---

The lack of the sun in the sky made the night air significantly colder than before. If the afternoon air was cool, this was outright cold. The wind only intensified the coldness.

The burrow was small enough to fit Asteria and Mother Rat easily, but for Ed and Mother Rat? It was more than a snug fit than Ed cared to admit...but sleeping in the burrow beat sleeping top side where he could have been freezing his tail off. Maybe even literally. His slumber was, for once in the past four days, uneventful. Well other than waking up snuggled to Mother Rat like a plush toy. Doing his best not to awaken the slumbering Dire Rat, he slid out of the burrow slowly and gently. Making sure not to make any sudden movements that may jostle her awake.

Though once outside, Ed let out an involuntary shiver as a cold breeze caught him off guard and hit him on the back. The feeling caused him to instinctively wrap his arms around himself and rub his hands over his fur in hopes that it would warm his body up. "Jesus, its chillier than expected." He commented to nobody in particular as he walked towards where Asteria was experimenting with the flowers they found earlier that day. To be honest? Ed has experienced coldness worse than this. His hometown, Twinbrook, was cold all year round...he never realized how much his old body was used to the cold until now. The cold rarely was an issue for him after all in his old life.

Finally reaching the dire rat, he gently pats Asteria on the back and tells that it was his turn to keep watch and her turn to get some rest. Giving her one final wave before her furry body disappeared into the burrow, he sits himself down on the grass and tries to relax while still keeping an eye on things. The hours pass and Ed thanked God that there were no incidents during his watch, sans getting spooked by the distant howls of creatures he dared not imagine. He grasped some of the tall grass and began to chew it, using the bitter taste to keep his senses alert and his mind sharp. This borderline torturous act, paid off when he saw a very large shadow that circled just below the clouds and just above the peaks of the mountains to the west. [Beast Sense II] activates as Ed squints his eyes to get a better look of the creature with the dim moonlight. Even using [Monster Analysis I] to see if he can identify what that thing is, even if it was a long shot that his rank 1 skill could do it from this distance. Either way, the sight alone struck both fear and awe into his being. Further reminding him that his second life could be taken away from him just as easily as his first.

As the shadow only circled repeatedly, Ed focused on his gnarled stick. He inspects his weapon for a few moments under the moonlight, before deciding that the weapon could use more versatility. The stick itself was naturally good at bludgeoning things to death. But if he managed to sharpen one end or both ends of the stick to a point, it would give him the option of thrusting instead. Plus, in case of the weapon breaking, he could still use the segments with the pointed ends as thrusting daggers. He searches for a suitable rock with a rough edge and begins to work until the sun peeked out of the horizon.

Ed smiles to himself contently as his prediction was correct and that the patrols were sluggish and the villagers were still asleep at this time of the morning. He lays his weapon down and pats himself down of the wood shavings before he approaches the den and speaks into it. Hoping that his voice alone can wake Asteria up. "Hey, Asteria. Wakey wakey. Its time for us to see if that village has useful things that we can use. C'mon lets hop to it while the villagers are still asleep." Once he wakes Asteria up and gets ready, he goes to a low position and begins to move through the tall grass to approach the village in the distance.

---

---

Though she'd done her best to gouge out the rock, she'd made a very shallow indentation at best, destroying her rudimentary knife in the process. Creating a proper bowl/mortar would take hours. What she’d done so far would have to suffice. Fetching the Bugward. Kilm and Nullven plants, she set to work. First, she examined the Healing herb Ed had given her, so she’d see its full properties. She found a decent sized oval-shaped rock, and first ground the whole Bugward flower into paste. Next, she added the Kilm’s sap and roots, mixing it with the previous paste thoroughly. Before proceeding with the last plant, she tested the mixture of the two she’d combined so far. Asteria nicked her own tail slightly with a tooth corner, then put the paste on it, observing the effects. Finally, she added half of the Nullven to the paste, made another cut on her tail, and tested the final product on it again, noting whether the Nullven had changed the paste’s properties in any way despite in not quite having been an extract. The remaining half of the Nullven, she ate, though she’d have preferred to make a tea out of it.

When her medical dabbling was done, she settled in front of the hole and spent the remaining of her time on guard meditating. She closed her eyes, choosing to focus on the nature’s sounds, breathing deeply. Thinking it might speed up getting the meditation skill, she activated mana sense, letting the natural mana surrounding her permeate her being, actively draining a part of it. If at any point she got the feeling of having too much mana, she would also attempt to reverse the effect and return some of what she’d gained back into the earth, air, and to whatever metaphysical presence the energy-mana might have taken shape as. When Ed tapped her to trade turns, she gratefully joined mother rat in their temporary hide-out and fell asleep.

Early morning dawned sooner than she’d preferred, but nonetheless, she heeded Ed’s call and woke up, stretching all muscles a bit. “Will do, let me just try and get mother rat to stay here. Or at least make sure she won’t be concerned about our whereabouts…” saying so, she went to the still sleeping dire rat, touching a paw to her gently. She closed her eyes and concentrated on what she wanted to convey. Over the telepathic link, she sent feelings of reassurance and safe, but laced with her desire and expectation for her mother to be patient, calm, cautious, and to wait for them at home until they returned. Then, she followed Ed in the direction of the shack, muffling her sounds as she did so.

---

Were those scientific formulas?

Oh goodness, this was getting more and more exciting by the second. Okay Ash, curb your enthusiasm. They still had a problem and she had probably done enough observing for now. But - But she now knew what elements made up these spells! Or at least, some of them. If she could get this down, then she could theoretically perform any sort of magic she could think of! So long as she got the formulas and structures correct and stable of course.

A magical nuke was a fun idea, but not something she wanted to be at the epicenter of.

First things first, kill this slime.

Ash moved swiftly as she could. Focusing her magic she aimed a Minor Heal towards Torrent, while using another volley of Venom Shot towards the slime.

The deer squealed when Asura drove his body, in spike form, into the bottom of its jaw. He broke the skin, and pierced deep as blood coated the creature's fur, but couldn't get into the bone. As the creature struggled to free itself it inadvertently cut its own neck further, and the bloodflow thickened as it bleated pitifully--

Luckily, Ardur cut its suffering short as he dropped like a rock from above. Right along that shaft of the morning sun, he struck precisely along the vertebrae of the Bowhorn Deer's neck and spine. With his new skill and all the momentum behind the attack, he felt it shatter under his weighty blow. The deer dropped immediately--though its legs weakly kicked, and its body shuddered with a last gasping breath, the light was gone from its eyes.

"Ahsoowa! Big fud!" Momma Slime bubbled as she let go of the deer's antlers. She rolled around to one side and immediately started to envelop one of its meaty haunches. "Ahdoo, gud!" Meanwhile, Steve reacted with something that might have been alarm, waving several legs at Momma Slime before the Oculus Spider began trying to spin a web around the front leg it had pinned. Perhaps she was afraid the big slime would eat the deer before she got a chance to do so herself.

With this threat addressed, Asura and Ardur were now free to do...whatever they wished. The cave was back to the east, but so far they hadn't heard any more of that chopping noise, or anything from those goblins. Maybe that tribe had finally moved on? The smoke from last night was all gone as well...something had put those fires out. Back to their west, there was still that mountain, and that nest of Dire Rats perhaps...Up north, they would be following the base of the mountain range, but heading into the forest. If they went south, they would have to skirt around the edges of the mountains to get over the hills and cliffs where the cave was, but then they might be able to go...who knew yet?

They had secured some food to refill their bellies after last night's rest, and they were full on their health, stamina, and magic. They had recently leveled up, and their non-human allies were still proving quite good teammates. The only thing to limit them now...was their own imagination.

---

You attempted to use Monster Analysis!
...Analysis Failed. Even with Beast Senses II, Target is still too far...
---???---
Due to the creature's size, despite the distance you can tell that, whatever it is, it has at least two wings and a long tail. Its body is very large--it seems to have at least one set of limbs.
---Analysis Failed---

You are attempting to Process an Item.
You do not have the Crafting Skill, the Item will degrade.
Gnarled Stick + Rough Stone

You have Processed the Item successfully!
Gnarled Stick > Short Cudgel!

You feel this weapon can swing slightly faster than the Gnarled Stick. However, this weapon doesn't feel very tough at all.

You used Plant Analysis I!
---Healing Herb---
This green herb does not thrive on sunlight, but on ambient Mana. With good nutrients and clean water in its surroundings, it will synthesize pure healing energy. Low-grade item.
---Analysis Complete!---

You used Crafting I!
Your method of crafting is highly advanced given the nature of your materials and species.
You possess the Dextrous I skill, increasing your ability with your tools despite your species limitations.
Crafting is boosted.

Bugward Flower + Kilm Blossom + Indented Rock + Rough Stone
New Item Created!
Obtained: Medicinal Salve!

This item has disinfectant and pain inhibiting properties, and seems to increase the natural healing rate for an affected area. Restores a small amount of HP, equivalent to half of a Healing Herb from your experience. This batch is thoroughly mixed--its healing properties are boosted.

You used Crafting I!
Your method of crafting is highly advanced given the nature of your materials and species. Your Dextrous skill increases your ability with tools. Crafting is boosted.

Medicinal Salve + Nullven Cone + Indented Rock + Rough Stone
New Item Created!
Lost: Medicinal Salve
Obtained: Antidotal Salve!

This item has disinfectant, pain inhibiting, and antitoxin properties! It seems to increase the natural recovery rate for an affected area. Cures Low-rank Poison and temporarily increases Poison Resistance. This batch is thoroughly mixed--it will also restore a very small amount of HP!

Skill Rank Up: Crafting I (1.8) > Crafting II (2.0)!
Crafting Complexity Increased. Stamina Requirement Decreased.

You are experiencing a Fast Rate of Skill Progression.

When Asteria ground the Bugward Flower against the rock, its petals were quick to fall off. The majority of the juices that mixed with the fibrous matter to make the paste came from the dark center of the plant. The body of the paste, on the other hand, came mostly from the stem. Though the plant was longer than Asteria's body, it only provided enough gooey matter and juice to make a small amount of paste--it probably wouldn't have covered more than a bandaid on a regular sized human. The Kilm Blossom's sour smelling sap mixed in easily, though as she ground the roots they seemed to be more powdery or starchy. As the two substances mixed, the paste turned a minty green color and the sour smell faded in intensity, instead turning a little sharper and more acrid, like strong toothpaste. Her tests using a small scratch on her tail, along with her Crafting Skill, told her everything she needed to know--this mixture would indeed work as medicine.

When she broke up the Nullven Cone as well, it came apart in crumbly flakes. Once these were mixed into the original salve, the minty green color began to look like some kind of mint-chocolate chip ice cream, save that the chips were purple in color. And of course, it wasn't nearly as appetizing in appearance. Again, her tests proved successful--and she got a skill rank increase to boot.

However, given that she had used only one of each plant--and only half the Nullven, at that--she didn't have enough salve to last beyond her original tests. Maybe it was better that way anyhow. She had nothing to carry such a salve in, and given how sticky it was she would probably need some kind of container that would keep it from getting mixed with dirt or any other items.

With that done, she instead spent her time trying to obtain the Meditate skill. Her Mana Sense couldn't tell her much...she could feel the energies around her like feeling water in the air after a hard rain. But the magic was just...there. No feeling of danger, yet no comfort either. There were slight differences between the Mana she felt in a breeze, or from a fresh blade of grass, and from the exposed dirt...Nonetheless, she could feel it buzzing across her skin. Rolling over her and through her, being drawn in with every breath...In this world, magical energy seemed to flow like blood through one's veins.

After Ed took his place on the watch and attempted to craft a wedge or point onto his Gnarled Stick, it seemed the system didn't think highly of his attempt. But even without a Skill it wasn't impossible--all he was doing was trying to sharpen the stick, right? Though the stone didn't have a good edge, and the knotty stick wouldn't shave evenly...It took some time, a great deal of effort, and there were a few times when the stick would crack or splinter, but eventually Ed had at least smoothed the surface of the stick out and formed a narrower edge along the striking surface. It didn't come to a point and wasn't fine enough for a blade, but it had made the stick a little smoother in the hand and better balanced for his swing. Maybe swinging it faster would help increase the force of impact, driving it into the smaller surface area along the wedge.

Ed
Your Stamina is Full.
Your HP is Full.
Your MP is Full.
You are Peckish.
You are Thirsty.

Asteria
Your Stamina is Full.
Your HP is Full.
Your MP is Full.
You are Peckish.
You are Thirsty.

[[Rat Party is now on Day 5]]

Once the sun was up, the rats made their decision to investigate the village. When Asteria tried to use Telepathy and tell Mother Rat to stay in the shelter, the elder rat looked confused. She creeped out of the burrow, and put her nose to the ground. Making one circle around it, she looked back at up at Asteria and squeaked...but the other two rats were already heading off.

Mother Rat looked back the way they had come, and her ears flattened against her head. She crouched at the mouth of the burrow, watching the surroundings intently...she only paused to glance back at the bug parts that were left, sniffing at a piece of the Myrminor for a moment before she turned back to her watch. Her fur bristled.

Ed and Asteria slowly drew closer to the village. As they did, they could now see more detail about the villagers themselves...

The guards wore a mantle or cloak of some sort made from the grass of the plains, simply woven together and tied with string. A few of them wore shoes that looked to be made from straw as well, but then others wore shoes made from proper leather, even with laces. All of the guards were men, and wore pants made from canvas cloth or spun wool. Their shirts were the same, but the majority were sleeveless--only one man had a tunic that looked to be of a better material. Knitted belts wrapped around their waists, the ends hanging down in front of their groins like loincloths. Given the mixed nature of materials, the widely varying quality, and the patterns on some of their clothing...it wasn't clear whether this was a primitive village or something more advanced. Did they live out here similarly to Native Americans or other tribal peoples? Maybe they had gotten the other clothes or different materials through trade?

Most of them were deeply tanned, but their musculature tended towards lean. They were still much bigger than the two rats, but none of them looked burly. Still, they held proper weapons with steel blades--spears for the most part, and long knives.

The village was laid out in a circle for the most part. The thatched, rounded cottages were of varying sizes, but the smallest seemed to be about 10 feet high and probably about that large in diameter. Here and there wooden posts had been hammered into the ground to make rough fences, mostly for keeping in livestock--though it seemed only a few chicken-like creatures were currently poking about their enclosures. One pen a little further around the village from where Ed and Asteria creeped looked like it had been trampled recently--it was broken open and a few things that looked like tools and scraps of cloth were scattered about.

The wooden shed was a simple A-frame hut, with no walls. Its roof was made of thatched grass, and on each side reached all the way down to the ground. Its triangular shape, open at both ends, gave it the appearance of a tent. Inside, there were several stacks of firewood. They had been cut and stacked in a square fashion, each layer perpendicular to the other, so that they would dry out more efficiently and bugs or rot wouldn't get in between the logs. There were also several large clay jars, a few with lids, and some woven grass baskets. Up on a wooden shelf made from lashed sticks, there were a few rolls of something colored pale beige...it wasn't paper, but something thicker.

Ed and Asteria were able to creep up under the lip of the shed, and it seemed no one at all had noticed them...would they continue to investigate the village and try to learn more about these people? Would they attempt to steal some of these items and then head back to the burrow?

As they considered this, more villagers began to leave their huts. Several of these were women, and their style of dress was similar to the men save that they only wore dresses and skirts, no pants. They did, however, wear jewelry that looked to be made of woven flowers...and bits of bone that clattered and jangled. None of them carried any weapons either, but some had primitive brooms or other such tools.

One elderly woman with a pudgy build walked to the center of the village. Here a large dirt circle of some kind had been designated, and built upon a mound of packed earth. The circle's border was marked by thick woven rope, far too big to serve any practical purpose tying things down, so it must have been made specifically to mark out this circle for some reason. On four sides of the circle, forming the corners of a square that fit the ring in that mathematically perfect way, were small structures that seemed like shrines or displays of some kind. The pudgy woman walked around these four objects, chanting something in a low voice.

Smoke began to curl towards the sky as fires were lit, both inside and out of the houses. Fires would mean that wood was needed...But if they were getting ready to cook, that would mean food might appear soon as well...

---

You used Monster Analysis II! You used Magic Analysis I!
Slimes are amorphous creatures more similar to undeveloped egg yolks, yet they are able to move on their own and digest prey. Their bodies are highly resistant to physical damage and malleable. Slimes can sometimes store objects inside themselves or change the shapes of their bodies. When they become too large, they reproduce by division. Slimes usually do not have any magical abilities. This Slime has much lower MP than you do and no magical skills. Its MP is currently being drained by Jason...
--Note--
As a Spirit-class Monster, Jason is consuming the soul of this creature and its magical power. Without this sustenance, most Spirit-class creatures quickly pass on.
---Analysis Complete!---

You used Plant Analysis I!
---Kao Tree---
A hardwood tree common all over the world within the temperate ranges. They produce a woody nut that is somewhat edible, though it requires processing and has low nutritional value. When dried and treated the wood is very sturdy, so it is commonly used as building and crafting material. The leaves and bark of this tree contains a sort of acid that isn't harmful to most creatures, but simply deters some kinds of predators.
---Analysis Complete!---

After finally finding a safe place to settle for the night, Jason and Danny were able to get some much needed rest. Though Jason couldn't really sleep, once there were no more threats he was able to deeply submerge himself into meditation. The "trance" of sorts let him pass the time almost as if he were asleep, with just the barest sensation of awareness. There was, at different times, something unusual...a growing and sudden sense of dread? The feeling of something pressing in all around him? A pulling sensation, or a dull roaring sound? Whenever he sunk into trance and his "awareness" grew dark, he somehow knew...that black, monochrome, empty world of the void was still waiting for him. The first chance it got, it would take him back...

[[Ghost Party now enters Day 5]]

Morning came. The black slime corpse had deflated, and it looked like its own digestive juices were eating at the membrane of its body. Trying to pick it up from the bottom of the tree hollow would probaby be like trying to handle a very fragile water balloon...filled with acid. Other than that, nothing had changed for the Poltergeist and Ectoslime's little camp. The trees rustled in a gentle morning breeze. The dew glistened and dripped from leaves and branches alike. The soft, misty blue hues of early dawn brought with them a slight chill.

Jason was brought out of his last trance by an odd prickling sensation all over his body. It was like when a limb had gone to sleep, and the "static" and numbness had reached that uncomfortable point. But it was all over him, no matter what form his mist took or what he was "touching..." Right now it wasn't painful, but...was it him, or was his Mana depleting just a point or two faster? Nonetheless, he had filled himself to the brim and then some over the night, so right now it wasn't really a problem for him.

Danny
Your Stamina is Full.
Your HP is Full.
Your MP is Full.
You are Famished.
You are Thirsty.

Jason
Your MP is Overfull. Mana Density has increased.
Your Mana Burn has subsided. Natural Mana Regeneration returns to Normal Levels.
Your MP is being affected by environmental factors.
You experienced a Fast Rate of Skill Progression.

A sound would immediately draw attention in the quiet forest morning. Something had come along and started to dig around the roots of the hollow tree. It was...a bug of some kind? A big black beetle, with snapping mandibles...but it looked like it had been injured recently. One of its legs dragged, and the shell over its wings was cracked. Jason could see its soul, smaller than that of the Dire Rat or the Slime...yet there was also an outline of sorts around it, as if the gray light was inside a soap bubble. As it began to chew on one of the tree roots, tearing away the bark with its mandibles, the gray light flickered like a candle and grew a little bigger within the bubble...

@Guy0fV4lor@Zeroth
Satisfied to know that the slime probably didn't have any diseases and the tree would keep most hunting monsters away, Danny slept more peacefully than he had expected to outside the cave. For some reason though he dreamt about armored mice boarding up a disused mouse-hole to keep the cat from getting in.

When he woke up the first thing he noticed was how hungry he was, the second was the noise of something digging around. He dismissed it as his imagination since the Kao Tree was supposed to keep monsters away, until he remembered it only worked on some predators and that even herbivores back on Earth were still dangerous.

Danny peeked outside, careful not to step in the Slime's corpse and saw a black beetle. Instead of straight up attacking he analyzed it first but prepared a Mana Orb II in case it didn't have any resistance to magic and wasn't likely to explode, after all he might be able to make something from its exoskeleton and he had no idea if Jason had any plans to attack it.

---

@Zeroth@Duthguy

Despite the fact that he and Danny had been safe throughout the night, Jason couldn't shake the feeling that there was something lurking in these woods... Something big, with a presence that could shake the world of the living, and the dead.... It couldn't be JUST the void's pull, could it?

Jason
Your MP is Overfull. Mana Density has increased.
Your Mana Burn has subsided. Natural Mana Regeneration returns to Normal Levels.
Your MP is being affected by environmental factors.
You experienced a Fast Rate of Skill Progression.

Mana density? What was that? Did it have something to do with the potency of his magic, or presence in the world of the living?
"System-- Display skill list, and explain Mana Density." Jason commanded the ever present force thats seemed to keep track of this world. The prickling sensation and increased mana drain, if Jason had to guess, was likely due to ambient sunlight; which would explain why most undead don't function during the day. Before he could contemplate any more, a big black beetle, with snapping mandibles had come along and started to dig around the roots of the hollow tree. It was clearly injured, and seemed to be eating in order to nurse its wounds, and seemingly regenerate mana by eating part of this tree; which seemed to have magical properties. The fact that the bug's soul; small as it may be-- was contained in some form of bubble, suggested that its soul had some sort of protection, unlike the slime he had devoured the night before. Shaping a pseudopod into a needle, Jason guided his mana into filling the shape as he darted to absorb the beetle's soul!!! "I. AM. JASON!" he roared as his needle entered the beetle, poised to pop the bubble and absorb the soul using [Mana Drain].

---

"Okay, Sacred Ground and Earth Vein don't mix at the same time. Good to know." Digbie stayed on the ground a few more seconds as the battle progressed a little more before he rose back to his feet, looking at the updated conditions of the fight. The Slime seemed to be retreating with Torrent in it's grasp, but he also seemed to be looking very worse for wear. It was fairly unlikely he'd be able to withstand a few more attacks, if any at all, so Digbie was getting a little excited. They'd be able to stop fighting in just a little more time!

Though, he wasn't gonna let the monster get away with Torrent, that's for sure. Digbie channeled a spell in his hands, his tattoos glowing blue as he did so, while he looked over at the rest of the party. It seemed like he was the second to act at the moment, though he certainly did note Ash using magic for once, and it looked like she was casting it onto Torrent. He wasn't sure if she had access to {Shield}, but in the case it was something different, Digbie wanted to see what it was. Without much doubt, he used {Magic Analysis} on Ash's spell while running forward to clear a little more distance.

Once he got a few more feet up, Digbie unleashed his spell with an accompanying incantation, using {Spell Chant} as a result. "My will shall be made real, and shall keep you from taking Torrent! Earth Wall!!! If it was even possible, Digbie tried to add on some power from his {Fortify} ability onto his {Earth Wall}. With any luck, this Slime wouldn't be leaving this area anytime soon.

After his spell was cast, Digbie rolled backwards and returned to being splayed onto the ground. "Guys, Earth Vein is ridiculous when you're like this! I'm getting a TON of Mana Regen!"

---

Blood showered down on him as he went up into the meat of its body, but he failed to pierce the skull from below. Still he absorbed the blood as it ran over him, making his body redden further. He knew this would help with his thirst, but he knew the group would have to find a source of water eventually. Especially for Ardur and Steve.

Speaking of Ardur, he dropped from the sky like a rocket and destroyed the deer spinal column. It dropped and had its death-throes before going still soon enough. It didn't take long for Mother to go and engulf an entire leg up to its shoulder. "Don't forget to share, Mother." Asura said as he reverted to his blob-like form. One pseudopod extended and he changed it to look like an Axe Head. He tried to make the edge hard so it can cut easier before he brought it down on the mammals neck to take its head off.

It wouldn't come off in one strike, his young body didn't have that kind of strength. He kept at it until he dislodged its head before turning his attention to Ardur. "If you need a blade let me know. I can make myself sharp but not like a razor." He said to the buff being. With his piece said he started to insert himself up into the chunk of neck and skull of the deer. Being as meticulous as he possibly could, wrapping himself around tendons and muscles, filling the largest veins, before trying to make the jaw move. Baby steps unlike his first attempt at a body suit. While he was at it he pulled all the blood from head and devoured the soft brain and eyeballs. It'd rot slower without blood, but eyeballs and brain were pure protein and cholesterol. Both insanely good for someone growing.

With a snort, Orchid just watched as the goblins beat the dead badger and celebrated their victory. She didn’t care for it though. For them this was a major accomplishment. For her this was just another battle out of many more. Once they scattered she went about skinning the hide and plate and butchering the beast for meat and bones. Compared to the hex cat this badger was a bounty of raw materials. Maybe if she could get her troops to improve, she might actually be able to hunt down more beasts like this.

And just as she thought about that she leveled up. And to her surprise, so did the others. It made some sense; surely Crispy and Rattleskull evolved in a similar way to her. By allowing her troops to grow stronger they too would evolve and gain more skill. But this also meant Orchid needed to carefully hone their expertise. No need to let them waste their potential on useless skills. Though she wasn’t sure if they had the same interface as she did. After she finished peeling the badger of flesh she turned to the goblins.

”OI! Quit hollaring! So you all got stronger. What of it? We still gots lots of work to do if we wanna survive out here. Hunters, make sure you get skills that’ll help you fight. I’m sure some of you might be tempted to pick something like smash or slash, but if you can get something that’ll help you throw or shoot. Being goblins, the chances of us surviving a fight against a big monster ain’t big, even if we’re working together. Better that we can hit em hard from afar.”

Then Orchid dragged the remains of the corpse near the flame, taking a few of the smaller sticks they had gathered to skewer the meat. She didn’t just choose meat from the badger, but also organs like the liver and kidneys. Full of fat, good for getting some meat on these scrawny goblins. She chopped up the heart too, and emptied out the stomach to stuff it with berries. Finally she cooked them by the fire.

”Crafters need crafting skills of course. And learn more about what you’re working with, whether it’s plants or monsters or what. And gatherers need similar skills, maybe something that’ll also help you move faster or stronger so you can carry more stuff. If you can learn magic then do it.” Orchid lifted her hand and summoned a small orb of fire before she dismissed it harmlessly. ”More firepower we got, the better.”

As for herself Orchid decided to try and gather some new skills. One point into Warcry, two points into Fire Resistance, three into Defender. With her last four points she was debating if she should get another new skill or increasing her charisma. If she was really going to stick with the goblin party she would need to be able to sway them more easily. Then again there were plenty of other skills she wanted to raise too, though she felt maybe she could raise them with practice. ”Charisma it is. So Warcry I, Fire Resistance 1, Defender 1, and Charisma 2.” She wondered if she could somehow get information about these skills before she simply choose them and turned to the others.

”Didn’t get much done as far as weapon crafting. Fuck, took us the whole damn day just to make some goddamn rope and one spiked club. I can’t be da only one crafting if we wanna raid the farm with more than just twigs and bushes. Wej! Crispy! Tomorrow we’re gonna focus on making shit for the tribe. Ready or not we’re gunna attack the farm at night, when they least expect it. Hunters, make sure you get us food and learn how ta hit hard with whatever ya got. Gatherers, get rocks and sticks wherever you can. But for now, we eat!” Orchid proudly displays the badger kebabs. They weren’t anything too fancy, but a step up from eating raw fruit and meat.

”After we done eating we’ll go to sleep. Biggs, you got first watch. Den Sqwal. Third will be Wej, den wake me up so I can get the day started for us.”

Ardur The Mighty Hipixie

Food? > Lots of Food /// Adventuring day 5 // Morning / Location - Small burrow > just outside the burrow

Ardur didn’t hesitate with his strike from above. The deer was suffering now and its noises could attract more dangerous things. Finishing it quickly was the preferable choice. He felt his strike hit home and with a satisfying if not unnerving pop and crunch the Deer stiffened for a moment with its final death throws before going still.

The high pixie rolled off to the side of the beast into a crouch with the force of his momentum. It was obvious now that he could let his guard down, as the animal was clearly dead. Mother slime and Steve were quick to claim their prize, with Steve taking a front leg and mother slime a back one. Ardur began to make his way up to the charred carcass of the beetle from the night before and drug its exoskeleton back down from the burrow and to the deer.

"If you need a blade let me know. I can make myself sharp but not like a razor." Asura said while trying to take the deer’s head off.

He paused for a moment, taking a breather to look at their kill and then all of them quietly. He was glad he stayed with Asura, a man of few words that simply acted instead of talked with no hint of treachery in his words or actions. He liked that about him, for now it seemed they had similar goals, to be stronger and survive what more could one ask for? Then there was Mother Slime, he remembered saving her a few times now. The lovable oaf of the group who was a much-needed comic relief with the stress of this new world and new surroundings. Then the ever-adorable Steve, always willing to help without ever sensing that she didn’t want too. A good friend indeed, like a dog with more personality.

With a content sigh Ardur looked to Asura with a smile and stepped up to him, “well if you don’t mind trying to cut the legs off for these two will help them eat faster. I do want some of the ligaments from the other two legs to try to get this beetle armor working. But if you get the head I call dibs on the heart.” Still smiling Ardur knelt town and touched the slime casting Minor Healing I on him. He was slammed against the tree earlier.

Stepping back to the beetle and tearing one of its mandibles free with some difficulty, the high pixie began diligently scraping the belly of the deer from the ribcage down towards its hip with the mandible until it cut open the skin. He then began to pull the intestines and organs out of the beast the wet hot smell of what he could only describe as strong wet dog made him grimace for a moment but he pushed on. Pulling out what looked like the liver and cutting it free from the chest cavity and tossing it toward Asura, “I think that’s the liver. Plenty of nutrients there.” He never found a taste for liver, it was always too dry and the texture was almost pasty with a strong iron taste.

Finally, he found what he was looking for, an organ nestled between the lungs towards its chest. The heart was bigger than his hand and he could barely reach it as he cut it free with the mandible. Pulling his hands out of the beast, his arms stained red past his elbows. Ardur looked at the heart in his hands and turned away from the others taking a few steps into the sunlight. Taking a moment to drink some of the blood from the heart and trying not to gag because of the warmth. It was not the first time he drank the blood of another creature in this world but it was still weird.

Stretching his arms toward the sky, blood dripping down his arms, he spoke, “An offering to those that helped us. To those who we met and are now gone, to those who made us stronger and survive, to those that watch over us, I praise. For the protector, who helped us defend our home from the unknown. For the king, who helped us lead and work together. For the mother, who has rewarded us with a fine gift. I praise you and offer this sacrifice. The heart of the beast, may you take its strength and let it join you to find peace.” With this, he focused on his hands and cast Fireball I without the intention of letting it fly but simply to burn the offering in a sort of ritual sacrifice.

@Zeroth
@Kazemitsu

---

Sneaking into the village was easy enough while the people were still waking up and the guards were still tired from the night watch. Coming closer to the village, Ed saw the tribal like clothing the villagers wore and gave him the idea of the native american get up he saw that time he and his family went on a road trip when he was still young...well sans the feather head dressings. Though what really caught the attention of the young ratman was the weapons they wielded. Even from the distance, the keen edges and sharp points were intimidating to look at. It gave him the impression that if he were to encounter one of them in combat, he would be better off quickly hauling his furry butt the hell away from the fight. None the less he kept himself hidden from sight, but gave [Monster Analysis I] another shot as he quickly activated the skill to scan and obtain some general information regarding the regular guards and the one that was not dressed like the others.

As the two progressed further into the village, the animal holding pens were the next thing that caught his attention. Even more so when he saw a few chicken-like critters poking their heads out. Oh how much he wanted to go there and pet the feathery fowl and get some eggs for breakfast while he was at it. Ed had to actively look further beyond the normal enclosures to see that there was one that looked recently ransacked by someone or something further away...but there were more pressing matters at hand and the enclosure in question was out of the way, thus the investigation of the enclosure as well as the petting of the fowls was put on hold until further notice.

After a few short moments of sneaking about, they were finally approaching the small shed. Once there, the ratman peeked in and saw some of the contents of the small A frame shed. The jars and baskets were of key interest and he couldn't help but be curious as to what was contained within. "Hmm...maybe they have some more goodies hidden away here or possibly even some booze if we are lucky." Ed chuckled to himself lightly as he approached each jar and basket and looked in at the contents while more of villagers woke up and prepared for the day ahead. Noticing this he quickly placed back whatever he touched and looks down towards Asteria. "I'm not too keen on stealing...but this is for survival. So tell me what stuff you want me to get before we get out while they are still none the wiser?"

The Giant Slime screeched in pain and began to retreat, unfortunately taking Torrent with it; the Lesser Wurm was stuck to the Slime’s membrane, carried along as the ball of goop rolled away from them as fast as it could.

Oberon’s first reaction was the attack it again, to prevent it from leaving with his ally, but he couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t hit Torrent by mistake; he hesitated and the Slime continued to flee. Ash reacted first, casting the Minor Heal spell she had learned last night on the Wurm before firing another glob of poison after the Slime. Digbie reacted next, placing both hands on the ground and casting a spell which raised a wall of earth up out of the ground to block the Slime’s path.

That left him to help finish things off. His last attack had been effective, his fiery projectile piercing his target slightly before detonating and boiling the Slime from the inside out, causing it to finally give up the fight and try to run; it hadn’t penetrated as deeply as he expected a Mana Dart to however, either because the spell was incomplete or because fire was less suited to the task than non-elemental Mana was. Nonetheless, if he hit the Slime like that again he felt like he could end this fight.

The Sprite formed another Fireball in his hands, again shaping it into a long and narrow dart using Mana Shape and compressing it down to make it more solid and better able to stab into the Slime. This time he went even further, squeezing the flames even tighter together, trying to make the dart needle thin at its tip, or as close as he could before it fell apart at least. When he was satisfied that he had done as much as he could he launched the dart at the Slime again, aiming once more for the Slime’s centre of mass as he sought to throw his spell right into the heart of the creature.

---

Torrent was mildly dazed by the repeated hits, mildly annoyed that this thing was still alive, and tremendously pissed when it decided to roll on top of her and then try to cart her away.

No! Fuck you! You don't get to just do that, you filthy piece of shit!

The anger - no the rage - bubbled up within her as she struggled to catch her bearings while she watched trees, ground, the others, trees, ground....

She was mildly dizzy at this point, and her temper had had enough.

She had had enough.

She concentrated as best as she could with the constant rolling, focusing on that fiery emotion within her, and bringing it to the surface. As she began to feel hot she hissed. She couldn't hit the thing directly, not with this rolling and being unable to turn her head properly, but she didn't need to.

"FUCK YOU! Fucking burn you piece of shit!" she screamed, commanded really, as she let her rage explode with fire magic. Like with the plant she pushed out from within her very core outward with the flames and power, shoving as much mana into it as she could muster before it broke free.

---

---

Asteria snuck into the village alongside Ed, observing the humans. They all wore primitive clothing, the most advanced items they possessed being their weapons, in some cases leather items, and one male that might be the leader with a fancier tunic. The outlay of the village was simple, laid out in a rough circle, huts and pens littering the place. One of the pens was broken open, scraps of cloth and several tools laying around. Asteria sharpened her gaze, on the lookout for anything sharp; a knife would be preferable but in the end any tool they could make an use of would be something she’d want to steal. One the way to the shed, she used Monster analysis II on one chickens. And once they were under the triangular-shaped construction, she carefully examined all the items. To answer Ed, she put a paw on him, and communicated mentally. “Basket. Lidded jar. Scroll. Tools from the pen. Hide.” She helped him collect the items she’d requested, stashing the jar and possibly leather-scroll into it, then she nudged him, indicating they should sneak quickly to the pen to take one or two tools with them. The humans would soon approach the shed, so they’d need to hide behind something or move away, though carrying the items they did was a detriment for both stealth and speed. However, the last thing they needed was for the people to discover them.

You used Magic Analysis I!
---Minor Heal I---
The most basic of healing spells. In most cases, only surface level wounds are affected. Cannot cure diseases. May even accelerate certain conditions not healed by the body's natural recovery. Cast upon a single target within eyesight.
---Analysis Complete!---

As Digbie analyzed Ash's spell, the Pygmy Drake sent forth the healing energies to Torrent. Somehow they found the Lesserwurm despite her constant movement as the Giant Slime rolled, and the System informed her that her HP had fully recovered--at least until the next rotation. Oberon began to channel his Mana, again shaping a Fireball into something more like an arrow or javelin, but in the time it took him to do this Digbie ran towards a higher vantage point and Torrent made her own move. Again the Fireball blossomed into being--around the reptile's body. She pushed and it expanded, but the Fireball was already in contact with the Giant Slime. As Torrent went around one more time there was a WHUMPH underneath the slime, and the blast threw it off balance. It lurched to one side, just as Digbie's Earth Wall sprang up to stop it cold.

Almost simultaneously, Ash and Oberon let loose their attacks. Venom and flame pierced the gelatinous membrane--luckily missing Torrent--and the creature let out one last screech as its acidic innards leaked from the piercings like blood. The Giant Slime "let go" of Torrent, as its entire membrane began to lose cohesion. It began to deflate with a sizzling sound, its color growing dull and dead just like autumn leaves...

Skill Rank Up: Sacred Ground I (1.9) > Sacred Ground II (2.1)!
HP Recovery Speed increased. Enemy Damage Resistance Increased. This skill now also slightly boosts resistances to Status Effects.

LEVEL UP! Your combined experiences have culminated in new power! You are now Level 8! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you like!

Unspent Skill Points: 10

Current Skills:
**Use Light Equipment (--)
Tremor Sense III (3.2125)
-Soil Manipulation II (2.8)
Stone Shot II (2.0)
Taboo I (1.0)
*Stronger I (1.5)
**Sacred Ground II (2.1)
Rock Spire II (2.2)
Earth Affinity I (1.3)
Meditate I (1.5)
Earth Vein II (2.25)
-Spell Chant I (1.025)
Monster Analysis I (1.075)
Material Analysis I (1.125)
Plant Analysis I (1.1025)
*Mental Resistance I (1.0)
Fortify I (1.1)
*Mana Orb (1.5)
**Shield II (2.25)
Overwork I (1.75)
Mana Affinity I (1.0)
Magic Analysis (1.275)
Analysis (--)
**Earth Wall I (1.8)
<UNUSABLE>
Quake (0.5)
Crafting (0.5)
*Point Strike (0.6)
*Smash (0.6)
Throw Item (0.2)
Charisma (0.1)
*Mana Strike (0.3)
Focus (0.1)
Stone Fist (0.6)
*Stone Breaker (0.2)
Intimidate (0.2)
-Scribe (0.2)
*Fire Resistance (0.3)
Demon Affinity (0.25)
Underground Movement (0.5)
Guidance (0.8)
**Use Medium Equipment (0.1)
*Minor Heal (0.4)
Faster (0.1)
Alert (0.1)
Dual Cast (0.1)

LEVEL UP! Your combined experiences have culminated in new power! You are now Level 8! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you like!

Unspent Skill Points: 12

Current Skills:
Minor Heal III (3.0)
Lesser Flight II (2.65)
Shield IV (4.02)
Magic Analysis IV (4.27)
Mana Orb II (2.55)
Mana Shape II (2.75)
Lesser Status Heal (1.2)
Mana Dart I (1.55)
Alert I (1.65)
Monster Analysis II (2.5)
Meditation III (3.07625)
Light Ring I (1.25)
Gather Light I (1.75)
Fireball I (1.7)
Plant Analysis I (1.0)
Material Analysis I (1.0)
Sacred Ground I (1.0)
Mana Slice I (1.05)
Overwork I (1.75)
Keen Sight (1.1)
Minor Heal All I (1.0)
Spiritual Awareness I (1.0)
Minor Regeneration I (1.0)
Spell Chant I (1.1)
Focus I (1.1)
Mental Resistance II (2.25)
Sensory Resistance I (1.0)
<UNUSABLE>
Wall (0.6)
Faster (0.5)
Charisma (0.9)
Light Affinity (0.8)
Fire Resistance (0.2)
Spell Cancel (0.1)
Mana Puppet (0.5)
Earth Wall (0.1)
Aqua Sphere (0.3)
Mana Drain (0.1)
Wind Break (0.1)
Flame Lance (0.6)

---

With the Bowhorn Deer slain, the party began to divide the spoils. Momma Slime slowly ate her way through the connection of its back leg while Steve injected her webbed portion with her spider-venom. It wouldn't spread to the rest of the body, since the creature's heart was no longer beating, but its purpose wasn't really to poison the meat anyway. It would break down the proteins and reduce the flesh to a type of mush, which the arachnid's mouth parts could then slurp out through the holes her fangs made in the webbing. When Asura began chopping off the head, however, Steve shrank back to a safe distance and tilted her head. Momma Slime had weakened the back leg enough that she began to pull it the rest of the way off, with a loud meaty crunch and tear. Storing the back leg inside her membrane for later, she watched as Asura finished cutting off the head then turned towards Ardur.

As Ardur healed up Asura, restoring the red slime's HP to full, Momma Slime lurched over slowly. She seemed curious, but also wary.

"Ahdoo. Wat dat? Wat do Ahsoowa?" the monster asked the Hipixie while he began to carve the deer with a broken mandible from the Flak Beetle. It was rather hard to do--the mandible was sharp, but also brittle and not really designed for this kind of work. He would have to small cuts over and over again, "digging" deeper into the hide and meat before he could make any real headway.

If the fairy chose to explain his spell, while he was doing that Momma Slime took the opportunity to quickly grab whatever intestines and other organs he removed from the deer. She didn't seem disturbed by the smell and if she could taste anything within the offal it didn't seem to bother her. Steve went back to her poison leg "smoothie" while Asura began forcing himself into the Bowhorn's skull.

The Amorphous Slime's liquid body made use of his Limited Shapeshift skill much more fluidly than he had before, when he tried to use a Dire Rat's corpse as a hiding place. Surrounding tendons and muscle, working his way between flesh and bone, his body itself almost became a mold for the material under the deer's hide and allowed him to better understand its structure. He stuck himself to the severed ends of every blood vessel and began to drain it all out--the innards of the deer shrank as they were emptied out completely. Red flesh became a much lighter pink, and the hide just below the fur began to sag. But what Asura had taken in he replaced with himself. The head filled out again, even bulging in places as he worked his way in. But even with Limited Shapeshift increased in rank compared to his previous attempt, he just wasn't able to force all the mass of his body into such a limited space. The smaller veins and capillaries would simply burst. He was able to work extensions of himself into the major arteries though...and once he had traveled through those, reaching the brain and eyes, he ate his way through and cleared a path to the brainpan.

Pseudopods wrapped around the tendons of the jaw like rubber coating on copper wires. Muscles couldn't push, they always had to pull. They had to be anchored on the bones. And when one set of muscles pulled, the opposing set had to relax...

Skill Gain: Slime Shell I (0.7) > (1.0)!
A skill Unique to Slimes that have gained a shapeshifting skill. By forming themselves into an appropriate shape, they can infiltrate some of the oddest objects and use them to protect themselves. Much like a species of crab may force a mollusk out of the shell, then use it for itself. As this skill increases in Rank, the complexity of the shell and the strength of the Slime's bond to it grows. Currently, you may have only one Shell of relatively simple design. You possess the skill Cling I--the strength of your shell's bond is boosted.

Slime Shell Acquired: Bowhorn Skull
The decapitated head of a Bowhorn Deer. It has one remaining joint: Jaw. Operation of this joint is not fully functional at this Rank, it grants no Sub-Stat Enhancements. This Shell has not been fully bonded; you feel tougher when wearing it but it is slowing you down. Fully bond the Shell to remove Negative Sub-Stat Enhancements and increase the effectiveness of positive Enhancements.

Ardur tossed Asura the liver of the deer just as he was figuring out his new skill. If Asura watched, he would join Momma Slime and Steve as witnesses to a gruesome scene. Ardur cut out the deer's heart, an organ almost as big as the Hipixie's own head. In imitation of some grisly ritual, he drank its blood and held it up to the sky as he began to pray...

"“An offering to those that helped us. To those who we met and are now gone, to those who made us stronger and survive, to those that watch over us, I praise." Somehow the silence seemed deafening. Like when one tries to speak in a crowded room, yet for some reason all conversation suddenly stops the moment they begin to shout over the volume. "For the protector, who helped us defend our home from the unknown." The blue light of dawn was fading. The sun rose, and its rays spilled over them as they stood around the corpse whose heart Ardur held aloft. "For the king, who helped us lead and work together." The warmth of these new yellow and red rays tickled the skin. A southerly breeze began to blow. "For the mother, who has rewarded us with a fine gift." A stray cloud, blown by the wind, passed over the sun. But soon it had moved on, so the light merely blinked for a short moment. "I praise you and offer this sacrifice. The heart of the beast, may you take its strength and let it join you to find peace.”

The wind picked up. The cloud was driven further away. The sun's light seemed brighter in the now-clear blue sky. Ardur focused on his hands and cast Fireball I without the intention of letting it fly but simply to burn the offering in a sort of ritual sacrifice. The heart, being fresh and full of fluid, steamed and sizzled as it began to char and blacken. The smell was like cooking pork, and it began to drift up on thick smoke. The breeze carried it southward, a trail of succulent scent. The morning light was now catching the snowdrifts atop those high mountains, reflecting in some places along the western slopes like glittering gemstones. But these gems were set high, high atop the mountains, in the snows that ringed their peaks...like crowns of wrought ivory reflecting a fiery light. And like the wind, the sunlight's refraction seemed to bounce away among the rocks and crags to the south...

---

You used Monster Analysis I!
---Adult Male Human ???---
Humans are not technically considered Monsters. They are of the Enlightened Races. Nonetheless they are an advanced race with civilization, history, culture. WARNING: DANGEROUS!
---Adult Male Human ???---
Humans are not technically considered Monsters. They are of the Enlightened Races, considered truly sentient. Nonetheless they are an advanced race with a fully functioning civilization, a varied history, and distinct cultures. WARNING: DANGEROUS!
---Analysis Complete!---

You used Monster Analysis II!
---Cluckel---
An interesting example of a Monstrous Beast that has been Domesticated, and thus degraded somewhat to a more Mundane creature. Some say that Cluckel's primitive ancestors were actually related to the Cockatrice or even other Avian-class Monsters like Rocs. In truth, this could be the case for either ancestor depending on what subspecies of Cluckel one is talking about. Humans raise Cluckels for their feathers, their meat, and their eggs.
---Analysis Complete!---

As the rats searched the woodshed, they would find a few items left here for the sake of storage, but nothing incredibly valuable...well, unless they could make something of it for themselves, perhaps. Ed found a small wooden box on top of one of the jars that contained a piece of flint and a piece of steel, as well as some woodchips and grass--a flint and tinder box. And he also found a weapon, perhaps intended as a spare or in case someone was out at the shed at night and suddenly got attacked. It was about four feet long, made of hard wood, and while the first half of its length had been sanded down smooth and wrapped with leather strips, the latter half remained about as big around as a baseball bat and had been studded here and there with bits of metal. The Greatclub actually wasn't too heavy for Ed to be able to lift...but given its length compared to his height, even with his enhanced strength stats he just couldn't seem to hold it well enough to actually use it. Would he leave it, or risk dragging it with him if it meant possibly learning to use it later?

Asteria got luckier, as the jar she grabbed and stuffed the scroll into also seemed to have something else already in it. What was more, the scroll wasn't a scroll of parchment--it was a tanned leather hide that hadn't yet been put to some sort of use. The material seemed relatively freshly dried, so it was still quite flexible, but hard and thick enough to serve any purpose that leather could be put to--so long as there was enough of it for the given task. The other items in the jar were some kind of antler or horn from some creature--it was an unusually vivid purple color, and Asteria's nose picked up an unpleasant odor not unlike the Fanged Lizards from the cave. There was also what looked to be an actual dried eyeball of some kind...or maybe it was a bead, given how it rolled and rattled inside the jar. They might have to examine these objects more closely to really understand what they were...but for now, they wanted to move.

Asteria wanted to find some sharp tools if possible, but as the rats prepared to grab their loot and go, it looked like one of the guards was coming too close to the destroyed pen to risk it. That pen was also further inside the village as well, in plain view from several huts, so right now it wouldn't be prudent to risk it. Here inside the shed, only one tool could be found besides that Greatclub Ed had found.

It was a small hatchet, even smaller than what one usually thinks of when they think of a small one handed axe used for wood cutting. Maybe its shaft had broken off at some point, or maybe it was only meant to split really small wood for kindling. But even a human child could have easily handled it. Its head was made of stone, however, and not iron--it would be somewhat heavy.

If they left immediately they could probably make it out unseen, the same way they had come in--but would they take everything and risk being slowed down? Or would they quickly select the most valuable items? The lightest? The ones that would make the least noise? They had only moments--!

---

Physical Damage Resistance I (1.0)(0.1)
Warcry II (2.175)(0.1)
Stone Shot II (2.6625)(0.1)
Rock Spire II (2.075)(0.1)
Tremor Sense II (2.425)(0.2)
Soil Manipulation I (1.15)(0.2)
Telepathy II (2.725)(0.5)
Material Analysis I (1.2)(0.1)
Magic Analysis I (1.55)(0.4)
Monster Analysis I (1.55)(0.2)
Mental Resistance I (1.55)(0.4)
Charisma I (1.15)(0.1)
Focus I (1.3)(0.5)
Limited Shapeshift I (1.6)(0.3)
Mind Wave I (1.2)(0.2)
Spell Chant I (1.3)(0.3)
Bounce I (1.15)(0.1)
Faster I (1.05)(0.1)
Blunt Resistance I (1.0)(0.1)
Spiritual Awareness I (1.75)
Transparency I (1.25)
Taboo I (1.9)
Levitate (--)
Guidance I (1.15)
Mana Drain I (1.45)
Meditate I (1.6)
<UNUSABLE>
Earth Affinity (0.7) <CANNOT BE INCREASED BY SKILL POINTS>
Wave Shock (0.1)
Swift Swimmer (0.1) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Aqua Sphere (0.7)
Alert (0.1)
Smash (0.5) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Cleave (0.3) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Blood Drain (0.7)
Muffle (0.1)
Crafting (0.3) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Magic Resistance (0.7)
Agriculture (0.3)
Plant Analysis (0.3)
Acid Spit (0.5) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Fire Resistance (0.4)
Fortify (0.2)
Sensory Resistance (0.45)
Mana Orb (0.7)
Shield (0.5)
Alchemy (0.4)
Air Read (0.4)
Keen Sight (0.2)
Point Strike (0.2) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Doze (0.1)
Acid Resistance (0.1)
Rabid Fit (0.3)
Pierce Resistance (0.8)
Lesser Cleanse (0.2)
Dextrous (0.2)
Quicken (0.3)
Earth Wall (0.1)
Stone Breaker (0.1) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Iron Gullet (0.1) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Slash Resistance (0.2)
Earth Vein (0.5)<UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Mana Sense (0.8)
Mana Shape (0.2)
Possession (0.35)
Lesser Force (0.1)
Spell Cancel (0.1)
Curse Word (0.1)

Mana Density: The degree of compactness of a given amount of magical energy in a container of a given size.

As Jason lunged at the beetle, upon thrusting his essence into its body and seizing hold of the soul inside he found that the "bubble" didn't pop. Rather, he felt it as if he were holding onto a water balloon only partially filled. The gray light within the beetle surged as it seemed to detect that something was attacking it--without knowing, without seeing, the insect began to buzz angrily and tried to open its wings. Danny, from his perch on the tree, could see a soft blue glow coming from underneath the creature's abdomen. He prepared a Mana Orb, and the projectile crackled with more powerful surges of magic with its second rank. The beetle looked up and suddenly paused, as if it had just realized Danny was even there.

Jason's misty pseudopod fully engulfed the beetle's soul. Its memories flooded him--

A worm, digging in the dark and the wet. The sun, bright and blinding. Plants, roots, life giving water...Growth. Feeling tight and restricted. Growing too big. Curling up. The skin hardened. Organs liquified. Sleep. A long sleep. Cracking. Breaking free, in the dark and the wet. The sun, bright and blinding. Plants, roots, water, smaller insects. Burning inside. Using this. Attack the not-me. Eat. The pull of nature. Seeking a mate...Fighting for food. Fighting for territory. Fighting for mates. Predator. Pain. Injured. Need shelter. Need food. I am Jason.

Like the slime, this creature had no real sentience. Its intelligence was entirely limited. The experience of being this creature confused and consumed Jason, almost as if his own will had been temporarily stripped and he had been reduced to a machine that simply made conclusions from information. But ultimately, it was shallow. It could not drown him. He emerged, still himself.

But as he was draining the last of the Beetle's soul, the creature itself was not going down without a fight. Looking at Danny, the only other creature nearby and thus the only creature that might be attacking it right now, the beetle opened its mandible. Something bright and fiery burned in the depths of its mouth--so, seeing that it was about to attack, Danny would launch his own. The Mana Orb crashed into the bug's face with a bright flash. Jason "felt" its soul go limp in his grasp.

The Ectoslime devoured his next soul, and felt his mana grow. Danny watched the bug's body twitch as its mandibles cracked, and it flipped over onto its back. It seemed to instinctively curl in on itself, much like a spider, as it died.

LEVEL UP! Your combined experiences have culminated in new power! You are now Level 8! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you like!

Unspent Skill Points: 10

Current Skills:
Physical Damage Resistance I (1.0)(0.1)
Warcry II (2.175)(0.1)
Stone Shot II (2.6625)(0.1)
Rock Spire II (2.075)(0.1)
Tremor Sense II (2.425)(0.2)
Soil Manipulation I (1.15)(0.2)
Telepathy II (2.725)(0.5)
Material Analysis I (1.2)(0.1)
Magic Analysis I (1.55)(0.4)
Monster Analysis I (1.55)(0.2)
Mental Resistance I (1.55)(0.4)
Charisma I (1.15)(0.1)
Focus I (1.3)(0.5)
Limited Shapeshift I (1.6)(0.3)
Mind Wave I (1.2)(0.2)
Spell Chant I (1.3)(0.3)
Bounce I (1.15)(0.1)
Faster I (1.05)(0.1)
Blunt Resistance I (1.0)(0.1)
Spiritual Awareness I (1.75)
Transparency I (1.25)
Taboo I (1.9)
Levitate (--)
Guidance I (1.15)
Mana Drain I (1.5)
Meditate I (1.6)
<UNUSABLE>
Earth Affinity (0.7) <CANNOT BE INCREASED BY SKILL POINTS>
Wave Shock (0.1)
Swift Swimmer (0.1) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Aqua Sphere (0.7)
Alert (0.1)
Smash (0.5) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Cleave (0.3) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Blood Drain (0.7)
Muffle (0.1)
Crafting (0.3) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Magic Resistance (0.7)
Agriculture (0.3)
Plant Analysis (0.3)
Acid Spit (0.5) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Fire Resistance (0.4)
Fortify (0.2)
Sensory Resistance (0.45)
Mana Orb (0.7)
Shield (0.5)
Alchemy (0.4)
Air Read (0.4)
Keen Sight (0.2)
Point Strike (0.2) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Doze (0.1)
Acid Resistance (0.1)
Rabid Fit (0.3)
Pierce Resistance (0.8)
Lesser Cleanse (0.2)
Dextrous (0.2)
Quicken (0.3)
Earth Wall (0.1)
Stone Breaker (0.1) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Iron Gullet (0.1) <UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Slash Resistance (0.2)
Earth Vein (0.5)<UNUSABLE WITH CURRENT ABILITIES>
Mana Sense (0.8)
Mana Shape (0.2)
Possession (0.35)
Lesser Force (0.1)
Spell Cancel (0.1)
Curse Word (0.1)

LEVEL UP! Your combined experiences have culminated in new power! You are now Level 6! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you like!

Unspent Skill Points: 10

Current Skills:
Mana Orb II (2.475)
Lesser Force II (2.825)
Levitation (--)
Monster Analysis II (2.75)
Meditate I (1.4)
Mana Shape I (1.3)
Aqua Sphere I (1.2)
Magic Analysis I (1.7)
Mana Dart I (1.05)
Blunt Resistance I (1.05)
Focus I (1.0)
Faster I (1.05)
Plant Analysis I (1.05)
<UNUSABLE>
Mana Strike (0.5)
Mana Shell (0.1)
Point Strike (0.8)
Suppress Presence (0.8)
Muffle (0.7)
Spell Cancel (0.1)
Aqua Stream (0.1)
Magic Dash (0.2)
Spell Chant (0.1)
Material Analysis (0.5)
Mana Drain (0.1)
Alert (0.2)
Fire Resistance (0.1)
Charisma (0.2)
Spiritual Awareness (0.6)
Mana Vision (0.5)
Stronger (0.1)

With the Beetle dead, it seemed like nothing else was around to disturb the ghostly slime and the Poltergeist. They couldn't hear Trent chopping trees anymore...in fact, something, maybe their animalistic senses, told them that the humans probably were not nearby anymore. They knew that the goblin tribe had gone to the east--but who knew how far they had traveled by now? They might risk going back to the cave, if they wanted to try running in and out of the dungeon video-game style to see what loot or experience they could get. But they could also go west to the mountains, or east to...whatever was out there. Maybe south. Anywhere they desired, really...what were their goals, from here on out?

---

”OI! Quit hollaring! So you all got stronger. What of it? We still gots lots of work to do if we wanna survive out here. Hunters, make sure you get skills that’ll help you fight. I’m sure some of you might be tempted to pick something like smash or slash, but if you can get something that’ll help you throw or shoot. Being goblins, the chances of us surviving a fight against a big monster ain’t big, even if we’re working together. Better that we can hit em hard from afar.”

Orchid's goblins stopped celebrating as she raised her voice. And as they processed what she said, they began to look confused...all except for Crispy.

"Get skillz? How we do dat, Boss?" Bigs asked, scratching his head.

"Yeah, ya can't just pick skillz!" Wej said, nodding like someone who doesn't really know but wants to look smart anyway. "Everybody knows, skillz is da blessins from da Old Gobs! Dey just shows up when dey shows up! Is all misty-airs!"

”Crafters need crafting skills of course. And learn more about what you’re working with, whether it’s plants or monsters or what. And gatherers need similar skills, maybe something that’ll also help you move faster or stronger so you can carry more stuff. If you can learn magic then do it.”

"M-magic?" Yoona looked at Crispy, then at Orchid, then down at himself. "B-but, we can'ts do no magic! Only yous and Crispy got it, and yous da only one talked to Big Demons! Crispy just got burnt! I dun wanna get burnt!"

"OI!" Crispy broke in, shouting over the others before any more protests could be made. "Da boss means, go practice yer hurtin'! See who can make da loudest bang on da trees wif yer clubs, or who can stick the most leaves on da enda dey spear when ya stabs it! Ya buncha dums!"

Given the look on his face, the other goblins scurried away from Crispy and left Orchid to her crafting and cooking. Jezee began gathering up wood for the bush-turned-campfire, but she wouldn't go out of sight of Orchid and kept looking around the dark woods nervously. Clod sat down with his back against the tree and began examining the stone blade of his sword for any chips or cracks. If he found them, he used some of the stones that had been gathered during the trip to try and hone the edge. Sqwal had run off with Wej and Bigs, and their arguments over who was better at what could be heard by the rest of the group. Yoona helped Crispy re-apply the last of the healing herbs to his arm, solely because the other goblin ordered him to...although, Yoona seemed a little out of it. Whether he was just tired, or something had happened during the fight, he had grown sluggish and drowsy.

Tiddies sat down not far from Orchid, but also kept her back to a tree. Like Yoona, she seemed to be crashing...but she kept her eyes locked on Orchid, carefully watching what the other goblinette was doing with all the parts of the Armored Badger and the food.

Skill Rank Up: Charisma I (1.6) > II (2.0)!
Your ability to convince others has subtly increased. This Skill still won't work on those with strong Wills even if they're below your level. The effectiveness of leadership-type buff skills will be boosted by Skill Synergy.

Skill Gain: Warcry I (0.9 > 1.0)!
In the heat of battle, you can unleash an echoing roar of fury. At this rank, it might hurt someone’s ears, but its real effect is to cause enemies to focus on you for a short amount of time.

Skill Gain: Fire Resistance I (0.8 > 1.0)!
This damage resistance skill applies to both magical and natural flames, as well as higher temperatures in general. If other elemental resistances are gained, skill synergy may occur. Having this skill may make using certain types of fire magic or other fire oriented skills easier. - You possess the Hellish Fiend's Protection (Petty). Your total Fire Resistance is Rank II -

Skill Gain: Defender I (0.7 > 1.0)!
Expend Stamina to harden the muscles in the body and reduce damage taken while blocking an attack. If used with a shield or armor, the effect is boosted. If used without a solid footing, the effect is diminished.

You looted the Armored Badger!
Obtained Items:
Badger Hide (Bad Quality) x1
Tough Hide Plate (Poor Quality) x3
Fresh Badger Meat (30 pounds edible)
Fresh Badger Offal (9 pounds)
Small Monster Bones (Average) x4
Small Monster Ribcage (Average) x1
Small Monster Bone Plates (Average) x4
Small Monster Spine (Average) x1
Armored Badger Skull (Poor) x1
Armored Badger Fangs (Average) x2
Armored Badger Claws (Average) x8

You used Crafting V!
Green Switch + Fresh Badger Meat + Fresh Badger Offal + Fire
Repeat Process x9

Fresh Badger Offal + Blue Argeps + Green Argeps + Fire

You created Badger Kebabs (x9)!
Made with chopped up bits of liver, kidney, and the gamey, earthy meat of an Armored Badger roasted over an open flame and speared with a fresh green piece of wood, this is a surprisingly filling meal for such simple fare.

You created Badger Berry Tripe!
By putting fresh Argeps into an Armored Badger's stomach sac, the acidity of the berries helps tenderize the leathery membrane and their sweetness overcomes the powerful offal flavor. Once roasted over the fire, it's a chewy meal that bursts with fruity flavor in every bite!

21 pounds of Fresh Badger Meat remain.
3.5 pounds of Fresh Badger Offal remain.

The smell of cooking food soon drew the other goblins back to the fire, and several of them were yawning now as well. The sun was good and truly down now, and the stars were twinkling up above. As the goblins finally made to settle down in their little camp, Orchid spoke up again.

”Didn’t get much done as far as weapon crafting. Fuck, took us the whole damn day just to make some goddamn rope and one spiked club. I can’t be da only one crafting if we wanna raid the farm with more than just twigs and bushes. Wej! Crispy! Tomorrow we’re gonna focus on making shit for the tribe. Ready or not we’re gunna attack the farm at night, when they least expect it. Hunters, make sure you get us food and learn how ta hit hard with whatever ya got. Gatherers, get rocks and sticks wherever you can. But for now, we eat!” Orchid proudly displayed the badger kebabs. They weren’t anything too fancy, but a step up from eating raw fruit and meat. The goblins looked at them in awe for several moments before finally digging in--and once the first batch of kebabs had disappeared, everyone wanted to make their own. As most of them didn't possess Orchid's skill or "sense" for what cooked food actually was, their own attempts mostly consisted of finding a tree branch, spearing some of the badger meat or offal on it, and then holding it in the fire until they either couldn't stand the tasty smell anymore, or noticed that it was starting to turn black. The new battle cry of "HASHAFASHASASH" was heard several more times that night as the goblins tried to stuff themselves before the meat had even stopped burning. Orchid had used a good deal of the meat herself, but by the time everyone had eaten their fill only 10 pounds of Fresh Badger Meat was left, and all the Fresh Badger Offal had been eaten.

”After we done eating we’ll go to sleep. Biggs, you got first watch. Den Sqwal. Third will be Wej, den wake me up so I can get the day started for us.” Now that they were truly full and satiated, for possibly the first time in their entire lives, the goblins brooked no argument with their new boss. Even Crispy had nothing to say as he settled down on a pile of leaves, carefully adjusting his injured arm. Clod had fallen asleep before he even finished eating, his last kebab clutched tightly in his hand with only half of it bitten off. Tiddies, too, was in a deep, heavy slumber, as if she were dead. Yoona had curled up in a fetal position up under a bush, and though the ground was cool the brush kept the wind off of him and the fire's warmth was nearby.

The night passed...

[[Orchid's Tribe enters Day 5]]

"AAAAAAAAAAGH!"

The sun hadn't come up yet, everything was still blue and misty and damp and chilly. But when Orchid told Wej to wake her up, she was pretty sure she hadn't told him to do it by screaming his head off...yet here he was.

"BOSS! BOSS, BOSS, DERE'S STRANGE GOBS HERE!"

Jumping up and down and pointing, the fat goblin gestured until Orchid was on her feet. Then, holding his spear in trembling hands, he slowly edged forwards toward the tree and reached out with the butt of the weapon.

The sleeping Redcap dropped his badger kebab with a snort, and without opening his eyes groped out and pushed the spear away. Wej poked him again, and the Redcap rolled over with a grimace. A third poke provoked a snarl from the monster, and he grabbed the stone sword lying next to him and whirled. Wej squealed as his weapon was knocked from his hand, and the Redcap stood to a full height just over four feet, but fairly broad of shoulder and chest even compared to the pudgier goblin.

"WEJ YA DUM, QUIT POKIN' ME OR I'LL CUT YA HEAD OFF!"

"What's goin' on, shaddup all dat fuggin noise!" Crispy stood up, wincing as his arm throbbed after not moving all night. And behind him, two other figures jumped up on unsteady feet. They each stood at four and a half feet, and their skin was a darker shade of green. Their proportions, and their facial features, had become much more sophisticated. Their ears were still long, and they still had sharp teeth, and their noses were still thick. But their hair had grown and their bodies had developed. To someone who couldn't see skin color, they might have passed for stunted, extremely ugly, human teenagers.

"...Why errybody smalls?" asked the male, as he looked around and blinked with wide eyes--then gasped and jumped in shock when he laid eyes on the other Hobgoblin. "T-t-t-TIDDIES!?"

"Yoona, dat you? And...dat red gob over dere, dat's Clod?" Tiddies' hair, especially, had lengthened significantly and her proportions had grown more noticeably than Yoona's. They were likely the oldest goblins in the group besides Crispy, but unlike him had not transformed up until this point for some reason. As the now much more mature looking female looked over at Orchid, Tiddies seemed both confused and thoughtful. Gears were definitely turning in her head. The other goblins also turned to Orchid, but they didn't seem to know what to think at all.

---

'Dangerous? Well no shit, System.' Ed mentally remarked to the System notification that alerted him that the humans with weapons were actually a genuine threat to him if they were unfortunate enough to encounter one. None the less he took note that the second time around, Monster Analysis I gave a little bit more information than the previous. He quickly concluded and took a mental note that the skill perhaps gives more and more information the more and more he used it to scan a creature of the same species. Knowing information regarding a foe would be a great advantage. But that's for the future Ed to think about. Current Ed had to make a joint decision of which of the goodies they found would be prioritized and taken before their window of opportunity for a quiet escape closed.

Ed's findings were as follows: He found a fire starter kit sitting atop a clay jar, and a weapon that is best described to be a baseball bat's bigger and meaner cousin that hit the gym daily. Asteria's findings were marginally more successful than his. As she found: a jar with what seemed to be a smelly horn and a hard ball like thing within, a roll of treated leather, and a very short stone hatchet. All the items they found could prove be useful in their day to day survival or in the future...but it would be impossible for them to take them all without making themselves known to the villagers and drastically slowing their movement. They couldn't discuss which one would be the most beneficial to them now and in the long run. This is mostly due to time constraints to their escape and the fact that at any moment a villager may come in and be surprised to see two monsters inside of their tool shed.

Ed would have wanted to take both but it seemed difficult, if not improbable, to carry the monstrous club and the fire starter kit...so he made a compromise. Quickly snatching up the important bits of the fire starter kit, the pieces of flint and steel. Ed, just as quickly, crams the items in his mouth before grasping the great club, one hand at the tip, one at it's midsection, and his tail on the grip. It was sink or swim situation...and his Ma and Pa did not raise a quitter. A particular theme song plays in his mind as Ed psychs himself up carry the club and get the hell out of there. Hopefully by this time Asteria had also come up with a compromise herself and was prepared to make a hasty and sneaky ex-filtration from this dangerous situation.

If he manages to carry the great club and not give himself a hernia in the process, he would then activate [Muffle II] and sneak away as best as he could while carrying the club parallel to his crouched form. Keeping the heavier end under his arm and using his tail to carry the lighter end; all while using his free hand to maintain balance while crouched.

@Guy0fV4lor@Zeroth

While he couldn't be sure Danny figured that the beetle's actions before dying had the same cause as the Slime last night, namely Jason. As soon as the fight was over he got a message saying he leveled up, complete with the standard skill list.

LEVEL UP! Your combined experiences have culminated in new power! You are now Level 6! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you like!

Unspent Skill Points: 10

Current Skills:
Mana Orb II (2.475)
Lesser Force II (2.825)
Levitation (--)
Monster Analysis II (2.75)
Meditate I (1.4)
Mana Shape I (1.3)
Aqua Sphere I (1.2)
Magic Analysis I (1.7)
Mana Dart I (1.05)
Blunt Resistance I (1.05)
Focus I (1.0)
Faster I (1.05)
Plant Analysis I (1.05)
<UNUSABLE>
Mana Strike (0.5)
Mana Shell (0.1)
Point Strike (0.8)
Suppress Presence (0.8)
Muffle (0.7)
Spell Cancel (0.1)
Aqua Stream (0.1)
Magic Dash (0.2)
Spell Chant (0.1)
Material Analysis (0.5)
Mana Drain (0.1)
Alert (0.2)
Fire Resistance (0.1)
Charisma (0.2)
Spiritual Awareness (0.6)
Mana Vision (0.5)
Stronger (0.1)

It took him a while to make his choice as honestly Stronger seemed like a good choice due to the elimination of his his dependency on Mana. Ultimately he didn't choose it though due the situation with his travelling partner and the fact that there were ways to get it without spending points.

"5 points into Mana Vision, 2 into Point Strike and 3 into Muffle." "I hope I'm right about Mana Vision letting me see Jason." As soon as he was done allocating his skill points he used Monster Analysis II in case the beetle was somehow inedible. If it wasn't Danny would start looking for the sharpest rock he could find. As soon as he had he looked for a harder rock so he could sharpen it even more. Once he believed the rock was sharp enough or he couldn't a rock to sharpen it in he began carefully separating the beetle's meat from it's exoskeleton using Lesser Force II for anything his hands or the rock were too big for.

---

@Zeroth@Duthguy

Though the absorbing the beetle's soul had been far less traumatizing than it had been with the slime, Jason doubted he'd ever be able to truly stomach the experience of absorbing souls, and having to relive every moment of the life he had just taken. However, on the bright side, he had finally hit level 8! Regaining his body was that much closer to happening! As for what he wanted to spend his skillpoints on-- Jason didnt need to dwell on it much, as three skills stuck out as potentially valuable to him.

"3 points to spiritual awareness, 2 to mana sense, and 5 to shield."

The moment it registered with the system, Jason cast shield on himself, hoping to negate some of his MP loss by "trapping" it inside the shield. Slowly, he lowered himself into the darkness of the log as he activated his newly awoken [Mana Sense]. He felt for the mana in everything around him, the log, the air, the light, the darkness, and finally; the earth. Focusing on the earth's mana, Jason used [Mana Drain] to once again draw the ever so familiar energy of the earth into his phantasmal body; in hopes it may allow him to regain some of his lost abilities.

After one or two minutes of focused draining, Jason turned his attention to Danny's dissection of the beetle, passively draining the ambient mana with [Mana Drain] as he did so. Carefully, Jason analyzed the beetle as his only remaining ally went about processing their kill.

---

With a final attack, the slime sizzled, deflating and losing its grip on Torrent. The Pygmy drake would have liked to try and analyze the materials more, but there were more pressing matters to attend too. Ash exhaled, glad the little fight was over with, turning back to her earlier spoils, they seemed fairly undisturbed. Excellent. That slime didn't touch it with its filthy membrane. Ugh, she'd have been incredibly annoyed if it had so much as laid a single gelatinous finger on her stuff.

Quickly, Ash walked over to Torrent, lightly glaring at the other lizard.

"You're alright, I assume." Ash taciturnly stated. "Really Torrent. Your suicide tactics are effective but think a bit more about your own health, will you? We can only do so much to keep that from killing you." The Pygmy drake sounded vaguely like an old woman scolding a younger child before swiftly turning back to the other two. "Anyways...I'm glad the rest of you are here. Before we were rudely interrupted by that slime, I took care of one of those frogs, and have quite a bit of meat and parts left over. Should be more than enough food for everyone there, and I'd like help carrying it back to the hideout." Clapping her claws happily together, Ash would be smiling if her lizard mug was capable of it. "I have quite a few things I need to test with all this new information I have."

So many things she needed to do! So many things to test! Experiment! Not just with these physical components either. After getting a glimpse at even partial magical formulae, she desperately needed a more stable testing environment.

As the Slime deflated Oberon let out a sigh of relief; although he hadn't felt in much danger himself during the fight, the near miss from the tendril at the start being an exception, he was still glad to see the end of combat. He was all too aware of how easily things could go wrong; this was not the predictable, safe environment of a video game, no matter what anyone else thought. Beetle's exploded, enemies levelled-up and caught you off guard with their new strength and maybe a Giant Slime could surprise you by being smarter or stronger than you thought.

This was a living breathing world with real and intelligent life forms. He had to remind himself of that sometimes, but every new combat just reinforced the concept in his mind.

Ash was currently admonishing the Lesser Wurm about her reckless tactics against the Giant Slime, which was something the Sprite could agree with. "Is anyone hurt? Torrent? Digbie?" The Goblin should have known better than to just stand in front of the Slime as it barrelled towards them and Torrent should have known better than to jump head-first into a creature that was accustomed to swallowing its prey whole. Maybe it was something he should bring up once they made it back to camp.

After gently scolding Torrent, Ash wanted them to help her carry her spoils back to the camp. Oberon would gladly help, but before that he had something to deal with; he had levelled-up after defeating the Slime and he needed to distribute some of his skill points before anything else.

He had no idea why the number of skill points they got with each level seemed to have jumped up so much, or why it seemed to be so inconsistent, but right now it meant he had 12 points to work with. Once again the Sprite decided to allocate them to skills that he would not easily be able to level up otherwise and since he had come so close to being caught by the Slime's first attack against him a few moments ago he put the points into Lesser Flight and Faster. "4 points into Lesser Flight II, 5 points into Faster."

With that done he flew over to where Ash was waiting, landing next to the Pygmy Drake so that they could start figuring out how best to transport the dissected frog back to their camp.



@Zeroth