From behind the rock, a massive shadow moved. It was a Bear Monster—the alpha male of the Stonebears. Its body was covered in thick, rock‑like armor that had grown over centuries. With his magical sight, Andras immediately saw: the beast was 105 years old.
Closest to it stood Anita, sword already in hand from slaying the slimes. Behind her was Andras, then Noelle, with Andrea closing the line. The bear growled again, its voice shaking the air as though the forest itself protested against the intruders.
The girls froze in fear. Andras, however, was not paralyzed—on the contrary. He gazed in awe at the massive creature, for this was the first time he had seen a true Magical Beast up close. And a bear, no less—his favorite animal.
"A magnificent specimen… an alpha male Stonebear," Andras said calmly, his eyes studying the colossal monster.
The Young Wolf's composure calmed Noelle and Anita somewhat, though Andrea remained motionless, nearly paralyzed by fear.
"About a hundred years old," Andras noted.
"That's good to know and all," Anita replied nervously, "but what now? What's your command?"
"Do not attack," Andras ordered firmly. "Stay still! Don't go near it, but don't retreat either."
"So we don't attack? We run?" Anita asked, gripping her sword tighter.
"Relax, I've got the bear," Andras answered. "If it attacks, I'll strike it with a massive bolt of lightning. That will paralyze it long enough for us to escape safely."
"Got it!" Anita nodded, now much calmer.
But the bear did not attack. It lifted its nose toward the sky and began to sniff.
"It smells something…" Andras whispered. "The honey! Of course! The scent of gingerbread carried by the wind. Slowly take out all the gingerbread from your packs. You too, Andrea—do you hear?"
"I‑I'm doing it!" the girl stammered, reaching for her bundle with trembling hands.
Andras continued with a smile, his tone almost playful:
"All right, Yogi Bear… you want honey, don't you? Sweet honey, that's what you love more than human flesh, isn't it? You little rascal."
"You're seriously going to walk up to it?" Anita asked in disbelief.
"Relax," Andras replied. "It's focused on the gingerbread, see? We don't matter to it—the honey is what it wants. Here you go, delicious gingerbread… take it, see? You can eat it."
The Young Wolf advanced slowly, carefully, toward the massive bear monster. The gingerbread in his hand held the beast's attention completely. Its nose bent down close to the sweet—if it had wanted, it could have bitten off Andras's entire hand in a single motion. But it did not. The scent of honey had utterly enchanted it.
The bear first licked the treat, then gave a satisfied rumble as it tasted the splendid sweetness. Andras gently placed the gingerbread into its mouth, and the monster ate it with relish. A wave of happiness spread through the beast—perhaps a joy it had never felt before. For a century it had roamed the forest, but never had it tasted such a delicacy.
Andras fed the bear monster all the gingerbread one by one, then signaled to his companions. Anita and Noelle handed over their packs and slowly stepped back. The Young Wolf gave the contents of both bags to the bear as well. Andrea did not dare to come closer, so Anita took her bundle and carried it to Andras. The last portion also ended up in the beast's stomach.
The bear monster rumbled happily. It was not full, but never in its life had it eaten so many sweet delicacies at once. It sniffed Andras with its nose, then looked deep into his eyes. In the Young Wolf's gaze there was no fear—only pure admiration. Andras simply loved bears.
At last the beast turned, lumbered back behind the rock, and lay down to sleep. Anita now knew they were safe. She took Andrea's hand, and together they slowly moved away from the monster. Seeing this, Noelle extended her hand toward Andras. The Young Wolf understood the gesture and gently took the half‑elf girl's hand. Thus they too withdrew from the rock.
When they crossed to the other side of the river, Anita looked back once more. The Bear Monster lay there, peacefully slumbering. It did not follow them, did not consider them dangerous. In its eyes they were like slimes: harmless creatures who caused no noise, pain, or threat.
When they were far from the rock, Anita broke the silence.
"Holy saints, I thought I was going to wet myself right there!"
Andras smiled.
"You wanted to mark your territory in front of the bear's nose?"
"What am I, some kind of Beast‑man?" Anita snorted.
Noelle shook her head with laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"All the gingerbread is gone," Andras continued, "but it was worth it. I got to see a Stonebear monster up close."
"And how did you know what kind of monster it was, and how old?" Anita asked suspiciously.
"Because I looked with my Magic Eye," Andras thought to himself, then calmly replied aloud: "I read about it in a book. And I knew its age from… the stone patterns."
"Got it," Anita nodded.
"You'll show me that book too, won't you?" Noelle asked curiously.
Andras scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Damn… we don't even have such a book! I… I don't remember where that book is."