Theo chose to keep the paralyzed pup alive, which was the opposite of what everyone wanted.

Kaelor told him to end the beast’s suffering, and the others supported that view.

But they didn’t know about Theo’s ability to evolve beasts.

’I will try to help this pup evolve... yes, I want to do that,’ Theo made a silent resolve.

Over the next two days, they continued eastward. Even though Garrick insisted that even at long distances he had sensed nothing ahead, Theo told him to keep searching as usual.

Soon everyone started doubting Theo. Some even wonder if they were heading in the wrong direction.

Then, at the end of the second day, Garrick suddenly froze, his eyes widening.

"This... I found it."

He spoke while they were eating, making everyone stop and stare at him.

That night, the entire camp erupted into an uproar. Kaelor went over and ruffled Garrick’s hair, and for the first time Theo saw a genuine, relaxed smile on the guy’s face.

_____

The next morning, Theo stood before the camp, looking at everyone.

"It took us time, but with Sir Garrick’s help, we were able to confirm that the gate is indeed to the east," Theo said.

A few chuckled and smiled awkwardly.

In the past few days, many had tried to tell Theo that his judgment might not be right and the exit gate might not be in the east. But now that it had been proven, they had no words against it.

"Today, we head straight for the gate," he continued, letting it sink.

"So these are our last moments in this camp. We will prioritize gathering food; everything else can be left behind."

Clara and Elias nodded; this wasn’t the first time they had to abandon a camp like this.

But Lysara, Kaelor, and Garrick looked around with quiet bitterness.

"This place grew on me," Kaelor admitted, staring at the softly cracking campfire. "I never thought I would want to live inside a camp until now."

Most shared the same sentiment.

Theo couldn’t help but wonder if Merek felt it too—but when he looked at him, the man had completely wiped his expression clean.

"Can we dismantle the hut and take the logs with us?" Kaelor asked, seeking Theo’s permission.

Theo glanced back at the structure.

It had only been built from logs, branches, dried leaves, larger leaves, and ropes made from fiber—not the stronger ones they had bought for capturing beasts.

"Once we reach the gate, we will try taking samples of everything," Theo said. ’Including the water source Sir Garrick found before."

With that, the stronger members began dismantling the hut.

To Kaelor’s and Lucien’s surprise, Clara stepped forward and started unwrapping the fiber ropes, lifting logs that normally required two people, all by herself.

The sight made them look at her in a new light.

Clara appeared slim, but beneath the leather covering her body, her strength was undeniable.

Theo, however, already knew how strong she was.

Before long, they dismantled the hut. Then came the task of tying one end of the logs with ropes to drag them. This time, they used the sturdier ropes meant for capturing beasts, which were strong enough and won’t snap under the strain.

With everything secured and food packed in their bags, they began moving forward, dragging the logs in shifts.

Clara and Kaelor went first. Even while pulling three logs at once, they noticed how stable Clara’s core remained, her movements controlled and efficient.

Fortunately, the land was mostly flat, with very few large roots emerging from the ground.

The boar and the two apes carried the captured beasts, while Theo held the paralyzed pup in his arms.

It took him a few hours, but he had managed to earn the little one’s trust.

Time passed, and they reached the second checkpoint of the wolves’ territory, where they decided to rest.

According to Garrick, the journey ahead would take a few more hours. There were creatures they could either engage or avoid by taking a detour.

Theo decided they would make that decision once they had gotten closer.

After the break, the shifts changed, and others took over dragging the logs. With two more such breaks along the way, they eventually reached the edge of the first territory.

Theo looked at the creatures ahead with an amused expression.

There was no way they were going to avoid them.

*****

Nubbit

Uncommon

Level 4

Type: Nature and Earth

*****

"They have two affinities," Theo said, observing them.

"Young master... please don’t use the mantis’s spores on these ones, please," Clara added, covering her mouth, barely containing her excitement.

Theo couldn’t blame her.

The Nubbits were about the size of squirrels, darting quickly between the trees and across the ground.

The creatures made soft, adorable noises as they communicated with each other.

"How do we capture these guys?" Theo asked. Then reconsidered, "Or better... should we leave them and come back after we’ve dropped everything off?"

"It would be better to return later," Kaelor suggested and then asked. "How far is the gate, Sir Garrick?"

He had never addressed Garrick as "Sir" before, but after hearing Theo do so numerous times, he had begun doing the same—and Garrick had noticed the chance.

"Around an hour, if we don’t stop like this again and again," Garrick answered.

Theo nodded, and they moved along the side, choosing not to disturb the creatures for now.

But just as they began to pass, all the Nubbits suddenly began making louder noises.

The group turned, only to find every single one of them staring directly at them.

But the moment Theo thought they would come and attack the group, just like any beast he had ever come across. Be it the slimes who were the same size as these ones to something else, they all had this aggression in common.

Looking at the beasts in front of them, Theo realized something.

They were not coming toward the group at all; they were running away.

Before they all could do something, all the 20-something Nubbits in the area ran away as if they had been approached by monsters.