The Mongrel Who Defied the World

Chapter 010

"What's a shamanic priestess? Are they strong?"

I knew nothing about the beastman nation, and I had never heard of such complicated professions before.

"Of course! Beastman shamanic priests are similar to human mages. Due to the high talent requirements, their numbers have always been relatively low. Compared to ordinary warriors, their position is also much higher. They mainly practice their profession under the leadership of the oracle, King Sal and are subservient to the banner of the spirit lodge. Mainly, they're similar to witch doctors and Necromancers. They're the best companions the other beast professions can have."

"Then, what brought you here to the Samiant mountains, sustaining such a heavy injury, and being saved by me?" I asked curiously.

When she heard my question, the girl revealed a sad expression.

"Even though I possess great talent, I have the blood of two different clans running in me, which aroused the jealousy of some. They criticized me and pointed fingers behind my back, saying that my bloodline isn't pure, and that I'm unworthy of becoming a priestess. Finally, they had a plan to trick me outside by myself so that they could get rid of me. That way, they would have one less person to compete with. In addition to the strict requirements to become a shaman, only a select number of people can join the spirit lodge."

I could not help but feel a little moved by her story since it mirrored mine in certain aspects. I was also persecuted because of my bloodline, which led to me being in this situation today. We were both suffering the same injustices.

Oblivious to the changes in my mood, she continued telling me about her experiences.

"When I got tricked that day and was chased down by them, I had no choice but to run to the Samiant Mountains, which are between the human and the beastman lands, but they still refused to let me go. Left with no other choice, I jumped off a cliff. If they hadn't heard the voice of a human and hurried off out of fear of being ambushed by them, I wouldn't have been able to escape. But I didn't expect to meet you in the end. Speaking of which, I really have to thank you. If it weren't for you, then I would've..."

"Don't mention it. It was also a coincidence that I saved you. What's more, you saved me earlier too, so now we're even. By the way, I think I heard a song just now. What was that about?"

"Shamanic spells are cast through a variety of soul songs. I've been able to recover a little from my injuries, and since things weren't looking so good back there, I used a purification spell on you. That's the only spell I'm able to use in my current state. I just hoped you'd be able to wake up as soon as possible and we could quickly get away before they try anything else on us."

So that was it. The song that I heard while I was unconscious must have been the purification spell she was talking about.

"Then, what are your plans now, little kitty?"

She rolled her eyes at me.

"Who're you calling a cat?! Even though I'm half cat, my appearance is closer to a fox! Anyway, I've already told you my name, so stop calling me weird things! Speaking of which, what are you called?"

I laughed with some embarrassment, scratching my head.

"Sorry. Well, I'll call you Doris from now on. My name's Leon, it's nice meeting and befriending you."

"Befriending? Are you really willing to befriend a beastman priestess?"

Doris sounded excited, but she also seemed troubled. Likely due to being ostracized and betrayed by her clan, the fact that someone of an entirely different race saved her was moving. I could also empathize with her. After all, did I not also end up here because of a similar situation? When I saw how she reacted, I ended up telling her the truth about myself.

"Really? You're half beastman? I really couldn't tell!"

Doris looked happy. I rolled my eyes. Was she happy to finally meet someone just like her? Was this perhaps some form of self-consolation?

"Is that really something to be happy about? Aren't you supposed to sympathize with my tragic experience and feel sad?"

I asked, somewhat discomfited by her reaction, which Doris reacted to with a wry smile.

"We don't know each other that well, so why should I sympathize with you? And why don't you sympathize with me instead?"

I shrugged.

"Fine, you win."

As I was about to keep teasing her, I was suddenly interrupted by Doris's faintly trembling voice.

"Wait... can I have a look at that pendant hanging off your neck?"

I was confused by her request, but I saw a look of reverence and excitement on her face as she stared at my chest. If she had not mentioned the pendant I was wearing, I would have thought it was my body that charmed her.

"Are you talking about this stone?"

I took out the stone that my mother gave me. Even though I clearly remembered my mother and my uncle's instructions to me about keeping it safe, I was not the least bit guarded against this beastman priestess who had just saved me.

"What? You call it a stone?"

Doris looked at me, surprised.

"Isn't that what it is?"

I was tempted to tell her that if my mother had not entrusted the stone to me and reminded me over and over again to take care of it, I might have tossed this useless thing away ages ago.

"Of course not! Can I have a look at it?"

I nodded and freed the stone from my neck, handing it to Doris. Then, I saw her holding it with trembling hands and carefully observing it in the palm of her hands as if she was worried that she would break it if she used the slightest bit of force.

I was completely baffled by her reaction.

"What's wrong? Do you recognize the stone somehow?"

Doris remained silent however. She just looked at the stone in her hand. After a long time, she finally turned to look at me.

"Can you tell me where this stone came from?"

I nodded.

"My mother gave it to me. She kept on reminding me to take good care of it, and I have a sneaking suspicion that it has something to do with my father."