>>6339111>>6339113You suggest checking out whatever's making noise inside the apartment building.
"Alright," Hassan replies, holding out his staff in front of him. "But you lead the way. I'm not so good in cramped spaces."
He holds the staff with both hands and closes his eyes in apparent concentration. There is a barely-perceptible change in the atmosphere around you, though you can't really describe it. You hear a "pop!" sound.
A small animal clambers up Hassan's back and sits on his shoulder. You've never seen it before, but it looks like a smaller, leaner raccoon with an elongated snout and a slim, striped tail. As is the case with most summoned spirits, its fur is a sleet-grey, while its eyes are a gem-like blue. It opens its snout in an apparent yawn, revealing a long white tongue. Its default expression resembles a lovable grin.
"Coatimundi," Hassan clarifies, while scratching the spirit's furry head. "Not built for combat, but good at scouting." Without another word, the spirit jumps off of Hassan and races into the building ahead of you, disappearing into the darkness of the ground floor.
"He'll be okay," Hassan assures you.
This is the first summoned spirit you've seen up close. It strikingly resembles a real-life animal in movement and behavior. You wonder if there's anything special to it, or if it's more akin to owning an exotic pet. You do know that summoned spirits can't really be killed; at best, they are forcibly dispelled and the mana used returns to the summoner... though some energy is always lost in the process.
Hassan is waiting for you to proceed, so you enter the building, sword in hand.
