"It is clear," Tiddles called.
"Let's go," Kyto said.
He and Sniffer stood from their observation point and walked to the factory. As Kyto approached, the stench made his nose curl, and he pinched it. "What the hell is that smell?"
"Fucking hell, that smell could raise the dead," Sniffer added, having pulled his jacket collar up to cover his nose and mouth.
"I said their shit stinks," Tiddles replied. "Have you got any water with you?"
"I don't. Sniffer, have you any water?" Kyto said.
Sniffer dropped his small backpack off his shoulder and removed a canteen. Tiddles stood, tilting his head back with his mouth open and tongue sticking out. It was the first time Kyto had seen inside his mouth properly. He had two rows of razor-sharp teeth. The first row was sharp and longer than the second, looking like they would pierce anything. The double rows had serrated edges and were slightly shorter, looking like the teeth on a saw blade. They were explicitly designed, not just sharp; they gave Tiddles a cutting ability, allowing him to tear swathes of flesh off in one go. No wonder he had been able to bite the man in two back at the metal factory.
Sniffer finished emptying the canteen into his mouth. Tiddles then closed his mouth before swirling the water around using his tongue and spitting it out onto the floor.
"They have to be the worst-tasting things I have ever had in my mouth, and I have eaten some bad things before, but these are on a new level," Tiddles said.
"Apparently, they taste like how they smell," Kyto told Sniffer.
All three walked back inside the factory and over to the corpses on the floor.
"These are ugly things and like nothing I have ever seen before," Sniffer said.
"Nor me," Tiddles said.
"I wonder where they have come from?" Kyto asked.
"No idea, but this is not the whole party that killed the Keefirs; there are only seven, and we saw many more tracks than that in the field," Sniffer said, looking at the bodies.
Kyto walked over to the spears that were lying on the floor and picked one up. The one he grabbed was seven feet long and had a thin, sharp point of iron ore on the end, adding another foot to its length. He ran his finger gently over the edge, and it scratched his skin easily and drew blood. "They are seriously sharp," Kyto said.
Sniffer took it from Kyto and looked at it as Kyto healed his finger. It took him seconds to knit the thin cut closed.
Tiddles checked through his notifications while Kyto and Sniffer looked around where they had been sleeping.
Surprise attack. Congratulations, your surprise attack has critically hit and killed two Geblex 300 experience awarded.
You receive 2 x bonus experience for killing multiple targets with one strike—300 bonus experience awarded.
Your surprise attack has critically hit and incapacitated two Geblex with 95% and 92% damage.
You strike a Geblex for 59% damage.
You crush a Geblex for 100% damage. Geblex dies—150 experience awarded.
You critically hit a Geblex for 100% damage. Geblex dies—150 experience awarded.
You hit a Geblex for 41% damage. Geblex dies—150 experience awarded.
You hit a Geblex for 5% damage. Geblex dies 150 experience awarded.
You hit a Geblex for 8% damage. Geblex dies 150 experience awarded.
In total, it was a decent experience haul for a fight that was so easy, granting them 1350 shared experience.
Quest update - Hunting Tier 1 - 44 of 100
Kyto had watched the combat log while Tiddles had attacked and seen how easily he had killed multiple opponents. Now that he had looked at the creature's body, his codex had flashed.
He reviewed the codex, and there was now a new page titled Monsters and Minions.
Geblex - tier 1 minion
Habitat - Subterranean
Intelligence - Low
Aggression - High
Geblex are hunter-gatherers who always search for their next food source to support their ravenous hunger.
Beneath the description was a picture, as though drawn by the hand of one of the creatures, standing holding a club.
"Did your Codex update?" He asked.
Tiddles and Sniffer stopped briefly, and Kyto knew they were reading their displays.
"The codex is pretty empty apart from basic System details for me. You and Tiddles have spoken about various details, but mine only has a few entries about the System." Sniffer replied.
"Tabs had said the same about hers. It seems we have extra details from the party function explaining the display amendments as well." Kyto said.
"Mine has," Tiddles answered.
"Our codex now has a page called Monsters and Minions, which gives basic information about these Geblex. They are underground dwelling hunter-gatherers with a ravenous appetite." Kyto added.
Kyto had, since forming the party with Tiddles, tried to add others, but it did not allow unEnlightened.
"There is absolutely nothing here of any value. Should we take one of the bodies back to town?" Kyto asked.
"I suppose we should do really as evidence. No one would believe us if we tried to explain these things to them." Sniffer said.
"Especially as neither of you have seen these things before on your travels, and they are armed. These could be related to the incursion quest, and I wish I knew what it meant by tier 1 minion." Kyto said.
"Well, if they are this easy to kill, I cannot see them being much of a threat. Tiddles took seven out in under a minute." Sniffer said.
"They were asleep, though," Tiddles stated.
"That is true, Tiddles; they were all asleep, which made it easier, he says." Kyto relayed.
"I know, but looking at them, they are weak-looking and frail," Sniffer said.
"I would not like to meet one armed with one of those spears, though," Kyto replied.
"I will grab one," Tiddles said. He walked over to the Geblex bodies and picked the least eviscerated one.
"They taste foul." He mumbled through the side of his mouth.
They headed back to the farm. Sniffer opened the cage, allowing Tiddles to drop the Geblex's body inside.
"What's that smell?" Sneezy asked, pulling his face as the body dropped in the back.
"A Geblex," Tiddles replied.
"It's awful," Rosie said, placing her paw over her nose.
"Do not even think about eating it," Tiddles warned as Pouncer licked his lips, looking ready to.
"But I am hungry," Pouncer replied.
"You are always hungry," Rosie said.
Pouncer grumbled and sat back down again.
"They taste horrible; you would not want to eat them anyway," Tiddles added.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
The farmer came out, seeing them return, and walked over to the truck with wide eyes, seeing the remains of the Geblex lying in the back. "That is one ugly Wild One," he said.
"Yes, it is, and it stinks as well," Sniffer said.
"There was a group of seven of them a couple of kilometres away, which we tracked from the field," Kyto said.
"Seven!" the farmer exclaimed.
"Yeah, we are going to take one back to town to show the guard what it was that killed the Keefir," Kyto added as he placed one of the spears in the truck alongside the corpse.
"So those things were this close to the farm. I never heard a thing when they attacked. I only found out what had happened in the morning when I went out to feed the herd." the farmer said, shuddering.
"Sniffer thinks there may have been a larger party, but we are not sure as we only found the seven at the old factory," Kyto said.
Sniffer nodded in agreement.
"Well, I am glad I did not find out until the morning. Apart from a club, I have no weapons here and do not fancy being attacked by a group of armed Wild Ones."
"Do you know anyone in town?" Kyto asked.
"Yes. Why?"
"If there are more out there, would it not be safer to consider staying in town for a couple of days until the guard have had a chance to deal with them?" Kyto said.
"Maybe. I could always see my sister for a couple of days, and it will take me a few days to get my compensation and buy some more Keefir from the breeders anyway," he added.
"Just a thought," Kyto said, smiling at him.
They left the farmer to pack a few of his items before he headed towards the township, and they set off back themselves.
Tiddles was walking alongside the truck, talking to Kyto and Sniffer about the Geblex and the incursion. The sun was now high in the sky, the morning already rushing by with their trip to the farm, and today was a nicer day than the more recent weather as the season was changing. The trees and bushes were regaining colour, and the greenery would return fully in another month or so.
"I could have continued tracking them," Tiddles said.
"I know, Tiddles, but it is not our responsibility; it is the guards unless they officially contract the job to us," Kyto said.
"I bet he said he could have tracked them." glancing over at Kyto, he saw Tiddles nod. "Getting it contracted could be a nice way to earn some stacks," Sniffer said, smiling.
"When we return, I will ask TJ what he wants. I am guessing he would need to speak to the guard captain anyway for authorisation before he contracts any work, and they may want to deal with it themselves anyway." Kyto said.
It took them just over an hour to get back to the house. They had decided it would be best to leave the cubs with Tiddles at the house, and they would take the corpse into town. Knowing how much Tiddles nevermind, the cubs freaked the guard out.
The stench coming from the rear of the truck was overpowering, and as they were transporting the corpse, it was getting worse. On arriving at the gates, a guard waved them down and walked over. "What the hell is that smell?" he said as he approached.
Kyto did not recognise him. "It is a Geblex. We believe it attacked the Keefir on the farm," Kyto said.
The guard looked at Kyto suspiciously. "And how do you know about the attack?" he asked.
"I share a house with TJ. He asked me to look into it," Kyto replied.
"TJ?" the guard asked.
"One of your guard supervisors," Kyto replied.
"Never heard of him." the guard said.
"What?" Kyto said surprise etched on his face.
"Our supervisor is Callum," he replied.
"Well, is Callum around?" Kyto asked.
"No. He is on patrol." the guard replied.
"Well, can we go in and wait for him then?" Kyto asked.
"You are not bringing whatever it is in that smells that bad." the guard replied.
"Have you seen it? Look in the back of the damn truck and tell me that you do not think your supervisor or guard captain would not want to know what the fuck attacked the Keefir." Sniffer said, snapping at the guard.
"Do not address one of the guards in that manner, or you will find yourself in a cell." the guard replied angrily.
"Really. Just look in the back of the truck and see what it damn well is first before you start spouting your shit off." Sniffer said.
The guard unslung his weapon from his shoulder and pointed it towards Sniffer. "Right, that is it. Get out of the truck," he said.
"You are fucking kidding me," Sniffer replied.
"NOW!" he snapped.
"Sniffer, please do as he says," Kyto said.
"He is not going to shoot me. He has been a guard for about five minutes, looking at him in his pristine new uniform. He has no idea what the hell he is supposed to do." Sniffer said, staring at the guard.
Kyto looked at the guard properly for the first time and noticed that the uniform did look new.
A voice called from up on the wall. "What is going on down there?"
Kyto looked up and saw another guard looking down at them, and thankfully, it was someone he recognised.
"John." Kyto stuck his head out of the truck and called up, waving at him.
"Hi, Kyto. What is going on? Why do you have a rifle pointing at the truck, and what the hell can I smell from up here." John asked.
"A Geblex," Kyto replied.
The guard who was pointing his rifle at Sniffer glanced at John. "Can I get some help down here? I have a man refusing to follow orders," he called.
"Aye? Hang on a second." John said as he disappeared from the wall. A few moments later, he arrived at the gateway.
"Wow, whatever that thing does stink awful, and put your bloody weapon down, will you Slew," he said.
Sniffer was still staring at the guard with obstinance.
"So, what is going on," John asked.
Kyto quickly explained why they had brought the Geblex to town and their suspicions to John. John had walked around the back and looked at the corpse of the Geblex, and Kyto had joined him. He had not noticed while they travelled, but its body had turned much darker and swollen; it even looked burned and blistered compared to when they loaded it at the factory.
"Did you cook the ugly little fucker." John asked, pulling a face at the stench.
"No. Its body seems to have been affected as we travelled; we found it inside a factory. Maybe they don't go out in the sun." Kyto said.
"Not sure it is a good idea taking it into town as that smell is horrendous," John said.
"So, where do you want us to put it?" Sniffer called from the front. His eyes had not left the guard named Slew.
"Not sure, but that smell will cause serious issues," John said, walking back towards the front of the truck.
"We only brought it back here to show TJ," Kyto said.
"He is out towards the fuel depot and won't be back until tomorrow now, and Callum, the day supervisor, is doing the rounds on patrol," John said.
"What about Reece?" Kyto said.
"Captain Reece is over in the main barracks. I can get someone to go and see if he is free." John said.
"Slew, go and get Captain Reece, please," he said.
"What about this man?" Slew said, staring at Sniffer.
"What about him?" John said.
"He was rude to a guard member and did not do as instructed," Slew answered.
"Slew does me a favour, I know you are Mr Cooper's nephew or something like that, but you need to stop being such a snivelling little shit." John snapped at him.
Slew's eyes opened in shock at John's comments. "My uncle will hear about this." he threatened.
John had had enough; he walked up to Slew and thumped him squarely on his chin. The other guard's head snapped backwards, and he fell with a resounding thump onto the ground. "It is your first day on the job, and you think you are all high and mighty. I have put up with your comments since first thing this morning and am already sick and tired of hearing your whiney voice. The man in this truck saved the life of Gar, you know, the one who the Grylack attacked at the fishing district, and the man with him is his friend. Therefore, in my opinion, they are about five hundred steps above you on the ladder of who I give a shit about. So now do as I just fucking asked you to do and go and find Captain Reece unless you want another smack."
Slew sat staring at John for a few moments, looking at the anger in his face before he got up from the ground. "Now, if you do not mind, will you please go and get Captain Reece? The smell of this thing makes me want to bring my breakfast up, thank you." he finished.
Slew took one more look at Sniffer and then headed for the gate.
"Fucking idiot," John said, turning back to the pair of them.
"Thanks, but won't you get in trouble?" Kyto said.
"For what? Putting a snivelling little shit in his place. He is only here as a guard because his uncle, Mr Cooper, asked Captain Reece for a favour as he cannot be trusted to work anywhere else. He has had about ten jobs since coming of age, which is less than a year ago." John said in reply.
"Ah." Kyto laughed. "So, you are fully aware of him then."
"Yeah, Captain Reece briefed me and asked me to ensure I kept him in line. Oh, and his rifle has no ammo in it, so he could not have shot you." John said, smiling at Sniffer.
Sniffer laughed.
Sniffer backed the truck out of the way of the funnel entrance to the township and parked it by the side of the road so it was not blocking the gateway, and the three of them went inside to escape the stench of the corpse. The stench was getting worse.
John led them into the guard house and offered them both a coffee while they waited for Slew to return; they sat chatting when Captain Reece walked in, followed by a very sheepish-looking Slew. "John," he said.
"Hi, Captain."
"And these are?"
"Kyto and Sniffer. Friends of TJ." John replied.
"Ah. Kyto, are you not the one who helped with Gar in the district."
"Yes. Nice to finally meet you. TJ has said good things about you." Kyto said, standing and offering his hand.
The captain took it in a firm grip, shaking it warmly.
"Glad to meet you also, and thank you for helping. TJ told me that Gar would not have survived if it had not been for your help." Reece said.
"It was not as bad as he may have made out," Kyto replied.
"So, what is going on? Slew here says that he was sworn at and wanted to press charges against an old man who threatened him." He raised his eyebrows and looked at Sniffer.
"Old man!" Sniffer retorted. "I did swear at him, and I will do again if I ever have to deal with such a pathetic little shit again," Sniffer said.
Reece must be in his sixties looking at him, and his lips turned up in a smile that Slew could not see standing behind him. "I am sorry to hear that you were treated poorly by a guard member. We do try to maintain the peace around here, and there are some unruly types on occasion," he winked.
"No problem at all. I was just a little taken aback by his unprofessionalism." Sniffer said.
"John, could you please instruct Slew on the expectations of a guard member? After the time you have been with us, I am sure you are more than able to," he said.
"Yes, sir," John replied.
"Excellent. So, why do I need to be here?" he asked.
Kyto explained about the Geblex and the factory site where they found them.
"Well, let's go and look at this thing then," Reece said when he finished.
The four walked out of the guard house, leaving Slew behind stewing.
"Sorry about hitting Slew Captain," John said as they walked through the gate.
"I am glad you did, to be honest. The way he spoke to me when he came over thinking he was something special and I should punish you for hitting him. I nearly smacked him myself. Next time I see Harmon, I will tell him how useless he is. Although I know he is already aware of how much of a little shit he is, he thinks everyone owes him. He is only here as a favour to Harmon to try and sort him out." Reece said.
"That thing smells even worse," John said as they approached the truck.
"Fucking hell, it's horrendous," Reece said, peering into the back of the truck.
He stood silently for a moment before turning away again to speak. "We can't take that thing inside. That stench is terrible, and I have never seen anything like it in my forty years as a guard," Reece said.
"Nor I in all my time tracking in the wilds," Sniffer said.
"So, you say there were seven of them?" Reece asked.
"Yes, although from the tracks we found up there, the group was probably nearer twenty," Sniffer said.
"Well, that is not good. We will have to send out a patrol to the area and have a good look around. You mention a factory?" Reece said.
"Yeah, I can direct you there," Sniffer replied.
"OK, excellent. We have a map in the guard house, so if you...."
There was a loud, wet, popping sound as the corpse of the Geblex spontaneously exploded, covering the surrounding area in the stench and filth of its remains.