Without further ado the rabbit led his siblings outside the burrow for their very first outing. Hopping around the pond his family followed in a line with Mother keeping watch from the back. Looking at the surrounding area he found that all the frog monsters were gone and his brethren were happily drinking and lazing along the banks. Smiling to himself he continued on. “Everyone keep up, its going to get dangerous once we leave our territory.”
Affirmations came from behind as they travelled. After leaving the vegetation behind he brought the group to a halt and then climbed one of the taller rocky ledges to scout for prey. He trusted Rey and Mother to protect the others for a few moments. Searching from above he used [PANOPTIC VISION] to locate what would become experience for his siblings. He spotted something close by, hidden under a rocky alcove, that would work if he managed to pin it down. Focusing on it he used [IDENTIFY].
Monster – [ADOLESCENT BASILISK] – [LEVEL 15]
If he remembered correctly, the myths about basilisks from Roger’s memories told of a power to turn enemies to stone with a look. That was not something that he wanted to risk. Coming up with a plan he hopped down to inform the family.
*DING*
Skill: [CLIFFWALKER] granted.
*DING*
[CLIFFWALKER] has reached Level 1
Conveying his thoughts to the others, they all agreed. Setting forth again, the mood was a bit grimmer than before. The infants didn’t have any attack skills to speak of so they would just have to bite the enemy, which was a very dangerous proposition. Luckily if the plan worked then they wouldn’t have to worry.
Reaching the point of access to the alcove the rabbits got into formation. Half of the infants were fired up and the other half were more subdued. Creeping forward by himself the adolescent carefully stalked his prey.
*DING*
[STEALTH] has reached Level 5
Finding his prize coiled and asleep he threw a pebble at it so the snake monster would open its eyes and then he stretched out a string of mana towards its face. The distraction worked and just as the eyelids opened, he made the ball of [LIGHT] mana explode, blinding the basilisk.
Skill: [FLASHBANG] granted.
*DING*
[FLASHBANG] has reached Level 1
Then strings of [WATER] mana wrapped around the creature to secure it in place. Just as he was about to call out his siblings, the basilisk spoke, “hey, what’s going on? Let me go. What did I ever do to you?”
Stunned for a moment the rabbit froze in astonishment. He responded in kind. “Um, sorry. I needed to find some experience and you seemed like the best bet. Most monsters have just attacked me so far so I just assumed you would too.”
Even blinded the snake was clearly giving an annoyed glare, “Aren’t we all and I can understand where you’re coming from but I request that you choose someone else for your conquest. As you can see, I’m slightly busy with living. I currently have no time to be experience right now. If that changes, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
The rabbit stared at the gall of the creature in front of him. “Um, okay, I’ll see you around then” he replied while slowly loosening his strings, ready to tighten them in a moment should the snake try something nefarious, “if I let you go then all rabbits on this floor are off limits.”
“Naturally.”
“Before we go, I have a question. You seem a lot smarter than the average monster. Why is that?”
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By this point the snake monster clearly had full use of his vision again, but instead of attacking, he gave a reply. “Making smart choices in life leads to an increase in [WISDOM] which in turn leads to a smarter mind. If you did not know this then I assume you are one of the few lucky ones that was born with increased [INTELLIGENCE] or [WISDOM].”
“Something like that” the rabbit responded.
With the conversation ending, the basilisk slithered off. “Well that was surprising” the rabbit mumbled to himself.
Trudging back to where his family was hidden, he explained that the snake was actually not an enemy, for now. He would have to search for new prey. Changing direction, the bunny decided there might be better luck in hunting Tiddalicks.
A little under half an hour later the new prey had been sighted.
Monster – [ADOLESCENT TIDDALIK] – [LEVEL 17]
The monster wasn’t even trying to act stealthy despite being on the outer areas of the frog’s territory. Then again, it was level seventeen. The monster was lazily sitting on a log, its eyes half lidded. Unfortunately, the peaceful atmosphere was ruined by the rat struggling to get out from under its feet.
Monster – [JUVENILE AROURAIOS] – [LEVEL 9]
Looked like the frog monster was playing with its food. Getting within range he chose [AIR] magic this time so that it wouldn’t play to the frog’s strengths. The bunny once again wrapped the strings around his opponent and then lifted it off the ground. The experience to be now bound tight had its former prey escape at high speed.
*DING*
[TELEKINESIS] has reached Level 4
Watching the rat run away for a moment his attention was brought back as the tiddalick tried to counteract the bonds with its own [WATER] mana. Annoying. How would his siblings attack with all that magic waving about. The frog gave a loud croak coated in malice. She wanted blood. She was not a happy little froggy.
Experimenting, the rabbit reached out with his senses to the opposing strings and willed them to obey him instead. To both his and the frog monsters surprise the mana strings did just that and went dormant. The bunny gave a toothy grin. “Alright, come on out and attack” he spoke, calling his siblings to arms.
*DING*
[ENHANCED VOICE] has reached Level 2
*DING*
[SOVEREIGN’S CALL] has reached Level 2
He expected some of them to be more cautious, like last time, but his call seemed to have heightened all their spirits somehow. In fact, the infants that had previously been raring to go were now even more hyped, as if they were invincible. With gusto they all leapt forward and bit at the frog monster. Legs, stomach, eyes, nose and back. Everything began to bleed profusely and within just a few minutes the creature was dead. Not wanting to waste any possible food the adolescent horned rabbit set about preparing his sibling’s first true meal. Setting the carcass on a [PLATFORM] he dissected it with [WIND BLADE] and then cooked the meat. Not sensing any nearby threats he then distributed the feast.
*DING*
[TELEKINESIS] has reached Level 5
*DING*
[PLATFORM] has reached Level 2
*DING*
[WIND BLADE] has reached Level 3
*DING*
[DISSECT] has reached Level 3
*DING*
[LIGHT FLAME] has reached Level 4
*DING*
[INTENT] has reached Level 4
*DING*
[SCORCH] has reached Level 4
These notifications about skill upgrades were beginning to get really annoying. Opening up his notification logs he found some new toggles in the corner that weren’t there before. Maybe they were because of his evolutions? They were all marked as [ON].
Show LEVEL UPS – [ON]
Show Skill Upgrades – [ON]
Show Skills Gained – [ON]
Show Magical Affinity Upgrades – [ON]
Show Magical Proficiency Upgrades – [ON]
Show evolution prompts – [ON]
Show [CHAT] requests from general population – [ON]
Show [CHAT] requests from [ALLIES] – [ON]
Show [CHAT] requests from [ENEMIES] – [ON]
Show [CHAT] requests from the [EVERLASTING] – [ON]
Show [CHAT] requests from [PATRON] – [ON]
Show General Announcements For [DUNGEON] – [ON]
Show General Announcements For [REGION] – [ON]
Show General Announcements For [COUNTRY] – [ON]
Show General Announcements For [CONTINENT] – [ON]
Show General Announcements For [WORLD] – [ON]
Impressive. But all he really wanted was to fix the upgrade spam. Mentally sliding the toggle left, he switched the Skill Upgrade notifications [OFF]. That action felt like peace was finally coming within reach. Then his most boisterous brother tried to tackle him. And his three boisterous sisters decided to follow their idiot brother’s lead. Not him, just to make that clear. The moron that play-tackled him in enemy territory was the one they tried to copy. All four failed of course. Simple [TELEKINESIS] resolved the issue and some ear flaps from Mother stamped out any mutinous ideas.