NOVEL NEXT RickRockVille.
"Fuck this shit! Can't even get a day of rest! Eyja! Drink and get ready! We're going to RickRock!"
Squires and knights looked at the Master Smith. She and the other four Master Smiths suddenly barged in the royal stables and were hastily preparing her Rei'zah. They were loading healing potions, antidotes, some weapons and pieces of equipment. The Madam herself was in medium armor and was hauling her beloved halbert and shield on her back.
"Fuck fuck fuck, my Zamirite supply! Why the fuck now?"
"All good master!" one of the Dwarves said as he tapped on one of the Rei'zah thighs.
"Prepare the convoy. If you hear news from me tonight, send it, if not, send a squad of men! Eyja, go!"
Everyone watched as the Madam and her mount bolted away in a cloud of dust, wondering what was so urgent. Finally, a knight took the courage to ask about the situation. The Dwarves glanced at the man and the tallest one responded.
"The master received a call for the magi-walkie. RickRockVille is under attack. Some unknown beasts are rampaging in the mines. The mines there are important to us because they're the closest source of Zamirite we have, a metal you guys have in your armor joints. It's soft and can bend, like in joint areas, but it absorbs shocks very well. Losing the town means losing the supply source too."
"So that's why. Man. Everyday with you guys seems to be a handful. Poor Rei'zah. It has so much on its back."
"Don't worry about him. Eyja was bred for this kind of things. 'Twas a gift from the King to Madam Victoire for her merit. This bad boy can lift so much more."
"Damn. But... are you sure you don't want us to follow her? We can help."
"I'll have to decline. Madam Victoire has been awake for less than five hours since the attack and I'm not sure it's a good idea for her to go fight some creatures. But if she learns that I allowed you guys to go after her, I'm not seeing beer for the rest of the month"
"That's rough buddy."
The four Dwarves watched the knights of Bull-men going back to the stables to take care of their beasts.
Such wonderful creatures to have. Rei'zahs were warm-blooded bipedal reptilians. Madam Victoire often said they looked like "bulky raptors" whatever these beings were.
They mainly used their hindlegs to move but they could go faster on all four if necessary. More importantly, they were loyal and intelligent. They could understand speech and commands to a certain extent.
These beasts were better than horses in every possible way. They could carry up to a ton on their back, rider included but the royal ones were bred to be even faster and stronger. Under full load, a normal Rei'zah was as fast as a galloping horse. With that in mind, Bamur made some quick calculations. The master would most likely arrive in approximately one hour. RickRock wasn't too far from the capital.
He snorted. Victoire Dacier was offically the Master Smith of the kingdom but everyone in the court knew she was so much more. Her position was closer to something like a general of the Daemonic Armies than a simple smith. Her willpower and character were the things that impressed the king at the start.
And as time passed, he allowed her many liberties. Of course, some protested at the start but the results were here.
At the time, the kingdom had been caught up into a dispute over territory and they were loosing against the Humans. The Madam's equipment and weird knowledge changed many things on the battlefield and in various cities controlled by Daemons.
Everyone who had been protesting up until the victory of the kingdom had their eyes opened. The Elf was precious. And giving her freedom was needed to keep her.
Unbeknownst to anyone but themselves and the king, Madam Victoire had been working on a titanic project. One that required many resources. And as much funds as possible.
She had once deliberately shared the name of two of the sub-projects. Projects Equal Wyrm Weapons and Lupin-fantry. But even the four Dwarf brothers never even got the chance to see the grand plan from up close.
=
"What's you status garrison?!" shouted Victoire in the magi-walkie. One second later, the stone shone and a buzzing voice came out from it.
"Everyone's fine! The miners have been rescued! But it seems like this big spider wasn't the only one who liked this cave. The monsters, we've confirmed it's Tortuugas. You should hurry Madam. They haven't touched the Zamirite yet from what our scouts saw but we can't be too sure."
"FUCK! I'm almost here! Hold on tight!"
"Yes! Don't worry Madam! But you should be aware... There's a human individual who's been... helping us? I think? He's blocking the mine's entrance with his Magic. We can't understand him but it seems he wants to protect the town. He seems hostile to my men but he hasn't layed a finger on the miners and civilians."
Victoire frowned. A human far in Daemonic territory? That was unheard of.
'It is. Better be careful with this one. But in any case, get your incendiary bombs. And a hammer. Your halbert won't be much of use against Tortuugas.'
Yeah. Tortuugas sucked. Why couldn't it be another spider? Tortuugas were turtle-like monsters with a literal miniature montain of ores and metals on their carapace. They ate mineral matter to reinforce it and often settled in active mineshafts. Hence Victoire's worries.
Fire, electricity and blunt weapons worked best. Fire softened the metal and you could cave in their carapace or bash their head with a weighty weapon. You could also fry them from inside with thunder.
"Do you guys have any mages who know some fire incantations? Or thunder ones?"
"Negative."
"Then stay where you are. I'm at the town's outskirts. By the way, what material are the mine's pillars made of?"
"It's metal, all the mineshafts in the area were renovated several years ago after your mining reforms."
Well, that made everything much easier then. The bombs wouldn't burn the structures inside.
Victoire hopped down from the saddle and waved at her mount as she began to sprint.
"Eyja! Water! Come back when I whistle."
The reptile let out a... reptilian noise, and began searching for a well or a water source.
A few minutes later, she arrived at the mining site. Oil-bombs in hand and hammer in her back.
"Garrison! What's the situation?"
A tall blue-skinned man with a horn on his forehead stepped forward. An oni.
"Madam. Everyone has been evacuated. No injuries our Mages couldn't take care of. But that human boy over here seems suspicious. As I said, he blocked the mine's entrance with Earth Magic but as soon as we attempted to check on the civilians, he tried to attack us. He's been standing there since then. He seems powerful so we don't dare to-"
'That's... Isn't this guy an otherworlder? His clothes and vibe fit your memories.'
Why is someone like him here? No, at least the miners are fine. But I should get rid of the turtles before that. That's the most important part.
"Soldiers, do you have blunt weapons with you? I'll force the Tortuugas to come. We need to aim for the carapace and the skull."
"Yes. We have some at the ready. Our platoon sadly just didn't have anyone who had fire Magic."
"Hm. From now on, get at least two mages who master an element in a platoon. Alright boys, we're going!"
This day had been a strange one for Kuma Kazumi. Today was supposed to be the day of the shutdowm of Astra Online. An RPG-pixel game he was fond of. As one of its veterans, he wanted to stay until the last second. But then, as the last second of the countdown showed up on the screen, he found himself laying in the grass, nearby the borders of a medieval-looking settlement.
After some time he came to the conclusion that he had transmigrated to a world similar to Astra Online. All of his equipment was here, but he struggled for no reason. After opening his status pannel, he discovered several things. One : he got severly nerfed. The character he had been playing for so long went from level 100 something like 50-ish.
Second : the interface had changed, levels were now gone and got replaced by letters.
He had to get his levels back rapidly. And for a reason. The reason he was able to roughly estimate his dowgrade was that a lot of his gear was now level-locked. The only pieces he could equip were for level 55 at most.
But if it proved to be an isekai scenario, he would still be a very powerful individual, even with only a rating of A-.
Anyway, he started helping the people who were fleeing from a mine when strange looking soldiers showed up. They looked like Onis. Astra Online had Onis as DLC enemies. He made them back away as they started to approach the miners and the civilians but he didn't understand why they were making scared and displeased faces.
From what his appraisal skill told him, these soldiers were tiered as overall B-. That was... way higher than what he was comfortable with. But an intriguing fact he notice when aprasing various individuals was that people in this world didn't seem to have any skills. Instead, they developed abilities related to their environment and occupation.
But still, the gap between the demon guards and himself was concerning. They were much stronger than what he expected.
Soon after, he heard a gentle whistle and some sort of chicken-raptor thing came with an Elf, no- the most beautiful woman he had seen. She was clad in armor and a sledgehammer was strapped to her back. In her arms were several glass spheres with a black liquid inside.
She started talking to the Onis, nodded while making gestures, frowned while looking at him and went to the mine's entrance after distributing the spheres to the soldiers.
"Tsk. That thing's in the way..."
Kazumi looked at the Elf, shocked. He could understand her! Finally someone he could communicate with! He watched her as she took her hammer. As she swung her weapon, half of the earth wall he made when protecting the human miners was sent away in the form of rubble.
Mh. He still hadn't appraised her. She was was definitely stronger than these Onis guards.
"Aight, let's light those bad boys." she murmured as she searched for something in the creature's pouches.
Huh? Is that a flint? How's that thing even here?
"At the ready boys, we can't let a single one escape."
The Onis nodded and the Elf lit a small string attached to one of the glass spheres. She repeated the process five times, just like the soliders and quickly went behind one of them, who was casting some magic shield. Seconds later, a giant flame came out of the entrance of the mine. Pained roars and bestial sounds were getting louder and louder.
Finally, after two minutes or so, the turtle monsters emerged. Their carapaces had flattened and some parts were even starting to melt. Some flaming black liquid was dripping from their mutilated bodies.
Oil? Now that was intriguing.
"Let's go boys! Finish them off!"
Kazumi watched as the militia started to methodically kill the beasts. Their defense had collasped and they were too slow to avoid the attacks of the soldiers. In five minutes, the monsters had been taken care of. Some mages had begun to quench the small fires there and there. Meanwhile, the civilians and miners started to gather food and water and bring it to the soldiers. Some also went back into the mines along with a part of the armed force.
"Mayor. We'll repay your tools in full. Just send us a parchment or add this to your delivery cost."
"Hu-hm. That is much appreciated. By the way, since a trusted aid of the Daemon King is here, may this mayor make a small request? This one is related to this incident."
"Go-on." the Elf said while raising an eyebrow.
Wait, did he hear that right? Demon king? These people were demons? Kazumi narrowed his eyes. Weren't Elves normally enemies with demons?
"Thank you Master Smith. This town has a small demand. We... need more security. A regiment for the entire RickRockVille isn't enough I fear. One week ago, several slaves escaped from the camp thanks to an unknown helper and our attempts to find them proved to be unsuccessful.
"...Well, it's not like we need that many guards in the main city. Even Lady Crimson and Wrathborn say so. I'll have a word with them. But please, fill out an official request. One of my weapon shipment is coming here tomorrow. We'll take it when we get back."
"I see. But as a thanks please accept an invitation to 'Au Clair de Lune'. This inn is our finest in town." the mayor indicated while presenting the luxurious-looking building.
"That will do. Please prepare a bed then. Now, excuse me, I have a call to make."
The transmigrated boy looked as the woman separated from the others, took out a green stone out of a pocked and started speaking to it as it started to glow.
He frowned, why could he not understand anyone but that Elf?... Speaking of which... She wasn't paying attention so maybe that was the right time to assess her.
He focused and his eyes started to glow faintly and translucent greyish scren appeared before him.
"Let's see..."
[Victoire Dacier]
[Dark Elf]
[Overall rating : B+]
[Offense (includes speed, power, stamina and might) : A-]
[Defense (+ armor) - [includes recovery effects] : C+ (+ S) - [S+]
[Magic power: F]
[Magic resistance: F]
[Intelligence : S+]
[Jobs : Deamon King's Master Smith, Engineer, Inventor, Brawler, Armed Combattant, Mercenary, Miner, Lumberjack...]
[Traits : Secretive, Distrustful, Cold, Combat-lover, Technology genius, Pioneer, Elf-killer, Mage-killer, Madwoman...]
Huh?
How could she have two S+ stats and be ranked as B+ ? Well, one of these stats wasn't about combat power... But it was still strange.
Maybe it had to do with the fact she was trash at Magic? Well that was Astra Online's systems and skills that juged her.The game heavily favored Magic so it could explain why the appraisal gave her such a shit rating.
And what was up with these three last tiles? In any cases, he was curious. She was a smith and an inventor so maybe he could get something valuable from her.
Hm... But he had no money... at least not the currency from this world. Trade maybe ? But what did he have? He started to search in his pockets and inventory. His car keys, a credit card, gums and his laptop.
No, that wouldn't do at al- Actually... his laptop could very well be considered a legendary artifact for this world. There was no such avancd tech there and for a engineer and genius, that could be very very valuable.
The gamer nodded to himself while scratching his chin. He decided to stroll around in the city tomorrow to look ouf for shops and places a game scenario would find interesting. Maybe an adventurer guild and a slave market then.
"Hey you! Human with weird blade! Stop and come here for a moment!"
Well, at that exact moment, the Elf's beautiful voice sounded terrifying.
"Yeah, come here. I really want to know why you decided to attack my men when they were trying to protect the slaves and miners out there. Give me a good reason I shouldn't put you in the coldest shithole we can find for the night. You seem well equipped so you must be a warrior or some kind. Was the defeat of your allied forces not enough? You want to shed some more blood? Sounds about right. How about doing it right now? Or you can choose to speak."
"I-uh well... It's not like that. I-I just woke up and I think I have amnesia. So I think my instincts took over when I saw demons."
"... Well, prepare to fight. Boys, did he give a reason for attacking you? I didn't see his mouth moving. That means he wants to fight."
"N-no! It's not like that! Hear me out!"
"I won't. You say your instincts took over but what sane person rushes to fight people who are trying to save lives? Once I consider you recieved enough of a good beating, I'll let you go, but I'll take your weapon with me. I don't want any accident to happen y'know~ Now prepare yourself."
Kazumi frowned. Not even an hour in this world and he was already facing an opponent he wasn't sure he could beat normally. Maybe he'd have to use his skills? But there were witnesses and innocent bystanders.
SWISH-
Fuck...
"What's wrong? You were so eager to fight earlier. Where did this bravado come ?"
Alright, that was enough, time to get serious.
"Raijin fang slas-"
KH-ARGH!
"Nothing. You were pathetic. One shieldbash was enough to take you down? And to shatter your blade too. It shows. You at least would have avoided a concussion with a helmet on. But you're still conscious. Quite impressive. Come to my shop in a day. I'll get you something to make up for the loss."
Kazumi just moaned in pain on the ground. He was trying to understand why his armor's passive effects didn't trigger. He wasn't even sure whether the damage mitigation applied or not. Intimidation sure didn't work, it only applied to low-level trash. But still... At least he had a free ticket to her shop.
"Phew~ That breakfast was good. The cook knows his stuff."
'Now I'm jealous. That looked so tasteful! Argh!'
"Heh! Regretful now? It sure tasted amazing. Too bad for you~"
"Yeah. But do you really plan to give this guy something? He'll definitely cause problems."
"Absolutely not. By the way, Vi. How come I get some of your memories but not their integrality? Seems pretty weird, no? My speech is way more vulgar and rough, I see the infuence there but why don't I get more than that?"
'Well, the change of speech was intentional. It would have been weird for people to see Victoire suddenly speaking formally. And as for the memories... You've played as me for something like 40 years, so you have those to begin with. They're more your memories than mine as I said before. So the only ones I could still give you were fillers between events and testing sessions."
"I see. In any case, I'm curious about that boy. He definitely feels like someone who has transmigrated. I heard him grumbling about skills and statues when he was going away. I'm planning on baiting him with weapons tomorrow. We'll get so see a reaction out of him. I want to toy with him a little bit."
'Well, seems you're becoming me pretty fast. Toying with your prey and all of that. You know, there also something else you can toy with! It's down her-'
"Not listening."
'Boooo, you're no fun.'
"No I'm not! It's hard enough to become a woman when I've desesperately tired to be more masculine for my entire life, but having your other half making weird sexual innuendos makes it even worse! I don't want to be reminded of that so please. It's just... painful. Please."
'I-Alright. I promise.'
An awkward silence settled in the inn's room. Victoire's former masculinity had been a sore subject for the former game developer. It seemed like it still was. And enough to be considered a unhealty obsession by doctors back in his former world.
Victoire's soul watched her counterpart who sat down and started to sharpen the various weapons she brought on her mount.
She was adaptating fast, way more easily than what the she had expected. The gestures didn't have any flaw, it was as if she really had fifty years of experience in the art. It was as if Victoire was meant to be in that body. Of course, the former Victoire could feel that the current one was male. But... she had been playing for virtually 39 years inside of this body.
The abrasive sound of the grindstone was soothing, for the both of them. Victoire's shoulders relawed with each stroke and the soul allowed herself to float in the room.
From times to times, Victoire stopped grinding the blades and passed a finger on their edges while humming an unknown melody.
A few minutes later, she came back carrying a rectangle-shaped bag. A suitcase the spirit recognized. The smith started to release the locks and grabbed what was inside of the container.
While some parts ressembled a crossbow, the weapon inside was much more destructive. A long nozzle, without any string, no arrow to load it but instead a small box where were stored numerous needle shaped projectiles. A 'sniper' as Victoire called it when she finally managed to craft it in secret.
"Vic... you know... I didn't mean to sound like an ass. I'm sorry if I made things awkward. I-it's just... I still can't really believe that this whole thing is real. I'm still in denial I suppose? I mean... I've been fighting my appearance and physique for two decades and suddenly, as my dream is about to be realized, the character I've nutured for something like 20 years comes to life to announce me that I'm dead and that I'd replace her?
In the same game I put my sweat and tears on? That's so unreal...
And worse than that! I've been in that body for less than a day and it just feels great! It feels like my body! I'm in control. I am... happy? I feel like I'm whole...
Sigh. How does that even work...?"
'Don't worry about it. I believe you playing as me for so long affected you. It's rather strange for you to be already so used to this body. I guess we'll find the answer one day. We'll be at peace with ourselves, both of us. We deserve it.'
"Aight. We do. But we ended our previous conversation so abruptly but... do you know why I invited this guy in my shop? Tomorrow, my convoy's going to arrive. I'll get him one of these cuvred swords. He'll like it for sure. These swords, we called them katana in my world. For some reason, they were glorified as perfect weapons but they're absolute shit.
Any medieval weapon from my country would have bent or shattered the strongest katana out there. These were mainly decorative weapons, just like the ones I charge so much for.
He still hasn't realised some basic physics apply even though there's magic. So what? Magic shouldn't be an answer to everything. And certainly not a hundred tons of steel in the form of a drake, barreling towards you while you're holding a flimsy sword."
'... So I take that you've finished it. The first of many I suppose.'
"Not the Wyrm Weapon. They still take too much time. But before all of that death stuff happened, I was on the verge of finishing the first Lupin-fantry units. And it will help us, just as you wished before I came to play as you. Do you... remember your last words before I started controlling you?
'Of course I do!'
" ' The legions of iron will march and purge this world of the impurity that is magic. Elves will burn in their forests, humans will despair in their crumbling castles and magic tomes will rot in their desolate ivory towers. I swear it, as the Iron Witch. ' "
"The Iron Witch. The insult you've heard for your last seven years in Elven territory. You came to like it ironically."
'It was a fitting name after all. And one day they will see. Very soon...'
"Yes. Very soon. But I need to get rid of that human. Speaking of which, he should arrive early this morning. I have the feeling he's going to be a pain in the ass so let's have a nap in the meantime."
=
That was incredibly weird. This new world, this new life, this new body... Everything felt unnnatural. Kazumi woke up today, thinking all of this was just a dream but feeling the unusually itchy bed sheets, he couldn't help but realise this was indeed reality. A fantasy world with swords and magic, beastkins, elves and even demons!
Saying Kazumi didn't feel excited would be lying. But excitement shouldn't replace his worries. He had to find new gear. And companions to travel with. The Elf had completely bested him yesterday and moreover she destroyed his katana with her shieldbash. At least she said she'd sell something to apologize.
"Mister Kazu-kun, where are we going? I already said that there was no adventurer guild in this city. The only one is... in the Deamon's territory." interjected Flora. She was a slave fox-kin who had run into trouble when Kazumi got to the inn yesterday night. She was lost and the curfew imposed on slaves was coming.
She was crying because her period of slavery, which was supposed to end soon, would be prolonged by an entire year if she came late. So he naturally helped her reach her barracks and they decided she would show him around today. So far, she had been incredibly helpful indicating what locations were useful for people who traveled and were in need of anything.
He was a little dissapointed to learn there was no such thing as adventurers in this location and he didn't want to see the demon capital.
"Well, yesterday I dueled with a Dark Elf. I suffered a terrible defeat... She completely destroyed my weapon. She said she felt bad so she proposed I'd go to her shop and buy another weapon. What do you say?"
He looked behind her and rose an eyebrow. Flora's mouth was wide-open and she was staring at him dumbly.
"What's wrong?"
"Wh-what?! You're asking me what's wrong?! Y-you got introduced to the Bloody King's Master Smith! That is not something one should blurt out like that! Oh my ancestors, nonononono..."
"Hey, what's up with that reaction?"
"Do you realise how much people who dedicate their lives to fighting would give up to get a weapon from her forges? You normally don't buy from her, you wait for armies who have no use for them anymore to sell this stuff at a disount!
Are you sure you didn't fall into a scheme or a scam? Humans aren't usually welcome here and I'm wouldn't be surprised to learn they're plotting to get rid of you. And besides, how did you even pass the border? Nonononono... this is bad for you..."
"Wow, calm down. What's the matter? You seem afraid."
Flora fell silent. She opened her mouth several times but no words came out of her throat.
Finally, after calming down, she murmured.
"Sh-she's the one who put me into slavery... And many others slaves became ones because of her descisions. I should be studying in the academy of your human empire, not wasting my days with a pickaxe in hand..."
"... What if I made a trade with her? To get your freedom."
"It's no use. She won't budge... But thanks for the offer. I mean it."
=
"Deal. Now get out of my forge. Unlike you I'm busy."
Kazumi and Flore stepped in sync out of the shop and looked at each other with dumb faces. Kazumi had just presented his laptop in a last attempt to get what he felt like was a formidable weapon and this Victoire Dacier person instantly agreed on both selling the blade and freeing Flora. She even offered some light armor pieces for the both of them.
Moments later she disappeared in the back of the shop and came back with an official paper that stated Flora would be free starting from today. Said girl was wagging her tail happily and hugging Kazumi tighly.
Now everything was going fine, they could go on an adventure.
=
'You really gave them a lot of stuff. Aren't you worried they'll cause trouble ?"
"Not really. I'll kill the guy and I'll get the slave again. This time no-one will be able to hear her." Victoire smirked evily.
"Did you see how she tried to not gag in front of the cool guy? Lupinox hormones sure aren't good for fox-kin. I bet she'll feel its effects in half a day."
'We're so evil.'
"We are. You don't realize this yet but this reclangular thing is the last thing we needed. I can go back to fully commit to my little secrets."
'You should pack then.'
"No. I'll have to call someone. And then get some rest."
"Alpha. Isn't it desecrating our bodies? Sending our deads to the woman you speak of. And for what purpose are we giving her our immortal corpses? She must be using for some kind of scheme!"
"Silence mutt! Female long-ears is benefactor of us! If not for Elf woman, our pack be razed or scattered in Everfrost Mountains! She gives many shelter with many live food, we give her undying corpses and guard frontiers. We not question her or pack leader of Daemons. We give what asked in return of help we get. Go back hunting or I mark you omega!" a enormous werewolf-like creature exclaimed before slashing its interlocutor in the face.
'Suspicious. Pup is strange since morning. He forgot using corpses is agreement. Usefulness even in death. Very strange. Kin cannot forget that. And voice weird.
No mutt in pack speak like human races. Same language but less useless words. Voice of pup like weak humans. Need to report. Lucky, Benefactor here soon. She called with magic stone during night. She used corpses very good. Brother's body would serve cause. Need to assemble part of pack. Make preparations.'
The lupine being stood up on and puffed its chest, gathering as much air as possible.
HOWWWWWL!
Now he just had to wait.
"Alpha IronJaw. You called us?" asked a red-furred werewolf. He along with several other hurried in the village's clearing after having heard their Alpha's call. They had been hunting, their hands were covered in blood.
"Yes. Elf Madam will come tonight. She wants use brother's corpse at last, only one she did not take last time. I allow you drink Moonwater tonight! It is feast! But remember not let guard down, we agreed to guard territory. Five pints maximum. Transmit command to rest of the pack."
The others growled in aknowledgement. Only the blood-furred one was stopped by a massive hand on his shoulder.
"RedFur. I also give order, watch SharpFang. He not normal today. If mutt behaves bad, give information before sun hides in EverFrost. Now, go, hunt."
The now-named creature nodded and got on all four, likely to catch up with the others of the group.
"Well, what did you whisper to your guy? Tell me Test 0. I arrive a little bit early and I come across you guys having a secret meeting?"
"Be-Benefactor! You here so soon!" IronJaw exclaimed in surprise... and happiness. His tail was wagging intensely.
"We have not time to prepare! Oh no!"
"Don't worry about that. I'm not in a hurry. I can wait for your pups to come back. I'll have a drink too. But I'm really curious about what you said to your lieutenant."
IronJaw watched the helper of his pack dusting a hammock and laying inside of it. He and his pack were grateful of what she had done. Seven generations ago, she appeared along with her pack leader when they were starving and searching desesperately for food.
The two proposed to get them food and a grand territory in exchange of various things like giving the corpses of the dead or guarding the lands they now lived on.
The Elf woman had also built a strange house deep down near their village and asked IronJaw to keep it secret from anyone apart from herself and the Daemon she came with. He was once led inside and saw the countless corpses of his dead pack members stored there. But they were different. No longer they had fur, only bare muscles. And they were wearing very complicated armor with ropes of steel everywhere on their body.
One day, she took them away in secret, leaving the biggest one in the secret place, his brother's corpse. And now, she wanted to take him too.
"-aw? What are you thinking about? You were deep in thoughts."
"Sorry. I remembered help you gave. But I give answer. Ordered RedFur to hound suspicious member of pack. I wanted to share worries tonight with Benefactor."
"... A Suspicious mutt? Tell me more about that."
"Yes... Mutt is strange since accident. Received a beating from me yesterday and woke up with scream human gibberish. Speak like human, thinks nonsense like human, judges like human. Maybe i hit too hard... but me not stupid. You told tales of humans intruding bodies. Is this one? Need to know, corpse will fill your want or the pack's bellies."
"No. I have far more than enough corpses. You can kill this one. But let's not talk about this subject, it gives me a headache. Just follow me, I'll have to do some things on your brother's body."
"Yes."
Goddamn, not another one... I'll really need these guys' Moonwater.