A dog and little kid, a sight often depicted in countless fictions to induce a sense of attraction via the characters' adorable features; Lilith thought the same.
She wanted to appeal to the rest by owning a cute puppy, but... as the dome opened, the dog of the beautiful fantasy was dead drunk, snickering like a hyena.
Cerberus' drunk visage failed to the predatorial aura. Despite its level, it was a Mythical Rank beast, and Luna instinctively felt how dangerous it was.
They could see that it was low-leveled, but then again, it was already at LVL 60 and smelling that Divine Wine, they could only speculate and assume that this one was someone their Boss managed to ensnare in her mysterious ways.
"Boss Head, what is that?" However, speculation failed to satiate Luna's curious mind.
Lilith looked at the drunk Cerberus before answering, "It's my new follower, it was wounded, and I tried having it drink the Divine Wine and boost its vitality, but it got drunk despite its tough words…."
Lilith quietly gazed down at the drunk Cerberus. She could still remember the moment it finished a cup, and how it fell down without so much as putting up a fight, 'Despite having balls, it's a bitch.'
Lilith thought as she sneered at the supposed ferocious beast. However, unlike Lilith, Luna looked at the three-headed mastiff and flashed a broad smile on her face.
Seeing this caused Lilith to raise her brows, "Luna, you can carry it back."
"Can I!?" Luna's smile almost blinded Lilith.
"I feel like walking tonight." Lilith added as she walked away.
Lilith took her first steps and collapsed without rhyme or reason. She tried for odd reasons, then she remembered she too secretly drunk some and cursed herself, 'Is the alcohol content stronger here in the physical world?' this was not her limit.
She used to go toe to toe against the Goddess herself, but she fell down after four drinks. She was beet red, and her body was burning up, Luna who had just picked up Cerberus, went to hurriedly throw it away at the sight of the Lilith collapsing.
"Boss Head!" she called out as she left the dog behind. Luna hurriedly left without even taking the dog with her; the other Shadow Troops grew too hectic to note Lilith's new follower.
Cerberus, however, was woken up as it caught Lilith's scent, 'Oh, did she perhaps went ahead?' the beast asked in a drunken voice. It began trailing down the path with groggy steps, following with wishing to get to her side so he can once again drink the heavenly dew.
It, however, abruptly stopped, looked around, and grinned, letting its tongue roll down and its fangs reflect the moonlight, "Hehehe, are you playing with me? Hic! I-I'll play with you all, do not worry."
Low growls echoed into the darkness of the woods.
A half an hour later, Luna remembered Cerberus and with hastes went searching for the puppy. Luna saw him upturned with his belly shown to the world without a care for the world, its smile as broad as the skies, "I'm sorry, little one, I was too hasty with my Boss Head, I was too clumsy in handling you, but not anymore, I promise."
Luna got it close to her face, rubbing its face onto hers. She smiled before leaving for the Village as she failed to notice the stench of blood that surrounded the area.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Cerberus snuggled up to Luna's warmth, enjoying arms.
Luna came to love the puppy's sweet expressions.
[Cerberus LVL 64]
===
The Village moved on with Lilith's instructions; she had a hungover like Cerberus, it was a massive one, and she even failed to address the many concerns of the other daemons.
But it was not just her mind that was suffering, as she could feel her body being burdened for reasons she did not understand.
Others also had an unpleasant morning, but they did not complain as that day marked the first rebirth of the daemons.
There was no longer a single unevolved being. All were now Epic Tiers, the second step of daemon evolution, and they achieved this feat in return for a morning headache.
"The Goddess and the Priestess have blessed us. We cannot dally if we ever hope to return such a gift!" Their thoughts were as such.
Adrenaline and faith carried the daemons through every difficulty they faced. Slowly, as they conquered more and more dungeons and grew in strength, the more accessible everything else became.
Their sacrifices were met with power and prosperity, and soon, they found enough leeway for Lilith to make a bold decision.
"We are rebuilding our Village!"
Lilith decided to create a base near a lake and had the surviving Drakas survey the waters and kill the daemons lurking beneath, thereby eradicating potential dangers. They were in grassland, and while they rebuilt the Village, Lilith took the chance to teach Luna and the intelligent Villagers ways to maximize productivity without the need to kill or at least minimize such an act.
In the Village, the oldest daemon would be the granny Werewolf that was 98 years of age. There were others in the same age group from the other Races, but she was the most ancient. The children were about the age of six and seven, which, in daemon standard, was already mature enough.
"The Meat Cores will be cared for by the Elderly and the Children."
Lilith gave this job to the Children and the Elderly such an essential job for three reasons:
First, so that the children would be able to gain levels while getting used to killing. Daemons die at an early age because they hunt in the wild, encountering stronger monsters they could not take. They hunt because they wanted to help and train. However, with the Meat Cores all harvested, they needed not to hunt for food, at least not as much.
However, because of this, future generations would grow weaker. They would slowly lose their fangs. But, with this, they'll be able to train, and their sense of responsibility would not be lost.
Second, the Elderly, with their years of experience hunting, would be great teachers and guide the younger generations. The aged warriors who should have lost their purpose have gained a new way to live. There were only three Aged Warriors, but that they should suffice.
Third and last point, through this, Lilith would know who was suited to become a Warrior and not. Those who would like to fight for their food would be able to sooner realize their desires, and those who did not could be relocated to the Workers where they would be taught by the Elders there.
Lilith managed to kill three birds with one stone.
Accommodation, Separation of Tasks, Agriculture, Securing Defense, and many others were made better and better with each passing day.
Though the Village was advancing to a better future, Lilith knew she would still need a lot to properly establish their ranks.
A week passed.
Lilith sent the Shadow Toops into the woods to gather more info about the area. They ascertained their positions and began mapping out Daemons Activities in the area.
Eve took command of the field while Luna the relay of information. During the night, they managed to make a lot of progress. But because of Lilith's warnings, they moved cautiously to not accidentally begin any fight against the endemic forces.
Several Days Later...
Inside one particular house, a change was coming. Bright rays of light escaped from the drapes covering its windows.
The moon hanged low. The Night silently waited much like Lilith thinking inside that very house.
The Timer slowly went down as Lilith stared at the ticking number 00:00:00:55, the seconds wilted away as the system counted them down.
00:00:00:45
00:00:00:25
00:00:00:00
Lilith felt a sense of death creeping out of the cocoon.
Its aura changed, and its color waned but not once did it dimmed. The azure light only grew brighter, almost blinding to a point.
The time was mere seconds, yet, it felt like an eternity to wait!
Then...
Swoosh*
Azure to an Orange filled every corner of the room and pierced the drapes!
Web-like cracks spread on the ever-changing cocoon, the light weaved, and then, it was born anew!
The cocoon shattered into clouds of dust.
Inside, a beautiful woman with a perfect figure had her arms wrapped around her legs slowly opened her eyes with tantalizing grace.
Letting go of her legs, she touched the wooden floors with her cold feet. A jet black cloak gradually formed around her, hiding the flawless pale skin. A scarf then followed, hiding her neck and half her face.
The scent of blood was even thicker.
The aura of death more suffocating.
Her Silver Hair, ever so beautiful and elegant, rested with no blemish on her back.
With eyes so fierce and unfeeling, she was the perfect example of an undead.
She was a perfect specimen, without blemish nor flaw, pure-blooded and regal. A true Lord of the night, yet she got on one knee, lowered her head to humbly present herself to a child, "Boss."
"You have managed to evolve. You are more beautiful than I thought you would become." Lilith praised.
Dhampy was humbled by her words... but she failed to take Lilith seriously.
For Lilith remained seated atop Cerberus as if it was her mount.
It was the only mount she could ride. She wanted to appear like a true ruler atop a majestic Mythical Beast, yet seeing Dhampy failed to stifle her smile at the adorable sight.
'Dammit.'
Lilith knew she had failed and pouted.