When Renard comprehended Swift Sword, he had overdrawn his stamina. He could not even lift his sword now, so all the heavy chores fell to Colliver.
He set up the pot and cooked. After two bowls of steaming meat soup, they both felt their strength return.
Then Colliver began massaging Renard according to a special technique. According to him, if one did not relax their muscles and bones after intense exercise, it would affect physical development and slow the rate at which their strength improved.
Though Colliver looked big and burly, his massage technique was quite skillful.
Renard could not help teasing him. "You'd actually do well as a masseur. You'd probably earn more than you do as a mercenary."
Before he had even finished speaking, a rustling sound suddenly came from the east. Both men's expressions changed at once.
"Something seems to be approaching quickly." Renard rose from the bluestone. Long periods of training had made his senses much sharper. He quickly pinpointed the source of the sound, picked up his longsword with his aching arm, and assumed a defensive stance.
"No need to be nervous. It's nothing difficult to deal with." After listening carefully, Colliver gave his answer. "There's a group of them, not just one. The strong have always been solitary, and beasts are no different."
As if to confirm his words, two small heads suddenly poked out from the rustling bushes.
Colliver grabbed Renard and pressed him down into the brush. "Shh! It's a hunting party from the Evil Kobold Tribe. The two in front are scouts. Don't let them spot us."
Although kobolds were weak, that did not mean they had no fighting power. When they traveled in packs, even tigers and Great Mountain Cats had to keep their distance.
Renard lay prone in the