endless path, infinite cosmos

chapter 138

Other than a few changes in the hierarchy, with Nanu now being Vahn's 'disciple', everything else went without a hitch. The children were still rapidly learning the forms for CQC and they had even begun to spar using the techniques. Unlike the wild and instinct based attacks they used in the past, they were no focusing on form and adapting to their opponents. Interestingly enough, when the children had split into pairs to spar, Nanu came to him before bowing respectfully and assuming a combat stance.

Vahn nodded his head and didn't refuse her request, and slowly guided her through the movements. She listened to his words very seriously and put so much effort into her movements that she was covered in beads of sweat and panting heavily after just a half hour of training. While the other children were also working hard, none of them attacked with the ferocity that Vahn saw in Nanu.

He was worried she was going to push herself too far and thought to advise her against trying so hard. Strangely, when Vahn had that thought, he realized he would be contradicting himself. He had just told them the day before to set their goals high and push themselves beyond their limits. Vahn realized that, though he believed in his own words, it could be dangerous if he didn't guide the children properly. Luckily, he had plenty of support skill to help them recover if they became injured when training in excess.

Almost as if his thoughts were prophetic, it wasn't long before Nanu collapsed to the ground after trying to perform an acrobatic twist in the air while aiming at Vahn's head. Though she was very flexible, her body wasn't prepared for such a strenuous movement while her muscles were already taxed. Though she managed to land the kick against Vahn's guard, when she landed on the ground on her pivot foot, she scrunched over into a ball while holding her hands against her ribs.

Vahn felt a bit flustered at the sudden change and thought that her form on the ground looked very pitiful. Her tail had curled up while her ears hung low as she clenched her ribs with a pained and frustrated expression on her face. When Vahn got closer to her, she uttered through pained gasps, "I'm sorry...Master." Vahn released a sigh as he removed her hands to inspect the damage.

Vahn placed his palm on her ribs and started channeling [Hands of Nirvana] to quickly disperse the pain. Within a few seconds, the pain on her face faded away and she rolled from her side onto her back while looking up at Vahn with a reverential look. Vahn was happy to have helped her, but before he could help her up, she did something that made his brain pulse with shock. With her tail curling up toward her abdomen from in between her legs, Nanu rolled up her blouse and revealed her stomach to Vahn.

//Nanu wishes to become your subordinate: Y/N?//

Nanu looked at Vahn with anticipation in her eyes as all the other children stopped their sparring and stared at the sight with various different expressions. Vahn was confused by the sudden series of events, and Anubis approached from the side and explained in his ear. "In the Southern Tribe, laying on your back and showing your stomach is a sign of submission. If you rub her stomach, she'll become your subordinate until you abandon her or she dies."

After hearing Anubis's words, Vahn couldn't help but release a sigh in his mind as he looked down at the girl holding up her shirt while staring at him with shining eyes. Though he didn't mind having more subordinates, his experiences with Anubis had led him to have various doubts about subordinating sentient and intelligent creatures like the various races on Eden. While dismissing the notification in his mind, Vahn extended his hand forward and put it on her stomach. He knew that if he refused, she would likely take a heavy blow, but he also didn't want to bind her by the system at the moment.

Though it was still between her legs, Nanu's tail started wagging back and forth between her thighs as she placed her hands on top of Vahn's and said with a smile, "My Master." Vahn felt like she put a lot more emphasis on the word now, and it made him feel both happy and guilty. Being the 'Alpha' seemed to have a lot of troubles in store for the future. While his hand was on her stomach, Vahn noticed she still had a few muscle cramps and internal injuries, so he used his [Hands of Nirvana] to clear away the remainder of the damages in her body.