them turned to me.
“Miss, are you un—”
They froze.
Their eyes widened as they stared at me.
Only then did I realize how I must look.
Covered in dirt from rolling through the forest and cave. Blood from Broxshi splattered on me. And worst of all, I smelled like the Broxshigal.
…Now I understand why Jerome frowned.
A filthy, smelly girl holding a meat tenderizer.
At least his affection didn’t drop.
“I’m fine…” I muttered.
As we walked toward their camp, Jerome briefly looked at me—then quickly looked away.
Right.
This was our first time meeting since he rejected me.
Awkward.
But maybe this was a chance given by the system.
Time to try again.
Then I remembered my new skill.
Mind Control.
…What if?
I quickened my pace and called out.
“Duke.”
He turned.
“?”
At that exact moment, I activated the skill.
[Activating ‘Mind Control’ skill.]
