Zeroth

I, the Demon King, Will Summon My Own Damned Heroes!

Monster Party

You used [Analysis]!
---Adult Male Orc Grunt: Guze [???]---
Considered by some to be the pinnacle of Goblinoid transformation, the Orcs stand apart as their own Feral Race. Like the Enlightened Races, they are capable of forming proper cultures, making technological or magical advancements, and continue to accumulate their own history. Physically, many Orcs are on par with Humans while some may surpass the Enlightened Races in particular areas--usually raw strength or stamina. Their numbers often grow rapidly in times of peace, thus many rivals seek to keep them suppressed.

An Orc Grunt stands right around 5 feet tall on average, but the density of their muscle mass usually puts their weight between 130-150 pounds. Their abilities can usually be considered "average" for the various Orc subtypes. Guze's physical stats are roughly quadruple your own, without taking into account equipment.

Guze seems to possess several combat skills, and is good with archery and hand to hand combat as you have seen firsthand. His Job is unclear, but likely to be some sort of scout or hunter. His MP is about half of your own. You can detect just a few magical abilities from him, but only one seems to be active. He is equipped with a Bowhorn Shortbow (Good), Hide Clothing (Well-Made), Cloth Wraps (Average), Leather Pouch (Well-Made), and several other items you have not seen clearly yet. You suspect there is another weapon of some sort, what seem to be some basic supplies or survival kit, and tools for hunting or capturing more slaves.

Fire, Poison, Ice, Curse, and Spirit magics are often most effective on Orcs. Most other elements are decently effective, but they tend to have high tolerances for pain and damage resistances. The weakest elements against them tend to be Earth and Water.
---Analysis Complete!---

You used Monster Analysis II! You used Magic Analysis IV!
---Cariblade---
A possible Transformation of the Bowhorn Deer, the Cariblade's horns have better adapted for close range combat. A diet rich in certain nutrients has hardened its antlers, turning them from woody formations to rigid, metallic spikes. Special blood vessels throughout the blades allow them to vent heat very efficiently, however this makes the metal unsuited for normal forging. Whereas other types of deer mark their territory or shed horns by rubbing against trees, male Cariblades often use rocks instead to hone their edges. Cariblades are not particularly magical in nature, but have higher MP than most other creatures you've seen in the forest. Its MP is still slightly lower than your own. It does not possess any magical skills, but seems to have some physical ones. Its physical stats are all higher than yours. It is weakest to Lightning Element Magic. Fire and Wind are decently effective. The effectiveness of Ice, Water, Metal, and Earth are lessened.

System:Oberon

You used [Analysis!]
---Adult Male Orc Grunt: Guze [???]---
Considered by some to be the pinnacle of Goblinoid transformation, the Orcs stand apart as their own Feral Race. Like the Enlightened Races, they are capable of forming proper cultures, making technological or magical advancements, and continue to accumulate their own history.

An Orc Grunt stands right around 5 feet tall on average, but the density of their muscle mass usually puts their weight between 130-150 pounds. Guze's physical stats are more than double your own, without taking into account equipment.

Guze seems to possess several combat skills, and is good with archery and hand to hand combat as you have seen firsthand. His Job is unclear, but likely to be some sort of scout or hunter. His MP is slightly greater than your own. You can detect one magical skill from him. He is equipped with a Bowhorn Shortbow (Good), Hide Clothing (Well-Made), Cloth Wraps (Average), and a Leather Pouch (Well-Made).

System:Torrent

You used [Analysis!]
---Whetstone---
Sharpening stones come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and material compositions. Stones may be flat, or shaped for more complex edges, such as those associated with some wood carving tools. Whetstones may be natural or artificial. Artificial stones usually come in the form of a bonded abrasive composed of a ceramic such as Carborundum or Corundum.

This stone is of Well-Made quality, and does not seem to have been used much. However, it also seems a bit too "squared off" to have been made by hand, especially by an Orc...

Its only magical quality seems to be a faint hint of elemental Mana, Earth and...something quite similar, but not the same. It seems as if it might conduct Mana as well. One side is a bit cooler than the other and ever so slightly damp...

You used Magic Analysis I! You used Material Analysis I!
---Rusty Chipped Arming Sword (Very Poor) (Blood Coated)---
This once-fearsome sword has seen better days. It can do some damage in the right hands but also breaks quickly. It is roughly two and a half pounds in weight, just under three feet in total length, and its grip is made for a Human's single hand. >> Given its current level of damage, a great impact might break the blade due to the changes in its edge shape distributing the force. Honing the chips out of the edge, and polishing off the rust to keep it from eating further at the sword, could restore its usefulness. But it will likely never return to its true power.
---Fur Clothing (Bad)---
A set of clothes consisting of a kind of robe, belt, and mantle pieces all fastened together with plant fibers. Seems to feature Dire Rat fur most prominently, but there are some other bits in here from creatures you don't recognize too. It has a rather strong smell. >> Given its condition, some of the pelts could use replacing and the cordage is starting to dry rot.
---Vine Bracers (Various) x4---
A set of bracers or greaves made by taking simple vines, braiding them, and wrapping them around one's limbs, with a stick or two. Braces the limb and provides slight protection from blunt impacts, but cutting edges or fire could easily dispose of this "armor." The quality varies between each piece, as they were likely made by someone unskilled. Right Leg - Average. Left Leg - Bad. Right Arm - Poor. Left Arm - Below Average.
---Broken Haubergeon (Below Average > Bad, Damaged)---
A shirt of chain mail, a shorter version of a proper Hauberk. A Hauberk would reach to mid-thigh and cover the arms down to the wrists; this article, on a Human, is about the length of a normal shirt and its sleeves are shorter. >> It seems quite old, perhaps second-hand, and in recent battles has taken quite a bit of damage. At this point, the links are liable to break under any considerable force, but the overall garment may still stand up to a handful more blows.
---Filthy Underwear (Bad)---
A pair of boxer shorts that have seen far, far better days. The less said about the stains and smells on this garment, the better. >> If it were properly washed, it would still be a bit threadbare, but in certain weather something is better than nothing.
---Vine Greaves (Good) x2---
Specifically made for the legs, these thicker vines have been braided and wrapped on a Goblin from the knees down with two flat pieces of wood to brace the limb against impacts. They'll stand up about as well as some light cloth padding would, but sharp blades and hot flames would make short work of them. >> They're better than the Vine Bracers, but not by much.
---Treebark Bracers (Good) x2---
By taking a strip of thick bark from a rounded limb, and using braided vines to fasten it in place, this piece of armor provides a primitive layer of protection. The hard wood will even stand up to a sword, though not for very long, and while it's still vulnerable to flame it would take longer to burn to ash. >> It's a good bit better than Vine Bracers, and the Wood could potentially be processed for improvement.
---Scrap Leather Boot (Below Average)---
This boot is far too big for a goblin, hence why half of its toe-end has been cut off. It's made of what was probably once fairly decent leather, and seems to have been cobbled competently, but it's seen too much wear and tear and mistreatment.
---Iron Dagger (Well-Made)---
Though competently made, the iron in this weapon is of somewhat poorer quality. Technically, the forging process renders any "iron" object a form of steel, but this difference in quality is reflected in calling it Iron rather than Steel. Still, it is much better than anything a Goblin could normally make. Compared to Stone Knives you have seen before, it is more than twice as strong and fast.
---Ripped Cloth Bandanna (Average)---
A simple headwrap made of soft cloth. It offers some light protection for the head, but also keeps longer hair or sweaty brows from interfering with one's vision.
---Black Iron Skillet (Average)---
Technically, the forging process renders any "iron" object a form of steel, but this difference in quality is reflected in the object's name. Black Iron, sometimes called Ohg Iron, is even lower in quality than normal Iron. But for simple tools and appliances like this it is more than sufficient. >> The goblin wearing this has imparted it with a very thin layer of...personal grease. Cook with it at your own risk.
---Wooden Club (Good)---
A simple wooden club made by taking an especially thick branch, stripping and drying it, and wrapping some vines around the grip. It's fairly effective as a weapon.
---Stone Knife (Average)---
A knife made of a Sharp Stone, further knapped to refine its edge. Vines have been wrapped around one end so as to hold it without cutting oneself. Its light weight means attacks can be made quite swiftly.
---Rat Jerky x3---
Dried meat from a Dire Rat, sprinkled with some form of herbs and spice. It has a rather gamey smell and the taste is doubly so, but it'll keep one from starving at any rate.
---Tarnished Copper Ring (Well Made)---
A simple ring with no inscription or gem set in. It has been exposed to the elements and not well taken care of, so despite the obvious skill of its craftsmanship it is beginning to turn a chalky green color.
---Hard Shell (Average)---
A small piece of an Armored Badger's shell. This piece isn't big enough to be of any great use, but a few more pieces could be added to it to make something suitable as armor or shielding.
---Large Piece of Glass (Fragile)---
Wrapped in a dirty piece of cloth, this piece of glass is rather thick. It likely came from a jar or vial rather than a window. Though it's rounded around most edges, it could still cut quite easily.
---Analysis Complete!---

You are experiencing a Rapid Rate of Skill Growth.
You are experiencing a Fast Rate of Experience Gain.

Skill Rank Up: Material Analysis I > Material Analysis II (1.925 > 2.025 > 2.575)!
Obtain more detailed information about the qualities and traits of Materials. If you know of a currency value, you can make a rough estimate of an object's worth. The more detailed your knowledge of the local economy, the more accurate the assessment.

Skill Rank Up: Magic Analysis I > Magic Analysis II (1.975 > 2.025 > 2.6)!
Gain more detail about Magic oriented Skills and Spells. Lose less effectiveness when analyzing Monsters, Materials, etc so long as they are magically inclined.

Skill Gain: Lucid Dream I (1.0)!
Your mind's eye has learned to wander in the sleeping world! In your own dreams, you are now able to do anything you'd like with some focus--swim in chocolate, or fly without wings! However, you will also retain more control when affected by certain dream or mental effects--foggy visions may become more clear, and whispering voices are louder...

System:Digbie

While Torrent and Oberon tried to figure out just what and who Guze was, and what he and his mount might really be capable of, Ash and Digbie distributed their level up points and the little demon goblin gathered everything he could strip off the Goblins without feeling too bad about it--as well as a few things he hadn't been aware they had, stuffed in what few pockets they had or...in other places. The captured green skins were quite indignant about it, but helpless in their chains.

Once he had all his loot in various piles on the ground, Digbie laid out his various stones as well and channeled his Mana as he spoke to his chosen patron.

"How are these stones, Jehanne? Are any of these good for my prayer bead necklace?"

He stood there, quietly, for several moments. Eventually a cool breeze blew, prompting him to open one eye. And he was almost immediately blinded--the breeze, a mere piece of a greater wind high above them, had blown the clouds further away and revealed more sunlight in the tiny clearing. Its rays glittered off the Quartz Pebble, the Shiny Stones, and the Smooth Bead. It seemed pretty obvious to Digbie, even though Jehanne hadn't answered him, that these could probably be ground down or drilled through to make some beads. But as he bent to gather them up, he couldn't help noticing the two Hard Stones he had as well. They were pretty big...but if he could bash them against each other, couldn't he break off a few pieces to be smoothed out into beads as well? And as he stood back up, various stones in hand, another glitter of sunlight caught his eye again--coming from that large piece of glass he had found on one of the Goblins.

And now that he thought about it, hadn't he heard, or read, or seen at some point in the Old World something about how people who were really good at digging things up often found things like beads and pottery in old places? A lot of times those beads were just balls of clay that had been hardened in fire or the sun, or shells ground down by hand...

Skill Gain: Intimidate I (0.8 >1.0)!
Your force of personality has become semi-magical in and of itself. When demonstrating your power or anger, you appear more threatening to those weaker than yourself. You may be more capable to force them to do what you want.

Skill Gain: Memor Eyes I (0.1 > 1.0)!
By expending a flash of Mana, you burn an image into your mind in a limited form of eidetic memory. This image can be recalled at any time with far more clarity than the greatest artist's sketch, and certain other skills--such as a form of Analysis--can be used on the image as if they had been used at the moment the user actually saw the event. At this Rank, only 1 image can be stored in the user's memory at a time. At this Rank, the stored image can only consist of a singular instant in time and cannot be linked to other memories. These images can be read by or transferred to others using certain mental magics--sometimes against the memory holder's will.

System:Ash

Meanwhile, Ash prepared herself for her second Transformation since coming to this world. That had to be a significant event, right? She hadn't been much of a "gamer," in her old life, but getting this far had to mean something. She made sure she was safe inside the little dugout cave, with her spear nearby, and closed her eyes as she focused on her choice...

Immediately, she dropped into a deep sleep.

Ash's physical body curled in on itself. Her breaths became deeper, swelling her chest cavity each time...and her muscles seemed to tense up...

She had never been able to recall it with true clarity the first time, but now that she was once more floating upward, the visions of her first transformation all came rushing back to the Pygmy Drake's mind. The things she had seen back then--the cavern's interior, the forest, the curling smoke trails, the deserts and mountains, all of it--were crystal clear for this moment in her mind. But now things had become so different...

They were farther North, so she could no longer see the cave where she had been reborn. She could still see all the trees of the forest, far below her. To the east, a particularly large tree glowed a light green color, bright enough that it seemed like a lighthouse beacon from here. Even further north, she could almost feel the same clouds of cold and snow she could see, and the howling winds that spun them round and round an even darker and deeper forest.

To the West, she could see the small shape of Guze and his captives making their way up the mountain ledges--and then immediately her vision swept up to the great scar across the mountains. It was as if some blade of impossible size had sheared off its tip. The rocks there were blackened yet smooth, with a glossy appearance. Within this smoking crater, many lights glittered. She had risen even higher by this point, so she couldn't pick out any details among the small figures moving in groups along the slopes and the ring of structures they had erected along the lip of the black crater...

Still higher she went, drifting through clouds. To the north, not as far as the ice and cold, a river meandered down out of the mountains. To the east, beyond the forest and the emerald glow, a sparkling lake. Even further in the west, and somewhat to the north, over the ridge of the mountains there was a tower like a mighty tree reaching up to the heavens. Its roots, too, stretched deep, deep into the earth. So far to the east that it became west again, a lonely, cold, desolate island where red lightning split the sky. Further beyond that, marshlands and mountains and untamed, wild lands.

She rose higher. A world, a planet, rotated thousands of miles an hour, yet from this distance appeared as no more than a soap bubble. A great city, too far from here to see, had called for her before but now it was silent. The island's red skies still held her in sway.

She was more aware now than she had been the first time she had seen this vision. Aware enough to know things were different. Aware enough to try and put something together. Aware enough, perhaps, to do something...?

Back in the waking world, with Guze gone Torrent took up a watch of sorts outside the shelter. Digbie was still communing with his goddes, and Oberon went back to his experiments.

As Torrent tried to draw light into her body, she began to feel quite warm. Like lying on a rock in full sunlight, her body slowly heated up in a pleasant fashion. And, in between one blink and another, it seemed like her surroundings got...brighter. As if she were standing under a flourescent light that had finally warmed up to its highest setting after starting out dim.

When she tried to concentrate this magical feeling into her breath magic, and opened her maw wide...Nothing shot out of her mouth. There was nothing to blast into the small stream, or into the trees she aimed at. Anyone looking at her might think her teeth were oddly bright for someone who had no toothbrush, but to the lizard herself nothing seemed to be happening. Still, she tried to Analyze this result...

You used Magic Analysis II!
---Breath ????---
You are attempting to concentrate mana into some form of breath weapon. However, the mana element you are using is too scattered to create a visible effect as of yet...

System:Torrent

Meanwhile, Oberon tried to remember what he had learned back when they left the cave--which now seemed like over a year ago, even though it hadn't even been a week. He reached out with his mind and his will, and without realizing it his Mana Sense as well. His control over his magic had grown substantially after all this practice, and he felt it responding much more strongly to his attempts to shape it.

Suddenly, as if he had a phantom limb like an amputee, he felt his "hand" close around the pebble. He could, without a doubt, feel its hardness...but its weight felt so much heavier than it should have. Was it just a trick of his eyes, or did the pebble shiver, just a little bit?

He was doing something, that was for sure. Now the question was, did he just need more raw power, or did the technique require some kind of adjustment...?

---

PixieSlime Party

You used Monster Analysis I!
---F. Lizard Zombie---
Fanged Lizards are a reptilian monster with potent venom. When injected via a bite, it acts as a neurotoxin to paralyze the prey. When exposed to the air, it becomes a highly acidic liquid. The lizard can spit at a distance. Fanged Lizards are capable of magic but most do not naturally possess it. >> As a Zombie, the undead version of this monster becomes slower, but their durability and strength remain the same. Their poison becomes more potent, however, due to the process of decay. They also become much more aggressive, as all corporeal undead are naturally hostile to all living creatures.

System:Ardur

In the few seconds provided by the flare's illumination, Ardur only managed to get a clear Analysis of one creature. A Fanged Lizard Zombie, its scales gray and peeling and its tail severed, crawled at a slow but steady pace towards the other end of the passage they were currently trapped in to join its fellows.

"Wait, Asura! If you rush forward too quickly--" Trent started to say, but it was too late. The red slime's Faster speed took him far ahead of the group, breaking their formation. Though Trent, Steve, and Momma Slime picked up their own pace, Asura barreled forward towards the rapidly increasing group of enemies. By the time he had dodged the next poisoned Javelin, those two Ghost Wisps from before had made their way to the Zombie Goblin.

Ardur called out orders to the group, and Steve tried to scuttle faster. She still didn't have the speed to catch up to Asura, and Trent's long legs rapidly outpaced her. Momma Slime burbled something that sounded affirmative at Ardur, but being the heaviest of the group even as she rolled herself into a tight sphere she couldn't quite keep up.

The Zombie Goblin lobbed yet another javelin, this time at Trent. It thumped against the boy's shield, sticking there and hissing as the poison tried to eat into the rawhide covering over the study wood.

You used Monster Analysis I!
---Zomblin---
Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive. >> As a Zombie, this creature's speed and strength haven't changed, but its durability has increased. Even with debilitating wounds it will continue to fight, as all corporeal undead have an extreme hostility towards the living and a hunger for flesh.

System:Asura

While Asura continued to charge forward, he also analyzed his opponent. He couldn't get any information on the creature's armor, as his Material Analysis skill hadn't yet activated--all he could see was that it was made of overlapping plates of bone and hollowed out skulls of one humanoid creature and one animal. The skulls made up two pauldrons, the plates a chestpiece, and something like faulds of smaller bone tied with bloody strips of sinew were draped over the creature's torso. There were noticeable gaps in the bone pieces, but they looked extremely fresh, and brought to mind those large blood spatters the group had seen outside the dungeon's entrance.

But as the Amorphous Slime's attention was on this information, he felt a burning sting as an impact struck his improvised stone shielding, driving him back just a "step," despite his lack of feet. One of those Ghost Wisps had fired its Mana Orb--he was in range of their attacks now! The other Ghost Wisp fired its attack as well, attempting to lead the shot as the slime was not dissuaded from his charge.

The group was getting close enough now that their torches could show them their enemies--and it also revealed another Fanged Lizard, two regular Wisps that had a distinct purple sheen to their glow, and a Skeleblin approaching around the shore of the pool!

Still flying, Ardur moved up above Trent and moved forward. Turning back to him for a moment and his quivering torch. “Come on Trent, let’s go make your knight friend Zieglar proud. For Galatine and for the sun we will drive these abominations back.” Holding his Femur Bone aloft, a mix of orange and white sparkles shone brightly before the same light outlined Trent's body.

"I knew it, that's the Inspire spell!" Trent blurted out, though he immediately focused back on the enemies up ahead. Still running, shield held up, he pointed his sword forward at the group of enemies. "Mana Orb!" The bolt of energy, now surrounded by the same glow as Inspire, shot forward.

Asura, whether he had been hit by the second Ghost Wisp's Mana Orb or had managed to avoid it somehow, now had cleared the space between him and the enemy party. The Fanged Lizard at the undead Goblin's side hissed as its mouth opened to shoot poison--but Trent's spell crashed into it, knocking the creature end over end. The red slime leaped head on at the foe, and he managed to worm his way between the amateurish armor's pieces. The spinning handful of stones he possesed scooped away a section of the creature's ribcage--but there was a sudden clicking sound, and he was momentarily stuck. His [Slime Shell], the Bowhorn Skull, obviously couldn't shapeshift to come through the gaps with him! The Zombie Goblin managed to grab the still-fresh horns, and yanked the rest of Asura out before slamming him to the ground, and jabbing at him with a Poisoned Javelin! At the same time, those two Ghost Wisps were focusing their fire on the slime, launching two more Mana Orbs even as their own bodies began to flicker--!

Trent was rapidly closing into melee distance. Steve would soon be in range to use her Web Shot. Ardur was still flying above the group, and it would be a few more moments before Mother Slime made it. But behind the Zombie Goblin, the Fanged Lizard, and the two Ghost Wisps, those two regular Wisps, a second Fanged Lizard, and the Skeleblin had also entered the fray! There wasn't quite enough room in the passage for all of them to stand abreast, but as soon as they resolved themselves the invading party would have even more opponents to worry about.

Ardur, from up high, could also see a Pixie--or rather, its yellowed bones still supported by gossamer wings--and then a second, fleshy Pixie with glowing purple eyes, as well as another Wisp, racing to join the Zombie Goblin's party. He could also see several glowing spheres and glittering wings racing across the opposite side of the pool, cutting over the water. They were moving at an angle from the group, rather than directly confronting them...

Skill Rank Up: Faster I > Faster II (1.9 > 2.0)!
Further increase your base speed stats and movement rate. By gaining at least one rank of Stronger, Harder, and Better, Skill Synergy will occurr and you will gain one rank of Physical Conditioning.

System:Asura

---

Rat Party

"Well uh, if ya say so bud." the Gnome responded, scratching himself and belching as Ed explained biology and cooking. "You sound like you really know your stuff." Then he rubbed his chin, and absently reached for another handful of meat.

"A hunting ground, eh? Lemme think for a bit..."

While he was thinking, Asteria had a few more questions. When she mentioned Undine, though, the Gnome stopped chewing and looked at her.

"Bound to a sword? That's...that don't sound right." Those big gem eyes blinked mechanically. "You could make use of an object in a contract, I suppose--as like an origin, or a boundary point, for an area that the creature is supposed to guard. Within 50 feet of the big tree. No further than the garden fence. Stuff like that. But if a creature themselves was bound to a weapon, that's not a contract. That's a Soulforged Item. And...if a creature got Soulforged into an item...you shouldn't have been able to "meet" them at all." He reached for another piece of meat, and talked with his mouth full. "I know a li'l bit about that, considerin' it happens a lot to Elementals. A creature that gets Soulforged, it really ain't that different to bein' dead. And if ya ask me, bein' Soulforged is bad enough--you're saying you could still talk to the creature or summat? Like it was trapped in the object?"

The Gnome shivered. For a creature that didn't seem to notice the heat of the flame, it was clear that it probably wouldn't notice cold either. Asteria would likely respond in the affirmative that she had been able to speak to Undine, and the Elemental shook his head in the manner of someone who has just watched a disturbing, gory video on the internet.

The female rat changed the topic to the contract between him and his mage again, asking what a "carryover" meant.

"Well, I get to share a little of his Mana if I need it. And because I'm an earth elemental, he sort of picks up some of my abilities through the connection. It makes his own earth spells stronger, or sharpens his senses for manipulating the element. Because this particular contract is multi-generational, some--not all, just a few--of the benefits from previous holders of the contract are bundled in, too."

When Asteria proposed a language experiment, the Gnome shrugged his shoulders in agreement and scooped up another few handfuls of meat into his pot before he went into the second chamber. When he came back, he shook his head.

"There were parts I couldn't hear, just due to muffling and distance, but what little I could still sounded like Gnomish to me. I heard somethin' about you," he pointed at Asteria, "having a little brother." He pointed at Ed, "And you were saying something about Earth...but the way you said it made me think you ain't just talkin' about my element."

He sat back down, and had emptied his pot. The grease running down his chin had practically oiled his entire chest by this point.

"Anyway, while ya were doin' that, I had a chance to think about hunting grounds. You guys said somethin' about bandits earlier. I remembered that some thugs attacked some other guys on this road, a few weeks ago. The racket woke me up, but I didn't see 'em or nothin'. They prolly know better than to come in here. I did happen to poke my head up afterwards, though, and I saw 'em headin' towards that hill off towards the forest. I bet if they've got a camp, they'll have a fire burnin' at some point so you could see the smoke.

"Further east, but north of Laketown, there's a tribe of Goblins that fish in the river. I heard from some adventures a while back that their numbers were lower for some reason, maybe they'd make easy prey.

"Back the way y'all came from, there's a nest of Myrminors under the ground. I've felt 'em digging and expanding for about a week now.

"And to the south of here, in the Alpin Plains, there's a pack of Mongrels. I hear 'em howling all the time during the full moon. If you're gonna hunt them ya gotta be careful though, they're never alone when they wander."

And finally, as he sucked hobgoblin juice from his fingers:

"And if ya went to Laketown, I hear a lot of novice adventurers make a coin or two cleaning out their sewers. I ain't sayin' hunt them, but there's bound to be critters down in the sewers. If newbie adventurers can do it, I bet you two weirdos could too."

---

Deep Forest

Skill Gain: Meditate I (0.7 > 1.0)!
By concentrating and calming oneself, increase the regeneration of Magic Power and Stamina. This skill cannot be used in battle. Any distractions in the environment will drastically decrease the effectiveness of this skill. This skill cannot be used in conjunction with other skills.

The ambient Mana is high in this place for some reason.
Your MP is Full.
Your MP is overfull, you have Temporary Extra MP.

Status Update:
Hunger decreased. You are Peckish.
Thirst increased. You are Parched.

There are 3 Kele Shoots remaining.

Your [Leaf Dress] has been reinforced! It is ever so slightly tougher!

System:Nira

Status Update:
Hunger decreased. You are Peckish.
Thirst increased. You are Parched.

There are 3 Kele Shoots remaining.

You have reinforced the [Leaf Dress]! It is ever so slightly tougher!

System:Femus

As Nira concentrated on her meditation, she found that the air around this tree seemed especially thick with energy. Sooner than she anticipated, she felt the Skill complete and received a notification soon after. The surge of energy immediately topped her off, and then some. It felt like a sugar rush, bringing to mind the question if she could possibly crash later on because of it.

Femus's attempts to use Growth on her Dress were successful as well...but whether it was because they were using more energy, or just because they hadn't had anything to drink to go along with their meal, the system soon gave them an update on their bodies' needs--which they didn't really need, in all honesty. Why, exactly, did the system have this odd habit of stating the obvious?

Femus's attempts to shape his Shock Round were less successful than he might have hoped. The blast did become more concentrated, like the Mana Dart, but once released it was only faster for a split second. Once it had traveled a certain distance, it seemed to begin inflating to its normal size as it drifted lazily along. Still, it was a better result than nothing. Maybe he needed to think of other ideas to try...

While the two rested in their tree, they soon saw some new beasts enter the clearing. These, however, were much more cautious in their approach. It began with a great Bowhorn Deer, obviously a male from his size and the spread of his great antlers, poking his head out of the tree line. Then he took a few careful steps out. He snorted, then wiggled his ears. He lowered his head. He passed his nose from side to side. Then, he softly bleated back into the woods.

The monstrous deer approached the same patch of Kele and other herbs. Following him, just as cautiously, came what could be assumed to be a doe from the smaller size of her body and horns. And then, after her, two dappled youngsters, less than half the size of the adults and with no antlers to speak of.

Skittish, and always keeping one eye on their surroundings, they bent their heads to graze. The male scratched at his flank with his curved horns, dislodging a clump of fur that drifted to the ground. He kept a careful watch as his family ate their fill...

---

Farmstead

Geir gaped in shock as Jason transformed and slipped out of his grip, then yelled out when he was slammed headfirst into the ground. Yet he still managed to get his hands underneath him and push, shoulder rolling away as Jason released his grip. The two were at distance again, squaring up for another clash--

Skill Unlocked: Warcry II (2.175) is now available again!

WARNING! YOUR MP IS LOW!

System:Jason

Just as Jason received this message, Geir lunged at him again with a roar. He hit the former warlord like a pro linebacker, driven by a combination of rage, sheer willpower, and...something else. Just like when his arm had transformed, now his entire body seemed to be made out of stone.

"Get up."

The girl in pupil's robes looked up from her sobbing. Her bright green eyes were filled with tears, and one of her hands was covered in blood. She had been trying, unsuccessfully, to staunch another young man's wound. He was dead, now.

"I, I can't leave him..."

"You said your name's Mira, right?" Geir pried his hand-axe out of the Goblin's skull, and kicked it down the sloping path of the cavern behind them. "And his name was Mark." He barely waited for her to nod, and choke down another sob. "If you don't leave him, you'll be lying there next to him soon. Because I'm getting out of here, and back to the Guild." Mirabelle looked up at him. His heart dropped in his chest. He wanted to cry too. He had failed to save Mark too. But this wasn't the first time he'd failed. "Someone has to warn them that this tribe is growing fast. If we don't, they'll eventually break through into the sewers, and come up right underneath us. And then a lot more people will end up like Mark."

"I, I know. B-but--"

"But nothing! Mira! Get up, or die! Those are your options!" She shrank away from his voice, but he didn't have time to be nice. "If you sit here and cry, they're gonna kill you! If you can't focus, they'll kill you! If you try to drag his body back, you won't be able to fight and they'll kill you! You can either do the hardest thing you've ever done, right now, or you can die! That's the only choice you get out here--struggle until you die, or lay back and DIE! So make your choice!" He could hear them cackling. He turned on his heel.

The first Goblin got a face full of his axe as it came around the corner. He kicked its body into the second, and swung at the third. It dodged him, but when it tried to evade his off hand grabbed it and slammed it into the rock wall. Its nose broke and it gurgled on its own blood. He felt something strike his padded jerkin, and even though the point didn't pierce him the creature put all its weight and strength behind the shaft and drove HIM against the wall. He couldn't get a good swing with his axe, so he punched it as hard as he could. The one with the broken nose ran past him, swinging a grody, shit-covered knife--

A fireball ignited its entire head, and lit up the path. Mira's robes flapped around her as she ran, screaming, and drove her small dagger into the back of the third goblin. Geir shoved its body off, and they pressed forward even as more growls and snarls followed them...

Jason felt like he'd been hit by a truck as he was hurled, once more, out of the redhead's body. He could feel his essence seeping away, point by point, the System's warning still flashing in his mind...

Someone, no, two someones, were running out of the door to the house and sprinting towards Geir as he writhed on the ground...

"If you think you can, Miiba, then go." Lear had said to the Goblin. He sighed and marked the page in the book with his thumb. "Honey, I think the kids should go ahead to bed."

"W-wait, Dad! If Miiba's gonna help Geir fight the monsters..." Reuben ran back into the hallways separating the bedrooms, and almost immediately came back. His mother gasped, and started to say something about running with dangerous objects, but the long hunting knife he handed Miiba was still in its leather sheath.

"Be careful with that! Dad made it for my birthday!" the youngster warned the goblin. "If...if ya steal it, or hurt a Human with it, we...we won't be friends no more!" He was still trying to look tough, and stern. But for someone to stop being friends with you, that meant something else, too, didn't it?

Mirabelle had already flung the door open, and a Mana Orb glowed above her fingertip to provide light as well as ammo as she rushed out...

Your HP is below 25%.
Your MP is just above 50%.

System:Danny

Danny made it around the house just in time to hear the door slam open. He could tell from a shifting, bobbing light that someone was running out into the yard. As he floated over the fence into one of the animal pens and activated his Muffle skill, he couldn't see Geir or any other Humans coming after him...but even with his stealth skill, he couldn't erase his presence when he was this close to the animals. A large, white feathered bird squawked as he startled it, and began to scratch the ground with those big talons as it turned its head this way and that. Those beady eyes looking at him didn't seem quite as docile as a chicken from back home...

I, the Demon King, Will Summon My Own Damned Heroes!

Farmstead

As Lear continued to read of Ishin's exploits--he had just defeated a group of bandits after his first quest as a proper adventurer had gone awry, in the process befriending a young knight and a treasure hunting girl--he paused for a moment and turned his head. Miiba too, normally so attentive to everything the family did, was distracted and kept looking out the window.

"...Say, Geir's still out there, huh? And it sounded like he used his Warcry. Mira, you might need to help him--I bet the Wisps are flying up over his head." the farmer said, before he started trying to find his place...though his full attention no longer seemed to be on the story.

Meanwhile, Jason charged back into the Spirit Realm, attempting to slam into Geir with the full force of his being. Using Transparency caused his form and Geir's to overlap, and both of them felt an unpleasant buzz like a constant crackle of static electricity. Jason tried to cast Shield as well to try and lock himself in--but Shield was not a barrier spell. It only buffered the target's natural defenses, and it seemed his abstract idea of a target--the spirit world itself--did not count. He felt another unpleasant shiver as the spell failed to activate. The spirit now tried to recover his MP by draining Geir--then it became a battle of wills.

Screaming out to Onogoro--a sound that seemed to echo even louder in this odd limbo world--he grabbed Geir and threw him over his hip. The misty white form of the redhead's body crashed into the "floor," with a resonating impact.

Anger. Fury. Sadness. Staring at a wood-backed plate of tin with small letters engraved into it. He looked up, because there were people talking to him. A boy as tall as he was, and broad in the shoulders but somewhat gangly. A younger kid, but better dressed.

"H-hello, sir. My n-name is Trent, and I just registered recently as well! I thought, perhaps, we could h-help each other out..."

"What Class are you?" Class. It didn't make a lot of sense out in the countryside, but there was a difference between your "class" and your "class," here in the city. A noble and a commoner might still both be trained in the same fighting style or the use of the same equipment, if they were both drafted into the army or hired as Adventurers. Asking what their "job" was wouldn't be specific enough for the bureaucracy in charge of the guilds and armies either--They were all Adventurers, to make their livings. But he was apparently, a "Barbarian." His upper lip curled. And these two...

"Ah, I, I'm a squah, Squire." Trent answered. "I'm h-hoping that, once I get some more experience, a Knight will pick me as an apprentice..."

"I'm Wulf. Just your regular Swordsman, here!" The taller boy put those long arms behind his head and grinned like he didn't have a care in the world. The redhead instantly hated him. "So who're you, pal? And why're ya so pissed off?"

He stood up, and Trent gulped when he saw how much bigger the other boy was.

"My name's--"

"GEIR OF IRONWOOD!"

Jason felt his ankle grabbed from below, but when he instinctively put his weight on the other leg a hand hooked that same knee and jerked, bending it enough that with a twist Geir forced Jason to his knees. At the same time he'd given himself a handhold to pull up, and now he pushed through with both feet, spearing Jason in the midsection. The two rolled over and over, until Geir came up on top and slammed a heavy fist into the former warlord's jaw.

For a battle of spirits, this battle felt perfectly real, and the shock of it stunned the Ectoslime for just a moment. Geir's shape was almost exactly the same as real life--it didn't shiver like the identities of other monsters, and his rage was palpable. As his fist came down one more time, Jason even noticed something else. The boy's arm had turned into a thick wooden log, studded with iron nails. Again Jason took an incredibly heavy blow.

"An Ashyran ghost!?" Geir's voice echoed. With a snarl he stood, dragging Jason's African form with him. "Fuck off!"

They seemed to be standing on a white circle floating in the black void. Geir's arms bulged with muscle as he tried to hurl Jason out once more...

In the real world, Geir spasmed and twisted once Jason hit him. Danny's throwing of sand caused the boy to yell even more as he wiped frantically as his eyes. His movements were jerky, but he still seemed to be somewhat aware of what was going on even as Jason fought him from the inside.

Danny managed to get away for the moment, but those wounds on his chest were bleeding pretty heavily, and the stinging pain felt like it got worse as he moved. Even though he had transformed, he still didn't have that much HP compared to other creatures--if Geir could get one heavy hit in, that might be it for him...

What would he do, now that Jason seemed to have the boy distracted?

And had someone just walked in front of those lit windows, back at the house?

---

Deep Forest

You obtained Wild Kele Shoot x5!
Carrying this number of items is difficult given your size. Your speed is slightly diminished.

System:Nira

While Nira plucked the wild vegetables she found, Femus hid himself from sight and continued to observe the young goblins. They stopped a few feet short of the great tree's roots, and continued to bicker for a few moments.

"We can makes nets, is easy! Just needs vines and long grasses!"

"Bah! Dun even wanna go t'da riva. Wanna find sumtin' easy roun' heres." One kicked at the dirt with a dirty, hairy foot.

"All da aminals runned 'way afta da mountain blew up." The other goblin scratched his pointed ear as he looked around. "An' da rest of da growed-up gobs keepin' wat's left from yestaday in a seekret spot."

"Maddy says she knows where it is." The first one looked around as if they might be caught speaking about this conspiracy. "Ya reckon if we helps her get it, we three just keeps it for us'ns?"

"Maybe...but if da Bosses come back an' finds out--look!"

The conversation died immediately as the goblin pointed. "A Pixie! Get it, get it!"

They took off running before Femus had really even processed their words, weapons whirling in their skinny arms as they charged...

Back over to that tree Femus and Nira had left before, where one of those three pixies he had seen playing now found itself the target of that long weighted vine. The goblin's aim was true and the creature screeched pitifully as it was struck from behind. The weapon wrapped around it, and though it struggled valiantly the Goblin yanked it down without mercy. Soon the other goblin's weapon came down in a fatal blow, cutting off the pixie's agonized scream with a bony crunch.

Nira alighted softly on another branch near Femus, looking quite tired but with the onion-like herbs in tow. The goblins soon hauled off their prey, cackling to themselves, and the two Revivers were left to their own devices once again...

---

Rat Party

The firepit had no doubt been used many times, both by travelers seeking shelter and from pilgrims paying their respects. Though there wasn't much firewood to be had in the barrow-foyer, there was a bed of charcoal built up over time. With the long grass Ed gathered and his flint and tinder, he soon had a glowing red bed of coals that occasionally licked up with fire. The Gnome reached down with one baby-fat hand and drew a circle in the packed earthen floor.

"Stone Mold."

Out of the small circle, a rocky shape rose up. The inner area of that drawn circle had now become the bottom of a solid cylinder, and the Gnome wriggled it back and forth a few times before it came out of the ground with a crack. As he scooped meat into this small earthware pot and placed it on the coals, he looked at Ed. It was sort of hard to read the creature's expression, given that its gemstone eyes didn't change shape and its jaw was on a sort of hinge like a puppet. But it seemed to be rather confused, and slightly amused.

"What is a Mycra-Gasm?" he said, drawing out the unfamiliar word. "And...is a Cul-nary Art like...a Vulnerary? Like what the humans use when they get hurt?"

When the rats mentioned that they had been reincarnated, the elemental stopped cold before he finished pulling some of the browned meat out of the pot. He didn't seem bothered by the fact that the tip of his stone finger was beginning to glow in the fire.

"Reincarnated? Wait, so y'all are Undead? But...you ain't rotten or nothing?"

When Asteria seemed bashful about taking the coin, the Gnome gave her a similar look as he had given Ed.

"Uh. Yeah, I mean...what I was saying was that I gave ya the coin, fair trade for that piece of meat ya gave me last night since I wasn't really sure why you were here. But don't get ya hopes up, I ain't got much else to give and you specified that this here," he finished taking another handful of meat and began to chew it with zero table manners, "was an offering for safe shelter here in the barrow, even though you're both Monsters. So we're all even'd up--you guys get to make yourselves at home, so long as you don't touch the tomb, I gave ya a little payment on the side, and I got to eat my fill."

The female rat asked if he was a Familiar or not, and the creature grunted as if that was a silly question. Then he shrugged his shoulders, and muttered something like "rats wouldn't know magic anyhow."

"It sort of depends. See, you can have Tamed Creatures that might obey a human just cause that human provides for them or they have a beneficial kind of bond. A Familiar might be Tamed, in the sense that a human raises it, but it's different--Familiars are usually magical and pretty intelligent. Trying to put a leash on one can either be difficult, or just a plain bad idea. Most times, if a human has a Familiar, it's there by its own choice because it likes that human. It might also have been Summoned, which is similar to a contract but not always the same." The Gnome continued to eat while it talked, which was rather disgusting, but it seemed to be making a heavy dent in all that Hobgoblin steak. "Like this: a dog can't hunt on its own, so it has to stay with its owner. A wolf probably prefers being with a human because that makes its life easier, but if it had to leave it could." He began filling the pot with fresh meat, and once again set it in the fire to brown. "A Contract is a twist on all that. Like a Familiar, a Contract is formed with an intelligent, independent creature. But like a Tamed Creature, it's pretty much stuck once the contract is made. You get a choice, but you can't back out of it. Not without a whole lot of trouble, anyway. Tamed Creatures are always weaker than their masters. Familiars might have powers their masters don't, but again they're usually weaker. Summons can call creatures on equal standing or below, unless you do some more complex stuff that can go wrong real quick or you're on good terms with the stronger Summoned Creature. Contracts, typically, can work on any kind of creature--because the creature also gets something out of it, and their power is used to bind the other party just as much as they're bound themselves."

The earthen creature had gone through two whole pounds of Hobgoblin burger by this point, and slowed down considerably as he patted his stomach. Still, every so often he would grab another handful from the pot. So much fat had collected at this point that it sizzled and popped like a well greased pan, and the smell was mouthwatering.

"A creature might choose to take up a contract just cause it likes you, but that wasn't the case for me. I did it cause my family's always done it, and it's been a good deal for us--free food, any time something wanders in here that shouldn't. Occasionally I get some good stuff from the offerings that doesn't fit the "turn in" criteria. And a power boost from the Contractor. This is a multi-generational contract for the mage's family over in Laketown too, so I imagine he's pretty satisfied with the carryover he gets. The only thing that ain't too great is that, if things get bad enough for him, he can Summon me to fight on his behalf. But since the main purpose of the contract is to protect the barrow, I don't usually gotta worry about that."

Asteria then asked about monsters that could talk. Again, the Gnome's expression was hard to read.

"Uh...I'm speaking Gnomish, right now, I dunno about you. You...sound like you're speaking Gnomish? And for a Dire Rat, that oughta be damn near impossible. Can't say for speaking the Human or Goblin tongues. As for my Contractor..." again the stone infant-shaped creature shrugged. "He doesn't usually come by himself. A guard or two will pop their heads in a few times a week on patrol, a traveler who gets caught in the rain might camp out here in the front chamber, and once a month or so a priest comes by to make sure the place stays cleansed." He popped one more handful of food into his jaw, but seemed to have difficulty working it, as if he had filled himself to the brim.

"I imagine you guys would be fine to stay here...two, maybe three days? Long as you don't leave a trail of droppings or something." He sighed and leaned back, and despite being made of stone his belly definitely seemed like it poked out a little more. "Oh maaaan, I haven't eaten that good since one of them Orcs wandered in here! And just think, I got enough left for supper, and breakfast tomorrow, and maybe brunch too!"

Now somewhat relaxed, the Gnome tilted his head at the rats.

"I overheard you guys talkin' about training or getting stronger or something, right? You're talking about...that stuff humans do, where they stand there and swing a sword a hundred times or stare at pieces of paper to learn magic? What's the point of all that?"

---

PixieSlime Party

You used Material Analysis I!
---Poisoned Wooden Javelin (Average)---
It seems a Pointy Stick was Sharpened into this lightweight javelin, then coated in Poison. With enough throwing force, it can cover a decent distance. Its tip is quite dangerous to soft targets, but any decent armor would quickly blunt the wood.

System:Ardur

While the Hipixie analyzed the weapon, and Asura grabbed both the javelin and a handful of stones, Trent adjusted the strap on his targe. Thankfully the shield could still be used without having a full grip, and thus he could hold the torch in that hand while drawing his sword.

Another javelin arced through the air. It struck Trent in his shoulder just before he had fully drawn his weapon, but thankfully it failed to pierce his thick gambeson. However, the poison on the tip hissed and sizzled in the air, eating a short distance into the material. The impact drove the youth back a step, but he grit his teeth and bore it.

"You're right, Ardur--we're at a distinct disadvantage if we can't see them. But--"

Before he could finish what he was saying, Asura had slithered off in the direction the attacks were coming from. Steve the spider scuttled behind him, and Momma Slime pushed at the back of Trent's legs like a dog in an attempt to follow them. And the Hipixie conjured a quite bright ball of flame.

Upon release, with Ardur's words still lingering on the air, the spell flew up high--higher than it normally would have traveled if he had shot it the normal way. And it burned brighter than a fireball should have. When it reached its maximum height, it burst--not the area-of-effect explosion of the Rank II Fireball, but certainly more spread out than a normal blast. And it unleashed a short-lived flash, like turning on a bright lamp in a dark room before one's eyes have readjusted.

The party was bathed in light, as was the rest of the cave, for that short instant. Up ahead, Asura could see two figures blocking the exit of this chokepoint path along the pool's shore. One was a Fanged Lizard--it was too far away to use its poisonous spit to attack yet. Even if Asura were to use his Throw Item skill, however, it looked too far away for him to hit too.

The second figure was a Goblin--or, at least closer to one than the Skeleblins they found everywhere. Its belly was bloated, and something had been chewing on its limbs. Its flesh was dry and cracked in places. Its eyes and jaw sagged, black bile dripping between the yellowed teeth. And it seemed to be wearing armor, made of bony plates like shoulder blades, skull caps, and so forth--and these bones still had gristle and blood on them.

As Asura continued to charge forward, it picked up another javelin from a pile lying next to it...and affixed the weapon along a slot of some sort, carved into a shorter stick. Holding that stick like a handle, the undead creature gave a grunt and hurled it--sending the projectile flying much further than it could have thrown it normally. Thanks to Ardur's short lived light, it had an even easier target, and the hissing purple tip headed right for Asura's "face..."

While Asura was the first to get a good look at their attacker, Trent and Ardur could see further across the pond. That pulsing red light flashed brighter as well, and the various figures milling about the cave were lit from above and behind in a terrible light...

Dozens of Skeleblins, some even holding weapons, turned their chattering skulls towards the flare.

Two flickering green lights, Ghost Wisps like what they had encountered before, were already heading towards the exit to the choke point to join the other attackers.

And another dozen lights, whiter and brighter but with a slight purple sheen, began to flicker all along the cave's ceiling.

Creeping, crawling figures with raspy scales and hissing tongues scurried back into the shadows. Squeaking, fat, furry forms joined them. Piles of black, rotting goop and rolling spheres of color began to move in a slow, inexaustible fashion. Darting shapes reflected the light from their gossamer wings, and though some were slower--and others were far too thin--they too began to make their way towards the intruders...

Then the light went out, and save for Trent's quivering torch, the group was blind in the dark once more...

---

Monster Party

Oberon's Mana Slice parted the air with a whistle, cutting deep into the sword-goblin's forearms just as he loosened the weapon from the goat's corpse. He screamed and fell backwards. The edges of the spell hadn't gone bone-deep, nor did they seem to have struck any fatal arteries, but it looked like someone had taken a paring knife and simply slashed the goblin open. If it weren't for the crescent shaped energy being nearly two dimensional in width with a clean edge, it was the kind of cut that would have definitely needed sutures.

Digbie charged up a Mana Orb in his hands, and it crackled as the stripes on his arms glowed. Then he began to channel the power of Stone Shot as well. He trying to use Stone Shot II--but something unpleasant buzzed in his head and his hands, and the flow of energy suddenly felt choked. He remembered that Dual Cast's description had claimed its current rank couldn't use Spells higher than Rank I together unless they were the same spell.

Still, he held onto the Rank I Mana Orb and the Rank I Stone Shot's energies in his palms--the energy became unstable as it mixed, so he had to tense his arms and hold it close to his body as he glared at Rags Nar...

"Y-you, D-Demigob--!" The Elite Goblin growled, but he only managed to get up onto one knee. He had been hit, hard, in the head by that arrow and like a boxer getting hit on the jaw it had temporarily stunned him.

If Digbie could have seen himself from the outside perspective, he might have realized his stance--and the glowing energy in his hands--looked very much like a popular move from various fighting games and fictional martial arts. Like many young fans, Rags Nar was dumbstruck by the dramatic nature of the technique.

With a shout, Digbie hurled the magic right at the Broken Tower chief. In the moment it launched, Digbie felt the magic...condense? Its glow seemed to die down, and the sphere's "edges" seemed to be much more defined rather than a cloud of light. And like a pebble thrown by a baseball pitcher, it rocketed forward.

It hit Rags Nar's chain hauberk just as he forced himself onto his feet, and actually broke another section of the weakened links. Once again the goblin leader was knocked onto his backside.

The goblin fighting with Torrent had managed to land a light slash on her side, but now suddenly found himself jabbed by Ash's stinger as she sneaked in from above and behind. Thanks to the earlier dose from Torrent's jaws, the goblin's nervous system locked up and he went down with a slight twitching of his jaws and fingertips. Mahya was still unconscious, and the frying pan goblin was only just getting up after being headbutted by the goat.

A net, made of woven plant cordage with rocks tied to different parts of it, stretched out as it flew over the swordsgoblin and the one wearing the pan. As it fell and entangled them, the weight of the rocks pulled it tighter. The two goblins began to struggle to get out of it--but without coordinating their efforts, they hindered each other more than anything. And the mysterious rider jumped off of his mount.

"Demigob! You, YOU AIN'T ACTIN' LIKE A GOB--" The Elite was out of breath and clearly hurting, but he still managed to hold his knife in a firm grip. He took up a stance to start sprinting at Digbie--

Then the rider roundhouse kicked him in the stomach, stepping to the side as the goblin pitched forward.

The figure's hide-and-wrapping clothes had been adjusted somewhat, as he pushed his cloak out of the way of his arms and legs. Primitive sandals made from woven straw, with strips of bark wrapped over them, still had large enough gaps that yellowed nails and dark, heavily desaturated green skin showed through. Rawhide strings crisscrossed over trousers of overlapping furs, to keep them from catching and unraveling if they were snagged. The shirt was really more of a thick mantle, two limbs of whatever creature provided its pelt used to tie it around the shoulders and then smaller bits of hide sewn where it hung over the shoulders. Parts of the creature's midriff were visible, showcasing a hard and muscular trunk complete with scars and some kind of tattoos. Its head was still hooded, but that fanged smile still gleamed. Its arms were wrapped in a kind of thick gloves or mittens up to the elbows, but above that sinewy arms bulged not like a body builder's, but like someone accustomed to long hours of back breaking labor. But it wasn't just his appearance, or his size--just an inch or two over five feet--that had the Monster Party gawping at this mystery monster.

Rags Nar still managed to swing with his knife, doubled over from that kick. The covered figure took a step back and let the attack whiff, then when Rags lunged for a follow-up the being side stepped him and threw a heavy haymaker right on top of the goblin's ear. The smaller greenskin's skull made a thunk sound against the big one's fist, and for the third time the Elite hit the ground. The unknown monster kicked him again, a vicious soccer kick to the ribs. When Rags curled up like a bug, the assailant reached down and grabbed him by his scrawny shoulders and hauled him up--only to deliver a merciless knee to the goblin's warty nose. Blood spattered with a loud crack.

Rags Nar fell to his knees. Blood streamed down his face, a large bruise was forming over his temple, and his jaw hung slack as tears welled up in his eyes. He coughed and gurgled as he looked up at his tormentor.

The rider took a half step back, then surged forward with a front stomping kick across the goblin's relaxed jaw. The Broken Tower chief crumpled without a word.

As Ash, Torrent, Digbie, and Oberon saw this unfold before them, the creature straightened and did a slow turn. He counted Mahya, the paralyzed pelted Goblin, the two in the net, and then finally came back to Rags Nar.

"Ha! Haha! Ain't that a haul!" He walked over to the two goblins in the net--they had only just begun to work together to untangle themselves, when the figure grabbed a set of vines that were longer than the rest and yanked them. The net closed up at the other end, drawing taut around the two struggling runts. "You two, quitcher strugglin' if ya don't wanna end up like yer boss!" A couple of kicks accentuated the threat, and the helpless goblins gave a few last yelps before they clammed up.

"Here, little Demi!" The figure looked at Digbie, then hooked his foot under that Rusty Sword and lobbed it towards the magical goblin. "That don't look like it'd be too bad if ya polished 'er up!" He then gestured with his head towards the other downed members of the tribe. "And if ya want any'fin' off'm there, take it while ya can!" He rustled in a pouch on his belt, before also tossing Digbie a small, square stone made of something that felt rough and chalky, but also glittered in the light.

This strange rider dragged his catch back to the Cariblade, which simply stood and snorted through its huge nostrils. Every so often it would look around at the party dismissively. Its master reached into the saddlebags and pulled out some crudely made, but quite functional manacles of iron and a chain.

"Hands!" he growled at his two captives, and after an encouraging cuff to the ears they stuck their scrawny wrists through the holes in the mesh. The rider shackled them, and ran the chain through like a lead. After making sure they wouldn't be able to get out of the net, he removed a third pair of manacles and looked back towards the other goblins. After a moment of thought, he walked around to the other saddlebag and removed another length of cordage, this one somewhat better made. It had an iron grappling hook on one end of it, which he untied. While he was doing all of this, the Monster Party would have enough time to get everything they wanted off the fallen goblins.

"Oi, Pygmy Drake! Reckon you and yer buds could help me tie them two up?" He pointed at the unconscious Mahya and the paralyzed goblins. "I'll hav'ta throw 'em over me saddle, and lead the otha three back on foot." Then he looked over at Oberon. "An' you there, Sprite! Ya gots healin' magic, aintcha? When I get their chief in ir'ns, get 'im on his feet fer me!"

The group would likely feel some kind of inner conflict as all this occurred. What exactly were they doing, helping this creature? He was clearly taking the goblins prisoner, and had no qualms about using the most vicious means available to do so. But, did they want to release Rags and his cronies? Would it be easier to just let this thing take the Goblins, and get the Broken Tower tribe out of their hair? But what about the rest of the tribe, back at the broken tower itself?

Even so, if they were to fight this creature...He had beaten the absolute snot out of Rags Nar, an Elite Goblin and clearly no pushover. And he had done it with no weapons, and barely breaking a sweat. He was no Zawisza, but he was clearly above most enemies they had seen in this forest...even Rattleskull.

Assuming the group went through with helping the being secure the rest of the goblins, and laying Mahya and the fur-clothed one over the Cariblade's back while Rags Nar was chained to the others, the creature would chat good-naturedly as he worked.

"Oh ye, this'll be a notch in ol' Guze's blade fer sure! An' I suppose they won't be botherin' you lot no more, eh? Haha! Although," He paused for a moment and pointed slightly north and to the west, at an angle to the mountains. "Ya might get a few scouts lookin' fer 'em. But these Broke Tower Mukhs, they ain't much fer leavin' their rock pile. Got too comfy in there, scared of what's outside." He spat derisively. "If their cap'n don't show up after a day or two, they'll prolly just pick a new one."

"Ya dun kno' nuttin, Orc!" Despite Oberon's healing, Rags Nar would still have a big swollen knot on the bridge of his nose and several bruises and scrapes. "Broked Tower da strongest Gobs! We gots an army, gonna come find you an--"

"SHARRAP, YA MUKH!" The Orc said that word like "mook," which implied how much he thought of the goblins. Rags Nar squeaked as he jumped away from a half-hearted kick. A quick tug on his chains brought him back in ear-boxing range. "Anyway," Guze continued, "If yer lookin' to avoid other tribes, straight east of here there's a bigass Kao tree. Them gobs out there actually got some good sense 'bout 'em, far as scrappin' goes. I'd avoid them too. Oh, and the Kobolds." He made a sort of diagonal slash in the air with one hand. "If'n ye was to keep north a lil' bit instead of straight east, ya might slip right between the tower and the trees, and get up inta the valley. Used t'be a Human fort up there," here he chuckled, "til we sacked it! But dem li'l lizards done dug all under it, and them bastards is trouble an' a half if ya ain't used to 'em. Shame too, was good ore up there."

He now began packing up the rest of his belongings. Two tied goblins hung over his saddle along with his bags and re-folded net, while he held the lead chain and dragged Rags, the swordsgoblin, and the one whose frying pan had been shoved on his head like a blindfold.

"Oh, an' there's a small one down south, in a big cave. That one's got a nasty Bugbear leadin' it--he's a chump, dumb as rocks, but for li'l'uns like you he'd be--"

"Demigob! Dun let 'im takes us!" Rags Nar suddenly bawled. The other two goblins were sniveling as well. "We dun wanna be Orc slaves! I'll gives ya anyting ya want, I promises dis time--"

Guze's punch split Rags Nar's lip again, and he loomed over the goblin in a way all too familiar to Digbie when he thought about his father.

"It'd be a waste ta kill ya, Mukh, but if'n I thinks yer gonna be trouble I might be persuaded!" Then he turned back to the group, and that stormcloud dissolved from his face like it had never been there. "Oh yeah, and speakin' of ore earlier. If any of yas wanna get betta pay for helpin' out again..." The orc grinned under his hood, and jabbed a thumb over his shoulder towards the destroyed mountain. "Ghordosh Clan is gettin' ready fer one helluva scrap wif dem beardy Mukhs! If that Demigoblin of yers was really responsible for a Great Demon blowin' up that mountain, then ya gots big thanks from me and mines!" He pointed at Digbie. "You, ya gots some nice spells! Non'a this prancy chantin', just straight up blastin'! Ya'd make a good shaman--if'n ya wanna be an Orc, just c'mon up! And we got otha stuff fer the rest of yas. Money, food, whateva ya want! If we ain't got it," He winked at them, "we'll beat up some shmuck what does! Hahaha!"

Still laughing, Guze the Orc waved farewell as he patted his Cariblade on the rump. With his captives in tow, he headed back west and slightly south into the forest...

LEVEL UP! Your combined experiences have culminated in new power! Your Max MP has increased! You are now Level 10! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you please!

Unspent Skill Points: 11[[OOC: 5 from level up, 1 left over from last time, Christmas+NewYear+HiatusApology bonuses]]

Current Skills:
Stun Stinger II (2.1)
Poison Spray II (2.025)
Alchemy II (2.875)
Overwork III (3.3)
Charisma I (1.65)
Venom Shot II (2.0)
Crafting I (1.8)
Lesser Force II (2.225)
Magic Analysis III (3.20625)
Alert I (1.35)
Lesser Flight I (1.5)
Muffle I (1.65)
Monster Analysis II (2.8)
Material Analysis II (2.95)
Meditate II (2.35)
Poison Glob I (1.2)
Poison Breath I (1.05)
Plant Analysis I (1.1)
Tremor Sense I (1.05)
Mana Orb II (2.175)
Shield I (1.05)
Mana Slice I (1.7)
Mana Shape I (1.6)
Analysis (--)
Rabid Fit I (1.05)
Mental Resistance I (1.5)
Mana Vision I (1.75)
Mana Sense II (2.075)
Minor Heal I (1.2)
Prehensile Tail (--)
Poison Splash I (1.3)
Dual Cast I (1.2)
Mana Control I (1.2)
Stronger I (1.3)
<UNUSABLE>
Blunt Resistance (0.2)
Scribe (0.6)
Faster (0.3)
Intimidate (0.8)
Acid Volley (0.1)
Venom Claw (0.4)
Dragon Affinity (0.45) <CANNOT BE INCREASED WITH SKILL POINTS>
Slash (0.5)
Fireball (0.2)
Dextrous (0.7)
Mana Dart (0.4)
Use Light Equipment (0.2)
Minor Heal All (0.1)
Iron Gullet (0.3)
Poison Slash (0.2)
Mana Drain (0.6)
Lucid Dream (0.2)
Skewer (0.4)
Memor Eyes (0.1)
Stone Shot (0.1)
Dragon Lung (0.1)
Deception (0.2)
Stealth Kill (0.1)

YOUR BODY IS BEGINNING TO CHANGE! You are undergoing Transformation! Based on your life experiences, your ability to survive, and the strength of your will, new paths have appeared! Choose carefully--there is no going back! WARNING. THIS PROCESS WILL LEAVE YOU TEMPORARILY VULNERABLE.

OPTIONS (* Indicates Suitability):
*(Adult) Pygmy Drake - Stunted, pesky cousins of greater drake species, this creature has a poisonous stinger on its tail rather than a breath weapon and glides more than it flies. Nonetheless it is somewhat clever, and mages sometimes keep it the way someone might keep a pet bird.

• Very Slight increase to all base stats
• Increase Potential
• Increase MP
• Increase Lesser Flight
• Increase Mana Orb and Dragon Affinity (reduced)

**(Adolescent)[Winged] Kobold (High Variant Chance) - Small, reptilian creatures with odd primate characteristics like upright spines and grasping limbs. Quite similar to Goblins, often competing with them for the same territories and resources. Some individuals have other characteristics--the Winged Kobolds are often said to have Draconic power in their veins, and are often revered in their tribes.

• Slight increase to speed-related stats
• Increase Light Equipment Skill (reduced)
• Gain Access to Job System: 0th Tier

(Adolescent)[Winged] Lesserwurm (High Variant Chance) - Related to dragons, but still a cold-blooded reptile, this creature burrows through the earth and fills the enclosed spaces around its prey with poisonous fumes. Its lengthy body is quite fast and deceptively strong, and its ability to shed its skin somehow allows it to heal more quickly. Some individuals have other characteristics--the Winged Lesserwurms are one step closer to their draconic cousins.

• Lose hind limbs
• Increase to base speed-stats
• Slight increase to base power-stats
• Increase Minor Recovery (reduced)
• Increase Poison Breath (reduced)

(Adolescent) [Brute] Drake (Guaranteed Variant Chance) - A subspecies of dragons that many believe was once domesticated in the past, bred to be manageable by their tamers but still retain some of their ancestor's power. Larger than the biggest dogs and about as long as most men are tall, this broad shouldered and heavily built, quadruped drake has no wings but is incredibly strong and tough. Its scales can be compared to chain mail, its claws to well honed knives, and its jaw can crush bone as easily as the human jaw crushes a piece of fruit.

• Increase Dragon Affinity (reduced)
• Increase Chosen Breath (Options: Poison, Acid, Mana) (reduced)
• Increase base power and defensive stats
• Lose Wings. Lesser Flight Skill locked.

**(Adolescent) [Winged] Drake (Guaranteed Variant Chance) - A subspecies of dragons that many believe was once domesticated in the past, bred to be manageable by their tamers but still retain some of their ancestor's power. Though Drakes are normally quite brutish, every so often one of lither build retains its wings. However, this comes with a drawback that its body is not as heavily muscled and its scale layers are lighter. One could argue, though, that with more growth it is the closest type of drake to a true dragon's potential.

• Increase Lesser Flight
• Increase Chosen Breath (Options: Poison, Acid, Mana)(reduced)
• Increase Dragon Affinity (reduced)

(Adolescent) Lesser Wyvern (High Variant Chance) - Wyverns are already considered degenerated forms of primitive draconic species, but these smaller creatures are even further from the root of mighty dragons. Like many reptiles, Wyverns grow in proportion to their environment, so these creatures are often found in areas where a normal-sized Wyvern wouldn't have enough resources to support itself. Their stingers are potent, however, and they are swift fliers.

• Greatly Increase Lesser Flight
• Increase Poison Stinger
• Very Slight increase to all base stats

System:Ash

LEVEL UP! Your combined experiences have culminated in new power! Your Max MP has increased! You earn Skill Points to distribute as you please! You are now Level 9!

Unspent Skill Points: 10[[OOC: Normal 5+accumulated Bonuses]]

Current Skills:
**Use Light Equipment (--)
Tremor Sense III (3.275)
-Soil Manipulation II (2.8875)
Stone Shot II (2.125)
Taboo I (1.0)
*Stronger I (1.5)
**Sacred Ground II (2.375)
Rock Spire II (2.2)
Earth Affinity I (1.3)
Meditate I (1.5)
Earth Vein II (2.425)
-Spell Chant I (1.2)
Monster Analysis I (1.2875)
Material Analysis I (1.9)
Plant Analysis I (1.37)
*Mental Resistance I (1.1)
Fortify I (1.1)
*Mana Orb II (2.175)
**Shield II (2.55)
Overwork I (1.8)
Mana Affinity I (1.05)
Magic Analysis I (1.95)
Analysis (--)
**Earth Wall II (2.2)
*Minor Heal I (1.4)
Guidance I (1.9)
*Dual Cast I (1.15)
<UNUSABLE>
Quake (0.5)
Crafting (0.8)
*Point Strike (0.7)
*Smash (0.7)
Throw Item (0.4)
Charisma (0.6)
*Mana Strike (0.6)
Focus (0.6)
Stone Fist (0.6)
*Stone Breaker (0.6)
Intimidate (0.6)
-Scribe (0.2)
*Fire Resistance (0.3)
Demon Affinity (0.25)
Underground Movement (0.5)
**Use Medium Equipment (0.2)
Faster (0.3)
Alert (0.2)
Pacify Animal (0.3)
Inspire (0.3)
Lucid Dream (0.2)
Spiritual Awareness (0.1)
Lesser Cleanse (0.2)
Iron Gullet (0.1)
Wall (0.2)
Mana Shape (0.3)
Deception (0.4)
Charm (0.2)
Mana Drain (0.1)
Rabid Fit (0.2)
Mana Surge (0.1)
Condense Earth (0.1)

System:Digbie

[[OOC: Hopefully Oberon and Torrent aren't discouraged, Oberon is 80% to his next level and Torrent is 60% of the way in case you wanna call up the System or something.]]

I, the Demon King, Will Summon My Own Damned Heroes!

Monster Party

@Gardevoiran@Rune_Alchemist@King Cosmos@Old Amsterdam
The leader of the Broken Tower Tribe seemed puzzled as Digbie threw himself to the ground, but when the Demigoblin began to glow and speak in a different tone the Elite Goblin slowly shifted the point of his knife and took a guarded stance. He didn't turn when the other goblin, the one holding the big rusty sword, went charging back towards the Four Horned Goat with his sword raised high. The swordsgob had been injured and looked like he was almost out of breath after his warcry--when the goat hoofed him in the chest it had probably knocked the wind out of him.

At the same time as Digbie stood up and roared, drawing his Broken Sword, the Four Horned Goat recovered from that stunning blow the greenskin wearing a pan had dealt it. It reared with a snort and kicked out, striking the goblin in the head this time. The smaller monster yelped and was knocked to the ground--he wasn't out yet, but as he tried to get up it was like his feet wouldn't get under him.

The Demigoblin's weapon began to glow. Rags Nar tightened his grip on his own weapons. The swordsgoblin jumped onto the Four Horned Goat's back, and sank his blade deep into its spine by dropping all of his weight on top of it.

The Broken Sword turned end over end, far more rapidly than Digbie's splindly arms should have been able to throw it. His Earth Vein had been stuttering and starting the whole time, as even though his feet were in contact with the ground he was also trying to put mana into the sword at the same time. And on top of that his mana seemed to be surging throughout his body just from his sheer rage, and he was putting all he had into this attack.

Rags Nar got his shield up. The Broken Sword shattered even further against it--the tang broke, the hilt came apart, the guard slid off of the cracking blade--but the wooden pot lid, too, split right down the middle like old firewood. The fastening fell out of one side of the handle, and the whole thing fell apart as Rags Nar stumbled backwards with a grunt, shaking his sore arm.

Digbie cast his protective spell upon himself, but he was trying to keep his feet planted for Earth Vein as well. Both spells crackled and fizzled, but he soon received a notice that his MP was full as the aura around his body was completed.

Some distance away, perhaps Ash had been caught off guard by the sights and sounds of Digbie's sudden heroic entry into the fray. Perhaps everything had just become so chaotic so fast that her orderly mind was thrown off track. But the mysterious companion next to her, despite having just told her to call Torrent off in her engagement with the pelted goblin, still continued to work his bow with professional precision. Another of those blunted arrows began to shine with a red light, and the robed creature loosed.

"YA BROKED MY SHIELD!" Rags Nar yelled--just before he got sniped in the temple. He went down to one knee, stunned and unable to rise much like his companion down the hill. "GAH! WHO DAT?!" The Elite Goblin still had a grip on his knife, and glared at Digbie as he struggled to get up on legs that wobbled like those of a newborn deer.

The sound of hooves beating the ground and rustling leaves heralded the appearance of the strangely clothed archer, as he and his mount burst from the treeline and charged into the camp. Mahya, the goblin with the pan, and Rags Nar were still on the ground. The pelted goblin Torrent had attacked was still engaged with her, though clearly on the losing side of things. The one with the sword was trying to pry his weapon out of the goat monster's bulk.

The unknown rider pulled what looked like a net from a saddle bag, and began to whirl it over his head...

Skill Gain: Dual Cast I (0.8 > 1.0)!
Splitting one's focus is a difficult task, but like playing the drums it can be learned. Casting different spells with different effects or requirements increases the difficulty and the MP required, but the caster's mindset can also affect this Skill. A Caster at this Rank may Dual Cast by: (1) Cast the same spell simultaneously, usually within two hands. Example using Current Skills: Stone Shot. This expends twice the MP cost, and both versions of the spell must be the same Rank, but the Casting time is only that of a single cast.(2) Prepare two spells simultaneously, to be used one at a time. Example using Known Skills: Rock Spire and Mana Orb. Rock Spire is prepared but not cast; the Earth Mana shines under the targeted area. Mana Orb is cast at a target, knocking it into Rock Spire's prepared area. Rock Spire is released. Both spells can be no higher than Rank I. Delayed Spells can be held no longer than 10 seconds at this rank. Certain spells that might require rituals, components, or other complexities might not be Dual Cast in this manner even at Rank I. This use consumes twice the MP for a Delayed Spell plus the normal MP cost for the other spell. (3) Cast a single instance of two different spells, usually within two hands. Example using Known Skills: Your Mana Orb and Ash's Mana Slice. You cast Mana Orb at a target to your right and Mana Slice at a target to your left, at the same time. This usage expends the sum of both spells' MP cost, and requires a slightly longer casting time, but both spells can be used at the same time or one after the other. Both spells must be Rank I. Certain spells with more complexities may not be Dual Cast even at Rank I. Certain spells that synergize well may increase in power or cause new effects when Dual Cast in this way.

There are several drawbacks to the Dual Cast Skill. Passive Skills can already be used together unless they contradict or otherwise interfere with one another; Dual Cast cannot be used to combine Passive and Active Skills. Example using Current Skills: Meditate and Mana Orb. Casting Mana Orb would cancel Meditation immediately. Dual Cast requires that the caster split their focus; it cannot be used with your <Unusable>Focus skill or similar abilities. Dual Cast only works on Spell Type Skills, it cannot combine Spells with your Physical Skills. It also cannot combine Pure Spell skills with Battle Spell Skills, but Battle Spell Skills can be Dual Cast. Dual Cast and Spell Chant cannot be used together at the Current Rank. Even when the caster has higher proficiency with both of these abilities, the amount of MP consumed and the increased chance of error within the Chants make such a combination risky.

System:Digbie

---

PixieSlime Party

@Kazemitsu@ReusableSword
As Ardur healed Asura, the System notified the red slime that his HP was Full again. The Hipixie answered Trent's question, and made note of their next destination, before he began to meditate.

"T-twenty!?" Trent blinked rapidly, and shook his head. "Great Galatine...I hope they made it away from this place. If not, we're likely to have to fight them. And given that you seem to have human level intelligence, that means the Dungeon Core would..." The boy sighed, and bent down to check the injury on his foot. He made a breathy noise through his nose, but he must not have been hurt too badly as he re-laced his boot and seemed ready to continue.

Asura insisted that fighting the denizens of the dungeon was an easy feat. Trent bristled.

"Even a weakling can deliver a fatal blow if your guard is down. Or hinder you from an otherwise simple victory. Remember what Master said outside." Upon hearing Asura's disdain for the other possible Revivers, the flickering torchlight showed that the young squire's face cast a shadow of irritation.

Though it was somewhat awkward, the human was able to carry the still-meditating Ardur with one arm. The Hipixie soon received a signal that his MP was Full as the group pressed on through the darkness. Soon, the reflection of Trent's flame showed them the shore of the small pond. Its waters were dark and still, but across its far side they could see a soft, flickering red light...

The closest and easiest path was to their right, going around the west side of the pond. But here the wall of the cave came almost to the bank, making the passageway narrow. Passing single file in their little formation, there was plenty of room for them to travel...but Trent seemed even more nervous than usual.

"We need to pick up the pace. Ardur, can you fly again yet?" the squire said. "If we don't get out of this chokepoint--"

As if on cue, something whistled through the air towards them. Unceremoniously dropping Ardur, Trent's shield arm whipped up. He didn't have a proper grip on it, because it had been dangling from his arm while he carried the Hipixie, and it only barely deflected the missile. It hit the stony ground, almost nicking Asura, but well within the torchlight for them to see. It was a Pointy Stick, though it had been Sharpened by something, obviously to increase its damage...and it was soaked in hissing purple fluid.

They couldn't see far enough into the darkness to pick out an enemy--but soon they heard another whistle, and Trent ducked entirely this time. The javelin flew over the group entirely and clattered loudly in the cave behind them. How far would they have to advance while these projectiles rained down on them? And how many enemies were there?

That red light in the distance continued to pulse, like a heartbeat...

---

Rat Party

@SilverPaw@Searat
Both Ed and Asteria heard the dirt beneath their feet rumble slightly, and again, in a corner of the room, loose earth began to shift. The large, pebble-encrusted head of the gnome emerged face first from the ground--and this time, he pulled himself out in full. Like Asteria's analysis had said, he was about four hand-spans--by human standards--tall, and his proportions were that of a fat infant. His back was covered with a hard shell that, at first glance, could probably pass for a rock if he were lying down on his belly. His feet lacked toes as well, and his joints moved stiffly as he waddled across the room.

"You got a weird way of negotiating, rat number two!" The creature chuckled, and sat down around the fire pit in the first chamber. Then he looked to Asteria. "I know I said no gross bloody stuff, but since this counts as food I'll let it slide. Red meat's hard to come by around here!" He began tearing off chunks of the large offering pile of Hob-meat, and chewed one handful before he looked around at the grass roll and other things the rats had collected.

"Lemme tell ya how this usually works, huh? A Human comes in here, no problem. He walks into the second chamber, no issue. If he wants to go in the tombs, he's got to have a key to get through. If he tries to break in, I sound the alarm. He touches a body, I gotta kick 'em out." Flecks of meat spilled across his hands and chubby chest as he talked. Then he swallowed. "A Non-Human comes in here, no problem--long as they stay out front. They come into that second chamber, I sound the alarm. If they try to break into the door, I gotta kick 'em out if I can." He pointed at the fire pit. "Anybody who makes an offering, which is normally incense or money by the way, not food, they get one extra chance. A kid who puts a coin in the bowl gets to jiggle the doorknob without me snitchin' on him, that kinda thing. Humans have all these rules about "respect for the dead" or whatever." He nodded towards Asteria again. "That gold coin of yours, that was left here as an offering. According to the contract, when the people who own this here barrow show up, I gotta turn over all that stuff like that--not including perishables--travelers have offered up. Since they're not here right now, though, I can give it to you and they won't notice. My pap figured that one out--every once in a while that loophole lets us get some cool stuff."

He stopped eating, and looked at the fire.

"Here's somethin' else humans are weird about--they cook all their food. But I'll be durned if the scraps of that I get ain't better, ya know? Either of you got anything to start a fire with?"

He held out his hand, and a spire of rock rose up and broke at its base. He used it to spear several pieces of the hobgoblin like a kebab.

"Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, you two got free reign so long as ya don't mess with the door. So, care to tell me just what the heck's goin' on with ya? You two some kinda Familiars or something?"

---

Deep Forest

@Stabby@Haeo
As the memories of his sister overlapped with the sight of his friend under attack, Femus unleashed a rapid assault. His Mana Orbs sparkled as they flew, and the slime bubbled a cry in surprise. As Nira wheeled away in mid-air, the pseudopod barely missing her, she saw the limb severed by the first blast. The blob monster lurched, and thus the second Mana Orb only grazed it--but just like before it screeched in clear pain, and the parts of its body shaved off by Mana Orb left it smaller like half-eaten gelatin.

Again focusing her magical power, the pixie tried to shoot a blast of her own. This time, a blue-white crackle of energy spread down her arms. It collected in her palms in an instant, then shot forward! Striking the Slime dead center, the blast tore right through it--and with one last gurgling wail, the creature died.

Skill Gain: Mana Orb I (0.9 > 1.0)!
A simple blast of Energy elemental magic with a range of 30 feet. At the moment it only does as much damage as a strong punch on average, unless the enemy is weak to magic. As it gets stronger it becomes a generic, non-elemental energy blast. Due to its simple nature and lack of elemental properties the Mana Orb spell is easily malleable into other spell forms.

LEVEL UP! Your battle experiences have culminated in new power! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you please! You are now Level 5!

Unspent Skill Points: 20 [[OOC: Due to timing of Level Ups, Christmas/New Year Bonuses were missed for 2019. These, and a little extra to make up for my hiatus, were added to the 10 points Nira had been saving up and the 5 she got from Level Up.]]

Current Skills:
Alert I (1.4)
Lesser Flight I (1.6)
Minor Heal I (1.0)
Muffle (1.55)
Shield I (1.05)
Mana Orb I (1.0)
<UNUSABLE>
Crafting (0.1)
Keen Ear (0.2)
Mana Strike (0.1)
Meditate (0.7)
Point Strike (0.2)
Stealth Kill (0.3)
Suppress Presence (0.5)
Monster Analysis (0.3)
Smash (0.1)
Faster (0.3)
Magic Analysis (0.4)
Iron Gullet (0.2)
Charisma (0.9)
Charm (0.4)
Deception (0.2)
Pacify Animal (0.2)
Taming (0.1)
Plant Analysis (0.2)
Mana Sense (0.2)
Spell Chant (0.3)

YOUR BODY IS BEGINNING TO CHANGE! You are undergoing Transformation! Based on your life experiences, your ability to survive, and the strength of your will, new paths have appeared! Choose carefully--there is no going back! WARNING. THIS PROCESS WILL LEAVE YOU TEMPORARILY VULNERABLE.

OPTIONS (* Indicates Suitability):
**(Adult) Pixie - 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.

• Slightly increase all base stats
• Increase HP
• Increase Potential

(Immature) Imp - The smallest and most pitiful of Demon-type monsters. Though relatively strong for their size, they are still mostly specialized in magic. However they lack the finesse and technique of other Demons, using plain and often brute-force style spells. Their cunning and absolute refusal to ever admit that they are lesser to any other being, however, can make them dastardly plotters.

• Increase base power-stats
• Increase Rank: Mana Orb
• Increase Lesser Force (reduced)
• Increase Demon Affinity (reduced)

(Immature) Sprite - A highly territorial, but otherwise relatively friendly type of creature. Quite similar to Pixies at first glance, they are much more empathetic and even altruistic than other types of Fey. Unless an enemy presents a threat to their homes and families, they often prefer to flee rather than fight, but if something enters their nesting area they are known to swarm much like wasps.

• Increase Max MP
• Increase Rank: Minor Heal
• Increase Minor Heal All (reduced)
• Increase Light Affinity (reduced)

**(Immature) Hipixie - A larger, stronger, and more sophisticated variety of Pixie, very similar to the commonly known relationship between a Goblin and a Hobgoblin. Growing almost as large as a goblin themselves, their ability to fly becomes more difficult to use but their size now allows them to use many forms of lightweight tools and weapons. Considered to be some of the first True Fey, species of Fey-type monsters capable of forming societies and cultures rather than simply flitting about on any whim or reacting to any emotion that comes into their tiny heads.

• Increase all base stats
• Increase Use Light Equipment (reduced)
• Slightly increase HP

System:Nira

While Nira was now free to gather the materials she had come for, Femus had returned to the safety of their new base. He recovered his Mana, then decided to try and continue restoring the damage he had done to the Great Kao Tree. Using what he had learned so far, and the result of the different skills he had noticed when trying to affect the kao buds, he began to direct his energy...

Skill Gain: Growth I (0.9 > 1.0)!
A spell skill of the Nature element, but unlike many spells its usage is less "specific." The user channels energy into a plant, and accelerates its maturation or increases its natural qualities. Fruits will grow bigger and richer, vines will grow longer and stronger, and so on. At this rank, only one quality of the plant can be enhanced, and the spell's effect can only reach the parts of the plant one is directly touching. MP Cost is increased depending on the amount of enhancement.

System:Femus

As Femus was "sitting" on the same branch he was trying to heal, he could feel the energy flowing out of him through the point of physical contact. He wanted to enhance the tree's "healing" factor, and as he watched the small wound he had inflicted on it began to shrink. Sap oozed out of the gash in the bark, and light colored layers of growth rapidly followed it...By the time the tree was fully restored, however, Femus felt that his just-filled Mana stores were almost exhausted again. Even considering he had increased his total mana pool after transforming, such a simple concept as "healing" had almost drained him. Perhaps it was due to the size and age of the tree, or something else?

From his perch he could see that Nira had successfully fended off the slime. But he could also see something else--wandering in from further afield, at an angle where they likely wouldn't see Nira at all and would probably only notice Femus if they looked up into the branches, were two young Goblins. They were both male, as evidenced by their nakedness, but they were shorter and scrawny even by the standards of the greenskins. One held a pointed stick in his hands, and the other had a rock tied to a piece of vine.

"Bah, Grampy Kiri dunno nuttin'!" one of them was saying, rather loudly. His gesticulations made it clear he was angry. "We could too get dose medals! Been hearin' da Boss and Mid-Bosses talk 'bout it! If da mountain hadn't blowed up dey'd prob'ly've gone up dere already!"

"Iz too far, ya dum! An' up Norf is colder!" said his companion. "If yas wanna go huntin' somewheres, I sez we go to da riva!" He pointed to the east. "Dem gobs down dere been stayin' way aways since we beated 'em up!"

"Yeh? And how we's gonna catch da fishes, huh? Ain't got no nets! YOU da dum!"

The two were getting closer to the Great Kao, walking at a nonchalant pace...

---

Farmstead

@Duthguy@Jollan@Guy0fV4lor
[[OOC: Jolly don't forget that last update had a bit for Miiba in it too.]]
As Geir launched himself forward, Danny floated backward. Lesser Force pressed on the back of the axe as it flashed through the air, changing its course just slightly. Geir's attack swept the ground instead--and it was quite the blow, kicking up a chunk of the sod with no resistance. The young man grunted and continued his charge, running past Danny at an angle. He seemed to realize something had happened, sliding his grip on his axe to steady it and resetting the distance between them. His eyes were calculating--until they went wide as Jason flashed into existence in front of him.

Danny watched the young man go into a wild fit as if something had wrapped around his face. But in the inner realm, Jason saw something quite different.

In that monochrome space, they were face to face. Telepathically Jason roared a warning at the young adventurer, and Geir was forced back a metaphysical step. But suddenly Jason felt an intense pressure pushing back against him--far stronger than the mind of any goblin or other creature he had invaded since he became a spirit. The anger and rage were intense, a thunderous crash of willpower.

Everything smelled like fire and steel. Timbers reduced to splinters, walls of plaster and clay cracked and broken, crumbling to dust. Blood, sticky and warm and wet, covering his forehead. Tears blurring his vision.

"GET OOOOUUUUUT!"

Jason was practically thrown away like a ragdoll, and even Danny felt immediately cowed by the shout that ripped its way out of Geir's throat. This battle cry seemed to drown out everything else around them for an instant, and they felt as if only they and Geir existed--and Geir, for a split second, looked much more intimidating. Then the effect was gone, and the young man drew his knife as well as his axe and took up a more defensive posture, circling to one side.

"Begone, spirit! All of you, you monsters! I won't let you any closer to them!" His eyes were starting to look bloodshot, and as he took a deep breath his muscles tensed--

With a distinctive "ping" sound, Danny managed to actually shoot the axe out of the young man's hand. He watched it in pure shock as it spun through the air and landed in the dirt--then he whirled back on the Poltergeist.

Like a rabid dog, the redhead leaped at the smaller foe. His knife buzzed with red energy as he began rapidly slashing in a combination too swift and flowing to be a wild, brainless attack. The first strike was a wide sweep at Danny's torso, followed immediately by a high, then low thrust, and that low thrust turned into an upward slash as Geir's body turned. He used his own momentum, rather than the action of the arm, to draw the knife back before his extended limb could be grabbed, and another turn sent out a third thrust...

I, the Demon King, Will Summon My Own Damned Heroes!

PixieSlime Party

"Shh! Fight!" Trent growled out as Asura seemed to treat the battle too casually. Now certainly wasn't the time for conversation, from the human's point of view. The Squire closed in on the webbed-down undead and held his sword high as he planted his feet. The blade began to glow red: "CLEAVE!"

The Hob Bones's Stone Knife once again clattered against Trent's shield. This attack was slower than his other strikes, but the enemy couldn't move away this time. Trent's core tightened, his hips torqued. His shoulder and arm pulled the sword down, while gravity assisted its fall. This was a pure power stroke, plain and simple. The blade bit into the top of the creature's skull--and kept going! The Hob Bones's cranium split, its brainpan shattered, its teeth flew every which way. Its collarbone cracked in two, its sternum broke down the middle, and still the blade drove deeper. The edge shaved the spine, and finally bit through the ridge of the hips. Even when the sword's momentum halted against this final, thick bone, Trent wrenched it free of the enemy with enough force that the rest of the pelvis came apart like a wishbone at Thanksgiving.

What little was left of the skeletal creature clattered to the stone floor. A dull, throbbing purple light hovered around the remains for just a moment, before black mist seemed to seep out of the creature and into the dirt.

"The miasma means the body is unusable!" Trent shouted through labored breathing. "Remember what Master said!"

But before Trent had even destroyed his target, Asura had continued to attack the Necroslime. He found that Ardur's Shield buff did not stop an attack before it reached him, as the undead slime's acid struck his face directly. It burned, but the red slime could tell that its damage had to be reduced somewhat. The reason he could tell this? The moment he tried to eat this necrotic, corrosive substance, it began to burn much worse.

Still, he managed to shapeshift one of his tendrils into a blade, and struck down at his target in a way coincedentally very similar to Trent's own attack. The Necroslime screeched again as it was sawn literally in half, and its rotting innards spilled all over the ground. In the process the bile drenched Asura's outstretched limb, again sending signals of pain through his gelatinous mass. His HP and defenses were quite developed, but could he afford to keep taking damage like this?

As Mother Slime rolled off the Skeleblin she had just flattened into the earth, the creature shakily rose from the ground once more. One of its legs was starting to collapse, one arm had shattered entirely below the elbow, and its ribs were cracked all over. Even one of these injuries would have debilitated a living creature and ended the fight. But it seemed these Undead wouldn't stop until they were destroyed completely in some fashion, which Ardur accomplished with a powerful dive kick. Aided by his faster flight speed and gravity, his foot slammed through the Skeleblin's skull and shattered its sternum as he continued beyond, landing and sliding some distance on the ground. The buff pixie almost felt like striking some pose or shouting a finishing move's name, like one of those Masked Heroes on children's TV.

It seemed everyone had ended this encounter rather quickly, but as the group came back together Trent seemed just as wary as always.

"The first group just rushed in, and this one tried to ambush us." He pointed at the trenches the skeletons had come from. "Were there any other intelligent creatures like yourselves left here? You said the first Boss died?"

Having eliminated all enemies at the Goblin Bonfire, where would the group head now...?

---

Deep Forest

You used Magic Analysis II!
---Great Elder Mystic Kao Tree---
This Kao Tree has drawn from a rich source of Mana for many years, as well as from the ambient environment. It is likely the oldest and most powerful of all plant-life in the area, and at this stage of growth excess Mana is shunted into the surroundings. However, more energy than is strictly needed for the tree's own growth is being used. Certain creatures may be drawn to this energy, as the excess may cause the growth of magic-restoring plants or infuse surrounding materials.

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.

Skill Gain: Suppress Presence I (0.8 > 1.0)!
Using your magical power, you subtly mask your presence from the senses of others around you. By comparison, it's a similar ability to those shy people who seem to disappear at the corner of the crowd's vision as they hover in the corner.

System:Femus

As Femus tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible and observed the Great Kao in detail, he indeed saw that it was slowly recovering the damage he had done to it. However, without his mana being fed to it, the regeneration came to an even slower crawl. For now, a layer of slap had covered the opening in the bark, and was beginning to harden around the edges. But, the shudder in the tree's boughs had stopped...

His observations gave him some new information, since his Magic Analysis had leveled up and he hadn't yet used his Monster Analysis on a Pixie before. And it turned out, as he tried to keep these other beings from noticing him, that one of his developing skills ticked over yet again. But, when he focused his attention on Nira instead, he soon realized that she was under attack!

The Pixie in question panicked, darting away from the Slime on instinct. Luckily its lunge missed her, thanks to the natural advantage of flight. Knowing only one thing to do, Nira desperately reached for that crackle of magical power and let her lips spill something akin to a chant. The brightest imitation of a Mana Orb yet--distinguished from the real thing only by its size--burst forth from her palms and rocketed into the green blob! It squealed as the magical energy sank into its membrane...but it hadn't been killed yet. It tried to stretch its bulk upward to no effect, as Nira rose up until she was sure it couldn't get to her...or so she thought! With an angry burble, the Slime stopped trying to lengthen its entire body and instead extended a single pseudopod. Despite moving clumsily, it managed to get this tendril long enough to lash at the pixie like a thick whip--!

---

Farmstead (Miiba)

As of yet unaware of what was happening outside, Miiba settled down with the rest of the family as Lear once again opened that big tome. She had been drifting off the previous night before she heard where he stopped, but it seemed that he had reached the end of a chapter or section, and now skipped over a few bits...

"Let's see...for tonight, how about...Ah, I always liked this one." The farmer put his finger down on the page and cleared his throat. "Does anyone here remember the story of the Foreign Knight?"

"Ooh, ooh, me!" Reuben, eager as always, thrust his hand up. "He was from, uh, Yammy-jam! And his name was Itchy!"

"Yamajima, you mean." Mira chided gently, ruffling the boy's hair. "And it's pronounced, Ishin."

"He was the first person from another continent to land on the Five Kingdom's shores since the end of the Frontier Era." Clarice spoke up. "And the first swordmaster to teach the use of a katana outside of Yamajima."

"Right. And he was a Hero, too." Lear settled back as his rocking chair creaked. "Some people think there's a relation of some kind between Heroes from Otherworlds and Yamajima, because for some reason a whole lot of them favor the katana. But as far as we know, Ishin wasn't one of those." Then he looked at Miiba. "But, Miiba, if any of this starts sounding familiar to you, speak up, alright?"

And so the farmer began a tale of a man with strange, yet handsome features who one day appeared on the distant horizon, drifting to shore in a single small boat. When he landed on the beach, some local fisherman tried to speak to him, but found they could not decipher his language. One of the men, being a mean-hearted sort, took the foreigner's taciturn nature for rudeness and tried to strike him--only to immediately lose his hand as the long, single edged blade leapt out of its sheath too fast for the eye to track. What followed was a journey in which this "Ishin" demonstrated many qualities of a heroic and honorable warrior, making it clear the tale was meant to inspire a certain mindset as well as relate a historical account of this one Hero's great impact, and how it shook both the Five Kingdoms and his homeland...

Outside the window, there was another small flash of light...and Geir still hadn't come back...

I, the Demon King, Will Summon My Own Damned Heroes!

Deep Forest

After a somewhat awkward conversation, Nira left the safety of the tree to go look for food while Femus tried to make use of what materials he had around him. The pixie headed away from their last hollow-tree house, presumably to keep the other pixies that were flitting about from noticing her. She kept an eye out for other monsters, but her main goal was edible plants.

In this part of the forest, the enormous tree she and Femus had taken shelter in kept many of the other plants in check. The trees weren't so thick, and brush didn't cover as much of the ground. In places where the sun made it through the canopy, many types of plants grew together to fight for the coveted light. As Nira passed over one such plot, she picked up a smell not unlike that of fresh vegetables, but also something a bit sour. There were two long, flowering plants here with blue and yellow blossoms, and the green buds on the stalk that had not yet bloomed were producing the sour-smelling sap. There were also a couple of shoots of some kind that reminded Nira of wild onions or scallions. Along with some plain grass, there were also four large reddish-purple ferns.

But as soon as the Pixie got close enough to check these various plants out and see if they were edible, something else emerged from the meadow! A burbling green blob of Slime lunged at her!

Back at the Great Kao, Femus began to try and strip the bark from one of the branches. It was quite hard to pull even a single layer off, and under that the woody surface was still tough. He only needed a small opening, deep enough to get to the inner fibers...but, as he peeled it away, a slight tremor passed through the branch. He hadn't felt any wind...but surely that was all it was? His own weight plus Nira's hadn't been enough to shake the branches thus far, though...

Setting the outer bark aside, he began to peel and twist some of the inner fibers into a thin cordage. Using Lesser Force to do all of this was quite difficult, as that Skill lacked the kind of fine motor control that a hand and fingers would have, but nonetheless he eventually got something like a workable string. However, the braided cord evoked an unpleasant memory, and for several moments Femus lost himself in the past...

Visualizing his twisted emotions and sordid memories with his magic, he "spat" more than cast his attempt at emotionally charged Mana at the forest floor. The roughly formed Mana Orb--which took on an unusual purple hue and gave off fumes that burned the nostrils--almost dissipated entirely before it struck the ground, leaving a singed patch of grass behind.

The newly-grown Wisp returned to his work, gathering a few leaves and attempting to fold and bind them in such a way that Nira could wear the roughspun result.

You obtained Great Kao Bark x1!
You obtained Bark Fiber x3!

You are attempting to Craft an Item. You have not yet developed the Crafting Skill, your Item's Quality will be reduced.

Bark Fiber + Bark Fiber + Bark Fiber
Your Crafting Method is advanced compared to your materials.
Your Crafting Method is more difficult due to your species' capabilities.
You are using excess Crafting Materials, your chances of success are increased.
Your Item's quality is boosted.
Your Item's difficulty is boosted.
Your Item's quality has degraded.

Obtained Item: Fiber Cord x1!

Skill Gain: Crafting I (0.9 > 1.0)!
Your knowledge and understanding of mechanics, workmanship, and other such things enable you to craft better items. The process of creating many items is still an unknown to you, but if you ever succeed in such a creation its Sub-Stat Enhancements will be higher than normal.

You obtained Large Leaves x3!
You used Crafting I!
Large Leaves x3 + Fiber Cord
Your Crafting Method is advanced compared to your materials.
Your Crafting Method is more difficult due to your species' capabilities.
Your Item's quality was prevented from degrading.

Obtained Item: Woven Leaf Dress x1! Its quality seems low...

System:Femus

In an attempt to lessen what damage he had to do to the great tree, the Wisp then tried to use his yet unformed Growth skill. He suspected its nature would somehow repair the plant based on its name. As he channeled Mana into the small gash he had made in the bark...he thought, for a few moments, that it began to glow a light green.

Another shudder passed through the branch.

---

Farmstead

Skill Rank Up: Telepathy II > Telepathy III (2.95 > 3.0)!
MP Consumption Increased. Thoughts can be "amplified," to the effect of shouting into the target's ear. Two-way communication is possible with a willing creature you have made contact with before, as long as they are within 10 feet, but MP Cost is increased per thought if the other party does not also have the Telepathy skill. One-way communication is possible with a willing creature you have made contact with before as long as they are within 20 feet. When making physical contact with a creature, if they are (1)unaware, (2)not resistant or protected, or (3)not too unintelligent, you may read a simplified version of one strong surface thought within the creature's mind. Creatures that are aware of this ability may be able to protect themselves or otherwise obscure their thoughts.

System:Jason

"Also we were tracking some Goblins and noticed them gearing up for a raid and thought we should warn you. I had hoped to win your trust before revealing myself since my species apparently loves to pull pranks." As soon as he had said all that Danny slowly walked out of the shadows, hands still up in the air.

"That little green bitch!" Geir practically snarled, his grip on the axe tightening to the point that Danny and Jason could hear the leather glove creak. "I'm gonna--wait." The human went stock still, so suddenly that the two reincarnators probably wondered if some other creature might have shown up. The young man's stance was like that of an animal judging its surroundings, after all...but his mind seemed to be working overtime.

"I knew we couldn't trust a damn talking Goblin...but these guys are talking monsters too...so why...?" He started muttering to himself, then looked sharply at Danny and covered his mouth with his other hand. After a few moments, he had composed himself and stood taller, still holding that axe in a ready position.

"I get it. You've been watching, haven't you!? You want me to go back in there and start something, get the Boss and the whole family up in a tizzy...Maybe so Miiba and that Pixie can escape back to your crew? Or maybe just to rile us all up, make us crazy or paranoid! I'm onto you, Demons!" For the first time he saw Danny in full view, and his upper lip curled as the light from Danny's body glinted softly.

"You're a Poltergeist!" The red head broke out into a wild grin. "But now I know you've gotta be a Demon, in disguise or something! And I bet Miiba is too! I've got proof!"

And red light crackled along the edge of Geir's axe as he charged forward.

"CLEAVE!" The adventurer lunged, aiming for Danny's tiny neck--!

[[Before I add in a bit for Miiba inside the house, I want to see if CoM will post for Scott sometime soon...]]

---

Monster Party

"...You don't seem like a goblin, hm?" Ash spoke quietly from her branch, but she was close enough that the creature could hear her. Again, she saw the glint of teeth under that hood.

"An' you ain't a normal Pygmy Drake." came a throaty voice.

"Suppose I should thank you for your seeming assistance."

"Depen's on how ya think I'm 'elpin', I s'pose." The creature hadn't yet drawn that bowstring back to fire that strange blunted arrow. "Ya want these gobbos out'cha way?"

While they were talking, the fight was still going strong and Torrent had decided to make her move. As she activated her stealth skills and observed the battle, the goblin with the sword attacked the goat again. He moved in from the creature's blind side, where Maya's thrown rock had drawn blood and temporarily sealed the eye shut. As a result he landed a real blow on the animal as it swung its head back and forth, carving a deep gash in its side. The beast bleated in agony and reared up on its hind legs, kicking with its forelimbs. The sword wielding goblin was knocked backwards, head over heels, and it looked like the Four Horned Goat's hooves had drawn blood from his chest as well. Mahya let out a cry as she threw another rock, and though this one hit solidly again, it landed on the goat's shoulder. Rags Nar charged the animal with his shield, tackling against its side before stabbing multiple times with his dagger--some strikes made contact, others didn't.

The one with the pelts and the Stone Knife hung back, and seemed loathe to run into the fray when his allies were swinging weapons around. This, then, was the target of Torrent's attack. She darted out from the brush, unseen and unknown, and leaped for the goblin's throat. Her claws had plenty of purchase on the smelly furs that covered the green body, but as soon as she landed on him the greenskin gave a yelp and began to spin and flail in place--the usual reaction when one realizes they have a snake or some creepy crawly on them. Torrent's fangs missed their mark at his throat, and sank into his shoulder instead. As purple tinged flames spilled around her teeth she savaged her target back and forth--until she felt his knife plunge into her side. The goblin snarled as he threw her off, but dropped to his knees. An entire sleeve of his pelt shirt was gone now, and the flesh underneath looked maimed from the collarbone down to the tricep. He was bleeding badly and his eyes were wide as if he were already about to go into shock, but still managed a clumsy swipe at Torrent with his Knife...

The other goblins were distracted by this for just a moment, granting the goat the opportunity to shoulder-slam Rags Nar away from it. On wobbly legs it started to turn and run--the battle had gone too far downhill for it--only to meet the goblin wearing the frying pan for a third time. This time the tribal monster's wooden club made a solid impact on the goat's hard skull, and it staggered backward.

"Wot th' hell's that?!" Ash's unknown maybe-ally snarled as he drew his bow fully taut. "Pygmy, call it off if'n it's one o' yers--ya want my help, I want them alive!" With a phwip, the arrow loosed--a slight red light crackling at its blunt tip. It traveled fast, and in a mere second struck Mahya directly on the back of the head. She pitched forward to her knees, either stunned or unconscious, but still twitching slightly to indicate she was probably still alive. From here it was impossible to tell.

Then things took a turn towards the even further chaotic. Digbie had emerged from the cavern, and shouted at the goblins up on the hill. As the sigils on his arms flared, he cast Sacred Ground--but in order to extend it far enough to cover himself, Torrent, the Four Horned Goat, and Oberon who was still in the shelter, he felt his MP dropping like a rock. Still, the goat's wounds began to buzz with a slight aura, as did Torrent's.

"YOUR FAMILLERS CHEATIN', DEMI-GOB!" Rags Nar yelled, pointing at Torrent with his knife. Then he seemed to realize that Mahya was down, but hadn't figured out why yet. "Mahya! Giddy-ap! How you get attacked too!?" Then he saw the arrow lying next to her...

Back in the shelter, Oberon continued to practice his Mana Sense. Once he had keyed in on the area that he thought was Digbie's "aura" represented to his mind as a fog, he concentrated and tried to tune everything else out. Sure enough, darkness faded at the edge of his vision and the concentrated fog began to filter into color...A mostly off-white, slightly blue tinge entered the fog first. Then, gold heavily saturated everything. And now a few other colors, mostly light greens and blues, and the white sparkles here and there were getting brighter...

But then the whole mass moved away, and the Sprite heard stone grating as Digbie left their shelter...

Skill Gain: Mana Sense I (0.8 > 1.0)!
You have sharpened your mental and spiritual senses as well as your physical ones. By focusing upon a single creature or object, you will be able to sense its magical nature in some fashion. Different creatures may perceive this aura in different ways--some may see a colored aura, others may catch unique scents, etc. This is not an Analysis skill, though it may Synergize with some of them. The range of this skill is limited to that of your other physical senses, though in some cases a mana signature may become easier or more difficult to detect depending on factors such as strength, amount, etc. By touching an object or creature, even if they are somehow suppressing their magical power, you have a chance to learn whether or not magic is present. At this rank, you must activate this skill in order for it to take effect. While active it will consume MP.

System:Oberon

---

PixieSlime Party

"Surely your world has Divine Spirits as well? How else would its laws of nature work?" Trent asked Ardur when the Hipixie said he and Asura were still learning--this being moments before they were next attacked. He had also looked quizzically at the Slime. "Come Pewter Eyes? What are you talking abou--"

You used Monster Analysis I!
Hob Bones - An undead monster made from the animated skeleton of a Hobgoblin. Like its lower ranked cousin the Skeleblin, its physical strength is lessened while its speed increases, but its durability is roughly the same. Perhaps owing to a Hobgoblin's increased intelligence, these undead are sometimes more dangerous than a shuffling zombie should be.

Skeleblin - Skeleblin, a Skeleton-type Undead-class Monster created from the remains of a Goblin. By nature, Skeleblins are roughly as durable as living Goblins, but their strength has decreased. In contrast, their lighter weight allows them to move more quickly. They retain the ability to use tools to a limited degree. If not manipulated by a necromancer or some other source, most Undead will single-mindedly pursue living creatures with hostility. They do not normally possess self-preservation instincts or any form of intelligence.

Necroslime - Roughly the same in all categories as a normal slime, a Necroslime is a rare form of Undead. It is of limited use to any intelligent necromancer. Its body swells with the gases of decay and its internal acids become even stronger as bacteria and rot fester inside it.

System:Ardur

When the next battle began, Ardur's first priority was to scan the opposition. Doing this cost him valuable time, however, and the battle continued down below. He was able to shout orders to Steve, at the least. Asura called out to Mother Slime as well, but wasted no time in engaging on his own.

After dodging Trent's Mana Orb, the Hob Bones came back in with its stone knife at the ready. The Squire took the attack on his shield and returned one of his own, but again the skeleton moved out of the way--only for Trent to immediately advance on it, and this time his backstroke hit home. His blade bit into the creature's rib cage, shattering three prongs of bone, but despite the damage the impact only served to knock the creature away and reset their distance. Before it could move again, however, a glob of Steve's sticky webs landed on its feet. The undead clattered its jaw in what must have been anger.

The Skeleblin's bony fist struck Mother Slime, and much like when they had escaped the cave the first time its blow simply bounced off thanks to her big body and Blunt Resistance. She struck it a furious "backhand" moments later with a cry of "MASH!" and knocked the creature to the ground, cracking various bits of it.

Asura's shapeshifting limbs were too fast for the Necroslime to avoid, although as he pierced its body he felt himself burn and sizzle due to its acid innards. The red spikes grew savage branches before Asura ripped them out of the creature, prompting a shrill screech and a belch of something that smelled positively foul. The Necroslime drew back for a moment as it tried to reform itself, but with some sense that it had to keep its opponent away it still managed to spit a green, fuming sphere of acid at Asura.

Ardur now flew down, casting his Shield spell's first rank on both Asura and Trent in quick succession. The human closed in on the trapped Hob Bones, though he did so cautiously with his shield up. It was chopping at Steve's webs with its knife, only for another glob to land on the other foot. Mother Slime bounced up into the air and came down hard on the Skeleblin, if not crushing it then at least pinning it to keep it out of the fray...

---

Rat Party

You Equipped Straw Sandals! Your feet feel slightly tougher. With these on, you can run a little faster.
You Equipped Wooden Breastplate! You feel much tougher, though it's a little heavy for your size.
You Equippped Battered Wooden Shield! You feel tougher!
You Equipped Sturdy Stick! It's not quite as Strong as your Short Cudgel.
You Equipped Black Dyed Robe (Shoddy)! You feel a little bit tougher, although it impedes movement a little.

You have the Skill Use Light Equipment. You have the Skill Stronger I. You have the Skill Dextrous I. Some negative sub-stat enhancements have been neutralized.

You are close to Overencumberance due to the weight of your equipment.
Your Vine Belt is overloaded with Inventory.

Obtained:
Hobgoblin Arm Bones (Average) x2
Hobgoblin Leg Bones (Average) x2
Hobgoblin Ribcage (Average)
Hobgoblin Spine (Average)
Cracked Hobgoblin Skull (Below Average)
Hobgoblin Hip Bones (Average)
Raw Hobgoblin Flesh x30lbs
Hobgoblin Entrails

System:Ed

You are attempting to equip Long Kitchen Knife. This item is not intended for use by your species. You have the Use Light Equipment Skill. You have the Skill Dextrous II. You have the Skill Stronger I. Negative substat enhancements have been negated. You have successfully equipped this item. You feel like your attacks would be stronger and faster.

You used Crafting II!
Long Kitchen Knife + Vine Belt
This is an Unusual Crafting Method. Difficulty increased.
Your Crafting II skill surpassed Crafting Difficulty.

You Crafted: Tailstrap Knife! The skill Prehensile Tail allows this weapon to be used in a versatile fashion.

You used Crafting II!
Vine Belt + Grass Mat
You Crafted: Grass Packroll!

System:Asteria

Mother Rat didn't take so well to Asteria's attempt at dress up, almost immediately shrugging her way backwards out of the cloth wraps, her pudgy body wriggling back and forth much like a puppy unsatisfied with its sweater. She reacted more warmly to Edward's ear scritches, but otherwise seemed content to lie down and watch the others work. Ed tested out some of his new equipment, finding that even though his Rat Man body was stronger than a Hobgoblin's, the differences in height and proportion made moving in some of the equipment awkward. Asteria, being a primarily four legged rodent, kept getting notices that her equipment was "unsuitable," but due to her skills she was able to use it. She wasn't being slowed down anymore, so at this point she was much better equipped than the average rat with no consequences.

Now that they were safe and secure inside the barrow once more they took the time to discuss what had happened, and see what else they could do with their newfound loot. Ed, in a reluctant but determined fashion, butchered the Hobgoblin. Mother Rat padded over to sniff curiously at the creature's meat, before looking up at the Rat Man. Keeping her eyes on him the entire time, she slowly put her little paws on a piece of hobgoblin goodies--then darted away to a dark corner like a child stealing a cookie.

Asteria was able to store several of the other items in the grass mat with all of their other pilfered goods, and with a vine belt she managed to make a strap of sorts so that the entire roll could be carried like a knapsack. The only problem, however, was that even Ed would be hard pressed to lift this much stuff and carry it over a long distance.

By the time the two rats finished their crafting, the sun had risen quite a bit. It was now a little after mid morning, not quite noon, and the weather seemed fair. No other sounds of travel had been heard from the road thus far. Would that group they had just seen come back by this same route today? Would any of those villagers make their way towards the lake or the city? And where would the two go from here--it seemed like they had finally made their way out of trouble for the time being and had a reliable, if creepy, base of operations for the moment. Now might be a good time to set some long term goals.

I, the Demon King, Will Summon My Own Damned Heroes!

Monster Party

After taunting Rags Nar some more, Ash glided to the next tree to try and get a closer look at this strange creature observing them. She tried to be stealthy, but that was difficult given that a flying creature would instantly be silouhetted by the sun as she passed from branch to branch. Still, the creature didn't seem to be aware of her yet...or if it was, it simply chose not to move...

The Pygmy Drake checked her surroundings. She knew Digbie and Oberon were inside the shelter and that Torrent could handle herself. The goblins were still preoccupied, and it didn't seem that Rags Nar had even registered her taunt given his current struggles. She moved a second time...and this time the creature at the edge of their camp began to move as well. However, it didn't seem to be looking up at her--if she could even guess where its eyes might be at this point--and it moved in an arc around the camp, as if it were instead trying to get a better view of the fight between the goblins and the goat.

As it did so, Ash's [Analysis] skill gave her a clearer idea of just what this thing was, but she could only see one of those hooved legs as the thing manuevered through the trees...

You used [Analysis]!
---Cariblade---
A possible Transformation of the Bowhorn Deer, the Cariblade's horns have better adapted for close range combat. A diet rich in certain nutrients has hardened its antlers, turning them from woody formations to rigid, metallic spikes. Special blood vessels throughout the blades allow them to vent heat very efficiently, however this makes the metal unsuited for normal forging. Whereas other types of deer mark their territory or shed horns by rubbing against trees, male Cariblades often use rocks instead to hone their edges. Cariblades are not particularly magical in nature, but have higher MP than most other creatures you've seen in the forest. Its MP is still slightly lower than your own. It does not possess any magical skills, but seems to have some physical ones. Its antlers are of Excellent Quality, and its fur coat is protective against cold and rain. The meat, bones, and most other parts of its body would all have some use for food, clothing, or tools. Its physical stats are all higher than yours.

System:Ash

Ash moved a third time, using her wings to glide rather than outright fly, and trying to stay at angles where the creature would have to actively look upwards to find her. The Cariblade's body was broad and thick, at least five feet tall at the shoulder. Its frame looked to be packed with several hundred pounds of muscle. Its broad hooves had a somewhat arrow-head shape, though the bottom of each foot was even wider and seemed to have a sharp edge. Its antlers were styled like those of a reindeer--if a reindeer's horns were made out of metal and had been flattened and sharpened into a forked web of blades. It was almost like the creature wore a crown of scimitars and sickles. But, now it became clear--there wasn't just one monster observing them. A figure sat atop the Cariblade's broad, dappled brown back. Just a hair under five feet itself, the creature was humanoid in shape but seemed to have less mass--however, Ash couldn't tell what kind of frame it really had. It wore a thick furred cloak made of many hides stitched together with plant fibers, and under that it seemed to have thin, parchment-like wrappings around its hands and legs. It had proper shoes of rough leather--though they were obviously primitive in make, little more than moccasins. A hood covered its head, hiding its features in shadow--but as Ash's [Analysis] gaze swept over it, it clearly looked up at her. A hint of a reflection shone under the hood.

Was it smiling at her?

You used [Analysis]!
---???---
This creature's features aren't clear enough for a proper analysis. You can tell that its size, and likely its strength, is much greater than that of yourself or a goblinoid. It appears to have some magical energy, but it still seems to be weaker than your own. However, there is a magical presence from it--perhaps a Spell or some other effect. It seems to be familiar with some form of stealth skill.

System:Ash

Meanwhile, Torrent had barely acknowledged that the Pygmy Drake was on the move. Instead she began to focus her magic, and waited for her chance as the goblins engaged the four-horned goat. Right after the sword-wielding goblin drew blood from the goat she tried to shift the earth beneath his feet. The harder packed ground and solid stones refused to budge, but she was able to shift the looser soil. Under the swordgob's lead foot the dirt suddenly lurched up just a bit, while under his rear leg it sank just a scant inch under his heel. The instant shift threw off his balance, and he fell to the ground. Though he managed to keep hold of his sword as he cried out in pain, he was now wide open. The goat had just kicked the goblin wearing the frying pan, and now it saw a weak link in the circle of goblins surrounding it. With a snort the creature lowered its head and charged the sword-holding goblin, who once again screamed in a high pitched voice.

Its horns, still corked at the ends, clattered against a sturdy wooden pot lid. Rags Nar held his shield in one arm as he stood over his underling, but it was clear he could barely hold any ground against the much heavier animal. Still, he slashed wildly with his dagger and the goat let out a loud bleat as it scrambled backwards.

The goblin wearing several pelts reached under one of them and withdrew a Stone Knife, before charging at the goat with a battle cry. The animal hopped lop-sidedly away, causing its attacker to miss. The beast swung its hard head, clipping the goblin's shoulder with its snout and immediately trying to bite him. It ripped a large patch out of the goblin's fur clothing, but didn't draw blood.

Mahya seemed to be looking on the ground for a weapon to use, and settled on a fist-sized rock. With a grunt and a wind-up worthy of a baseball player she hurled it at the goat. With a heavy thud it struck the creature just above one eye, and for the second time drew blood. The creature reeled, seemingly dazed from the attack--but just as the goblin with the frying pan armor was charging back up the hill, wooden club held high in both hands, the poisonous mammal bucked and kicked backwards once again. With another "ding" and a drawn out howl, the goblin went rolling back down the slopes.

As this "battle" waged on, Ash saw the strange figure pull something out from under its cloak. It looked like...a short bow of some kind, either made from horn or from very smooth wood. From a quiver strapped to the Cariblade's side, it drew an arrow...except, this arrow's head was oddly shaped. It was like a hard cylinder, made of wood and blunted on the "point." The creature notched its weapon...and took aim towards the gaggle of Goblins.

Inside the cave, Digbie prayed for guidance. He wanted to charge his Mana Orb with Holy magic, if such a thing were possible. He asked Jehanne to show him the path...but, in this quiet, dark, peaceful place, it didn't seem like he could see or feel any sign of her. However, perhaps because it was so quiet, dark, and peaceful, the little Demiblin had an almost meditative frame of mind...and a thought might occur to him. What made something "holy," really? What was the word's definition? And did that definition mean something different in regards to a spirit of mercy and compassion? A spirit like that, what kind of things would people expect them to do? Probably the generic "love and kindness" kind of miracles, right? Maybe like his Minor Heal spell? Or Sacred Ground? Sacred ground actually had the word "sacred" in it after all...

Oberon, on the other hand, took a secular line of thought. He tried to empty his mind and feel the energies all around him. He had taken into consideration Air Read, which had to be something like Digbie's Tremor Sense but for the Wind element. He had practiced with several elements by this point and was beginning to understand the differences in their Mana. He had spent quite a bit of time meditating, so he knew how to detect the energy within his own body. What he wanted, however, was to detect these things in other bodies.

In his mind, Mana took a shape represented by fog. Was it colored fog? Textured fog? Fog that could be thicker or thinner, wispier or denser?

In the darkness behind his closed eyelids...white fog began to form, edged by shifting patterns of rainbows in a fashion much like aurora borealis. But then that fog, so close to him, began to fade...or, rather, he was seeing more clearly beyond it. It felt a little like crossing one's eyes and seeing one's nose--it had to be there all the time, but the brain edited it out for the sake of clearing one's vision. He saw through the white, prismatic fog...and saw blackness. No, wait. There was...gray fog. All around, everything was gray...although, right over there, where he thought Digbie might be, the grayness seemed a little...heavier.

You are experiencing Rapid Skill Progression.

System:Oberon

---

PixieSlime Party

"...Because there IS a Maker!" Despite being in the midst of battle, Trent manage to stare incredulously at Asura as the Slime engulfed the weakened Zombie Rat. "You yourself told Sir Zieglar of the voice that spoke to you and the "options" that allowed you to Transform!" The boy flinched at the sound of bones and organs being crushed inside the red, amorphous reincarnator's body. "Such things are how Divine Spirits commune with us, and the Maker is the only one who contacts all creatures no matter what type they are. You didn't even know about Galatine or any other Divines until moments ago."

With their enemy dealt with, the boy and slime were left to watch Ardur attack the Ghost Wisps. Asura tried to use his newest Analysis skill on the two creatures, assuming that the HiPixie and maybe his spider pet would be able to handle them.

You used Magic Analysis I! You used Monster Analysis I!
---Ghost Wisp---
An Undead Wisp, its body has been consumed by both necrosis and magical energy to serve as fuel. What is left is a transient spirit that has a higher level of Mana, which allows it to exist as a Spirit-class Undead, but little control. Without a source of Mana nearby to recharge, a Ghost Wisp typically won't last more than 24 hours in the living realm. Its other abilities are typical of a low level Wisp. It is a magically oriented creature, possessing four spells.

System:Asura

Ardur's beetle mandible began to glow just so slightly with a white aura, as he activated his Mana Strike skill. Wings aflutter, he charged the Ghost Wisp just as it unleashed another Mana Orb of its own--its third one since the battle had begun. With a classic barrel roll, the Hipixie avoided the missile and prepared to strike--

He passed right through his opponent, as the Ghost Wisp faded away completely. With a last, creening screech, before he could even make contact the creature just seemed to...flicker out. Had using Mana Orb three times exhausted its MP to the point it couldn't sustain itself?

But with this target taken care of, Ardur could continue his flight towards the last remaining opponent. It was still focused on Trent and Ardur, and with a bright flash it too started to fire another Mana Orb. Then the buff fairy swung his sharpened piece of insect, and the magic around it crackled on contact with the ephemeral undead. Ardur's attack cleaved the second Ghost Wisp in half, and just like its fellow its agonized scream followed it out of the realm of the living.

When he turned back to the others, he would see Steve pointing towards Asura--who had already partially digested the Zombie Rat. Since his last order to the spider had been to switch targets, Steve seemed to be saying "what now?"

Skill Rank Up: Taming I > Taming II (1.95 > 2.0)!
MP Cost for Tamed Creatures below your level has decreased. Your Tamed Creature will automatically perform certain actions depending on the strength of your bond: Tamed Creature will attack any creature that attacks you; Tamed Creature will take a hit for you if your HP is low; Tamed Creature will prioritize any healing skills it possesses on you if your HP is low.

System:Ardur

"Well then." Trent said, returning his attention to their surroundings. "This...seems to be working better than I thought it would..."

As they continued, they soon came to the ashen remains of the goblin's old bonfire. The ground was uneven from all the digging the various monsters had done here--back before everyone left the cave, Asura and Digbie had tried to make a tunnel and the Dire Rats of the group had tried to dig trenches. There was also the fire pit itself, which had been scattered about as people tried to dig for the hidden stash of crystals. And the signs of battle, from the various monsters that had tried to attack Crispy. It had only been a day, perhaps two, since they had been here last but somehow the Dungeon's aura made it feel as if it had been that many years instead.

From the Dire Rats' old trench, a figure suddenly lunged into the radius of Asura's torchlight. It was a Goblin Skeleton--or was it?

Trent yelled out as a stone blade stabbed into his boot--he jerked his foot away, and it was unclear how much damage he had taken, but he immediately had his shield at the ready with his sword pointed right at the creature.

"Mana Orb, First Rank!"

The skeleton leaped from all fours, out of the trench and away from the magical blast. As it landed they could see just how it differed from the normal skeleblins--it was about six inches taller, with bones generally the same thickness but just elongated. Its cranium, too, was a little larger, and the ridges where its ears would have connected were deeper. Its bones were bleached white with only a few spots of brown or blackened gristle rather than any yellow bits--such things took a long time, indicating that these bones were very old.

As its jaws chattered, a more typical Goblin Skeleton came clattering towards them out of the dark, attempting to flank the group. From underneath the bonfire, a blurbling black mass rose and began slowly moving towards Asura...

---

Rat Party

You used Monster Analysis I!
---Adult Male Human---
Humans are not technically considered Monsters. They are of the Enlightened Races, considered truly sentient. Nonetheless they are an advanced race with a fully functioning civilization, a varied history, and distinct cultures. WARNING: DANGEROUS!
---Elder Male Human---
Humans are not technically considered Monsters. They are of the Enlightened Races, considered truly sentient. Nonetheless they are an advanced race with a fully functioning civilization, a varied history, and distinct cultures. This one is an elder, as many humans only live less than a hundred years.
---Adolescent Male Human---
Humans are not technically considered Monsters. They are of the Enlightened Races, considered truly sentient. Nonetheless they are an advanced race with a fully functioning civilization, a varied history, and distinct cultures. This one isn't fully mature yet, but is undergoing many changes as their body grows into adulthood. WARNING: DANGEROUS!

System:Ed

The bandit lurched in recoil as Ed yelled at him, but the other humans just stared. The youth with the sword, now finished cleaning his blade of the fat bandit and the hobgoblin's blood, approached nonchalantly. The magic user hopped out of the cart to stand in front of the driver, patting one of the horses to calm it down.

"Baishan, d'ya think it's a Deviant? Should I kill it?" The swordsman, Wulf, stretched his wrist by giving his blade a light flourish.

"No! Ya already killed an enemy that was crippled, now ya wanna attack a critter what just helped us!?" The old man had reined the horses in, and now tied the leads onto a rod attached to the cart so he could shake his fist at the boy. "I dunno what that Monster thinks its doin', but if it ain't attackin' us or slowin' us down, leave it be! Let's get outta here--I'll bet ya Copps to Gol there's more o'them bastards around somewhere!"

"If you have to keep cutting something, Wulf," the magic user broke in, crossing his arms with a huff, "Cut the ears off those hobs, and the kobold's tail, and we'll turn them in for some extra coin."

"...And the head of the fat one." The tribal spearman, apparently Baishan, kept his own weapon pointed at the bandit on the ground. With one hand he threw his pack on the ground, then reached into it to pull out some rope. "I'd also bet Copps to Gol that these two were on some of the bounties back in town. The Guild will probably recognize them both on sight."

"Alright, alright." Wulf sheathed his sword, looking at Ed with a curious expression, before drawing a carving knife instead. "But we still don't know why it can talk, do we?"

Ed had been watching the group this whole time, analyzing some of them. Granted, given the lower rank of his Skill, he only seemed to pick up information that was already somewhat obvious...

"I've heard of Ratmen that can chatter a bit." The old man stood up a little in his seat, chewing his bottom lip as he looked down at Ed. "But as to why it speaks Visk and not some varmint language, I ain't got the foggiest. Shouldn't you know somethin' like that, Al?"

"Most Ratmen speak a distorted Mob language, depending on what's in their habitat. Kobolds, Goblins, etcetera." The magic user rubbed his chin with a slender hand as he watched Ed sigh and stand up. "But maybe--"

"As you all have noticed, I am not your average run-of-the-mill ratman. I won't go into any complex nor convoluted explanations as to why I am this way, but I will say this." The group immediately went silent, every eye turned towards Ed. The bandit was even too shocked to resist, as Baishan had stopped tying his hands halfway through when Ed started talking again. "I am not from here and neither am I your enemy. I have no evidence, other than my words and actions, so it's up to you if you consider me to be otherwise." The Ratman sheathed his weapon, and after showing them he was unarmed, began to walk away. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some things to do."

"...Okay, it's either a high rank Deviant, or something else Shape-Shifted into a Ratman--" The magic user had taken up a defensive stance once again, one hand already extended while the other had opened up a thick tome he pulled from his pouch. But the driver made a shushing motion with his hand, and as the tension settled over everyone like a weighted blanket, they watched.

Ed took the Kobold's staff, tying the black robes to it so that he could start looting the rest of the bandit's bodies. Every head slowly, stiffly, turned to follow his every movement until he finally came to the fat bandit. Wulf was standing over the body again, sword raised to cut off its head, but like the others had frozen solid when Ed made his speech. The ratman looked way, way up at the tall youth.

"Would you mind if I took the knife he had?"

"Uh...Just don't stab any Humans with it?" came the answer, as Wulf lowered his weapon and scratched the back of his head in confusion.

When Ed finally left the battlefield, the humans looked at each other. Baishan roughly hauled the bandit to the back of the cart, and after shoving him amongst some cargo, rubbed at his own temples.

"That's a sign of the Spirits, I just know it."

Meanwhile, Asteria had been looting her own body, and now tried to fasten the wraps from the hobgoblin to her own body. However, given the difference in length and size between the two creatures, they were quite awkward and heavy.

You attempted to equip: Green Dyed Body Wraps!
Item was not made for your size. Item is not suitable for your species. Item is too heavy.
You have the Skill [Stronger I]. You have the Skill [Dextrous II]. You have the Skill [Use Light Equipment]. Negative Substat Enhancements have been neutralized.

You attempted to equip: Green Dyed Arm Wraps x2!
Item was not made for your size. Item is not suitable for your species. Item is too heavy.
You have the Skill [Dextrous II]. Negative Substat Enhancements have been lessened.

You feel slower than before. It is more difficult to attack properly. You do feel slightly tougher, though.

These Items might be altered by Crafting Skills.

System:Asteria

Using her Muffle skill, Asteria was able to stay out of sight as she watched and listened to everything that happened between Ed and the Humans. Thanks to her higher rank Beast Senses, now that the din of battle was over she could catch pretty much everything that was said, and see well enough to pick up the various expressions of each person. She and Mother Rat followed Ed at a distance, from an angle where perhaps the humans wouldn't see them approach him until he was out of their eyeshot.

Though they interfered with her movements somewhat, at the very least the green dyed cloths helped disguise her brown body amongst the grass. She and Mother Rat soon reunited with Ed, then they all headed back to the burrow. At some point during their trek, since they had taken such a wide U turn to double back without being spotted, they had missed the humans going on their way on the road. By the time they got back to the burial mound's entrance, the cart was rolling over the next hill. The bodies, or what was left of them after Wulf got through taking the gristly trophies, had all been rolled into the ditch...though at least the human had been somewhat laid in eternal repose, and a few bundles of cut grass had been piled over his body in imitation of a shroud.

Now what?

---

Deep Forest

As Femus meditated, he found his MP was already fairly full due to a full night's rest. It didn't take long for the System to inform him that his magical energy was topped up. However, as he continued to concentrate and--perhaps using that new skill, Mana Control--feel the flow of energy throughout his spherical form, he found that he could still draw some more. The sensation was like trying to breathe as deeply as one could and hold it, their cheeks puffed out and their mouth set firmly, before they tried to take in just one more through their nose. The silicate hairs all over the Wisp's body began to stand straight up, giving him the appearance of a floating pin cushion. He continued to draw in Mana, focusing on the circulation through his physical body of this seemingly spiritual energy. He wanted the greatest concentration possible...white sparkles of Mana, like dust motes in the air around him, began to appear around him like an aura.

Your MP is Full.
You have gained Temporary Extra MP.
Your Mana Density has increased.
...
Skill: Mana Control has prevented Mana Overload.
You have gained Temporary Extra MP. Mana is at Critical Limit.

System:Femus

Then he focused his will and decided on 'Adult Wisp'. It was time to experience what this whole evolution thing was.

As soon as his decision was made, Femus felt a deep and powerful sleep come over him. It was too fast, and there was no fighting it--just like going under before a surgery.

And as he went under, he rose up and up and up. Femus saw his own body suddenly plop on the branch, lying peacefully in the leaves as the aura of light suffused his form and then went out. His glowing body now looked like nothing more than a gray, fluffy toy...

Femus suddenly saw EVERYTHING.

Not in crystal clarity, of course. But he drifted upwards, out of his body, rising high enough that he could look out across the forest. And sometimes it seemed as if he saw through it--into the great tree under which he rested. Within the trunk, there was a deep, emerald colored light...and this light seemed to take a distinct form, a creature curled up as if in deep slumber.

Then he could see nothing but the layers of leaves and branches, and then daylight, but before his eyes could adjust he was rising higher. Now he saw the forest in its entirety, and gently rising cliffs growing ever steeper until they became mountains to the immediate west. One of these mountains bore a great scar near its peak--as if some blade of impossible size had sheared off its tip. The rocks there were blackened yet smooth, with a glossy appearance of something that had melted together and then cooled. Within this smoking crater, many lights glittered...and small figures, too small to pick out their features, moved in groups along the slopes. He rose higher, drifting through clouds and further beyond, over curling smoke trails and unnaturally shaped structures of wood and stone that could only be civilization. Somewhere to the east, a large body of water sat glimmering with the last rays of the setting sun.

He rose higher. To the north, great rivers and another forest, though this one reached higher into the sky and its colors were darker and more muted. Though, there was an also an odd brown patch...as if many trees had been felled here, and then left to rot...Many miles further, this forest even wore a thin blanket of snow. Further to the east, a bright light cutting a path to safety for those in need of guidance. Over the mountains, to the southwest, a grand city stretching for miles. Still in the west, but far further north, a tower like a mighty tree reaching up to the heavens with roots stretching deep, deep into the earth. So far to the east that it became west again, a lonely, cold, desolate island where red lightning split the sky. Further beyond that, marshlands and mountains and untamed, wild lands.

He rose higher. A world, a planet, rotated thousands of miles an hour, yet from this distance appeared as no more than a soap bubble, as if it would pop if he but brushed a fingertip against it. The city lured him, cried out for him. The island's red skies held him in sway.

H͎͍̭̺̗͔̭m̶͎̀,͏̴̮̞ ̡̜͓̬̱͖͝t̨͇̼̪̼̘̖͍̬ḩ̴̬̫͈̀i̤̲̩̱̳̰̥s̀҉̺͓ ̷̱̣̜͟s͕̞̙͇͞ͅt͖͚̩͕̦̱i̭̦̘̖̤̹̜̰̯͞l̷͔͓̳l̶͍͖̘̻͉̰̘ ͉͎̜͉̥̺͟ḱ̼̣͈e̵̹̦̖̗͇̲͓̦͢e̬̫̬̠̮p̫̻̯̹̩͓̻̣͞s͏̩̺͎̻͚̣̮̪̣ ̧̲h͓̰̝̱̥a̩̪͖̬̕p̣̼̥͓͉̺̫͘p̶̝͖̖̳̯̻͖̩è̷̱̤̼̘n̢͢҉̞͇̟̫͈̹̲ͅi̘n̗̙͉̙̙̖͜g̙̖̳̕̕ ̺͇̝̯͇̺͇̀e̗̼͉̳̖͘͜v̛̖̦̹̭͈͇̠́e͏̹̜̦͚͜͞n̨̲̹̟̫͘͜ ̸̷̢̥̠̼̭͉̪͈̰t͞͏̘̜̦h͙̞̭̭͞ͅo̙͈̩u̖̮͉̙̤̗͡g̡̪̮͝ḩ͉͈͔̜̹̱͢ ͎̺I͓̠͖̙̭̭̜̣ ͓̖̦̼̪̮̗̀́ͅo͕͟͡v̱̩e͏̨̦r̹̗͇̀r̸̵̘̗̺̹̪̟̣̹̪o̢̺̝̖̮̼̻̗̰̠͘d̠̱̰̖̟̙͇̀e̵̺͖̘͇̺ͅ ̵̺͙͔̝̠̹̰̦t͔̱͕h͔̘̞̘͎͖̳͈͞e̞̬̩͕̼͚͍͖͘ ̞̫͍̞̩͙E̩͖̰͘͝r̷̙̲̟̭̗͕̕͞r̡̩̗͟o̥̳̖͖̕ṛ̷̨͕͎ ̪̗ṛ̫̫e͙̰̞̠̼̲̠͎ͅp͏̟o̷͕̬͓͙̕r̙̞̯̼͓͘͞t̢̙͇͇̳̜̞͍͝͡s҉̵̶̹̥.̹͕͖̻͔̜͙̙͟.̤̮.̡̛͇̠̖̪͍͇o̫͈̳͙͖̳̣h̵̰͈̲͘͟ ͏̶̬̺̼͎͘w̴̶̻̰̠̺̞͓̯̝̩͜e̺̼̩͓̕͜l̶̨̗͕̣͙͕̻̠͎̕l̡̺̟̗̤̮͝.̶͕̻̳̫̝̕͠ ̛̭̥̀D̮̲͈̤̹̦͟ͅò̲͓̮̀́ͅe̱͖̞s̶̼̩̻͙̩͔͝ͅn̨̜͈͖̠͉͙̩͠ͅ'̟͔͚͖̩͙͈̥̣ṱ̴̷̦̟͕ ͇͎̘͍͘͞͡s̸͚̬͍̱͕̙e̴҉̫̪̳̭̼̗͙̥̯e̞͡m̮͢͝ ̛̦͓̳͘͢t҉̼̖͈͇͚̲̪͟o̡̰͚̥̘̫̞ ̪̤̜̙̹̰̹̹b̪͡͝e̞̹͖ ̛̰͉͚h̶͏̤ư̜̪̜r̨̮̥͢͠t̸͔̠̣̟͘i͏̤͈n̡̝̗̰̹͙͇͎̭̕g̰̭͙͡ ̷̵͇a̘̳̥̝̣͝ņ̮̼̱͕̬̘͡y̡͎͔t̛͍̣̥̪̳͖̗h̴̡͇̙̦ͅi̴̼̝̟͓̥n͏͎̤̤͉̣̜̙̘g҉͎ ̶̧͙͎f̷̙̯o̤̼̪̱̬͎̳̮͞r̢͚̖̣̙̜̥ ̵̞̻̗͉͔̱t̨̜̮̝̘̬̝͖̲͢h̗̳͚̩̯̩̤̀e̢̫̰̠͓̟͟͠ ͏̫͖͙̱̠̩̫̲m̧̩̟͓̳͖͉ò̳̟͙͇̕͠ͅḿ̰̩̙e̫̱̲̲͜ņ̗̺͕͕̠̭͕̗t̀҉̹̠̜̹̮̬̯.̡̘̩̙̩͇͈͕͜ ͏̹̜̼Ą̥̖͔̱̦͍͚̯͔͢n̵̦͇̙̙͠͠d̪͖͈̗̟͚͝͠ͅ ̳͎̀y͕͢o̡̘̬̞̦̭͇̺̤u̧̘'̴̝͡r̷̙̹͙̤͍͖̟͎ͅe̝͖͓̕ ҉̘͎t͙̣̰̤̀͜h̸̵̢̝e̠̮̖͓͉͙ͅ ̪̤͓̟̪͍̰f̸͖̹͘̕i̱̪̣̲̜̩̬̯̕͜r҉̬͎̙̬s͔͖̦͓̝̟̱t̢̜̬ ̸̨̰̤̥̪̭ơ̧̟̤̺̦͘f̶̞̣ͅ ̩̯͍̯͍͘t̗̞̕ḫ̷̡͖̥͘a̡̳̭͓͟͢t̨̨̞̜ ̣͙̭̤͍̘̱s̵̱̗͘e̦͙̮̬͇̣͢c̯̱̹̀͟͝o̲͔͜͞n͏͇̘͎̣ͅd͙̝̪͠ͅ ̦͡g̗̺̙͉͎͉r̶̥̭͙̹̀͡o̗͍̲̕ù͇̱̫̜p̗̝̖͎̘ ̧̤͝t̷͉̦̖̥̥̲͞o̶̙͞ ͈̭̕ͅe͟͏͓̖͎͕̘v̷̥̦͜o̧͇̬͡l͕̲̲̳̦͈͉̫v̶̷̰͖̜̙́ȩ̤̞̫,̺͓̤ ̴̠̳͖̠͖͕̹e͞͞҉̲̦̫̺̺͖h̝̦̲̭̱̱͟͜?͏̪̦̤̯͉̳̀ͅ ̵̬̝̳͈̻̞̀A͔n͏͕̫̮͙͓͍̞͕ḓ̴̬̳͎ ̗̱̜̙͍̬o̢̼͕̗̰̣n͙̝̯̹̹͢͡l̩̤̜̞y̷̡̘̰̫̹̪̖̮̼͢ ̺̮̜̹̠̹͍t̷̘̖̪͉͔̼̪̘͟h̸̠̖̻̰͈̘e̼̠̗̹̼̭ ̜̙̟͈́͢s̴̛̙̱ę͍̰c̯͓͠o̶̶̳̮̱̙̮̟͞ń̻̞̤̜̞̮̣ͅd͝҉͕͇ ̴̣̼͙͇̫̘͠ͅó̷̭̗̩̬͖͙̲n̷̶̴̖̞̜ȩ̸̖̭̦̦̠͓ͅ ͚̳̭͙̭̼͕̦͚ó̺͉͈͖̦̻̝u̘̖͞t̵̤̼̪̠ ̸̸͓̱̬ͅǫ̠͍̫͢ͅf̟̘̥̰͔̗̳͓́ ҉̵̜̭͠t̨̩̩̲̭̙͓͙̻̀ͅh̩̗̙̫e̙̗ ͈w̸̘̣̗̬̼̫̩͠ͅh҉̬̤̮̹͎̗̥̝o̸̥͉͖̘͔̗͔̕ļ̷͏͖͉͇̰̥e̶͔̤̱͓͙͉͜ ̴͈̝̳̣͔̦̙͘b͈̟̫̩̟̖̭͔̪a̡̡̨̦̤g̜͘͜ ͏̳͖͘o̡͕͕̬͓͉̲ͅf̩̪͕̯̟̭͞ ̸̷̱̰̥̩͈c̷̢̻̙̞͈͠a͈̪̮͉͍̺̱͘ͅț̨́s̥̖̩̞͜͝ ̯̱̖̦͢ṯ̬͈͠ơ̴̢̫͇̣͓ ̡̞̺̲͉̳̪͔͡͝ͅͅǵ̡̗̖ò͎͍̭̳͉͚͞ ̡̞̞͈̮͢ͅw̯̱̮̬͎i̷̖̮͎̮͙̙t̯̺̬͍͕̰͈͖̕h̷̢͙̯̭͈̜̀ ͏̠̜̮̣̭͖̗͜t̢̡̜͉͉͕h̟̙͚͇͉è̴̵̗̱̺̯͖ ̨̠̭̤̪ͅ"́҉̜m̧̦̖̖͖̭u̫̬̹͙͔͙͙̼͉͟n̴͓̖̹̯͓͉͎̱ḏ̴̡̛̰̩̙͙a͎̼̳̩͕n̜͙̭̪̲̳͢e̘̰̫̦̣̠̻͓"͕͉ ̦͈a̧̧͎̰͔͎̭̬͝d̨͔͔̭̠̪̼͈̻̰u̷̺͉͈̗̜̪͇̝͖͡l͏̛̲̻̣̰t̛̜͈͖͝ͅ ̺͈̹o̦̰̱̭͍̬̳̲p̛̼̪̯̠̳̤͓̩̹͠͡t̲̬̺͚̫̩͝i͏̵͚͈o͔͈̯̩̰̩̯̬͜n̷̵͈̣̩͚̯͢.̸̱͚̙̙̱͜ ̨̯̹̞̤͍̬̜̕I͏̣̤̣̱̘͇̞̞ͅn̮͉̬̦̞͉̞̣͝t̮͔͝e̮̲͇͓̪͓̼͠͡r̡̭̣̜̯̭̝e̢҉̦̞̲̠̞̦̖̠s̨̧͖̺̝̞̺͙̪̳͔ţ̻͖i͖̘ņ̛҉͎g̜̠͉̬͚̤̠̕.̫̟̟̟̜̳̘͈͞͞ͅ.̧̰͎.̷̞͍̯̟̭̰̞

System:Femus

Femus plunged earthward. Color blurred as he passed everything he had seen in an instant, and just as it all blurred together in his vision it did the same in his mind. When he awakened, he would remember only so much as one remembers a deep, nonsensical dream. He fell through the trees and crashed into his body...

TRANSFORMATION COMPLETE!
(Immature) Wisp > (Adult) Wisp
All Stats have Slightly Increased!
Base HP has Increased!
Potential has Increased!
Special Condition: Mana Overfill has Slightly Increased Base MP!

You have still not reached your full Potential.
You are Well Rested.
Your HP is Full.
Your MP is Full.
Your Stamina is Full.
You are Hungry.
You are Thirsty.

System:Femus

As Nira observed Femus's evolution, all she would see after he strangely dropped into a deep sleep was that every pulse of his heartbeat seemed to become visible. And, after a few minutes of this, she might notice that his body was actually...swelling...with each heartbeat. The myriad fine hairs all over him were also growing longer, and it looked a few new ones were sprouting. Then, all of a sudden, Femus gave a jerk and came back to consciousness.

His body lit up from within, crackling with magical energy as he once again rose into the air. But for now, it seemed all that had really changed externally was his size and the brightness he produced. It was hard to look directly at him, much like a new lightbulb when the switch is turned on for the first time.

But, to step back in time for a moment...

When Nira had stepped down to practice the Mana Orb, she repeated her original exercise with more surety. The orb seemed much more stable this time, though still smaller then when she had seen Femus use it. When the idea came to her to make some kind of incantation, she found that with every word she spoke the orb grew a little larger, and when it was the right size she could feel it pulling, as if it wanted to simply fly off somewhere. She took aim and released, and the orb flew away from her...only to rapidly lose steam. Every millimeter it was away from her hand it grew a little smaller, and by the time it actually struck the ground it did nothing more than sizzle.

You are experiencing a Fast Rate of Skill Progression.

You are Hungry.
You are Thirsty.

System:Nira

As she grabbed a Blue Yill from the nearby field, maybe it was the smell of herbs or just the fact that she hadn't had breakfast yet. But her belly began to grumble as she returned to the tree, just in time to see Femus finish his evolution...

---

Farmstead

You used Monster Analysis III! You used Material Analysis I!
---Adolescent Human Male (Physical Combatant Class)---
Humans are not technically considered Monsters, and seem fundamentally opposed to them. They are of the Enlightened Races like Elves and Dwarves, highly evolved creatures considered truly sentient, though this may depend on definition. Nonetheless they are a technologically and magically advanced race in control of multiple nations, with a varied history across most of the interior continent, and distinct cultures in different biomes. This one is still an adolescent but appears trained in combat. His physical strength and attack stats seem much higher than yours. His MP is not quite as high as yours, but is higher than most creatures you've seen in the forest. His speed and agility based stats seem higher than yours. His endurance is much, much higher than yours. Many of his stats are being increased by his equipment. He has an Iron Hatchet, an Iron Dagger, a Thick Gambeson, a Wellspun Tunic, Wellspun Trousers, Leather Boots, Leather Gloves, and a Cloth Bandana. His pouch seems to contain essential items for short term travel. It is likely his training has allowed him to develop some Skills. WARNING! DANGEROUS!

System:Danny

Geir looked up from his practice even before Danny had started to approach him--they weren't in his line of sight at the moment, but the boy slowly took stock of his surroundings. Had he picked up a sound, or the slight glow of Danny's body in his peripheral vision? After a moment or two he seemed to relax--then the Poltergeist called out to him.

The red headed human whirled, axe in hand, and swiped at the empty air as if he expected an enemy to rush him at any moment. Finally he focused in on the vague, glowing outline of Danny several yards away.

"Excuse me! This is probably a strange question but do you have a map my friend and I could look at?"

"HALT! FREEZE! STOP, RIGHT THERE!" The human took a deep breath, and steadied his grip on his weapon. Now he sank into a proper stance, and his eyes--what little of them they could see reflecting Danny's light in the darkness--narrowed. "Identify yourself! Who and what are you! And if you're another of these talking monsters, I advise you to just turn around, right now! Demons can fuck right off!"

He was looking right at Danny, and certainly did not look nice at all. A chill wind blew through the night. One of Geir's hands slowly eased towards his belt, and the long knife hanging there.

Meanwhile, Miiba stopped as she helped Lear bring in firewood. She spoke to Gwyn, who was still conversing with Scott, but stopped short as she caught sight of something out of the window. When she went to look, she saw Geir flailing and could hear the muted, angry noises that was probably him yelling at something, but couldn't make out any words. She could also see the faintest, almost ghostly, blue glow flickering out in the lawn.

"Mr. Lear," she started with the same inquisitive tone she used whenever she was about to ask something, "What big blue glow ball with Geir?" she asked with her finger pressed against the window pointing to Danny, but looking back to Lear.

"Hmm?" The farmer leaned down next to the goblin and squinted. "Oh? If I had to guess, I'd say a Wisp that floated over the wall." He put one big hand on Miiba's head and ruffled her hair. "Don't worry about it. Geir yelling is as natural as the wind's whistling. It'll probably be good for him to blow off steam with a weak enemy or two like that."

The farmer went back to his fireplace. It seemed like the family was about to get ready for their usual reading from that book, like they had done last night...

I, the Demon King, Will Summon My Own Damned Heroes!

Deep Forest

---Transformation Option: Increase Potential---
The majority of creatures are not born fully mature. Undergoing Transformation without a fully matured body, or fully realized Skills, may limit a creature's growth. Transformations that grant higher Skill Ranks or increase base statistics may be reduced due to a lack of foundation. Some Transformations are not possible if a creature has not fulfilled its Potential. If a creature's Potential reaches the peak, it may affect its natural lifespan or its future learning ability.

You used Magic Analysis I! The skill Plant Analysis is not fully developed!
---Great Elder Mystic Kao Tree---
This Kao Tree has drawn from a rich source of Mana for many years. It is likely the oldest and most powerful of all plant-life in the area, and at this stage of growth excess Mana is shunted into the surroundings. Certain creatures may be drawn to this energy.

Skill Rank Up: Magic Analysis I > Magic Analysis II (1.95 > 2.025)!

System:Femus

Nira and Femus were in agreement to move into the lower branches of the tree. Even these were a decent height off the ground, enough so that no Goblin would be able to easily reach them. They were soon able to find a thick branch that culminated in a bushy, thickly leafed fork. The leaves were broad enough that the two tiny magical creatures could practically sit on them like mattresses.

From here, they had a better view of their surroundings. It seemed that not all of the Goblins had left to go on whatever raid they were preparing for--of those who were left behind, it seemed the majority were elderly or female. But there were still some younglings around, some of whom had taken it upon themselves to hunt in the adults' absence. A few perky greenskins with mean eyes and sticks still wandered here and there among the deep forest denizens.

That field of Blue Yills was a little closer, and in fact they could now see that its patch seemed to grow between two winding roots reaching out from this tree. The roots lifted up the ground around them, so that the Yills were nestled in a little valley of sorts, where they grew so thickly one couldn't see the ground beneath their petals.

Nearby, in the air--near that other tree they had just left, actually--they could see a few pixies flitting about. It was too far to tell exactly, but one of them actually looked a little bit familiar. They were flitting in and out near the hollow that Femus had once called his home.

And, down below, a little further away from the great tree, it seemed a Dire Rat was trundling along through the underbrush. It had the look of an animal that was on the hunt, though it hadn't found any prey yet. They only caught its tail end before it slipped into the shadows of a different tree, and disappeared.

Underneath them, the tree's branches felt somewhat warm. Was it just because they were sitting out under the sun, while a pleasant breeze rustled the leaves? Or did it have something to do with that sleepy presence they could still feel...

---

Monster Party

You used Material Analysis I! You used Plant Analysis I! You used Magic Analysis I!
---Ragged Cap (Poor)---
This roughspun cap barely provides any coverage for the head. It only seems suitable for a beggar, if anyone. It has no Magical properties. It is old and smells musty--your earthy sesnes tell you it might have been worn in a sealed off, underground structure? The rough, woven plant fibers used to weave it seem to have come from long, hay like stalks of some type of grass. Sub-stat Enhancements are Negligible.
---Ragged Trousers (Poor)---
These roughspun pants barely provide any warmth against the elements. They only seem suitable for a beggar, if anyone. They have no Magical properties. They are old and smell musty--there are dirt stains on the knees and around the ankles. There are also worn places where they seem to have rubbed against brick. Your earthy senses tell you it might have been worn in a sealed off, underground structure--perhaps a tunnel of some sort? The rough, woven plant fibers used to weave it seem to have come from long, hay like stalks of some type of grass. Sub-stat Enhancements are Negligible.

System:Digbie

Oberon cast Shield IV on you! Your Defenses are significantly increased for 2 minutes!

You used Mana Sense II! You used Mana Vision I! You used [Analysis]!
---No Target Specified---
[[General Analysis of Goblin party repeats previous posts' analysis from other characters but for Ash]]
From -Adult Goblin Male (Hide Armor)- you can feel a rough, beast-like Mana in very low quantities. It has no defined Structure yet.
From -Elite Male Goblin (Rags Nar)- you can feel a clinging, negative mana. The faintest sense of blood comes from his equipment. Its Structure is rapidly fading but feels somewhat familiar.

Alert I has Activated!
There is a presence to the West of the camp, in the treeline between the area and the Mountains...It seems to be observing...

System:Ash

Somehow, whether it was due to a real magical effect or just for his own peace of mind, Digbie's prayer seemed to fill him with a sense of calm. The anxiety surrounding this situation with Rags Nar's tribe took a backseat for the moment, and in this darkness of the sealed cavern there was peace and quiet. Here he and Oberon could focus on whatever step came next. Oberon couldn't feel the same strange calm Digbie could, though the book the Demiblin found engaged his curiosity. As the Sprite used his Meditate skill, at its higher rank he was able to recover Mana without so much single minded focus--but, the more he drifted from this focus, the slower the recovery went. Still, he had recovered quite a bit with Gather Light earlier, and soon the System told him that his MP was full.

As Digbie extended his Tremor Sense, he could feel Torrent's Soil Manipulation through the earth several layers above their cave's roof. She seemed to be preparing to dig if necessary--as an escape? Or to lay a trap? Or as some means of ambushing the enemy? So far, they couldn't hear any yells or magical blasts from outside...did that mean things were going well, or...?

Meanwhile, things were still quite tense outside. When Ash spoke up again, the Goblins collectively flinched. The one with the sword watched her the most warily, turning his body as she flew up to a tree so as to remain ready for any moment. He kept his eyes on her the whole time, though he looked to his leader for a moment while the pygmy drake taunted the Elite Goblin.

As Torrent focused her power, with the intent to somehow magically amplify and project her voice, she felt a tingle beginning in the base of her throat. When she spoke, it felt like her words were...floaty. Like her mouth moved, but the actual sound was just an instant too slow. Still, the Goblins heard her taunt up on the hilltop right after Ash accused Rags Nar of cowardice. The Goblin that had seemed to catch onto something began looking around, clearly hearing the sound but unable to identify the source for it yet--and soon, he turned away from the brush towards Rags Nar, who had apparently decided to respond to these taunts in typical goblin fashion.

"Me ain't scared, not scared o' nuthin'!" The Elite Goblin drew his Dagger with a distinctive sound of metal against leather. He began swinging it wildly in the air as he stomped in a circle, seemingly raging against the "voices" in the air. Then he whirled to point at Ash with the tip of the blade, high up in her tree. "Ain't dumb neither! Dis don't make no sense--but Rags Nar too smart for yas! I'mma show yas I ain't scared, but I ain't gonna fall for no tricks neither!" He turned to the rest of his crew. "Oi! All you gobs, group up! If dey tries somethin', yell!"

The other goblins jumped to it, though the one with the sword was slow to back off, still paranoid about the drake watching them from up in the tree. As they began to circle around the goat--now ignoring the bushes and the rest of the camp--Torrent could breathe a little easier while Ash observed from safely high up...

However, something else soon prickled the Pygmy Drake's senses.

There was...something...in the woods. To the West of the camp, towards the mountains. It had hidden itself fairly well. It wasn't moving much. But it was...big. Bigger, at least in terms of height, than that rat. She couldn't make out many features through the foilage but, if she had to guess...Four legs, somewhat skinny? A deer or small horse of some kind? Yet it was bigger than that, up top--was that shape an arm? A humanoid body? Too hard to tell. Even her glowing eyes, after using her analysis skills, weren't picking anything up either due to the distance or due to how hidden the creature was. Yet for now, whatever it was seemed content to simply stand and...watch?

In the ring of goblins, the Four Horned Goat snorted and threw its head. Rags Nar had a difficult time getting around to its rear with the knife in hand--the creature would buck and step away from him every time.

"Stupid goat! If youse get lucky, ya might get to run away! Sit still and lemme cut--lemme--c'mere ya fuggin--!"

Finally he managed to grab a rear leg, and avoid getting bitten or kicked while he sawed at the restraints. With a snap they came loose--and the goat gave a loud bleat as he tried to kick the Elite Goblin's head off. Rags Nar rolled backwards, awkwardly but effectively avoiding the blow. The other goblins yelled and jumped aside as the beast charged them, though the one with the sword took a swing. Blood flew from a gash on the animal's flank, but it didn't seem too deterred as it landed and turned with another violent kick. The frying pan worn by one of the other goblins made a distinctive ding as he was sent rolling down the side of the hill.

Much screaming and flailing ensued. Now Digbie and Oberon started to hear things.

---

PixieSlime Party

Skill Gain: Magic Analysis I (0.9>1.0)!
You may now analyze Magical energies or objects to learn their most basic magic characteristics. Less effective on Materials and Monsters unless they are magical in nature.

Error. You have already been added to Trent's Party. Your Bond is not strong enough to access other Party Features.

System:Asura

"The Maker intended the World to be a certain way. Due to the creation of Magic, and other beings like Demons that defy the Maker's plan for the world, sometimes things don't work the way they're supposed to..." Trent started to explain, before he was interrupted by the creatures attacking them. He immediately got his shield up, just in time for one the Ghost Wisps to shoot a Mana Orb at him. It impacted the leather-covered protection with a crackle of white light that left a singed spot. "--And whenever it's been affected by these things, the World acts like a person's body when we have a disease! A "World Echo" is like a sign that something's wrong--in this case, it's announcing the Dungeon's presence!"

Asura's pseudopod Smashed into the Zombie Rat's jaw, knocking fangs out of its mouth and cracking the jawbone into a distended mess. But, the creature was still kicking, and managed to slash at the slime with one claw. Asura felt only a little pain, like nicking oneself with a papercut, thanks to his upgraded resistance.

You used Monster Analysis I!
---Ghost Wisp---
An Undead Wisp, its body has been consumed by both necrosis and magical energy to serve as fuel. What is left is a transient spirit that has a higher level of Mana, which allows it to exist as a Spirit-class Undead, but little control. Without a source of Mana nearby to recharge, a Ghost Wisp typically won't last more than 24 hours in the living realm. Its other abilities are typical of a low level Wisp.
---Zombie Rat---
An Undead Dire Rat, raised as an unthinking corpse. It is more durable against attacks, but has become much slower and less coordinated. The longer it persists, the more disease can fester in its jaws and under its claws.

System:Ardur

While Ardur analyzed the enemies, the other Ghost Wisp got off a Mana Orb that struck the Hipixie in the chest, driving him back like a physical blow.

“Steve go for the wisp on the right.” He commanded while he readied himself with the beetle mandible in hand for the other one coming at them. The Oculus Spider jumped up on the back of Trent's cloak, prompting a short-lived yelp from the boy, before the creature spat a blob of webbing at the other Spirit. The Ghost Wisp seemed to "blink" in and out of the air, and the webbing passed through it harmlessly. Trent pointed his sword over Asura's head--he couldn't get enough reach for a proper attack, but shouted a Spell instead.

"Mana Orb, First Rank!"

The white crackle spread over his sword's blade before leaving the tip, blasting into the Zombie Rat. It rolled the creature over, where it struggled to get back up.

Ardur slashed through the flickering Ghost Wisp on his side, and while the creature didn't seem to "die" it did waver with a high pitched creen, and it moved more slowly. Once again, it fired a Mana Orb at the Hipixie, which streaked through the dark cave like a night's comet...

Meanwhile, Mother Slime burbled angrily in the back, as she tried to get around the others in front of her...

---

Rat Party

The seeming leader of the bandit party grimaced as the Mana Orb crackled over his metal shield, but his expression turned to one of shock as Ed shouted a threat at him. The Rat Man charged forward with shield at the ready, slamming the ramshackle wooden planks into the much sturdier metal. But Ed had a great deal of strength and was pushing from a lower center of gravity--the human's hips gave way and he staggered a step back. With a desperate cry he swung his sword. To Ed's Dynamic Eye it seemed to move a beat slower, and the Ratman ducked down. The blade passed harmlessly over his ears, as he whirled and lashed out with his tail. The muscular appendage struck the man's shins hard, buckling his knees. The bandit fell with a heavy thud, sitting down hard. The spearman stepped up, but again that shield got between the blade and its intended target. Still, he managed to force the bandit flat on his back and now held the man pinned under his own shield. The ruffian's sword arm was free, but he couldn't swing far enough or reach high enough to do any damage.

"Yield, and you may yet live!" the tribal-looking man snarled, stomping hard on one of the bandit's legs to make him stop kicking.

"Fatty! Lizard! Where the hell are you guys!?" The bandit tossed his head this way and that as he struggled, causing his dented helmet to roll into the grass. "Fatty," as he was called, was currently about to soil his breeches as the tall swordsman closed in on him.

But just a few moments before that, Asteria had cast Minor Heal on Mother Rat's stab wound. As green light sparkled around her blood matted fur, the red liquid dried and flaked away. The blood stopped flowing from the wound, but it still hadn't closed. When Asteria cast her new spell a second time, the skin stopped looking so puffy and swollen and grew closer together, but it still hadn't healed all the way. Still, it was no longer bleeding and looked clean, the new skin a healthy pink color under the fur.

You used Mana Sense II!
You sense your own Mana, channeled into the Nature element to increase the body's natural biological healing factor. Your own mana is used as a substitute for the required sustenance.

You have no MP remaining.

System:Asteria

She tried to drain more MP from the dead hobgoblin, but it seemed that magical energy did not remain in this body for long. She only got back a trickle, not enough to cast the Minor Heal spell again. When she investigated the state of her needle, she found that it had been broken too badly to continue using as a weapon. The Hobgoblin, however, had several pieces of equipment.

Hunter Hobgoblin (Asteria)
??? Shortbow x1
Wooden Arrows x5
Green Dyed Hood x1
Green Dyed Cloak x1
Green Dyed Body Wraps x1
Green Dyed Arm Wraps x2
Green Dyed Pants x1

Skirmisher Hobgoblin (Looted by Ed)
Jawbone Sword (Broken) > Sturdy Stick x1
Battered Wooden Shield (Equipped by Ed) x1
Wooden Breastplate x1
Vine Belt x1
Straw Sandals x2

Voodooist Kobold (Killed by Ed)
Rabbit Skull Staff x1
Black Dyed Robe x1
Bone Necklace x1
Straw Sandals x2
Vine Belt x1
Stone Knife x1

System:Rat Party Loot

What was more, as Asteria headed back towards the actual battle, she found that the magic using bandit had already been dealt with. She came just in time to see Ed and that spearman taking down the bandit with a proper sword and shield, and it looked like one of the humans was engaging the last one further up the road.

The fat bandit let out a screech and thrust forward with both hands on his weapon. It was nothing more than a cornered animal lashing out. The swordsman had both greater range and better training--he stepped to one side and brought his sword up from the side. The fat man closed his eyes and desperately tried to block even though his knife was so much smaller. Still, the swordsman flicked his wrists and turned the attack--now it sped down to the bandit's leg. Blood flew and the larger man fell back, clutching his injured thigh. He looked up with teary eyes as the youth stepped forward--

"Woah there, Wulf--!"

"Wait, Wulf--!"

Both the driver on the cart and the mage sitting in the back had called out, but their cries went unheeded as the tall boy, "Wulf," skewered his opponent through the heart. The boy looked up at them with an innocently blank, quizzical expression while the bandit fell limp to the earth.

"What?"

"I yield, I yield!" the other bandit hollered under the spearman's boot. He glared at Ed, then back at the other humans. "Call off the boy and your crazy Ratman pet!"

"We don't have a pet Ratman." The spear user turned towards Ed now, seeming at a loss. "...I don't even know where it came from."

I, the Demon King, Will Summon My Own Damned Heroes!

Monster Party

As Digbie and Oberon made their way into the shelter, the Goblins couldn't hear what the Sprite said to Ash. They had, however, noticed her spear floating with Lesser Force before she grabbed it with her tail, and the two on the hilltop were muttering about it among themselves while the one with the sword just looked back and forth at Rags Nar nervously. When the Pygmy Drake spoke the group reacted with shock, Rags Nar taking a step back and putting one hand on his dagger. When Torrent once again tried to throw her voice from her hiding place, the greenies nearly jumped out of their skin.

"Da big demons again!?" Rags Nar said incredulously, now rubbing his ear with his other hand. Mahya moved behind the goblin with the rusty sword and looked around nervously. However, up on top of the hill, the goblin with the animal pelts had begun looking around...he lingered near Torrent's hiding place, but as of yet he wasn't looking directly at her. He did, however, seem quite suspicious...

"Oi, what...what is you?" The goblin with the sword spoke for the first time now, pointing at Ash with his weapon. "You's da Demigob's pet, right? Den how comes you talks! Speaks Gob, even! And what kinda magics youse got?"

With the "door" closed up, Digbie and Oberon hadn't seen or heard any of this take place except for the yelps when Torrent did her best evil spirit impression. They were left to sit and wait.

Meanwhile, Rags Nar gave Ash a sharp look before finally heading up the hill, back to his goat. As he approached the creature he pulled his knife from its sheath.

"Ain't no reason to let it go if'n's I's just gonna kill it!" he said, warily getting closer to the creature. It stamped its hooves and lowered its head, even though its horns were still blunted with pieces of soft wood. "And ain't no reason to kill it if he just wants to lets it go! Demigob ain't makin' no sense!" He turned and shouted to the air. "Big Demons! If yas can hear me, den tells me what I gots ta do! I wanna gets big powah like da Demigob! Tell me how ta make sense of all dis stuff he be doin'!"

Whether by divine providence, or simple weather patterns, at that moment a white, fluffy cloud happened to roll across the mountain tops and in front of the sun. The little campsite was cast in a gray hue...

---

PixieSlime Party

Yo! You have reached the Demon King's Prayer Hotline. Please hold, your prayers are NOT important to me.

I kindly request that you STOP IMMEDIATELY. Do not EVER pray to me again. Prayers are for deities and I don't want that kinda fuckin' responsibility. This is an automated response system, do not reply to it or I'll send somebody to fuck you up.

--Beep--

--No, no I wanna get this one, it doesn't count as a prayer. Shut the fuck up, he's on the two way now. No spoilers. Ahem.

Congratulations on being the first to attempt using the equivalent of the Help page without making a ceremony of it. You must be one of the ones who played the vidya and read the mangos. Unfortunately for you, I'm not one of those divine bitches that take the fun out of everything so their little boy toys can run around fucking everything up for whoever's not the first girl they see. You don't get Cheats, you aren't some kind of talented prodigy, and that's the way I want it. Unless circumstances get considerably more dire, don't ever expect me to bail you out.

Yes, I brought you here. Do I owe you help? Is it my responsibility to help? Do I need to help you in order to get you to pay me back by doing what I want? The answers to all of those questions are irrelevant. The only fact that matters is that I am, in all likelihood, not going to do a damn thing until you either get to my Palace or find a more direct way to contact me.

That said, I will at least point this out just cause you seem like the type to ragequit otherwise. Much like everything the "System" tells you, you'd figure this out on your own if you could stand "inconvenience." The skill's called Spiritual Awareness, not Rocket Science. Obviously ghosts are real here. So maybe you need to make a call.

Just don't call me again. From here on, you'll only get my automated responses until you...hit some milestones, let's say. If you trigger my anti-prayer measures, you will have the WORST time. Hopefully I'll be seeing you in person before the end of the next fuckin' decade.

System:Asura

"You...what?!" Even Zieglar's visor couldn't hide the shock in his voice when Asura explained that he had chosen from a handful of options to Transform. "But if...how...Does this mean...?" The knight loosened the strap around his helmet and shook his head as if he were getting a headache. Trent seemed bothered much the same, but only bit his lip.

"A Kilm Blossom is a flower with sour smelling buds, and colorful flowers. A Cushiwog mushroom is red, with green spots that look slimy. Both of them have healing properties an alchemist or magic user can use to make potions and things."

As Asura tried to "sense" something beyond his physical sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, he became aware of two other senses that normally weren't taken into consideration--the sense of one's own bodily positions in relation to oneself, and the sense of one's orientation in space. But aside from a Zen-like mindfulness, being aware of these senses didn't really seem to change anything. Would he need to do some kind of meditation to unlock Spiritual Awareness? Maybe once he entered the cave he would be able to grind it on the undead creatures somehow.

When he suggested a torch, Trent nodded a retrieved one from his pack--it looked like he had at least three in there, along with various other things needed for a short camping trip or scouting excursion.

You used Lesser Cleanse on the Bone Breastplate!
...
The Bone Breastplate has been Cleansed. The lingering energies of Death were already beginning to fade, and now they are gone. The Bone Breastplate has also been slightly sterilized.

System:Ardur

There was no notice about a Purified item or the completion of the Quest for Ardur. What other method might he try? But, it would probably have to wait for a bit--now that Trent was lighting the torch, it was time to go.

As the little group stepped forth into the darkness, they could see that the Cave had not changed too much from the last time they had been in it. The holes in the ceiling were all plugged up, so the darkness was much deeper. That oppressive aura had gotten worse. But...

Everything was silent.

Every so often, there were lights...or were there? Were they Wisps, or just tricks of the eye in the halo from their torch? The temperature, too, had chilled.

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕆𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕𝕝𝕪 ℂ𝕒𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕟

YOU HAVE ENTERED A HOSTILE DUNGEON.

SYSTEM

"The World Echo's a little stronger than it was before." Trent whispered, as they made their way further from the entrance. The walls seemed so much more oppressive in the darkness, somehow. If Asura and Ardur could remember the general layout of the cave, they would know that they were heading, roughly, towards the Goblin Bonfire now...

Suddenly, two eerie green flashes buzzed from near the ceiling--as if they were spotlights watching the entrance. When the Ghost Wisps came zooming down, at the party's feet something in the darkness hissed and came lunging at them!

Encounter!
Ghost Wisp A appeared!
Ghost Wisp B appeared!
Zombie Rat appeared!

SYSTEM

---

Rat Party

The Kobold's skull gave way with a crunch as Ed finished it off. As he ran towards the other side of the cart where that Hobgoblin had just been slain by the swordsman, said adventurer was coming out into the middle of the road. He raised his weapon as Ed approached, but before he could swing the seemingly deranged Ratman just bolted past him. Turning back to the fray, he saw that the fatter human bandit had just reached the road and was heading towards the dueling spearman and helmeted attacker. The tall swordsman cast one more glance back at the Ratman--who now appeared to be savaging the Hobgoblin's body and stealing its weapons--and then took off towards this newest opponent.

The cart driver had recovered his injury, reloaded his sling, and taken aim at this point. The fat bandit ducked down as a stone whistled over his head, and now saw the swordsman coming. He held his big knife in both hands out in front of him, arms shaking.

The spearman deflected a slash from the sword, leveraging his own weapon against its edge. With a circling motion he tried to disarm the armored bandit, but the man slammed his shield against the spear and backed away. Now Ed came screaming across the dirt road once again, his roars attracting the attention of both humans.

Skill Gain: Warcry I (0.8>1.0)!
Unleash a loud, violent roar that causes enemies to shift their focus to you.

System:Ed

With the Ratman's greater brute strength, and the power of his Rabid Fit, he swung the jawbone sword hard enough to knock the human off balance. The next hit forced the man to move his shield off center to deflect it. The third shattered Ed's newly pilfered weapon, the bone splintering into several fragments though it did leave him with the stick handle. The spearman immediately took advantage of this opening, thrusting hard at his opponent's chest. The bandit managed to move at the last moment, but the spear still took him lower in the side. It had a hard time piercing the layered gambeson he wore, though dark red blossomed through the garment. The bandit screamed and drew back, taking a more conservative stance.

"Hunter! Fucking shoot them, you green idiot!" he yelled, glancing over towards the barrow. But the only projectile he saw was the next Mana Orb the mage finished casting from the wagon--he got his shield up just in time, but he couldn't defend from three attackers at once, could he...?

Meanwhile, Asteria manage to claw the Hobgoblin's hand as it reached for her, then grabbed onto the hand with the arrow using both forepaws. Though she might have been a match in terms of pure muscular strength, the Hobgoblin had the advantage of leverage...closer and closer the arrowhead came, and then the greenskin added his other arm to the first. But, just as its point scraped Asteria's cheek, drawing a long line of blood down her snout, she thrust her tail forward! The needle-like probiscus in its muscular grip stabbed into the greenskin's throat and pushed deep--it coughed and choked and stumbled backwards, scrabbling at the improvised weapon now piercing both its windpipe and jugular. It actually managed to break the needle off and pull it out--which only increased the speed of blood jettisoning out of its neck. With a gurgle, the creature fell to the stained grass. Mother Rat leaped onto the body, savaging it a bit more just for good measure, before she rushed back to Asteria and licked at the wound on her face. Now, how was Ed getting along out there...?

---

Deep Forest

While staying very aware of the huge tribe of goblins down below, Nira and Femus made their way among the treetops. They traveled from branch to branch, hiding among the leaves and attempting to keep all noise to a minimum. On the occasion they glanced back at the horde of greenskins to be sure they weren't being followed, they began to observe that all of the combatants of the tribe had been divvied up. That one with the longer hair and the sword seemed to be leading several more Goblins who were also on the scrawny or slouchy side--knives and what may have been throwing darts seemed to feature in a lot of their weaponry, and as they took off into the woods at a different angle to all the other groups, they were much stealthier. The big hairy goblin who looked like he might be as likely to attack his own allies as anything else had been placed in charge of other goblins who mostly just carried simple weapons like clubs or big rocks, without nearly as much variety in his group as there had been in the others. The goblin that wore armor and had another type of wooden sword had been placed in charge of a tight-knit group of greenies holding long, sharpened sticks. They looked like an imitation of some kind of actual military formation, but they had none of the associated discipline and, when they tried to march out ahead of the other groups, almost stabbed their fellows with their own weapons due to how out of sync, clumsy, and belligerent they were. Both the Hobgoblin and the Redcap had picked out the most experienced and well armed members they could find, although it almost seemed like they had been picked out to counter each other's weaknesses as much as any enemy's. Maybe that just meant they were going to cover for each other's weak spots, but given the usual relationship those two had it didn't seem likely.

Soon the goblins were marching off through the woods, to the west. Were they heading towards the place where that explosion had come from yesterday?

Nira and Femus made it to that big tree in the center of the clearing without encountering any other creatures. It seemed the gathering of goblins had probably kept many critters in their hidey holes this morning. As they drew close, a pastoral fragrance filled their nostrils. The air itself simply felt cleaner and richer. It was almost like they were walking out from under a cloud, as the grass around the tree's roots seemed greener, the flowers sprouting in its shade brighter. Moss grew all over the tree's surface, but it didn't seem to be parasitic in nature or damaging the great plant at all. It was incredibly broad and tall, reaching far above the other trees in this part of the forest.

And yet, despite all of this wondrous beauty, there was also a sense of looming danger. As if they were walking next to a sleeping giant...

Skill Gain: Alert I (0.9 > 1.0)!
Though this skill is limited by the strength of your senses, and does not sharpen your senses on its own, it allows you to become more aware of your surroundings. Without conscious effort, you will pick up on signs in your environment more easily, especially if they present some form of danger to you. Essentially this is an anti-ambush skill.

Current Skills:
Monster Analysis I (1.4)
Mana Orb II (2.4)
Lesser Force I (1.4)
Levitation (--)
Meditate I (1.7)
Magic Analysis I (1.95)
Shock Round I (1.0)
Mana Shape I (1.0)
Shield I (1.0)
Mana Control I (1.0)
Alert I (1.0)
<UNUSABLE>
Suppress Presence (0.8)
Faster (0.3)
Harder (0.1)
Soil Manipulation(0.1)
Muffle (0.3)
Stealth Kill (0.1)
Charisma (0.3)
Mana Drain (0.8)
Iron Gullet (0.1)
Mana Sense (0.5)
Keen Smell (0.1)
Mana Dart (0.1)
Mana Burst (0.1)
Fireball (0.1)
Plant Analysis (0.4)
Crafting (0.9)
Keen Sight (0.1)
Wisp Flash (0.1)
Focus (0.3)
Spell Chant (0.3)
Growth (0.8)
Mental Resistance (0.1)

TRANSFORMATION OPTIONS (* Indicates Suitability):
***(Adult) Wisp - More magical manifestation than biological creatures, Wisps nonetheless possess physical bodies. Their ability to cast spells from range makes them a foe that should not be underestimated by the novice. Wisps are magically oriented monsters, normally possessing two spells.

• Slight increase to all Base Stats
• Increase HP
• Increase Potential

*(Immature) Poltergeist - This monster is still fueled by Magic, but its hold on the physical world has become stronger. Though its chubby, infantile body isn't particularly large, its grasping limbs, levitation ability, and its manipulation magic make it quite the prankster. However, its defensive abilities don't grow as fast as some other species. For the already physically frail mage-types, this can be a dangerous weakness.

• Gain Arms w/Hands, Legs w/Feet, Head w/Eyes and Mouth
• Increase base power-stats (reduced)
• Increase Lesser Force (reduced)

***(Immature) Mana Spirit - A straightforward transformation for the Wisp, increasing their mastery over the fundamental spells that they use for their base interactions. At the same time, their physical body becomes more unstable. Rather than saying the body is weaker, it is more like...the fundamental self becomes more subject to change. Many mistake these creatures for true Spirit-type Undead, or Ghosts, due to their appearance.

• Increase base Magic stats.
• Increase Lesser Force (reduced)
• Increase Mana Orb (reduced)

(Immature) Slime Mage - An unusual transformation for a Wisp. Their spherical body swells almost grotesquely, and they develop a slimy membrane as their former body dissolves. Slimes are normally of limited intelligence, but every so often one somehow learns magic. With its poor magic stats its casts are limited in number, but few expect a Slime to have such abilities. Having transformed from a Wisp instead, however, a Slime Mage's magic might be much more effective.

• Increase all base Defense Stats
• Increase Mana Orb (reduced)
• Increase Shield (reduced)

NEW! **(Immature) Sparklight - A Wisp-like Monster that has adapted to Lightning elemental energies. Though its magical stats do not change much at all, its entire being becomes electrically charged. In the way that moths are attracted to flames, Sparklights often find themselves drawn to metal or other sources of magnetic interaction. They are often more aggressive than regular Wisps.

• Increase base movement stats.
• Increase Shock Round (reduced)
• Increase Lightning Affinity (reduced)

System:Femus

---

Farmstead

"Ah..." Gwyn still seemed a little wary, but a flicker of amusement passed over her face as well while Scott stammered and fidgeted. "Well, you're definitely not the same as any other Monster, are you? Even Miiba doesn't talk that much." While the Pixie caught his breath she answered his first question. "As to where we are...This forest is usually just called the Westwood by the locals. I think the Dwarves had a name for it, as did some others, but to most of us Humans it's just a regular place full of trees." She shifted the baby to the other side and adjusted her gown. "The kingdom we live in is called Viskard. There are a few villages, down south in the Alpin grasslands or further north along the rivers, but the closest real town here is Westlake--which is to our east, actually. We're considered to be sort of, on the frontier."

When Scott talked about bleeding out, and his insecurity, Gwyn's eyes became softer and she nodded slowly.

"I don't know as much as my husband, but I have heard the stories. People, who sometimes became Heroes and other times Sages, who were brought here from another world. I can't imagine what that's like, being thrown into a place you have no understanding of...especially when you're shoved into a body that's not yours." Scott apologized, and thanked the family for their hospitality--and for their care of Miiba. Now the woman's face did warm up, and with her free hand she warmly patted Scott's head. The gesture might have seemed somewhat infantile, but then again he was only a foot tall.

"You're very welcome. If you and Miiba really aren't Monsters, then you're certainly our guests. And at this point, I find it easier and easier to believe that you have been...transformed, somehow."

It was at that point that Miiba and Reuben were asking Mira about the possibility of a "curse." The conversation drew attention from the elder sister, Clarice. The younger girl, Alice, stood next to the window with Geir watching the Guild Hawk fly away, her face full of wonder watching its pretty white feathers. The adventurer, on the other hand, turned around and leaned against the windowsill with his arms crossed. He still hadn't stopped glaring at the two Monsters.

"A Curse that turned them into Monsters?" Mira put a finger on her chin as she stopped to consider this. "There are certainly different ways to shapeshift, and powerful illusions...but I don't know if a Spell like that could be permanent...unless..." She finally shook her head. "I'm sorry, Miiba. I don't think it's impossible, but I do find it quite unlikely." She turned her eyes to the ceiling. "But...maybe we could get in contact with some people who might know more? We'll ask Mr. Lear--"

"None of your Analysis skills picked up on anything about a Curse, Mira." Geir spoke up. "And Reuben, you shouldn't be putting ideas in their heads like that. What if they find a way to shift themselves into a Human form instead--and then there are disguised Demonspawn walking around in town?"

"B-but, if it was Miiba, I don't think she'd do anythin' bad anyway..." Reuben said, looking down at the floor and fidgeting.

"Mr. Geir," Clarice stepped forward and put a hand on her little brother's shoulder. "From what Daddy's said so far, it doesn't seem like Miiba and, um...Scott, are actual Monsters. Nothing they've said or done so far matches up, and all of this talk about being Summoned or Cursed...I mean, what else are we supposed to think?"

"You're supposed to remember what your father and I have taught you about these abominations!" Geir's voice rose in volume, making Alice cover her ears. "All of you just want to trust them cause another one popped up!? How do we know this Pixie isn't just casting some Fey spell on us all!? How do we know he's not after the baby, or trying to put a baby in--"

"Geir." Gwyn's stern voice cut through the redheaded youth's anger like a knife. The infant in her arms stirred, making frustrated noises. Her eyes were hard as Geir's mouth snapped shut. "I trust my husband's judgement. I think you're wise to be vigilant...but maybe you should save your anger for when it's needed."

He stared at her, dumbfounded, for several slow seconds. Then, he suddenly grabbed the bandanna around his head and yanked it off, tossing his messy locks in a barely constrained fit. Gripping the cloth in his hands like he wanted to rip it in half, he headed for the door. Mira grabbed his sleeve as he moved to go around the table, away from Miiba and Scott.

"Geir, it's okay." Her voice was soft, even as close as she was Miiba could barely hear it. "Mr. Lear is strong. You're strong. Mrs. Gwyn is smart, and we're not all helpless. Even if we let our guard down a little bit..." She started to move closer. It seemed like she was going to try and hug him. "We can still protect them."

Geir put a gloved hand on her shoulder as he stared down at her. Looking up at him, without his headscarf, Miiba suddenly saw something she had never noticed before now. Just under his hairline, a series of scars pockmarked his head. Like something had pierced deep into his skin, with a jagged line connecting each pink-tinged starburst.

The adventurer held his comrade at bay, and his voice cracked when he spoke.

"Doesn't matter if you can when they won't let you." He took a few steps back. His lip was starting to quiver, but whether it was rage or tears was hard to tell. "But my family didn't understand that either."

The tall boy turned on his heel and stormed out the door. He didn't slam it behind him, because at that moment Lear had come back with a double armload of firewood. As he lay it down inside the house, the farmer looked up and took note of everyone's troubled expressions.

"I think it may be best if we all get ready for bed early tonight." he finally said, clapping his hands together. "Dear, let's get the children washed up. Mira, Miiba, if you'll get the fire going--just enough that we'll have a hot bed of coals all night. Scott, Miiba slept in the den last night. There are probably more blankets around here somewhere, Mira or I will show you in a bit."

Meanwhile, at the edge of the farm... @Duthguy@Guy0fV4lor

Mana Strike: It seems you began developing this skill when trying to apply magic to your physical attacks. It doesn't seem to increase any particular parameters of the weapon used in the attack.

Skill Gain: Material Analysis I (0.9 > 1.0)!
You have developed an eye for determining the qualities of inorganic or non-living objects. At this rank, you will only be able to gain surface information about an object. When used in conjunction with a crafting skill, it may help discover more compatible items.

Skill Gain: Fusion Skill [Analysis]!
A Fusion Skill is not a true skill by itself, but a sort of shortcut. You have acquired Monster, Magic, Plant, and Material Analysis skills. By activating [Analysis] you will use all of these skills at once without as much mental effort. [Analysis] will not go up in Rank, but its effectiveness will increase if the Skills used for Fusion are increased. However, if only Analysis is used, the growth of the individual skills will not be as fast.

System:Danny

Skill Gain: Crafting I (0.9 > 1.0)!
Your knowledge and understanding of mechanics, workmanship, and other such things enable you to craft better items. The process of creating many items is still an unknown to you, but if you ever succeed in such a creation its Sub-Stat Enhancements will be higher than normal.

System:Jason

Before his new Skill triggered, Danny could only observe the wall naturally with his sight, and maybe touch it with his hand, to gain any information on it. The bricks didn't seem like the common red bricks used to build things in his own world. They were hard like brick, and they seemed a similar color, but maybe whatever process was used to make them wasn't the same. If he had to guess, he might say these were fired clay bricks made from simple packed mud and a kiln. Rather than any kind of quicklime or concrete mortar, the stuff between the bricks seemed like another kind of mud mix...though what it was mixed with was rather suspect. It didn't smell, though, and seemed solid enough. The bricks had been fairly evenly stacked, but had been here for long enough that they were settling in some places. A few areas may have been repaired a time or two, at least on this section he was standing at.

With Jason directing him and using a little bit of Ghost Touch, they were able to find some vines while groping around in the dark. Wrapping these around the nearest rock upturned from the base of a tree, they soon had their grappling implement. As Jason activated his Transparency ability and pushed through the bricks, he was able to find a large log that had been dragged just inside the wall at some point, likely to be processed into firewood or lumber at a later time. He could tell from the size of it that even with Ghost Touch or Danny's Lesser Force there was no way this could be moved, but he could grab the rock at the end of the vine and wedge it underneath the log enough that it would probably support Danny's very light weight. Once the Poltergeist was over the wall, they now found themselves standing inside the dark enclosure with a much closer view of the still-lit house.

The door up ahead of them opened. A large figure, carrying something on its shoulders, passed by a thinner figure before the door closed again. They were both clearly humanoid, but were they actually humans? Jason could see that their spiritual energy was quite high--not so much as the Knight, but larger than that Squire's. The bigger one, in fact, might actually have almost as much as the knight, but his didn't surge and glow so brightly. Was that just because he wasn't using Magic at the moment?

The other figure was coming out into the yard. At first both monsters would likely freeze in trepidation, but whoever it was hadn't seemed to notice them yet. The figure removed a one handed axe from their belt--its head glinted in the starlight--and began to practice fighting movements. They could hear grunts and heavy breathing from here, and the movements increased in intensity...

I, the Demon King, Will Summon My Own Damned Heroes!

Monster Party

You used [Analysis]!
---Adult Male Goblin---
Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive. Magic does not usually come naturally to them, but they are capable of learning it despite having weak magic power overall. This goblin is not developing any magical skills that you can sense, but looks likely to have at least a couple of physical skills. He's wielding a Rusty Chipped Arming Sword that doesn't seem to be in great condition, and wearing Fur Clothing that might be a mix of Dire Rat fur and something else. He is also armored with a number of Vine Bracers made from tree bark. They're fairly thick but also kind of dry looking.

---Adult Female Goblin (Mahya)---
Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive. Magic does not usually come naturally to them, but they are capable of learning it despite having weak magic power overall. You know this goblin as Mahya. She doesn't seem to have any magical skills you can detect. She's wearing a Bowl Bikini Top made from wood, a Grass Skirt, a few Bone Bracelets, and now a Roughspun Tunic. The items she crafted herself are of a decent quality for a goblin.

---Analysis Complete!---

System:Digbie

While Digbie let his inner eighth-grader's imagination take over, Rags Nar and the other goblins looked confused by his laughter. When the Demigoblin's voice turned cold, Mahya winced and backed away while Rags Nar pursed his lips and raised both eyebrows.

"Um, dis was...Me not wanna off-fence Demigob! Promise!" Rags Nar held his hands up in supplication before pointing at Mahya. "Brought ya da best we got! Really!" When Digbie's sigils started to glow, the Elite Goblin's eyes bugged and he too stepped backward. The goblin with the sword gulped and looked between Digbie and his leader. But then Digbie began to laugh. Rags Nar looked around at his minions, then wiped sweat from his brow.

"O-oh, uh, sees now...Ya, Demi-Gob make good jokes..." he started to say as Digbie began to pace back and forth. The Demigoblin seemed to have eased up for now, even giving some of the clothing he had been given to Mahya...which caused Rags Nar and the sword-gob to look at each other in disbelief, then back at Digbie with suspicion. And when the demonic greenskin ordered them to release the Four Horned Goat, the Broken Tower's leader clapped his hands to the side of his head in shock.

"Ya mean, just let da goat go!?" Rags Nar looked back at the animal, then gesticulated at it while talking to Digbie. "B-but Demigob! You can has da goat if ya wants it! Can eat it too, if ya really wanna! Lettin' it go don't make no sense!" He pantomimed being stabbed in the gut by something. "It prolly attack us soons as I cuts it loose! Maybe not even letcha get close! Kicks real hard!" The chieftain rubbed his head as he struggled to think about this. "Why da fugg ya wanna let da goat go?"

Mahya put on the roughspun shirt as Digbie had asked, and it was long enough to serve as a dress. Its hem fell to her knees, though the opening for the head was so broad it hung loosely at her shoulders in a strapless fashion. As he had requested, she brought the pants and cap to the Demigoblin. Her body language had become much more wary and subdued.

You used Monster Analysis II! You used Magic Analysis IV! You used Magic Analysis IV!
---Adult Male Goblin--
Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile, and they especially despise all non-goblinoid creatures. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive, and lack not only empathy, but the long-term planning skills to develop past this primitive state. They are capable of learning, however, but most will never use this in a constructive fashion. Magic does not usually come naturally to them, but they are capable of learning it despite having weak magic power overall. This goblin is not developing any magical skills that you can sense, but looks likely to have at least a couple of physical skills. A typical Goblin will be somewhat weak to Fire and Lightning, often fearing those elements for obvious reasons. Magic attacks in general are rather effective on them, as they often lack ranged weaponry or any defenses. They don't typically have resistances save what they have built up over time or gained through their equipment. This Goblin's wooden armor would make him even more vulnerable to flames.
---Analysis Complete!---

System:Oberon

While Oberon observed carefully from a distance, his wings began to ever so slightly shimmer along their scales, like mirrors that had been turned to catch the sunlight. The goblins up at the top of the hill immediately took notice of this, pointing and saying something that wasn't clearly heard. Rags Nar glanced up at them, but had been too focused on his discussion with Digbie to pay attention to the Sprite as of yet. The goblin holding the sword, however, glared at the fairy and flexed his fingers on his weapon.

You used Magic Analysis III! You used Monster Analysis II! You used Mana Sense I!
---Adult Male Goblin---
Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile, and they especially despise all non-goblinoid creatures. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive, and lack not only empathy, but the long-term planning skills to develop past this primitive state. They are capable of learning, however, but most will never use this in a constructive fashion. Magic does not usually come naturally to them, but they are capable of learning it despite having weak magic power overall. This goblin seems to be developing at least one magical skill, but looks likely to have at least a couple of physical skills as well. You sense only a little more mana than usual from it, much less than your own.
---Adult Male Goblin---
Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile, and they especially despise all non-goblinoid creatures. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive, and lack not only empathy, but the long-term planning skills to develop past this primitive state. They are capable of learning, however, but most will never use this in a constructive fashion. Magic does not usually come naturally to them, but they are capable of learning it despite having weak magic power overall. This goblin doesn't seem to be developing any magical skills, but looks likely to have at least a couple of physical ones. You sense what is probably the normal amount of mana for a Goblin from it, much less than your own.
---Adult Female Goblin (Mahya)---
Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile, and they especially despise all non-goblinoid creatures. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive, and lack not only empathy, but the long-term planning skills to develop past this primitive state. They are capable of learning, however, but most will never use this in a constructive fashion. Magic does not usually come naturally to them, but they are capable of learning it despite having weak magic power overall. You know this goblin as Mahya. She doesn't seem to have any magical skills you can detect. You sense the normal amount of mana from her, much less than your own.
---Adult Male Goblin---
Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile, and they especially despise all non-goblinoid creatures. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive, and lack not only empathy, but the long-term planning skills to develop past this primitive state. They are capable of learning, however, but most will never use this in a constructive fashion. Magic does not usually come naturally to them, but they are capable of learning it despite having weak magic power overall. This goblin is not developing any magical skills that you can sense, but looks likely to have at least a couple of physical skills. You sense the normal amount of Mana from it, much less than your own. --You used Material Analysis II!-- He's wielding a Rusty Chipped Arming Sword (Very Poor), Fur Clothing (Bad), and Vine Bracers x4 (R-Leg, Average. L-Leg, Bad. R-Arm, Poor. L-Arm, Below Average).
---Elite Male Goblin (Rags Nar)---
This is an Elite Adult Goblin. You have learned his name is Rags Nar. Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and while their physical strength isn't to be underestimated, they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile, and while they can use tools they have a limited intelligence. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive, and a lack of emotional control that causes them to do whatever they feel necessary to satisfy any primal craving they happen to feel at any given moment. They aren't typically capable of long-term planning and have difficulty with abstract concepts. They don't possess a great deal of magical power, but are sometimes capable of learning it.

However, an Adult Goblin typically grows towards the taller side of average. Under normal circumstances, a goblin will reach puberty between 3 to 4 weeks after birth, and will finish their maturation entirely within 3 months or so. The accumulation of power due to high levels of ambient magic or unusual experiences, however, may accelerate this growth. Goblins are one of a small number of monsters who can reproduce with multiple species without hybridization. A female goblin will always give birth to a goblin even if coupled with a male of another species, and a female of another species will almost always give birth to a goblin if coupled with a male goblin. However, some species may still pass traits on to goblin children. An example you would be familiar with: Rattleskull, as a Bugbear, had goblin children who will likely be more predisposed to developing greater physical strength and endurance, and may grow more body hair.

An Elite Goblin is a fully mature Goblin that has overcome the challenges of survival, or lived long enough, and developed into an outstanding example of the species. Their bodies will be further developed, though no pure Goblin four feet tall or taller has ever been observed. Their experiences have often granted them greater intelligence than their brethren, so their plans are much more complex and they are always high in the tribe's command structure.

Rags Nar has a higher than usual MP pool for a Goblin, but as far as you can tell he has no Magical properties. He is wearing a Broken Haubergeon (Below Average), Filthy Underwear (Bad), Vine Greaves (Good), Treebark Bracers (Good) x2, Scrap Leather Boot (Below Average), Iron Dagger (Well-Made), and a Wooden Pot Lid (Above Average).
---Analysis Complete!---

Skill Rank Up: Mana Sense I > Mana Sense II (1.8 > 2.05)!
The sensations you get become much less vague. You can now detect the Element and Intent of a magical object or spell, for instance an Offensive Fire spell.

System:Ash

You used Monster Analysis I! You used Magic Analysis II! You used Material Analysis I!
---Adult Male Goblin---
Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive. Magic does not usually come naturally to them, but they are capable of learning it. This goblin seems to be developing at least one magical skill. He's wearing Hide Armor and Fur Clothing made of a mix of Dire Rat pelts and perhaps a few other creatures. He doesn't seem to be holding any weapons or wearing them out in the open.
---Adult Male Goblin---
Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive. Magic does not usually come naturally to them, but they are capable of learning it. This goblin doesn't seem to be developing any magical skills, but looks likely to have at least a couple of physical ones. You sense what is probably the normal amount of mana for a Goblin from it, much less than your own. He's wearing a Cast Iron Skillet and a few Vine Bracers made from tree-bark. His weapon appears to be a large branch worn down into a Heavy Wooden Club.
---Adult Female Goblin (Mahya)---
Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive. Magic does not usually come naturally to them, but they are capable of learning it. You know this goblin as Mahya. She doesn't seem to have any magical skills you can detect. She's wearing a Bowl Bikini Top made from wood, a Grass Skirt, a few Bone Bracelets, and now a Roughspun Tunic. The items she crafted herself are of a decent quality for a goblin.
---Adult Male Goblin---
Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive. Magic does not usually come naturally to them, but they are capable of learning it. This goblin is not developing any magical skills that you can sense, but looks likely to have at least a couple of physical skills. He's wielding a Rusty Chipped Arming Sword, Fur Clothing that looks to made from Dire Rats and perhaps something else, and Vine Bracers made from tree-bark.
---Elite Male Goblin (Rags Nar)---
This is an Elite Adult Goblin. You have learned his name is Rags Nar. Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and while their physical strength isn't to be underestimated, they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile, and while they can use tools they have a limited intelligence. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive. They don't possess a great deal of magical power, but are sometimes capable of learning it.

An Elite Goblin is a fully mature Goblin that has overcome the challenges of survival, or lived long enough, and developed into an outstanding example of the species. Their bodies will be further developed, and their experiences have often granted them greater intelligence.

Rags Nar has a higher than usual MP pool for a Goblin, but as far as you can tell he has no Magical properties. He is wearing a Broken Haubergeon, Filthy Underwear, Vine Bracers, Scrap Leather Boot, Iron Dagger, and a Wooden Pot Lid.
---Adult Four Horned Goat---
A goat with, well, four horns. Magical mutations have made this herbivore's temper extremely volatile, however, and given it the nasty benefit of a natural poison in those horns. Every so often a normal goat will give birth to this creature, but most shepherds would rather slaughter them or toss them into the wilds than try to tame them. It has much lower MP than you do. As far as you can tell it has no magical properties. Its fur is quite thick and its hide can be tanned into good quality leather. Its bones and hooves are especially sturdy. Its horns are fairly hard, but hollow, and of course poisonous. It is stronger and more durable than you are, and slightly faster.
---Analysis Complete!---

Skill Rank Up: Material Analysis I > Material Analysis II (1.475 > 2.175)!
Obtain more detailed information about the qualities and traits of Materials. If you know of a currency value, you can make a rough estimate of an object's worth. The more detailed your knowledge of the local economy, the more accurate the assessment.

System:Torrent

The rest of Digbie's party remained passive, though one slowly prepared to attempt a tunnelling ambush if necessary. The negotiations didn't seem to have broken down yet, but Oberon's glowing wings were putting the goblins on guard. In response to Digbie's bravado, however, it seemed all they could muster was confusion. Was there a point to the Demi-goblin's strange demands? Or had he just thrown it out there without considering the goblins' normal lack of foresight?

---

PixieSlime Party

Inventory:
Healing Herb x2 (Quality ???)
Source Crystal Shard x1
Jawbone Club x1 (Quality ???)

Total: 4/10 Item Slots

System:Asura

"An interesting mindset for a Monster." Zieglar replied as Asura spoke on his philosophy of battle. "But if that's how you've survived thus far, how did you end up as an Amorphous Slime? Their slippery bodies are built for evading or hiding from battle, rather than taking blows and returning counters. If you had adapted otherwise, you probably should have become a Giant Slime...or, given the nature of the cave, maybe a Block or Ore Slime." The knight hummed inside his helmet. "Maybe even the rare Metallic Slime. How did you Transform?"

Later on, when the red slime asked how to fight spirits without magic, Zieglar nodded his head.

"It depends on the strength of the spirit and how they attack you. You see, Undead Spirits cannot maintain their existence for very long. The mortal World wasn't made for them, and rejects their presence. It's why not every single creature who dies actually becomes an undead." He gestured to the corpse of Bear-Ate behind them. "Whatever its type, a ghost requires energy to persist. The most abundant form of that energy is Mana, especially the neutral Energy element--as you might guess from the name, haha. So most ghosts attempt to drain the mana of living beings...along with the rest of their life force." His tone darkened. "However, this actually makes them vulnerable. If a spirit tries to consume your soul, they have to interact with your own spiritual presence. The stronger your will and the greater your knowledge of magic or spiritual factors, the harder you can fight back against them--possibly even turning their attempt back on them."

"You would be vulnerable to any other attacker in the physical realm, though." Trent added. "Unless you were especially strong or had a few particular types of abilities, you would be paralyzed while fighting off the spirits. In some cases it can be considered a status effect that we call "Haunted." So in an Undead Dungeon like this where we will likely be outnumbered, it's quite dangerous."

"Actually, I don't think you have that much to fear from Spirits yet." Zieglar continued. "This Dungeon is still new. And the creatures it has to draw from...I imagine only Goblins, or perhaps the smarter Pixies and Wisps, would have either the presence of mind or the sheer magical resources to maintain a spirit form. And I imagine the Core simply draws the spirits back to itself, to either convert them to fuel or plant them in a new body. If, on the off chance...you do encounter a particularly strong spirit..." He looked Asura and Ardur over, one gloved finger tapping the chin strap of his helmet. "Remember this: if it can affect physical objects, it can be affected by physical objects. True, the damage won't be so severe...but if you were a creature made up of barely-held-together mist and memories, a strong enough sword swing would pretty much disperse you even if only by the air it displaced, now wouldn't it?"

"You can also win by attrition rather easily." Trent piped up. "Remember how Master said spirits depend on Mana? So if they cast spells at you, and you can dodge or withstand them, it's like they're whittling down their own lifespan. But because spirits are usually driven by powerful emotions, they don't often think that kind of thing through. You might be able to let them burn themselves out instead of fighting them at all."

Asura's second question wanted to know how or where to gather Healing Herbs. With no crystals or herbs left in the cave, it seemed like they would be going into the dungeon with very few resources.

"There are a few places in this forest where Healing Herbs might grow, but we don't have a lot of light left to gather them by." Zieglar answered, looking up at the sun. The day was getting long in the tooth. "You might try gathering a few more common plants used in medicinal alchemy, like Kilm Blossoms or Cushiwog Mushrooms, but otherwise I'm afraid you're out of luck there."

"I have three healing potions and two for restoring mana." Trent offered--only to gulp when Zieglar turned to him a bit more swiftly than usual. The boy looked away and rubbed one of his shoulders. "Ah, but uh, they're kind of expensive. A-and depending on your own strength, they might actually make you sick. Monsters usually don't take the same dosages a human would."

While they discussed this, Ardur took a moment to himself and offered his prayers to the Divine Spirit of the Sun. Now that he had a name to put to the Figure he had seen in his visions, he felt that perhaps Galatine would hear him directly...Sitting there in the clearing, still and quiet save for the soft whisper of his prayer, he could feel the sun's warmth on his skin cloaking him like a mantle. He contemplated the dangers of the dungeon they were about to go into, and perhaps he would remember his own anger directed towards the undead whom he viewed as abominations to the very concept of life. Could he use Lesser Cleanse to purify the remains of those creatures, and return their spirits to the proper cycle? After finishing his prayer, he pondered these things while returning to the group and healing Asura...

A Quest is yours to receive: Fashion a Purified Item

• An item can be purified by mundane washing with the proper materials, and by magic.
• Purified items might gain different effects, like holy water or a blessed weapon.
• Keeping a purified item close at hand will certainly prove beneficial.

Do you wish to receive this Quest? Y/N

Ardur

Ardur spoke up once it was decided that Trent would direct the party on their quest to destroy the Dungeon Core. As he rambled on about the group's abilities, the squire and knight looked at each other again. It was clear by this point that the two seemed to have the kind of bond where communication didn't always require words...although in this world, there was the distinct possibility that such a thing could be more literal than figurative.

"Tanks and crowd control, eh?" Zieglar muttered, as if to himself. Then he looked at the Hipixie to answer Ardur's question about Goblins.

"A Goblin doesn't evolve into a Bugbear or a Hobgoblin. It Transforms into one. Evolution and Transformation are closely related, but they're not the same. But, to answer the spirit of your question..." The knight looked up at the sun again, either gauging the time or just considering Ardur's prompt. "I suppose it greatly depends. Goblins have a few special traits, one of them being their inheritance. If a Goblin had a Bugbear parent, for instance, they might be born bigger and stronger. If a Goblin was especially crafty or talented, they might gain power at a faster rate. Under what I would call the most natural circumstances, I would think a Goblin would be born, reach physical maturity between three weeks to a month later, be considered a real adult between three to six months later, and perhaps undergo a true Transformation within a year or less." He raised a single finger. "But, a Goblin that had the talent or good luck to gain a great deal of experience could Transform even before reaching true adulthood, accelerating its growth at the cost of diminishing some of its abilities. Monsters, however, don't decide what they're going to become willy-nilly the way a Human can choose to develop at any Job he likes." A second finger joined Zieglar's first. "To become a Bugbear, a Goblin would have to be very physically robust. It's not uncommon, given how dumb and brutish they are to begin with, but they're not always built for it depending on what food is available to them, what kind of labor they do, how they fight, and so on. Transforming into a Hobgoblin is more likely, though they are typically a bit more developed mentally than the average Goblin before they change." Zeiglar put his hand down and did some thinking, tilting his head back and forth as if to stretch his neck.

"I would guess that, after becoming an Adult, a Goblin might continue to develop for another six months to a year before it Transformed again. It would be most likely to become an Elite Goblin, but maybe if only its physical strength matched up to that standard it could become a Bugbear. Or a Hobgoblin if it was a quick learner."

"I think it would be more likely to become a different species after becoming an Elite, rather than before." Trent said. "Some of the Tamers at the Guild told me that's the peak of Goblin growth for the vast majority of them. If they can't become an Alpha or a special Variant, they would likely end up as an Elder Goblin. Rather than let old age take them, I think lots of Goblins would try to leave or find some other way to overcome an Alpha they disliked, and that might trigger a Transformation into something further removed from a Goblin."

"Either way," Zieglar shrugged. "Between two and three years, then. That's what I'd think to be the natural state of it." The knight looked back at Ardur and Asura. "But given all of the odd circumstances you two have been talking about? I honestly haven't the foggiest. If any Goblins in that cave are like you, they might turn into a Bugbear far sooner just by doing something ridiculous. Like a hundred pushups, situps, and squats followed by running around the cave every day." He chuckled to himself...then seemed to consider the implications of body-building Goblins and cleared his throat.

Walking as they talked, the group soon made their way back to the cave. The sun hadn't gone down yet, but it had just begun to dip and dye the clouds with hues of subdued yellows and bright orange. This cast a warm and pleasant light through the trees as they entered the clearing around the Dungeon's entrance--but no matter how pleasant the light, the scene before them could not be made less forboding.

Whatever barrier Trent had made the previous night had been stripped down. All that remained were the dead leaves and broken splinters of the various boughs he had draped over it--and the actual fortifications were nowhere to be seen, as if they had been hauled off rather than simply trampled. Several other trees, the closest ones to the entrance, had been mauled by something at their trunks. Their lower limbs had been broken off, but oddly enough there were very few leaves left on the ground. And, near small game trails or breaks in the treeline, there were several patches of disturbed earth. Blood or bits of fur could be seen amongst brambles and bushes.

Leading away from the clearing, through the entrance of the dungeon and into the cavern, were at least three blood trails. Thick blood trails, still sticky and wet. Something had come out of the Dungeon...killed something else...and brought it all back home with them.

"Ah, splendid, worse off than we left it by far." Zieglar said with a lackadasical wave of his gauntlet. His tone sobered as he flipped up his visor and looked at Trent. His hand was heavy on the boy's shoulder. "Listen to me, boy." Trent clenched his jaw and nodded, trying to look his master in the eye. "You are afraid, because you are not stupid. But you must not act afraid, because nothing in there will be afraid of you. Stay focused--the moment you relax your guard, the moment everything is going well, that will be the moment you are vulnerable." Trent's hands moved on reflex, checking his sword belt and pulling his gloves tighter around his hands. His teacher continued. "Keep your expectations low. Prepare for an opponent that has taken every advantage over you and dare not hope for what you cannot be guaranteed. Victory does not come from superiority in strength or numbers. Determination, discipline, wisdom, cunning, and courage--these things do not grant triumph, but all who are triumphant have them." Zieglar relased his disciple, and raised a fist as if he were trying to grasp the sun. "Galatine's protection over you, boy."

Trent took a deep breath, set his mouth in a grim line, and drew his sword. Taking his shield in the other hand, he turned to the party of unusual monsters and spoke. His voice was strong, if not so deep.

"Asura, you and I shall take the front. If you will stay a step or two in front of me, you can shield from below. My shield will be above you, and everyone behind us should have cover." A vertical shield wall, instead of a horizontal one. This would allow them to travel single file, given that for a Human the cave's interior tunnels would be much narrower. "Ardur, if your spider-friend stays on the ground immediately behind me, you should have enough room to hover overhead. Please be careful when launching magic over my shoulders." He gulped. "If, if you run out of magic power...the spider can c-cr-crawl up my b-back in order to lob her webbing instead. And finally, if the uh...Miss...Mother...Slime? If she will cover our rear, we should be okay even if the enemy flanks us."

The darkness within the dungeon beckoned...

---

Rat Party

At the same moment the Kobold was casting that first spell, Asteria immediately began analyzing its magic.

---Frostbite---
A spell that requires channeling from a point of contact. Heat is rapidly siphoned away from an area, causing ice to form if any moisture is present and frosting over the surface. A living creature takes elemental damage and may also be afflicted with a slowing effect, while terrain may become hard and slippery or wet and sticky, depending.

System:Asteria

Ed began sneaking his way out of the entrance and into the tall grass along the ditch. He was targeting the one that smelled like something noxious, yet somewhat familiar--and once he caught sight of the Kobold's reptilian face, he knew what it had to be. The poison, like what the Fanged Lizards back in the cave had! He launched himself at the Kobold from behind, where there was no frost on the ground to impede him, and his eyes were already bloodshot with rage...

The tall young man had pushed the big goblinoid back down into the ditch, but hesitated to wade into the grass after the monster. He flourished his blade, but it wasn't a move for mere showmanship--the flashing steel actually knocked aside that arrow the rats had previously heard being drawn back. Rather than saying the youth had sliced it out of the air, it was more like he had just gotten his blade somewhere, somehow, in the way--that was the point of those flashy figure-eight movements, after all, because keeping anything at all in front of you was better than just presenting your body as a target.

Asteria had to take a moment to convince Mother Rat to follow her, but now she too snuck out of the entrance of the barrow. Unlike Ed, she went around the side of the structure, seeking to come upon that archer while he was still unaware...

"TWO OTHER ASSHOLES--"

Ed's first fury-fueled strike hit the Kobold right on the back of its head before it could even turn around, and the creature let out a scream as it stumbled forward.

"NEAR THE OPPOSITE DITCH!" The Ratman kept swinging, clubbing the reptile along its back and shoulders. "KILL 'EM!"

The man with the spear, and the cart driver, looked towards Ed more out of concern for the noise rather than any real response to his words. But even without fully processing the warning, turning their attention like that revealed the other two bandits in hiding--who had now broken into an outright run, weapons at the ready.

"--Fireball!" The magic user standing in the back of the cart had finished his incantation sometime before Ed's attack and now launched the actual spell, a blazing orb that struck the ground right in front of the Kobold--and Ed. Its bright flash and the roaring heat of the flames disoriented the Rat Man, but as he stumbled back his target screamed and writhed in its burning robes. The frost on the ground, too, was rapidly melting.

The goblin in the ditch came up again, and the tall boy had taken note of all the shouting but hadn't turned his head. He knew what his role was, to protect this side of the cart, and was leaving the rest to his allies. This time the creature tried to push the human's arms aside with its shield, in order to strike afterwards with its bone weapon. But the teenager stepped back to put some distance between them, putting his own back to the cart to better let him absorb the clash of bone against steel. The jawbone blade cracked, but his sword still gleamed. He levered it, forcing the goblinoid's weapon down towards the ground, then with a flick of his wrists sent his blade up the creature's arm like a runway. Its body was too off center to use its other arm and cover with the shield. A green ear went flying and the monster screamed bloody murder.

By this time the archer would have sent another arrow into the melee, perhaps two--if it had not been tackled from behind by two angry Dire Rats. As Asteria Smashed into its back with a full body tackle, Mother Rat leaped at the back of its legs and immediately began thrashing with her fangs. The figure fell forward, and as the rodent matriarch continued to savage it she ripped part of its cloak off, revealing it to be another goblinoid just like the one attacking the swordsman. These things weren't Bugbears like Rattleskull, but they had to be some Transformation of the normal greenskins. Why were they working with a Kobold and two humans?

Despite dropping its bow, the creature still had an arrow in hand, and with this he snarled and lashed out. Mother Rat squealed as the arrowhead pierced one of her shoulders, but it didn't go deep enough to stick the barbs--still, given the size difference it was a dangerous blow. As she limped backward, the goblin-thing turned on Asteria with blazing eyes and tried to grab her with one hand while stabbing viciously with the other...

The tanned man with the spear leaped forward to meet the two human bandits. The short fat one was, of course, lagging behind the other. But the other human bandit was the one with the helmet and metal shield. This shield turned aside a powerful thrust, but the caravan guardian got the shaft of his weapon up in time to ward off a stroke from the highwayman's sword. He let himself be driven back--after all, it only put him closer to his charges anyway--and once he had more distance tried to go over the rim of the shield. The bandit still managed to ward off the blow, but only barely, and had to take a step back to do so.

"O Mana, gather unto my hand..." This next incantation was much faster, more practiced, and the mage held up his palm as a crackling sphere of power formed in front of his fingers. "Mana Orb!" Just seconds after losing its ear, the big gob skirmisher ate a magical blast to the chest. It coughed and was driven backwards as if by a hard punch, the front of its roughspun clothes smoking. It tried to recenter itself, getting its shield in front of its body--

Only for the swordsman's murderstroke to come over the top, an easy task given his greater height and longer reach. The blade's crossguard broke the monster's skull like a pickaxe breaks rock, and dropped it to the earth with a short spray of blood.

---

Ghost Party

Mana Density returned to normal levels.

Temporary Extra MP has been used.

A Quest is yours to receive: Delve into the Earth

• There are Mountains to the West, it wouldn't be unusual to find caves or tunnels there.
• Wherever an entrance may be found, the hidden depths of the earth can hide an abundance. Materials, valuables, ancient history, and who can say what else...?
• There may, however, be risks in the darkness...

Do you wish to receive this Quest? Y/N

System:Jason

Jason's MP depleted as he used his Ghost Touch spell to shift the earth and bury the remains of the Goblin. As he prayed over it, he could almost hear that iron bell in his mind...How could he make sure Onogoro heard his prayers? How could he make contact with the being, find out what it wanted, how to be granted its blessing? All he could really remember from that dream was the endless darkness of the earth, that feeling of sinking down, down, down...He had intentionally sought out the Figure, but the moment it answered him he had risen back up. However, the thought of being under the earth again, of being surrounded on all sides by solid rock and weighed down by the pressure of the ground above, wasn't exactly pleasant. If he buried himself, as an Undead, would he accomplish the same thing he was doing now with this Goblin corpse?

After his prayers, he communicated with Danny telepathically. Between that skill and the offer of Mana from Guidance, his extra magical power got used up. The drain on his spirit form had become less intense in the darkness, though...and it seemed like that wispy spiritual outline he saw overlaying his vision had become stronger now that so little light filtered down from the sky.

Danny's Analysis had shown him that it was indeed Jason rising out of the earth, with the same results as the last time he had scanned the slime-shaped spirit. His Mana Vision now saw the Ectoslime in much sharper detail against the growing darkness, and when Jason used Ghost Touch to shift the dirt the Poltergeist got an inkling of how that skill worked as well.

Skill Rank Up: Monster Analysis II > Monster Analysis III (2.975 > 3.0)!
Gain more information about a creature or other items directly related to a creature. You may now gain comparison information about the creature's physical capabilities contrasted with your own.

Skill Rank Up: Magic Analysis I > Magic Analysis II (1.95 > 2.0)!
Gain more detail about Magic oriented Skills and Spells. Lose less effectiveness when analyzing Monsters, Materials, etc so long as they are magically inclined.

LEVEL UP! Your combined experiences have culminated in new power! You are now Level 8! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you please!

Unspent Skill Points: 5

Current Skills:
Mana Orb II (2.675)
Lesser Force III (3.075)
Levitation (--)
Monster Analysis III (3.0)
Meditate I (1.65)
Mana Shape I (1.6)
Aqua Sphere I (1.35)
Magic Analysis II (2.0)
Mana Dart I (1.1)
Blunt Resistance I (1.1)
Focus I (1.05)
Faster I (1.2)
Plant Analysis I (1.2)
Mana Vision I (1.4)
Point Strike I (1.2)
Muffle I (1.05)
Crafting I (1.45)
Spiritual Awareness I (1.1)
Fireball I (1.05)
<UNUSABLE>
Mana Strike (0.9)
Mana Shell (0.1)
Suppress Presence (0.9)
Spell Cancel (0.2)
Aqua Stream (0.2)
Magic Dash (0.2)
Spell Chant (0.8)
Material Analysis (0.9)
Mana Drain (0.1)
Alert (0.3)
Fire Resistance (0.2)
Charisma (0.2)
Stronger (0.7)
Dextrous (0.4)
Dash Attack (0.1)
Skewer (0.1)
Tremor Sense (0.3)
Keen Sight (0.1)
Smash (0.6)
Wall (0.1)
Defender (0.1)
Use Light Equipment (0.2)
Dual Cast (0.05)
Double Skill (0.05)
Alchemy (0.1)
Mana Control (0.1)
Flame Burst (0.2)
Iron Gullet (0.1)
Pierce Resistance (0.3)

System:Danny

Once the duo started moving, they practically broke into a run. Since they could both float above the surface of the ground, however, they didn't make quite as much noise as they usually would. Jason's spirit form was little more than a cold wind moving through the branches, and Danny was small enough to get around most of the underbrush without trouble. Heading east, they didn't encounter any other monsters for some time, though at one point they could see a distant light just a little bit further to the north that might have been a bonfire of some sort...maybe it was those Goblins led by that female reincarnator? Nonetheless, they ignored it and kept going East. Maybe they could head that tribe off and figure out what it was they were after before they even got there...

Eventually they broke through into a large area of cleared land. Someone had intentionally cleared more of the trees and worked the earth to create a small meadow. It was shaped like an uneven circle, and at the center roughly fifty to a hundred yards from any outer edge a structure had been built. Enclosed by a low, square wall of earthy brick sat a house, with a shed off to one side, a well near the corner of the yard, and a small fenced off area in the back. The "courtyard" in front of the house had been divided into several small fields. As a matter of fact, the entire area had a somewhat grid-like pattern to it. Parts of the fields had been just recently ploughed, with small mounds where something had been planted. The result made the area seem like a patchwork quilt of different squares. A few of the fields do seem to be growing something--green shoots quite like the wild, onion-like plants they had already seen; something very similar to clover; patches of small, round and purple flowers.

From Afar

Close Up

Of course, now that night had deeply fallen, everything was covered in midnight blue hues and white, misty starlight. But from the farmhouse, a handful of lights could be seen shining through windows...

---

Deep Forest

When Nira tried to create a sphere of magical energy, her Meditation was interrupted. She couldn't regain her Mana while also trying to manipulate other spells, at least not with the skill at this Rank. However, as she felt the flow of magic within her body and tried to pull it out, a soft white glow began to issue from her palm. Using the memory of Femus's spell as a base, she focused on the light until it grew brighter and more substantial. It seemed to lift from her hand of its own accord, and like a liquid spilled in zero-gravity, it took a perfectly spherical form...but it was very small, and didn't crackle as much. Alternating between practicing this and meditating to restore her MP, she soon increased the size of the orb and the amount of power she could put into it, but every time she attempted to launch it or throw it the spell simply fizzled out.

As night drew onward, she eventually found a place to settle for the night and drifted off...

Meanwhile, Femus's experimentation took a more...artistic turn. Using the various bits of plant matter he had gathered to fashion tiny arrangements, he made small holes in the leaves. He had some idea in his head that, by crafting a fascimile of nature and drawing out a pathway of some sort, that he could cause mana to gather into this object. Whether or not that were true would be the point of this experiment. He tried to extend his mana into the plant sculpture, and as he did so...

The soft white glow did seem to seep into the plant, but as the Mana crackled the leaves began to blacken and wither. The first bud even began to smoke somewhat, though it smelled more like ozone than ash. He had only been able to make five of these from the materials he had gathered, and now he was down to four. He wanted elemental mana, he wanted the energy of nature itself to infuse these plants. He tried to visualize the leaves taking in carbon dioxide and filtering out oxygen. The next bud didn't do anything different, save that it took it longer for the mana to diffuse and burn it up. He tried to focus on the bark, on the xylem and phloem within that transported water and nutrients just like the bloodstream of a human. This time, the Mana seemed to not burn the bud for much longer...until he tried to do anything else with it. If he tried to circulate it, the plant would burn. So, down to his last bud, Femus made his last attempt of the night. He allowed his mana to flow into the artificial seedling, seeking to transform its properties into that of nature's own...

And nothing. The bud just sat there, softly glowing. It got dimmer over time, like a candle burning out. It didn't blacken, but it did wither after several minutes.

You used Magic Analysis I!
---???---
1st Attempt - You are charging this object with your mana, overloading it.
2nd Attempt - You are carefully charging this object with your mana. It is overloaded.
3rd Attempt - You are circulating your mana through this object. Nothing is happening as a result of this action.
4th Attempt - You are circulating your mana through this object carefully. Nothing is happening. Your mana disperses over time.
5th Attempt - You are circulating your Mana through this object carefully. Your mana is settling within the object. This object is now charged with your mana.
---Analysis Complete---

You are experiencing a Fast Rate of Skill Progression.

Skill Gain: Mana Control I (0.9 > 1.0)!
Your precise control over the flow of your own Mana has increased. You cannot change the base nature of a Spell Skill unless you have another Magic Alteration type Skill. However, Spell Interference from enemies is lessened, and your ability to maintain a spell or use it in an unorthodox fashion is less likely to fail. Learning a new Spell based on an already known one is less difficult.

LEVEL UP! Your learning experiences have culminated in new power! You are now Level 6! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you please! YOUR BODY CANNOT HOLD OFF THE CHANGES FOR TOO MUCH LONGER...

Unspent Skill Points: 10

Current Skills:
Monster Analysis I (1.35)
Mana Orb II (2.4)
Lesser Force I (1.4)
Levitation (--)
Meditate I (1.7)
Magic Analysis I (1.95)
Shock Round I (1.0)
Mana Shape I (1.0)
Shield I (1.0)
Mana Control I (1.0)
<UNUSABLE>
Suppress Presence (0.7)
Alert (0.9)
Faster (0.3)
Harder (0.1)
Soil Manipulation(0.1)
Muffle (0.3)
Stealth Kill (0.1)
Charisma (0.3)
Mana Drain (0.5)
Iron Gullet (0.1)
Mana Sense (0.5)
Keen Smell (0.1)
Mana Dart (0.1)
Mana Burst (0.1)
Fireball (0.1)
Plant Analysis (0.4)
Crafting (0.5)
Keen Sight (0.1)
Wisp Flash (0.1)
Focus (0.3)
Spell Chant (0.3)
Growth (0.5)

System:Femus

As the Wisp and the Pixie settled in the boughs of the tree, night fell upon the clearing deep in the forest...

((You now enter Day 6 along with Monster Party and Rat Party))

If the first rays of the morning sun dappling through the leaves hadn't already awakened them, the raucous of marauding Goblins certainly would. It looked like the entire tribe of greenskins had gathered a ways away from their ramshackle nests, within sight of the old tree Femus and Nira currently sat in and also some distance from that extremely large tree. The Goblins weren't just amassed to watch their leader and his subordinates duke it out again, either. This time they had been herded into something that at least resembled a proper formation, with all of the males at the front. There were some females, too, but the largest portion of she-gobs and younglings, along with all of the elders of both genders, had been pushed more towards the back. The Hobgoblin with the spear walked along the ranks from the front, looking over various specimens. The Redcap, and the other three captains--one of whom Nira would recognize as that swords-goblin she had seen yesterday--stood somewhat apart from the ranks.

"I picks...youse! And...bof'a youse! And youse too!" The boss was picking out different goblins, but it didn't seem like he was doing it at random. He held his lance tightly in one hand, but also had what looked like a pouch hanging at his side full of small rocks. One of the goblins he had picked was short but stocky, holding a gnarled stick with a rock tied to its end to make it even smashy-er. Another had a pair of stone knives that had jagged, but clearly sharp edges. Another seemed to have fashioned some kind of flail out of a piece of vine and a bigger, rougher rock. And so on and so forth. Crushing, stabbing, slicing, throwing, just about every primitive type of weapon one could imagine a creature with the culture of a caveman and the prowess of a small child would use to kill their enemies was present. After he had picked out his own team, a total of 8 fighters counting himself, the Hobgoblin began doling out the others to his "lieutenant" and "sergeants." He didn't call them that of course but by now it seemed clear that they served in a very similar capacity. If Nira and Femus looked closer and paid more attention, they might be able to tell just what kind of strategy each group planned to use based on its makeup of combatants...

But, what in the world were these 40-odd goblins gearing up for? Who or what were they about to fight? And what did this mean for this up-til-now peaceful forest glade?

---

Farmstead

"I...I guess you're good? Better than other goblins, anyway." Reuben said. He looked away from the whimpering greenskin, rubbing the back of his head. He looked perplexed as well. "Maybe...if you're tellin' the truth and all, then you wouldn't really be a goblin, would you?" Suddenly intrigued by his own thought, Reuben rubbed his chin. "It's more like...more like you're one'a them kiddy stories! Like you was Cursed to look like a goblin, even though you're not! That way you can be good, since Goblins is all s'posed to be bad!" Thinking about it from this perspective seemed to have solved some of Reuben's crisis. He didn't seem as uneasy around Miiba anymore. "Maybe we can find a way to break the curse, so you ain't gotta be a goblin no more!"

The boy turned on all fours and started to shuffle out from under the other side of the table. He motioned for Miiba to follow. Mirabelle had finished writing the letter as Lear dictated, and Geir was in the process of tying the tiny scroll to the Guild Hawk's leg over near the window. The mage woman was putting her parchment and quill back into a knapsack, and the farmer had gotten up to go out, seemingly for firewood.

"Miss Mira, Miss Mira!" Reuben said, grabbing two fistfulls of the girl's dress. The magic user made a light squeak, looking down sharply at Reuben with a reddening face before pointedly taking his hands away and crouching a bit to face him. "I think we figured it out! Miiba might be Cursed, like in the fairytales! Maybe if we break the curse she won't be a Goblin no more!"

"What?" Mirabelle looked at Miiba with genuine curiosity. "What's this about a curse?"

Meanwhile, when Scott approached Gwen, he found himself in a bit of an awkward situation...as she was in the middle of, aherm, feeding the infant. Directly. She looked down at him with wide eyes, but didn't seem offended--after all, he wasn't a man, but a Pixie.

"Ah...yes? Mr. Pixie? How can I, um...help you?" She looked towards Geir, then towards Mirabelle, and seeing them both occupied grew a little more nervous. But, she set her jawline and adjusted the baby's weight against her hip, subtly turning her body sideways so that her arm was between the monster and her child.

I, the Demon King, Will Summon My Own Damned Heroes!

Deep Forest

Thanks to her Alert skill giving her warning of the Goblin's presence, and her Muffle skill allowing her to silently move back among the trees, it seemed she was able to get away without likewise alerting the greenskin. As she moved among the branches, the creature did suddenly tilt its head...but it wasn't looking in quite the right direction. The goblin scratched its head, made a short circle around its clearing...then shrugged and went back to its training. It sounded like that feast of theirs in the distance was winding down too...

Femus meditated to restore his Mana, and as part of the usual deep breathing and calm mind he tried to follow the flow of energy within his body. At first, it seemed like he was only feeling the pump of his heartbeat and the warm blood within his veins. Then, he began to notice a sort of...tingling feeling, not quite following his blood vessels but somewhat running in parallel with them. He began to concentrate on images and sensations of "toughness." Skin, muscle, and bone.

"Mana, toughen this flesh, Shield."

You used Magic Analysis I!
---Shield??---
Your Mana is being directed throughout your body, you are attempting to alter the flow. You are attempting to bolster your natural defenses, but so far only physical properties are being affected...

System:Femus

But Femus asked himself, what did he have to do to produce change in his Mana? He turned his attention to his own body--as soon as he had started casting, the Meditate spell had shut off. But as he finished his chant...

Skill Gain: Shield I (0.6 > 1.0)!
The most basic of defensive support spells. An aura effect reduces incoming damage, but no physical barrier or counteractive forces are generated. Only natural resistances to damage are reinforced. Can be cast on objects.

Skill Gain: Mana Shape I (0.9 > 1.0)!
You can shape your raw Mana into the appearance of something. At this rank, your Mana does not have weight, force, or other physical qualities. Your Mana cannot produce sounds. Your Mana cannot move freely. Your mana can have its color changed. Your shapes must be relatively simple with no moving parts. The shape cannot be held for long without more MP.

Your MP is low!

System:Femus

It seemed chanting did indeed increase the power of a spell, but it also significantly drained his MP. He had even had Temporary Extra MP before he had started casting. Could chanting too much drain him completely, or cause some other problems?

Before long, Nira returned. But now the forest was beginning to dim--the sound of the goblins was getting quiet, and the sun's fading red rays were filtering through the trees. Night would be upon them soon...

---

Monster Party

Ash seemed too preoccupied with her experiments to recognize Digbie speaking to her at first, but the time for talk was passed now it seemed. Though she continued to orbit her spear and the stone around her with Lesser Force, she sat back on her haunches like a small, scaly, winged, magical dog.

Torrent activated her stealth skills, first changing the color of her body into something woody and then quietly slithering through the grass. Once she was hidden among the low lying brush in the treeline, the next task was to get a good vantage point--if the other goblins walked down the hill towards the campsite, she would be roughly behind and to the north of them. If they stayed atop the hill, however, her vision would be limited because of the underbrush and she would be within their peripheral...

Oberon felt more MP than usual leave his body as he cast this Shaped, unusual form of Mana Slice across the stream. It bit into the trunk of a nearby tree with sound honestly not too different from the saw the Sprite had envisioned. The wound it left behind definitely seemed a bit deeper and more ragged than what Mana Slice usually caused. However, so far no new skill had triggered. And afterwards--which might be considered lucky, rather than before-wards--a group of figures appeared above them in the dim, dawning light of morning.

Skill Rank Up: Mana Orb I > Mana Orb II (1.95 > 2.025!)
Magic Damage Increased. MP Cost Increased.

ERROR. Cannot activate Earth Vein at this Rank in conjunction with other Active Skills.

System:Digbie

As Digbie held the denser, and now brighter, Mana Orb in his hand he "felt" the internal buzz as his Earth Vein failed to activate. Up above, the goblins called out to him once more.

"Oi, Demi-gob, it be us! No needs magicks!" Rags Nar, still wearing his pilfered maille and damaged clothing--which now seemed familiar to Digbie for some reason--had his wooden pot lid on one arm while the other held the reins of his mount, as if he had perhaps expected an attack for some reason. A few of the goblins with him were different this time--the one with the fur pelt was still there, as was the one with the skillet hanging over his chest, but the female wearing the potato sack and the skinny one that had been the goat's lead weren't with the group. The Four Horned Goat still didn't look very happy with having a Goblin on its back, but cordage had been looped around its back ankles so that it could only go at a trot. Trying to break into a run would just trip the creature up, and with its movement limited like that the goblins could probably catch it if it tried to get away. Of course, the creature's eyes kept darting back to the offensive shackles--there was no doubt that this creature was still trying to think of a way to take vengeance upon its oppressors.

But those two different goblins. One of them looked dangerous, even compared to Rags Nar. He didn't have any real armor, just a loincloth and cave-man style robe made from fur and a few pieces of tree-bark wrapped around his arms and legs with vines. However, in both hands he held an actual sword--not a dagger like Rags Nar, nor a broken bit of blade with a hilt like Digbie, but a true sword. It looked to be just under three feet long, making it almost as tall as the Goblin holding it, but of that length the hilt accounted for six or so inches. The goblin had to hold its large, rounded pommel in his second hand just to lever the thing enough for a swing. The only thing that detracted from the weapon's ferocity was the fact that it looked like it was about to crumble just from contact with the air--it was rusted and chipped to such an extent it was amazing that it hadn't already broken. And from the way he held it, the Goblin was clearly no swordsman--like as not, he treated the thing like a club.

And the last, it was clear she was to be Digbie's "offering" he had requested. She looked older, but not elderly. She was fully mature, if the swell of her hips and slight bust were any indication, and had shoulder length hair of a dark, greasy sheen that almost looked purple. She wore a single, slightly tarnished gold chain around her neck. A pair of wooden bowls, of about the size one would use for a side dish or a single serving, had been threaded with a vine and made into a crude top. She also wore a grass skirt much longer and a little better made than Digbie's, as well as bone ornamentation around her wrists and ankles. Her large nose had a scar on the bridge, like it had been bitten off at some point, and a single fang stuck out of one corner of her mouth. Her narrow eyes looked Digbie over from beneath eyebrows like enormous catepillars. She had fingernails that looked long enough to be used as weapons all on their own.

"Demi-gob, dis bes Mahya!" Rags Nar dismounted his goat, handing the reins to the goblin with the animal pelt around his neck, and strode down the hill. The female goblin and the one with the sword followed him, the former at his side and the latter at a slight distance. The sword goblin eyed the other creatures in the clearing suspiciously, and his grip on his weapon was tight. Rags Nar continued, "she be one 'a da prettiest gobs in da whole tribe! Already had three baby gobs, so she bes sure ta gives ya one too!" He slapped Mahya's rear end, and with a yellow smile she began to move towards Digbie in what seemed like a dance...if the object of a dance was to be as vulgar as possible. "And here's da udda stuff ya axed for!" Pulling a half-ripped sack from his vine belt, Rags Nar dumped out a ragged shirt, trousers, and cap. The material looked roughspun, probably made from natural materials rather than processed threads, but far better than what Goblins should have been able to make. The shirt was a simple sleeveless tunic, the pants had holes in the knees, and the cap wouldn't be much protection even from the elements since there were holes where the ears were supposed to go. Not to mention, these were clearly meant for someone human-sized, and would still be far too big for Digbie--the tunic alone could fit him like a night gown.

"So, has ya 'cided ta join da Broked Tower Gobs!?" Rags Nar clasped his grubby hands eagerly.

---

PixieSlime Party

Skill Gain: Charisma I (0.9>1.0)!
Your personality is almost a magical charm unto itself. You’ll have greater luck convincing others to go along with your suggestions, but only within their own natural reasoning. This skill may not work on those with stronger Wills.

System:Asura

"A blood sacrifice like that is almost exactly like Dhulfiqar's rituals. It's no wonder his influence is at work on you." Trent said, though he breathed a sigh of relief when the Hipixie cleared things up. When Ardur asked how the Divine Spirit Galatine did things instead, the boy thought for a moment before he answered. "I don't have my prayer book with me, but I was always taught that praying to Galatine should be like a knight presenting his service to the liege lord. Instead of asking the Divine Spirit to do something for you, you seek out things to do for him. The "sacrifice" Galatine requires is that of one's physical service and personal belief--a lot of temples dedicated to him have a militant faction, and they have to follow a special code."

As the Amorphous Slime and the evolved fae discussed what had happened to the "magical slime" after making contact with the core, Zieglar once again put a hand over his mouth and chin. His eyes widened for a mere instant when Ardur mentioned that the Mana Crystals had been absorbed by the Core. Then he reached up and pulled his visor down. He was silent for the rest of the discussion--until Asura asked Trent to punch him and shapeshifted one of his false limbs into a shield. Then hearty laughter echoed from within the man's helmet.

"Training your own resistance to damage...given the kind of pain one has to go through for even a few levels in those abilities, most monsters below the third tier never even think to do such a thing! And for a slime, whose forte is already its hardiness, to do such a thing..." He shook his head and then looked at Trent. "Do you feel up to it, boy?"

Something in the knight's tone didn't feel quite...genuine.

Trent gulped, then carefully pulled the leather glove on his sword hand tighter around his fingers. He clenched a tight fist, and approached Asura.

"S-sorry if this hurts too much..."

The boy took a somewhat generic fighting stance, and a deep breath. He padded back and forth from foot to foot for a moment...then planted his feet and took a swing, torquing his hips. It didn't look like he was putting everything he had into it, but it didn't look like he was slacking too much either. Due to the height difference between him and Asura, it was more like an off-center uppercut to the body.

The impact struck Asura's shield and lifted up, bowling the slime over and rolling him along the ground. It definitely hurt, but it wasn't the absolute worst damage the slime had ever taken thus far. If he had to make a guess, he might say that such an impact might kill him outright if he took...perhaps three of them. As it was, if he still had a human cranium, there was no doubt it would have heavily dazed him. Zieglar guffawed, an honest sound this time, then turned to Ardur.

"Ahum! Ah. Well, if we're all in agreement then, let's do it. The quicker that Dungeon is cleared the better, and this way we won't have to wait for a suppression force from the Guild. But there's something to keep in mind when plunging into an Undead Dungeon." The knight snapped a twig from a nearby tree and began drawing in the dirt. First, a stick figure with pointy ears and an angry face.

"Let's say this is a Goblin, or some other creature that has been assimilated by the Dungeon Core. That means the Core now controls that monster's mind. There are a number of ways it can accomplish that, but that's besides my point for now." He crossed out the stick figure with an X. "You kill it like you do anything else...but, this Dungeon is full of the kinds of foul magics that raise the dead." He scratched another stick figure, but with x's for eyes and a missing arm. "So the creature you just killed? It will eventually rise as an Undead. The speed depends on several factors, but in the worst case, you wouldn't even get a breather before the fight started again. That Goblin, it would likely become a Zombie Goblin--Zomblin for short." He crossed out the zombie, and began drawing a cartoonish skull. "Now, let's say perhaps you use something magical, or just do a lot of cutting damage until you've flayed the creature's flesh from its bones. That's still not enough, as you've already seen. And even then..." He crossed out the skull, and next drew a small circle with a wavey trail then gave it eyes and a mouth. "You have the spirit. So, worst case scenario? Depending on how they are destroyed, and how powerful the Core has grown, you may have to actually fight the same creature four times over." He drew an arrow from the spirit back to the very beginning. "And, if those spirits are strong enough? They can possess a new body." He tossed the stick over his shoulder and put his fists on his hips as he looked at Asura and Ardur.

"That is the true danger of an Undead Dungeon. If there are only 10 monsters in it, you may still face the equivalent of 40 monsters. If monsters outside the dungeon, or even members of your own party, aren't strong enough then the spirits may be able to just steal new bodies. At higher levels, an Undead Dungeon is, perhaps, the most dangerous thing short of the Demon King's own palace. And even then. There's a reason so many Demon Kings have been Necromancers, after all." He crossed his arms.

"This one is still fresh. Even given the rapid rate of change you and the other "smart monsters" have brought about, I don't think it's at a level where we need to panic yet. But even for a party of five, it will not be easy. If you're absolutely certain you want to undertake it, I will guard the entrance until you return or I see signs of the Core's power increasing." None of them had to read the tone to pick up what the implication was there. "And Trent will lead you in, find the Core, and help you destroy it. But..."

Now the Knight turned to Trent, and the boy immediately snapped to attention.

"This will not be like other Quests you have had, boy! I expect you to take charge here!" He gestured towards the monsters. "I can think of no better test of your tactical abilities than taking monsters, at least one of whom you have never encountered the likes of! It won't be so simple as assigning magic users to the back line and shield bearers to the front--you must take into account their levels of intelligence and the changes this has caused in their bodies!"

Again Trent gulped, but after a moment his gaze hardened. He nodded his head, and put one hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Yes, sir!"

If Asura and Ardur wanted to back out or change their minds, now would be the time to do it. Otherwise, Trent would soon begin heading back to the cave, and calling for them all to follow...

---

Rat Party

You used Monster Analysis II!
--Gnome--
A kind of earth elemental. Roughly four spans high, they are normally reluctant to interact with other beings but can be bribed. However, unless one can figure out exactly what the creature wants, it will often remain set in its ways like a heavy stone. This makes them excellent contractors, as they will follow an agreement to the letter. They move through earth as easily as others move above ground. They often live in areas rich in ores or gemstones.

System:Asteria

"Humans generally don't like necromancy. They're very protective of their corpses for whatever silly reason." the Gnome snorted. "My contract is to protect this barrow, yes. In fact, if it weren't for your offering last night, you coming into this chamber would be enough of a reason for me to eject you, cause you're a Non-Human. As it is, you get a slight allowance until you start messin' with somethin'. But, the only thing that could happen out of doors that would qualify on the contract is if somebody actually started digging into the place." The creature raised a chubby, toddler like hand from the dirt and pointed with one finger. "And another thing! If anything triggers an action from me, it raises an alarm with my contractors. I got no idea where they are now, but I remember there being a pretty good range on this thing. Been in place since my grand-pap's days after all, and the contract always gets renewed."

"Asteria, I got news." Ed's harsh whisper came from the entrance. He had somehow made it back without being seen or heard, but it seemed like something had happened regardless.

"See ya, rat! If ya wanna make a trade, ya gotta make it worthwhile! No gross bloody stuff!" When Asteria turned to head back, the gnome disappeared into the ground--and left no trace that he had been there. Despite Ed's sharpened senses, somehow he failed to hear the elemental's last whispers.

The three rats began to plan for their operation to defeat the bandits and rescue the cart. When Asteria relayed things to Mother Rat, the non-reincarnated creature seemed quite confused. At first she didn't want to go out, and tried to pull at Asteria and Ed's tails with her jaws as if urging them to stay inside. But, if they insisted, she would be left with no choice but to follow...

In the meantime, the cart had come closer. Close enough to see that it was drawn by two mules, and appeared to be the typical square cart one might imagine but without any kind of cover or roof. In the cart were things that seemed like essentials--a barrel of something white and glittery that might have been piles of salt, jars that smelled like oil, boxes that had the waxy, fatty smell of candles, rolls of cloth, and other things. Driving it was an older human with salt-and-pepper hair and a stony face, dressed in patched and faded clothes and a frayed coat. Sitting in the back was a young man with blonde hair, wrapped up in a cloak as he snoozed. Walking on the right side of the cart, a taller boy who seemed quite lean, but had wide shoulders that gave his arms a wide arc as they swung easily at his sides. He wore a thick blue tunic over a long sleeved shirt, and it looked like he might have an undershirt on under that as well. The morning was chilly, but was it that cold? His dark colored britches were tucked into leather boots, and a longsword was strapped to his side. He wore a large pack on his back but its weight didn't seem to hinder him much. On the left of the cart, a man with tanned skin looked like he might be a native of that village the rats had seen before. He wore a shirt made from the hide of some animal, not leather, but still a properly made garment. His pants seemed much like the other youth's, however, and he too wore a cloak. He carried a long spear with a shaft of black wood over his shoulders, and there were a few feathers tied just below its long, silvery tip.

If Asteria and Ed had chosen to continue their plan, or even if they just sat at the entrance and watched, this was the moment when all hell broke loose.

The Kobold suddenly dashed out into the road. In an instant all of the humans except the one snoozing in the cart snapped their heads up, but as their hands reached for weapons the lizard brought down its staff.

"Froshtbite!"

Icy tendrils spread across the road, forming a slippery surface that caused the mules to bray and sit down on their haunches as their legs skittered underneath them. The young man was in the process of pulling his sword and the tanned man had readied his spear, but both of them hesitated to charge forward with the terrain so affected. They had shouted by this point, so the one in the back came awake with a start. The driver, however, produced what looked like a sling from under his coat--

An arrow whistled from around the side of the barrow, and struck the driver in the shoulder. It probably would have gotten his heart if he hadn't been in the process of letting a stone fly, but the projectile was far off target as he slumped with a cry of pain. From that same side, the other hooded figure took off running. It was coming up onto the road from the side, up from the ditch and the grass, so it didn't have to contend with its ally's frost spell. Its hood fell back, revealing the creature for what it was--it was a foot taller than most goblins the rats had seen, and had a darker green tinge to its skin. Its form was more wiry and muscular, and it had more hair on its head.

It swung a sword-like weapon that had been made from some creature's jawbone tied to a stick, and in its other hand held a crude shield made from old planks of wood. The tall young man brought his sword to bear in both hands and skillfully deflected the big goblin's strike before pressing forward, slamming his weapon and his weight into its shield and pushing it back off the road...

"Minor Heal!" said the spear toting man in a deep voice, as the driver yanked the arrow out of his shoulder. It didn't have a head, it had only been a sharpened twig of wood with some ragged feathers glued to it by tree sap. The soft green glow surrounded the wound and the bleeding began to slow...

The other young man stood up in the back of the cart, holding a book in his hands.

"Dust of the earth, light of the sun, wind all around--" he was chanting, and a speck in his hand began to glow red hot like an ember being blown on to start a proper fire.

On the opposite side of the road, in the other ditch, the two human bandits were making their way through the tall grass. They weren't exactly hidden, but their victims were all paying attention to the Kobold in front of them, their own wounded, or the enemies on the other side of the road...

The rats' ears could pick up the sound of another arrow being pulled from the quiver and notched to the string...

---

Ghost Party

Danny's attempt to use Lesser Force to force apart the pseudo Fireball in an explosion seemed to be a step in the right direction for his goal. It wasn't really an "explosion," but the red orb did expand. It was more like inflating a baloon than anything. And when it burst, it didn't produce any light, flames, or really much of a sound besides a sudden rush of wind. The temperature of the surrounding air did increase several degrees, though. Maybe if he had done it with a fully formed fireball the result would have been different. Nothing caught fire, luckily, allowing the Poltergeist to begin carving his kill.

You used Crafting I!
Goblin Heart + Goblin Meat + Curved Stick + Fire

You got Goblin Skewer!
A fresh roasted skewer of goblin parts. It smells...edible?

You are Level 7. EXP: 80%.

System:Danny

Just then, the earth where Jason had buried himself suddenly shifted. A lump of soil rose up, like a bubble was inflating inside the ground itself. Then it gave way, falling back with a puff of dust. The puff drifted in an unusual way, and given his previous experiences Danny would no doubt put together that the falling soil was shifting around Jason's spiritual body before it fell back to earth.

The Ecto-Slime soon found himself feeling normal again, though his MP had depleted more than he might have expected. As he whispered the name of the bronze-skinned monk, he saw no more visions or strange figures. So...where did he go from here?

At least the sun was starting to go down, and he didn't have to worry about it burning him as much...