Chapter 84: 84. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

84. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

Fuck. Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck.

Bruke evolved into an Ogre General!

Okay, what does that even mean?

Let’s say an Orc Patron can beat a Goblin Patron, an Ogre Patron can beat an Orc Patron, and an Ogre General can beat an Ogre Patron. Theoretically, that’s three levels stronger than a baseline tier-three like Peter the Bunny Patron. Add onto that the fact ‘Leadership-type’ evolutions (such as Wolf Lord) are among the strongest in their tier.

In other words, ‘Ogre General’ is a top third-tier existence, if not peak third-tier. And here I am still struggling to beat a Harpy Matron…

“Yesterday, Dura go Fen challenge Bruke! Dura lose… End!”

Other than her story being aggravatingly absent of details, it does paint a clear picture of what happened. An Ogre General is a leader of Ogres, said evolution requiring the defeat of many Ogres. Dura was the last in a long line of Ogres Bruke needed to beat in order to complete his advanced evolution.

In other words, this is my fault.

“This means war…” Suka assesses with a grim expression as her ears fall flat.

“Mmm, yep, many battl’s. Much smash!”

“They’re right,” Gabby says with a deep frown. “Bruke will challenge the Wolf Lord for control of the region soon. It’ll be a blood bath.”

In the past, the Goblinoid and wolves have raided and skirmished back and forth between Ogre Fen and Kennel Hills without a victor being decided. Maybe whole generations have gone by like this. With such a drastic change in Bruke’s power, I can’t help but think this battle will be more decisive. If Bruke commits to killing the Wolf Lord or dying… the chances of them both being slain are slim.

A single dominant third-tier seizing the region would change things significantly. Their peoples’ population would expand out of control. They’d gorge themselves on Fuzzy Field’s mice and bunnies, starving the Harpies on the Mountain, overrun all but the deepest parts of Charlatan Forest, and their raids would spill into neighboring territories like the Human Plains and my hometown.

I think I just instigated an Incursion.

Oh, fuck, this is all my fault!

“Suka, why didn’t the Wolf Lord kill Bruke before he evolved and take control of the region years ago?” I have to ask.

Her tail droops. “I don’t know for sure. I always assumed it was because the losses from wiping out the Ogre Fen would weaken our pack against foreign Incursions. If there’s another reason, the Wolf Lord never explained himself.”

That’s one good reason, at least. I don’t know what monsters lurk beyond the edges of the map, but they can’t be any nicer than the ones I’ve met. I know there are Ursa and Neko in the Dark Woods south of the Human Plains. That’s about it. Maybe the village elders know more?

Alright, I need to come up with a plan, but first, let me finish this task before the golden hour ends.

*Draconic Marks – None*

Kobold Claws

Lizardman Claws

Kobold Scales

Lizardman Scales

Kobold Stature

Lizardman Stature

Kobold Hemipenis

Lizardman Hemipenis

Kobold Inner Heat

Lizardman Inner Spark

With great reluctance, I refund my Hemipenis. Bye-bye buddy, I’ll see you soon.

*Selected Lizardman Scales!*

I don’t notice any change at first. Feeling my arms, tummy, and breasts, I find my scales as soft as ever. It’s not until I poke myself in the gut I realize the difference. It seems Lizardman scales harden in response to piercing and slashing attacks. Fascinating.

Next, I refund Kobold Scales since I selected that mark before golden hour started.

*Selected Kobold Inner Heat!*

Through some clever strategery, I’ve manipulated my Draconic marks to get me a second-tier ability along with a decent first-tier one. Great!

*Forest Marks – None*

Mandragora Photosynthesis

Pitcher Treefolk Photosynthesis

Twisted Treefolk Twisted Apple

Twisted Treefolk Roots

Pitcher Treefolk Vines

Mandragora Plant Growth Magic

Pitcher Treefolk Plant Growth Magic

Twisted Treefolk Bark Skin

Twisted Treefolk Earth Magic

Twisted Treefolk Cock

Pitcher Treefolk Stomach Acid

I see some potential for mark manipulation. First, I refund Twisted Treefolk Earth Magic.

*Selected Pitcher Treefolk Photosynthesis!*

My scales become a significantly deeper shade of green. Then I refund Mandragora Photosynthesis, slightly lightening my scales’ color.

*Selected Twisted Treefolk Earth Magic!*

Excellent work if I do say so myself. I should be less hungry today with tier-two Photosynthesis as long as I get plenty of sun. Spelunking in the caves for hours left me hungrier than I’d have otherwise been today, so I’m thankful Gabby made that roast.

Next up, I see the mark I spent on a Bunny Patron cock (and later unequipped through Paternal Malleability) got refunded by the sunrise.

*Fuzzy Marks – One*

Rodent Nose (Bunny, Mouse, Mole-man)

Rodent Ears (Bunny, Mouse)

Mouse Predator Sense

Rodent Stature (Bunny, Mouse)

Bunny Patron Stature

Bunny Patron Longevity

Bunny Patron Strength

Rodent Tail (Bunny, Mouse, Playmate)

Mouse Balance

Playmate Anal Lube

Rodent Legs (Bunny, Mouse, Playmate)

Bunny Hop

Good Digger

Lucky Rabbit Foot

Bunny Patron Legs

Rodent Cock (Bunny, Mouse, Mole-man)

Bunny Patron Cock

Bunny Stamina

Bunny Patron Stamina

Mole-man Earth Magic

Bunny Patron Earth Magic

Mole-man Claws

Mole-man Summon Shovel

Bunny Patron Summon Carrot

Bunny Playmate Outfit

I refund my mouse tail.

*Selected Bunny Patron Stamina!*

Then I refund Bunny Stamina and hold two marks in reserve. All that changed is a simple advancement of my sexual Stamina.

Continuing on…

*Slime Marks – None*

Slime Constitution

Slime Core

Slime Constitution (Jell, Fuz, Pnk, Lrg, Swm, Red)

Slime Malleability

Slime Malleability (Jell, Fuz, Pnk, Lrg, Swm, Red)

Slime Mutability

Slime Amalgamation

Slime Mutability (Jell, Fuz, Pnk, Lrg, Swm, Red)

Slime Hair / Legs / Arms / Stature

Red Slime Hair / Legs / Arms / Stature

Jellyfish Slime Tentacles

Fuzzy Slime Flesh Shaping

Large Slime Stature

Fuzzy Slime Fur

Pink Slime Restoration

Small Swarm Slime Multitasking

Red Slime Blood Magic

I refund Slime Mutability, otherwise satisfied with my selection.

Proceeding onward, I refund Orc Strength.

*Goblinoid Marks – One*

Goblin Ears

Goblinoid Ears (Apprentice, Hob, Orc)

Goblin Gut

Goblinoid Gut (Apprentice, Hob, Orc)

Goblin Nails

Hobgoblin Nails

Goblin Stature

Hobgoblin Stature

Orc Stature

Orc Strength

Ogre Stature

Ogre Strength

Ogre Toughness

Goblin Cock

Goblinoid Cock (Hob, Orc, Ogre)

Goblin Apprentice Fast Learner

Goblin Apprentice Quick Study

Goblin Apprentice Summon Spectacles

Summon Club (Hobgoblin, Orc, Ogre)

*Hob/Orc/Ogre Cock is available without requirement through Paternal Malleability!*

*Selected Ogre Toughness!*

Another subtle change. I pinch myself to discover the pain is muted even given my enhanced strength. It’ll take a lot more to draw my blood and I can soak damage like Dura. A fantastic addition to my abilities.

Finally, I refund Ogre Stature. It’s too tall for my taste.

Now, I have a Goblinoid mark to pick up Quick Study if I run into any Dark Magic users. If I’m in a tough spot I’ll take Orc Strength for a minor boost or maybe Goblin Gut. Even Ogre Cock would be a clutch choice in certain conditions.

As for my Mer marks, I decide to refund Mermaid Water Magic. As great an addition to my repertoire as it is, I want a little more freedom. Most of my opponents at this stage can deal with my Water Magic + Earth Magic combo. It’s beneficial to have if I lose access to drinking water, but otherwise, I may as well keep that mark in my back pocket.

*Avian Marks – None*

Harpy Sight

Harpy Wings

Bloodwing Air-Dodge

Harpy Tailfeathers

Harpy Matron Form

Harpy Matron Fertility

Harpy Matron Longevity

Harpy Talons

Harpy Lightweight

Harpy Matron Lightweight

Harpy Air Magic

Harpy Matron Air Magic

Lesser Siren Voice

Lesser Siren Enchanting Melody

Lesser Siren Charm Resistance

Bloodwing Blood Magic

Bloodwing Cock

I refund Harpy Air Magic, Harpy Sight, and Bloodwing Blood Magic. Hear me out.

The first-tier Air Magic only adds a little to my power and BBM is redundant with the Slime version. I can’t equip Blood Star without double-strength Blood Magic, but I can make something nearly as good with Flou’s help. If I decide I need to fly somewhere, I’ll be able to get Harpy Wings and Harpy Tailfeathers to get almost the full Harpy flight setup. If instead, I run into a strong enemy, I’ll re-equip BBM.

Flight options enabled!

Lastly, I refund my Wolf Cock, returning me to a smooth feminine mons pubis covered in green scales.

*Canine Marks – One*

Wolf Nose

Wolf Nose (Dire, Cinder)

Wolf Lord’s Nose

Wolf Claws

Wolf Claws (Dire, Cinder)

Wolf Lord’s Claws

Wolf Tail

Wolf Tail (Dire, Cinder)

Wolf Lord’s Tail

Wolf Legs

Wolf Rush

Wolf Legs (Dire, Cinder)

Cinderwolf Rush

Wolf Lord’s Legs

Wolf Jaws

Wolf Jaws (Dire, Cinder)

Wolf Lord’s Jaws

Cinderwolf Ember Magic

Wolf Cock

Wolf Cock (Dire, Cinder)

Wolf Lord’s Cock

*Dire/Cinder Wolf Cock is available without requirement through Paternal Malleability!*

Ooh, very nice! Looks like I need to select Dire or Cinder Wolf Cock at some point to permanently unlock the Wolf Lord’s Cock. That thing is a monster… well, more so than most of my options. I’m not sure Gabby can handle it when I barely managed. She’d be split in two!

Ahem, serious business time.

I refund Wolf Rush. There’s no point in having two Rush abilities, I don’t think. Another moment of contemplation leads me to refund Wolf Nose. As much as I love superhuman senses, I have Partner Tracker now. I may reselect it if I need to cover a lot of ground on foot today, but I so rarely use Wolf Nose when I’m on a mission like yesterday.

With that, I have a wealth of three free Canine marks to do with as I wish throughout the day. Thank you Power Bond and thank you, Suka! Trying to free up enough Canine marks and manipulate them in the morning to go Wolf Legs-->Cinderwolf Legs-->Cinderwolf Rush has been a serious pain in my ass! No more!

“Gabby, water mirror?”

My Goblin wife wields her wooden wang to conjure a few pints of water and flatten the bubble into a flat, partially reflective surface. Smiling to reveal my Webling fangs, I look like a vampiric green lizard girl! A fucking hot vampiric green lizard girl, that is.

*All Marks – Sixty!*

*The Wolf Lord’s Toy

Three Canine Marks!*

*Harpy Bride

Two Avian Marks!*

*Mermaid Bride

One Mer Mark!*

*Married the Goblin Apprentice

Two Goblinoid Marks!*

*Fishman Slayer

One Mer Mark!*

*Cancer Conquest

One Mer Mark!*

*Pacified the Large Pink Jellyfish Slime

Four Slime Marks!*

*Overcame the Moleman

Two Fuzzy Marks!*

*Toyed with the Playmate Bunny

Two Fuzzy Marks!*

*Ogress Layer

Two Goblinoid Marks!*

*Hobbled the Hobgoblin

One Goblinoid Mark!*

*Roasted the Twisted Apple Treefolk

Two Forest Marks!*

*Barbequed the Pitcher Treefolk

One Forest Mark!*

*Tamed the Cinderwolf

One Canine Mark!*

*Converted the Small Fuzzy Red Slime Swarm

Three Slime Marks!*

*Mouse Bride

One Fuzzy Mark!*

*Trounced the Bunny Patron

One Fuzzy Mark!*

*Made the Lesser Siren Sing

One Avian Mark!*

*Bloodied the Bloodwing Harpy

One Avian Mark!*

*Turned the Tables on a Black Widow Webling

Two Darkling Marks!*

*Unearthed the Webling Burrower

One Darkling Mark!*

*Kobold Bride

One Draconic Mark!*

*Slaughtered the Lizardmen

One Draconic Mark*

*Satisfied the Wicked Weaver Webling

Two Darkling Marks!*

*Decapitated the Imp

One Profane Mark!*

*Subdued the Harpy Matron

One Avian Mark!*

*Male Breeder Marks

Eleven Marks!*

*Female Breeder Marks

Eight Marks!*

Shockingly, I managed to nearly double my total mark count again. It felt like a really long day, though, so it shouldn’t come as a big surprise. It’s true that Breeder Marks are playing a large part in the numbers, but I’m proud of what I accomplished given my mission was originally a low-key retrieval.

Who knows, maybe today won’t be too crazy (snerk).

*Pets*

*Loyal Large Pink Jellyfish Slime Core*

*Dedicated Small Fuzzy Red Slime Swarm*

*Subjugated Slime Cores – Two*

Wow, I guess saving Cottontail and Megan had a profound effect on Flou. This does make me wonder what I did to change Olindia’s status besides putting her to work, though. Twenty-four hours ago, she was ‘Lazy;’ isn’t this a big turnaround? Oh, well. Let’s see how they do today.

*Offspring – Eleven*

*Mermaids

Two (Unborn)*

*Goblins

One (Unborn)*

*Mandragora

Three (Unborn)*

*Fuzzy

Three (Unborn)*

*Draconic

Two (Unborn)*

I’m so excited to see all my cute little babies in nine months! We’re going to have our hands full, LOL!

*Selected Racial Marks – Twenty-eight + One*

Cinderwolf Rush (Power Bond)

Cinderwolf Ember Magic

Harpy Lightweight

Harpy Matron Air Magic

Fishman Summon Spear

Cancer Summon Armor

Orc Stature

Ogress Strength

Ogress Toughness

Goblin Apprentice Fast Learner

Mouse Predator Sense

Lucky Rabbit Foot

Bunny Patron Stamina

Bunny Patron Earth Magic

Slime Core

Jellyfish Slime Constitution

Slime Amalgamation

Pink Slime Restoration

Small Swarm Slime Multitasking

Red Slime Blood Magic

Pitcher Treefolk Photosynthesis

Pitcher Treefolk Vines

Twisted Treefolk Earth Magic

Wicked Weaver Profane Sight

Wicked Weaver Webling Fangs

Wicked Weaver Webling Dark Magic

Lizardman Scales

Kobold Inner Heat

Impish Dark Magic

I don’t know if I can take on a Wolf Lord with this loadout, but I’m confident in facing anything less than that. I’m loaded for bear! Not that I expect to fight any Ursa.

*Selected Breeder Marks – Eighteen*

Paternal Malleability I

Paternal Seminal Control – Volume, Qualities, Spawn Attributes

Paternal Seminal Potency – Sustenance, Lure

Paternal Inheritance I

Partner Tracker

Partner Brand

Power Bond I

Maternal Ovarian Control

Maternity Ward

Maternal Create Womb Seed

Maternal Fetus Protection

Maternal Inheritance I

Maternal Mammary Control and Potency – Pacification, Sustenance, Allure

*Available Marks – Fourteen*

Canine

Three!

Avian

Three!

Mer

One!

Goblinoid

One!

Slime

One!

Fuzzy

Two!

Forest

None!

Darkling

Two!

Draconic

None!

Profane

None!

Breeder (male)

One!

Breeder (female)

None!

Land, sea, or air, I can tackle it! I can even switch modes to some degree by using Slime Malleability to refund a body modification. My options are wide open.

Now, let me think...