The thing is flying so fast I barely have time to register it, much less dodge. I feel my body seize up as the bola wraps around my legs, causing me to trip mid run and fall very painfully on my face. This isn't right, I can't move at all! Wait, don't tell me!
Effects:
Paralysis: ∞
Silence: ∞
Paralysis: Affliction that inhibits voluntary muscle movement.
Silence: Affliction that inhibits use of skills or casting of spells.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! I can't move, I can't get out of this! The two men walk their way over to me, then flip me over. The Elf reaches down and pulls the sword still clutched in my hand free, then examines it.
"Hmm that's a bit unusual, this sword looks like it was made by a Smith, not created." Travis says.
"Yea same with dis here armor and clothing. These ain't no monster spawned stuff. So why's it wearing em?" Breton asks.
"Above our pay grade my friend, let's tie it up and take it back to camp. I think his lordship will like this for his collection" Travis responds.
"Right o!" Breton says.
Breton then pulls out a rope and ties my hands together, before tying my arms to to my sides then further binding my legs together while leaving the bola wrapped around them.
"There, that oughta do it!" Breton says proudly.
"Good now pick grab it and lets go." Travis replies.
"Oi, why I got a carry it? Your stronger and I'm the one who caught and tied it." Breton says.
"Fine, fine, it will be faster if I carry it anyway."
"Keep tellin yourself that."
The Elf then leans down and grabs me, then hoists me up and over his shoulders. The whole time I'm still freaking out but can't do anything. Of course he carries me in the most uncomfortable position possible, with my head hanging down and my tits being used as padding on his shoulder. With that they set off, getting farther and farther away from my pod with every step. We walk in silence for what must have been hours before taking a break. At long last they put me down, laying me up against a tree and looking me over while I do my best to glare at them.
"Damn, be kinda cute if it wasn't a monster." Breton says.
"Oh shut up Breton, you'd fuck a rock with fake tits and makeup." Travis replies.
"Would not! I've got standards." Breton replies.
"Then stop ogling the monster. Pick it up, it's your turn to carry it."
"Fine."
And with that the human with bad vocabulary picks me up and throws me over his shoulder, making no effort not to use my boobs as padding just like his compatriot did.
We continue on in silence. What's with these guys and not talking? It's creepy as hell. Maybe they are trying to avoid attracting monsters or something? But if that's true that means I could have attracted trouble by just making a shit ton of noise. And I'll be even more pissed off if that's the case.
Eventually the sun starts to set, but Travis and Breton continue to stay silent. A few minutes later I hear something, it sounds like….. laughter? As we continue moving the sounds slowly become clearer and clearer, the sounds of laughter and what sounds like a party filter their way through the forest. The whole time my thoughts have been on finding a way to escape, but being bound up I haven't been able to come up with anything. Now though, I can't think of anything but dread, and what possible fate might await me here.
We eventually pass someone, who Breton nods at, but it's so fast I don't have time to see their info. Then he steps into a clearing, which I can tell is a camp immediately. I can see a corner of a tent, and hear the crackling of a few campfires intermixed with the loud partying of what seem to be more than a few probably drunk people.
"Ayyyyyyyy Breton and Travis are back! Whatcha find boys?" One of the extra loud voices shouts over the rest.
The camp immediately descends into a clamor, most of which is directed at Breton and Travis about me.
“Oh what's that thing? Is it wearing clothes?”
“Ahahahah you boys remember we are looking for monsters not babes right!?”
“That thing looks like it has lettuce in its hair, you boys dunk it in a salad bowl on the way back?”
“I can tell you tied it up Breton, your knots are still shit mate!”
“Leave it to Travis to casually bring back an apocalypse class monster!”
“So yall used an enchanted bola, better hope the lord thinks it was worth it!”
“Quiet down hooligans. Yes it was worth it, otherwise I wouldn't have told Breton to use it.
Now where is the lord? I want to present our catch to him.” Travis says over the crowds. Only to immediately get jeered down.
“Oh look boys, he thinks his find is big and important.”
“Gettin a bit big for your britches ain't ya buddy?”
“He’s in his tent, gonna be funny when Markus puts his foot up your ass for bothering.”
Letus head!? How rude, they are vines, vines!
After another half minute of walking we finally stop and a slightly annoyed voice talks to Breton and Travis.
“What is it you two? Lord Preston is having dinner.”
“We uuuhhhh….” Breton starts only to be cut off by Travis.
“We captured this odd monster while searching to the south, we think it may be of interest to the lord.”
“And who are you to decide what may interest him? Do you really think putting it in some crappy clothes and ratty armor will make it more impressive?”
“No sirs, it was like this when we found it. It was even wielding a sword and killed a porkupine with it, when it saw it it tried to run.” Breton says.
“You expect me to believe that? You sound like idiots, take that shit out of here and put it with the others before I shove my foot up your arses and boot you out into the forest!”
The dumbass carrying me stumbles back before rapidly turning around and moving away at a brisk pace, while I hear the man unknown man talking with a fourth person.
“Damn, Rask is scary, man. I knew we shoulda just put it with the others." Breton says.
"You're too easily intimidated, Breton. It will be Rask' problem when…." Travis says in a low voice but is interrupted by the guy from before, who I'm assuming is Rask.
"Hold on you two, Lord Preston has decided to see your catch. Bring it inside" Rask says.
Well shit, I was hoping being 'put with the others' would have given me a chance to get out. The two turn around and walk back to the tent, this time being ushered in by the guard, who I manage to get the name and level of on the way by.
Rask (Kobold, Level 152 High Guard (Rare))
Of course, another high level lizard dude, because apparently I wasn't up shit creek without a paddle enough as is. As we enter the tent I can immediately tell its opulent as fuck in here. I can see a very nice caret on the floor, complete with intricate design and gold colored trim. Immediately after stopping, I am unceremoniously dumped onto said carpet, laid out flat on my back staring at the ornate ceiling like some kind of product to be examined.
Everyone is quiet for a few movements before I hear what sounds like someone getting up from a table, before walking in our direction. Anxiety starts to swell up inside my chest as the footsteps get closer and closer. Finally after a few seconds a figure appears overtop of me looking down at me. He's standing on the edge of my peripheral vision so I can't get their information, or even get a good look at them. But I can at least tell he is a man the moment he speaks.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
"Well, well, an impressive find indeed gentlemen. Do tell me though, why exactly is it dressed up in armor and clothing?" The man asks.
"We found it like that my lord. It was fighting a porkupine almost thirty levels higher than itself. It used tactics and and witted the animal to kill it." Travis responds.
"Fascinating, but this is one of those new breeds of dryad so perhaps your words aren't completely outlandish. Hmm, what do you think Regis?" The lord asks someone.
"I think it would make an excellent addition to your roster my lord. Of course you could also donate it to the royal university if it fails to please you, that should help improve your standing." A man who I am assuming is Regis says from off to the side.
"Yes, quite so." The lord replies while pulling something out of somewhere on his personal and holding it up to his face.
"Alright gentlemen, you've done good work. Take it to the holding pe…… nevermind. You are dismissed, I'll have Rask handle it from here." The lord states before abruptly cutting himself off and dismissing the two.
Travis and Breton leave without a word, leaving me alone with the lord dude, and that guy Regis off to the side somewhere. It would be a good time to break out if I could actually move. Then again I'm pretty sure I'm in the middle of the camp, and I don't think they would be pleased with me trying to run after their noble or whatever he is. My thoughts are cut off when the noble guy calls for the guard outside.
"Rask, inside please." He yells, followed by the ruffling of the tent flap.
"You have need of me my lord?"
"Yes, one moment Rask. Regis, go get me a bottle of brandy, I'm not drunk enough for this."
"Yes my lord." Regis replies, followed shortly by the sound of him exiting the tent.
"Rask, use this and tell me if I'm afflicted by insanity or not."
Then something flies over me, but it's too quick for me to make out any details, only that it was small.
"Um, as you wish my lord." Rask replies, sounding confused. Followed shortly by the noble.
"Check the monster, not me."
"Apologies my…."
"It's fine, I should have been more concise."
Then the lizard man walks overtop of me and bends down to get a look at me, allowing me to get a good look at him. He has green scales and yellow reptilian eyes, wearing ornately decorated full plate armor, and holding a monocle way too small for his hands in front of his right eye. Suddenly his eyes go wide and he recoils back a little.
"That's, um, hmmm. I'm not an expert but that doesn't seem right." Rasksays.
What isn't right, these assholes could at least have the decency to say it aloud if they're going to keep me tied up.
"So I'm not crazy?" The noble asks.
"That or we are both crazy, my lord." Rask replies.
Just then Regis came back through the tent flap and talked to the noble guy.
"Excuse me sir, I found a bottle aegis 56th edition, will that suffice?" Regis asks.
"Yes excellent, give Regis the identifier. Regis, look at the monster and tell me what you see." The lord dude says while walking over to somewhere.
Moments later I hear a click, and a slight buzz envelops the tent.
"Um, of course my lord." Regis replies while being handed the monocle thing, apparently an identifier, overtop of me.
Wait, are these assholes looking at my stats? That's personal information, are they going for identity theft too? The butler dude leans over me and starts examining me, giving me a good view of him. Old human dude with white hair and a small fancy mustache, wearing what can only be described as black suit with white pants, and a small white tie tucked into the black blazer.
He stares at me for a few seconds before speaking.
"My lord I don't see the ….. oh….." Regis says.
"Yes, see Rask we aren't afflicted by insanity… probably." I hear the noble say while he paces back and forth on the edge of my vision.
"Rask please place our guest at the dining table. I'd like to have a chat with Ms. Petal." The noble says.
"As you wish my lord." Rask replies, sounding a bit confused.
Now I'm confused too, what's with the change in attitude all of the sudden? Before I can comprehend more I'm picked up by the ropes timing me up, causing them to unpleasantly cut into my body. Asshole, so much for being a 'guest'. I'm carefully carried over and placed sitting in the chair facing the noble dude. And by carefully I mean he banged both my knee and elbow on the damn chair trying to put me in it! At Least the chair is comfortable, but that's still overshadowed by the fact I'm tied up, paralyzed, and silenced, and now my knee hurts.
He positions me so I’m leaning against the back of the chair staring straight ahead, just above the noble guy, who is taking a seat at the opposite end of the table. For the first time I get a good look at the man. It's a damn foxkin to start with, being given away by the ears on the top of his head. White hair cut short contrasts against purple eyes. He looks young but well built, though if that's through work or because he has access to tools and treatments I don't know. He's wearing some kind of nice suit, but I can't tell any details on account of not being able to move my eyes.
What are these guys up to? I'm pretty sure most people are supposed to be trying to kill me. Maybe this dude wants to live out some sick fantasy before doing that. But that still doesn't explain what they were freaking out over.
"Thank you Rask, could you please remove the bola."
"My lord, with all due respect, that's a bit too dangerous." Rask replies.
"It's fine Rask, I'm well defended and I trust in your abilities." The noble replies.
Rask reaches down and starts trying to remove the bola while leaving the ropes on. Something he is clearly having trouble doing but is making progress. Meanwhile, the noble keeps talking.
"Regis, the brandy if you would, and please fetch a light snack from the kitchen as well."
Regis moves to pore the brandy for the noble, then heads out once again after he has finished.
"Well, miss Petal, hopefully you have your universal translation skill left on." The noble continues with a slight, almost disarming, smile on his face.
Wait, I can toggle that on and off? Son of a bitch!
"As you can see your…. Unique circumstances have left you in quite the precarious situation. Now, I could attempt to enslave you, but on top of the distaste I have for enslavement of my fellow beings, I suspect any regular attempts at subjugation would end poorly for every party involved."
So why are you bringing it up, to intimidate me? What's this loon playing at?
"Others, however, are not as pragmatic as myself, and will probably attempt the very painful process anyway. I'm sure you're confused and have questions, I have many myself. I'll start off by saying your situation is unique. You're what's known as a monster, and to put it simply people shouldn't be monsters. Others have also, what's that word your kind used, oh yes, reincarnated into this world. Though none of them has reincarnated as a monster before, at least not to my knowledge, and certainly not as something so dangerous." The noble drones on.
That would be the otherworlders council or whatever it was. He keeps talking like I don't know anything, why? What does he get out of telling me these things?
"So, as you can imagine, that paints quite a target on your back. Many would seek to kill you out of fear of what you are. Others would seek to enslave you for personal gain, with the excuse that you're not really a person."
Right as he finishes that line I feel the bola slip free of the ropes binding me and get pulled away. I immediately suck in a breath of air and snap my eyes down to the fox eared man across the table from me.
Preston Aristire (Foxkin, Level 142 Monster Controller (Rare))
What's with the last name?
"Get to the point." I snap at him, only to earn me a growl from the lizard man now standing to my left.
"Rask, stand down! My point is Miss Petal that you are in quite the nasty situation. Even if I were to let you out of this tent, which I would if you want to leave by the way." Barely finishes his sentence before I cut him off.
"Yea, that's why I'm tied up right? Just in case I want to leave?" I reply in a sharp voice.
"I'm not finished. Mine and my brothers men would be all over you in an instant, even with that blend skill of yours. Odds are you would be taken to him instead of me, and I can promise you, he is much worse than myself."
"How so?" I ask back while narrowing my eyes at the man.
"Well you have a nice body. I have no doubt that he would indulge himself after obtaining you." Preston says, his smile disappearing during the statement but coming back shortly after.
"I though fucking monsters was taboo." I say.
"It varies, but most people consider some of the humanoid ones to be, within the realm of acceptability in that regard." Preston says with a straight face aside from the smile.
"Alright fine, get on with it." I say.
"Very well, so yo will have everyone trying to either kill or enslave you. You won't be safe anywhere, almost anywhere. I can offer you protection in exchange for your services." Preston says, with a bit of extra emphasis on the words protection and services.
So he's offering to keep me alive if I work for him. But why is the important question. If he wanted to kill me he would have done it already. If he's to be believed I'm also lucky I'm not enslaved. Why should I trust this guy?
"And why would I agree to that?" I retort.
"Because of my previously mentioned points." He states curtly.
"Alright let me rephrase that, why do you want to offer me that?"
He pauses for a moment, then his smile grows.
"It's considered a faux pas to question such a generous deal Miss Petal."
"Is it not also a faux pas to tie someone up and negotiate at sword point?"
"No, we consider that good negotiation tactics." Preston replies with an ever widening smile.
This dude is starting to creep me out. He seems to be enjoying this, and I can't help but feel like that's a bad omen. His smile dies down a little and he continues talking.
"Very well, I will admit this is not purely from the good of my heart. There is a question of succession within my house. I won't say any more than that, but I'm sure you can gather that I wish to have as many advantages as I can in the matter."
He stops talking and I think for a moment. There's the catch, he wants to drag me into the middle of his noble house's internal squabble. So, do I want to die to a bunch of vindictive nobles or a bunch of money hungry murder hobos? That and I know damn well not to trust this guy. I have no doubt this dude is this world's equivalent of a politician, not something I want to get entwined with. But if I say no straight up he is going to either kill or enslave me outright. As if sensing my hesitation, Preston makes a move that catches me off guard.
"Rask, please untie Miss Petal. I've conveyed all I need to. You are free to go if you would like Miss Petal or Regis should be back with some snacks momentarily, and we can discuss details over food."
Rask reaches behind me and pulls on one of the knots on my bindings, causing the ropes to go slack and simply fall away. I sit there stunned for a moment before starting to slowly stand up to stretch out my arms and legs. Does this guy not care if I attack him? Then again he did say I wouldn't be able to do much, and he's right. So why? No way in hell he's just 'being nice', then again he admitted he has his own motives. God damn it I can't get a read on this guy!
OK, I've been assuming he's going to double cross me in some way, but what if he isn't. Stupid question to ask myself, of course he is, people on this planet are crazy monster murdering hobos. But he isn't a regular person, he's a noble, probably this world's equivalent of a slimy politician. So maybe the question is how long I can trust him? It might be just long enough to get out of dodge.
Besides, if I walk out here that poses its own problems. If he’s to be believed, I'll just be tied up again and taken to a worse situation. And if I don't believe him I can assume he or his men will jump me the moment I make it clear I'm leaving. And I doubt I’m outrunning level one fifties. I’ll just have to play along for now, god I hate this planet.
“Ok, so say I accept your offer, what's in it for me aside from not getting my head lopped off?” I ask cautiously.
Preston's smile grows just a little bit before answering.
“Well, obviously your safety will be guaranteed, you can’t provide services if you are dead or disabled. As for other compensation, it will depend on what you provide me with but I'm sure we can work out additional payment in the form granting any requests you have, within reason of course.”
Well, sometimes you have to make the best of a shit situation I think to myself.
“Fine, I’ll consider it. So let's talk details.” I reply while sitting back down in the chair.
Looks like I'm outta the frying pan, and into the fire.