Cresting a veritable mountain, I collapse on soft grass and let out a heave of breath. Pain shoots through my paws and even my claws ache somehow, but at least I finally got here. Not that the wandering monsters were any help. It seems I wasn't the only one drawn to the conflict, though, I suppose it makes sense. Unlike when I listened before, the battle below is deafening now, with more and more monsters being drawn from all over the cavern every minute. Had I not seen this place through the tree line, I might have been caught, putting Emi in danger. I glance back at the base of my tail where Emi is currently wrapped.

Cold and unmoving, the only indication she's still alive is her rhythmic breathing and the slight twitches from her antennae. But I can tell she's becoming more malnourished. Her carapace is dull, no longer having the healthy sheen she had when she was reconstituted, and her consciousness that sits at the edge of mine is becoming fainter. Her body has likely gone into an extreme torpor-like state to save as much energy as possible. I hope I'm not too late.

Gazing down at the clearing below, I can't help but worry about the mass amount of monsters that are fighting. When my pace slowed because of the increased monsters rushing to the battle, I had assumed there would be more here, but not to this extent. From this height, the clusterfuck of monsters seems to writhe like an ocean, roars and screeches rising above the sounds of gnashing and tearing before being pulled down into a sea of blood and gore, consumed by the chaos of battle. An explosion erupts on the right side of the battle and my eyes snap to it just in time to see a dozen or so monsters flying through the air, their bodies smoking. Was that fire magic? More importantly, why are all of these monsters here in the first place? We're they just drawn by the sound? Or was it the smell?

Even at the top of this hill, which is around 150 feet above ground level, my mouth is watering. I've had to stop myself a few times from wandering off the cliff, my hunger almost getting the best of me. The delicious smell of Biomass is spreading around the area at an impressive rate, no doubt attracting all of the monsters in the nearby area. It may also be the reason they've been whipped into such a frenzy.

Unlike what I witnessed with the Wolf Dragons and the Centipedes when I popped out of the wall, there is no stalemate here, just pure mayhem. No sooner do they arrive from the surrounding forests do they jump into the battle, pouncing on the first monster they see and ripping it to shreds before they are treated to the same experience by a new outsider. Even the stronger monsters aren't safe from this as I see a pack of centipedes charge a huge grizzly bear that towers above the mosh pit of death. Mind you, they didn't exactly do much other than poke it with their barbs before being crushed by a bear paw, but the fact they tried to attack it at all is bizarre. The centipedes didn't seem suicidal when they were attacking the Wolf Dragons. They seemed to prefer teaming up on weak prey and waiting them out as the neurotoxin took effect.

If they're this aggressive, I'll need to be extremely careful while hunting. I shouldn't need to worry about the smell of fresh prey luring monsters to me, but the increased aggression might make an opponent like a Strangle Mouse into a real threat. Still, I can't wait any longer. Eminence needs to eat, she comes first.

I run a claw down her side as I check to see if she's secure and my heart squeezes. If I had only noticed her condition sooner, this entire situation could have been avoided. I've been thinking so much about myself when she was helping me the best she could, even though it was hurting her.

What a bad mom you are, Aria.

Determined, I set off down the hill as fast as I can whilst staying hidden. My stealth skill works in perfect harmony with my body, telling me the best ways to muffle my rapid pace as I dive over fallen trees and through bushes. My paws pound against the earth for ten minutes before I reach the bottom of the hill. A trail worn with fresh tracks cuts through the forest here, making it a perfect place to stage an ambush. Even though my Tunnel Sense skill is Level 1, I have an okay picture of the surrounding area, so I can escape into the woods if I need to. The hill will also be a good place to drag the prey back to once I kill it since most monsters will go to the horde in search of the mass amount of Biomass available. Hopefully, anyway. I also have to make sure I don't sting whatever I decide to kill. I'm not entirely sure if my venom will hurt Emi if she ingests it, but I don't want to take any chances right now. No, this will have to be a strictly teeth and claws battle. I just hope whatever wanders by isn't super strong.

In anticipation of a strong monster, I gently unwrap Eminence from my tail and wrap her around a tree branch above the bush I'm hiding in, covering her with leaves so she isn't noticed. Even though I won't be using my stinger, I may need to use my tail like a mace again, and It wouldn't do much good if I hurt her while she was still attached to me. Thankfully, her body seems to be latching on to whatever it can secure her to, so I don't think I need to worry about her falling.

I lower my body fully to the ground, my Stealth skill working to its fullest in the forest shade. Now, we wait.

It doesn't take but five minutes before I begin to hear movement from down the forest path, my ears barely picking up the quiet stamping. My body tenses and my heart rate increases as the beast looms closer, still moving as quietly as it can down the wooded path. Another three minutes pass and from behind a tree emerges a deer-like monster, making my heart leap into my throat with joy.

It's a beautiful specimen. The monster stands around four feet tall, its firm legs and ash-colored hooves supporting its well-muscled body and giving the monster an air of dark elegance as it towers over me. Its body is covered in a shaggy sable pelt that seems to absorb any light that contacts it, the red streaks that run from the edges of its eyes and down its neck making it look like it's weeping blood. A lithe, whip-like tail drags behind the deer, the boney protrusions that run along its length dubiously concealed in thick fur, masking the danger it poses. It has no antlers or horns atop its head. Instead, three fangs jut out on either side of its mouth, two on top and one below, giving it a demonic visage. The bottom fangs are larger than the others, acting more like a tusk than a fang, yet still being razor sharp. The creature yawns slightly and I catch a glimpse of even more razor fangs that line the inside of its mouth.

It looks delicious.

The monster doesn't seem to be on guard at all, which is worrying. Is this thing just arrogant? Or is it super powerful? I'll have to figure it out.

My claws dig into the soft dirt as the monster passes within a hairsbreadth of my muzzle and I have to stop myself from inhaling the monster's scent. I don't want my skull flattened by those hooves or to have it rampage or flee. Not that I think a monster would do that, they don't like to back down from a challenge.

Suddenly, the monster freezes, causing the moisture in my mouth to evaporate. Damn it. Did it notice me? My Stealth skill is still active, so it shouldn't have noticed, even at this distance. Slowly, the monster looks up at the crystal above. Wait, no, not the crystal...

The branch.

I explode from my hiding place and charge at the monster, stealth completely forgotten as I move to protect my baby. My powerful back legs push me forward at inhuman speeds, turning me into a rage-fueled scaly missile that smacks into the monster's side with a loud CRACK! My attack was so sudden that, on top of the very clearly broken ribs, the deer is knocked off its feet and sent sprawling into the dirt, a winded bleat forced from its lungs as it falls.

I barely have time to reorient myself from my sudden lunge before my snout flares in pain and I'm knocked back. With incredible accuracy, the monster somehow smacks me across the face with its tail as it tumbles, the thin appendage acting like a studded mace. Although not a hard enough hit to do any real damage, only three points, the attack does stop me from attacking long enough that the deer was able to get back on its feet.

Starting down at me with indignant rage, the monster and I stand in a stalemate. Using this time, I position myself between it and the tree Emi is in, my tail posturing dangerously as I snap my jaws and snarl at my opponent. You won't touch her, you fucker!

As if a silent bell was rung, the monster charges. The large tusks seem to glow as the monster runs, getting closer every moment. Wait, they are glowing! Dodge!

I fling myself to my right and go sprawling into the dirt as the deer slams its tusks into the ground where I was. Shards of rock and dirt chunks fragment in every direction, sending shrapnel into my chest, fragments bouncing off the thick scales that came about in my last mutation. What on Pangera, was that a skill?! I need one of those! With a semi-graceful roll, I pop up onto my feet and briefly take in the comedic scene before me. Like a classic cartoon, the monster's tusks are lodged deep in the ground and the beast is currently pulling hard to release them from the earth's grasp. No such luck, punk!

My adrenaline pumps harder as I rush the monster and leap into the air, landing square on its back. My claws dig deep into the beast's thick pelt and deeper into its flesh as I regain my balance, making me look like a morbid cowgirl. As soon as I'm secure, I begin tearing into the monster's neck and back with my teeth, ripping off large patches of fur as I dig for the prize buried underneath. I seriously wish I had mutated my teeth!

Now in agonizing pain, the deer tries to buck me off but it's no use; my claws are hooked too deep into its body to be dislodged like that. I tighten my grip as the beast begins to beat my back legs with its mace of a tail, a dull thud reverberating through my body as each impact takes a full health point from me.

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

But it's too late.

With a deep growl, I latch onto the monster's spine and bite down with all I have. The creature's blood pools around my face, but I barely notice; I just have to kill it, then I can breathe. The monster is much more sturdy than something like a Wolf Dragon Cub and I barely feel any give until...

[Bite has reached Level 3!]

SNAP!

A garbled bleat is the last thing that escapes from the monster's muzzle before it goes limp, its body collapsing to the ground with a soft thump.

[You have slain a Level 7 Caedes Cervus! You have gained experience!]

[You have reached Level 2!]

[You have reached Level 3!]

[Rake has reached Level 4!]

I barely notice the flurry of notifications, my body is still flooded with adrenaline and my jaws are still clenched around the deer's spine. It takes me a few seconds before I realize it's dead and I dislodge myself from my prey, my face completely soaked in blood. I have to stop myself from licking my lips clean of the life-giving liquid; I won't savor this taste, not yet.

Quickly slicing off the monster's ear, I turn from the fresh corpse, and race to the tree Eminence is in. Even with how weak our bond is at the moment, I'm able to find her quickly and I gently unwrap her from the branches. Cradling her in my paw, I softly rub the side of her carapace with a claw to wake my weak child.

'Emi, please wake up, ' I plead. 'I've brought food. Just a small bite is enough. Please.'

It takes a few seconds, but finally, she stirs, and my heart soars. Gradually, her antennae begin to tap. Then faster. And then even faster until a small voice emerges in my mind.

'M-Mistress? What happened? Why is there blood on your face?!' She asks, panic rising in her voice at the end.

'Shush- It's okay! It's not my blood. I got you some food, that's all. You don't need to worry. Now, eat. You need to get something in your belly.' I say as I caress her carapace, trying to soothe the frazzled centipede.

I wait a few moments for her to calm down before holding the deer's ear to her mouth, letting her take a few tentative bites before setting her on a large rock to eat. Now on solid ground, her vicious hunger is free to show as she rips into her meal, devouring it in a few seconds. Although it isn't a major difference, I can see life coming back to her based on her mannerisms. Her mind is also becoming clearer across the connection, now feeling less like a dim lightbulb and more like a slightly less dim lightbulb. Thankfully, It seems I wasn't too late.

'How are you feeling? Are you hurt anywhere?' I ask once she's done eating.

'There's no need for you to worry, Mistress. I'm okay.'

'Emi, you don't need to lie to me. I won't get mad at you if you need something. I'm the reason you're here, it's only natural that I take care of you.'

'But Mistress, It's my duty to-' She protests.

'No buts! You almost died because we didn't communicate enough. You can't ignore your own needs just for the sake of mine. So, from now on, you tell me if you need something. You got that? We're in this together. Now, are you hungry?'

'Yes, Mistress..' She grumbles.

'What was that? I can't hear you.' I say, holding a paw to my ear.

'Yes, I am hungry.' She pouts, her fangs clicking together in frustration.

It looks like she's not totally sold on taking care of herself, but she'll just have to suck it up. I don't mind that she wants to take care of me, but I need her to be more vocal about her needs so this doesn't happen again. I don't want to wake up and have her die of starvation because she didn't listen to me. Still, most of the blame falls upon me because I was too blind to see she needed help. I need to be more proactive in the future.

'That's my girl. Just wait here and I'll bring some food over.' I say, patting her head.

Trotting through the bushes, I'm glad to see the monster's corpse is still here. Honestly, I half expected it to have disappeared into the ground by now. I'm still not sure why that happened. Does it have something to do with mana? ...Eh, whatever. All that is for future Aria to worry about. Present Aria needs to figure out how to drag this beast away.

Although I was able to beat it, this monster not only lodged its head into the ground, but it is four times my weight, if not more. Unfortunately, there's no way feasible way to drag the carcass to a safer place as I am now. And if I tried to butcher it, I'm worried it would sink into the ground because I took too long. Damnit. I'm really starting to wish I had taken a different evolution. More size is what I need right now, not a stupid magic stat I don't even know how to use properly. Oh well, nothing to do about it now. I can't change the past, so I should focus on what I can do.

'Emi, I have good news and I have bad news.' I say over the link as I wander back to the rock.

'What do you mean, Mistress?'

'Well, the good news is that we have a ton of food to eat. You should be able to fill up 100 times over before it's all gone. The bad news is we need to eat as much as we can and then skedaddle because I can't haul this fat fuck to a different area. Ready to dig in?' I say as I hold my tail out to her.

'Yes!'