We were up early the next morning, a little before daybreak in fact. Most of our stuff was already ready since I had it stored in my Skill, so we didn't spend that much time on getting ready. Valena donned her armor and equipped her twin shortswords. She looks quite capable!
After a quick breakfast, we head towards the west square. The city of G'cal is based around a church in the center with four large town squares around it, one for each cardinal direction. Then the rest of the city sort of amorphously grows around that.
Near the west-most end of the western square we find the others. They're geared up as well, but their gear looks more advanced than Valenas. I guess because they're more experienced Hunters? Lentil grins as he sees us. "I see you got her some proper clothes."
"Oh I wish, she made them herself." Valena sighs. I wonder what kind of clothes she'd have gotten for me. "What do you mean, made them herself?" Tersa asks. "Oh you know, from what I can tell she turned the nightgown you gave us into Octopus Cloth and used that." Valena says, attempting to feign indifference.
"You say that as if it is the simplest thing. Those things take weeks to make, and she made one in what, a night? From Tersas nightgown?" Lentil eyes me suspiciously. Does he think I stole it? "Well, Monarchs are meant to be the representation of harmony between elements. Makes sense then that she is able to easily make magic do her bidding." Tersa shoots a glare at Lentil.
"Now then, the sooner we set of, the better." Safyr attempts to defuse the situation. "Where's your backpack, Valena?" He tiptoes as to try to get a better look at her back. "Millibelle is carrying it. She's got some sort of Skill that lets her store and retrieve things." Valena explains.
"Must be Unique, I've never heard of it at least..." Tersa holds a hand to her chin in though. "You think she could carry our stuff too?" Lentil asks as we start heading towards the town gate. "I mean-" He blushes as the two others give him looks of contempt.
Once we're out of the gates, a road takes us west and then north, up past Mina's ranch. when the road bends to the east, we get off it and continue through the fields towards the north. We keep heading north through the farming fields until we hit the open plains of the Wilds, the uninhabited parts of the kingdom.
We see large herds of wild Bihorns, gently grazing, but at the same time aware of any danger that might appear.
*Bihorn
A cow-like monster in the Mammaloid class. Once thought to be related to Minotaurs, recent studies find a closer relation to Yale. Often domesticated and used as monsters of labor, or as a source of food. There is a distinct difference between the domesticated lineage and the wild one. Though tame Bihorn are docile and even affectionate, the wild kind are outright hostile to humanoids. Horn size also differs between lineages, with the wild ones having large, prominent horns capable of swiveling to better gore its opponent.
The wild kind also has much thicker hides to shield them from the piercing claws of the Dreadtail, the only monster that actively hunts grown Bihorn.
The horns of the wild kind make a powerful fashion statement when worn on a hunters helmet.
Rank: 1 Star (Tame) 3 Star (Wild)*
"Let's steer clear of the herds" Safyr advises. We correct our course, and start heading slightly north-east, avoiding the biggest concentrations of Bihorn herds. We continue walking through the day, only stopping once to eat. As night falls, we make camp.
After supper, we go to sleep. Taking turns minding the fire and keeping guard in case some monsters would get too close. Luckily, that night nothing happened. Big monsters are rarer this close to civilization, but we'll probably encounter at least one on our way to the capital.
On the second day we see large wyverns flying in the sky. Too far away to be a direct danger, but we spend considerably more time looking at the sky after we first saw them. "That one, with the long tail, is a Dreadtail." Tersa points and explains. "The smaller ones, over there, are either Boltcasters or Mockvoicers."
"You sure know a lot about wyverns" Valena comments. "To be able to identify them from such a distance I mean." Tersa blushes. "There's not much to it though. You just need to remember main features and wing-shapes." Lentil shades his eyes to get a better look at something. "Is it me or is that Dreadtail chasing something?"
"Hang on, I think I got something for this." Valena looks at me. I retrieve and hand her a scope. It's meant to be affixed to an arbalest, but it can double as a cheap telescope. She hands the scope to Lentil, who adjusts it as he scans the distance for something. "I see what she's chasing! Its three hunters! One of them seems to be carrying something!" He exclaims.
"It better not be what I think it is." Tersa grabs the scope from Lentil and takes a look for herself. "Those morons are actually stealing an egg!" She shouts. Oh boy, this will be interesting. If wyverns are anything as persistent in this world as they are in that game... I look to Valena, what do we do?
"We can't just leave them!" Valena starts moving towards the hunters in distress. "You do know that Dreadtails are six star monsters? We'd need at least two more C-rankers with us to even have chance at taking it out." Safyr warns her as he starts following her. "Perhaps those hunters are C-rankers, then we'd have enough." Tersa muses as she runs to catch up.
"Am I the only one hesitant on rushing to our deaths against that thing for some strangers?" Lentil asks. He looks at me. I shrug at him and give chase to the others. "Ugh, fine." He adjusts his backpack and hurries after us.
As we get close enough to the hunters in distress, I recognize them. It's the thugs from the Guild! the Sea-grass haired one is the one carrying the egg. It's a bright green with dark red tiger-stripes. It's also massive, easily the size of my torso. "What in the World are you fools doing here?!" Safyr thunders. Does he know them?
"Ah, huff, Saff, imagine meeting you here" The boar-tusked one gasps as he bends over to catch his breath. "Save the pleasantries for later, the mom of that egg is incoming, and she looks quite upset" Lentil remarks as he readies his bow.
"GOGYAAAA" A thunderous roar heralds the Dreadtails arrival. We all cover our ears, except Seagrass who is still holding the egg. I inspect the Dreadtail as it lands.
Unnamed
Species: Dreadtail (Pseudo-dragonoid) (Uncommon)
Gender: Female
Status: Enraged (Great)
HP: 1950/2000
MP: 900/1500
SP: 1200/1800
Attack: 300 (+100)
Armor: 190 (-40 Vs Lightning)
M.Attack: 200 (+100)
M.Armor: 180 (-30 Lightning)
Speed: 140
STR: 150
CON: 140
INT: 95
WIL: 130
DEX: 100
Skills:
Tail Action (Great)Â -Â Strong Legs (Normal)
Sharp Claws (Normal)Â -Â Poison Stinger (Great)
Napalm Breath (Normal)Â -Â Keen Sight (Normal)
Elemental Affinity: Fire (Lesser)Â -Â Damage Resistance: Fire (Normal)
Condition Resistance: Poison (Normal)Â -Â Condition Resistance: Burn (Normal)
Flight (Great)Â -Â Draconic Flight (Normal)
Spells:
Red Hot Claw (Normal)
Social Titles:
Cannibal - Relentless
Mantis Mate
*Dreadtail*
*A Wyvern of ill repute. Displays significant sexual dimorphism. The female is often more than twice the size of the male, and mating usually ends in the male being the females dinner. As such, most people would not even recognize a male Dreadtail when they see one, as they're quite rare. The Dreadtail is equipped with a potent poison in its needle covered tail, which it wields with great skill. It can also deliver lethal kicks from the ground, as well as a devastating swooping attack that leaves the target pinned, crushed under the wyverns weight.
It is claimed that a female is strong enough to lift and carry a full grown Bihorn into the air, though such claims have never been confirmed. It prefers instead to use its tail in combination with its swooping attack to pin down and kill, feeding on site.
The eggs are a delicacy, though the female will chase the thief to the ends of the world unless felled before the nest is raided.
Rank: 2 Stars (Male) 6 Stars (Female)*
Oh this is definitively an apex predator. She seems to be a fire and physical type attacker. I use Guard Share on Valena and Safyr, as they're the melee combatants. The Dreadtail lands in front of us, steam rising from her mouth as she glares at Seagrass with malevolent eyes. Her body is a distinct tone of leafy green, with a milky blue stomach. Is it countershading? Her wings are used for balance when on the ground, her tail dangling over her back like that of a scorpion.
She lets out a low rumbling growl that rises into another roar, before charging at Seagrass. Boar-tusk and Safyr immediately step in front of her, shields raised. Boar-tusk is wielding a lance and great-shield, is he the tank of the group?
Her advance halted, she kicks off the ground and flips into a backwards somersault. Safyr sidesteps her tail, but Boar-tusk takes it shield on. He is sent sliding backwards from the impact, but is still standing. I glance at his status.
Germund Felltusk
Species: Beastman (Boar) (Humanoid) (Common)
HP: 95%
MP: 100%
SP: 75%
Seems he can take a few more hits before he's in danger. At least as long as he keeps his guard up. But why didn't he sidestep like Safyr?
"Still using that dreadful shield, eh?" Safyr remarks. His shield? I take a look.
*Memento Mori Great-Shield (Rare - Twisted) (+100 Arm, +100 M.Arm, Reflects 75% of damage taken back at the attacker)*
Oh, that's an useful shield! I should try to make something like that sometime. Still in the air, the Dreadtail tries to fly over Safyr and Germund to get to Seagrass. Her advance is once again cut short, this time by a barrage of magic from Tersa and the firehaired guy. She roars in anger, before careening towards Firehair, claws outstretched.
A handful of spikes shoot out of the ground around firehair. Too early, as the Dreadtail easily stops her descent to avoid them, making a three sixty in the air to try again. "Too early as usual, Merkiv!" Germund shouts. "Oh I never intend for them to get hit by it, I just show them its useless to try!" Merkiv shouts back, readying a new spell.
*Spell learnt - Earthen Spikes (Lesser) - Creates one or more spikes out of earth to pin and pierce an opponent. Higher rank increases durability, sharpness and number of spikes.*
A distinct sizzling sound comes from the Dreadtails mouth. As she once again flies over Merkiv, she spews forth a ball of fire, Napalm Breath? I fire off a Water Beam at the fireball, causing it to explode right in front of her. With a cry, the blast knocks her to the ground. The remnants of the fireball scatters as it falls to the ground, setting the grass ablaze.
"Now!" Safyr yells as he rushes towards the flailing wyvern. Germund and Valena join him. I decide to stay back with Tersa, Merkiv and Lentil, providing ranged support.
Question, World Knowledge, could I use Wide Casting to target multiple bodyparts on the same target?
*As long as you specify separate targets for each Spell, there should be no issue with targeting in that way.*
Nice, then I can save MP! The way Wide Casting works, is that for the MP cost of casting once, you can cast multiple spells, as long as you specify different targets. I cast Wind Blade, targeting the Dreadtails wings. The spells cut deep, exposing muscle and bones underneath. Tersa lets out a low whistle. "What, that much damage with a Lesser tier spell? Impressive."
"Focus on the wounds Millibelle made!" Lentil orders. As they refocus their attacks, the Dreadtail manages to get her feet back under her, and rises. One of her wings is dangling uselessly, she's rendered flightless. "GOGYAAAA" she roars in pain and anger. Taking a step back before pirouetting in place, everyone scrambles for cover from the deadly tail. Germund takes another hit, though, sending him skidding backwards from the impact.
Following up on Germund, she rushes him with her head low, hooking her nose under his shield and flinging him into the air with a flick of her neck. (~Yeet~) The air around her mouth flickers from the heat as she readies another Napalm Breath. She's facing away from me now, so I can't hit it this time!
I rush towards the Dreadtail, maneuvering to get to the side of her. Just as she's about to fire, I cast Earth Spike on the ground beneath her head. The spike pierces her lower jaw and forces her mouth shut, just as the breath would of been released. I have no time to look though, as I race to catch Germund from falling to his death.
An explosion goes off behind me. spreading my wings and riding the shock-wave, I catch Germund midair, before skidding to a halt a distance away. The hot rush of Power Osmosis tells me that the wyvern died from that explosion.
*Power Osmosis Activated! Osmosis Successful, displaying results:
+150 STR, +140 CON, +95 INT, +130 WIL, +100 DEX
Skills Obtained:
- Tail Action (Great) - Let's the user manipulate their tail freely.
- Strong Legs (Normal) - Increases the Attack power of kicks by 12.5% before Attack Vs Armor Calculation. Also decreases the chance of receiving the Broken Bone Condition by 25%.
- Sharp Claws (Normal) becomes Skill Expertise, Sharp Claws (Great) become Terrible Talons (Lesser)
- Terrible Talons (Lesser) - Increases Attack power of claw/nail attacks by 20% before calculation, also increases Attack power by 5% after calculation.
- Poison Stinger (Great) - A poison gland attached to a needle-like structure enables the user to inflict the Poisoned (Great) status when attacking with the stinger.
- Napalm Breath (Normal) - User breathes a special compound that ignites on contact with air. This compound is sticky and will not be put out by water, enabling area denial. Beware, as the compound is explosive when put under pressure!
- Keen Sight (Normal) - User can see better at longer distances.
- Elemental Affinity: Fire (Lesser) compounds with Elemental Affinity: All (Normal) and becomes Skill Expertise.
- Damage Resistance: Fire (Normal) becomes Skill Expertise, Damage Resistance: Fire (Great) becomes Damage Immunity: Fire (Lesser).
- Damage Immunity: Fire (Lesser) - Reduces Damage from Fire attacks by 12.5% before Atc VS Arm/M.Atc Vs M.Arm calculation, and by 50% after calculation.
- Condition Resistance: Poison (Normal) replaces Condition Resistance: Poison (Lesser), replaced Skill becomes Skill Expertise.
- Condition Resistance: Burn (Normal) becomes Skill Expertise, Condition Resistance: Burn (Great) becomes Condition Resistance: Burn (Grand)
- Flight (Great) replaces Glide (Great), replaced Skill converted into Skill Expertise. - Allows the user to actively fly with great skill. Flight consumes SP at a reduced rate.
- Draconic Flight (Normal) - User can fly even when conditions would not allow for active flight, as long as the users normal means of flying has not been impaired in some way, I.E. damage to flight organs, etc. Flight in this mode costs MP at a normal rate.
Spells Obtained:
- Red Hot Claw (Normal) converted into Spell Expertise, Red Hot Claw (Normal) becomes Red Hot Claw (Great) - Cast time reduced.
Updating Stats... Successful. Conditions for Evolution has been met, please find a secure location before starting the process.*
Carrying Germund in a bridal hold, I turn around to witness the carnage. The headless body of the Dreadtail is slumped onto the remains of the Earth Spike, the ground around it stained by blood and fragments of various tissues. "Could... Could you put me down? I'm fine!" Germund flails in my grasp.
I unceremoniously drop him on his ass. A loud thud and the jangling of metal armor impacting against itself is heard. The others are gathering around the carcass, but Merkiv and Seagrass - who is still carrying the egg by the way, rush over to Germund with tears in their eyes. "Germund! You lived! I thought... when..." Merkiv starts sobbing as he hugs Germund tightly.
Although Germund is wearing a helmet that covers his face except for his eyes, I can still tell that he is bright red under it. Call it instincts. "Please, Merkiv, not in public like this..." He pleads as he gently pats his friend on the back.
"So, how about you three explain what in the World you were attempting to do?" Lentil has come over, so has the others as well. He has his arms crossed and he looks less than pleased. "If we hadn't been here..." Seagrass looks pensively to the others. He nervously shifts the weight of the egg around. "You see, since we got our licences suspended... We kinda owe some money to some... less than stellar people..." He refuses to look at us as he speaks, instead engaging the egg in a staring contest.
"So you were told to get an egg to repay the money?" Tersa asks. "No other way, since we couldn't take missions that paid well enough." Merkiv chimes in. "It was either die trying, or die. Death by Dreadtail sounded much faster than whatever the loan sharks had in mind for us."
"But since you saved us, we should be in the clear! We can deliver the egg, and have our debts wiped!" Germund smiles behind the helmet. "Though I suspect it's not going to be that easy, I do also suspect you lot planned on us finding you." Valena says.
"You three were stalking me and Millibelle around all day, two days ago. Were you planning revenge?" The smiles on the thug's faces stiffen up. Seems they've been found out even without me telling on them...
"Well, we figured it ample payback, having you lot help us with this. It is after all your fault that our licences got suspended in the first place." Seagrass mumbles. Safyr gives an unamused snort. "That was your own darn fault. If you'd not harassed Valena and any other up and coming female Hunter..."
"Well, we're sorry, I am at least." Germund admits. "If it wasn't for Valenas monster companion..." He shudders. Merkiv nods in agreement. Seagrass turns his face, seemingly embarrassed to admit it.
"Well, if we're going to let bygones be bygones, and you three stay on the straight and narrow from now on, I see no reason to report you three for poaching." Lentil shrugs. "We'll also be taking the Dreadtail carcass." He looks to me. I walk over to the body and store the entire thing.
"Wot." Germund stares in bewilderment. "I mean, we have more than enough with transporting the egg, but how on earth did it do that?" He asks. "We're not too sure, some sort of Unique Skill." Tersa answers. "Now, I guess you lot better get going before that egg hatches on you." Safyr says as he turns to continue heading north.
Before leaving, I take a glance at Seagrass.
Seagrass Tideflow
Species: Accan (Humanoid) (Uncommon)
Are you kidding me, his name is actually Seagrass... I also cast a heal on Germund, just in case, before I run to join the others.
Having spent quite a bit of time fighting the Dreadtail, we didn't make as much progress today as we did yesterday. As we make camp for the night, I correlate our current position with a map Valena bought. Seems we're still at least a week away from the capital, unless we somehow speed up.
Before bed I decide to at least check out my options for evolution. I'd much rather Evolve somewhere safe, such as in the capital, but I just cant help peeking at the options.
*Displaying Evolution Options:
Young Tyrant (???) (Unique)
Young Emperor (???) (Unique)
Botched Monarch (???) (Unique)*
Huh? What's with the last entry? Botched Monarch, as if I'm supposed to pick one of the other ones... Let's check them out in more detail, World Knowledge, if you could?
*Young Tyrant*
Melee specialized, though still with massive magical powers, making it more of a balanced fighter compared to the Emperor. Little is known of the Young Tyrants ecology, as only a few have ever lived, and those were extremely hostile to humanoids, preventing study. Legends speak of the True Tyrant, the adult form of the Young Tyrant. A being of pure hatred towards humanoids, it came close to eradicating all seven species, but was slain by the eight Heroes summoned by the divine.
Rank: ??? Stars*
*Young Emperor*
Magic specialized, though with a powerful body. The immense magic energies swirling within this monster allows it to effortlessly live without eating, only drinking water as not to harm other creatures. Mentioned in myths and legends as a benevolent ruler of monsters that would come to the aid of the Hero. Its adult form, the True Emperor brings end to strife with its mere presence.
Rank: ??? Stars*
*Botched Monarch*
Like a chick becoming a hen whilst still in its egg, the Botched Monarch is the result of a indecisive mind, or a tragic event leaving the Little Monarch it Evolved from unable to choose. A creature of many forms, its warped magic breeds strange spells and effects upon the world. It is said indecisiveness takes the form of a human riding a feral wyvern. being tossed and turned whilst mounted, but facing instant death should they decide to dismount. Not choosing is a choice as well, though not one that is healthy in the long run.
Rank: ??? Stars*
Whoah, yeah let's not go with the Botched Monarch. That leaves the Tyrant and the Emperor. Or well, really only the Emperor. Seems going with the Tyrant marks me for death... Let's decide another day, seems Valena wants to talk to me.
Valena sits down next to me, a little bit away from the others gathered around the fire. "You okay? You seemed pretty spaced out, there." She asks. "I fine, thinking." I reply. She stares at the starry sky for a moment, before speaking again. "You know, I just wanted to say... Thank you, for saving Germund." I look at her, my head slightly tilted. "You're much more forgiving than me..."
She looks at the others, enjoying their meal together. "To be honest, when I saw the Dreadtail fling him into the air like that..." She makes an annoyed face. "I honestly hoped he'd get hurt. Him and his buddies been harassing me since the day I applied as an E ranker." She balls her hands into fists.
"But you, even though you're a monster, even though they'd been mean to you... You still ran in and saved him!" She smiles at me, a slightly sad smile that doesn't reach her eyes properly. "So I've decided! I'm going to try to be more like you! Someone who doesn't care who someone are or what they've done, someone that saves that person regardless!" Hey now, I think you're thinking a bit too highly of me there...
I take her hand in mine. "Forgive, don't forget" I say as I look her in the eyes. Hopefully she understands. I am the kind of person that doesn't hold anger, but I do hold grudges. She looks into my eyes for a moment, before nodding. "I think I understand... Don't blindly trust someone who says they've changed, right?" Close enough I guess. I nod.
"Are you two not going to eat supper or what?" Lentil asks, holding two bowls of dried meat broth. He sits next to me, on the opposite side of Valena before handing us our bowls. "I couldn't help but overhear your little heart to heart." He admits. "And, whilst I'm not too pleased by todays events, I cant help but think that something good came out of it." He gestures towards me.
"I mean, we got a whole Dreadtail, ready for dismantling whenever." He tilts his head to the side. "I guess we also got those thugs off your back. Harassing people is a bad look, but its much worse to actively harass someone who saved your life." He shrugs. Valena is thoughtfully chewing on a piece of meat, listening to his words.
"I just hope they get out of trouble with those loaners. Would suck for us to go through all that trouble to save them and then they get offed anyways..." Tersa chimes in. "Now, who takes first watch?"
The third day of the trial arrives. Seems since we fought the Dreadtail, most monsters stay well away from us. I guess it's the smell or something. We make good progress, but I feel myself lagging slightly behind. For some reason I'm super tired?
*Detecting abnormal energy readings. Suggested course of action: Evolve as soon as possible to shed excess energy buildup.*
Ah, but I wanted to wait until we got to the capital...
*User's stats are currently much higher than your body is meant to withstand. Stat limitation has its, well, limits. Unless willed Evolution takes place soon, and/or the user increases their stats further, Desperation Evolution will take place. The users body will select the option with the most potential, and rapidly evolve into that. This places extreme stresses upon the body, and might leave the user in a state of Frenzy.*
T-that sounds bad! I guess I should evolve tonight, then. I run to catch up with the others, they've stopped at a hilltop. What're they looking at? I follow their stares, and see a curious sight. A village?