After breakfast, Chloe joined the group by the wagons as they were getting ready to depart. Aside from the guards getting a good sexual workout and the interesting brainwashing amulet she’d seen Terri use, not much had happened last night. Chloe had of course taken note of Myshi’s cargo, there was something going on there, but she’d need to be physically present to be sure. Still there was something familiar about the condition of those infants; if she was right, they weren’t in danger, pain perhaps, but nothing about the condition was a threat to their lives. Chloe figured she’d look into it next time they stop, just to be sure.
On a different note, she’d confirmed that Bysha’s Trading was a shady guild and by extension, the related guild in Greywater must be shady as well. That was an assumption, but one based on her long years of experience. The question became were they a shady group she could use, or would she have to eliminate them? A proper investigation would tell her which. Myshi seemed okay, her tail stiffened. If one forgot Myshi’s obsession with her tail, that was.
Alicia double checked the harness on the draft lizard. While working she spoke up, “So Chloe, I was thinking of taking Sae hunting today, there is a good spot for it up ahead. Would you like to join us?”
“Sounds fun!” replied Chloe.
Myshi, stepping out of the second of her three wagons, interjected, “What’s fun?”
“I was inviting her to go hunting with me and Sae. Would you like to come as well?”
Chloe’s tail stiffened. Eyes wide she looked towards Myshi, who replied, “That does sound fun. Wish I could join you,” she glanced to her right, “Terri, go with them. I don’t want them to get into trouble.”
“Sure thing, Mistress!” replied the guard. Just as Krellik and Ellie came over with the tent from last night. Ellie was naked today and was carrying the collapsed tent. Chloe couldn’t help noticing she wasn’t wearing her soul pendant, but she could sense it in Krellik’s pocket. Why did he have that? Chloe was tempted to tell her to keep a closer hold of the precious item. After all, it contained Ellie’s soul, but she held her tongue. It wasn’t like Ellie’s mind was entirely her own anyway.
Alicia spotted Ellie, “Hey Ellie, seen Derrick?”
She nodded, “I did, he was talking with the leader of the Frost Pykes.”
“Oh, right he did mention something about that. I was just inviting Sae and Chloe out for a little training hunt. I wanted to let him know.”
“Sounds fun, maybe I’ll join you?”
“I’d be happy to have you along.” She gestured at Terri, “and we’ve already gained one extra member,” replied Alicia.
Chloe didn’t have an objection to her coming either.
Krellik took the tent, “You want to go on a hunt? I doubt it will be that special, since she’s taking the kids, she must be planning to go after the low level monsters up ahead.”
Ellie stretched, “Maybe not, but they’d be good practice.”
“Well, have fun!”
Chloe looked between them, was he... treating her differently? Myshi walked on over, “Right before you go, let’s take care of that tail.”
Chloe shuddered and hugged her own tail. Myshi giggled, “Sae? Be a dear and help me out.”
“Sure thing!” said Sae with an excited tone. Chloe looked over, feeling betrayed but couldn’t help noticing the glassiness in the other girl’s eyes.
“NO fair! Don’t mind control my friends!” She protested just before Sae grabbed her. Chloe found herself once more subjected to Myshi’s tender touch...
_______________A few hours later, Chloe was with Sae, Alicia, Ellie, and Terri on a bit of a hunting trip. Being a smaller group, they could travel a little faster than the caravan. With that in mind, this was the perfect opportunity for some training. While they marched ahead, Alicia was filling her in on the local monsters.
They were about to enter the outer edges of the Dark Wood, and while they were still days away from Black Blossom, they were close enough that patrols from the city sometimes ranged out this far to cull monster nests. Low level monsters were left in place to maintain balance in the ecosystem, and it was those low level monsters they were looking for. Many rodent and insect monsters could be found in the area, but they weren’t the only kinds. Several varieties of lizards also lived in the area. Notable monsters included the Thunder Rat, an elemental rat that used lightning to protect itself. There was also the Rock Bat, noted for its high affinity for earth magic. There was also the Armored Spitter, a four-legged, flat-bodied reptile protected by thick bony plates. As one might guess from the name, they had the ability to spit. Specifically, they would attack by spitting out a toxic magical acid that would burn through armor, but leave the victim’s flesh intact. Thankfully they were rare and their toxic acid wasn’t particularly potent.
Other notable monsters included several types of insects, including a nasty stinging insect that was drawn to the smell of milk. When they detected a lactating female, they’d swarm her and sting her several times, boosting production and making her docile. Then they’d feed on her blood and milk. The victim was usually fine after, aside from a nasty rash and swelling localized around the breasts. It was one of their evolved forms that one had to really look out for, as it did far more than merely feed on its victims.
Chloe was, of course, familiar with the insect in question, even if Alicia hadn’t named it. It was a line of vampiric insects, collectively known as Vampire Hornets. Around here the only ones to worry about were called Lesser Milk Hornets. A fairly harmless variety, which was why they hadn’t been burned out. That and their tendency to kill the more dangerous insect species. Milk hornets were also important to the life cycle of a certain underdark plant found in this area, commonly known as the milk flower. It was a bulbous plant that vaguely resembled a flower in bloom. Its bulb would fill with a milky white fluid that was much like milk, attracting the Milk Hornets, who would feast and get covered in seeds and pollen, which helps the plant spread. That same fluid however was also valuable for alchemists, and so were the hornets.
Pushing past several vines, the group made their way deeper into one of the side tunnels. Although calling it a side tunnel wasn’t doing the space justice, even as large plants blocked their view. Sae, taking advantage of a pause, commented, “Armored Spitters and Milk Hornets sound scary.”
Alicia chuckled, “They can be, but there are always more dangerous monsters out there.”
Ellie, who was studying some of the underbrush, commented, “Speaking of, I think a Spitter came through here about an hour ago.”
Alicia smiled, “Ah perfect. Now Sae, what was our first lesson?”
“Stay alert, the unaware hunter becomes prey herself.”
“Very good, “ replied Alicia as she approached the underbrush in question, “Now what do you see here?”
“Broken plants, clawmarks...” Sae blinked, “blood. Maybe it’s injured?”
Chloe sighed, “More likely our Spitter caught something.”
Alicia gave both of them looks, “Don’t assume, assumptions kill. Use what you know and be prepared. Understand?”
Sae nodded, and Chloe did as well. Even if she wasn’t too worried about the area. Alicia said the highest level monsters in the area would be around level thirty-five, with most of the local monsters being under level 20.
Alicia then walked them through what she saw, and the group proceeded to track the lizard. It had left a fairly easy trail to follow, so it wasn’t long before they found it.
Chloe pushed through the brush and took in the lizard's den. It was a modestly sized nook hidden behind several large ‘bushes’ and a ‘tree.’ The ground and rock had been lined with foliage, the remains of several past meals were buried just outside the nook where the lizard was resting.
Clutched between its foreclaws was its latest prey, a rock bat, but from the look of things the bat hadn’t gone down without a fight. The Spitter had several broken bony plates and torn scales, but was otherwise fine. The rock bat was already mostly eaten, and was where most of the blood had come from.
Sae joined her and shifted into formation. Alicia, Ellie, and Terri took positions in the rear, with Terri looking around for additional threats. Alicia spoke up, “Okay girls, take it down. Just like I taught you.”
Reflexively Chloe cast Identify on it. Her mind quickly took in the window. Level twenty-three, no shields, low mana, health at about 80 percent. She relayed the information to Sae. Who was already preparing to cast. Chloe had admitted to being a storm mage herself, Sae wasn’t yet able to claim the title, but since affinities were in part genetic, it wasn’t surprising that she was shaping up to be one as well. Her sister was a Dark Storm Mage, and Sae had inherited more or less the same affinities.
Sae took a breath, raised her palm, even as the lizard was starting to bristle and chanted, “Crackle, thunder barks, lightning flashes, the storm comes, Lightning Strike!”
A bolt of lightning leapt from her palm, striking the creature. It roared, broken scales ruptured, flesh charred and it dropped the bat, charging toward them. Chloe finished with a spell of her own, cast Dark Ward, a barrier of darkness sprang up between them and the monster. It slammed into the barrier full force with a loud crack.
The barrier vanished as she released it a moment later. Revealing a dazed creature, shaking its head. Sae, finishing her chant a second time, cast a second lightning bolt into the creature. It roared in pain but wasn’t dead yet.
Slower than the first time, it charged them, Chloe finished it off with a basic firebolt. The fire struck its nose and roiled over its form, baking the creature in its bony armor. It slumped forward dead.
Congratulations!Your party has slain an Armored Spitter lv 23
Experience gained!Level up!
Chloe didn’t really feel any different but she knew her mortal body was just a little stronger than it was the day before. Alicia grinned, “Well done, girls, perfect execution.”
Terri interjected, “For a party of pure mages, yes. Next one, maybe I should fill in as a warrior?”
Alicia gave her a look, “Aren’t you an archer?”
“Yes, but I was trained for close combat as well. I can fill in as a shield.”
Ellie giggled, “I think they did just fine.”
Chloe gave Ellie a second look. Something was different about her, but she hadn’t yet put her finger on it. It wasn’t just the fact she was walking around nude. The very air around her seemed different. Movement drew her attention; the fighting had attracted something else.
Several somethings, she realized as she identified the newcomers. Fang Bats, a common monster in the Underdark. They were large predatory bats, noted for their fangs, which in some specimens could grow as long as 30 centimeters. Other than their deep bite, they weren’t particularly threatening, as they had no venom nor did they have any magic. Likely that’s why they were often found in groups.
Eight of them darted from the trees. Terri responded first, putting an arrow right through the eyes of the nearest bat while it was still shrieking. Sae was already chanting a spell, as two of them dived towards Ellie. The cowgirl smashed one with a powerful, yet oddly clumsy swing of her hand axe, while her other axe knocked the second off course. Alicia let loose a Hydro Shock Pulse, hitting two and then Sae zapped one out of the air. Chloe hit a second about to attack Sae with a lightning bolt of her own.
With two left, one tried to run, while the injured one leapt at Ellie. Terri put an arrow through the fleeing bat and Ellie finished the other one with a backhanded strike. The area clear, they took a moment to catch their breath before continuing the hunt. By the time they made it back to the caravan, Chloe found herself having made good progress. So had Sae.
Name: Chloe Amori
Gender: Female (Indeterminate)
Race: Half-Dwarf Foxkin (Primal Spectre Lord)
Patron: Furea
Level: 35 (1000)
Age: 24 (2,578,452)
Health: 100%
Class: Necromantic Sage
Shields: 450,000/450,000
Subclass: Scholar of Life and Death
Mana: 1,000,000,000/1,000,000,000
Titles: Blessed Child, Daddy’s Daughter (The Great Demon Lord, The Undead King, Ruler of Death...)
Skills:Archmaster Dark Magic Grade AArchmaster Necromancy Grade AArchmaster Lightning Magic Grade A
Archmaster Fire Magic Grade AArchmaster Earth Magic Grade AArchmaster Water Magic Grade AArchmaster Wind Magic Grade AArchmaster Storm Magic Grade AArchmaster Nature Magic Grade AArchmaster Death Magic Grade A
Archmaster of Resurrection Grade A
Archmaster Flesh Shaping Grade ATrue Appraisal Grade A
Traits:Racial:Possession
Incorporeal BodyPrimal NatureLimitless ManaRuler of DeathShield of Unlife
Dwarven Constitution
Natural Blacksmith
Natural Born-Loli
Immense Strength
Natural Craftsman
Natural Weapons
Superior FlexibilityAgile
AlluringNatural MagicNature’s Child
Inherent:Hero’s BloodBlessed BoobsSuperior PussySuperior Fluff
Flames of PassionBlessed Body
Acquired:Nature’s Embrace
Name: Sae Thundergale
Gender: Female
Race: Half Elven Fairy
Patron: Kuwi (Zylesh)
Level: 18
Age: 13
Health: 100%
Class: Apprentice Storm Mage
Shields: 400/400
Subclass: none
Mana: 402/450
Titles: none
Skills:Novice Lightning Magic Grade ENovice Water Magic Grade FInitiate Wind Magic Grade AInitiate Storm Magic Grade FInitiate Dark Magic Grade F
Traits:Racial:Natural Born-Loli
Nature’s ChildNatural MagicAlluring
Natural Forest DwellerNatural MageNatural RangerMagic Affinity
Mystic Blood
Inherent:Blessed MageCute BodySuperior PussyResilient Constitution
Enhanced Boobs
Acquired:Potent Mana