---

Torrent watched on, pleased, as her trick seemed to have worked....mostly. There was one goblin who seemed just a little more capable of observing their surroundings. While she would love to respond to Rags, she really wasn't happy about how close to her hiding area that goblin was looking despite her stealth abilities. Did it have some way of detecting her or something? She hadn't seen anything about it in her analysis, but perhaps they were just too low level of skills for her to get an accurate read on the goblin.

Or perhaps it was just that paranoid. Growing up surrounded by killers waiting for a moment to stab you in the back to move ahead. Again she was reminded of how similar to the street gangs these creatures were.

It made her want to just rip out their throats, but she needed to wait and do this smart. Think it through.

If she replied to Rags she risked being found, thanks to that dirty goblin. If she moved she risked exposure, again thanks to that dirty goblin. If only she could open up a Void in its skull from here. That would teach it to be so utterly annoying.

But...if she didn't reply maybe Rags would take offense to it or otherwise see through the charade. Maybe she just needed to inflict a little terror into them.

Torrent thought for a moment before she came up with the best plan she had for the situation.

This would be her first ability that she would try in the field without any prep, not unlike her explosion spell all things considered, but this would also be something different from what she was used to. She needed to be creative with it, smart, and with any luck it would be enough to stop that Goblin from looking for her and put Rags in his stupid place.

She could feel the air around her, with some effort, in a reminder of how she had used it to begin her air breath attack. With a bit of relief she listened as Ash played up what she had already started when she had spoken up last time. Maybe with that the Goblins would be taken off guard enough to not find her?

She still needed to try to add to it though.

Putting her power into the air around her, she pushed her voice into the air. Wasn't sound supposed to be carried through air or something? She felt like she'd heard someone say that once before. And she supposed it made sense. Maybe Ash would know.

She pushed the air with her words, hoping to throw it and help make sure that she could remain undetected.

"Prove your worth of our power. Prove yourself or be a coward," she said, her body tensing in case she needed to disappear, keeping her attention on the goblins and the goat. She wouldn't be taken by surprise if she had anything to do about it.

---

---

The Hobgoblin died swiftly, only managing to cut Asteria’s cheek. She hoped it wasn’t poisoned. Mother rat got revenge on the mostly-if-not-already-dead greenskin by ravaging at him furiously, but once he was as lifeless as a ragdoll, she hurried to her offspring and licked her cheek. Asteria took the opportunity to gently touch the other’s injured shoulder – not directly on the wound, of course. Rather, she lay a paw around the stab wound. Activating Mana sense and concentrating on muscles and skin mending, she uttered, “Minor Heal!”.

If necessary, she would cast the weak healing spell up to two times more on Mother rat, then, still using Mana sense to try and discern how it worked, she used it on her own cheek. She was careful with her mana levels, but she didn’t yet know how much the minor heal used. As a precaution, she used Mana Drain on the recently killed hobgoblin. She turned the corpse around curiously, investigating its equipment. The bloodingfly stinger which she’d used to kill it was dislodged next to it, bloody and battered. Asteria picked it up, turning it over and checking whether she could still use it. If she could, she’d wipe it on the corpse’s clothing and take it with her; if not, she’d search for one of the hobgoblins arrows and take that instead.

She then peeked from behind the barrow, focused on her sense of sight, and tried to discern how the fight was going. It seemed…fairly chaotic. Asteria sighed, but could only hope that a duo of Dire rats joining the fray wouldn’t immediately make them the targets of the people they were supposed to be protecting. Ed seemed fine in that regard, but who knew what the merchants would do with an unknown factor. After briefly patting her biological mother in a gesture of solidarity, Asteri once again actively used Muffle and dashed from behind the burrow, attempting to stay low and out of sight of her enemies. Her target was a staff wielding bandit, if it hadn’t been killed already. She didn’t think so, but first, she had to find and ambush it…

---Transformation Option: Increase Potential---
The majority of creatures are not born fully mature. Undergoing Transformation without a fully matured body, or fully realized Skills, may limit a creature's growth. Transformations that grant higher Skill Ranks or increase base statistics may be reduced due to a lack of foundation. Some Transformations are not possible if a creature has not fulfilled its Potential. If a creature's Potential reaches the peak, it may affect its natural lifespan or its future learning ability.

You used Magic Analysis I! The skill Plant Analysis is not fully developed!
---Great Elder Mystic Kao Tree---
This Kao Tree has drawn from a rich source of Mana for many years. It is likely the oldest and most powerful of all plant-life in the area, and at this stage of growth excess Mana is shunted into the surroundings. Certain creatures may be drawn to this energy.

Skill Rank Up: Magic Analysis I > Magic Analysis II (1.95 > 2.025)!

Nira and Femus were in agreement to move into the lower branches of the tree. Even these were a decent height off the ground, enough so that no Goblin would be able to easily reach them. They were soon able to find a thick branch that culminated in a bushy, thickly leafed fork. The leaves were broad enough that the two tiny magical creatures could practically sit on them like mattresses.

From here, they had a better view of their surroundings. It seemed that not all of the Goblins had left to go on whatever raid they were preparing for--of those who were left behind, it seemed the majority were elderly or female. But there were still some younglings around, some of whom had taken it upon themselves to hunt in the adults' absence. A few perky greenskins with mean eyes and sticks still wandered here and there among the deep forest denizens.

That field of Blue Yills was a little closer, and in fact they could now see that its patch seemed to grow between two winding roots reaching out from this tree. The roots lifted up the ground around them, so that the Yills were nestled in a little valley of sorts, where they grew so thickly one couldn't see the ground beneath their petals.

Nearby, in the air--near that other tree they had just left, actually--they could see a few pixies flitting about. It was too far to tell exactly, but one of them actually looked a little bit familiar. They were flitting in and out near the hollow that Femus had once called his home.

And, down below, a little further away from the great tree, it seemed a Dire Rat was trundling along through the underbrush. It had the look of an animal that was on the hunt, though it hadn't found any prey yet. They only caught its tail end before it slipped into the shadows of a different tree, and disappeared.

Underneath them, the tree's branches felt somewhat warm. Was it just because they were sitting out under the sun, while a pleasant breeze rustled the leaves? Or did it have something to do with that sleepy presence they could still feel...

---

You used Material Analysis I! You used Plant Analysis I! You used Magic Analysis I!
---Ragged Cap (Poor)---
This roughspun cap barely provides any coverage for the head. It only seems suitable for a beggar, if anyone. It has no Magical properties. It is old and smells musty--your earthy sesnes tell you it might have been worn in a sealed off, underground structure? The rough, woven plant fibers used to weave it seem to have come from long, hay like stalks of some type of grass. Sub-stat Enhancements are Negligible.
---Ragged Trousers (Poor)---
These roughspun pants barely provide any warmth against the elements. They only seem suitable for a beggar, if anyone. They have no Magical properties. They are old and smell musty--there are dirt stains on the knees and around the ankles. There are also worn places where they seem to have rubbed against brick. Your earthy senses tell you it might have been worn in a sealed off, underground structure--perhaps a tunnel of some sort? The rough, woven plant fibers used to weave it seem to have come from long, hay like stalks of some type of grass. Sub-stat Enhancements are Negligible.

Oberon cast Shield IV on you! Your Defenses are significantly increased for 2 minutes!

You used Mana Sense II! You used Mana Vision I! You used [Analysis]!
---No Target Specified---
[[General Analysis of Goblin party repeats previous posts' analysis from other characters but for Ash]]
From -Adult Goblin Male (Hide Armor)- you can feel a rough, beast-like Mana in very low quantities. It has no defined Structure yet.
From -Elite Male Goblin (Rags Nar)- you can feel a clinging, negative mana. The faintest sense of blood comes from his equipment. Its Structure is rapidly fading but feels somewhat familiar.

Alert I has Activated!
There is a presence to the West of the camp, in the treeline between the area and the Mountains...It seems to be observing...

Somehow, whether it was due to a real magical effect or just for his own peace of mind, Digbie's prayer seemed to fill him with a sense of calm. The anxiety surrounding this situation with Rags Nar's tribe took a backseat for the moment, and in this darkness of the sealed cavern there was peace and quiet. Here he and Oberon could focus on whatever step came next. Oberon couldn't feel the same strange calm Digbie could, though the book the Demiblin found engaged his curiosity. As the Sprite used his Meditate skill, at its higher rank he was able to recover Mana without so much single minded focus--but, the more he drifted from this focus, the slower the recovery went. Still, he had recovered quite a bit with Gather Light earlier, and soon the System told him that his MP was full.

As Digbie extended his Tremor Sense, he could feel Torrent's Soil Manipulation through the earth several layers above their cave's roof. She seemed to be preparing to dig if necessary--as an escape? Or to lay a trap? Or as some means of ambushing the enemy? So far, they couldn't hear any yells or magical blasts from outside...did that mean things were going well, or...?

Meanwhile, things were still quite tense outside. When Ash spoke up again, the Goblins collectively flinched. The one with the sword watched her the most warily, turning his body as she flew up to a tree so as to remain ready for any moment. He kept his eyes on her the whole time, though he looked to his leader for a moment while the pygmy drake taunted the Elite Goblin.

As Torrent focused her power, with the intent to somehow magically amplify and project her voice, she felt a tingle beginning in the base of her throat. When she spoke, it felt like her words were...floaty. Like her mouth moved, but the actual sound was just an instant too slow. Still, the Goblins heard her taunt up on the hilltop right after Ash accused Rags Nar of cowardice. The Goblin that had seemed to catch onto something began looking around, clearly hearing the sound but unable to identify the source for it yet--and soon, he turned away from the brush towards Rags Nar, who had apparently decided to respond to these taunts in typical goblin fashion.

"Me ain't scared, not scared o' nuthin'!" The Elite Goblin drew his Dagger with a distinctive sound of metal against leather. He began swinging it wildly in the air as he stomped in a circle, seemingly raging against the "voices" in the air. Then he whirled to point at Ash with the tip of the blade, high up in her tree. "Ain't dumb neither! Dis don't make no sense--but Rags Nar too smart for yas! I'mma show yas I ain't scared, but I ain't gonna fall for no tricks neither!" He turned to the rest of his crew. "Oi! All you gobs, group up! If dey tries somethin', yell!"

The other goblins jumped to it, though the one with the sword was slow to back off, still paranoid about the drake watching them from up in the tree. As they began to circle around the goat--now ignoring the bushes and the rest of the camp--Torrent could breathe a little easier while Ash observed from safely high up...

However, something else soon prickled the Pygmy Drake's senses.

There was...something...in the woods. To the West of the camp, towards the mountains. It had hidden itself fairly well. It wasn't moving much. But it was...big. Bigger, at least in terms of height, than that rat. She couldn't make out many features through the foilage but, if she had to guess...Four legs, somewhat skinny? A deer or small horse of some kind? Yet it was bigger than that, up top--was that shape an arm? A humanoid body? Too hard to tell. Even her glowing eyes, after using her analysis skills, weren't picking anything up either due to the distance or due to how hidden the creature was. Yet for now, whatever it was seemed content to simply stand and...watch?

In the ring of goblins, the Four Horned Goat snorted and threw its head. Rags Nar had a difficult time getting around to its rear with the knife in hand--the creature would buck and step away from him every time.

"Stupid goat! If youse get lucky, ya might get to run away! Sit still and lemme cut--lemme--c'mere ya fuggin--!"

Finally he managed to grab a rear leg, and avoid getting bitten or kicked while he sawed at the restraints. With a snap they came loose--and the goat gave a loud bleat as he tried to kick the Elite Goblin's head off. Rags Nar rolled backwards, awkwardly but effectively avoiding the blow. The other goblins yelled and jumped aside as the beast charged them, though the one with the sword took a swing. Blood flew from a gash on the animal's flank, but it didn't seem too deterred as it landed and turned with another violent kick. The frying pan worn by one of the other goblins made a distinctive ding as he was sent rolling down the side of the hill.

Much screaming and flailing ensued. Now Digbie and Oberon started to hear things.

---

Skill Gain: Magic Analysis I (0.9>1.0)!
You may now analyze Magical energies or objects to learn their most basic magic characteristics. Less effective on Materials and Monsters unless they are magical in nature.

Error. You have already been added to Trent's Party. Your Bond is not strong enough to access other Party Features.

"The Maker intended the World to be a certain way. Due to the creation of Magic, and other beings like Demons that defy the Maker's plan for the world, sometimes things don't work the way they're supposed to..." Trent started to explain, before he was interrupted by the creatures attacking them. He immediately got his shield up, just in time for one the Ghost Wisps to shoot a Mana Orb at him. It impacted the leather-covered protection with a crackle of white light that left a singed spot. "--And whenever it's been affected by these things, the World acts like a person's body when we have a disease! A "World Echo" is like a sign that something's wrong--in this case, it's announcing the Dungeon's presence!"

Asura's pseudopod Smashed into the Zombie Rat's jaw, knocking fangs out of its mouth and cracking the jawbone into a distended mess. But, the creature was still kicking, and managed to slash at the slime with one claw. Asura felt only a little pain, like nicking oneself with a papercut, thanks to his upgraded resistance.

You used Monster Analysis I!
---Ghost Wisp---
An Undead Wisp, its body has been consumed by both necrosis and magical energy to serve as fuel. What is left is a transient spirit that has a higher level of Mana, which allows it to exist as a Spirit-class Undead, but little control. Without a source of Mana nearby to recharge, a Ghost Wisp typically won't last more than 24 hours in the living realm. Its other abilities are typical of a low level Wisp.
---Zombie Rat---
An Undead Dire Rat, raised as an unthinking corpse. It is more durable against attacks, but has become much slower and less coordinated. The longer it persists, the more disease can fester in its jaws and under its claws.

While Ardur analyzed the enemies, the other Ghost Wisp got off a Mana Orb that struck the Hipixie in the chest, driving him back like a physical blow.

“Steve go for the wisp on the right.” He commanded while he readied himself with the beetle mandible in hand for the other one coming at them. The Oculus Spider jumped up on the back of Trent's cloak, prompting a short-lived yelp from the boy, before the creature spat a blob of webbing at the other Spirit. The Ghost Wisp seemed to "blink" in and out of the air, and the webbing passed through it harmlessly. Trent pointed his sword over Asura's head--he couldn't get enough reach for a proper attack, but shouted a Spell instead.

"Mana Orb, First Rank!"

The white crackle spread over his sword's blade before leaving the tip, blasting into the Zombie Rat. It rolled the creature over, where it struggled to get back up.

Ardur slashed through the flickering Ghost Wisp on his side, and while the creature didn't seem to "die" it did waver with a high pitched creen, and it moved more slowly. Once again, it fired a Mana Orb at the Hipixie, which streaked through the dark cave like a night's comet...

Meanwhile, Mother Slime burbled angrily in the back, as she tried to get around the others in front of her...

---

The seeming leader of the bandit party grimaced as the Mana Orb crackled over his metal shield, but his expression turned to one of shock as Ed shouted a threat at him. The Rat Man charged forward with shield at the ready, slamming the ramshackle wooden planks into the much sturdier metal. But Ed had a great deal of strength and was pushing from a lower center of gravity--the human's hips gave way and he staggered a step back. With a desperate cry he swung his sword. To Ed's Dynamic Eye it seemed to move a beat slower, and the Ratman ducked down. The blade passed harmlessly over his ears, as he whirled and lashed out with his tail. The muscular appendage struck the man's shins hard, buckling his knees. The bandit fell with a heavy thud, sitting down hard. The spearman stepped up, but again that shield got between the blade and its intended target. Still, he managed to force the bandit flat on his back and now held the man pinned under his own shield. The ruffian's sword arm was free, but he couldn't swing far enough or reach high enough to do any damage.

"Yield, and you may yet live!" the tribal-looking man snarled, stomping hard on one of the bandit's legs to make him stop kicking.

"Fatty! Lizard! Where the hell are you guys!?" The bandit tossed his head this way and that as he struggled, causing his dented helmet to roll into the grass. "Fatty," as he was called, was currently about to soil his breeches as the tall swordsman closed in on him.

But just a few moments before that, Asteria had cast Minor Heal on Mother Rat's stab wound. As green light sparkled around her blood matted fur, the red liquid dried and flaked away. The blood stopped flowing from the wound, but it still hadn't closed. When Asteria cast her new spell a second time, the skin stopped looking so puffy and swollen and grew closer together, but it still hadn't healed all the way. Still, it was no longer bleeding and looked clean, the new skin a healthy pink color under the fur.

You used Mana Sense II!
You sense your own Mana, channeled into the Nature element to increase the body's natural biological healing factor. Your own mana is used as a substitute for the required sustenance.

You have no MP remaining.

She tried to drain more MP from the dead hobgoblin, but it seemed that magical energy did not remain in this body for long. She only got back a trickle, not enough to cast the Minor Heal spell again. When she investigated the state of her needle, she found that it had been broken too badly to continue using as a weapon. The Hobgoblin, however, had several pieces of equipment.

Hunter Hobgoblin (Asteria)
??? Shortbow x1
Wooden Arrows x5
Green Dyed Hood x1
Green Dyed Cloak x1
Green Dyed Body Wraps x1
Green Dyed Arm Wraps x2
Green Dyed Pants x1

Skirmisher Hobgoblin (Looted by Ed)
Jawbone Sword (Broken) > Sturdy Stick x1
Battered Wooden Shield (Equipped by Ed) x1
Wooden Breastplate x1
Vine Belt x1
Straw Sandals x2

Voodooist Kobold (Killed by Ed)
Rabbit Skull Staff x1
Black Dyed Robe x1
Bone Necklace x1
Straw Sandals x2
Vine Belt x1
Stone Knife x1

What was more, as Asteria headed back towards the actual battle, she found that the magic using bandit had already been dealt with. She came just in time to see Ed and that spearman taking down the bandit with a proper sword and shield, and it looked like one of the humans was engaging the last one further up the road.

The fat bandit let out a screech and thrust forward with both hands on his weapon. It was nothing more than a cornered animal lashing out. The swordsman had both greater range and better training--he stepped to one side and brought his sword up from the side. The fat man closed his eyes and desperately tried to block even though his knife was so much smaller. Still, the swordsman flicked his wrists and turned the attack--now it sped down to the bandit's leg. Blood flew and the larger man fell back, clutching his injured thigh. He looked up with teary eyes as the youth stepped forward--

"Woah there, Wulf--!"

"Wait, Wulf--!"

Both the driver on the cart and the mage sitting in the back had called out, but their cries went unheeded as the tall boy, "Wulf," skewered his opponent through the heart. The boy looked up at them with an innocently blank, quizzical expression while the bandit fell limp to the earth.

"What?"

"I yield, I yield!" the other bandit hollered under the spearman's boot. He glared at Ed, then back at the other humans. "Call off the boy and your crazy Ratman pet!"

"We don't have a pet Ratman." The spear user turned towards Ed now, seeming at a loss. "...I don't even know where it came from."

@Stabby @Zeroth

Femus was grateful to reach the branches that had seemed so very far above them before. They were indeed quite high up but the ascent hadn't been quite as stressful as he had thought. The branches were warm and the area was thick with nature mana. He would have to put his combat skill development on hold for the time being. This would be an excellent place to practice healing magic. In fact, he might be able to make progress on some kind of area spell in a space with this much mana available.

Looking back in the direction that they had come from, Femus spotted the group of pixies that had taken over his hollow in the Old Kao tree. Specifically, he spotted a familiar one. Well, that meant that they might have an ally if things came down to it... just... an expensive one. But, they lacked what they needed to really 'tame' that pixie for now. Now, sitting on the thick foliage that covered this forked branch and provided them with good visual cover from anything on the ground, Femus felt free to get this evolution thing out of the way. He would take stock and decide on other things afterward.

"Alright. We finally have a safer place to get this done." He said softly with a sigh of relief before speaking seriously. "I learned something about evolution that you should know before you make your own first choice. If you evolve from an immature form to another immature form, you gain less benefits and you can limit your peak potential. The system helpfully answered my request for a definition of 'increase potential'. I'm going to meditate before I start. Please take care of anything you need to before I begin evolving. I'll... be counting on you."

With that said, Femus began meditating. His goal was to meditate until he felt that he couldn't hold any more mana in his body. He concentrated on how it felt and flowed through him, seeking to increase his capacity and the speed of its circulation through his body as he had before. Only when he felt completely stuffed did he allow himself to mentally review the evolution options one more time.

Then he focused his will and decided on 'Adult Wisp'. It was time to experience what this whole evolution thing was.

Asura gave Trent a rather lazy look. Well as lazy a look as a slime could muster. "Why does everyone assume there is a god or maker or something? And why does everyone assume they have a plan?" He asked as the undead rats claws skipped across his mostly liquid body. It stung but that was it. So moving quickly he engulfed the rats head and tried to Crush the thing within his body. Pretty much Smashing inwards.

The others went on the offensive now, the wisps having fired off their shots. They were too high up for him to really get them and he didn't want to expend his Stamina throwing things. So he just tried to Analyze the ghost wisps any way he could. Magical Analysis first since he had that, then just a basic Analyze, and lastly Analyzing all the spells and skills floating about. Maybe he could learn something? Like full on Analysis of Creatures and Skills? Maybe even learn a skill since he didn't want magic.

The angry burbling got a slight smirk from him. "It's fine Mother Slime. Just watch for bads from back." He called back to her, he and Trent were more than tanky enough up front for now. Not that Ardur really needed a tank since he could fly out of melee range and bring Steve with him.

---

Ash hummed lightly as she looked over the analysis once more. Nothing new, save for that 'Negative Mana' clinging to Rags. What was that about? It didn't show up last time, but what was familiar about it? She however, was not able to ponder the connection long before a system alert got her attention. Shooting her head upwards, Ash turned her head towards the west of the camp. Something watching them? That wasn't good. She narrowed her eyes at it, trying to make it out.

It was hidden well, but she could just make it out among the foliage. Some sort of...four legged creature. She thought it might be a deer or other edible creature she might be able to use for information, but that thought was quickly pushed aside. She could just barely make out what looked to be an arm of some sort. It seemed to be too far or too hidden for her skills to give her any information, or perhaps it had some sort of counter analysis skill that prevented it from being observed?

"Hmph." Ash hissed. "A little lesson for you, Rags. Those who call themselves smart, are often the ones who aren't. Though I doubt you understand that." The Pygmy drake flew to another tree, one closer to that other creature observing them. Hopefully not enough to cause it to realize she had seen it. She could try and interact with it, but that might have some unintended side effects. Likewise just ignoring it could also be difficult to deal with.

Hm.

Torrent could probably deal with the goblins. Her curiosity was getting the better of her, in this case. Now that their attention was on the goat, Ash hopped to another branch, trying to keep herself above the other creatures natural line of sight as she tried to stealthily move closer, keeping her wings as silent as she could as she glided from branch to branch. She kept her analysis skills active. If it did run off, hopefully she could at least get a good read on it before then to assess its threat.

Ardur The Mighty Hipixie

Home sweet home? >> These fire flys suck /// Adventuring day 5 // Evening / Location - Cave Entrance >> Cave

His strike seemed to connect as he saw Steve’s shot simply pass right through. “Perhaps these undead wisps are more spirit then being, in that case-.” his thought process was cut short. The hit to his chest caught him off guard but at least the chest piece seemed to take most of the damage.

Looking to the wisp that shot him while the other seemed to tumble around he glared, “Steve you won’t do much against these shift your focus to the rat instead.” He spoke loud enough for his friend to hear him. Quickly the high pixie took off toward the untouched wisp and cast Mana Strike I onto his beetle mandible. Trying his best to roll to the left of the next mana shot that came at him before continuing on his way to attempt to hit the wisp with the mandible.

If he were unable to dodge the attack coming at him, he would instead try to block it with the mandible. After he would continue to try to strike down the two wisps attacking the party. Perhaps after that he would be able to assess the damage to himself and the others.

@Zeroth
@Kazemitsu

---

Torrent was mildly surprised, but incredibly pleased, with the results of her sudden experiment spell. The goblin was thrown off, and soon they were too busy fighting with the goat to try and find her.

Perfect.

She saw Ash flit up out of sight into the trees, moving, and she briefly wondered what the drake was up to before she mentally shrugged and went back to focus on the goblins in front of her. There were more of them than the goat, and she wasn't entirely sure if the goat really stood a chance being ganged up on like that. It reminded her of Rattleskull in a way, how they'd all teamed up to take down the big brute. Just more pathetic.

Shaking her head, she tried to think of how she could even the odds. Most of her spells and abilities were a little...loud, she could say. Breath attacks, explosions, even her stealth kill abilities would be hard pressed to keep her hidden and keep their ruse going. The last thing she felt like dealing with were these goblins turning on them before it was too late for them to do anything.

As she kneaded the ground in front of her, however, a thought came to her. She'd been practicing shooting stones the night before. And she'd been extending her influence into the ground in front of her for a short spurt now. And with her Tremor Sense she could feel a ways around her.

What if she combined those? Extending her focus into her Tremor Sense, keeping her eyes on the big brute with the sword. She tried to feel the impacts from his steps in particular, homing in on his position through her sense extended into the ground. After a few moments of watching, as he drew blood on the goat, she shoved her power into the ground beneath one of his feet, trying to make the earth jut up unevenly by an inch or two while making the earth under his other foot compact down by about the same amount. As he stepped after, whether she succeeded or failed, she attempt to continue to disrupt his foot, hoping to cause him to fall to the ground and present an opening for the goat or if she was lucky make him drop the sword.

---

Digbie's ears flicked. "Seems like they're fighting the goat." he sighed with relief, pulling out his book of prayer to show Oberon preemptively. "We need them to all die or we need them to be scared off by the goat. That way we can make our leave from this area without them pursuing us here any more. Maybe we can find a better spot in the mountains, o-or somewhere else in the forest. Reunite with some of the other reincarnators, even."

Digbie shook his head to clear his thoughts, glad Jehanne was at least watching over him and Oberon. Speaking of Jehanne... "T-this book is a prayer book to Jehanne. She's a deity of mercy and forgiveness, I-I think. I'm hoping she'll forgive me for putting some points into Taboo, s-since I was just curious what would happen." Digbie opened up the pages of the book, showing the scripture to Oberon (even if it was bloodied due to its past.) "I-I can feel her presence right now, too! Its not much, but it's enough to make me believe she's watching over us. She even gave me a quest, Oberon! A quest to fashion 8 beads of prayer! I swear, I'm not making this up, and I think she might be our ticket to figuring out Holy magic, plus our ticket to keeping us safe!"

Digbie put the book on the ground, in case Oberon wanted to flip through some of the pages on his own. "S-so if you find any nice rocks that could make beads, I'd like to see if I could use those for my necklace when I can make it. L-later, of course. Let's hope we can keep these goblins in check first."

After he finished, Digbie began to charge up a Mana Orb in his hands, just in case something came to smash into the door... though, he looked at it and actually thought something. What if he could charge it with Holy magic? He didn't have an easy way to do so, but maybe if he prayed hard enough...

"Jehanne, please help me deliver these goblins to you with your radiance, if the need must arise. Show me the way to Holy magic, please!"

... maybe it wasn't as great as he had hoped it would sound. Still, maybe it'd work?

---

---

Ed's eyes narrowed as he glared back at the surrendering bandit with equal, no, with more intensity than the bandit. With his bloodied teeth bared, he hissed out a raspy response to being called a pet of the people he just helped save. "NOT. A. PET. JACKASS." The ratman then growled at him once more before letting [Rabbid Fit II], [Beast Sense II], and [Dynamic Eye I] to deactivate. The ratman then took a seat on the grass and let the cool early morning air help him catch his breath; even for a scant few moments.

Now that things had calmed down, Ed looked to the spearman that currently pinned the bandit, then the cart driver, and finally the tall swordsman; each time mentally asking the System to conduct [Monster Analysis] on each before finally speaking. "A 'thanks for helping us' would be nice..." Ed let out a sigh. "As you all have noticed, I am not your average run-of-the-mill ratman. I won't go into any complex nor convoluted explanations as to why I am this way, but I will say this." Ed stands up and dusts himself off and tries his best to sound as convincing as possible, which is not much to be honest but he was doing his best. "I am not from here and neither am I your enemy. I have no evidence, other than my words and actions, so it's up to you if you consider me to be otherwise." Ed even went as far as to sheath his sturdy stick beside his trusty cudgel and raise his hands to show them he had no weapons other than what God- erm -The Demon King gave him. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some things to do."

Ed would then approach the bodies of the slain bandits and begin a new task: Looting the bodies. First, he would approach the kobold caster and use the staff and it's black cloak into a sizable bindle stick to help carry back everything the kobold had on it. He would then move on to the hobgoblin, taking and donning the wooden breastplate it had and wear it's straw sandals before placing the vine belt into the bindle. He looked to the fat man's corpse and looked to the tall swordsman named Wulf. "Would you mind if I took the knife he had?" If he was allowed to do so, he would gladly take it. An actual knife would be a great step up for Asteria from using the stinger rather than the stone one the caster had. If not, he wouldn't push the issue. Either way, he would soon bid them farewell and begin heading back to the tall grass and sneaking back to the barrow but making it not obvious. Heading back to the direction of the village for five minutes before making a sharp U-turn and heading back to the barrow.

The sounds of combat penetrated the dirt and rock shell around Oberon and let him know that the Goblins had begun to fight the goat as Digbie intended, but without a line of sight or some other clue he wouldn’t be able to tell how the fight was progressing or say exactly what was happening. Not knowing, and therefore not being able to act or react to what was happening, left the Sprite with an uneasy feeling; it wasn’t that he disagreed with Digbie’s plan, or that he didn’t trust Torrent and Ash to be able to handle things if need be, but being left in the literal dark was not a good state to be in.

“I’d rather go further into the forest than into the mountains; more hospitable and we’re not putting an impassable obstacle to our backs.” If anything Oberon wanted to go beyond the forest, out past the trees and into whatever lay beyond. It was probably impractical given their current situation, but a part of him was hoping to return to something approximating civilisation. With everything they’d experience so far it was clear the forest didn’t have that.

Digbie explained that the book he had found was a prayer book for one of this world’s deities; Oberon wasn’t much one for religion in his own life, but since they were now living in what could probably be described as some form of afterlife he wasn’t about to dismiss the idea. With everything they had experienced he felt confident in saying that gods and demons existed in one form or another here and that there was probably some real power to be found I worshipping this Jehanne; like a Cleric or Priest character. He would have to ask to read that book later, out of curiosity if nothing else.

“You have a quest? From a system message?” That was an interesting idea and it made sense that they would happen given how closely this world seemed to follow video game tropes and logic, but it raised a few questions. Namely, who or what set the quest? Jehanne in this case it seemed, but could anyone do it or just the powers above? If he asked Digbie to do something, gave him a task and promised a reward, would that trigger a quest or was it something that only certain beings could do? Did it imply that Jehanne and other gods had some kind of control over the system itself? Up until now he’d half believed the system was something that they only had because the Demon King had given it to them, even though he said he wasn’t giving them cheat skills, but if this Jehanne was setting quests then it might be something that was just part of this world. “I’ll help you with it later, after we deal with these Goblins. In return, can you let me read that book?”

With that little mystery solved, and a much larger one put in its place, Oberon turned his attention to the fight happening outside. With the opening of the cave sealed and the both of them bathed in darkness there wasn’t much the Sprite could do but listen and try to interpret what was happening outside. It would be nice if he had some way of sensing what was going on the way Digbie and Torrent seemed to be able to with their Earth magic; he had a couple of skills like Air Read and Mana Sense that may let him do the same but they were both far from complete. Air Read might not even work since he was sealed into this cave but if he could sense the Mana of the Goblins and the goat he would at least know where they were.

How did that work anyway? He had probably gained experience in that skill during his experiments with the various elements, particularly the way he kept trying to extend his senses outward to locate Mana of a particular flavour in the midst of the ambient Mana around him. When he meditated he could feel the Mana around him entering his body, when he’d practised Aqua Sphere and Wind Break he’d felt the Mana in the water and air respectively and brought it in to the Mana Orb; could he expand his senses in the same way and feel the larger amounts of Mana that existed inside living creatures?

The Sprite closed his eyes and let himself enter the kind of empty minded state he used for meditation. He opened up his senses and tried to feel the ambient Mana in the air around him but rather than try to draw it in or open himself up to let it in naturally he tried to just feel it, imagine that he could see it like a light fog that filled the empty space of the cave around him. He tried to stretch his reach further, to see further, and imagined the fog reaching further. If this was working then he should soon start to feel and see differences in the fog; he should see a difference between the wind Mana of the air and the earth Mana of the dirt and rock walls, he should see a denser mass of Mana that was Digbie next to him.

Could he see them? Or was he just imagining that he could?



@Gardevoiran@Zeroth

---

---

Mother rat was healed, kind of, and Asteria’s mana depleted to zero. The dead hobgoblin provided almost none for her to replenish, unfortunately. He did have some interesting loot. Before venturing further, Asteria took the body and arm wraps, tying them to her forearms and lower torso. She took off the rest of its clothes and equipment, and bundled everything into its cloak, fashioning a primitive carry bag from it. She left the packed loot next to the hobgoblin and proceeded out into the open. However, by the time she arrived, the fight was over. She observed Ed and the mercenaries, saying nothing, only paying attention to the gathered people. If mother rat accompanied her, she’d stop her from takin unnecessary risks now that their goal was accomplished. When she saw the ratman leaving, she followed him, using Muffle II and her speed to catch up. She counted on Mother rat to follow the two of them on her own. Ed led them in some kind of a U turn, before they turned back in the direction of the barrow. Asteria wondered if the humans they’d just help out would truly leave so soon…

After taunting Rags Nar some more, Ash glided to the next tree to try and get a closer look at this strange creature observing them. She tried to be stealthy, but that was difficult given that a flying creature would instantly be silouhetted by the sun as she passed from branch to branch. Still, the creature didn't seem to be aware of her yet...or if it was, it simply chose not to move...

The Pygmy Drake checked her surroundings. She knew Digbie and Oberon were inside the shelter and that Torrent could handle herself. The goblins were still preoccupied, and it didn't seem that Rags Nar had even registered her taunt given his current struggles. She moved a second time...and this time the creature at the edge of their camp began to move as well. However, it didn't seem to be looking up at her--if she could even guess where its eyes might be at this point--and it moved in an arc around the camp, as if it were instead trying to get a better view of the fight between the goblins and the goat.

As it did so, Ash's [Analysis] skill gave her a clearer idea of just what this thing was, but she could only see one of those hooved legs as the thing manuevered through the trees...

You used [Analysis]!
---Cariblade---
A possible Transformation of the Bowhorn Deer, the Cariblade's horns have better adapted for close range combat. A diet rich in certain nutrients has hardened its antlers, turning them from woody formations to rigid, metallic spikes. Special blood vessels throughout the blades allow them to vent heat very efficiently, however this makes the metal unsuited for normal forging. Whereas other types of deer mark their territory or shed horns by rubbing against trees, male Cariblades often use rocks instead to hone their edges. Cariblades are not particularly magical in nature, but have higher MP than most other creatures you've seen in the forest. Its MP is still slightly lower than your own. It does not possess any magical skills, but seems to have some physical ones. Its antlers are of Excellent Quality, and its fur coat is protective against cold and rain. The meat, bones, and most other parts of its body would all have some use for food, clothing, or tools. Its physical stats are all higher than yours.

Ash moved a third time, using her wings to glide rather than outright fly, and trying to stay at angles where the creature would have to actively look upwards to find her. The Cariblade's body was broad and thick, at least five feet tall at the shoulder. Its frame looked to be packed with several hundred pounds of muscle. Its broad hooves had a somewhat arrow-head shape, though the bottom of each foot was even wider and seemed to have a sharp edge. Its antlers were styled like those of a reindeer--if a reindeer's horns were made out of metal and had been flattened and sharpened into a forked web of blades. It was almost like the creature wore a crown of scimitars and sickles. But, now it became clear--there wasn't just one monster observing them. A figure sat atop the Cariblade's broad, dappled brown back. Just a hair under five feet itself, the creature was humanoid in shape but seemed to have less mass--however, Ash couldn't tell what kind of frame it really had. It wore a thick furred cloak made of many hides stitched together with plant fibers, and under that it seemed to have thin, parchment-like wrappings around its hands and legs. It had proper shoes of rough leather--though they were obviously primitive in make, little more than moccasins. A hood covered its head, hiding its features in shadow--but as Ash's [Analysis] gaze swept over it, it clearly looked up at her. A hint of a reflection shone under the hood.

Was it smiling at her?

You used [Analysis]!
---???---
This creature's features aren't clear enough for a proper analysis. You can tell that its size, and likely its strength, is much greater than that of yourself or a goblinoid. It appears to have some magical energy, but it still seems to be weaker than your own. However, there is a magical presence from it--perhaps a Spell or some other effect. It seems to be familiar with some form of stealth skill.

Meanwhile, Torrent had barely acknowledged that the Pygmy Drake was on the move. Instead she began to focus her magic, and waited for her chance as the goblins engaged the four-horned goat. Right after the sword-wielding goblin drew blood from the goat she tried to shift the earth beneath his feet. The harder packed ground and solid stones refused to budge, but she was able to shift the looser soil. Under the swordgob's lead foot the dirt suddenly lurched up just a bit, while under his rear leg it sank just a scant inch under his heel. The instant shift threw off his balance, and he fell to the ground. Though he managed to keep hold of his sword as he cried out in pain, he was now wide open. The goat had just kicked the goblin wearing the frying pan, and now it saw a weak link in the circle of goblins surrounding it. With a snort the creature lowered its head and charged the sword-holding goblin, who once again screamed in a high pitched voice.

Its horns, still corked at the ends, clattered against a sturdy wooden pot lid. Rags Nar held his shield in one arm as he stood over his underling, but it was clear he could barely hold any ground against the much heavier animal. Still, he slashed wildly with his dagger and the goat let out a loud bleat as it scrambled backwards.

The goblin wearing several pelts reached under one of them and withdrew a Stone Knife, before charging at the goat with a battle cry. The animal hopped lop-sidedly away, causing its attacker to miss. The beast swung its hard head, clipping the goblin's shoulder with its snout and immediately trying to bite him. It ripped a large patch out of the goblin's fur clothing, but didn't draw blood.

Mahya seemed to be looking on the ground for a weapon to use, and settled on a fist-sized rock. With a grunt and a wind-up worthy of a baseball player she hurled it at the goat. With a heavy thud it struck the creature just above one eye, and for the second time drew blood. The creature reeled, seemingly dazed from the attack--but just as the goblin with the frying pan armor was charging back up the hill, wooden club held high in both hands, the poisonous mammal bucked and kicked backwards once again. With another "ding" and a drawn out howl, the goblin went rolling back down the slopes.

As this "battle" waged on, Ash saw the strange figure pull something out from under its cloak. It looked like...a short bow of some kind, either made from horn or from very smooth wood. From a quiver strapped to the Cariblade's side, it drew an arrow...except, this arrow's head was oddly shaped. It was like a hard cylinder, made of wood and blunted on the "point." The creature notched its weapon...and took aim towards the gaggle of Goblins.

Inside the cave, Digbie prayed for guidance. He wanted to charge his Mana Orb with Holy magic, if such a thing were possible. He asked Jehanne to show him the path...but, in this quiet, dark, peaceful place, it didn't seem like he could see or feel any sign of her. However, perhaps because it was so quiet, dark, and peaceful, the little Demiblin had an almost meditative frame of mind...and a thought might occur to him. What made something "holy," really? What was the word's definition? And did that definition mean something different in regards to a spirit of mercy and compassion? A spirit like that, what kind of things would people expect them to do? Probably the generic "love and kindness" kind of miracles, right? Maybe like his Minor Heal spell? Or Sacred Ground? Sacred ground actually had the word "sacred" in it after all...

Oberon, on the other hand, took a secular line of thought. He tried to empty his mind and feel the energies all around him. He had taken into consideration Air Read, which had to be something like Digbie's Tremor Sense but for the Wind element. He had practiced with several elements by this point and was beginning to understand the differences in their Mana. He had spent quite a bit of time meditating, so he knew how to detect the energy within his own body. What he wanted, however, was to detect these things in other bodies.

In his mind, Mana took a shape represented by fog. Was it colored fog? Textured fog? Fog that could be thicker or thinner, wispier or denser?

In the darkness behind his closed eyelids...white fog began to form, edged by shifting patterns of rainbows in a fashion much like aurora borealis. But then that fog, so close to him, began to fade...or, rather, he was seeing more clearly beyond it. It felt a little like crossing one's eyes and seeing one's nose--it had to be there all the time, but the brain edited it out for the sake of clearing one's vision. He saw through the white, prismatic fog...and saw blackness. No, wait. There was...gray fog. All around, everything was gray...although, right over there, where he thought Digbie might be, the grayness seemed a little...heavier.

You are experiencing Rapid Skill Progression.

---

"...Because there IS a Maker!" Despite being in the midst of battle, Trent manage to stare incredulously at Asura as the Slime engulfed the weakened Zombie Rat. "You yourself told Sir Zieglar of the voice that spoke to you and the "options" that allowed you to Transform!" The boy flinched at the sound of bones and organs being crushed inside the red, amorphous reincarnator's body. "Such things are how Divine Spirits commune with us, and the Maker is the only one who contacts all creatures no matter what type they are. You didn't even know about Galatine or any other Divines until moments ago."

With their enemy dealt with, the boy and slime were left to watch Ardur attack the Ghost Wisps. Asura tried to use his newest Analysis skill on the two creatures, assuming that the HiPixie and maybe his spider pet would be able to handle them.

You used Magic Analysis I! You used Monster Analysis I!
---Ghost Wisp---
An Undead Wisp, its body has been consumed by both necrosis and magical energy to serve as fuel. What is left is a transient spirit that has a higher level of Mana, which allows it to exist as a Spirit-class Undead, but little control. Without a source of Mana nearby to recharge, a Ghost Wisp typically won't last more than 24 hours in the living realm. Its other abilities are typical of a low level Wisp. It is a magically oriented creature, possessing four spells.

Ardur's beetle mandible began to glow just so slightly with a white aura, as he activated his Mana Strike skill. Wings aflutter, he charged the Ghost Wisp just as it unleashed another Mana Orb of its own--its third one since the battle had begun. With a classic barrel roll, the Hipixie avoided the missile and prepared to strike--

He passed right through his opponent, as the Ghost Wisp faded away completely. With a last, creening screech, before he could even make contact the creature just seemed to...flicker out. Had using Mana Orb three times exhausted its MP to the point it couldn't sustain itself?

But with this target taken care of, Ardur could continue his flight towards the last remaining opponent. It was still focused on Trent and Ardur, and with a bright flash it too started to fire another Mana Orb. Then the buff fairy swung his sharpened piece of insect, and the magic around it crackled on contact with the ephemeral undead. Ardur's attack cleaved the second Ghost Wisp in half, and just like its fellow its agonized scream followed it out of the realm of the living.

When he turned back to the others, he would see Steve pointing towards Asura--who had already partially digested the Zombie Rat. Since his last order to the spider had been to switch targets, Steve seemed to be saying "what now?"

Skill Rank Up: Taming I > Taming II (1.95 > 2.0)!
MP Cost for Tamed Creatures below your level has decreased. Your Tamed Creature will automatically perform certain actions depending on the strength of your bond: Tamed Creature will attack any creature that attacks you; Tamed Creature will take a hit for you if your HP is low; Tamed Creature will prioritize any healing skills it possesses on you if your HP is low.

"Well then." Trent said, returning his attention to their surroundings. "This...seems to be working better than I thought it would..."

As they continued, they soon came to the ashen remains of the goblin's old bonfire. The ground was uneven from all the digging the various monsters had done here--back before everyone left the cave, Asura and Digbie had tried to make a tunnel and the Dire Rats of the group had tried to dig trenches. There was also the fire pit itself, which had been scattered about as people tried to dig for the hidden stash of crystals. And the signs of battle, from the various monsters that had tried to attack Crispy. It had only been a day, perhaps two, since they had been here last but somehow the Dungeon's aura made it feel as if it had been that many years instead.

From the Dire Rats' old trench, a figure suddenly lunged into the radius of Asura's torchlight. It was a Goblin Skeleton--or was it?

Trent yelled out as a stone blade stabbed into his boot--he jerked his foot away, and it was unclear how much damage he had taken, but he immediately had his shield at the ready with his sword pointed right at the creature.

"Mana Orb, First Rank!"

The skeleton leaped from all fours, out of the trench and away from the magical blast. As it landed they could see just how it differed from the normal skeleblins--it was about six inches taller, with bones generally the same thickness but just elongated. Its cranium, too, was a little larger, and the ridges where its ears would have connected were deeper. Its bones were bleached white with only a few spots of brown or blackened gristle rather than any yellow bits--such things took a long time, indicating that these bones were very old.

As its jaws chattered, a more typical Goblin Skeleton came clattering towards them out of the dark, attempting to flank the group. From underneath the bonfire, a blurbling black mass rose and began slowly moving towards Asura...

---

You used Monster Analysis I!
---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!
---Elder 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. This one is an elder, as many humans only live less than a hundred years.
---Adolescent 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. This one isn't fully mature yet, but is undergoing many changes as their body grows into adulthood. WARNING: DANGEROUS!

The bandit lurched in recoil as Ed yelled at him, but the other humans just stared. The youth with the sword, now finished cleaning his blade of the fat bandit and the hobgoblin's blood, approached nonchalantly. The magic user hopped out of the cart to stand in front of the driver, patting one of the horses to calm it down.

"Baishan, d'ya think it's a Deviant? Should I kill it?" The swordsman, Wulf, stretched his wrist by giving his blade a light flourish.

"No! Ya already killed an enemy that was crippled, now ya wanna attack a critter what just helped us!?" The old man had reined the horses in, and now tied the leads onto a rod attached to the cart so he could shake his fist at the boy. "I dunno what that Monster thinks its doin', but if it ain't attackin' us or slowin' us down, leave it be! Let's get outta here--I'll bet ya Copps to Gol there's more o'them bastards around somewhere!"

"If you have to keep cutting something, Wulf," the magic user broke in, crossing his arms with a huff, "Cut the ears off those hobs, and the kobold's tail, and we'll turn them in for some extra coin."

"...And the head of the fat one." The tribal spearman, apparently Baishan, kept his own weapon pointed at the bandit on the ground. With one hand he threw his pack on the ground, then reached into it to pull out some rope. "I'd also bet Copps to Gol that these two were on some of the bounties back in town. The Guild will probably recognize them both on sight."

"Alright, alright." Wulf sheathed his sword, looking at Ed with a curious expression, before drawing a carving knife instead. "But we still don't know why it can talk, do we?"

Ed had been watching the group this whole time, analyzing some of them. Granted, given the lower rank of his Skill, he only seemed to pick up information that was already somewhat obvious...

"I've heard of Ratmen that can chatter a bit." The old man stood up a little in his seat, chewing his bottom lip as he looked down at Ed. "But as to why it speaks Visk and not some varmint language, I ain't got the foggiest. Shouldn't you know somethin' like that, Al?"

"Most Ratmen speak a distorted Mob language, depending on what's in their habitat. Kobolds, Goblins, etcetera." The magic user rubbed his chin with a slender hand as he watched Ed sigh and stand up. "But maybe--"

"As you all have noticed, I am not your average run-of-the-mill ratman. I won't go into any complex nor convoluted explanations as to why I am this way, but I will say this." The group immediately went silent, every eye turned towards Ed. The bandit was even too shocked to resist, as Baishan had stopped tying his hands halfway through when Ed started talking again. "I am not from here and neither am I your enemy. I have no evidence, other than my words and actions, so it's up to you if you consider me to be otherwise." The Ratman sheathed his weapon, and after showing them he was unarmed, began to walk away. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some things to do."

"...Okay, it's either a high rank Deviant, or something else Shape-Shifted into a Ratman--" The magic user had taken up a defensive stance once again, one hand already extended while the other had opened up a thick tome he pulled from his pouch. But the driver made a shushing motion with his hand, and as the tension settled over everyone like a weighted blanket, they watched.

Ed took the Kobold's staff, tying the black robes to it so that he could start looting the rest of the bandit's bodies. Every head slowly, stiffly, turned to follow his every movement until he finally came to the fat bandit. Wulf was standing over the body again, sword raised to cut off its head, but like the others had frozen solid when Ed made his speech. The ratman looked way, way up at the tall youth.

"Would you mind if I took the knife he had?"

"Uh...Just don't stab any Humans with it?" came the answer, as Wulf lowered his weapon and scratched the back of his head in confusion.

When Ed finally left the battlefield, the humans looked at each other. Baishan roughly hauled the bandit to the back of the cart, and after shoving him amongst some cargo, rubbed at his own temples.

"That's a sign of the Spirits, I just know it."

Meanwhile, Asteria had been looting her own body, and now tried to fasten the wraps from the hobgoblin to her own body. However, given the difference in length and size between the two creatures, they were quite awkward and heavy.

You attempted to equip: Green Dyed Body Wraps!
Item was not made for your size. Item is not suitable for your species. Item is too heavy.
You have the Skill [Stronger I]. You have the Skill [Dextrous II]. You have the Skill [Use Light Equipment]. Negative Substat Enhancements have been neutralized.

You attempted to equip: Green Dyed Arm Wraps x2!
Item was not made for your size. Item is not suitable for your species. Item is too heavy.
You have the Skill [Dextrous II]. Negative Substat Enhancements have been lessened.

You feel slower than before. It is more difficult to attack properly. You do feel slightly tougher, though.

These Items might be altered by Crafting Skills.

Using her Muffle skill, Asteria was able to stay out of sight as she watched and listened to everything that happened between Ed and the Humans. Thanks to her higher rank Beast Senses, now that the din of battle was over she could catch pretty much everything that was said, and see well enough to pick up the various expressions of each person. She and Mother Rat followed Ed at a distance, from an angle where perhaps the humans wouldn't see them approach him until he was out of their eyeshot.

Though they interfered with her movements somewhat, at the very least the green dyed cloths helped disguise her brown body amongst the grass. She and Mother Rat soon reunited with Ed, then they all headed back to the burrow. At some point during their trek, since they had taken such a wide U turn to double back without being spotted, they had missed the humans going on their way on the road. By the time they got back to the burial mound's entrance, the cart was rolling over the next hill. The bodies, or what was left of them after Wulf got through taking the gristly trophies, had all been rolled into the ditch...though at least the human had been somewhat laid in eternal repose, and a few bundles of cut grass had been piled over his body in imitation of a shroud.

Now what?

---

As Femus meditated, he found his MP was already fairly full due to a full night's rest. It didn't take long for the System to inform him that his magical energy was topped up. However, as he continued to concentrate and--perhaps using that new skill, Mana Control--feel the flow of energy throughout his spherical form, he found that he could still draw some more. The sensation was like trying to breathe as deeply as one could and hold it, their cheeks puffed out and their mouth set firmly, before they tried to take in just one more through their nose. The silicate hairs all over the Wisp's body began to stand straight up, giving him the appearance of a floating pin cushion. He continued to draw in Mana, focusing on the circulation through his physical body of this seemingly spiritual energy. He wanted the greatest concentration possible...white sparkles of Mana, like dust motes in the air around him, began to appear around him like an aura.

Your MP is Full.
You have gained Temporary Extra MP.
Your Mana Density has increased.
...
Skill: Mana Control has prevented Mana Overload.
You have gained Temporary Extra MP. Mana is at Critical Limit.

Then he focused his will and decided on 'Adult Wisp'. It was time to experience what this whole evolution thing was.

As soon as his decision was made, Femus felt a deep and powerful sleep come over him. It was too fast, and there was no fighting it--just like going under before a surgery.

And as he went under, he rose up and up and up. Femus saw his own body suddenly plop on the branch, lying peacefully in the leaves as the aura of light suffused his form and then went out. His glowing body now looked like nothing more than a gray, fluffy toy...

Femus suddenly saw EVERYTHING.

Not in crystal clarity, of course. But he drifted upwards, out of his body, rising high enough that he could look out across the forest. And sometimes it seemed as if he saw through it--into the great tree under which he rested. Within the trunk, there was a deep, emerald colored light...and this light seemed to take a distinct form, a creature curled up as if in deep slumber.

Then he could see nothing but the layers of leaves and branches, and then daylight, but before his eyes could adjust he was rising higher. Now he saw the forest in its entirety, and gently rising cliffs growing ever steeper until they became mountains to the immediate west. One of these mountains bore a great scar near its peak--as if some blade of impossible size had sheared off its tip. The rocks there were blackened yet smooth, with a glossy appearance of something that had melted together and then cooled. Within this smoking crater, many lights glittered...and small figures, too small to pick out their features, moved in groups along the slopes. He rose higher, drifting through clouds and further beyond, over curling smoke trails and unnaturally shaped structures of wood and stone that could only be civilization. Somewhere to the east, a large body of water sat glimmering with the last rays of the setting sun.

He rose higher. To the north, great rivers and another forest, though this one reached higher into the sky and its colors were darker and more muted. Though, there was an also an odd brown patch...as if many trees had been felled here, and then left to rot...Many miles further, this forest even wore a thin blanket of snow. Further to the east, a bright light cutting a path to safety for those in need of guidance. Over the mountains, to the southwest, a grand city stretching for miles. Still in the west, but far further north, a tower like a mighty tree reaching up to the heavens with roots stretching deep, deep into the earth. So far to the east that it became west again, a lonely, cold, desolate island where red lightning split the sky. Further beyond that, marshlands and mountains and untamed, wild lands.

He rose higher. A world, a planet, rotated thousands of miles an hour, yet from this distance appeared as no more than a soap bubble, as if it would pop if he but brushed a fingertip against it. The city lured him, cried out for him. The island's red skies held him in sway.

H͎͍̭̺̗͔̭m̶͎̀,͏̴̮̞ ̡̜͓̬̱͖͝t̨͇̼̪̼̘̖͍̬ḩ̴̬̫͈̀i̤̲̩̱̳̰̥s̀҉̺͓ ̷̱̣̜͟s͕̞̙͇͞ͅt͖͚̩͕̦̱i̭̦̘̖̤̹̜̰̯͞l̷͔͓̳l̶͍͖̘̻͉̰̘ ͉͎̜͉̥̺͟ḱ̼̣͈e̵̹̦̖̗͇̲͓̦͢e̬̫̬̠̮p̫̻̯̹̩͓̻̣͞s͏̩̺͎̻͚̣̮̪̣ ̧̲h͓̰̝̱̥a̩̪͖̬̕p̣̼̥͓͉̺̫͘p̶̝͖̖̳̯̻͖̩è̷̱̤̼̘n̢͢҉̞͇̟̫͈̹̲ͅi̘n̗̙͉̙̙̖͜g̙̖̳̕̕ ̺͇̝̯͇̺͇̀e̗̼͉̳̖͘͜v̛̖̦̹̭͈͇̠́e͏̹̜̦͚͜͞n̨̲̹̟̫͘͜ ̸̷̢̥̠̼̭͉̪͈̰t͞͏̘̜̦h͙̞̭̭͞ͅo̙͈̩u̖̮͉̙̤̗͡g̡̪̮͝ḩ͉͈͔̜̹̱͢ ͎̺I͓̠͖̙̭̭̜̣ ͓̖̦̼̪̮̗̀́ͅo͕͟͡v̱̩e͏̨̦r̹̗͇̀r̸̵̘̗̺̹̪̟̣̹̪o̢̺̝̖̮̼̻̗̰̠͘d̠̱̰̖̟̙͇̀e̵̺͖̘͇̺ͅ ̵̺͙͔̝̠̹̰̦t͔̱͕h͔̘̞̘͎͖̳͈͞e̞̬̩͕̼͚͍͖͘ ̞̫͍̞̩͙E̩͖̰͘͝r̷̙̲̟̭̗͕̕͞r̡̩̗͟o̥̳̖͖̕ṛ̷̨͕͎ ̪̗ṛ̫̫e͙̰̞̠̼̲̠͎ͅp͏̟o̷͕̬͓͙̕r̙̞̯̼͓͘͞t̢̙͇͇̳̜̞͍͝͡s҉̵̶̹̥.̹͕͖̻͔̜͙̙͟.̤̮.̡̛͇̠̖̪͍͇o̫͈̳͙͖̳̣h̵̰͈̲͘͟ ͏̶̬̺̼͎͘w̴̶̻̰̠̺̞͓̯̝̩͜e̺̼̩͓̕͜l̶̨̗͕̣͙͕̻̠͎̕l̡̺̟̗̤̮͝.̶͕̻̳̫̝̕͠ ̛̭̥̀D̮̲͈̤̹̦͟ͅò̲͓̮̀́ͅe̱͖̞s̶̼̩̻͙̩͔͝ͅn̨̜͈͖̠͉͙̩͠ͅ'̟͔͚͖̩͙͈̥̣ṱ̴̷̦̟͕ ͇͎̘͍͘͞͡s̸͚̬͍̱͕̙e̴҉̫̪̳̭̼̗͙̥̯e̞͡m̮͢͝ ̛̦͓̳͘͢t҉̼̖͈͇͚̲̪͟o̡̰͚̥̘̫̞ ̪̤̜̙̹̰̹̹b̪͡͝e̞̹͖ ̛̰͉͚h̶͏̤ư̜̪̜r̨̮̥͢͠t̸͔̠̣̟͘i͏̤͈n̡̝̗̰̹͙͇͎̭̕g̰̭͙͡ ̷̵͇a̘̳̥̝̣͝ņ̮̼̱͕̬̘͡y̡͎͔t̛͍̣̥̪̳͖̗h̴̡͇̙̦ͅi̴̼̝̟͓̥n͏͎̤̤͉̣̜̙̘g҉͎ ̶̧͙͎f̷̙̯o̤̼̪̱̬͎̳̮͞r̢͚̖̣̙̜̥ ̵̞̻̗͉͔̱t̨̜̮̝̘̬̝͖̲͢h̗̳͚̩̯̩̤̀e̢̫̰̠͓̟͟͠ ͏̫͖͙̱̠̩̫̲m̧̩̟͓̳͖͉ò̳̟͙͇̕͠ͅḿ̰̩̙e̫̱̲̲͜ņ̗̺͕͕̠̭͕̗t̀҉̹̠̜̹̮̬̯.̡̘̩̙̩͇͈͕͜ ͏̹̜̼Ą̥̖͔̱̦͍͚̯͔͢n̵̦͇̙̙͠͠d̪͖͈̗̟͚͝͠ͅ ̳͎̀y͕͢o̡̘̬̞̦̭͇̺̤u̧̘'̴̝͡r̷̙̹͙̤͍͖̟͎ͅe̝͖͓̕ ҉̘͎t͙̣̰̤̀͜h̸̵̢̝e̠̮̖͓͉͙ͅ ̪̤͓̟̪͍̰f̸͖̹͘̕i̱̪̣̲̜̩̬̯̕͜r҉̬͎̙̬s͔͖̦͓̝̟̱t̢̜̬ ̸̨̰̤̥̪̭ơ̧̟̤̺̦͘f̶̞̣ͅ ̩̯͍̯͍͘t̗̞̕ḫ̷̡͖̥͘a̡̳̭͓͟͢t̨̨̞̜ ̣͙̭̤͍̘̱s̵̱̗͘e̦͙̮̬͇̣͢c̯̱̹̀͟͝o̲͔͜͞n͏͇̘͎̣ͅd͙̝̪͠ͅ ̦͡g̗̺̙͉͎͉r̶̥̭͙̹̀͡o̗͍̲̕ù͇̱̫̜p̗̝̖͎̘ ̧̤͝t̷͉̦̖̥̥̲͞o̶̙͞ ͈̭̕ͅe͟͏͓̖͎͕̘v̷̥̦͜o̧͇̬͡l͕̲̲̳̦͈͉̫v̶̷̰͖̜̙́ȩ̤̞̫,̺͓̤ ̴̠̳͖̠͖͕̹e͞͞҉̲̦̫̺̺͖h̝̦̲̭̱̱͟͜?͏̪̦̤̯͉̳̀ͅ ̵̬̝̳͈̻̞̀A͔n͏͕̫̮͙͓͍̞͕ḓ̴̬̳͎ ̗̱̜̙͍̬o̢̼͕̗̰̣n͙̝̯̹̹͢͡l̩̤̜̞y̷̡̘̰̫̹̪̖̮̼͢ ̺̮̜̹̠̹͍t̷̘̖̪͉͔̼̪̘͟h̸̠̖̻̰͈̘e̼̠̗̹̼̭ ̜̙̟͈́͢s̴̛̙̱ę͍̰c̯͓͠o̶̶̳̮̱̙̮̟͞ń̻̞̤̜̞̮̣ͅd͝҉͕͇ ̴̣̼͙͇̫̘͠ͅó̷̭̗̩̬͖͙̲n̷̶̴̖̞̜ȩ̸̖̭̦̦̠͓ͅ ͚̳̭͙̭̼͕̦͚ó̺͉͈͖̦̻̝u̘̖͞t̵̤̼̪̠ ̸̸͓̱̬ͅǫ̠͍̫͢ͅf̟̘̥̰͔̗̳͓́ ҉̵̜̭͠t̨̩̩̲̭̙͓͙̻̀ͅh̩̗̙̫e̙̗ ͈w̸̘̣̗̬̼̫̩͠ͅh҉̬̤̮̹͎̗̥̝o̸̥͉͖̘͔̗͔̕ļ̷͏͖͉͇̰̥e̶͔̤̱͓͙͉͜ ̴͈̝̳̣͔̦̙͘b͈̟̫̩̟̖̭͔̪a̡̡̨̦̤g̜͘͜ ͏̳͖͘o̡͕͕̬͓͉̲ͅf̩̪͕̯̟̭͞ ̸̷̱̰̥̩͈c̷̢̻̙̞͈͠a͈̪̮͉͍̺̱͘ͅț̨́s̥̖̩̞͜͝ ̯̱̖̦͢ṯ̬͈͠ơ̴̢̫͇̣͓ ̡̞̺̲͉̳̪͔͡͝ͅͅǵ̡̗̖ò͎͍̭̳͉͚͞ ̡̞̞͈̮͢ͅw̯̱̮̬͎i̷̖̮͎̮͙̙t̯̺̬͍͕̰͈͖̕h̷̢͙̯̭͈̜̀ ͏̠̜̮̣̭͖̗͜t̢̡̜͉͉͕h̟̙͚͇͉è̴̵̗̱̺̯͖ ̨̠̭̤̪ͅ"́҉̜m̧̦̖̖͖̭u̫̬̹͙͔͙͙̼͉͟n̴͓̖̹̯͓͉͎̱ḏ̴̡̛̰̩̙͙a͎̼̳̩͕n̜͙̭̪̲̳͢e̘̰̫̦̣̠̻͓"͕͉ ̦͈a̧̧͎̰͔͎̭̬͝d̨͔͔̭̠̪̼͈̻̰u̷̺͉͈̗̜̪͇̝͖͡l͏̛̲̻̣̰t̛̜͈͖͝ͅ ̺͈̹o̦̰̱̭͍̬̳̲p̛̼̪̯̠̳̤͓̩̹͠͡t̲̬̺͚̫̩͝i͏̵͚͈o͔͈̯̩̰̩̯̬͜n̷̵͈̣̩͚̯͢.̸̱͚̙̙̱͜ ̨̯̹̞̤͍̬̜̕I͏̣̤̣̱̘͇̞̞ͅn̮͉̬̦̞͉̞̣͝t̮͔͝e̮̲͇͓̪͓̼͠͡r̡̭̣̜̯̭̝e̢҉̦̞̲̠̞̦̖̠s̨̧͖̺̝̞̺͙̪̳͔ţ̻͖i͖̘ņ̛҉͎g̜̠͉̬͚̤̠̕.̫̟̟̟̜̳̘͈͞͞ͅ.̧̰͎.̷̞͍̯̟̭̰̞

Femus plunged earthward. Color blurred as he passed everything he had seen in an instant, and just as it all blurred together in his vision it did the same in his mind. When he awakened, he would remember only so much as one remembers a deep, nonsensical dream. He fell through the trees and crashed into his body...

TRANSFORMATION COMPLETE!
(Immature) Wisp > (Adult) Wisp
All Stats have Slightly Increased!
Base HP has Increased!
Potential has Increased!
Special Condition: Mana Overfill has Slightly Increased Base MP!

You have still not reached your full Potential.
You are Well Rested.
Your HP is Full.
Your MP is Full.
Your Stamina is Full.
You are Hungry.
You are Thirsty.

As Nira observed Femus's evolution, all she would see after he strangely dropped into a deep sleep was that every pulse of his heartbeat seemed to become visible. And, after a few minutes of this, she might notice that his body was actually...swelling...with each heartbeat. The myriad fine hairs all over him were also growing longer, and it looked a few new ones were sprouting. Then, all of a sudden, Femus gave a jerk and came back to consciousness.

His body lit up from within, crackling with magical energy as he once again rose into the air. But for now, it seemed all that had really changed externally was his size and the brightness he produced. It was hard to look directly at him, much like a new lightbulb when the switch is turned on for the first time.

But, to step back in time for a moment...

When Nira had stepped down to practice the Mana Orb, she repeated her original exercise with more surety. The orb seemed much more stable this time, though still smaller then when she had seen Femus use it. When the idea came to her to make some kind of incantation, she found that with every word she spoke the orb grew a little larger, and when it was the right size she could feel it pulling, as if it wanted to simply fly off somewhere. She took aim and released, and the orb flew away from her...only to rapidly lose steam. Every millimeter it was away from her hand it grew a little smaller, and by the time it actually struck the ground it did nothing more than sizzle.

You are experiencing a Fast Rate of Skill Progression.

You are Hungry.
You are Thirsty.

As she grabbed a Blue Yill from the nearby field, maybe it was the smell of herbs or just the fact that she hadn't had breakfast yet. But her belly began to grumble as she returned to the tree, just in time to see Femus finish his evolution...

---

You used Monster Analysis III! You used Material Analysis I!
---Adolescent Human Male (Physical Combatant Class)---
Humans are not technically considered Monsters, and seem fundamentally opposed to them. They are of the Enlightened Races like Elves and Dwarves, highly evolved creatures considered truly sentient, though this may depend on definition. Nonetheless they are a technologically and magically advanced race in control of multiple nations, with a varied history across most of the interior continent, and distinct cultures in different biomes. This one is still an adolescent but appears trained in combat. His physical strength and attack stats seem much higher than yours. His MP is not quite as high as yours, but is higher than most creatures you've seen in the forest. His speed and agility based stats seem higher than yours. His endurance is much, much higher than yours. Many of his stats are being increased by his equipment. He has an Iron Hatchet, an Iron Dagger, a Thick Gambeson, a Wellspun Tunic, Wellspun Trousers, Leather Boots, Leather Gloves, and a Cloth Bandana. His pouch seems to contain essential items for short term travel. It is likely his training has allowed him to develop some Skills. WARNING! DANGEROUS!

Geir looked up from his practice even before Danny had started to approach him--they weren't in his line of sight at the moment, but the boy slowly took stock of his surroundings. Had he picked up a sound, or the slight glow of Danny's body in his peripheral vision? After a moment or two he seemed to relax--then the Poltergeist called out to him.

The red headed human whirled, axe in hand, and swiped at the empty air as if he expected an enemy to rush him at any moment. Finally he focused in on the vague, glowing outline of Danny several yards away.

"Excuse me! This is probably a strange question but do you have a map my friend and I could look at?"

"HALT! FREEZE! STOP, RIGHT THERE!" The human took a deep breath, and steadied his grip on his weapon. Now he sank into a proper stance, and his eyes--what little of them they could see reflecting Danny's light in the darkness--narrowed. "Identify yourself! Who and what are you! And if you're another of these talking monsters, I advise you to just turn around, right now! Demons can fuck right off!"

He was looking right at Danny, and certainly did not look nice at all. A chill wind blew through the night. One of Geir's hands slowly eased towards his belt, and the long knife hanging there.

Meanwhile, Miiba stopped as she helped Lear bring in firewood. She spoke to Gwyn, who was still conversing with Scott, but stopped short as she caught sight of something out of the window. When she went to look, she saw Geir flailing and could hear the muted, angry noises that was probably him yelling at something, but couldn't make out any words. She could also see the faintest, almost ghostly, blue glow flickering out in the lawn.

"Mr. Lear," she started with the same inquisitive tone she used whenever she was about to ask something, "What big blue glow ball with Geir?" she asked with her finger pressed against the window pointing to Danny, but looking back to Lear.

"Hmm?" The farmer leaned down next to the goblin and squinted. "Oh? If I had to guess, I'd say a Wisp that floated over the wall." He put one big hand on Miiba's head and ruffled her hair. "Don't worry about it. Geir yelling is as natural as the wind's whistling. It'll probably be good for him to blow off steam with a weak enemy or two like that."

The farmer went back to his fireplace. It seemed like the family was about to get ready for their usual reading from that book, like they had done last night...

This was bad, Danny didn't expect humans to like him but this was more way aggressive than he had feared. Part of him wished he had kept his armor on, but that would probably have resulted in him being attacked immediately and he doubted that wearing it would have made a difference of any kind if he was honest. At least Jason's intangibility. might come in useful here. He did his best to use the telepathic connection the Slime had formed with him to inform him of his plan.

"Okay, I don't think there is any way we can beat him, whether there are other humans in the farm or not. So try to sneak around the place and draw his attention so I can escape with the gear." He felt more than a little guilty to ask that of Jason, but unlike him the Slime had a simple way to avoid combat "Or do you have a different idea? Cause I'm open for suggestions."

@Stabby @Zeroth

Your MP is Full.
You have gained Temporary Extra MP.
Your Mana Density has increased.
...
Skill: Mana Control has prevented Mana Overload.
You have gained Temporary Extra MP. Mana is at Critical Limit.

Femus’s efforts paid off immediately as his Mana Control skill protected him from what could have been a terrible penalty. He could only imagine how dangerous this Mana Overload could be. He would have to make sure that his Mana Control skill developed along with his mana capacity training. But for now, the time had come.

He chose… and the world suddenly let go of him. Or so it felt. His recollection as his eyes opened again was fuzzy and disorienting. However, there were a few parts that he remembered. He heard the Demon King again, though distantly and partly scrambled as though by radio static. He even felt a small sense of irritation, as though he had been compared to a small, fluffy, and temperamental animal. However, that feeling passed quickly. After all, The Demon King’s opinion of him was as insignificant as the feelings that Femus returned.

The only lingering sense from that memory that truly lasted was the sense that he had somehow attracted the Demon King’s interest. It was an irritating feeling. He felt grumpy.

TRANSFORMATION COMPLETE!
(Immature) Wisp > (Adult) Wisp
All Stats have Slightly Increased!
Base HP has Increased!
Potential has Increased!
Special Condition: Mana Overfill has Slightly Increased Base MP!
You have still not reached your full Potential.
You are Well Rested.
Your HP is Full.
Your MP is Full.
Your Stamina is Full.
You are Hungry.
You are Thirsty.

The system gave Femus the answers he needed regarding his evolution, at least some of them. He had managed to increase his MP again. He had also managed to increase his potential, though not to its maximum level. It seemed likely that another form of Wisp must exist after (Adult). However, it would be several more levels before he would be likely to find out for sure. In the meantime, he had an altered body to examine. He could tell that he was larger than before, and brighter. He also felt stronger, though not by a large margin.

More importantly, he was hungry and thirsty.

Just as he realized this, he heard a stomach other than his own complain of the same issue. It was then that he finally looked over and spotted Nira. It looked like his brightness was causing her some discomfort. So, he took control of his personal light and dimmed himself down. They would need food and drink. That probably meant hunting in the surrounding trees. He had a lingering feeling that they shouldn’t hunt near this tree. It… almost felt like not wanting to wake a sleeping baby… only scarier somehow.

Femus softly cleared his throat and broke the silence. “How do I look?”

That sounded lame. But, he still felt slightly awkward. He was aware that he was now larger. Nira looked smaller. But, he also didn’t know how much time had passed.

“How long was I out? Did anything happen?”

The answer was important, but not absolutely critical. His thoughts jumped around as the uncertainty of the experience began to register with him. He would need to tell her about Mana Control and its importance in increasing maximum MP. But, he didn’t know how close she was to getting her own evolution options. He suddenly felt the need to check his own status more thoroughly. If his Mana Control skill had protected him from Mana Overload then it might have crept closer to the next level. The more he learned, the more he could improve his methods and the odds of getting where he wanted to go. Still, he waited and took a breath as he listened to Nira’s response. He could check his status and make other decisions after getting back onto the same page with her… and probably getting a meal and something to drink. Finding out what happened while he was evolving was more critical in the short term with telling Nira to develop her Mana Control and avoid Mana Overload coming in as a close second.

After hearing was she had to say, Femus gathered his thoughts and spoke as efficiently as possible. They were both hungry and thirsty. This needed to be quick so they would have the time and energy to get food and find water. So, he spoke clearly and decisively but with respect. Nira was a partner he relied on, not a subordinate. “Alright, we survived this. And, I learned a couple things. First, I don’t have much of a clear memory of the experience. I know I saw and heard things but I can’t recall them. Second, I was able to increase my default MP by entering the evolution with a Critical Level of Mana Overfill. Third, I avoided suffering something called Mana Overload as a result of using my Mana Control skill to regulate the movement of the mana through my body. So, if you choose to try and increase your maximum MP the way I did, I recommend developing Mana Control and using it at the time you evolve. I don’t think either of us want to find out what Mana Overload actually feels like. Finally… we need to get some basic necessities sorted out if we’re going to stay here for a bit, and I think we should stay until after your evolution. After that… we’ll have to see how things go. What do you think?”

---

That deer could simply be described as 'scary'. She did not want to be on the receiving end of those horns at all...though they might have made good makeshift blade, even if they weren't suited for forging. Its fur would have provided an excellent bit of protection from the elements too. Trying to take it down and strip its parts seemed liked a better idea the more and more she observed it. She'd have tried her poison on it, had something else not gotten her attention. Riding atop the deer was a humanoid figure. Some sort of...forest elf? Goblin? The analysis said it was too strong for a goblin. More scarily still, it seemed to acknowledge her.

Narrowing her eyes at it from her perch, making sure she was definitely out of reach of whatever this was, she came to a quick conclusion.

"...You don't seem like a goblin, hm?" She spoke quietly, but enough that whatever it was could hear her. Activating her Charisma skill to make sure this creature didn't feel quite as inclined to attack or run if possible, she continued. "Suppose I should thank you for your seeming assistance."

The fog was thicker than he had anticipated, assuming it wasn’t just his imagination, the ambient Mana in the air forming an omnipresent white fog which shined at the edges. Was it denser than he normal inside the confines of this cave for some reason, or was this normal? If it was the latter then trying to discern any information at all would be difficult but if it was the former then he might have better luck if he extended his senses beyond the cave.

In time the fog receded, or at least faded from his vision, until he saw nothing but a thin grey fog that he had almost mistaken for complete darkness at first. Was the shift a result of his ‘eyes’ adjusting to the fog, slowly becoming used to the condensed Mana like entering a brightly lit room and being momentarily blinded, or was it something else? The new, lighter fog was easier to see through but Oberon still didn’t see anything of note; no brightly lit patches, no colours or textures. There was a spot near him, in the direction that he thought Digbie was standing, where the mist seemed a little heavier than the rest, a little more condensed in one spot.

He opened his eyes, though in the darkness of the cave he actually saw less as a result and was unable to confirm if the thicker fog lined up with Digbie’s location. As it stood he wasn’t sure if he should call that a success or a failure; he had seen something after all, but since he hadn’t been able to definitively say that he could tell where Digbie was even when he was only a couple of feet away the Sprite couldn’t say what he saw was useful. He’d expected a magically inclined being like Digbie to be much more obvious, to shine brightly or to be a well-defined silhouette within the mist, but there was nothing of the sort.

“System: show skills list.”



Not much had changed from the last time he had seen his skills list, the only thing that had happened between then and now being his training this morning with the saw blade projectile. That must have been responsible for the Blade Wall item on the list, though how that had come from a serrated blade he had little idea. There was Muffle as well, which he couldn’t find a good explanation for, but the skill that had shown the most improvement was Mana Sense. That sounded like a good fit for what he was trying to achieve at the moment.

Oberon closed his eyes again and took himself back to the world of fog and darkness. He saw the thin grey fog again and focused his eyes until he could see the slightly heavier patch of fog nearby. He tried to concentrate on that one spot, to exclude everything else and focus just on the thicker cloud of fog that might have been Digbie. If he tried to ignore everything other than the denser patches, would that let him find the living creatures amidst the fog, or would it just make him miss things that he needed to pay attention to? What if he tried to shift his focus and only see a certain type of Mana? Nature Mana was the kind that went into his healing spells and he imagined it was present in living creatures more than in the air; could he try and see just that and maybe have a better chance of picking out Digbie or the others in the darkness?



@Zeroth@Gardevoiran

---

As they returned to the mound, Ed made sure that nobody can see them enter their hideout by poking his head out just as they entered the structure. Finally safe from the threat of being found out, the ratman let his shoulders sag down in relief and lay down the loot he had collected on the first room's floor. "That fight was a mess...but we managed to help the travelers, made it out alive, and got some new stuff to boot. Considering all that, I'd say we did a helluva good job." For the first time in two days, Ed bore a genuine smile of satisfaction and happiness. Things may be looking up for him and his companions.

Maybe.

After letting all of the adrenaline out of his blood, he approaches the bindle and lays them bare on the floor. In the pale dim light cast by the moon laid the gear he managed to obtain. "So, we have the following items: two vine belts, two pairs of straw sandals, the black robes of the caster, his rabbit skull staff, a necklace made of bone, a wooden breastplate, a sturdy stick, a battered shield, a stone knife, and a metal one." Ed says as he presents them in an orderly manner to Asteria and Mother Rat. "I'll be keeping the sturdy stick, the shield, the breastplate, one pair of sandals, the black robes, and the stone knife as I think I could use them to their full potential." He says offhandedly as he begins to equip the gear he selected for himself. He would then wait for Asteria to decide what equipment she wanted for herself as well as for Mother Rat if Mother Rat was alright with wearing things that is.

It was at this time that Ed noticed the still healing flesh on the elder dire rat's hide. He approached the elder rat and gently caressed her back to help soothe and remove any lingering feelings of pain or panic. "That Hunter asshole got you good, huh?" He paused, he didn't expect a response from her but he still paused. "Good thing Doc Asteria was there to patch you right up." He slightly chuckles as he gives her some gentle ear scritches. Much like how he would scritch Cheeseburger. He would always give Ed the warmest of welcomes whenever he had a chance to go home to Twinbrook during breaks. The feeling left the ratman a little down. I wonder how's everyone doing now? Ed thought to himself. He wasn't sure how time worked here compared to how time worked back on earth. For all he knew, a week here could have well been years back home or even vice versa! Even if he managed to find a way back, would it be the same Earth he left behind? Would his friends and family be still there? Would they remember him? Would he still be the same Edward Marsh?

So many questions he had no clue what was the answer...but he at least he knew one thing.

He missed home more than anything in the world right now.

---

Asteria's revelation snapped the ratman out of his thoughts and caused the ratman to be mildly confused by the statement. "We're not talking about the garden variety of gnomes, are we? *sigh* I suppose that was the case. Well, I suppose we can offer it meat from the kobold and perhaps the hobgoblins. I don't think giving the fat guy's meat would garner a positive reaction from it though. None the less, I'll start butchering the bodies and offer the prime cuts. Let's see if it accepts the offer or maybe it'll just send phantasms to run us out." He hoped to God that it wouldn't be the latter. Ed would then go to the dead hobgoblin atop the barrow and steel himself for what he was about to do. But before leaving, he asks his companion for something. "While I'm going to 'prepare' the offering, can you make a strap for the grass bundle with the remaining vine belts, Asteria? It's going to make carrying it a whole lot easier. Thanks."

Brandishing the knife, Ed approaches the corpse to prepare it for butchering. It was rare for a culinary course to offer a butchery class for its students, but Golden Oak University did not offer a run-of-the-mill course. The only real issue here was that this was Ed's first time butchering a humanoid...and he was not going to enjoy this but he would do his damndest.

---

@Zeroth@Duthguy

Jason's ghostly eyes narrowed at the redhead's display of aggression, from what he gathered-- the young man was more ready to talk than immediately take to bloodshed, despite the rather violent antics he'd performed.  The fact that he'd even responded rather than immediately run them down was a good sign. He not only gave a warning-- but also revealed that other reincarnators had been through the area already.  This evidence, combined with the fact that the boy had at least one powerful reinforcement within the homestead-- suggested that the redhead; rather than feeling  threatened, was merely being cautious about the situation.  However, the fact he seemed to associate them with demons raised a rather large red flag, one that would warrant further investigation after this.

Listening intently to Danny's concerns through their touch-based telepathic link, Jason pondered for a moment before responding, "I don't think we need to flee just yet Danny. He hasn't drawn his knife, called for backup, or advanced on us-- that means he isn't committed to starting a fight just yet.  Tell him about the goblins headed this way, then comply with his initial request of identification.  If he gets violent, I have your back. Trust me Danny.