“Chapter 55 Whispers of Treachery: Skyward Deceptions”
The other two spiders, in stark contrast, proved to be formidable opponents, faring better in the heated battle against Storm and Shadowfang. While the wolves were fierce and determined, these mechanical arachnids demonstrated remarkable resilience and coordination. Their steampunk limbs moved with precision, blocking the wolves' lunging attacks and retaliating with swift, powerful strikes.
Clangs of metal against fur filled the air as the spiders clashed with the wolves. Storm and Shadowfang, though relentless in their assault, found it challenging to gain the upper hand. The mechanical beasts' calculated movements and sturdy construction allowed them to withstand the wolves' biting jaws and slashing claws. It was a battle of strength and strategy, with neither side willing to yield easily in this fierce confrontation.
The battle between Storm, the powerful wolf, and the metal steam-powered spider was a clash of nature and machine. As Storm lunged forward with a primal snarl, his massive jaws aimed to crush the spider's metallic frame. His claws, sharp as daggers, sliced through the air with deadly intent.
The spider, however, was a marvel of mechanical engineering. Its gears and pistons whirred with precision as it swiftly evaded Storm's snapping jaws. Its steel legs moved with calculated grace, enabling it to dodge the wolf's attacks and retaliate with calculated strikes. Steam hissed from its joints as it maneuvered, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the confrontation.
The wolf's fur bristled with determination as he continued to press his assault, but the spider's armor proved a formidable defense. Each bite and slash from Storm were met with the unyielding resistance of metal. Sparks flew as fangs scraped against the spider's surface, but it showed no signs of weakness.
The battle raged on, a testament to the relentless spirit of the wolf and the unwavering durability of the mechanical spider. It was a symphony of snarls and clanging metal, a primal struggle between the forces of nature and the marvels of technology.
I watched as Bloodthrone, his fur matted with oil and grease, finished tearing apart the mechanical warrior. The lifeless metal carcass fell to the ground with a heavy thud. A system notification flashed in the top left corner of my view screen, but I pushed it aside. It was just an experience gain notification, and I knew the spider wouldn't be respawning because it was just outside of my boundary.
I could see that the pack leader with his keen eyes that darted across the chaotic battleground, methodically assessed the dire situation to determine which of his two subordinates was in the gravest need of assistance. I could feel him meticulously calculated the risks and potential outcomes, a deep furrow of concentration creasing his barbaric brow as he weighed the urgency of their predicament.
In this frenzied melee of clashing forces and mechanical monstrosities, his leadership and decision-making were paramount, as they would shape the course of this desperate battle and the fate of his loyal comrades.
With the unwavering support of their pack leader, the two formidable wolves tore into the last remaining mechanical warriors as if they were an unattended birthday cake at a children's party. Their coordinated assault was a ruthless display of power and precision, rending through metal and steam with feral determination. The battlefield echoed with the clatter of shredded machinery, a testament to their dominance over these mechanical foes. As the last sparks of resistance flickered and died, the triumphant wolves stood victorious, their chests heaving with exertion and adrenaline coursing through their veins.
I then lost vision of the location with my last two scout warriors dispatched. I redirected my focus towards the little girl, who was now in the arms of Nightmare and Jack. Even with all the chaos and fighting that happened this night, we have saved the humans living here, we defeated all of the insects and most of the wolves. With an added bonus of saving this young girl.
The young girl stood, her presence like a fragile bloom in the wilderness. She appeared to be around eight years old, with disheveled hair that framed her pale face. Her wide eyes, filled with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation, darted around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. A tattered dress, smudged with dirt and torn at the hem, clung to her small frame. Dirty knees and scratched arms bore witness to her journey through the woods.
Despite the signs of hardship, there was an air of innocence about her, an untarnished spirit that had weathered the unknown with resilience. She clutched a faded plush toy, one given to her by Nightmare, in one hand, a comforting from her new world. I felt like she was lost and alone, she was trapped in the threshold of the wilderness, but now a poignant reminder of vulnerability and the enduring hope of being found in my domain.
I decided to take a moment to check my character sheet before my last surprise of the night was about to hit the wolves.
Name:
Violet Machina
Species: Dungeon Core
Subspecies: God Dungeon
This dungeon is in service of the Goddess of the Hunt giving it the sub-racial of God Dungeon. Currently, too low a level for effects to activate.
Current Level 30
Experience to next level 800,000
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
I went up five levels.
Attributes
Base Score
Bonus
Base with Bonus
Level
Total
Strength
X
X
Does not apply
X
X
Dexterity
X
X
Does not apply
X
X
Intelligence
10
2
12
30
70
Wisdom
10
4
14
30
130
Hardness
10
2
12
30
70
Charisma
12
1
13
30
42
Class Unlocked
Engineering Level 25
You can design and build anything within your Domain. Devices you create cannot function outside your area of influence without an outside power source. Examples of creations can be devices, buildings, and generic items.
Multiple combinations are applied.
Engineering
Specialization
Sub-class
Steam
Has access to specialized devices and gains bonuses when working with the steam-powered tools, projects, and items.
Gain an additional 50 bonus to any skill check or knowledge check when a device uses steam power.
Skill can be combined.
Original/Main Class
Specialization
Dungeon Core
Level 25
You can sense everything not blocked by magical barriers in a range based on the Wisdom modifier around your Core. Claiming Territory for your Dungeon extends this Domain.
Specialization
Epic Level
Class
BIO-MEDIC and BIOENGINEERING
Level 20
You are now able to use your engineering skill on living life forms to a small degree. You can use artificial tissues, organs, or organ components to replace damaged or absent parts of the body.
Examples of such are artificial limbs and heart pacemakers.
Skill can be combined.
Warning: Bioengineering is a world-class epic-level skill. It is extremely rare. Use with caution.
I ignored my traps skills for now because my air squad was about to bring home more humans this night. A smile spread across my core.
System notification: Your scout squad has successfully pulled off a sneak attack on Wolf base camp.
As I had gotten the notification of my spiders finding that little girl, I had directed my gargoyle leader, Hades, to send a squad of his men to see if he could find more because I doubted that these wolves brought only one little girl with them to do their chores.
Normally when you make assumptions, it makes an Ass-out-of-you-and-I, or at least that is what my mom used to say. But sometimes, assuming can pay off. There were about twenty humans all huddled together, under the watchful eye of a female wolf, that I noticed from before.
I had thought that Goliath had killed her, see, sometimes your assumptions don’t work out for you.
The gargoyles, with their stone-gray wings slicing through the night air, executed a well-coordinated ambush and daring rescue mission. Three dive bombers kept the wolf busy. It reminded me of the beach down in Vancouver where we would go during the summer. The seagulls there, with their graceful yet predatory flight, circled high above the tempting treat left unattended on the beach. Their keen eyes locked onto the morsel, and with a collective caw, they would descend like a squadron of aerial pirates, wings spread wide. As they dove, the seagulls became a flurry of feathers and beaks, swooping down to snatch the treat from the sand with incredible precision. Their sharp calls filled the air as they competed for the prize, their wings beating in a chaotic ballet as they vied for the coveted morsel. It was a whirlwind of avian excitement and cunning, with the treat disappearing into the sky as quickly as it had appeared. My winged scouts acted just like those sea gulls.
The rest of the squadron descended upon the unsuspecting humans like silent phantoms, their talon-like claws outstretched and ready to snatch their prey. In a swift and synchronized motion, they swooped down, each gargoyle seizing a human with a vice-like grip before soaring back to their domain. The helpless humans dangled beneath them, their terrified screams echoing into the night as they were carried away to an uncertain fate within the dark recesses of the gargoyles' base.
When they returned, I watched as the gargoyles dropped the humans carefully in front of the little girl, their arrival accompanied by a chorus of surprised gasps. I watched intently as one man, supported by another, stumbled slightly before regaining his balance just in time for the little girl to leap into his waiting arms.
"Daddy!" she cried out, her voice a mixture of joy, relief, and sheer delight. Tears streamed down her face as she clung to her father, wrapping her small arms tightly around his neck in an embrace that spoke of a deep and heartwarming reunion. It was a moment filled with raw emotion, a testament to the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
An overwhelming sense of jubilation washed over the entire gathering. Cheers and applause erupted from the onlookers, mingling with tears of joy that glistened in the dim light. It was a heartwarming scene, a moment of hope amidst the chaos and uncertainty of their world.
Amidst the celebration, Jack stood a little apart, a smile of satisfaction and relief on her face. She had watched the events unfold; her eyes filled with pride for what her home had achieved. This was a testament to their unity, their unwavering determination to protect and support one another in the face of adversity.
Jack waited patiently, ready to greet the newly arrived humans and welcome them into the growing home. She knew that their skills, their stories, and their strength would be valuable additions to their community. It was a time of both reflection and anticipation, as they embraced those who had returned and prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead together.
We had won this night.
Or at least I hoped, until I heard a howl from the other side of my boundary line.