[h3]Monster Party[/h3] [quote=System:Ash] Skill Rank Up: Mana Orb I > Mana Orb II (1.9 > 2.05)! Magic Damage Increased. MP Cost Increased. Your Skill Progression is slightly faster than normal. [/quote] The "dense" Mana Orb as Ash had designated it, shot into the wall with about the same amount of speed and the same pseudo-lightning glow. But it seemed to dig just a little deeper than usual, and left a more concentrated char mark. When she attempted the same process a second time, there was a slight change. The System had informed her that her Mana Orb had ranked up, and before she even had to alter it, when the new Mana Orb took shape it already had the single nucleus. This time, the other square particles had stopped their expansion on their own, and none of them had taken on any colors at all. So a second ranked Mana Orb seemed to naturally have more energy, and concentrated that energy in a denser fashion? And once it had a nucleus, these other...magic atoms? Whatever they where, they formed a cloud of sorts like electrons. So what caused the color changes? Was it related to the colored particles she had seen when scanning other spells? Meanwhile, Torrent continued to practice her new project. Compared to the grinding she had done to get Poison Breath and how long it had taken, she took this much more slowly and tried to actively think about each step and visualize the results she wanted. [quote=System:Torrent] You are experiencing a Fast Rate of Skill Progression. You are experiencing a Fast Rate of Skill Progression. You used Magic Analysis I! ---???--- You seem to be developing a water spell that concentrates water into a pressurized stream... ---??? Breath--- You seem to be developing a breath skill that disperses the element of water in a cloud of vapor... ---Analysis Complete!--- [/quote] Her first attempt in this second set seemed like a...mana charged spit? A stream of water simply arced out of her mouth about five feet across the stream. The second time, when she pushed harder and swirled water and air, it all came out at once. Like filling your cheeks, then slapping both hands over them. The spray came out in a thick cloud, though it only traveled a short distance. But she could feel the different ways in which Mana flowed, and combined with her Analysis it gave her an idea of what was happening. The next question would be, how could she use it, and how much more would it take to fully activate these abilities? It seemed like Oberon was doing a Water-related spell as well, could she learn anything from him or mimic it? Oberon concentrated, and condensed the Mana as water was drawn around it. The water followed the flow that was created, the space left by the shrinking Mana Orb was rapidly filled, and once Oberon had it within his "grasp" he applied even more pressure. When he pulled it from the water, it maintained its shape--a glowing ball of blue, like a bubble that had solidified, a snowglobe without any scenery inside it. He hurled it at a tree...and was rewarded with an explosive splash that tore off a chunk of the trunk's bark covering. [quote=System:Oberon] You used Magic Analysis IV! ---???--- Torrent seems to be developing a water spell that concentrates water into a pressurized stream. It actually seems like a variant of the Aqua Sphere spell you're trying to use. Her Mana serves to pressurize and propel the water, but the level of control is more important than the power output. It also requires a larger amount of water. ---??? Breath--- Torrent seems to be developing a breath skill that disperses the element of water in a cloud of vapor. Mana is solely used to propel the moisture, with hardly any condensation. It doesn't seem to have enough charge to do damage, so its purpose at this point is unclear. ---Analysis Complete!--- Skill Gain: Aqua Sphere I (0.8 > 1.0)! By charging a small amount of water with mana, create a sphere of pressurized liquid to be launched at the target. While it does not require ammunition so to speak, this spell works better if there is water in the environment or in heavy humidity. Its range, damage, and MP cost are virtually identical to Mana Orb, but its nature as a Water spell varies its power based on elemental properties of the target. [/quote] [hr] [h3]Digbie[/h3] [quote=System:Digbie] Obtained Item: Leather Satchel (Average, Slightly Damaged) Can contain 10 Small Items, or Medium/Large Items equating that capacity. -Organic, Processed, Hydroproof, Durable, Inedible Obtained Item: [color=antiquewhite]Common Prayers to Jehanne[/color] (Poor, Heavily Damaged) A book containing standardized prayers and some liturgy as relates to the Forgiving Maiden... -Organic, Processed, Absorbant, Fragile, Bloodstained, Enchanted --This is a religious text, soaked in the unique magic of faith yet tempered in fire. Obtained Item: ??? Mushroom x5 -Organic, Fungi, Sporific, Nutrient Rich, Edible, Partially Toxic, Toxin level High. --Cushiwog Mushroom. This mushroom grows in areas with many impurities or toxins, but has adapted to use them for nourishment. In the process, it "sweats" a slime-like substance that collects into the green spots on its red cap. This gel is an effective pain inhibitor and very nutritious to most other creatures that don't share the Cushiwog's unique ability to thrive off poison. It is often combined with other plants to produce medicines. The lower end of the stalk, where toxins are still being refined, is highly poisonous. Obtained Item: ??? Flower x3 -Organic, Flowering Plant, Seed Bearing, Magically Charged, Restorative, Reactive --Blue Yill Flower. The Yill species of flowering plants are adaptable and conducive to magic, so depending on where they grow and what kind of ambient energy is present they often change forms. The Blue Yill has absorbed a great deal of raw mana, and thus is an excellent restorative source. It is often combined with other plants to magically enhance their properties, or to make mixtures that restore Magic Power. ---This plant is filled with magic, rather than nutrients made through photosynthesis. It could even thrive without light if there were enough Mana in the surroundings. The Magic is non-elemental in nature. Obtained Item: Woven Sandals (Above Average, Slightly Damaged) -Organic, Fibrous, Slightly Durable, Water Absorbant, Flammable --These sandals were woven from straw and plant fibers wound together and threaded in a pattern. They're a little coarse on bare feet, but with their protection one can walk freely over rough ground. They will fray fairly easily, however, and don't provide much in the way of armor or environmental resistance. They also burn quickly. You feel you can move [b]faster[/b] now that you have something protecting your feet. You Crafted an Item! Your lack of Crafting Skill has degraded your Item. Obtained Item: Makeshift Robe (Below Average) -Fibrous, Processed, Slightly Durable, Water Absorbant, Flammable, Insulating --This scrap of cloth is big enough to make a shoddy robe for your scrawny gobbo frame. It doesn't provide much padding against blades and isn't particularly magic resistant, but it'll hold up well enough against the weather. Just not feeling naked makes you feel a little [b]tougher[/b]. Obtained Item: Wooden Shield (Average, BROKEN) -Organic, Processed, Durability Reduced, Fragile, Flammable --This shield has basically been shattered by repeated impact, it's little good for anything but scrap and kindling. Maybe it makes you feel just a smidgeon [b]tougher[/b]? Obtained Item: Stone Axe Head (Below Average, Dull) -Inorganic, Mineral, High Hardness, Low Brittleness, Durable, Earthen, Heavy --This stone has been chiseled and knapped into a shape that can hold a decent edge. It's been broken away from its wooden handle, but was clearly used as a tool or weapon. Obtained Item: [color=antiquewhite]Maiden's Effigy[/color] -Organic, Semi-Fibrous, Flammable, [color=antiquewhite]Blessed[/color], Enchanted, Restorative --A wooden carving in the image of the Maiden Jehanne, the Spirit Saint of Forgiveness. It is blessed to act as a ward against misfortune, and often used in rituals and prayers to Jehanne. The effigies are always made of wood, as one common method of using them is to burn them in an act representative of sacrificial renewal related to Jehanne's history. It is plain and unpainted, untouched by other influences... Obtained Item: Assorted Coins. Copp x8, Sil x2, Gol x3 -Inorganic, Mineral, High Hardness, Very Low Brittleness, Malleable (Heat, Pressure), Alloyed, Durable, Heavy, Semi-toxic (Ingestion), Inedible, Varied Mana Conductivity --Coins used as currency across Viskard, commonly accepted in other nations. Viskard stamps them with distinctive processes that aren't easily emulated, and in treaty with other kingdoms uses this to trade back for their own currency so as to prevent the flow of their own wealth. Obtained Item: Iron Shortsword (Well-Made, BROKEN) -Inorganic, Mineral, High Hardness, Low Brittleness (Increased), Low Malleability (Heat, Pressure), Below Average Flexibility, Alloyed, Durable (Decreased), Very Low Mana Conductivity --A Type XIV model sword, originating smith currently unknown. Seems to be wrought iron mixed with lower quantities of low-carbon steel to form a serviceable alloy, thus likely of low monetary value relative to other swords. [color=pink]This one's edge has been chipped in several places and the blade has bent and warped badly.[/color] [color=red]It is very Fragile and will likely not hold up in battle.[/color] Its guard seems to be of hardened brass and its grip is hardwood with a leather wrap. Due to its materials, it has a very low level of Mana Conductivity. Unless it is in direct contact with a caster, enchantments on this weapon will be reduced in effectiveness and require more Magic Power to charge. The only Element it synergizes easily with is Metal. Non-Equipped Items: 12 Storage: Ratskin Pack 7/7 FULL, Leather Satchel 7/10 [/quote] As Digbie gathered the different things, the wind suddenly died down. The sun seemed to shine a little brighter through the canopy of the trees. In the quiet left behind by the breeze's departure, the Demiblin heard another noise--something big, coming through the bushes. Into the peaceful clearing on either side of the eastward stream, a large creature stepped out. It was the same kind of deer Digbie and the rest of his party had seen, the one whose ass-hair Mourningstar had made a temporary hat out of. This one was obviously a different specimen, however, as it was larger and thicker of body. An older male, it would seem. Its horns, reminescent of bow limbs, still didn't have many points but were much thicker and darker in color. It saw Digbie, and stopped dead in its tracks...but did not immediately turn and run. It eyed him with a gaze that was not afraid. One of its forelegs shivered. Embedded in its shoulder was a dart--a stone arrowhead set into a small wooden shaft, and fletched with a few brightly colored red and black feathers. The creature's broad chest rose and fell for several breaths...then, slowly, it put its head down and started to walk towards the stream, keeping one eye on Digbie the whole time... [hr] [h3]PixieSlime Party[/h3] Asura did not have the Material Analysis skill, so his observation of his own work on the bones was limited solely to what his physical senses and his active mind could deduce. Obviously, bone was a little harder to work with when it came to building weapons or armor due to its brittle nature and its inability to hold an edge on impact. Primitive cultures didn't use the best material available, they used what was most convenient. Any ancient society that made tools out of bone and stone never had truly "good" weaponry, just the best they could manage with what they had. However, if the bones were breaking down when he held and worked on them inside his body...maybe it would be better to hold them "with" his body? What if he were to use Limited Shapeshift to create a limb of some sort, and try to manipulate the tools that way? When the mountain exploded, he and Ardur bolted for the treeline, somewhat to the north and east of their current location. The direction didn't matter, only that they had some tree cover from flying rocks. Before the Hipixie ran, he looked out over the distance and tried to take it all in, figure out just what was happening. The thunder, the dark clouds, the tension in the air, the blue light...and the blast itself. What in the name of any gods was that!? [quote=System:Ardur] Skill Gain: Keen Sight I (0.9 > 1.0)! Expend stamina to increase the range and clarity of physical sight. At this rank it is only barely superhuman but not above that of say, an animal. If all Keen Senses are acquired, they raise the rank of Beast Senses. [/quote] Asura rolled into the woods at top speed, his new shell throwing him off course slightly as he hadn't adjusted to spinning around with it attached to him yet. There were a few rough bounces before he came to a stop in the shelter of a tree with a thick canopy. Ardur trailed behind, carrying the meat he had harvested from the Bowhorn Deer, and Steve seemed to sense his distress at leaving the rest behind. Sticking a bundle of web to the bones and tendons, she scuttled after her master with the objects trailing in tow--though it seemed quite hard on her to drag all of that. Momma Slime lumbered behind, even more slowly due to dragging the corpse of the deer. For now, however, it seemed Asura's fear of shrapnel wouldn't be so urgent as he thought--they could hear dust and small pieces of rock settling all over the forest around them, but so far no huge, meteor-esque chunks had threatened to fall on their head. They could, however, hear the distant rumble of the avalanche...and the chaotic stampede erupting from deeper in the forest. All around them and even above, shadows and sounds moved through the trees and brush. Twigs underfoot snapped, leaves rustled, creatures squealed or cried out. Such a huge event had stirred the whole woodland into a frenzy. [quote=System:Asura] Your Stamina is Full. [/quote] Just as the Hipixie, Amorphous Slime, and their partymates had settled into the roots around their shelter, three creatures emerged from a bush and began hopping straight towards them. It was three large, green and melon-sized frogs with bulbous eyes. They croaked loudly, and upon seeing the group they opened their mouths wide. As they sucked in air, they began to inflate over ten times their normal size! They continued to charge forward in this threatening display--were they going to attack, or just barrel through the group? [hr] [h3]Rat Party[/h3] Asteria rushed to help Mother Rat, using half of a Healing Herb. Ed rushed after the Myrminor Worker, eyes blazing as froth began to drip from his snout. Mother Rat's breathing was shallow and rapid as Asteria force fed her the medicinal plant, but she seemed to understand the other Dire Rat's Telepathy and chewed without protest. As Asteria dashed away to try and find the necessary plants for a cure, Ed met the charge of the Worker head on--! Ed's Dynamic Eye sharpened his pupils to arrow-head slits, and time seemed to slow around him. He could see the creature in front of him raising its head, mandibles ready to snap. The System's warning blared in his head. His Stamina was Low. Overwork had stopped working. He felt his muscle straining, screaming. He forced himself to go on, demanded that his Overwork Skill keep going. At three-quarters the normal speed, he saw himself use that extra bit of time to get out of the way of the Worker's snapping jaws by the barest of margins--the mandibles actually snipped off the tips of fur along his arm. His HP was Draining. His other arm swelled, veins and sinew standing out beneath his pelt. He felt his knuckles pop as he clenched his fist. He felt his Mana flowing. He felt his blood pumping. He felt his rage boiling over. All of it, into this blow. Before its head could withdraw from the piston motion, before it had recovered from its attempt to bite the Rat Man, like a boxer who couldn't pull his right straight back fast enough, the Worker was left wide open. Ed had already clocked it in the head once, and now a second impact struck directly under its chin. With a force that almost lifted his own body off the ground, Ed's blazing red Smash drove the insect into the air. One of its mandibles snapped in half. Its neck stretched out with a pop. The exoskeleton helm cracked and split. Dark blood issued from its mouth. Compound eyes bulged. It flipped once in the air, then came down on the flat of its back with a heavy [i]thud[/i]. Ed suddenly felt very weak. His Rabid Fit, his Dynamic Eye, his Overwork, everything seemed to shut down at once. He no longer had any Stamina at all to keep it going, and his HP Drain was progressing faster than usual due to how far he had pushed himself. Even if he tried to force it now, he couldn't--and the blood pouring from his wounded haunch was making him lightheaded. The Worker kicked its legs, rocking back and forth before it righted itself. It was clearly on its last legs, but still in the fight--and without his boosts, could Ed get through its armor again? The creature rushed him again, this time raising those barbed claws--! Meanwhile, Asteria had searched for three of the various flowers she found earlier. She soon spotted two of the bright colored Bugward flowers, and three of the sour-smelling Kilm blossoms...but she couldn't find any Nullven! Those huge cones would have stood out easily among the grasses, but she couldn't see any in the immediate surroundings. There wasn't time to go further! With one of each plant she had found thus far she was able to create the Medicinal Salve, and applying it to Mother Rat's wound added onto the Healing Herb. The elder rat's breathing had calmed somewhat, and her bleeding didn't seem so bad anymore--but she still looked sickly and in pain, and was having trouble moving. Was that an effect of the poison, or the injury to her leg? Or maybe she was running low on Stamina too? There were two and a half Healing Herbs left, one Bugward flower, and two Kilm blossoms. At this point, could Asteria be sure that she had restored enough of Mother Rat's HP to hold the elder over until Nullven could be found? Should she just use the Herbs to buy more time and hope the poison ran its course, or that she could make more of the Salve? And what about Ed and the Worker? [hr] [h3]Ghost Party[/h3] [quote=System:Jason] ---Ghost Touch--- This skill seems to be an attack of some sort. It began to develop in your recent battles, and has some relationship to Transparency. ---Wave Shock--- This skill may be a spell of some sort. It has been a long time since it began developing, when you were near the pool in the cave. It is likely related to water. EXP: 85% [/quote] Jason quickly began to devour the Tailed Frog, dragging its large corpse back to the hollow of the tree. Getting it inside was difficult, and only managed after he had already eaten a large chunk of it and spent a great deal of stamina hauling it up. Only after he had consumed the entire body, holding it inside his acidic membrane and breaking down skin, flesh, and even bone, did he get another message from the system. His "Ravenous" state had now been replaced by "Starving," but his HP Drain had only slowed--it hadn't completely stopped! The frog corpse would be digested down to the bone soon, he would need more food as soon as he could find it. Danny had cut several pieces of shell off that Beetle, maybe he could eat it too? Or maybe Danny could cut off just a piece of himself, or let Jason drink some of his blood... Speaking of Danny, the Poltergeist put his butchering aside for the moment and focused on listening to what was going on. It seemed like that explosion had set off a flurry of activity around the forest, as various animals and monsters ran from the source of the noise and light. The black slime Danny and Jason had killed before now seemed to have revived somehow. [quote=System:Danny] You used Monster Analysis II! ---Necroslime:Jason--- Roughly the same in all categories as a normal slime, a Necroslime is a rare form of Undead. It does not usually form naturally because of a Slime's lack of intelligence and will. It is of limited use to any intelligent necromancer, save perhaps as a trap on the ceiling or fodder. Its body swells with the gases of decay and its internal acids become even stronger as bacteria and rot fester inside it. Like other Corporeal-class Undead, they require enormous amounts of food or life force to sustain themselves. Combined with a slime's normal level of appetite, they are quite resource consuming. [color=red]You have analyzed Jason before, his spirit seems to have possessed this body. It does not feel safe around him.[/color] [/quote] Just then, something slammed into the tree from outside. Something fairly big, compared to most of the other monsters they had seen. If either of the two looked, they would see a large goat with grayish fur covered in purple splotches. It had apparently been running, like many other creatures in the forest, but had either been too panicked to see or in too much of a rush to care about the tree. Its purple horns, branching out into four vicious points, had left large scratches across the dry rotted bark that dripped something purple... [hr] [h3]DEEP FOREST[/h3] As [@Stabby]Nira stealthily positioned herself above the Dire Rat and then dove down, she put all of her negligible weight behind a punch. Thanks to gravity and momentum, as well as the element of surprise, despite the Pixie's lack of physical prowess she was able to drive a heavy impact into the creature's spine. The rat let out a shrill squeak as it was knocked over, but before it could kick back to its feet and snarl at her Nira had risen up again. She cast her Shield spell, and was immediately covered in its glittering aura. And as she cast that spell, the blue flower she had grabbed suddenly began to wilt. Its petals lost their luster and had soon grown dull and lifeless. [quote=System:Nira] Your MP is Full. [/quote] But though she had flown up in the air, she wasn't quite out of danger--with rodent agility, the Dire Rat leaped up the side of the tree! In just a step, it bounded off at an angle, and now soared at the Pixie with its jaws opened wide--! [quote=System:Femus] Your MP is Full. You have Temporary Extra MP. --- You used Monster Analysis I! ---Pixie--- Pixies are a tiny humanoid Fey-type Monster. While somewhat intelligent, they lack empathy towards one another even compared to beasts like Goblins. Capable of flight and healing magic, but not physically strong or skilled enough to fight or use weapons well. [color=red]This one is unusual.[/color] [/quote] Before the Dire Rat could clamp down on Nira, a crackling orb of energy slammed into its side! The varmint was blasted back into the tree, and tumbled down the ground with a squeak. It seemed somewhat dazed, but was still alive and in the fight...but now, Nira seemed to have a competitor. Who was that [@Haeo]Wisp that had attacked the Dire Rat? Was it just trying to steal her kill? Meanwhile, [@RC3]Sato was one of the first goblins to react as the various monsters charged through the area. Despite the fact that the Bowhorn Deer was clearly much larger than him, and in fact he had probably never seen that type of monster before, he immediately seized the opportunity where he saw it. It had charged through the brush and simply leaped over the Boss, but Sato immediately grabbed up his club and swung for the fences. A crackling red light erupted from his weapon--and as the deer came down, unable to change course in mid-air, he landed a powerful blow on one of its front legs! He heard a bone pop, but it didn't sound quite like a break. Still, the creature bellowed in pain, and the impact kept it from making a clean landing. It stumbled and fell--right on top of Sato. Its huge bulk drove him to the ground, knocking the air from his lungs. As it struggled to get up, the deer kicked wildly. The Boss and the Redcap were already busy with their own kills. A sharp hoof barely missed Sato's face-- "RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!" Goblins normally stood at about three and a half feet, or shorter. The Boss and Redcap were both bigger than that, at about four and a half feet and about four feet and three inches, respectively. This goblin, however, was at least three-foot-eight, and even more brawnily built than Sato. On his chest and forearms, bristly black fur stood out against the green skin. And unlike the vast majority of goblins, he had a full head of black hair like stiff, spiky dreadlocks cascading down to his shoulders. He also had a large chunk of tree bark strapped around his chest with vines, and a loincloth made of ragged Dire Rat hide. This was the one goblin that, despite all his training to become stronger, Sato had never been able to defeat in a contest of brute strength. Sato had nicknamed him Burley-kun, since he wasn't really familiar with the thick and unintelligent accent the goblins used yet, but that wasn't his name. "BALLZ SMASH!" The brawny greenskin swung a two handed club over his head, but even calling it that was a bit of a misnomer. It wasn't just a tree branch broken off the trunk or picked up from the ground. This huge, dried out, gnarled and knotted piece of wood was at least two feet long and had a tapering width. It was skinny enough to grip at the bottom, but its top was almost a foot in diameter. And like Sato's earlier blow, it crackled with red energy--only much brighter. This time Sato [i]did[/i] hear a bone break, as one of the Bowhorn Deer's ribs gave way. The creature thrashed with a agonized bleat, but Ballz began to froth at the mouth as his eyes went so bloodshot it was like his sclera had turned red. Unheeding of Sato's position under the herbivore, he continued to Smash it while screaming a bloody rampage. A hand suddenly gripped Sato's shoulder, and he was yanked out from under the deer just as another goblin joined Ballz in trying to end the creature. The other two captains had joined the fray! Sato's savior was a normal sized, and almost slender goblin with what could almost be called handsome features...if one were to lower their standards from 7s and 8s to, like, 3s and 4s. Like Ballz he actually had a full head of hair, though his was more maintained and tied back in a pony tail. He held a carved piece of wood in one hand--Sato actually recognized its shape immediately, given his country of origin. Of all things, this goblin seemed to be holding a [i]bokken[/i], a wooden sword used in martial arts practice. It was roughly shaped and splintered in places, and didn't have quite the right curve, but that was clearly what it was, and the thing actually had a decent edge. The other captain that had joined Ballz took a direct hit from the Bowhorn Deer's swinging horns--but the goblin didn't instantly die. Like the burlier goblin, this one had some kind of hastily cobbled together armor made from tree bark and vines. Three pieces of bark had been threaded into a kind of loop, with another piece on top, and a fourth piece cut in half to create a sort of bucket shaped helmet that covered the captain's upper facial features. A piece of armor for the torso had been created in much the same way as one of those advertising signs employees had to wear while they stood out on a street corner. Even a pair of bracers had been crafted by wrapping bark and vines around the goblin's arms. Like Sato's rescuer, they also had a wooden sword, but it had been made in the typical double edged fashion. Somehow, it too had been sanded smooth enough to have an actual edge, and even seemed to have been polished. Shrugging off the blow that cracked against its armor, the third captain raised its sword and let out a gutteral cry before thrusting the weapon straight down. Its tapered point staked the Bowhorn Deer right in the eyesocket, and drove in deep. Ballz gave another roar of his own and slammed his club into its ribs a few more times with heavy, meaty crunches. "Did gud, Sore-Toe." With just that whisper, Sato's rescuer moved silently behind a tree--for a goblin, he was quite sneaky it seemed. "Oi, Lansa!" The Redcap called out to the Hobgoblin as they piled up more kills. The original Pixie and Dire Rat had now been joined by a Fanged Lizard, and a second Pixie that the Redcap had killed. But by this point the stampede was starting to die down, and any creatures still running were giving the obviously bloodthirsty goblin tribe a wide berth. A few of the other goblins, those who served as soldiers under the command of the higher ranks, had managed to bring down a few prey. One unlucky fool had been trampled to death. "Make 'im stop afore he ruins da meat! Can't eat it wid all da little bone chunks errywhar!" The Hobgoblin--Lansa--walked right up to the snarling, rabid mass of muscle and poked the goblin in the forehead with his spear-butt. "Ballz! Ballz Acker!" The brute stopped, but was still breathing so hard it was like steam came out of his nostrils. He slowly turned to the Boss. As the two stared each other down for several moments, the armored captain looked around to find Sato. "Oi! Help me drag dis overe dere!" "Get da cooks to cut it up, Say-Bah." Lansa didn't take his eyes off of the raging goblin, but slowly Ballz began to back off. "Ya Boss." The other goblin's armor clanked, and though Sato couldn't see any eyes through the helmet he would probably feel like the captain was giving him a good look-over. "Hmph. Ass Slashin done poofed ag'in. He never round when we does heavy werk." "ERRYGOB, C'MERE!" The Redcap left the Boss staring down the madgob, while he jumped on top of the pile of monster corpses. "TONITE, WE'S GONNA HAVE FEAST! EAT UP BIG, SO'S TOMORRER WE GONNA GO GET DOSE BROKED TOWER GOBS--" "Ahcha! Shut it!" The Hobgoblin shoved his rival off the hill, and Ballz grabbed the second-in-command by both shoulders before another fight could break out--though the thuggish goblin and the Redcap engaged in another staring contest of their own. "LISTEN GUD, GOBBOS!" Lansa raised his spear to a scattering of cheers. "DIS, DIS A SIGN FROM DA BIG DEMONS! DEY SENDS US ALL DA FUDS, SO WE'S GET STRONG! SO CUTS IT UP, COOKS IT GOOD! BUT NOBODY EATS TIL I SAYS SO--OR ELSE!" While the rest of the tribe erupted into commotion, Sato and Say-Bah finished hauling the Bowhorn to the elders in charge of dressing and cooking the animals. Before the reborn Goblin could do anything else, he found himself approached by none other than the boss. "Oi. You's Sore-Toe, right?" Lansa asked. He had his arms crossed, and though he was still cradling the spear in the crook of his elbow he didn't seem like he was going to use it. His eyes were sharp as he looked Sato up and down.