As the purple light slowly dissipated, the ethereal figure that had appeared in front of Marshmallow began to reveal its true form. It was impossible to categorize into any known scheme. It was clearly not a human. Yet it wasn't a beast like others he'd encountered in the game.
The creature's muscles were carved like those of an ancient warrior immortalized in marble, and Marshmallow watched it breathe with preternatural ease. The magnificent spirals of horns on its head caught and released the dim light, giving it a regal aura, a fierce ruler of the underworld.
It was the living embodiment of a myth, an unusual cross between a horse and a goat, taking form in a humanoid body. Its presence was so massive that it seemed to fill every inch of the surrounding air. In its chest, a heart pulsating with purple energy glowed intensely, like a beacon through its imposing musculature.
NOTICE
The Goat Horse has joined your party!
“Eh? What the heck is this?” Marshmallow stammered, still in disbelief at the notification floating before his eyes.
Wasting no time, the Goat Horse demonstrated its power. It raised its fist, opened its hand, and a mass of purple mana manifested like a sudden bonfire. In a flash, with an explosion of purple energy that seemed to tear the very fabric of darkness, it annihilated all the Evolveroaches present. Like puppets severed from their strings, the creatures disintegrated lifelessly, and the cave was enveloped in a silence charged with a silent promise of power.
135 Lesser Evolveroaches killed!
+ 27 Exp
78 Medium Evolveroaches killed!
+ 39 Exp
27 Major Evolveroaches killed!
+ 54 Exp
Congratulations! You've just leveled up! You have +3 Assignable Points!
Congratulations! You've activated the Shining Tree's secret event: The Goat Horse! You've gained a +1 Bonus to your Luck stat!
All this was really incredible. Marshmallow was astonished. But who was this guy? He didn't know how he managed to level up without doing... anything.
"Well, look who's leveled up!" the Goat Horse exclaimed with a grin widening under its majestic horns. "Bet you've never seen an ally as phenomenal as me, right?"
What does this guy want?
Though grateful for the help, Marshmallow felt a tinge of resentment at the Goat Horse's confident tone. "Yes, you got rid of the cockroaches," he said reluctantly. "But don't exaggerate, it wasn't anything phenomenal. They were just Evolveroaches, after all."
The Goat Horse replied with a laugh that echoed throughout the cavern, almost like a horse's neigh. "Come on, you gotta admit I saved your butt. Anyway, it's the 'how' of taking out Evolveroaches that counts, buddy. And I did it with style, don't you think?"
Marshmallow shook his head, utterly bewildered and unable to utter a word. This strange being called the "Goat Horse" had such a regal attitude… and yet was so crass? He couldn't believe it.
Nevertheless, he had to admit it. That guy had been a godsend. Would Marshmallow have saved himself from that situation? Turning back would have been complicated, and Marshmallow had entered the tunnel by crawling. The Evolveroaches would have certainly chased him outside.
Anyway, it seemed that there were three different types of Evolveroaches. The Lesser Evolveroaches, giving 0.2 Exp, were the most harmless. The Medium Evolveroaches, larger and with iridescent yellow eyes, gave 0.5 Exp and were more aggressive and belligerent. Finally, the Major Evolveroaches, as big as a cat, with electric blue eyes, gave 2 Exp and were sort of pack leaders.
"What, the Galactic Purple Demolisher? Sorry. It's exhausted," the Goat Horse shrugged. "But only for now. It's just a matter of time before I recharge. Until then, you'll have the pleasure of my brilliant company."
"A questionable pleasure," Marshmallow retorted, "But I'll keep an eye on you. Who knows, there might be more behind that arrogance and your bizarre purple ability.."
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
The Goat Horse laughed again, a sound similar to a horse's neigh. "Oh, don't worry, stranger. I'll be your greatest ally. And when we get to Queen Luminara, you'll be the one asking me to stay."
"We'll see," Marshmallow concluded, already planning their next move. Despite the bravado, he knew that every character encountered could lead to an unexpected turn in the game. Although the new companion's arrogant attitude was hard for Marshmallow to bear, it was undeniable that the Goat Horse had unlocked a path in his adventure that previously seemed unreachable.
After a satisfied smile for his recent show of power, the Goat Horse turned abruptly and began to move with decisive steps. "Follow me," it said, in a tone that brooked no argument. "I know a shortcut. And, just so you know, it's not for the faint of heart."
Marshmallow, grinding his teeth at his new companion's arrogance, had no choice but to follow the imposing figure of the Goat Horse. "Better not be another one of your 'shows'," he murmured to himself.
As they walked, Marshmallow couldn't help but question his new ally. "You haven't told me something important. Are you the Hidden Keeper?" he asked.
The Goat Horse replied with a half-smile. "Me? I wish. I'm just one of his creations. The one you call the Hidden Keeper is nothing but the Sage Ezechiel."
"Ezechiel? From the temple?" asked Marshmallow, connecting the dots of the game's lore.
"Yes, him. He's a Chimera creator, an alchemist. He made a pact with the forest satyrs and did strange experiments with the goats populating the area. He fused a goat with a horse, and here I am the Goat Horse. I have other brothers scattered around the world, who knows where."
Marshmallow had to admit the game's lore was genuinely interesting. "What other animals has he created chimeras with?"
"Well, I'm not sure. There's an Eagle Goat, a Tiger Goat, and there should be a Mantis Goat. I don't know if there are others, but I think so."
"Mantis Goat? How did he manage to fuse a little insect with a farm animal?"
"Watch your words!" The Goat Horse replied vehemently, glaring at Marshmallow. He didn't like being referred to as a farm animal. "The sage is great and a master in his field!"
***
After a brief moment of tension, Marshmallow decided to change the subject from chimeras. It was time to focus on something immediately relevant: assigning his points.
Strength 13, Dexterity 11, Constitution 15, Stamina 14, Perception 16, and Luck 7. It used to be 6, but I got a bonus point. Let's see... where should I put these 3 Assignable Points?
Maybe it would be a good idea to spend his new points on Strength, thinking about increasing his avatar's offensive power. As his hand moved almost automatically to the Strength option, a sudden memory made him hesitate.
SonicEcho, his first companion, had chosen the path of pure strength. He was incredibly strong, but his low Constitution had made him vulnerable. Marshmallow remembered his premature end, his head crushed under the fangs of the Grimgoat.
Marshmallow couldn't take the risk. Weaker than a rank E, he knew survival was a priority. It wasn't time to aim for offensive glory. He had to ensure he could withstand attacks, survive long enough to accumulate experience and become stronger sustainably.
I've decided!
+3 points assigned to Constitution.
With the first point, a sense of solidity spread through his avatar's virtual bones, as if they became denser, more capable of withstanding blows and stress. At the second point, he felt his character's muscles become more toned and hard, providing greater endurance and stability. Finally, with the third point, Marshmallow felt a general increase in his avatar's physical well-being, a sense of invulnerability that made him more confident in his movements and actions.
His character's posture became firmer, more imposing. Each step now carried a sense of firmness, and even his endurance seemed to have significantly improved. Marshmallow realized that with this new constitution, he would be able to face dangers that would have easily overwhelmed him before.
As Marshmallow congratulated himself for bringing his Constitution to 18, the purple light of the Goat Horse intermittently lit the winding, half-hidden path. The Lantern of Flow was completely out, and Marshmallow had lost his way.
"See, the advantage of being an inhabitant of these lands is that you know all the secrets of these labyrinths."
"Including the location of enemies?" Marshmallow asked, still doubtful.
"Ah, Evolveroaches are predictable," the Goat Horse replied. "But what lies in the heart of the Shining Tree, that's another story."
After a moment, through a dense tangle of roots and brambles, a natural cavity in the ground opened up before them, so well hidden that only an expert eye could have noticed it. "Here's our shortcut," the Goat Horse announced with a triumphant nod.
Marshmallow followed his gaze. "Looks more like a trap than a shortcut."
"Appearances can be deceiving," the Goat Horse retorted with a smile. "Trust me, and I'll lead you straight to the heart of the Shining Tree's power."
Marshmallow followed, descending steeply into the underground depths, each step carefully calculated on treacherous terrain. The Goat Horse's purple light, their only guide in the darkness, led them through the shadows, with Marshmallow ready for any danger.
The descent, despite the oppressive darkness, had something exciting about it, almost as if they were about to discover an ancient secret. The Goat Horse occasionally paused, peering at cracks and sniffing the air, allowing Marshmallow to catch his breath.
At the bottom, they arrived in a huge cavern with a ceiling so high it seemed like an alien night sky, and walls adorned with natural rock formations. The Goat Horse's purple light reflected on moist surfaces, creating dancing lights that added a magical touch to the environment.
Suddenly, six fiery lights formed a hexagon in the cavern, revealing a clear sight to the duo.
"This is our real test," the Goat Horse whispered, its eyes gleaming with a sinister light. "The Kingroach. Beyond him, we'll find Queen Luminara."
Holy shit. It's huge!