In a pulsating blink, a week had bled into the next. The newly reassembled experimentation hut thrummed with unsettling energy, mirroring the eldritch power that coursed through X. Freshly crafted cages, some pulsating with an unnatural luminescence, now lined the walls, each a prison for a twisted menagerie. ClawSquirrels with barbed claws, HendgeRunners shimmering with an oily sheen, and monstrous Battletoads – all warped parodies of their former selves.
Eyeing the creatures, X mused, thinking about a challenging week and its results. Lesser creatures yielded little in the grand tapestry of power proving that the AbsorbMonster skill had its limitations. He could only hold eight traits of monsters – a number mirrored by his writhing tentacles, each appendage a conduit for a stolen essence. Each monster, a fleeting echo, a twisted form, was portrayed on the host tentacle.
Yet, a breakthrough bubbled in the fetid heart of the experiment. With Shazara, the newly branded Minion, by his side, X delved deeper into the power of his abilities. The yuan-ti was all too eager to help X in his pursuits.
Reaching into a cage with a glistening tentacle, he plucked out a snarling ClawSquirrel. The creature, its fur bristling with static electricity, clawed at the appendage in a frenzy. His evolved monstrosities, X had learned, were fiercely Enraged, always bent to harm or even kill him. Until now…
"Minion," X addressed, a low vibration resonating from his core, "do your thing."
Shazara slithered forward, her serpentine form moving with unnatural grace. Squeezing the thrashing squirrel, she hissed into its face, her voice a sibilant whisper, " Look in my eyes, obey my command, sss, [SnakeCharm]." The creature's beady eyes glazed over, the rage momentarily quelled.
"Now," X commanded, a tendril twitching with anticipation, "the final touch."
Shazara leaned closer, her voice a guttural hiss, “Hear my call, beast untamed, sss, become my ally, forever tamed, [Tame].” The creature’s clouded eyes flickered, then settled with a newfound calmness.
X offered the cage back, a satisfied hum emanating from his centre. "Well done, Minion. Now break the bond," he urged with a tentacle.
Shazara, with a practised hiss in her lips, invoked another chant, “Friendship forged, now fades away, sss, I grant you leave, roam wild and free, [BreakTame]."
The method was complex, a dance between stolen reason and forced submission. Yet, it yielded results – a path towards controlling his twisted creations. As X surveyed the cages, most now housing docile monsters, his tentacles twirled in satisfaction. The experiments were yielding fruits.
“Do you reckon we have enough?” X motioned. His tentacular appendages shifted with a deliberate slowness, each movement carefully measured for Shazara to interpret.
Shazara, narrowed her serpentine eyes, deciphering the subtle dance of his tentacles. “We have ample offerings, Master,” she hissed, her forked tongue flickering. “But before your rabbits unlock the Tamer class, a true bond must be forged.”
X’s body pulsed with a flicker of confusion, a single tentacle flicking out in a questioning arc. “Nothing too hard, I presume?”
“Sss, no not hard at all,” Shazara replied, slithering towards the cages. “Have your loyal rabbits train these monsters. Over time, a connection will blossom.”
X’s entire form seemed to nod in agreement, a slow wave rippling down his body. Then, another tentacle extended, this one thinner and twitching with frustration. “Ah, but wouldn't it be easier if my evolved pawns simply obeyed my commands? Like my precious DemiRabbits do.”
Shazara’s slitted pupils contracted. A thoughtful hiss escaped her lips. “Sss, then you would have an army in a blink, wouldn't you, Master? Alas, even the most twisted creature retains a spark of will.” A hint of amusement danced in her cold, serpentine gaze.
X’s entire form slumped, his tentacles drooping in defeat. “No grand army for me, then.”
“But you have your devoted rabbits,” Shazara countered, a subtle edge of jealousy lacing her voice. “And you have me, Master.” She leaned closer, her serpentine body swaying in a way that could only be described as suggestive. “I can command tamed beasts for you. Through me, they would become your loyal instruments.” Her voice took on a conspiratorial tone.
X recoiled slightly, a ripple of unease passing through his form. “No, I believe the trust lies with my rabbits.” He dismissed her offer with a languid wave of a tentacle.
“But my power far surpasses theirs,” Shazara insisted, her forked tongue darting in irritation. “I can tame even the most formidable beasts.”
“True,” X conceded. While Rabbit Tamers were a promising path, their ability to control monsters was limited by their own level. New tamers would be stuck with weaker creatures.
Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, X’s hesitation fueled Shazara’s ambition. “Grant me this chance, Master X,” she hissed, her voice thick with urgency. “I will prove my loyalty beyond a doubt.”
X considered her plea for a long moment. It was true, Shazara had been remarkably obedient since… the incident. “Perhaps a single creature, then,” he tentacled finally. “A test of your devotion, shall we say?”
“Sss!” Shazara hissed, her entire body contorting in a display of ecstatic gratitude. “Thank you, Master! Thank you!” She bowed low, her body scraping the floor in a display of reverence no human could replicate.
X turned his gaze towards the caged monsters lining the wall. “For your skills, a level 1 creature seems pointless…” he flipped dismissively, his eyes darting around the room, a strange glint flickering within them. “It never worked before, but perhaps I should try it now…He trailed off, a hint of a sinister plan forming in his mind.
“Try what, Master?” Shazara’s head whipped around, her emerald eyes gleaming with curiosity.
“My abilities extend beyond these rodents and amphibians,” X grunted between the twirls and flicks, his voice echoing through the chamber. “I can unleash the power of EvolveMonster on a formidable foe – an Erymanthian Boar, perhaps, or a beast of similar stature.” As long as the craeture wasn't higher level than him, any beast or monster was fair game. “However, past attempts yielded… unpleasant results. Vicious creatures, consumed by a singular desire – my demise.” A tremor ran through his fleshy core, a physical manifestation of the unpleasant memory.
Pushing a memory away he continued, “But now, with the Enraged debuff dispelled, a tamed monster should be within reach, wouldn't you agree, Shazara?” Slowly, a series of predatory smiles stretched from his core to the tips of each tentacle.
“Indeed, Master,” she hissed slightly perturbed, her forked tongue flickering.
“Yet the power of Taming lies with you. Do you have a specific creature in mind?” He asked with a curious tentacle.
“A Warg,” Shazara uttered without a moment's hesitation.
X’s tentacles twitched in suspicion. “Wargs again? A tad predictable, wouldn't you say?”
“They are the creatures, sss, I possess the most experience with,” Shazara countered, her gaze lingering on the menagerie of caged beasts. “And let me assure you, Master, a Warg twisted by your evolution is-sss unlikely to be… ordinary.”
A glint of understanding flickered in X's eyes. He conceded the point with a slow wave of a tentacle. “Very well. I shall instruct the HuntMaster to procure one for us.”
“Excellent, Master,” Shazara hissed, her voice dropping to an almost melodic whisper. Her eyes narrowed, however, betraying a hidden agenda that remained shrouded in mystery.
…
A young rabbit, fresh out of ‘Eldritch Press’, hopped excitedly towards the HuntMaster. She was one of the few Rabbit Children the HuntMaster had personally trained.
"Well hello there, youngling," the Hunt Master boomed, her voice a warm rumble despite its imposing volume. "What brings you skipping through the village today?"
The rabbit puffed out her chest with pride, her little cottontail twitching furiously. "A message from Master X!" she squeaked, her voice barely above a whisper. "A quest for the HuntMaster!"
The HuntMaster's grin widened. "Ah, a monster hunt, is it?" she chuckled, kneeling down to the child’s level. "And what kind of beast are we after this time?"
The younglings’s nose twitched as she concentrated. "A Warg!" she declared finally.
"A Warg, eh?" The HuntMaster raised an eyebrow. "Anything else Master X mentioned about this particular beast?"
Little ears perked up. "He and the snake-lady were talking about… taming it, I think!" she chirped, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yes, Taming!"
The Hunt Master chuckled heartily, ruffling the child’s fur with a gentle hand. "Excellent work, little rabbit. You're getting to be a fine Hunter or even Tamer yourself. Tell Master I'm already on the case."
The little rabbit nodded eagerly, her body bouncing with anticipation. With a final flurry of Hop, she disappeared between the village huts, her mission complete.
The HuntMaster watched her go, a thoughtful glint in her eye. "A Warg for Taming, sounds like a fun little challenge," she muttered to herself. “And Master has been experimenting with that new AbsorbMonster ability quite a bit lately. I wonder… if I can somehow surprise him with a bonus gift."
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As if to respond to her thoughts, the System did something that it hadn’t done before:
[Quest: Specimen-X beseeched you to Invade the Warg Nest and capture a Warg]
[Objective: Capture a Warg 0/1]
[Optional Objective: Capture the Warg Alpha 0/1]
[Optional Objective: Destroy the Warg Nest 0/1]
[Reward: +1000 EXP, ThickHide Cloak]
[Bonus Reward: ???]
The prospect of a simple capture morphed into a thrilling challenge, a wide grin splitting the HuntMaster's face. The bonus reward whispered enticing possibilities, but she knew it wouldn't come easy.
With a mighty whistle that echoed through the trees, the Hunt Master summoned her pack. No need for solo heroics here. Soon, rabbits of all experience levels emerged from the foliage, her seasoned mate leading the charge. They gathered around her, chests thumping a rhythmic salute in unison.
"Hunters!" she boomed, her voice a beacon of authority. "A task awaits!"
The rabbits' ears perked up, their gazes brimming with anticipation. A challenge was music to their ears.
"Our target: the Warg Nest we scouted earlier. We capture a monster for the Master."
This wasn't unfamiliar territory. They'd been supplying Master X for a week now. But a subtle twist lurked beneath the surface.
"Word of caution," the Hunt Master added, her tone firm. "The Wargs will be fierce, the Alpha even more so. Yet, the Master's will guides us. We rise to meet any challenge! To ensure success, we'll be well-equipped." She reached into her pouch, brandishing a BloodApple. "And remember, rabbits ," her gaze swept over the group, "we have the advantage of numbers."
"Hunters," the Hunt Master continued, her voice ringing with conviction, "this is not just a hunt; it's an opportunity for growth. We'll conquer the threat, hone our skills, and emerge stronger." A genuine smile graced her features. "Who's with me?"
In a thunderous chorus, the hunters pounded their chests. "For Master!" they roared.
The HuntMaster returned their salute, her heart swelling with pride. This was her pack, her family, and together, they were unstoppable.
…
Just as X sent the little messenger to find the HuntMaster, a strange message flickered in his vision: [ChaosBlessed activated] He wasn't sure what it entailed, but a hopeful feeling bloomed in his core. Maybe a new blessing for his experiments!
Observing X's curious flicking of tendrils, Shazara tilted her head. "Something interesting happening, Master?" she inquired, her voice laced with curiosity.
"Something Intriguing," X rumbled, the sound surprisingly gentle. "But nothing to worry about now."
The rickety wooden door creaked open, revealing the twitchy nose of the RabbitGuard. She poked her head only to take a peek. Another figure darted right in – the RabbitMaid. Her cottontail bobbed like a metronome as she hurried towards X, a hefty wooden tray balanced precariously in her grasp.
Unlike the RabbitGuard, whose fur bristled with barely concealed hostility towards Shazara, the RabbitMaid radiated warmth. Her motherly smile, genuine and wide, contrasted starkly with the intense glare of the Guard.
"Greetings, Master," she chirped, dipping into a curtsy that accentuated the generous swell of her bust beneath the crisp fabric of her new uniform. “Minion,” she added with another, simpler bow.
X, his numerous eyes lacking eyelids but nonetheless registering every detail, burned the image of the RabbitMaid into his memory. This wasn't just a cosmetic upgrade; it was a strategic one.
Gone were the days of the near-frightening underdress. The RabbitMaid now sported a custom-crafted Maid Dress. Its pristine white stood out against the grimy browns and grays of the hut. But it wasn't just about utility; the dress clung to her form, hinting at a tantalizing glimpse of cleavage and a tasteful skirt that ended just above her knees.
The RabbitMaid followed X's gaze, a knowing glint in her eyes. "A gift from our newly-evolved Crafters," she announced, twirling the tray with surprising dexterity. The hem of her dress swirled, a playful tease.
Shazara cast a venomous glance at her own tattered hide. "Hmph," she hissed, a note of envy lacing her voice. "Suddenly, sss, my improvised leathers feel woefully inadequate."
X scoffed, the sound echoing through the chamber. Shazara's utility paled in comparison to the potential of a well-trained RabbitMaid. He turned his multiple maws towards the maid, a predatory glint in his unblinking eyes.
"A feast for the eyes indeed," he tentacled, the appendage betraying a calculated pleasure. "And what culinary delights grace this enticing platter?"
The RabbitMaid leaned in, her voice a purr laced with temptation. "Why, Master, it's a selection of the finest… snacks.”
With a flourish, the RabbitMaid whisked away the concealing cloth. X's multifaceted gaze narrowed in puzzlement.
“Frogs?” He asked coiling a confused tentacle.
"FriedFrogs," the RabbitMaid chirped, the name pronounced with a chef's pride.
These weren't your typical swamp denizens. Each amphibian was a golden-brown masterpiece, flattened and crispy from being fried in fat. X's numerous eyes focused on a particularly plump specimen, its delicate limbs splayed out like a grotesque flower.
He extended a curious tentacle, its tip twitching with anticipation. The snack crunched loudly in his maw, a symphony of textures – shattering skeleton, yielding flesh, and a surprise burst of savoury juices. A satisfied rumble echoed through the hut.
"+2 Stamina," X tentacled, pleased at the snack’s restorative properties. "Intriguing. And highly effective." He snagged another with a greedy tentacle, relishing the playful crunch.
"A new culinary innovation from our first dedicated Chef," the RabbitMaid beamed.
"Not Cook, but Chef?" Shazara hissed in surprise, her forked tongue tasted the air infused with the oily smell.
X ignored his snake minion. This was a game-changer. A dedicated Chef could revolutionize the Rabbit Village’s sustenance options!
He devoured the remaining FriedFrogs with a predatory fervor, tentacles leaving a trail of demolished amphibian on the tray.
"Exquisite! 10/10," X declared, his tentacle quivering with delight. "But tell me, RabbitMaid, who are we to thank for this delectable creation?"
The RabbitMaid's smile widened. "More are currently undergoing their transformation in the improvised fryer. I shall fetch them immediately." With a playful twirl, she turned to leave, the hem of her dress momentarily revealing a glimpse of her upper tigh.
"Hold," X commanded, halting her before the display could truly entice. "I find myself intrigued by this Chef. The FriedFrogs are a testament to their skill. They deserve a proper title, wouldn't you agree?"
He already had the perfect utilitarian name in mind, one that spoke of their culinary prowess.
The RabbitGuard, ever vigilant, poked her head through the doorway, her glare aimed squarely at Shazara. The serpent hissed back, but the Guard remained resolute. X let out a mental sigh. It seemed the overprotective tendencies of his rabbit security wouldn't be easily quelled.
"Follow me, Master," the RabbitMaid chirped, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features as she noticed the eager yuan-ti. "Shazara, perhaps another time. You’re still not very liked in the village."
"I’m coming. I wouldn't miss it!" Shazara hissed, her voice laced with defiance.
As X squeezed through the doorway, the RabbitGuard darted forward, effectively jumping ahead of Shazara. This wasn't out of spite, well maybe a little bit, either way, it was a matter of enforcing the pecking order within X's domain. The Rabbit Village had a clear hierarchy, and Shazara, the snake minion, occupied the lowest rung.
The RabbitMaid skipped down the path, humming a cheerful tune that quickly blossomed into a full-fledged jingle.
“Crispy legs, a golden treat,
Froggy snacks, you can't resist!
Hoppin' flavour, oh so neat,
Second helpings, can't be beat!”
X found himself tempted to join in, but the cacophony of his voice would shatter the melody. Instead, he hummed along silently, a low rumble that complemented the RabbitMaid's sweet soprano.
The tune proved infectious. Even the ever-stoic RabbitGuard couldn't resist a low hum, her gaze fixed firmly on Shazara, who hissed in frustration, her reptilian pride unable to handle the display of merriment.
Their walk ended at a seemingly ordinary rabbit hut. Tools and implements – wooden ladles, clay pots, and sizzling stone pans – littered the area, testament to the Crafters evolving skillset. Here, outside, a lone rabbit toiled over a bubbling vat of molten fat. The unmistakable aroma of sweat and sizzling amphibians filled the air.
A quick scan of the messy station revealed weeks, not days, of experimentation. The FriedFrogs weren't the latest invention; they were the culmination of dedicated effort.
The rabbit, oblivious to X's arrival, continued dunking amphibians with practised ease.
"Ahem," the RabbitMaid cleared her throat, snapping the petite chef out of her trance.
The rabbit whirled around, her features twisting with nervous energy. "Master X! Unexpected pleasure. About the… snacks?"
"Relax, my dear Rabbit. You, the pioneer of this delectable cuisine," X tentacled with a flourish, "have created a dish worthy of the deities themselves! I, for one, require a second helping."
A wave of relief washed over the rabbit's face, her tail twitching with renewed vigor. "Of course, Master! Here, allow me…"
In her eagerness, she scooped a handful of undercooked frogs onto a plate. The cotton tail stiffened, her ears drooped, and a wave of fresh panic flooded her face.
X, however, remained unfazed. With a casual gesture, he nudged the frogs back into the fat. "Crispy, if you please," he tentacled. "Additionally, I have come to bestow a title befitting your newfound abilities."
The rabbit, eyes wide and hopeful, looked up at him.
"You shall be known as…" X paused for dramatic effect, "HeadChef."
It wasn't the most creative designation, but tradition held weight. The rabbit, oblivious to any slight, beamed with pride.
"An honour beyond words, Master," she chirped, bowing so low her ears nearly touched the sizzling fat. "I shall dedicate myself to crafting ... endless array of culinary delights for you, Master."
X chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down Shazara's spine. "I have no doubt," he rumbled, gently raising the rabbit's head. "Now, back to work. Perfection awaits."
“Perfection aside,” Shazara hissed sharply. “She jumped a class, from Cook to Chef. How is that pos-sss-sible?”
"I’m just lucky with exceptional rabbits," X offered with a tentacle equivalent of a shrug.
He knew exactly why. The MonsterCores he gifted to his precious creations weren’t just accelerating the rabbits' class gains; they were granting uncommon variations, fulfilling the perk's promise. Sometimes, even rarer abilities emerged. This HeadChef, with her sizzling potential, had to be a very Lucky rabbit indeed:
Scooping up the crispy snacks, “Cough, cough... [GourmetTouch],” the petite chef coughed as if trying to hide the command.
X watched as the newly titled HeadChef dished out suspiciously improved FriedFrogs. "HeadChef," he began, his tentacles hopeful, "a Feast is in order. Many rabbits have leveled up, and naturally, we should celebrate your well-deserved promotion. What do you think?"
The HeadChef's ears twitched at the word ‘Feast’, ”Brilliant! With this workload, I might even level up again!" She hopped forward with glee, narrowly avoiding a pot of bubbling fat. "Huh!?" she exclaimed, not from the near-disaster, but from something else entirely.
"Huh?!" X mirrored her surprise. "Why did my ChaosBlessed activate again?
The HeadChef looked at X with wide eyes. "Master, did you give me a hidden task? A Quest?"
X stroked a non-existent chin with a tentacle. "Not that I'm aware of. I think Chaos is up to something…"