We were moving through the forest at a decent speed, but these trees, I never made it to the redwood forest, but I imagine this is what it feels like. Nagishi said we had to head towards where the forest becomes young and I’m starting to wonder when we will make it to that point.
“Master!” Nagishi called for me interrupting my admiration of the tree’s. “We are being followed, it smells like a pack of Fenrir, I believe the humans call them greater dire wolves.”
“Wait! We’re being chased by wolves?” I screamed, a little panicked. ‘Mene, what should we do?’
“Yes, there are four of them, this is not a fight we can win.”
<i>Answer. </i>There you are Mene, ‘give me some good news’
<i>Using appraise all and world beast tamer you may be able to subjugate a single Fenrir to even odds in a fight however chance of success 35%</i>
‘Well, that is better than zero let’s give it a shot’ I resolved myself for a fight, though, I do not have a weapon now. Something still stirred and combat became my primary operation. “Nagishi, we have to fight.” I yelled, “I have a plan, in the works”
“Are you going to try and tame the Fenrir?” Her question was incredulous, how the hell did she figure that out. “Are you going to tame all of them?”
“I doubt I can.” I was going off the information Mene had given me, “there’s a chance I can tame one of them, and that’s only a chance.”
Nagishi took a long pause, and then responded “yes, it seems fighting is our only option. If you can gain control of one of them then we can win.”
“Human” I gruff voice reverberated around the trees
“Yes, I smell it.” Another softer voice resounded
“Smells good!” a somewhat younger voice trails off.
“It has been three centuries, why would one venture this far past the wall?” His question piqued my interest and then he continued. “Ah, and there’s another, that snake child, why is it awake?” The last voice was more powerful than the others, it projected the quality of leadership. “It matters not, children spread and surround them.” The command was forceful and in the next instant the four Fenrir dispersed.
“Umm, they just surrounded us.” I know I am stating the obvious, but verbalizing makes me feel better.
“I know,” Nagishi responded cooly “I know that one there with the scar on its eye. It got that from the Ursudon I ate 300 years ago its mana still leaks from it.” I’m not sure what’s more impressive, the fact that she ate something that managed to scar this Fenrir, or that she can recognize individual mana after 300 years. “Fenrir,” she called to the lead on her voice trembled with rage “I know you do I not? Are you willing to die this day? You, and your kin?” Her words were so sharp that even I shuddered, and the Fenrir answered.
“Ouroboros child, do not flatter yourself, in your state how can you beat me, you are tiny.” He was right. Even though I was standing at almost 13 feet and Nagishi at almost 9 we were small compared to the Fenrir in front of us. He was 5 meters from paw to shoulder and his head was being held low but I could tell it was much taller. He has a long body, not nearly as long as Nagishi’s snake form, but still long and slender. He is built like a saluki, built for running. He was baring his substantial fangs, and radiating a menacing aura, all his long black fur standing on end, he means business. Yet, even with all this there is a hint of regality to this Fenrir, and maybe that is just comes with being a mythological creature. He still seemed no to be in a rush to make a move seemingly calculating his next move.
“Size has no bearing on who is stronger between you and I.” This statement from Nagishi made me look at her confused. I wonder what makes her so confident.
<i>Understood!</i>
<i>Nagishi</i>
<i>Age: 1800</i>
<i>Race: Queen Ouroboros</i>
<i>LV: 200/1000</i>
<i>Attack: 50,000</i>
<i>Defense: 7000</i>
<i>Speed: 17500</i>
<i>Stamina: 7000</i>
<i>Mana: 9500</i>
<i>Intelligence: 6500</i>
<i>Strength: 30000</i>
<i>Gaia’s Blessing- Walk with a hero</i>
<i>Skills: </i>
<i>Shapeshifter- Can freely manipulate the shape, size, and features of one’s body down to it genetic structure. </i>
<i>Rulers Authority- members of the same species must obey commands, grants blood of the progenitor, creatures of a lower rank have an increased chance of instantly falling under innate skill serpents’ gaze.</i>
<i>Currently, this is all you can gleam through appraise all. Subject Nagishi has raised restrictions through soul connection. </i>
I’m no fool, this proves she still does not fully trust me. Which is totally understandable, but holy crap she is strong. And it looks like that serpents’ gaze thing has frozen the Fenrir, except for the one right in front of us. He too is very strong it seems. ‘Appraise’ I thought before Mene could just do it herself.
<i>Elder Fenrir (unnamed)</i>
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<i>LV: 100/100</i>
<i>Attack: 20,000</i>
<i>Defense: 8,000</i>
<i>Speed: 20,000</i>
<i>Stamina: 10,000</i>
<i>Mana: 2,500</i>
<i>Intelligence: 6250</i>
<i>Strength: 21000</i>
<i>Minor Blessing- Tricksters touch, a certain god favors this monster this blessing is not fully understood.</i>
<i>Skills:</i>
<i>Pack Leader- All followers gain a 10% boost to stats when around the pack leader</i>
<i>Stand Firm- Blocks status effects</i>
<i>Wind walker- allows user to use the wind for a speed boost when running, also allows the user to run on the wind.</i>
There were a few more skills but the Fenrir must have given a command to its compatriots because he and two others jumped in to attack. The two younger Fenrir died in the blink of an eye, I’m not entirely sure but I’m pretty sure Nagishi did something. I looked carefully at the two bodies at Nagishi slapped the older Fenrir away. “When did you bite them?” I asked there where a set of two puncture wounds on the napes of the younger Fenrir.
“Oh, that?” Nagishi responded wryly “I am hungry so I simply killed them quickly for a snack later. What about you I see you have controlled that pup.” Her eyes glanced over her shoulder at the one Fenrir that didn’t move.
“Well yeah, she is much weaker than you so it was kind of easy.” In a sense this was the truth, this Fenrir was much weaker the Nagishi when she was just an Ouroboros. However, due to its minor blessing, and the influence of the pack leader it felt like it took some time for me to fully tame it. Thought acceleration made it take about a second, which turned out to be right before the Elder Fenrir gave the command for them to attack, I gave the command for her to sit. The odds just turned from four on two to three on one, and the Elder Fenrir was noticeably shaken.
“I will not lose so easily.” The rage welling in the Elder Fenrir’s very being. It lets out a behemoth howl that shakes everything arounds us. The young Fenrir whines, as it cannot bear the pressure being emitted by its elder. Even I am taken aback a bit, the magnitude of this power is truly unfathomable. Nagishi on the other hand just rolls her eyes, and then without warning she leaped at the Elder Fenrir.
*Wham*
The Elder Fenrir was seemingly decapitated, wait that not right, its head is still connected to its body and there was no blood. Nagishi looked at me with a cool smile, and then responded. “I simply separated his skull from his vertebrate, he didn’t get the message when I slapped him away. Death was his punishment for his arrogance.”
‘Whose being arrogant.’ I thought to myself, and why was that so easy for her to do. her attack is much higher I know but still.
<i>Answer. </i>
<i>Knowledge gained through study and seems to have a positive effect of implemented tactics and techniques.</i>
Mene loves to answer my personal inquiries, this on however makes sense. “Okay so practice makes perfect, and if the practice is perfect, then the results will be too.” I muttered out loud, and Nagishi looked at me with a tilted head. “So, you’re going to eat those, like all three of them?” I asked her knowing the answer.
“If my master permits me.” Her response immediate, and pleading. Then I heard the grumbling of a stomach coming from behind me. I had forgotten about the Fenrir I had tamed.
“Right, you need a name.” I looked at the Fenrir, like the Elder Fenrir it had a long slender body like a saluki, man these things really are built for running. She was a bit smaller probably 3.5 meter from paw to shoulder, still bigger than both myself and Nagishi. Her fur was long with brown roots and silver patches strewn here and there. “Your name will be Renfir.” A golden light enveloped the young Fenrir as it began to transform. What emerged from the light was a young-looking girl standing around 2 meters in height, with brown hair with silver streaks, her fur had become a silver dress cover reddish-brown skin, and she had a long slender tail the same color as the hair on her head. All I could think in the moment was why does this keep happening? First Nagishi, and now Renfir. I probably need to stop naming these things as I meet them.
<i>Understood. Title unlocked, Hero for all.</i>
‘That’s gotta be another blessing, okay I guess there is no running away from saving this world. Wait, why did you say understood?’ my though was directed incredulously at Mene, thoughts of main characters in light novels with snarky partners entered my mind. Whatever she keeps me informed, (I know it’s a disembodied formless voice, but she told me she’s a her, and who am I to argue.) I decide to check my own stats before Renfir’s because Nagishi is technically in my party so maybe there is some kind of party experience effect.
<i>Understood.</i>
<i>Cirdec Julian</i>
<i>Age 18</i>
<i>Race High Human</i>
<i>L.V.: 150/50</i>
<i>Attack: 7000</i>
<i>Defense: 1100</i>
<i>Stamina: 8000</i>
<i>Mana: 15000</i>
<i>Intelligence: 85 00</i>
<i>Strength: 8500</i>
<i>Gaia’s Blessings</i>
<i>Hero of All</i>
<i>One True King</i>
<i>Skills:</i>
<i>Appraise All</i>
<i>Nyktimene</i>
<i>World Beast Tamer</i>
<i>There is an evolution available as Life Value has exceeded current vessel. Commence with evolution?</i>
“Wait, no!” I yelled, Renfir jumped a bit, I think she is still trying to grasp what exactly is going on. The corpses of her kin are being expertly butchered in front of her. Nagishi turned to me stopping her butchering.
“Is something wrong my master?” She asked there was a bit more cheer in her voice. I feel she is extremely food motivated this one.
“No, no, keep doing what your doing, by the way is that safe for me to eat as well?” I saw Renfir shift uncomfortably, so I turned to her. “Ah, you have nothing to worry about Renfir, you do not have to eat the meat of your kin if you do not want to, but I have to point out you were willing to eat us and you were spared.” When I said this Renfir nodded.
“Yes, master these are the rules of the forest, the strong can eat the weak.” Renfir’s voice was light, there was no fear, but sheer matter-of-fact-ness that took me by surprise. “My father and brothers did not recognize your strength, or the strength of your guide there.” She nodded at Nagishi a sense of respect shown in her eyes. “I have changed, and I am less sure of what I am, I am still Fenrir, but also not Fenrir, master what am I?”
This I couldn’t help but feel was a good question. What exactly is she?
<i>Understood</i>
<i>Renfir</i>
<i>Age: 900</i>
<i>Race: Fenrir Saint</i>
<i>LV: 100/1000</i>
<i>Attack: 20,000</i>
<i>Defense: 9,000</i>
<i>Speed: 19,000</i>
<i>Stamina: 10,000</i>
<i>Mana: 3000</i>
<i>Intelligence: 7000</i>
<i>Strength: 15000</i>
<i>Gaia’s blessing- Walk with a hero</i>
<i>Tricksters Daughter</i>
<i>Skills:</i>
<i>Pack Matriarch- Members of pack receive divine protection, only when recognized they are recognized. </i>
<i>Light movement I- when activated movement is increased to near light speed for a period of 10 seconds</i>
<i>Skill Share I- can share certain innate, and all learned skills with recognized members of the pack for a duration of 20 seconds; cost 100 mana to activate.</i>
“Well, Renfir, your race has changed, it seems to be an evolution.” I start explaining “It looks like you evolved into a---”
“Fenrir Saint!” She cut me off with excitement in her voice “that is but a legend amongst Fenrir, the last Saint walked with our father the hero Loki when he saved the world in ancient times.” Her statement reverberated through me. I know the name Loki, the trickster god from Norse Mythos, why is that name here. I really feel like this isn’t a coincidence, that Elder Fenrir had a minor blessing called something like Tricksters touch, didn’t it?
<i>Understood. Yes!</i>
‘Wait that’s it?’ I screwed my face up in frustration, Mene’s consistency is really frustrating in these matters. ‘Are you whistling right now?’
<i>Understood. I am a skill I do not have lips, nor the ability to purse said lips, and I do not breath to be able to force air through said pursed lips.</i>
‘Oye!’ I had to shake my head. *By the way, she was most definitely whistling, and in an I don’t know what you’re talking about kind of way. * I turn my attention to the people with me, and ask “Ok, so which way to the human settlement?” Both of my companions, Nagishi the Queen Ouroboros and Renfir the Fenrir Saint point in the same direction stating simultaneously.
“South!”