My Summons Are Mythical Beasts

Spot walked toward him leisurely.

Lucas, who had been hiding above a tree, revealed himself before climbing down.

"Bud, you found the water source?" He asked, his eyes glistening in anticipation.

Spot barked a little and nodded his in confirmation.

Lucas' eyes lit up, "Great! Great! Good job, Spot!"

He ran toward the meat strips that he was sun drying and packed them up including the skin that had already shrunk after having the moisture extracted out of it.

Like the flayed skin, the meat strips themselves had also shown signs of shrinkage. The smell was nothing pleasant, but it was not unbearable to the point of smelling rotten. Knowing that this was part of the process, Lucas did not mind the smell one bit and packed them all to the flayed skin that now acted as the storage bag for the meat strips.

Now that most of their moisture was gone, the weight of the bag of meat had considerably lightened by almost a half, making it easier for Lucas to carry over his shoulders along with his oringal damaged bag.

After he was done, he told Spot to lead the way toward the water source.

The sun was already setting in the west, and Lucas planned to reach the water source before night falls.

The direction that Spot was leading him to, was not toward west, unfortunately.

However, it did not matter to Lucas as he only planned to clean himself and store some water from that water source.

Although he was in a hurry and elated about the fact that Spot found a water source, Lucas actually did not rush toward the location immediately.

Just as much as he needs water, other creatures, including beasts, need water to survive too.

As the only water source in the area, the one found by Spot would be bound to have a few beasts living around it, or visiting it every now and then, just like that boar.

The water itself might provide salvation, but who was to say that going there could guarantee survival?

Although Spot had not seen any creature there when he ventured earlier, it does not mean there would be no beasts in there now as well.

Careful as always, Lucas told Spot to lead the way leisurely.

Spot followed his instructions and strode forward in his Gentle Dog form.

From his demeanor, Lucas guessed that he had already fully recovered. He looked lively and energetic. As if taking a stroll in a public area, Spot sauntered forward confidently.

His actions might look careless, but as Spot's summoner, Lucas knew that the dog was actually quite alert and wary. He might be walking and leading the way leisurely, but once a threat emerges, Spot would directly transform into his Hellhound Manifestation form to confront the enemy.

Having scouted ahead earlier, though, Lucas already knew that the path they were taking was safe. Spot's vigilance might seem excessive and unfounded, but as someone who had almost their own summoner, Spot was probably just trying to get back to him in one way or another.

Knowing his intentions through their shared connection, Lucas just allowed Spot be.

He had never blamed Spot, and he would never blame Spot for what has, and will happen in the future.

Allowing Spot to express his feelings, the two of them arrived at the water source a few minutes before night fell.

Even when they were still afar, Lucas could already hear the rushing of water in the distance.

Before proceeding further, he vigilantly looked around, searching for any threat. Below him, in his Gentle Dog form, Spot was also doing the same.

It was only when they deemed the area safe did the duo walk forward to see the source of water themselves.

Contrary to his expectations before, the water source was actually not a river, but merely a creek.

As its name suggested, the creek was not big and deep. The creak was shallow and was around one to two feet deep in some areas. The width of the running water was only around eight to ten feet at most as well, making the creek remain just a creak.

Although not deep, the water traveled seamlessly and without obstructions. The water was crystal clear, the bedrocks visible from above.

Upon a quick glance, Lucas did not notice any life in the running water. Even small fish were not present, as if the creek itself was devoid of any life. Something like this was not uncommon, though, so Lucas just ignored that fact in the end.

There were chances that this running flow of water was harmful to the human body. Having come from unknown origin, Lucas did not know what kind of elements were mixed in this flowing water and if they were harmful to him.

It was unfortunate that he had no testing kit with him at this moment, so he could not check if the water was indeed safe to drink.

But he was indeed in need of water at this moment, urgently at that.

His throat was already hoarse and dry. Just like he had promised, he would not drink the remaining water in his canteen until he found a water source.

Since a water source was now found, the only thing left was to confirm whether the water was harmful or not.

With no testing kit, he could only turn to Spot and ask.

He then glanced at Spot and asked, "What do you think, Spot? Is it okay to drink water from this creek?"

As if answering the question, Spot merely took a step forward and lowered his head to the flowing water in the creek.

Seeing his actions was all that Lucas needed to know the answer.

Trusting Spot a lot, Lucas abandoned pretense and immediately dropped the meat strips before he plunged forward to the water, much like Spot.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The first thing he did was to take a bath in the creek and clean himself up. Even though he has not been here in the wilderness for long, Lucas knew for himself how badly he had smelled until the moment he plunged into the creek.

If he had not found a water source, Lucas was even already planning to abandon his smelly clothes as they might attract beasts one in the future with how badly it smelled.

As he bathed, Lucas also took a few sips of the running water slowly.

At this moment, Spot had also chosen to take a bath for some reason. His small Gentle Dog form plunges toward the shallow waters of the creek. As he landed, Lucas visibly saw for his own eyes how the dirt on Spot's body was removed quite easily.

Knowing that he could not relax for too long, Lucas hurriedly got out of the creek to dry himself up. With no clothes in his bag available for use, Lucas could only remain almost naked, with only his underwear remaining covering the most private part of his body.

The clothes he had been wearing just now were washed, and were now hanging in a tree branch not far away.

After a while, Lucas packed his things up and found a suitable place to hide.

As he hid, he opened the flayed skin bag full of meat and took a meat strip out from the many that had been stored in the bag.

Hesitating for a bit, Lucas mustered his courage and immediately took a bite off the meat strips that he had dry sun earlier.

"Wow!"

Lucas exclaimed as the meat strip danced all over his mouth.

"This is not tasty at all," he continued.

His words might be complaining but his hands had already moved as he took another bite off the meat strip he had just.

Without seasonings and even just the simplest salt, the meat tasted bland and without any flavors.

But for the sake of survival, Lucas could only endure, finishing the meat strip after a few minutes.

"At least, this one tastes a little better compared to that snake's raw flesh," he said, trying to console himself.

As he took the second piece, Lucas also took a handful and gave them to Spot to eat.

The meat strips had not properly dried, so Lucas was still able to taste the gamey texture that he once experienced with the snake's flesh.

Even though it was not the best, it was still a great survival food.

After eating three strips, Lucas finally felt satisfied.

His hunger was mostly gone, but this does not mean that he was already full.

With how bland the taste of the meat strips was, eating three was simply just his limit.

Taking a sip of the water that he stored from his canteen, Lucas felt satisfaction that reached to the bottom of his heart.

'A what a blissful life this is!' He thought willfully.

Of course, he knew that this was nothing but a fleeting moment.

His real goal was not to feel bliss, at least, not in the wilderness.

He knew that he must return home and warn everyone.