Cicada chirping is a signature of a deep night. But not tonight, the night was full of shouting, grunting and a spirit of festivity. After the Chief discovered the technique of giving names, he gathered all members of our 'horde'.
Our brethren though curious did not ask for the reason of the gathering. They went to the 'Chief's Tree' and unconsciously made a circle around it.
The Chief proudly announced the discovery. He declared that each member of the group should have a name. In order to fasten things up, he let them think of their distinguishing traits, favorites, and habits.
As our brothers got their name, they shout it out loud making their lungs pop out of their mouths. When the last member of our 'horde' was named. As if following a script, the moon shone its light, briefly concentrating towards the Chief's Tree.
The Ritual of Responsibility - COMPLETED.
+ The sense of belonging towards the horde increases.
Being the moon as the only source of illumination. The degree of sight is minimal and we can only see silhouettes from afar aside from the things that are near us. We never knew that our noisy celebration will become the catalyst of an impending crisis.
The 'horde' that was used to be a gathering of domestic animals may have been improved but we cannot change the most basic rule of the world.
'Survival of the fittest'.
GRRRRRR. POUNCE.
A hog that was merrily enjoying the gathering a few seconds ago screeched as it breathes the last breath of its life. A shadow leaped out of nowhere can be seen eating one of our brethren.
If this happened before the event. We domestic pigs might run like a headless chicken. But instead of fear, what I currently feel right now is a clenching, burning feeling in my chest.
ANGER.
Without thinking, I charged towards the feeding bastard. It noticed me but instead of moving or defending, the shit did not even flinch and continued feeding on my fallen brother.
'GROOOOOOINK!!' the anger was turned into madness the mere thought of being underestimated made my mind go blank as I unconsciously activated a skill.
BASH!!!!
As my head was about to hit. It swiftly moves sidewards.
The skill hit in my dead brother's belly. The bite-hole in its neck gushed out blood and splattered towards my face.
The blood woke me up from my madness as I saw the real appearance of the perpetrator.
A big cat with white and black stripes. Has bulging hand muscles and a strong looking tail. It can never be compared with a house cat, in terms of size and appearance, the domineering presence that it gives can bring chills down to your spine.
The moonlight made the cat's eye shine as it glared at me.
"INSPECT" I murmured as I slowly but steadily stepped backward.
NAME: REGULUS TIGRUS TITLE: DOMINATOR RACE: TIGER SKILL: LEAP, POUNCE, CRUSH, ???, ???,???
HP: 850
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MP: 20
STA: 330
STR: ?????
INT: ?????
AGI: ?????
END: ?????
?????
?????
LV. 11
ATK: ???
DEF: 25
M-ATK: 0
RES: ???
This creature seems to be like us since it had a name and a race.
As I was checking his stats the bastard spoke.
"What you spacing out for, pig?" It then gave me a contempt full look.
As I was about to close the inspect screen I noticed Chief and the 'horde' made an encirclement being us at the center.
I continued to walk backward as the tiger was about to pounce, I spoke.
"You're surrounded".
The Tiger hit the brakes and stalled. Later on, a loud booming laugh came.
"GRRRR-RA-HAHAHAHA"
I looked at the tiger with confusion. 'what's so funny' I asked that question inwardly as the Tiger continued.
"EVER SINCE THAT DAY, my daily dose of boredom was gone. But tonight is the best night ever, even FOOD now knows how to speak."
"GRR-RA-HAHAHAHA".
As if starting with a 'matter of fact' tone. The tiger looked at the pigs that were surrounding him and smiled.
That smile triggered a different response from us, as the 'horde' made a dead rush towards the tiger.
Being located at the center, I will probably be hit by this stampede if I do nothing.
"CALM".
CALM - I (UNCOMMON)
MP: 25
Calms the mind of the living within a 20m. radius
AF: Increases MP regeneration by 20%
I activated my newly acquired skill, this will allow those brothers of mine who are charging towards their doom due to the impulse, and let them have a clear mind.
The tiger seeing a pig 'horde' stampede incoming activated a skill.
"LEAP".
LEAP - I (COMMON)
Boosting the legs to allow stronger spring power when jumping.
AF: After activation, temporarily increases agility stat by a little amount.
When the incoming pig horde came, I ran with them as well but it came to a halt. The target as if a bird soared towards the sky carrying a dead body in its mouth disappearing towards the darkness.
There was a momentary pause. All of us can hear the cicadas in the forest chirping. The only thing left was silence...