In the heart of a dark and dense forest where shadows danced with light and ancient trees whispered secrets of old, a place teeming with lurking monsters, an unusual creature braved its depths—Shazara, the Yuan-ti Tamer. Unlike most beings that tread these shadowed paths, Shazara was not wholly humanoid but rather a blend of both serpentine grace and human cunning. A member of the intelligent but often misunderstood Yuan-ti race, she exhibited striking features: skin that alternated between emerald-like scales and smooth flesh, narrow amber eyes that glittered with a predatory allure, and a serpent's thick tail in place of legs which allowed her to move in near silence.
Shazara wore minimal clothing, just enough to maintain modesty—a band of green-dyed linen that covered her chest and a flowing piece of the same material around her hips. However, her attire's simplicity belied her readiness and resourcefulness. Strapped across her abdomen was a shoulder belt intricately woven from vines, which bore various pouches and tools essential to her vocation. These included herbs for either calming or agitating her beasts, vials of potent poison, pouches filled with weakening powders, and small bones carved with runes used for controlling and communicating with her creatures.
Yet, her most prized possession, where clearly most of her resources were allocated, was a magical item of immense power—a serpent-fang whip known as the Adder's Embrace. This tool, a symbol of her mastery over beasts and venom, hung from her waist, always at the ready on a belt adorned with bone and vine.
“Sss," she hissed softly, her voice laced with anticipation, "It is-sss close." The quest marker had confirmed her intuition, directing her deeper into the forest's heart. She was here on a mission, driven by a higher calling—the fulfilment of a Divine Quest that only someone of her unique abilities and fearless nature could undertake.
[Divine Quest: Hunt down the monstrosity hidden in the Forbidden Forrest and cleanse the world from its Taboo]
[Objective: Slay the Abomination 0/1]
[Reward: You will unlock Champion class, +10000 EXP, + unique Skill/Perk]
Shazara, the Yuan-ti Tamer, had her sights set high. Not only was the lure of a substantial reward on her mind, but the potential for a class upgrade excited her even more. Champions, after all, carried a spark of divinity within them, marking them as figures destined for greatness. Succeeding in her current quest could elevate her status significantly, possibly allowing her to found her own Klan. But first things first: the abomination lurking in the forest depths needed to be dealt with—glory would have to wait.
This wasn’t her first rodeo. Shazara was seasoned in the art of monster hunting, and she hadn't ventured into the shadowy woods alone. “Go, sss-sniff the abomination out! SSS!” she commanded with a hiss. Responding with a spirited bark, "Rawf!” Princess Marshmallow, the BlackWarg Alpha of her pack, eagerly took up the scent. *Sniff, sniff*, the warg's trained nose twitched as it picked up the trail.
“Get it!” Shazara spurred on her pack with excitement tingling in her voice.
Princess Marshmallow, true to her Alpha status, led the charge, followed by twelve more BlackWargs. Their sudden dash forward triggered the system notification:
[The Hunt has begun, your target is the Abomination].
Shazara, watching her pack of tamed wargs disappear into the underbrush, couldn't suppress a sinister grin. “The victory, sss, is at my hands-sss already,” she murmured, the hiss of her speech mingling with the rustle of leaves. She was confident in the prowess of her pack; trained to perfection, these wargs were capable of taking down creatures as formidable as a Greater Drake.
“It will be ambushed, sss, and then ripped to sss-shreds, s-s-s,” she chuckled darkly, imagining the upcoming carnage. "If not, I will finish it with my poison," she mused, almost as an afterthought. This forest abomination, whatever form it took, was merely a stepping stone on her path to greater achievements.
Convinced her wargs would handle the situation swiftly, Shazara moved silently, blending into the shadows as she followed the trail. But amidst the focus on her mission, another scent teased her senses—a ticklish aroma that reminded her of sweet apples. However, to her Yuan-ti olfactory senses, it was more akin to juicy, succulent meat glazed in apple sauce.
Intrigued and recognizing that the source was roughly in the same direction as her current trajectory, Shazara couldn’t help but be curious. “I wonder what it is-sss,” she pondered, her interest piqued. With the grace of her serpentine form, she slithered toward the enticing smell.
…
[Warning! You are being Hunted], it blinked in X’s vision causing panic and alarm.
[Divine Quest: Disrupt the forces seeking to cleanse the Forbidden Forest of your presence]
[Objective: Slay BlackWargs 0/12; Slay the BlackWarg Alpha 0/1; Slay the Tamer 0/1]
[Reward: Your bond with Chaos will strengthen, +10000 EXP, + unique Skill/Perk]
“A divine quest?” X wriggled both anxious and excited. “So someone is after me… and the System gave me a warning. I need to prepare!”
And yet, *Crash!*, it thundered in the distance.
“No! Does this mean … ?”
As he stepped out of his hut, a howl cut through the confusion, louder and more piercing than any storm's cry. The rabbits, normally a tight-knit community adept at handling village disturbances, were now scattering in all directions, overwhelmed by the sudden assault. Amidst the fleeing villagers, X caught sight of thirteen dark silhouettes tearing through their homes with wild abandon—the wargs had arrived.
Yes, the system message wasn’t much of a warning. “They’re here!” He rushed outside. "YoU’LL PaY fOr thiS!" X's voice, laced with both fury and fear, howled back at the invaders. This cry, strange and monstrous, drew the attention of the wargs momentarily, giving the rabbits a brief respite to gather their wits.
"We must protect the Master!!!" One brave rabbit called out, rallying those nearby. What followed was a semblance of order as dozens of rabbits, armed only with rudimentary weapons made from the bones and tusks of fallen beasts, formed a defensive line in front of X. Their resolve was palpable, but their numbers were meagre, and their equipment, far from ideal for such a confrontation.
"No! I HaVE ThiS!" X attempted to dissuade his villagers from facing the deadly threat, knowing full well the cost of such bravery. The BlackWargs, undeterred by his declaration, had locked their sights on him. Yet, in their rush, four of the predators broke off from the main group, driven by their primal instincts to chase down the unprotected rabbits who were fleeing in terror, their grunts and growls adding to the symphony of the night.
As the system flooded his vision with notifications of '[A RabbitSoul has returned to you]' a grim indicator of his villagers' demise, rage overtook X. He wasn't built for speed; his movements were awkward and ungainly, more a tumble of flesh and tentacles than a run. Yet, propelled by a mix of desperation and anger, he surged forward, his bizarre form an unsettling sight as he moved to intercept the pack.
The rabbits, seeing their leader's fearless charge, found a renewed vigour. Inspired by his example, even those who had initially scattered began to regroup and join the fray, rallying to the cause with a zeal that mirrored X's own. In this critical moment, X solidified his role not just as a leader, but as the alpha of his makeshift pack, drawing strength from their unity.
Before the clash became inevitable, X knew he needed every advantage. With a swift command, he activated his Inspect ability, targeting the BlackWarg Alpha. The system quickly responded, displaying vital information about the formidable creature leading the assault:
Title: Princess Marshmallow
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Class: [Beast] lvl.12
Magic Affinity: None
Race: Warg
Variant: Black
>>>[🐺]<<<
HP:200
MP:0
STA:200
Skills
[SavageBite], [EmpoweringHowl], [Rampage]
Perks
[ThickHide], [PackLeader], [Alpha]
Tags
[Intimidation +1]
[Monster], [Tamed]
Numerous scars etched a brutal history across her body. The most prominent, a jagged lightning bolt splitting her brow and slashing through one eye, didn't hinder its cold, calculating gaze. Her left leg, fur singed to raw flesh, spoke of a past encounter with fire or a foe wielding it. She was the undeniable leader, a mountain of muscle and fury compared to the scraggly wargs flanking her. And compared to X, she was a behemoth, her thick fur rippling with each powerful movement, not to mention her high HP and STA.
X's heart hammered against his monstrous flesh. Fear, cold and sharp, clawed at his throat. He had to protect the village. Time seemed to stretch and compress, the growls of the wargs a maddening drumbeat in his ears. The ground trembled with their approach.
The wargs, a tide of snapping jaws and matted fur, surged towards the rabbits. But the Alpha ignored them, a predator with a singular target. She launched herself towards X, a blur of teeth and claws. A tentacle lashed out, but the Alpha was faster. Her powerful jaws clamped down, severing the appendage with a sickening crunch. A searing pain erupted in X as eldritch blood, viscous and otherworldly, flooded the alpha's mouth.
The Alpha howled, a sound cut short as X's remaining tentacles lashed out. They coiled around her legs, squeezing with a bone-crushing grip, one wrapping tight around her throat. Two more seized her jaw, their misaligned teeth snapping uselessly against her thick hide. The alpha thrashed, a whirlwind of snarls and snapping jaws, but X held firm. The eldritch blood, a toxic venom, entered her stomach, a counterpoint to the raw power surging through X.
“GRRR!” The alpha's eyes shone in the wild with fury, a sign of Rampage being activated. *Snap*, she ripped the tentacle off with a final, savage bite. But the victory was short-lived. The eldritch blood, a caustic fire in her throat, choked her victory roar into a strangled gurgle. Yet, X felt his own strength waning, the strain of the battle immense. This was a fight for survival, and neither combatant was backing down.
The alpha opened her muzzle for another howl, “A-OO-…”, or at least she tried to.
“No YOU dOn’t! [TentacleAttack]” X jabbed his tentacle inside the wargs’ maw before she could activate the EmpoweringHowl.
In her rampage, the Alpha lunged for another SavageBite, but X was ready. A spare tentacle shot out, prying open her gnashing jaws before they could clamp down. Another tentacle shoved a pulsating mass of Eldritch flesh deeper into her throat, aiming to suffocate her. This manoeuvre left fewer appendages to restrain her, and the Alpha thrashed with renewed fury. Though firmly lodged, the tentacle strained against her powerful muscles. A single bite could sever it, leaving X vulnerable.
The Warg pack, ever loyal, surged forward to aid their leader. They snapped and ripped at X's tentacles, lacking the Alpha's SavageBite to sever them completely. However, X's own monstrous appendages weren't idle. His many misaligned teeth chomped down in retaliation whenever an opportunity arose. The lingering effects of the Eldritch blood further deterred the Wargs from sustained attacks.
Meanwhile, the brave rabbits, though woefully outmatched against the BlackWargs in raw power, weren't simply bystanders. Recognizing the futility of their weapons against such foes, they used their agility to their advantage. They darted and weaved between the massive beasts, creating a chaotic distraction that further hampered the Warg pack's movements.
Spending their Stamina, “[Hop]!”, “[Hop.]”, “[Hop]…”, the rabbits dodged, leaving frustrated snaps of Warg bites in their wake.
Seizing opportunities, some rabbits unleashed bursts of concentrated energy. "[EnergyBurst]" – a flurry of lightning-fast attacks flashed, momentarily stunning a distracted Warg.
Mixed among the villagers were seasoned Hunters and Gatherers, veterans of countless skirmishes. These rabbits fared far better, their skills honed by years of experience. A Hunter, eyes focused with laser-like intensity, landed a critical hit. "Huh! I did it!" he exclaimed as his Tusk Spear, imbued with latent energy, pierced the Warg's ThickHide for a chunk of damage.
Nearby, a Gatherer, wielding a primitive Bone Knife, danced a desperate jig, jabbing at a Warg in an attempt to maintain aggro. He'd repeated this tactic a dozen times with minimal results. But this time, something changed. "What?!" he cried, eyes wide with disbelief. A small red ‘1’ floated above the Warg's head, signifying a point of damage dealt. A surge of hope crackled through the rabbit ranks. "Guys, we can hurt them!" a voice boomed.
“Gah!”A bloodcurdling shriek pierced the air as a rabbit villager cried out. Her arm, caught in a Warg's maw, vanished in a sickening spray of blood. Unavoidably so, some rabbits had gotten themselves caught in the jaws of the Wargs, and some even died.
"Do not falter! Protect the Master!" a brave rabbit, likely the initial rallyer, shouted, her voice shaking with defiance.
“We can do this!”
Bit by bit, and against all odds, the rabbits were damaging the BlackWargs. But also, in a vicious counter, the Wargs were thinning the rabbit forces. A Warg jumping to bite at the tentacle was an ever-increasing occurrence. Now, if all of them snatched a tentacle, the Alpha would be freed of her bindings and possibly could finish her EmpoweringHowl. The victors of the battle were yet to be decided.
The system messages flashed relentlessly – RabbitSouls returning to him – each notification a fresh stab of pain. “FilThy VerMin!”, X cursed in a cacophony of voices. The Alpha, a monstrous symbol of defiance, refused to succumb. Miss Marshmallow, a name he now loathed, lived up to her high rank, her powerful muscles straining against the constricting tentacle. The tentacle trembled, growing weary with the struggle. “Grrr,” he grint his many teeth. He had to act, and fast.
His initial strategy, focusing on suffocation, felt like a losing bet. "I unDerEsTimaTED her," a voice rumbled within the cacophony. He had one last resort – magic. Unlike most Eldritch beings, X possessed only a limited arsenal of attack spells, mere echoes of the grand rituals he otherwise knew. While likely ineffective against the BlackWarg's hide, it was his only hope. " Tch! JusT Die alReady!" he bellowed, channelling his frustration into a desperate act.
The Alpha, sensing his intent, thrashed violently. A sickening crunch echoed as she chomped down on the very tentacle holding her jaw open. But X was a fraction of a second faster. "[VoidBolt!]" he roared, sending 20 MP into a tentacle; a hefty price for a minor spell. It pulsed with arcane energy, unleashing a bolt of condensed chaos directly into the Alpha's throat.
Her eyes bulged in surprise, the muscles in her neck rippling grotesquely. The unnatural bulge grew larger, a twisted parody of a balloon about to burst. Then, with a sickening *POP*, it exploded in a shower of gore. A system message flashed:
[Congratulations! You have inflicted a mortal wound]
It seemed the desperate gamble had paid off. The Alpha, eyes wide and lifeless, crumpled to the ground, a choked gurgle escaping the gaping wound in her throat.
[You’ve slayed Princess Marshmallow]
[The EXP was shared between the party]
[Quest Update: Slay BlackWarg Alpha 1/1]
One down, twelve to go. With a surge of renewed determination, X ripped his remaining tentacles free from the fallen Alpha and whipped them around menacingly at the remaining BlackWargs. "You’RE NexT!!!" he boomed in a chorus of voices, the raw anger and desperation evident in his tone.