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Chapter 45: Run from the Monster Wave! [Release Version]
🕑 Added 2020-03-07 21:30:00 +0000 UTC[“Sorry, girls, this will be a bit rough!”] I wrapped my arm around Saori’s waist and had Tasianna grab one of my horns before using [Air Walk] to jump through the air up to the trees. Once we reached a branch, I released Saori. We looked down, noticing the signals weren't decreasing at all, in fact, they were increasing at an alarming rate.
I caught the silhouette of a [Spiked Horn Doe], one of the more common and appetizing monsters, running past our location. Like Earth’s deer, they were skittish but weirdly had the ability to turn their heads almost at a 180 degree angle, similarly to an owl. Couple with their great hearing, they were hard to sneak up on.
Which made me curious as we weren’t its hunters. We were all under the effects of [Stealth] and [Presence Killer] right now, and it just ran away as if it saw me or Saori in our monster form. What was chasing it?
And at that moment, another on— No, three, four, seven, t-twelved… 18 more of those deers and does ran right past us, completely overcome by their flight response. A whole herd was fleeing.
“What is going—” I murmured, only to close my voice at the sound of more trampling.
Looking from where the deers ran from, hundred of different animals, ranging from rabbits, boars, foxes, and even some kobolds riding on monsters like a mount, began a stampede underneath us. The frenzy was akin to a wave of crazed fangirls chasing after a pop star.
And it became even worse as giant bugs and birds flew downwards, through the treetops. Our tree rattled around as the flyers rushed passed us, flying so frantically some even hit us and the trees. In addition, my [Detection Sensor] was beeping like crazy from the amount of signals in the area, to the point I had to disable it for the moment.
“Woah!” failing to dodge a giant bug, I almost lost my balance but quickly recovered after I dug my sharp tail into the tree’s trunk.
Noticing the storm of flyers wouldn’t stop anytime soon, I cast [Sanctuary] around us. The bombardment of animals was blocked by my barrier, who rammed into it with loud thuds and then fell into the stream of monsters fleeing on the ground, trampled to become fertilizer.
My barrier was perfectly blocking the monsoon, but it unfortunately still consumed my Mana and Stamina, while also not granting me any experience. Those kill stealing monsters on the ground were reaping all my hard work!
[“What is even happening here?! Hey, have you ever experienced something like this?] Saori asked me, considering I had lived the longest inside this forest.
However, all I could do was shake my head. [“Usually, I would be the reason for something like this.”]
Shouting with [Draconic Roar] or even burning down the forest had caused chaos to erupt inside the forest on multiple occasions. Never intentionally, but I guess at a certain point, you could consider it willful malice. Even if I didn’t plan for it!
Wanting to see the source for all of this, Saori and I focused our senses. Without a doubt, a monster wave was happening all around us. A large migration of monsters was happening for some reason… only for that reason to appear like a thunder strike.
“Kraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
A roar. An ear-throbbing roar.
[“To our left!”] Saori shouted through [Telepathy], pointing at the origin of that loud cry.
From the direction her finger was directed at, I couldn’t help but realize it was were we just came from. It was where we had our spar yesterday, and was also the place I burned down!
“Kraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
“Kraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
Two more roars, different in intensity and tone from the first, further thundered from the location. I could hear the rumble coming from atop the trees, so chances were high the culprits could either climb well or fly.
But what really creeped me out was how their roars gave me goosebumps. They somehow felt familiar, but at the same time they weren’t. I wasn’t sure about it, but they sounded a bit similar to the wyvern roars I heard before, but three I heard just now were different in pitch, volume, and tone. Larger and I felt pure confidence coming from them.
Got a bad feeling…
[“Those voices are making my body tremble,”] Tasianna voiced out, shivering on my head, causing it to vibrate a bit.
[“Hestia?”] I turned my head around to Saori, only to see her having a deep frown on her face, having tensed up her wolf ears in the direction of the roars. She then warily asked me, [“… You are close to max level. Should we try?”]
I didn’t even hesitate. [“No, we flee…”]
[“Agreed, let us go!”] Saori’s mouth perked up into a smile as she let out a sigh of relief through her nose, before playing Tasianna into her dress pocket. [“Hang on tightly!”]
Once Tasianna said “Ready!” Saori pulled me closer to her, then covered both Tasianna and me in a veil of shadows with [Shadow Armament].
<[Shadow Armament (Full Body)] inflicted on [Young Spark Inferno Dragon, Hestia Atsuko]>
Once she located a shadow to teleport to, she pulled us into her shadow, inviting us to the world of shadows.
Swimming through the ocean of blackness, I heard a voice. [“Don’t let go, alright, Hestia?”]
[“As if I would.”] Tightening my arms around Saori’s torso, I closed my eyes and let her do her thing.
I didn’t like this place at all. Weirdly, I very much preferred creating my own darkness by closing my eyes, ignoring everything happening in this world, hoping that it would end soon. This place was neither cold nor warm, it had no flowing wind but I could breathe.
It felt alien. I couldn’t feel anything on my skin but at the same time, Saori was moving around as if it was water. How could such a place exist? Was this the abyss or why was there absolutely nothing here? What was this place even? Who created it?
Haaaah, there are so many questions for this, what the hell.
Still closing my eyes, light eventually entered through my eyelids and the tumultuous cries of hundreds of voices stimulated my eardrums into action. Even in this turbulent soundwave, a booming roar rocked my consciousness wide awake. Similarly, the panic around me exploded once again, affecting me with their confusion and dread, also.
[“Madam Saori, why have you used [Shadow Dash] to transport us into the wave of monsters?!”] Tasianna’s voice reinforced my shock, prompting me to open my eyes.
There, I saw somebody’s furry feet jumping from one animal’s back to the other, deftly traversing through this chaotic mass with ease. Turning my head to the side, I noticed instead of clutching Saori’s waist, I was being held under her left arm. My hands had a solid grip around her forearm, similar to gripping a roller coaster’s lap bars.
It reminded me to loosen my muscles a bit, to make sure I didn’t scratch Saori. In my mind, I cursed that shadow world. I also blamed my title for making me so anxious inside dark places.
[“I think it would be better to stay among the monsters to hide from them,”] Saori responded to Tasianna’s question. [“My [Enhanced Enemy Sense] is still telling me that all three of those monsters are at the same location.”]
[“I agree, those roars are provocations and they are inviting me to come to them,”] I supported Saori’s argument. [“It would be safer to not cause a fuss and stay with the mass of fleeing monsters.”]
[“Princess Hestia, how can you be so sure?”] Tasianna popped out of Saori’s dress pocket, located around her hips, so our eyes naturally met.
[“Call it a dragon’s intuition or instinct,”] I explained to her how my draconic instincts were informing me of the meaning of the roars. I couldn’t understand them, per se, I just had the feeling. [“I’ve only heard it once in my life, but my body told me these voices belong to wyverns. Either they are here to confirm their companion’s death, or they already know about it and are here for revenge.”]
Shouting “What!” Tasianna continued to question me when all of this happened, panickily stumbling on her words.
[“We had an encounter before we met you, where I killed three of them while under the effects of [Battle Frenzy].”] I then pointed my finger at Saori and myself. [“Back then, they were only C ranks, but I can feel that these ones are much stronger.”]
I felt a bit guilty killing those wyverns back then, mostly ‘cause I though dragons were related to wyverns. It was like killing a monkey or primate as a human, to me. However, considering how they came out of nowhere and attacked me, it just couldn’t be helped.
They pursued me. I only did what I had to and acted in self-defense, although I had to admit how [Battle Frenzy] did make me more belligerent than usual. I bet anybody in my shoes would have chosen the same decision, considering the situation.
[“Come to think about it, Tasianna.”] An idea popped up. [“Do you know where those wyverns could have come from, or are they indigenous somewhere in the Belzac forest?”]
Tasianna gave it a long thought before answering, [“Aha, now I remember! According to a map I read in my village’s library, the forest is protected by the Belzac mountains in the north and west, while travel is blocked by a canyon in the east. South of the Belzac forest lies the ‘Avitor Peaks’”]
[“Avitor Peaks?”] I asked.
Tasianna nodded, continuing her explanation, ["Mhmm, it’s the name for a mountain range filled with griffins, hippogryphs, wyverns, and other flying monsters.”]
Griffins and hippogryphs, huh? I wonder if they are exactly like the ones in Earth's myths. At least wyverns are exactly how you would describe them: Dragons with wings as forelegs.
[“Among the areas in that mountain range, there is one called ‘Wyvern Peaks,’”] Tasianna further added. ["If you are sure they are wyverns, then they probably came from there.”]
So, were those wyverns who appeared out of nowhere on a hunting trip? I mean, if the mountains were just south of the forest, then it would make for the wyverns to use the forest as a hunting ground. Holy smokes, didn’t that mean this forest was even more dangerous than I thought?! Sheesh, imagine if I had met one of those Avitor Peak monsters when I tested out my flying, instead of those chickens.
So, the most likely case was those wyverns I met were lured in by my concert. Wow, as effective of a grinding strategy it was, it sure was dangerous. What bad luck! So unfair! Haaaa, I really hoped I wouldn’t have all these terrible coincidences, but that would only put down another flag to jinx me.
However, there was another idea looming inside my head. The fact that wyverns were related to dragons, and who was the God of Dragons? Kargryxmor.
Honestly, I had no conclusive evidence for this theory. I could neither confirm Kargryxmor could control wyverns nor was I really sure why he would do it in the first place. I mean, those wyverns wanted to kill me and if Kargryxmor was the reason for them, then was my new great-great-great-great-great-whatever-grandpa trying to murder me?
Dude, what the hell did I do to deserve that? Was he actually angry I hadn’t talked with him yet? How petty could you be to act like that, you clingy old man?! You were trying to kill your cute little great-great-great-great-great-great-whatever-granddaughter here!
If you were to give me your phone number or E-Mail, then I would speak with you at least once per week! I had family in different time zones back on Earth and I was pretty sure I maintained a good relationship with all of them. Maybe this Dragon God should have researched that before reincarnating me or was that all beneath a god?!
…Then again, I was actively trying to avoid contact so what was I talking about? I guess he felt betrayed or maybe scammed? I was also badmouthing him due to pure speculation alone. That was exactly what those bitches did to me in my past life, so why was I imitating their gossiping?!
I was better than that!
["Tasianna, how far away are we from Avitor Peaks or even the Wyvern Peaks?"] Acknowledging I needed more information, I stopped my train of thoughts to ask her for some more usable facts.
Returning to another long-winded thought session Tasianna tried to remember the details but unfortunately shook her head, ["Uhhh, I'm not too sure about that. I'm sorry, Princess Hestia."]
Before I could speak, Saori jumped at a nearby tree, hooking her legs and right hand’s claws into it, then looked down at me and spoke, [“Enough, Hestia. I can already see that you are extensively monologuing with yourself… again. I do not want to sound too much like a meddlesome, especially as you are not one of my students, but maybe it would be more practical to share your thoughts with us, instead of keeping it to yourself?”]
‘Oof, she got us,’ Manager Mind, my first parallel mind, spoke up.
‘Urgh, she noticed that? Are we that easy to read?’ parallel mind #2 mirrored the embarrassment I was feeling of Saori reading me like a book.
‘Yeah, I guess we are overthinking things,’ #3 stated.
Even the usually quiet #4 said something, ‘Ten minds are better than nine. Let’s pick her brain about this topic later on.’
I looked at the rest of my parallel minds, #5 to #8, and saw them nodding and saying 'Yeah, let's calm down first, original mind.'
Still hanging on the tree, Saori continued while I was still mulling over her previous words. [“You are being influenced by the mood. Just look at all the panic, the shouting, the terror in their eyes.”]
She moved my body, directing my gaze on the stampede happening around us at this very moment. [“If you are pressured to think then calm yourself down first. Deep breaths, come on, look at me and breathe in and out.”]
She pulled my body closer to hers and adjusted me like a puppet so our eyes would meet. Under her gaze, I did exactly what she wanted.
Breathe in… and out.
["Good job. The easiest way to refocus and reset your mindset during a test. It works for most students and I believe as an idol trainee, you should have known about this trick,”] she correctly guessed, as breathing techniques weren't just used to sing and dance properly, but also to calm my nervousness.
Breathing in once more, I was finally able to feel my heart pounding my chest up and down. Slight lightheadedness overcame me as my accelerated blood slowed down, returning my emotional and mental state back to zero.
[“Yeah… Sorry, I got a bit ahead of myself, girls.”] Softening my clutch on Saori’s forearm, I frowned a bit as my previous worries melted away.
["All is forgiven. We will talk about it after I find a place where we can rest. It also seems that the wyverns will not follow us, so we have probably escaped their search,"] once she said that, she jumped back into the tsunami of monsters, continuously jumping from one monster to the other, single-mindedly doing what she said she would.
[“Amazing, Madam Saori!”] Tasianna suddenly cried out. [“I apologize for underestimating you. You determined and resolved Princess Hestia’s problem immediately. It seems I was the one that was arrogant and ignorant. I shall do my best to improve from now on”]
[“Ah, thank you, Miss Tasianna, but praising me that much will make me blush, hehe.”] Looking up, I could see Saori looking a bit troubled about the compliments. [“Do not worry about getting to know her real personality. She is pretty straightforward, generally. Just make sure you become more flexible to accommodate her.”]
Tasianna groaned, [“Urgh, I believe I know what you mean. I will try my best. A good maid should adapt herself to her mistress, not the other way around.”]
What are they talking about?
I felt a bit left out from this conversation but I also had no reason to join in. I stayed silent and instead just closed my eyes, enjoying the bumpy ride of being carried around, limply hanging my legs and tail around.
Most likely, we would make quite some progress towards the north side of the forest purely ‘cause of this incident. However, it ended, it would probably take a while.
What a weird day.
With that, I drifted into sleep, entrusting myself to my two companions.
*******************
While our trio began moving towards the north of the forest, a different group in the south of the Belzac forest was advancing through its canyon.
Compared to Hestia’s party, the number of members in this one far surpassed her by the hundreds, filled with both humanoid and normal monsters.
They were all moving through the underside of the Belzarc forest, transporting a long caravan. The beasts of burden, monsters tamed by this large gathering, pulled wagons filled to the brim with weapons, armor, and barrels filled with rations out of a cave.
This cave lay underneath a large mountain separating the Belzac forest from what was over the Avitor Peaks. Fortunately for this group, as they bypassed this precarious mountain range through an underway, they were able to avoid the aerial predators swarming its skies. No matter how massive this battalion was, they would have been helpless under the constant attacks of Avitor Peaks' flying hunters.
Steadily marching onwards, this army of monsters showed none of the discipline a normal army should have, yet, they moved onwards despite this unstable harmony.
The humanoid monsters consisted out of the brown-furred kobolds, the blue and green-skinned goblins, and the greyish skinned orcs. Although all of them were grimgarians, it was rare for all three types to work together in the wild. Their was usually some competition amongst them, but in this army, they were all united by a single cause and goal.
The bulky orcs clad in heavy metal armor were strutting like knights, carrying their large halberds and axes around, proudly displaying their strengths and equipment with pride. Despite their flamboyance, they were diligently guarding the caravan, warily watching for any foreign movements.
Walking ahead and behind the caravan was an assortment of small kobolds armed with bows and arrows, while others rode on wolf mounts and some drove the carriages forward. Compared to the orcs, the size difference between these two races could be likened to a human adult and human child, where the orcs were the former and the kobolds were the latter.
A bit taller than the kobolds, the green-skinned goblins were marching in a formation dedicated to guarding the kobold archers and orc warriors, encircling them. Their outfits consisted of a mix-and-match between chainmail, leather armor, and simple linen, however, they all carried spears double their sizes.
Compared to the other two, the goblins were rowdier and harder to control, causing squabbles and fights whenever an overseer left them to their own devices for even a single second. However, none of these troubles lasted for long, as the blue-skinned goblins repeatedly ended each quarrel with haste.
Sitting in the carriages, these goblins wore magically enchanted robes with sturdy chainmail underneath them, carrying around staffs with large orbs — magical tools called catalysts — on top of them. Their faces were adorned with piercings and ritualistic tattoos while their ears carried bone ornaments. If they were not diffusing a fight among their goblin brethren, they were instead organizing the objects in the carriage, making sure that no kobold, goblin, or orc stole anything.
While goblins were naturally belligerent and greedy beings, this was mostly caused by their lack of intelligence. The blue-skinned ones, goblins whose skin tones changed from their higher mana potential, were their shamanas and mages. Not only were they crafty enough to become full-fledged mages like humans and beastmen, they were also cunning enough to understand causing trouble would only shorten their stay on Peolynca… At least, when the risks outweigh the gains.
In front of this huge caravan rode a chariot, pulled by two monsters resembling oxen. A giant, hulking beast fully equipped in armor fit for elite warriors sat on it. This creature was an indomitable ogre.
These humanoid monsters had the same base rank as a troll, but they were nothing compared to them. While trolls had a sturdy body and great regeneration due to their racial skill [Troll Regeneration], ogres were hunks of muscles able to carry and swing weapons a normal human would never be able to.
This giant of a monster stood up from his chariot and held a hand up. At that moment, every single member of this army stopped moving, freezing their movements either from admiration or fear.
“We have now passed Avitor Peaks’ hidden underground pathway,” the ogre turned around and spoke. His voice thundered, even reaching those at the very tail of this army of hundreds. “As you know, we are the first battalion to have come. Our duty is to make contact with our troll allies at the designated spot, deliver supplies, and establish the camp for the rest of the army who will come soon. HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR!?”
This bellowing command made all kobolds, goblins, and orcs straighten their backs like soldiers. The orcs shouted with all their might “YES, SIR!”, while the cowardly goblins shakily shouted “Y-YEAH!”, making sure not to fall unconscious from the ogre’s [Terror Aura]. The kobold’s, on the other hand, responded using their animalistic voices, roaring “GRAAAAAH!” instead of using any of the established languages.
In their own ways, the whole army made sure to respond to the commanding ogre’s order with resounding strength.
"GOOD! Now, shamans!" he pointed at the congregation of blue-skinned goblins, forcing them all to stand up straight. "Prepare a ritual to honor our ancestor father and mother. We will pray and rest, for now, HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR!"
This time, every single member fervently yelled “YES!” with no hesitation. None of the monsters would show anything but fervor, especially the zealous goblins.
No grimgarian in this army wouldn’t know the importance of this event. Besides a much-desired rest, they could also not allow themselves to miss this chance to be a bit closer to their gods.
“Prepare yourself to honor our mighty ancestor father, Marsven, the God of Darkness, and our beloved ancestor mother, Edna, the Goddess of Monsters and Fertility.” Stepping down from his chariot, the massive hulk walked towards his commanding army, even towering the large orcs. “Then we will march! We will march towards our glory. For all of you should know that our future battles will be worthy to be etched in history! Our 300 men battalion will be the foundation for our revenge! A war that we will win for our glory! All humans will know the taste of our VENGEANCE!”
Raising his massive axe into the sky, the ogre bellowed out the last part of his speech, “FOR THE GLORY OF HIS MAJESTY, THE OGRE KING! FOR THE HONOR OF MARSVEN AND EDNA! NIAKASH BAAL’AK!”
“““FOR THE GLORY OF HIS MAJESTY, THE OGRE KING! FOR THE HONOR OF MARSVEN AND EDNA! NIAKASH BAAL’AK!”””
Victory or death.
