Late at night, right after the harvest, a new dish was born: Midnight Pie. The crust was made out of Clover Flour mixed with Drider Eggs, the filling was the iconic TomGrape, and the entire thing was sweetened with Slug Jelly. The entire thing was tempered in the magical flames of the FireAgave Juice oven. Due to all the exotic ingredients, or perhaps due to the way it was baked, no, maybe it was the time it was made… Anyway, the Midnight Pie wasn’t just finger-licking delicious, it proved a buff upon consumption: EXP Boost. The buff doubled the experience gained right until the next midnight.

There was that, and due to certain ingredients, there was an extra bonus.

“My pet human can evolve!” Ever exclaimed raising the little girl into the air much like she would a trophy.

“She must have gotten access to the Monster System after she ate the pie.” Drow Assistant noted in her notebook.

“Slug Jelly can do that to humans.” Spider King looked at the giddy girl with curiosity.

“Evolve!” She exclaimed.

Everyone directed their expectant looks at the King. Indeed, he was the gatekeeper to the evolution.

“With pleasure.” He took the girl into his hands. “[Evolve]!” He invoked sinking no less than 1000MP into a comparably tiny body.

The leather tent was basked in purple magical light and then the light subsided a fresh take on a human form was squirming in his hands.

“[Inspect],” everyone said in unison.

Monster Race:

Corrupted Human

Variant: Bunny Girl

Magic Affinity: None

👯🏼‍♀️

HP:80

MP:50

STA:120

Active Perks

[Zoom], [Hop]

Passive Perks

[Scavenger], [Tamed]

The Bunny Girl, as all bunny girls should, had a set of bunny ears and a fluffy cotton-like tail, however, she remained mostly human. Most importantly, Tamed was moved from Status Effects to Passive Perks, which cemented it as a permanent thing.

He put the improved human back on her feet.

“[Zoom],” she invoked with excitement.

The tamed girl ran around the tent leaving only a blurry afterimage; she was quick! Something like that would be extremely hard to hit, and also catch.

“[Hop],” she tried another perk. “Aw!” She slammed her head into the ceiling.

“You shouldn't Hop in tents,” Ever scolded her. “Stay!” She commanded.

The command made the giddy girl to settle, yet still, she didn’t look any less excited about her new abilities; or the improved looks.

She touched her long bunny ears, “I love them!” She said with a broad smile turning to check her rear. “I love that too!” She wiggled her candyfloss tail. “I’m just like Ever and Asher now!” She looked at the two with sparkling eyes.

“Not quite, kid, but close enough.” The Spider King patted right in between the ears.

And that concluded the small break everyone was having. The morning was bound to come soon and everyone buckled down for a short sleep; there was stuff to do and bandits to conquer.

…

The Galleon Whale was flying slowly towards the Bandit Camp. The camp was surrounded by a palisade wall and even had a few lookout towers; it wasn’t quite a wooden fortress but it could be considered as a defensive encampment. The Spider King had some business with the local Bandit Leader, especially the part where they weren’t exactly friendly with the settlers who just moved in – his cute rabbits. The bandits had caused some trouble before, and the Spider King was here to end that.

There were a few ways to solve issues like this: it was either to talk it out or come with guns blazing. Actually, why not both? – yes, the Spider King decided to do both. That’s why it was not the flying ship the bandits noticed first but a pack of monsters charging towards the Bandit Camp. The pack of Wargs were running in a maddened sprint straight to the walls as if intent on getting inside no matter the cost, but a keen observer would notice that the monsters charging with their tails tucked under as if fleeing something.

A sound of alarm was blown from one of the lookout towers putting the camp on alert. Even if the wargs were few and the walls were tall, no monster attack should be left ignored; the bandits rushed to man the towers and the walls readying their bows and arrows. However, they soon would realise that this was unnecessary, or rather pointless.

The ship, still unnoticed, was high above and right behind the fleeing monsters. Just before the wargs could get into the bandits’ bow range, the ship descended from the sky flying low to stand between the wargs and the camp. A hatch on the side opened revealing a neat row of staffs. The rank of the Spider Dark Mages pushed their mana into the staffs making them buzz with power.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“[Empower],[Barrage],[Dark Bolt]”, they chanted in unison unleashing a combination attack.

The projectiles were so numerous that the barrage formed a magical wave, it pulsed with power threatening to crash and sweep the monster pack away. Instead, the wargs were just blown to bits and then further disintegrated leaving nothing but dust. It was then the ship turned around to face the bandit camp. Everyone on the wall tensed up, and to begin with arrows weren’t that great versus mages and what could they even do against the entire flying ship?

Precisely! Everything panned out as intended. The flying ship was here just for a small show of power; flexing if you will. The Spider King did this to show that he meant business and that he was not to be messed around. However, the show wasn’t quite over. The ship flew ever so slightly higher and once it was high enough it was time for the final act. The spider mages parted making space for the Warrior Leader Jr. The massive spider jumped to glide right towards the camp, of course, the Spider King was sitting atop the noble spider.

At the sight of that the bandits were left screaming and shivering in their boots; no doubt this was the biggest and meanest monster they had ever seen. And it was flying right towards them! Of course, attempts were made to shoot the spider out of the sky, however, SilkWeb Seraph was equipped with Projectile Deflection; the arrows hit an invisible wall and simply fell back down like old leaves from the tree in autumn – useless.

Uncontested the spider slammed right into the centre of the bandit camp. The locals here weren’t courageous enough to attempt to fight something like that, so they fled in all four directions. Or at least they wanted to, the very walls erected to protect them were now there to trap them. The few archers manning the walls jumped down only to be met with warning shots of Dark Bolt; the flying ship would not let them leave the camp. The bandits were truly trapped in this simple but spidery plot.

“Be not afraid!” The Spider King shouted using his Aura Projection at full power. He aimed for a calming effect trying to override their Terror.

It worked to some extent: even if shaking and trebling a few of the bandits turned around to look at the gigantic spider and his rider.

“I come in peace!” He tried again. “I just want to talk with your leader.” He reached into his inventory. “Here, I even brought a pie as a peace offering.”

The pie remained fresh and warm in his inventory, hence so the tempting smell wafted towards the bandits.

“So, where is the leader?” He scanned the crowd.

Yeah, despite the pie offering he won no friends here, the bandits realising that they couldn’t flee encircled the spider with their weapons pointed. He looked at the biggest and toughest bandit in the crowd, it was likely to be their leader.

Surprisingly, “I’m the leader!” A voice behind him shouted out.

He was forced to turn around at the sound of a feminine yet gruff and commanding voice. The woman was dressed in taunt black leather and cloaked in monster fur, much like a rogue or in this case Bandit Leader would.

The Spider King Hopped off his noble steed to face the Bandit Leader properly; he dismounted to show respect.

“I’m the Spider King, ruler of the Monster Realm.” He introduced himself.

“Never heard of it… but that makes sense.” The woman muttered. “I am Roe Banditessa, leader of this camp. And just so you know, we work under the Warlord Jerico.” She introduced.

“I don’t care about him.” He dismissed the Warlord. “I’m here for you.” He gave her an intense look.

His words made the woman step back.

“I didn’t mean like that… I’m here to talk, honest. I’ve even brought a pie.” He stretched the offering.

“Is that so…” The woman paused to think, or rather scheme something. “Then let's do it away from the prying eyes. Come.” She gestured towards the wooden longhouse.

He whispered to his companion to stay and observe the rest of the bandits and then followed the Bandit Leader. Soon he realised that the woman had quite a few guards, those were the only people who decided to follow him and her; the rest used the opportunity to distance themselves from potential dangers. Hence, the Warrior Leader Jr was left with no bandits to observe; they avoided the spider like a plague.

Roe Banditessa opened the doors for him to enter.

“After you,” she motioned welcomingly.

She followed right behind with a quick yelp to her men, “I won’t need you,” and then she slammed the doors.

Now there were only two of them in the hall of the longhouse. She was rather trusting of him, perhaps his aura had worked, or maybe it was the pie, regarless he smiled at her trust.

“Please take a seat.” She motioned to a nearby table.

He set the pie on it and sat on one of the wooden stools. The table was scared by a knife and reeked of alcohol, and the stool creaked under his weight; an environment typical to a bandit den or a cheep tavern.

The Bandit Leader pushed two nearby glasses in the centre, “Give me a sec.” she moved to retrieve the bottle from one of the shelves.

Since things calmed down, he changed his aura to that of friendliness.

The glasses were filled with strong-smelling liquid and the bottle was set on the table.

“That’s the best I’ve got. Now, we can talk.”

“Yes.” He nodded. But before he would unmistakably sour the things he motioned to the Midnight Pie, “Care for the slice?”

“I’m not into sweet stuff, however, I will take the drink.” She raised her glass. “A toast for a King…” She gave him a peculiar look.

He wasn’t much into drinks, but it would be rude not to. He raised his glass and downed the contents in one gulp.

[Enhanced Poison Immunity: activated]

Yeah, the drink tasted really strong, it was potent stuff so there was no surprise his perk would activate. However, he didn’t grimace or make a face. It would be rude!

Roe gave him a peculiar look. “Another glass?” She offered.

“No.” He refused the rancid liquid. “Do you know why I’m here?” He deflected it further with a question.

Of course she didn’t, “No Idea… You said you’re here for me...” She spoke slowly and careful about her words. “Did I wrong you or yours somehow?”

“Indeed you did. But I’m not angry.” He de-escalated preemptively.

“…” She remained thoughtful.

“It was my rabbits, Ashen Rabbits.” He explained.

“Ah, I see… That makes sense.” She nodded. “So this is what this is about.” She let a deep sigh out. “I don’t think you’re here for an apology, is it a compensation you want?” She asked.

Her voice was calm, however, her body was extremely tense as if ready to jump at any moment. Meaning that his friendliness aura had failed and the woman was just acting calm and reserved.

“No.” He reached for the slice of pie. “I’m here to solve banditry. Like all banditry,” he paused meaningfully. “Permanently.” He ate the pie; It was delicious!

The woman jumped up from her chair as if to run, but then stopped abruptly. “Permanently? But you said you’re not angry with us.”

“I’m not. What I meant is I want to give you a second chance at life. A life where you aren’t just Bandits, Bandit Leaders, and especially not Warlords.”

“If you’re telling me to become a Farmer, I will not.” She told him bluntly.

“I wouldn’t even suggest that.” He reached for the second slice.

“A Slave?!” She slammed her palms at the table. “I’d rather die.”

“Sorry, I failed to make myself clear. I didn’t mean that either. Why don’t you just try the pie, it will be easier than just explaining.”

She gave him a dubious look.

“I insist.” He pushed the pie plate towards her.

“It better be not poisoned.” She said that but finally took a small bite of the pie.

Realising the obvious truth, the truth that the pie was simply delicious she took a second but braver bite this time. And then another and another, and soon the pie slice was gone.

“I don’t get it.” She looked at the pie plate and then at the Spider King; he was grinning at her broadly.

After another few seconds, Roe’s eyes shot open wide. “Monster System? Corrupted Human? What did you do to me?!” She slammed the table again.

“Check your status.” He said to her calmly.

“[Status]!”, “…”, “My stats!”, she slammed the table again. “They’re higher, and I can take multiple Classes, no, those are Jobs now. And I can see my old Ranger and Rogue back in there.”

“Yeah, plus all the perks of Corrupted Human.”

“You… This power? Why?”

“So you can take more Jobs and be a bit more than just a Bandit Leader.”

“But why? Why me.” She repeated.

He gave her a cold look. “Because it's that, or I’ll have to wipe you all out. A plan B really.” He admitted.

“Sorry? I don’t understand.” She gave him a confused but also scared look.

“You’ll have to abandon your old ways and become a part of the Monster Realm.” He said it as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

“To become your underlings?”

“Don’t say it like that… Currenly you work under this Jercio or whatever his name, no?”

She nodded.

“Now you work for me. Simple, no?”

“…” Roe Banditessa was left speechless; nothing was that simple.