The stench of burnt wood and fear hung thick in the air as Shazara, a yuan-ti half-blood, slithered through the gauntlet of twitchy noses and nervous whines. The Rabbit Village, once a haven of fluffy charm, lay in tatters: charred huts, broken fenceposts, and shattered clay pottery - all fresh scars of recent battle.
Guilt, a cold sensation that rarely troubled her reptilian core, slithered through Shazara. "This village, sss, is bigger than I expected." Her serpentine eyes flicked across the devastation, regret lacing her normally raspy voice. "My wargs, sss, they did this. My deepest apologies." Briefly, awkwardly, she dipped her head in a bow.
A tendrilled form, shimmering with otherworldly energy, slithered closer to Shazara. Anger, a hot flash, rippled through his tendrils, reflected in his multifaceted eyes. The tentacles wiggled and flailed in complex motions. The wriggling dance was directed right at her.
His angry flailing was translated by the expert translator, the RabbitMaid. "Many rabbits fell prey to your pack's savagery! And if not for…" The animated tentacles stopped flailing, freezing words in the RabbitMaid’s mouth. After a brief pause, they were back in motion. "Nevermind. Time will heal these wounds and I will bring back the dead. You, Shazara, will work towards that healing. Rebuild, strengthen this village, and prepare for what's to come." The rabbit finished her translation.
Shazara tensed up at the pause, then relaxed hearing the rest of the translation. She slithered closer to the mass of tentacles, her voice dropped to a hushed hiss. "Master, forgive my intrusion, but… are you a Necromancer?" Fascination flickered in her slitted pupils.
A booming chuckle, at odds with the still grim mood, resonated through the village. The RabbitMaid jumped into the view to translate again. "He’s anything but! Master isn’t some death-pact peddler, but a Champion, through and through. You wouldn't happen to have gleaned any information about his skills, would you? Haven’t you used Inspect"?
Shazaras eyes went from the rabbit back to X. An Eldrich creature which she must now call Master. A sly hiss escaped Shazara. "I did, sss, but Champions in their skills. A dark deity's pact could explain your, sss, unorthodox abilities." Her serpentine gaze narrowed playfully. "You did mention, sss, bringing back the dead.”
The pile of tentacles continued in the Tentacle language. “Yes I did, and yes I will. I recycle souls I collect. But it’s not some crude Necromancy, no.” He stroked a contemplative tendril. “If anything, it’s simply Chaos magic.”
Shazara hissed thoughtfully, she had never heard of such magic. "Is that sss-so? Quite impressive, this 'recycling' of sss-souls. Though…" her voice trailed off, her gaze darting towards the pile of BlackWarg corpses in the village square. The gathered rabbits eyed her with a mix of nervous curiosity and simmering resentment.
RabbitMaid raised a hand to stem the bubbling animosity. "Fear not, my fluffy comrades! Shazara is now a Minion bound to our Master’s will." The rabbits, keen to obey X’s will, nodded silently.
One, however, desired to voice a lingering concern. The villager hopped forward, his voice trembling slightly. "Master, what of the… the remains? How do we dispose of these slain beasts?"
The stench of fresh blood and fear intensified as Shazara, her serpentine form taut with a mixture of grief and resignation, watched the X approach the pile of BlackWarg corpses. These weren't just monsters to her, they were her tamed companions, her wargs.
…
The entire time X had kept his many eyes locked firmly on the snake. He wondered how much of her reactions were genuine, and how much just an act. He also wondered how she would react to the next part.
"Rabbits, we shall harvest their corpses for resources," X declared, the statement obvious yet his gaze fixed on Shazara. While the RabbitMaid translated his gestures, the yuan-ti maintained a cold, emotionless mask. She stared blankly at the pile of flesh and bone.
"Skin their pelts, extract the fangs, butcher the meat, and grind the bones. We'll use everything we can," X continued, attempting to provoke an emotion out of the snake.
Shazara remained silent, her stony expression unchanging. It was almost as if she expected this outcome.
"Shazara," X addressed her directly, his voice distorted but clearly laced with unbefitting amusement, "you don't seem bothered by the fate of your fallen comrades?" He finished in Tentacle.
A faint hiss escaped her, but her voice remained devoid of warmth. "I do grieve, Master," she said, "but my Wargs wronged you. You had every right to sss-slay them. Their bodies are yours to do as you please." She bowed again, deeper this time. "And as I've said before, if need be, sss, I shall offer my own body as recompense."
"Your willingness is… curious," X motioned, amusement still evident. "Any chance you're plotting something?"
Shazara hissed, a genuine note of offence in the sound. "Master! If you believe I seek revenge, sss, you are mistaken! Coming here was a lapse in judgment, and all the death that followed is-sss my fault. There will be no blame placed on you or your rabbits. Ever. Once again, I offer my sss-sincerest apologies." She bowed low, scraping her forehead against the ground, then raised her head to address the gathered rabbits, her voice thick with remorse. "I am sss-sorry, everyone."
A low whisper reached X's multifaceted eyes. "The snake's a charmer, do not trust her," the RabbitMaid warned.
X offered a reassuring flick of a tentacle. "I know," he gestured.
Meanwhile, the rabbits, armed with tools and a newfound resolve, began to gather around the slain BlackWargs. The victory had been dearly bought, but the monsters were high level, and their materials valuable. More importantly, the surviving rabbits had gained a level or two themselves. It wasn't a complete loss.
While the rabbits scurried to prepare the BlackWarg bodies, X focused on the task at hand. With practised movements, he drew a large Blood Circle, the crimson lines glowing with an otherworldly power. Its purpose was to capture the unclaimed souls - the very essence needed to birth more DemiRabbits, to grow the village.
Shazara watched X with an intensity that bordered on fascination. Her serpentine gaze flicked between the intricate circle and the Champion himself, oblivious to the scrutiny of the RabbitGuard standing nearby.
The HuntMaster, a particularly curious rabbit, hopped closer, her movements careful not to disrupt the blood-etched pattern. Her face reflected a mix of curiosity and fascination, but unlike the others, she didn't ogle at the circle. Her sole attention was on the one who was doing the drawing.
"Master, you've cleared the Divine Quest, haven't you?" she inquired while tilting her head to the side. "But I haven't seen you level up…"
X chuckled, a sound that emerged from several of his mouths simultaneously. Here he was, expecting her to be awed by the Blood Circle, and instead, she fixated on his EXP bar. "No, it seems the Quest Rewards weren't enough for a full level jump," he admitted, a hint of frustration in his tentacles. "Just a sliver short. Though, I did get this mysterious [???]," he gestured vaguely, "but I have no clue what it is or how to use it."
The HuntMaster's ears twitched. "Then…" she began, hesitating for a moment, "I might have a suggestion." Leaning closer, she lowered her voice to a barely audible whisper, her words directed at X's nearest tentacle.
All his eyes swivelled towards her, momentarily tearing away from the Blood Circle. He was all ears, or rather, all tentacles.
"I can't speak to the purpose of your [???]," she admitted, "but there is… a ritual you could perform. A success might grant you the bonus EXP you need." Her voice took on a suggestive purr, sending shivers down some of the nearby rabbit's spines. Whisper’s or not, the long rabbit ears still picked them up.
“Ha!” X scoffed, a chorus of sounds erupting from his multiple mouths. "If such a ritual existed, wouldn't I, the master of ritual magic, already know about it?" He scoffed, his focus returning to the swirling lines of blood.
"Exactly!" the RabbitMaid boomed, thumping her foot in agreement. "The Master is busy with his important work. Don't distract him with nonsense!"
The HuntMaster bristled, her nose twitching with indignation. "But I'm not making this up! It's called the Forbidden Ritual of Blood!"
Shazara, ever the opportunist, hissed with a tinge of wonder, "Forbidden Ritual of Blood, sss?"
A collective murmur of unease rippled through the nearby Hunters.
Intrigued despite himself, X's eyes darted back to the HuntMaster, the weight of her words sinking in. "The way you say it," he mused, "it almost sounds legitimate."
"It is legitimate!" the HuntMaster countered, hopping up and down in frustration. Her foot came dangerously close to the blood circle, threatening to smear the squiggly line.
"Hey! Watch where you're hopping!" the RabbitMaid scolded, swatting at the overly enthusiastic rabbit.
Ignoring the fact that the Huntmaster had almost ruined his circle, X spun a contemplative tentacle. "So, this forbidden ritual…" he began, his voice dripping with curiosity. "What exactly does it entail? And why haven't I heard of it before?" The mystery deepened, and X, ever the seeker of knowledge, was determined to unravel it.
The HuntMaster's face reddened. "Well, Master," she stammered, leaning in for another whisper, "it's rather… involved… and… it raises your Taboo level." A whisper or not, but all the nearby ears twitched at the word.
X's many tentacles wiggled with a mix of apprehension and excitement. "I was mildly curious… but now I am mighty intrigued! Don't hold back, rabbit. Tell me everything!"
"Explaining it might be tough, I don’t the words to describe it," the HuntMaster squeaked, her face even more flushed than before.
"Then Demonstrate!" X boomed, a single tentacle flicking with a force that sent a gust of wind towards the gathered rabbits.
"Alright, Master! It's not difficult, just follow our lead." She darted a nervous glance at her partner, the RabbitHunter, who stood stoic right behind her. The RabbitHunter, in response, dipped his head, producing two sharpened daggers in a blur of motion, seemingly out of thin air.
"Oh, and everyone can participate," the HuntMaster continued. "Actually, the more rabbits the more… potent it will be, I think?"
The RabbitMaid scoffed, her scepticism obvious. "Nonsense," she muttered, arms crossed tightly. "Some harebrained scheme, no doubt."
X leaned forward, intrigued by the sheer audacity of the proposal. "All right, HuntMaster," he conceded. "Lead the way. We'll see what this little ritual of yours is all about."
Wasting no time, the two rabbit hunters moved with practised efficiency. A single swipe of the daggers found the Wargs' jugular, and with practised ease, they collected the cold, half-congealed blood. But this wasn't a simple gathering; their movements were deliberate, swirling crimson across their white fur in a pattern that sent a jolt through X.
"Wait! Those Symbols… They're Eldritch!" X exclaimed, recognition dawning on his multifaceted eyes. The blood wasn't just paint; it was a language, an invocation drawn on living canvas.
A glint of a fanatic flickered in the HuntMaster's eyes as she began to chant, her voice echoing eerily across the village square.
“In dreams, He showed us symbols long forgotten.
Acknowledge our need for power. Your enemies we shall devour.
This monster, we sacrifice it in His name. With this trophy, we grant Him fame.
We bathe in blood to be reborn, an oath to Them we've sworn.”
With practised movements, the RabbitHunter severed the Warg's head, the action a stark punctuation mark in the chant. The gathered rabbits, confused but strangely compelled, mimicked the lead hunters. They stumbled over steps, their movements jerky and unsure, but the blood pooling around their paws began to form intricate glyphs under their unwitting touch. The macabre ritual had begun, a dance of blood and forgotten knowledge fueled by a desperate hunger for power.
Fascination bubbled within X, his tentacled form rippling with excitement. "The Chant! The Circle!" he rasped, his voice tinged with awe. "This will work! Rabbits, heed my command! Mimic the HuntMaster, join her chant!" He urged the last few hesitant rabbits to participate. He too lowered a tentacle, mimicking the blood-writing movements, intent to add to the macabre dance.
Even Shazara, her reptilian curiosity piqued, slithered closer, adding her own serpentine flourishes to the growing blood circle.
With all his eyes, X scanned the scene. The rabbits were caught in a trance, their furry forms moving with an eerie precision as they added their own unique variations to the blood-etched circle. Unlike the rabbits, however, X felt no compulsion, only a strange, potent power rising within his ChaosCore.
The chant echoed across the square, growing stronger with each repetition.
"We bathe in blood to be reborn, an oath to Them we've sworn!" The rabbits bellowed, their voices unified in fervent desperation.
"We seal the deal in the forbidden pact, grant us power in this act!" they roared, reaching the apparent climax of the ritual.
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X, caught up in the moment, echoed the final verse: "… Grant Us Power In This Act!!!"
As the last words left his voice, the blood circle flared to life. Violet flames erupted, their hungry tendrils licking at the participants. But the rabbits, seemingly immune, continued dancing, their faces illuminated by the otherworldly fire.
"It… it doesn't burn," X rasped, a bewildered fascination lacing his voice. "This Power… It Feels… Pleasant?" Hesitantly, he dipped a tentacle into the purple inferno.
Suddenly, the rabbits collapsed, lifeless marionettes cut from their strings. X lurched back, alarm flashing in his multifaceted eyes. The power, whatever it was, affected him and the rabbits differently. Yet, just as abruptly as they fell, the rabbits were up again, a feral hunger burning in their eyes. They fixated on the warg carcasses with a ravenous gleam.
"Huh?" X let out a confused gurgle.
What unfolded next was best left to the annals of forgotten lore, a scene too gruesome to recount in polite company.
When the dust settled, the rabbits lay sprawled on the ground, exhausted but oddly content. Their bellies were full, their faces smeared with a macabre satisfaction. X, on the other hand, felt strangely energized, yet there was a gnawing hunger gnawing at his insides. But most importantly, a System notification flashed before his eyes:
[The corpses of BlackWargs were defiled]
[You have committed a Taboo]
[Additional EXP was rewarded]
The HuntMaster had delivered. The Forbidden Ritual of Blood, despite its gruesome nature, had proven effective. The bonus EXP, a combined reward for all thirteen Wargs, trickled down to each participating rabbit. Hunters, Gatherers, even the classless villagers - all benefited without needing to raise a paw against the Warg threat. Shame welled within X. "I shouldn't have doubted you," he flicked towards the HuntMaster, a hint of apology apparent in the wriggling tentacle.
But a more prominent notification blinked before his many eyes:
Congratulations! You’ve reached Champion lvl 9]
[???] ⇒ [AbsorbMonster]
A grin stretched across X's multifaceted form. "So, that's how it works!" Now that the ability was unlocked, he was itching to try it. He lumbered towards the Warg carcass, or what remained of its defiled form. "This isn't exactly gourmet, but let's see what happens." With a purposeful tentacle, he activated the ability. "[AbsorbMonster]!"
A grotesque spectacle unfolded. A fleshy tendril, slick in unnatural wetness, erupted from X's body. It stretched with sickening elasticity, resembling a viscous strand of webbing. The tendril latched onto the Warg remains, sucking and tugging with a horrifying hunger. Bits of flesh and bone dissolved into a bizarre liquid, devoured by the tendril. Then, the tendril itself began to transform. BlackWarg Fangs erupted along its length, forming a grotesquely beautiful, needle-cactus-like appendage. These fangs converged at the tip, coalescing into a fearsome Fang Mace.
The new appendage was a welcome addition, though slightly underwhelming. But the transformation wasn't over. New eyes, undeniably BlackWarg Eyes, sprouted on one of his existing tentacles. He blinked, taking in the world with his newfound vision. There was a difference. He felt a predatory focus, an ability to lock onto targets like an apex hunter.
A notification chimed in:
[You have obtained ThickHide]
"Another boon! This is amazing!" X wriggled with glee, performing a bizarre celebratory dance.
The HuntMaster, ever the curious one, hopped forward to inspect. "Master, you've grown a new tentacle! Congratulations!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement.
"Indeed, and it's all thanks to you!" X responded, a single tentacle shooting out to engulf the HuntMaster in a grateful embrace.
The rabbit returned the affection with a bright smile. "I'm glad it worked," she chirped.
Suddenly, the RabbitMaid hopped into the fray. "HuntMaster, I too owe you an apology," she began, her voice filled with remorse. "And a thank you! A huge thank you!" She clasped her paws together in a deep bow, her fluffy ears bobbing mirthfully. "I'm level three now, and I've gained the skill Mend! I can finally fix articles of cloth and become a proper Maid!" She expressed her joy with a series of excited jumps.
X responded by wrapping her in a congratulatory tentacle. "Congratulations, RabbitMaid. Your skills will be invaluable."
The infectious enthusiasm spread. "Me too, level three!" chirped the RabbitGuard, hopping forward. "I even got a new class - Guard! It came with a skill called DefensiveStance, but I'm not sure what it does yet." She rattled off the information in a rapid burst of excitement.
"It's likely self-explanatory," X chuckled, extending a tentacle to envelop her in a brief congratulatory squeeze.
The celebration continued as more rabbits hopped forward, eager to share their newfound abilities. "It seems a leveling bonanza has begun," X Tentacled, amusement evident in his flicks and turns. "At this rate, I might run out of tentacles for congratulations."
And it was true. With his enhanced vision, X discovered a curious ability. As long as the rabbits remained within his field of view, he could inspect them all simultaneously. This was a new development, and the results were impressive. Some rabbits had gained skills and perks, while others had finally unlocked proper classes. The classless villagers had transformed into Hunters and Gatherers, but the real gems were the few young Crafters who had emerged. Their presence promised a brighter future for the Rabbit Village.
A sharp hiss sliced through the celebratory mood, drawing X's many eyes towards Shazara. "Sss," she hissed, her voice betraying concern, "not to interrupt your revelry, but something… sss-strange… has appeared near the remains."
X's excitement turned to sharp focus as all his eyes swivelled towards the defiled pile of monster bits. In his haste, he squeezed the rabbits tighter, eliciting a chorus of startled squeaks. "ApoLoGies, ApoLoGies!" he boomed, his voice tinged with excitement as he loosened his grip.
"ChaosMotes!" X boomed, his voice filled with recognition as his gaze landed on three glowing orbs hovering above the Warg scraps. A thrill shot through him. "Three of them!" he tentacled in excitement.
With the rabbits still recovering from his enthusiastic squeeze, X wriggled excitedly towards the pile. "Oh, that happened the other time too!" the HuntMaster chimed in, her voice laced with a hint of pride. "When we fought the Erymantian Boar, I believe."
"And you performed the ritual then as well?" X inquired, locking eyes with the rabbit.
The HuntMaster bobbed her head in confirmation.
"So, the ritual grants not only bonus EXP but ChaosMotes as well! This is… beyond splendid!" X declared, his free tentacles reaching towards the glowing orbs. A system prompt materialized before him: [ChaosMote] x3, [Consume?]. "They beckon me, to be ConSuMed!" he voiced the last word, barely able to restrain himself.
"Do it, Master! Do it!" the RabbitMaid squeaked, her voice muffled from within a tentacle embrace.
X paused, considering. A surge of raw desire washed over him, urging him to absorb the motes. However, a flicker of reason pushed back. "No! I Must… ReSisT!" he boomed, a hint of internal struggle evident.
Realizing his grip had tightened again on the rabbits, X quickly released them. "This is all thanks to you," he wriggled, his tentacles filled with gratitude. "Without your help, I would have never…" He trailed off, then tightened his embrace once more, albeit gentler this time. "You've all served me well. Take them.” He gazed at the rabbits with intensity. “I bestow upon you the ChaosMotes!" With three tendrils, X nudged the glowing orbs towards the rabbits.
Hesitation flickered across the rabbits' faces, a stark contrast to X's earlier enthusiasm.
"If you command me so, Master," the RabbitGuard finally spoke, accepting the mote with a dutiful bow.
"If you insist, Master," the HuntMaster echoed, a hint of curiosity lingering in her voice as she absorbed the mote.
The RabbitMaid, however, displayed unbridled joy. "I'll treasure it, Master!" she chirped, eagerly absorbing the purple orb.
X observed the rabbits, a curious mix of emotions swirling within him. The power of the ChaosMotes was undeniable, yet a sliver of doubt lingered. Had he made the right choice?
With a synchronized gasp, the three absorbed the glowing orbs, their bodies erupted in a dazzling display of magical light. The light pulsed and swirled, bathing the square in an otherworldly luminescence. As the light subsided, the once familiar forms of the RabbitGuard, HuntMaster, and RabbitMaid had been irrevocably altered.
The RabbitGuard, once a sturdy guardian, stood transformed. Her body, previously defined by practicality, now rippled with newfound power. Her fur, once a tarnished grey, pulsed with a metallic sheen, shimmering like polished silver. Muscles, previously hinted at beneath her fur, now bulged impressively, their contours accentuated by swirling, bulging veins. This was no longer a rabbit built for simple endurance, but a guardian crafted for battle. A quick [Inspect] by X revealed a staggering growth. Her Health and Stamina had skyrocketed by a staggering 25 points each. But the changes extended beyond mere physical prowess. An evolved skill, a flickering aura signifying untapped potential, pulsed around her paws - GuardianStance. It was a guardian’s intuition honed to an art, the ability to anticipate and deflect blows with preternatural reflexes.
The HuntMaster, once a picture of agile grace, had undergone a metamorphosis as captivating as it was deadly. While her height increased, the most striking change lay in her build. Her once lean form was now sculpted with the deadly efficiency of a predator. Her muscles, taut and defined, flowed seamlessly beneath sleek, pristine white fur. But the most mesmerizing transformation was in her legs. Her already powerful legs, honed for years of tireless pursuit, had grown even more formidable, their shape bordering on the impossibly shapely, their power hinted at by the taut bands of muscle straining beneath her glossy white pelt. The transformation wasn't solely physical though. Her emerald green eyes, once filled with a keen hunter's focus, now burned with a startling crimson fire. A predatory glint, a hunger for the thrill of the chase, flickered within their depths. An [Inspect] revealed the true extent of her metamorphosis. Her Stamina, the fuel for her relentless pursuits, had received a staggering +50 point boost. But the most significant change lay in a newly acquired skill - DetectMonster. This ability pulsed with a faint luminescence around her red irises, a beacon that would forever guide her towards prey, both mundane and monstrous.
The RabbitMaid's transformation, while less outwardly dramatic, was no less extraordinary. Gone were the lean lines of a youthful rabbit. Her body, once practical and unassuming, now exuded a newfound, maternal warmth. Her fur, previously light grey, had matured to a darker tone, radiating hits of wisdom. Her form, while no longer defined by sinewy muscle, had become delightfully round, a testament to her newfound prowess. Yet, she wasn't simply plump; her curves were generous, accentuated in a way that spoke of nurturing. Perhaps the most fitting description was "well endowed," radiating a motherly aura that promised fluffy comfort and security. As X inspected her, a surge of surprise washed over him. Her Mana, the very essence of her support abilities, had doubled, soaring by a remarkable 50 points. This, undoubtedly, would fuel her Care and Mend skills, allowing her to soothe wounds and restore the broken with even greater potency.
As the rabbits stood transformed, their fur gleaming under the afternoon sun, X couldn't help but let out a series of excited grunts and groans. "Your Growth Is Magnificent!" he beamed, his entire form rippling with animation. But the most significant change lay deeper, within. Each rabbit, once ordinary, now harboured a nascent MonsterCore. The once mundane essence of their being had been infused with chaotic energy, elevating them from Lesser variants to the coveted rank of MonsterCore: Common holders.
A wave of euphoria washed over the rabbits as the Chaos power coursed through them. "Yes, Master!" the RabbitMaid squealed, hopping with unbridled glee. Her leaps were higher, lighter, fueled by a newfound energy. "I can feel the connection between us growing stronger!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with awe as she spun in joyous circles.
The HuntMaster, the curious rabbit, offered a different display of emotion. A slow, genuine smile spread across her face, revealing a glint of sharpened canines. "Indeed, Master," she purred, her voice a low rumble of satisfaction. "It is a pleasant sensation, a power surge that tingles in my very bones."
The RabbitGuard, however, remained a picture of focused intensity. Her gaze, once simply firm, now burned with cold intensity. She ignored the excited chatter around her, her eyes fixed on Shazara. The snake's unblinking stare, heavy with greed, sent a jolt of suspicion through the RabbitGuard. A low growl rumbled in her chest, a silent warning to the snake minion.
Shazara, for her part, remained unfazed. Her emerald eyes, gleaming with a predatory hunger, flickered between the transformed rabbits and Master X. "Sss-so this is the power of the ChaosMotes?" she hissed, her voice laced with barely concealed intrigue. "And how, pray tell, sss, does one acquire such a delectable morsel?"
The RabbitGuard scoffed, a sharp snort escaping her newly formed, broader chest. The question seemed ludicrous in the face of their recent ordeal. But before she could voice her retort, X wriggled a reply.
With a series of flicks and tentacle twirls, X conveyed his message – one that the ever-dutiful RabbitMaid readily translated. "Master says," she chirped, her voice clear and eager to please, "the ChaosMotes are reserved only for the most distinguished of minions." Her gaze darted towards the still-flinching tendrils of X, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "Work hard for the village, prove your loyalty, and perhaps, you too will be rewarded."
Shazara's forked tongue flickered in and out, tasting the air. "Yes-sss, of course, Master," she hissed, her voice dripping with forced obedience. However, the hunger in her serpentine eyes betrayed the simmering desire beneath the surface. "I’ll work hard, I won't disappoint, sss."
X, saw through her thinly veiled façade. He twirled a series of flicks and flips, progressing the plot concocted with Chaos. "But first," the RabbitMaid spoke, translating once more, "Master suggests you utilize your Tamer skills. There are many monsters left here, perhaps you can tame a few for his… collection." X's tendrils twitched towards the half-destroyed hut, a grim reminder of the attack.
Shazara's eyes widened at the mention of monster experiments. "You've, sss, dabbled in such things?" she inquired, a hint of surprise slithering into her voice. “Of course, you’ve have. As always, I’m at your sss-service, Master.” Shazara bowed low, a picture of perfect obedience, but the glint in her eyes held a flicker of something more.
"Excellent!" X groaned. "We'll start with the lucky few surviving monsters. What a joyous day for my pet menagerie!" He waved a tentacle in anticipation.
"Lead the way, Master," Shazara hissed, her voice strangely melodic, almost suggestive. It was frightening how quickly she had embraced her new role as a loyal servant.
X couldn't help but wonder how much of it was genuine and how much was a carefully crafted mask, fueled by self-preservation and greed. He still remembered the words of Chaos: “Half she says are lies, the other half Charm or Suggestion.”. However, he needed her Tamer expertise.
With a shared look of cautious partnership, X and Shazara slithered towards the scattered cages, eager to see what awaited them among the battered remains of the hut. The "lucky" monster survivors were about to face yet another round of experimentation.
…
[Specimen-X | Champion | 100, 200, 50 | 110 |lvl 9], +[AbsorbMonster]
[HuntMaster | Hunter | 105, 10, 145 | lvl 5], +[DetectMonster]
[RabbidGuard | Guard | 130, 10, 120 | lvl 3], +[GuardianStance]
[RabbidMaid | Maid | 80, 60, 120 | lvl 3], +[Mend]