The Earth After Rebirth

The mountain was a giant, it towered over everything in the surrounding area. You could barely see its peak from the ground. Despite the fact that, it's surrounding area was green, it was coated with snow. This made it stick out like a sore thumb.

There were two ways to get to the peak, either by climbing or trekking through the treacherous narrow roads. Climbing was relatively easier but Kiro liked his skull intact, he wasn't good at climbing, he didn't possess a skill for it either. So he chose the road that was monster infested.

He needed to level up anyway, he wasn't here on vacation.

"You know, if you can't keep up, I'll leave you behind." He told Hubris.

He was walking using blink, it used mana, but this was another way to rank up a skill, continous use. Besides he had stocked potions and filled his storage space, which wasn't big but it wasn't small either.

"How come you never showed me your flames before?" Kiro shook his head, "not like you can answer."

Hubris stopped dead on his tracks, which caused Kiro to do the same. He looked like he was about to do something stupid.

"Don't do it, not this again."

Just then, Hubris started walking toward Kiro like he was eyeing prey. He was feeling a bit of confidence, since he took out a lot of enemies in a short time. Even though he eventually failed, he still felt stronger.

So he felt rebellious. He didn't have time play house with Kiro, he had to leave.

"What are you doing, you stupid dog?"

Hubris did nothing but growl, as he was circling Kiro. Waiting for a chance when he dropped his guard, a chance when he saw an opening, so he can pounce and go for the kill. Because then, he'd be free.

Hellhounds were proud creatures, they didn't just bow down to anyone, that rang true especially for him. He'd been embarrassed by the whole situation, but maybe now, he could break free from the shackles that forcibly bound him.

Kiro didn't bother taking out his staff. He didn't want to kill his mount after all. The system did warn him that, these would happen occasionally. Kiro wasn't taking it seriously, as he didn't think Hubris could've grown stronger than him in such a short time.

He wasn't wrong of course, but...

Because of his nonchalant attitude towards Hubris' rebellion, he couldn't do much when he lunged at his neck with his claws at great speed.

He barely got out of the way, he still got the full blast of the attack. Four large gashes appeared on his neck, painted with red liquid.

"You dumb mutt!" He growled touching his neck in disbelief. "You ungrateful twat!"

Kiro immediately blinked and appeared in front of Hubris. He planted his foot on his muzzle, he kicked him so hard that he flew a great meters to the skies.

Hubris didn't just wait around to be pummelled either, while in the air, he released his fire. It was more coordinated than before.

Small balls of purple flames threatened to burn Kiro to the bone. Kiro watched their descent impressed, he admired at how much of a quick thinker his mount was. Thought he'd be damned if he'd lose to him.

"Whirlwind," he muttered.

The balls of flames were sent back to which they came. Hitting Hubris in various spots, most missing completely. Courtesy of Kiro, he directed most of them far away from him.

"Do you understand it now, mutt? I could kill you right now."

That seemed to have lit a fire under his belly. Every time Kiro referred to him as a dog, that enraged him more. For the first time, Hubris had a look that said, he didn't just want to defeat Kiro, he wanted to kill him.

At Hubris' expression, Kiro's stomach dropped, he felt dread, not for himself but for his mount. He didn't want to have to kill him, but if he couldn't make him submit, the only way would be to send him right back to hell.

"I don't want to have to kill you, Hubris. But if I have to, I'll do it with these hands. No weapon."

Hubris took that as a challenge, he zigzaged his way to Kiro. Attempting another swipe with his claws, Kiro blocked it and punched him in the stomach.

He activated blink and appeared behind him, he used both his hands to hammer him to the ground.

After that, the hound never quite got up. Kiro sat nearby and didn't give him many potions.

After a while, Hubris got up with his tail between his legs.

"Pretending to be obedient isn't gonna cut it, I swear, if you do this again, oh so help you gods."

Even though he never got answers, he knew Hubris could understand him. Without notice, he started travelling using blink.

Hubris couldn't keep up at first but the more he chased the better he became even though his breathing grew tired and ragged. He didn't want to disappoint the man who was his master, he didn't want to seem weak.

He prompted them to stop for a bit. He didn't want to overwork his mount. He'd come in handy in whatever happens at this mountain. Kiro took out some food for him, which was raw meat laced with health potion. Apparently it was good for a mounts' growth.

Of course he hadn't forgotten about the punishment he had given him, but since he was injured from their little squabble, he didn't want anything to catch them off guard.

He took out mana potion for himself and rested for a bit to regain stamina. Just then they heard a buzzing sound.

He suddenly felt an itch on his neck, which he scratch while frantically looking around for where the sound had come from. He thought he had seen something behind the rocks, but it wasn't there anymore, so he figured it was just a figment of his imagination.

Despite that he couldn't locate where the sound was coming from, he was still able to here the low buzz.

Then as if on cue with the blister that was already formed on Kiro's neck, the monster showed itself with a sinister smile. It was tall and skinny, it walked on its hind legs though it seemed unnatural doing so.