Dark Magus Returns

Life in the dimension the second time turned out to be completely different compared to the first. There were incredibly large differences now compared to before.

For one, none of the beasts saw him as a threat; it was either that or they saw him as too much of a threat to even try to attack him.

Still, what this meant was he was living in the dimension without having to fight against beasts every day or fear for his life being taken.

At times, there was the odd scuffle here or there, but it seemed to be over small reasons, and Murkel would only have to give a small hit or two before the beast would stop and be on its way.

During his time in the dimension, he had also become quite close with the beast that lived in the cave, the giant orange bear whom he had decided to name Ginger.

The cave had become a shared living space between the two of them. Ginger would often go out hunting on his own, bringing back smaller animals that didn't have crystals inside their body.

These were the beasts' source of food, and it was Murkel's as well. At times Murkel would also return the favor, and the two of them had gotten close.

Very close to the point where Murkel would even ride on top of the bear, and the two of them would go out hunting together. In the strange world of beasts, it truly felt like the beasts around had become their family.

At times, Murkel thought he had gone mad, and who wouldn't if they were surrounded by only beasts and no one to talk to. There was one thing that he kept an eye on, and that was a voice in his mind.

He was waiting for something, for someone to try and take over eventually. He was sure several years had passed and there was still no voice.

Yet, everything he could now do with his body was beyond that of just a Pagna warrior. His body, the reaction of the beasts themselves, it had to be all because the Hybrid was still with him, and he continued to live in this fear.

In the end, fifty years had passed in the dimension of Murkel living this life. He didn't look like he had aged that much due to his high status as a middle-stage warrior.

There was still no sign and no way for him to get out of the world, and he soon felt like he would have to come up with other things.

As he was in the cave one day, he noticed Ginger in a lot of pain, and a few hours later, and a baby Ginger around the size of Murkel himself had popped out of him.

Or now she, he had to correct himself.

"I thought you were male, but I guess Ginger is a name that can be used for both, right?" Murkel said as he stroked Ginger's fur to calm her down.

The cave felt a bit smaller with Ginger and Baby Ginger. Murkel looked after the child while Ginger would go out hunting for food. This repeated until Ginger had grown slightly larger and had grown fur.

This time Ginger had nudged her child, and the two of them stood up.

"I see, you need to teach him how to hunt, right? So you don't want me to come along. He needs to learn how to hunt on his own so he doesn't have to rely on us. I get it, don't worry, just go on ahead."

Murkel wasn't sure, but he felt like they could understand him, and at times he could understand them. It certainly seemed that way.

As the two left the cave, Murkel had gotten into a meditative state and started to cultivate.

"The beast was able to open a portal. All things stem from energy, and we as warriors are even able to transcend to other realms due to the great power within. Which means there has to be a way for us to create portals ourselves, right?"

"But is Qi the answer, or is it something else?" Murkel was truly stuck on this point.

He only had Qi and the beast crystals to work with. While he was thinking of ways on how to use this, he soon heard heavy footsteps through the thick jungle up ahead.

Breaking through the jungle, he could see a six-legged elephant come crashing through and falling right on the ground in front of the cave.

Immediately, Murkel jumped to check on the beast's condition. It had wounds all over, strikes, and large cuts on its body. It didn't take long until the elephant's heart had stopped beating.

"These wounds… they weren't done by claws, and the attack at the side, the impact looks more like a fist. This was done by humans. Humans are here!" Murkel said.

He quickly jumped to his feet and rushed in the direction the beast came from. He moved fast, kicking off the trees and navigating through the jungle faster than any beast could.

Then he started to kick his way up high so he could get a better view. Finally, he could hear the sound of talking up ahead.

"That thing was incredibly strong."

"Right, that at least has to be a Level Five power stone though. It looks like we managed to hit the jackpot in this dimension."

The voices heard continued, and Murkel eventually stepped out on a large branch and looked below. Several trees had broken down in the area, collapsing on top of itself.

He was right; he could see a group of warriors, around ten of them. They were in Pagna clothing, holding weapons, and some seemed quite skilled and strong judging by their Qi.

However, Murkel's eyes soon focused on the ground to what they had surrounded, lying on its side.

A large orange-furred beast, covered in blood, while its child lay on the ground relatively close to it, using its large bear-like claws it had held onto its child, bringing it close.

It was clear it had done everything it could in order to protect its child.

Both of the beasts were recognizable to Murkel.

"For the entire time I have been here, all you did was bring me comfort and joy. You were the one that helped me when I was close to death… you were the only family I had in this place." Murkel's entire body was shaking.

"And… they killed you for what, for crystals!" Murkel shouted as his Qi had broken the branch he was standing on, and he had fallen right onto the ground.