“Take me into the forest with ya, Cat, pleaaaaaase.”

  I sigh. It's eggs and toast again. The smells are more complex but I'm getting used to it. I pinch the bridge of my nose.

  “You can tell if it's too much for someone right? It could be useful for training.” Phenolp is not helping.

  “Ya training, can't get stronger without it.” Xerc chimes in.

  I didn't want them to be able to see my title in full, but they're not wrong about it being useful for training. I sigh.

  “Would you three be safe at the forest edge? Perhaps you can make a day of it where you go in and out of my aura. Get some skill levels while I rut around deeper. Don't all three stand in at once though we need to have at least one person outside keep an eye on those in the aura. If you can get your mental fortitude to fifty, the resist skill and minor boon should be enough to be in my aura without issue.”

  “Thats a lot of levels, Cat.”

  “Ya well if I have to pull my aura around to focus it on something I don't want you to be collateral.”

  I finish my plate and signal for another.

  “My aura …” I trail off.

  “It's alright, Cat we won't judge.”

  I start again softly, “My aura is a pariah one, it's unique and it makes people feel worthless inside it. I don't like subjecting others to it. I think it had lingering effects on others. I'm hoping that you knowing it's there you can negate that, but I really don't know and I don't want you to hate me.”

  The last part I say as I bury my head into my arms. My ears flatten against my head. Alicia starts scritting behind my ears again. It's nice but I still feel morose. I don't curl my toes this time. I've been walking barefoot since I destroyed my last pair of boots. I could be looking like some of those higher level adults who walk around barefooted but I decided to wrap an illusion around my feet.

  “Thank you for telling us, I think you're right, that us knowing will help, both in training and not to have it linger.”

  My next plate arrives. I fit enough till bottomless pings again. Xerc takes care of the rest.

  We head over to the board. Seems the alchemist guild is as voracious as ever for clover, mandrake and ptra. I see a tier two for up to three iron horned bunnies. Two contribution points for each.

  “Think you guys can manage carrying two iron rabbits.”

  Xerc just pumps his arms. I smile.

  “Alright, let's head to Ren's then, I need to buy more twine.”

  -----

  “Ah hatchlings, what can I do for ya.”

  I can smell more of him. It's weird that the people I meet now have a scent memory in my brain. That I open my mouth to breathe in anyone new is a habit I seem to be forming. One I really shouldn't be gaining.

  “Hey Ren, could you sell me some twine.”

  “I know your voice but you look different, are you Scratches?”

  My tail is up at that, right new look, time to try the lie, “I'm working on my illusion magic and felt like leaning into my adventurer name, do you think it looks cute?”

  His eyes flick purple, “You're a bad liar Scratches which proves that it is indeed you, but here is your twine, 5 small copper.”

  Alicia laughs at that, Phenolp titters like her adventurer name, Xerc just looking around. Do all merchants have mental eyes? Probably a precaution more than anything. I ignore the laughter and complete the transaction and say one last thing before I leave.

  “I should be by tomorrow to spin some yarn, if that's alright with you.”

  He nods and we leave.

  “Yarn? I thought cats play with it, not make it.”

  I shrug. I open my mouth to yet another new scent.

  “You're doing it again, Cat.”

  I look annoyed at Alicia.

  “You're not making thread from your hair are you?”

  Phenolp really is too insightful.

  “Why not, I can make iron clothing and the like. Hoping to gain some money to maybe set up a forge.”

  “Ever think of switching to a lighter metal?”

  Xerc just tosses out the weirdest shit.

  “What, that doesn't make any sense. Are you hoping I kill something that has different metal hair?”

  “Cat, it's said iron rabbits can change their metal type by eating their body mass in the new metal. Adventurers are warned not to do this as the new monster is higher level and a lot faster. Generally it's a big waste of money on the metal and a waste of lives as everyone is dead afterwards.”

  So if I ate my body mass in mithril I could be a mithril cat. I have been afraid of being highly conductive to lightning magic, maybe this could help. The thought of fur makes me start to tingle but nope I can just make clothes, clothes can be taken off and fur can't be. I am fine without fur.

  “Getting Scratches to eat a higher quality ore in her body mass seems rather expensive. Not to mention to swallow it she either has to start with something close to iron or we have to grind it into dust.”

  “Or I could raise my heat resist and just drink it molten.”

  They are looking at me aghast, I just laugh at them. We make it to the gate. The guards wave us through. I don't think they recognize me. Well one does but she is not supposed to. Her eye quirking up makes me give an unsteady smile.

  “What's wrong, Scratches?”

  “Nothing Xerc, let's run to the forest.”

  -----

  You have gained [Running] Intermediate 1

  Intermediate - can run twice as fast for four times the stamina

  Agility raised to 99

  You have gained [Lesser Stanima] Apprentice 1

  Apprentice - resist the stamina drain resist it

  Gain 1 exp

  You have gained [Strong Lungs] Intermediate 1

  Apprentice - it feels like you got third lung there, metaphorically speaking at least until you eat something that does have three

  Strength raised to 122

  I can't breathe. I'm laying on the ground huffing and puffing.

  “You alright there, cat?”

  It takes a moment but I speak, “Seems I can't run and light step at the same time. The moment I started running my weight returned and I am twice as heavy.”

  “So why didn't you stop?” Phenolp asks.

  “She's just a little kid and couldn't stand being left behind.” Xerc answers.

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  I turn and roll over in a huff. They laugh. When I am done sulking I step to the woods and jab my finger into the soil. I make a line. I give myself a small smile at the memory.

  “Alright this is about where the edge of my aura will be.”

  “Shouldn't your aura be around you?”

  “I have a skill that lets me be anywhere in it. Actually, as I am thinking about it, if all three of you have [Intimidation Aura] you can try to gain [Aura Sense].”

  I explain how two of them would need to coordinate who makes the aura while the third has to feel who is making it. No guessing.

  “So why aren't you helping on the guess the aura game?” Xerc asks, ignoring my instruction.

  “No guessing.” Then I murmured, “my intimidation became [Tiger Intimidation Aura].”

  Alicia laughs, Xerc asks a follow up, “Oh, what's that feel like?”

  I walk next to him and give him a big toothy grin. He pales.

  “O system, it feels like you're behind me and ready to tear out my throat, and eat me.”

  “O o I want feel it, Cat … no I didn't gah.” Alicia is quick to change opinion.

  Phenolp walks into it, pales and walks out. Not a word said.

  I turn off the aura and give an even bigger grin.

  “Thats not the bad aura. Sure you still want to train your resist on it.”

  -----

  They spend some time gaining aura sense, they take longer then elf children but to be fair Sencea struggled the first time too. I step past my line.

  “Alright, deploying my aura.”

  I do so, it takes up an even wider area than before. The tiger made my soul stat stronger. When I get it to the density I want, I offer a hand out.

  “So who first?”

  Phenolp beats Alicia to the punch and stands in the aura with me. She blanches and sits down. She starts to shudder.

  “You should probably take a break after you get a skill up.”

  She just nods, then gets up and leaves the aura. She takes a deep breath. Alicia pokes Phenolp.

  “How was it?”

  “I was nothing, I knew what I was going into and it just ate at me anyways. I got a skill up but you said this was a pariah aura?” I nod, “It doesn't turn off does it, the only reason we can't feel it is because it's fully in you, you take this all in?”

  I nod again, she looks like she wants to hug me but her eyes are glued to the line. Both Alicia and Xerc give it a try. Their hollow looks make me think they won't bother trying again. Phenolp steps in after the other two had their turn and hugs me.

  “How long until you started resisting it?” A whisper to my ear.

  “Four years.” She squeezes me tighter.

  “Go, we will make sure only one of us is in the aura while you're away.” I nod and head deeper into the forest.

  -----

  When I am out of eye sight, I open my mouth and inhale deeply. I taste all the various scents, and then gag. There's a lot of urine. I find some clover and take a full mouth scent of them. I have a fairly good sense of where there is more. I make some bundles and attach it to my mental construct. As I walk to the next patch I spot a ptra. I get a good whiff of that one as well. It goes into the bag and I find three more by the time I'm at the next clover patch. Already up to four, I search for the next patch when I get a notification.

  You have gained the skill [Scent Memory] Basic 1

  Scent Memory - the ability to remember scents

  Basic - hound cat?

  Perception raised to 99

  O, system, am I never going to forget smells. Like people get their nose muted if they're in a smell long enough but I'll always remember how bad it was. I just sigh. Then I spot an awful mandrake and I commit its scent to memory. I head to the next largest clover patch. I have eight bundles, five mandrakes and seven ptra. I've not even been out here long. I shrug, and head back to my party. I hope they don't hate me.

  -----

  Surprisingly Xerc is sitting in the aura, rocking back and forth. Alicia waves at me when she sees me.

  “Are there clover hanging in the air behind you, Cat?”

  “Huh? Oh they are on a mental construct, I use it to train my magic. I'll put it in my bag while we wait for Xerc turn to be done.”

  He slumps a bit on hearing that, guess he hoped I'd give him a reprieve. It doesn't take long before he stands up. I pull my aura into myself and ask my question.

  “So how did everyone do?”

  “Basic six.”

  “Basic five.”

  “Apprentice one.”

  The two look at Phenolp.

  “I was already close to apprentice beforehand. It gets easier as you gain levels. Will you be increasing the density?”

  I shake my head, “The goal is to scare goblins not make them kill themselves, if we want to do more focused training we can try to set something up later.”

  She nods at that, Alicia and Xerc blanche at the idea.

  “So good to try some iron rabbit killing?”

  They perk up at that. It takes an hour before we find one.

  “So how do you do it, Cat?”

  I grab my water skin and pull out my water rod. I make my bubble and walk over to the rabbit. It charges me, one hop at a time. I put the bubble onto the rabbits face and stay out of range of its horn

  Gained 3 exp from Iron Horned Rabbit.

  I walk back to get my bag. I sigh, more grass dreams.

  “I feel sorry for the rabbit.” Alicia looks like I killed her pet.

  “Can I try next?” Xerc is eager though.

  I shrug and hand him the wand. The ball of water falls.

  “Um sorry how this work?”

  “You point at liquids, channel mana and collect it into a ball. Keep channeling to hold the ball in place.”

  He manages it after a bit of trial and error. The ball is smaller, so I add some more water from my water skin. I'm not sure he can keep this up.

  “I'm not sure I can keep this up.”

  Ha jinx, “Just hand it off to Alicia when you think you are at your limit. Even if I kill all the rabbits you guys can at least get some skill ups holding the water.”

  He nods at this as I reach the bunny. I empty my bag again so I can put mister iron vein into the bottom. As I lift him, I take a good smell to remember its scent. Then I promptly fall over as I get new notifications.

  You have gained [Scent Memory] Basic 2

  Perception raised to 101

  100 Perception Minor Boon

  Grants the skill [Wider Vision]

  You have gained the skill [Wider Vision] Basic 1

  Wider Vision - both your direct and peripheral Vision grow wider

  Basic - time to catch up to your mana visions

  Perception raised to 104

  “Cat! You okay.”

  I see her coming from an angle that wasn't there before. It's disorienting. But at least my vision is clear again.

  “Ya, sorry about that, the one hundred perception minor boon snuck up on me and I got disoriented.”

  “You really are a tier two.” Xerc lost the water ball.

  “You lose the water ball, you have to use your water skin to make a new one, new rule.”

  He grimaces and pulls out his water skin.

  “Whats the hundred perception minor, Cat?”

  It's Phenolp who answers, “She just got the skill [Wider Vision], over time and with higher perception the system grants the wielder the ability to see completely around themselves.”

  That is going to be so disorienting, but hey third person mode. When Alicia is looking at Phenolp with a questioning look, Phenolp just sighs.

  “You really need to read the Adventurer Handbook, Alicia.”

  I get the rabbit into the bag and the herbs are back on top.

  “Didn't smell it this time?”

  Damnit Phenolp, “I'm not sure who is supposed to be the one with the higher perception stat.”

  She just gives me a mischievous smile.

  By the time I track down another rabbit, Xerc has handed the rod to Alicia. She manages to pull off my trick and then immediately hands the rod off to Phenolp. I rub her back as she breathes hard.

  “Good job, now you get to carry it back.”

  She pales at that. Xerc saves her when he picks it up.

  “Think we should go back? It's no good if we can't bring it back.”

  “I'll be able to carry mine.” Phenolp fears no hopping iron vein.

  I shrug and we head to the next one. Alicia runs up to me.

  “How are you finding them so fast? The first one took awhile.”

  I just tap my nose, and she gives me an O face. Phenolp dispatches hers and shoulders it. I get my water rod back and we head back to Yetna. At the gate Xerc had to hand the rabbit back to Alicia. I smile as I pass mom. Alicia struggles but manages to make it to the guild counter and then promptly falls over.

  “You know hun, they were supposed to be showing you the ropes, not copying your pratfalls.”

  I shrug. I pull out the herbs. Before Antiquarian can start talking totals Phenolp speaks up.

  “The herbs are Scratches solo efforts.”

  I try to protest but all three refuse me. I sigh. I brought out eight clover bundles, five mandrake and seven ptra.

  “You brought even more back this time.”

  “You sounded disappointed last time.”

  She barks a laugh at me, “Four eighty for clover, three fifty for the mandrakes, four hundred for the ptra, sorry hun you reached the limit for the ptra gather on the open request. That totals to twelve thirty minus the guild rate which means.”

  I put the two spare ptra in my bag, and roll my eyes at the receptionist.

  “My take is one large silver, one small silver, and seven small coppers.”

  She smiles as she pushes the coins across, “and nine contributions.”

  “No boop this time?”

  “Not with those teeth, hun”

  I give her a toothy grin. Everyone finds the strength to place their rabbits on the counter.

  “Another 2 small silver, seven large coppers, and six contribution. How would you like to divide the contribution?”

  Phenolp speaks up again before I can duck out. “Three for Scratches, one for the rest of us.”

  “But—”

  She turns to me, “You provided technique and equipment and killed one as a demonstration. I hate debts, so you will need to accept your equitable share.”

  I pout with my ears down, Alicia scritches my ears. I'm not sure how she gets through the metal hair but she does.

  “Just one more contribution point.”

  The Antiquarian hears me and speaks up.

  “Actually Scratches, your porter work yesterday was worth one contribution. You just need to run the dungeon successfully.”

  “She'll be heading out now, I will confirm it.”

  Its Thane, what the fuck. My party is equally up in arms. Thane just picks me up and carries me out. I flick my large silver at Phenolp before Thane gets me through the door.

  I'm a tad shocked by it all, I mean I'm close to seven hundred pounds and he carrying me off like I still weigh fifty. I don't start struggling until we start passing food carts. He stops and gets two skewers. I am still under his arm but at least I got something to eat. He heads us towards Na's Crypt.