Speaking of Archliorex, KiAera wondered why the creature had not discovered her yet. It could have easily roared up a portal, yet such an occasion had never arisen. She clenched her paws, recalling how the T-Rex monster wanted to kill her and the Liorex egg.
"An Archliorex?" KiAera raised an eyebrow, amused by the Plelepun's question. "Oh, just a massive, carnivorous, reptilian beast that could've squashed us like bugs if we hadn't taken your tunnels. You know... no big deal."
The Plelepun blinked a few times, its trunk frozen mid-scratch. "Yo! That thing was chasing you?!"
"Chasing, stomping, roaring—pretty much the full package. Honestly, without those tunnels, we'd have been toast."
The Plelepun puffed out its chest, beaming with pride. "Yo! I saved you from a monster! That's gotta be worth extra rewards, right?"
KiAera rolled her eyes playfully. "Okay, okay, you can get extra light-blue crystals, but only if you help with the shelter renovation first. Deal?"
The Plelepun wiggled its trunk excitedly. "Deal! Yo, this is gonna be awesome! We’re gonna have the coolest Crystal Shelter ever!" It bounded off.
KiAera shook her head with a smile as she watched it scamper away. Despite its goofy demeanor, the Plelepun had saved them without even realizing it. There was something endearing about that.
GamaGen's voice echoed in her mind, | 'It's quite a fortuitous relationship you have with that one, KiAera. A Plelepun is a rare asset. He will be beneficial in expanding your headquarters with [Monster Domains].' |
"Monster Domains?" KiAera furrowed her brow. "The training facility you erected wasn't one?"
| 'Not in its current state. Think of them as specialized zones where your monsters can train and thrive. They're not just homes but habitats tailored to enhance their abilities. It's an ancient practice, but highly effective in Zeozon society,' | GamaGen explained.
KiAera considered the concept as she absentmindedly flicked her blue flame-tipped tail. "So... kinda like personal gyms for monsters?"
| 'More like sanctuaries of growth and adaptation. But yes, you could compare them to gyms. The idea is to create an environment that nourishes specific traits in each species. Amber, for example, would thrive in a Domain that simulates high altitudes or wide-open plains.' |
"Huh," she mused, her eyes drifting toward where the Plelepun was already tinkering with the shelter's interior walls. "Could be fun to try."
The idea of creating personalized training centers for her monster companions intrigued her. She loved the thought of giving them places where they could truly grow and shine in their own ways. Plus, who didn't want to live in a badass shelter with custom-built features?
"Sounds like I've got my work cut out for me," she muttered.
"Alright, GamaGen," she said. "Let's start with the basics. What do I need to know to get these Monster Domains going?"
| 'You’ll need resources,' | GamaGen continued, | 'Rare crystals, Zeldritzonian flora, and elemental stones. Fortunately, you’re in an area rich in materials.' |
"Of course they do." KiAera smirked. "Guess we're headed back to the plains, huh?"
| 'Precisely. Once you've collected enough materials, you can assign monsters like the Plelepun to start constructing. Their innate talents will accelerate the process.' |
A soft rustle made her glance toward Amber, now awake and fussing over the Liorex egg. That beast still weighed heavy on her mind. "By the way, GamaGen," she began, hesitant, "why didn’t the Archliorex follow us?"
| 'Ah, I've been masking your presence. Preventing it from tracking you.' |
KiAera blinked, surprised. "You can do that?"
| 'The Archliorex relies on scent for its hunting. By disrupting its ability to track, I've kept us hidden. Without visual or olfactory confirmation, it cannot open a portal to follow us.' |
KiAera nodded, satisfied with the polymath's response. Ah, okay, made sense to her. "That's one weight off our shoulders then."
The Plelepun's halted from its renovating upon hearing GamaGen's explanation. "Yo! Neat! Glad that mean ole Archliorex can't find us!"
GamaGen appeared to ponder something as its raven symbol flickered.
"And… if it could track us?"
| 'It cannot. Not in its current state. Injuries from the [Unique] Venolisk have left it weakened, unable to hunt effectively...' |
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
KiAera listened intently to GamaGen's lecture. Hmm... it made sense now... monsters used tracking abilities like cell phones or GPS systems?
It surprised her to discover that GamaGen had the capabilities to jam the Archliorex's senses, thereby hindering its ability to track her group easily. Well, thank goodness for that! She heaved a sigh of relief.
Likewise, injuries prevented the Archliorex from chasing them. That concept was good and well. However, one detail remained unanswered... GamaGen mentioned a [Unique] Venolisk earlier. Who or WHAT was a [Unique] Venolisk?
She glanced at GamaGen with a raised brow. "So... GamaGen... what's a Venolisk?"
The book began with a low hum. | 'You are familiar with snakes, yes? Imagine a Titanoboa but with venom so potent that a single drop can dissolve flesh. That is the Venolisk. Fortunately, there's only one present within these parts of the forest.' |
KiAera blinked owlishly upon GamaGen's revelation. The book made it seem as if Venolisk roamed in hoards.
KiAera cleared her throat with a cough, perplexed by the book's declaration. "Uh, GamaGen? Only ONE Venolisk exists within these parts?" She repeated.
| 'You will be fine. Just avoid caverns as best as possible to steer clear of the Venolisk's territory.' |
"Gotcha GamaGen." KiAera affirmed with a nod. "I'll remain alert..." She pursed her lips thoughtfully with a contemplative expression upon her face. Hmm...jamming spells expired... monsters stumbled across their location by chance...she processed GamaGen's warnings internally.
| 'Excellent. I commend your awareness of remaining alert, Miss KiAera.' | GamaGen flipped another page approvingly with a neutral tone. | 'I wish you a safe return from your crystal foraging expedition.' |
| 'Now, off you go, Miss KiAera—hm?' | he tilted in contemplation.
KiAera had flashed her thoughts to GamaGen, detailing the modifications she wanted the book and the Plelepun to implement upon the Crystal Shelter while she ventured out to forage crystals.
GamaGen paused upon reading KiAera's mental blueprints with a blink of surprise. | 'Ah, I see...' | It flipped another page thoughtfully. | 'Very well. We shall commence modifying the Crystal Shelter according to your blueprints.' |
KiAera grinned upon GamaGen's approval. She knew the dust jacket of a bibliophile would appreciate her blueprints! "Thanks, GamaGen!" KiAera chimed appreciatively.
Her paws scampered her towards where Amber the LeapLeap and the Osseods awaited her. Like always, she sought to split her team into two groups. However, with the application of new safety measures implemented thanks to GamaGen's warning...
KiAera pondered deeply with furrowed brows... maybe she could change up her tactic slightly.
Hmm... splitting her teams in two still remained crucial. Perhaps she should modify her squads... KiAera tapped her paw upon her chin thoughtfully. Back then she had trouble maintaining watch and keeping the small Osseods close to her, such as Delta and Nu.
The two ran off before because of her negligence.
Her fur bristled involuntarily upon recalling Beta and Nu Osseod's harrowing incident. She never wished to repeat THAT scenario again... ever.
Never again...
KiAera shook her head vigorously with a frown.
Big Osseod—her big-hearted crystal hulk and the leader of the Osseods—somehow managed to keep the other Osseods under control, excluding Delta Osseod sometimes...
Big Osseod had proven itself capable of leading the Osseods in the past. Therefore, KiAera decided to entrust Big Osseod with leading Delta Osseod, Beta Osseod, Nu Osseod, and the rest of the Osseods once more.
Meanwhile, she entrusted herself to lead Amber and Pi Osseod for today's crystal forage.
KiAera turned around to face Big Osseod with a smile. "Alright Big Osseod!" She beamed cheerily with paws clasped together. "I'm entrusting you once again to lead Delta, Beta, Nu, and the rest of the Osseods for today!"
Big Osseod saluted KiAera eagerly with a bark. "Osseod! Leads Osseods!" It chirped happily with a wide grin. Big Osseod spun around rapidly to address the Osseods. "Osseods! Follows Big Osseod!"
Delta Osseod narrowed its eyes irritably upon Big Osseod's command. It stomped its stubby feet upon the ground with a hissy squeak directed towards Big Osseod. "Osseod! No follows Big Osseod! Follows KiAera!"
Delta Osseod's squeak drew KiAera's attention towards it. She chuckled sheepishly with a sweat drop upon Delta Osseod's stubborn refusal to follow Big Osseod. Ah... Delta Osseod remained defiant as usual...
Beta Osseod nudged Delta Osseod gently with a frown. It gestured towards KiAera worriedly with a squeak. "Osseod! Follows Big Osseod!" It urged Delta Osseod anxiously with a whine.
Delta Osseod glared sharply at Beta Osseod with bared teeth. It hissed angrily in response to Beta Osseod's urging to follow Big Osseod. "Osseod! No follow Big Osseod!" It growled indignantly, stamping its stubby feet.
KiAera sighed, with closed eyes, upon Delta Osseod's blatant defiance towards Big Osseod. Her eyes narrowed; she was resolved to resolve this issue, even if it pained her heart to do so.
She padded towards the little crystal creature and knelt down, ensuring her smile was as gentle as possible before addressing Delta Osseod. "Delta Osseod... please, follow Big Osseod..." KiAera pleaded softly with a shake of her head.
Delta Osseod flinched upon KiAera's approach, guilt washing over its features as it met her gaze.
It lowered its triangular ears shamefacedly, emitting a small squeak. "Osseod... sorry, follows Big Osseod..." it murmured. Delta Osseod trotted towards Big Osseod with slumped shoulders and drooped ears. It squeaked reluctantly towards Big Osseod with a glare. "Osseod... follows Big Osseod..."
Big Osseod responded with a simple blink and a smile as it licked Delta Osseod's carapace. It chirped towards Delta Osseod happily with a nudge. "Osseod! Follows Big Osseod!"
KiAera breathed a sigh of relief upon Delta Osseod's compliance. Crisis averted... thank goodness!
She stood up with a chuckle towards the Osseods. "Alright Osseods! Stay safe out there okay?" KiAera waved cheerily towards Big Osseod with a wink. "Good luck leading the Osseods, Big Osseod!"
Big Osseod bounced eagerly with a wave towards KiAera. "Osseod! KiAera good! See KiAera later!" It chirped happily with a lick towards KiAera.
KiAera chuckled upon Big Osseod's energetic farewell. She turned around with paws clasped together towards Amber and Pi Osseod. "Come on, guys! Let's go crystal foraging!"
Pi Osseod trilled cheerily towards KiAera with a hop. It scampered towards KiAera's side with a smile. "Osseod! Crystal forages!" It chirped eagerly with a nudge towards Amber excitedly.
Amber bounded cheerfully towards Pi Osseod and KiAera with a grin. She flapped her wings happily with a twirl. "LeeLee! Crystal forages!" Amber chirped energetically with a whoop towards the sky.
KiAera grinned widely towards Amber and Pi Osseod. Their enthusiasm towards crystal foraging brought joy to her heart... she loved her friends' optimism!
She pivoted towards the forest clearing with a determined gleam within her eyes. KiAera sprinted towards the UvoSath Forest with Amber and Pi Osseod hot on her heels.
They had crystals to forage after all!