Race: Voidling | Subspecies: Wargon

Expected Potential: E- to D-

Weapon of choice: Overall Strength, Minor Ground Affinity

Known weaknesses: Speed

A powerful evolution of the Duskboar line. Unlike their predecessors, Wargons sacrifice their agility for durability and strength. Their tough hide, combined with bone armor plates, can resist most abilities and weapons of E-rank survivors. Usually, identifying a Wargon's weak spots is the only way to defeat it. Please note, though, that those spots vary from beast to beast. Additionally, some Wargons in their later stages of this evolution are capable of using ground affinity.

~ New entry in Leo's Bestiary

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"And it's gone... Dammit," Leo grumbled, scanning the road ahead. "Could have been a nice addition to the team for the time being..."

'It would only slow us down. You read its Bestiary entry after all,' Nyx reasoned, nudging what remained of the bodies that the Wargon and its pack left behind. 'In any case, we can find another one in the future. No need to get angry about this.'

He sighed, pulling his gaze away from the surrounding forest. "Suppose that's true," he shook his head. "At least it wasn't level twenty. Now that would've been a waste..."

The feline snorted, trekking to join his side. 'You really want this mutation, don't you?"

Leo nodded as they both resumed their run along the road. Why wouldn't I? I'm not dumb enough to think I'm unkillable thanks to my unique evo and high level. If a Cursed Juggernaut or a Collector scores a clean hit on me, I'm probably dead anyway. My defense is a bit lacking, and that's putting it lightly.

Nyx hummed. 'You think a bit stronger skin will fix that?'

No. He replied bluntly, earning a sharp look from his companion. But you have to start somewhere. I'm hoping this mutation will unlock others with similar capabilities. Aside from that, we should definitely work on some defensive abilities. My shadows barely withstand the weakest attacks.

'That's... fair. My only real defense is my shadow form," she admitted with a bit of shame entering their link.

Silence followed right after, leaving them to travel in peace. However, it didn't last long. 'Say... What did you mean back in the Wasteland?'

Leo furrowed his brow, sparing the feline a short glance. Not sure I follow.

'You said you learned something useful,' Nyx explained. 'I didn't get to ask about it before you ran after the Wargon.'

Ohhh, that's what you mean... I was talking about the Blood Fire my chain-scythes generate. Wouldn't you know? Apparently, the flames get stronger the more blood they come in contact with. It definitely explains the name.

In the corner of his vision, Nyx stumbled, almost crumbling to the ground. 'That's it? With the way you said it, I expected something more.'

Leo shrugged. I mean, it's still important. Ever-growing flames are nothing to scoff at. I'm just kinda disappointed it took me so long to realize this.

The feline chuckled. 'Happens to the best of us, Leo.'

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With their short detour left in the past, Leo and Nyx sped past all other towns on the way, not even trying to find any more survivors. Sure, they still had enough daylight, but they both agreed that arriving in London just before the night wasn't the best idea. The capital was a large unknown, and having some time to scout it out could save them a lot of pain later on.

Yet, despite that, a good few kilometers away from their destination, something forced them to stop. It wasn't anything really dangerous, but rather way out of place...

Leo rubbed his eyes and blinked again. No, still there. He looked at Nyx, who, just like him, couldn't take her eyes from the anomaly in front of them. I take I'm not the only one seeing this?

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Finally, the feline dragged her gaze back to him. 'If by this you mean the random winter shack surrounded by a blue barrier in front of us, then yes... Is your Identify working?'

He shook his head and moved to inspect the weird structure once more. As Nyx had described, likening it to a wooden winter shack was quite apt. The fact that it had somehow sprouted right in the middle of the road, and was surrounded by a blue, transparent dome, only added to the strangeness of the situation.

It's just one thing after another. Leo snorted with a light shake of his head. "Come on, let's take a look."

Like always, the feline was more hesitant to act at first. 'Do we really need to? We're close to London's outskirts.'

He rolled his eyes. "Don't worry. I didn't say go in guns blazing. Just a look, that's all. Knowledge is power, remember."

Nyx let out a heavy sigh, but he just ignored her and slowly approached the unique barrier. Blue definitely wasn't a color he had seen a lot since the Outbreak began. It was always red, purple, and black, nothing less, nothing more.

Hopefully, this little variety won't try to kill me...

A few steps away from the dome, Leo released a quick Hunter's Pulse, but just like with Identify, it failed. It was like the entire place didn't exist to his abilities.

Alright, plan C.

Bending down, he grabbed a small pebble and, without any further ado, threw it at the barrier. The stone went right through and landed harmlessly on the other side.

Okay... Not sure what that really means. Guess it's time for plan D.

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"Alright," Leo clapped his hands, his eyes on the lone Cursed Reaper standing in front of the barrier. "On three, you will step through, understand?"

The minion nodded, its violet eyes glinting.

"Great. Let's do it then. One. Two. Three!"

At once, the lone Voidling dashed forward, ready to pierce the mysterious dome. Only it didn't happen. Instead, the moment the beast came in contact with the barrier, it glowed briefly and zapped the monster back, launching it into the forest.

In the end, the Reaper survived, but going by the loud crack, it could have gone better.

'Interesting...'

Leo blinked. "Yeah... That's one way to put it. I probably should have told it to go slowly and not run into it."

'Are you giving up?'

"No," he shook his head. "Time to test it out by myself. I know what to expect now, and you can always catch me."

Before he could move towards the barrier, a shadow tail cut off his path. 'Hold on. Let me try first. I can always turn into my shadow form if anything goes wrong.'

Biting his lip, Leo nodded. "Right. Good idea."

He could have argued, but between the two of them, Nyx was really better suited for this task. Besides, he doubted she would let him go first anyway. Her protective instincts were growing stronger with each hour.

'I swear if it zaps me...' The feline muttered yet still raised her paw. It slowly came closer and closer to the barrier until...

'Huh,' Nyx tilted her head as her limb passed through the dome. 'Leo, come here. A System message came up when I touched it. You need to see it.'

With a frown, he followed in her steps and grazed the barrier. The effect was instantaneous, and a notification flashed in front of his eyes.

Warning! You're entering an Expanded Instance belonging to Naz'Tor of the Merchant faction. Violence, thievery, and the use of teleportation abilities will not be tolerated. Please enter and leave your grudges behind. Here, only Ether and trade matters.

The System's protection will remain active as long as the user doesn't break this instance's rules.

Leo blinked again, making sure he read it right. This didn't look like a standard notification. More like someone wrote it themselves and just used the System as the messenger.

Though, at least the second part seems normal. He glanced at Nyx. What do you think? Got anything.

The feline shook her head as she fully stepped through the barrier. 'Unfortunately, no. I'm just as surprised as you are.'

He snorted, joining her on the other side. Well then. We're once more walking into the unknown. I would love to say that it's been a while, but it really hasn't.

'If the notification didn't lie then we're under the System's protection, but just in case...' Instantly, Nyx burst into a cloud of shadows and dove right at him, hiding under his cloak. 'Let's go in like this. I can act as a makeshift armor.'

Leo stumbled slightly, grimacing as the feline's shadows enveloped his entire body. A little warning would have been nice.

'Stop complaining and go.'

With another eye roll, he did as was told and creaked the door open, quickly sliding in.

Nothing could have prepared him for what awaited inside.

Somehow, the small wooden shack appeared much larger on the inside, easily accommodating rows of shelves laden with all kinds of items. Among them were weapons, armor pieces, glowing orbs of unknown origin, mysterious ingredients, and much more, all shielded by thin white barriers.

To make matters more interesting, the entire place was free of the Void. Not a speck of Vetilim or Corcera lingered in sight. Moreover, it stood out as the cleanest building Leo had encountered since the Outbreak began; not even old ReachHope could compare.

Holy shit... Did I somehow step into a Harry Potter book?