《Under a Harey Moon》 Chapter 0 Prologue - Going Out for a Bite With a stretch and a yawn, he got out of his makeshift bed. If he was honest with himself, it was more of a nest made of hey, fur and feathers. That was the best sleep he had gotten in a long time. His white fur coat rippled over his shoulders as he headed to the entrance of his spring home away from home. He was still a bit over weight from his gouging last winter. Looking for a bit of a change, he decided to check on the wild carrots just on the other side of the large rocks. He was half way across the rocks when suddenly something went ¡°SNAP¡± and he was being thrown into the air by a rope which was suddenly around his large feet. He quickly bent to find the knot when he realized he was heading back down toward the ground.
You¡¯ve just received bludgeoning damage due to head trauma HP -110
¡°WHAM¡± Due to the message screen and the blood dripping into the ever-growing puddle, he could tell he had just gotten a severe blow right between his long ears. If he could just¡­ ¡°WHAM SPLAT¡±
You¡¯ve just received bludgeoning damage due to head trauma HP -80 You¡¯ve lost additional health due to massive blood loss. HP -20 Due to HP loss, you have lost consciousness
He awoke, still dangling from his legs. He had no idea how long he had been there, but due to the growing puddle of blood swimming before his eyes it had been quite a while. Before he could bring his cloudy head to enough clarity to bring up the status screen to check his HP, there was an approaching rustle, and a massive brown something appeared. How long had he been upside down to be this messed up?The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Excellent! This little guy will make a great supper!¡± said the figure dressed in brown reaching out towards him ¡°I never wanted to do this to anyone, but you left me no choice kid¡± he thought to himself as he suddenly reached out and bit the hand reaching out to him. Without pausing, and ignoring the scream of the bitten hunter, he reached up and started chewing on the rope as fast as he could. As soon as he had bitten it through, he fell and ran towards the underbrush
You¡¯ve been dealt piercing damage HP -40
No! he didn¡¯t realize the hunter was armed for range! The arrow in his haunch shot pain up his spine with every step, but he couldn¡¯t stop. Seconds later the decision was no longer his to make, when he collapsed into the brush. His last thought was relief that at least he had already had his revenge, and the hunter had no idea¡­ yet
Additional damage dealt due to blood loss HP ¨C 20 Your HP has dropped below 0 YOU ARE DEAD
¡°Now where did that fat white rabbit go?¡± Jacob wondered as he searched the area. He could have sworn it ran this way. He parted the brush, jumped up and quickly ran back towards town! Clearly there were bandits, or raiders, or something to that end in the area, and the guards had to know. Why else would there be a naked man face down in that hedge? And judging by that head wound, whoever did that meant serious business! He¡¯s just going to have to leave his kill wherever it had fallen, but he was sure it had due to the message he had received. That little guy was clearly older than he thought, since it gave enough EXP to show him what he had been waiting days to see.
LEVEL UP: Tracker 10/10 CONGRATULATIONS! Training class [Tracker] has been mastered. Basic Tracker Skill +3 Levels
No Upgrade Qualifications Met
Chapter 1 - Bad Hunt Recovery Jacob still couldn¡¯t believe that had happened. First hunting trip of the year got him nothing that would last a few days, but a stupid rabbit bite. At least the squirrel skin from lunch would be able to pay for replacement arrows once he tanned it and sold the leather. The few remaining rations from his last adventure were good enough to get him through tonight. It means he¡¯ll have to check the traps again in the morning to even hope to get the supplies he needed for the caravan escort leaving in the morning. Well, either that or buy them from the caravan, but that would quickly eat into his profits for the trip! Worse than that, the guards kept insisting the dead man in the bushes was outside their jurisdiction since it was outside the city. He¡¯ll just have to be even more vigilant on their trek. *Ring-ring* Jacob had almost not noticed walking into the local armory. After about a minute, an elven woman came out of the back drying her hands. Valphine Downfletcher was not only a good saleswoman who always knows which weapon would best suit her customer, and a mediocre smith at best, but she was by far the best fletcher in the village. No doubt due to some elven secret her arrows always flew straight, and quiet. Jacob bought from nobody else¡­ if he could help it. The fact she was always so happy, and chatty when he came by and kept giving him an undocumented discount was just a bonus. He had been developing a significant crush on the young elf ever since she had first shown him around her weapons shop. In the 2 years or so since, he still didn¡¯t build the courage to do anything, but everything from her voice, to the pecan colored hair that reached halfway down her back when freed from its usual ponytail made him wish that some of his more private dreams about her were a reality. He sometimes wondered if it was a show to attract male customers. She had to know the top clasps of a woman¡¯s shirt were supposed to be fastened after all. Still, the smile that lit up the bodacious elf¡¯s face on seeing him was enough to warm his heart and lift his spirits after the failed hunt. ¡°Hi! Welcome to¡­ JAKEY! Hey! How was the hunt?¡± She couldn¡¯t help but squeal out the name only she could call him, not that anyone else tried. Jake was by far her favorite customer, and she couldn¡¯t pretend even to herself that it stopped there. Everything from his smile, to his voice, to his¡­ ¡°features¡± made her happy. She still remembered when her cheeks cramped all evening just because Jake had spent about 2 hours picking out a bow, and she couldn¡¯t stop smiling. She suspected but had no proof that he knew which bow he wanted after 5 minutes but stayed the rest of the time watching her in his peripherals, not that she minded. More than the store had grown very cold in the winter months since the tracker had last warmed her door and her heart. She hadn¡¯t done anything towards the pursuit of the hot young man, but her heart insisted she do something soon to make him hers.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. ¡°Hey Val! Not bad considering the time of the year. Got a nut job with an arrow early on, and a rabbit found one of my snares in the afternoon. The little bouncer played dead and somehow escaped though. Took a chunk of hand along with him¡± ¡°Rotten luck. Sorry¡± She said with a pout leaning over the counter, resting her arms and sizeable chest on the top. ¡°Your furry wittle target swipped through your wittle fingers. How can I help?¡± ¡°Well, I got a spot in the party escorting the caravan tomorrow, but I¡¯m a little short on arrows for a mission like that. Nobody puts them together like you do!¡± ¡°Well, of course not! Nobody can work a shaft and head the way I do¡± she said with a wink,¡± but maybe I can show you sometime. In return you can show me how you always get so dirty¡±. Val was always making that sort of comment. Jacob didn¡¯t really understand it though. Oh, he knew she was hitting on him, he just wished she would do so in a way that wasn¡¯t insulting. Dirty? Really? I mean yes, he lost count of the number of days since his last washing, but he figured part of the escort would include a night at an inn where he can get at some clean water he wouldn¡¯t have to drink from later. ¡°Maybe later Val, but for now just the arrows¡± A little while later, Jacob was leaving with not 1 but 2 quivers full of Valphine¡¯s best new arrows. He wasn¡¯t sure how long he could continue using the best of the best while avoiding the dark back room of the armory, he wasn¡¯t even sure he wanted to avoid it. All he knew for sure was he had escaped for one more night. And, he hadn¡¯t spent all the money he expected to get from the squirrel hide for twice the yield. Speaking of which, the tanners should still be open, then off to the campgrounds. Once he was there, he headed straight for his favorite site. It was a peaceful spot on top of a hill in a corner made by a river and the woods. He got there just in time to set up camp with a small fire before the sun sank below the horizon. He fell asleep in his bedroll as usual, staring into the dying embers of his fire. Chapter 2 - Lost and Found ¡°Whoa! Where am I? And how did I get here?¡± are not the phrases the average adventurer hopes go through their mind upon waking up. The fact the mind those words were racing through was slightly dazed and felt like it was about to beat itself out of Jacob¡¯s skull only made matters worse. Add in that he woke up naked in a bush and he was afraid for a moment he had spent another evening at Obsidiack''s pub. But no, the poor dwarf had lost his bar in the events that drastically reduced the drinking limits of anyone capable of casting flaming or exploding spells. Besides, hadn¡¯t he fallen asleep in the campgrounds? Then how had he gotten here? And why didn¡¯t his clothes come along for the ride? Somehow, all that did was a skin-tight band about as wide as his palm that keeps a sheathed dagger secured to his right leg about 2inches above his ankle. It was there in case of emergency, but that didn¡¯t change the fact that it was bizarre. He¡¯ll have to worry about that latter though Ok, deep breaths¡­ how do I get back to the campsite? ¡­ Oh! The river is the best source of fresh water for miles, so get out of the bush and ¡­
Activating Skills: Direction Detection Hunter¡¯s Tracking ¨C Path Detection
It was as if an additional filter had been put over his eyes revealing every broken twig and footstep indicating where rabbits, deer, squirrel and other small game traveled recently, but his eyesight hadn¡¯t changed at all. The skill merely enabled him to detect all the various signs for the next 60 seconds. He could target a particular type of track to increase the duration, or even pick a single prey to track who he could pursue even longer, but that would start costing MP, and all he needed in this case was the general path most of the game was traveling. This should point him towards the river, at which point Direction Detection would tell him which direction the river was flowing which should let him get back to the campgrounds. While he was at it, he started wondering how long he had to get back before the caravan left.
Activating Skill: Solar Clock
As the name implies, this general skill lets the user use the sun and horizon to determine the time of day. Unfortunately, the result indicated the caravan left nearly 2 hours ago. There was no way they were still waiting for one escorting adventurer. Might as well check in though when I get back to town. On his way to the river, Jacob¡¯s mind couldn¡¯t help but wander back to how he got in the bushes. All he could remember were flashes of what could only have been his dream, and a weird one at that. Overwhelming fear combined with the sensation of being smothered¡­ Racing around close to the ground trying to find shelter from potential invisible attacks from hidden enemies¡­ Tons of auditory and sensual input that was so different it could only have come from his imagination¡­ And all under the light of the moon. None of the flashes made any sense and joined together it was even more confusing. ¡°Are you sure it was this way?¡± ¡°I told you before. According to the map, this path leads to the main road to the south entrance.¡± ¡°And you think we¡¯ll find signs of the caravan over here?¡± ¡°¡­ it¡¯s possible. It¡¯s the best plan I have to make up for your blunder Jeff, which let them leave without us knowing in the first place. ¡°I heard they were leaving at noon from the west gate¡± ¡­idiot! You won¡¯t see tomorrow morning if we don¡¯t fix your mess¡± ¡°Are you saying I shouldn¡¯t have reported the change of plan? You keep saying report everything Tom!¡± ¡°I¡¯m saying you should have verified it first before telling the boss!¡± This was a problem Jacob never anticipated. Not only were two people getting nearer to him and potentially about to see his lack of armor (or any other covering for that matter), but from the sounds of it they were trying to hunt down and destroy the convoy, clearly labeling them as bandit¡¯s. The question of how to avoid being discovered by them was much more important than the one of why the sudden voices made him leap unexpectedly into and best he could under the nearest bush. Still, he was quite sure he was going to be discovered. But, if hiding was out of the question, and chances of escaping 2 criminals was unlikely, better to launch his own ambush than get caught in theirs. With that in mind, Jacob quietly armed himself with the dagger, and moved towards the voices until he could see them. The two men were still arguing back and forth as they came into sight. As the two bandits continued to blame each other for some apparent debacle, Jacob crept closer to the path a little way ahead of them, unsheathing the dagger as he went. ¡°I know what I heard! How much more verified does basic info have to¡±
Applying Sneak Bonus +25% Applying Critical Hit Bonus +400% Total Bonus +450% Total Damage 110
¡­if the thug had known these were going to be his last words, he probably would have started a different sentence. If he had known it was coming though, the dagger whose hilt now protruded from his throat would not have succeeded. Tom had a little longer as the now unarmed Jacob came charging out of the bush after the dagger. With a ¡°shwing¡± and a ¡°squelch¡± a sword and blood-soaked dagger were both freed from their previous ¡°sheathes¡± before coming together with a clang. Jacob knew that his only advantages were the minuscule difference between the combat bonus between their training classes and the surprise, which pales in comparison to his better blade and armor. Therefore, Jacob had no choice but to ignore the irregularities in the most recent message and focus on out maneuvering. After a few moments of dagger and sword collisions, neither side had made much progress. Every time the sword swung the dagger was there in a flash to intercept, but with the sword¡¯s longer blade the dagger couldn¡¯t do more than a light scratch before being knocked aside. Jacob could tell his opponent was tiring faster than him however, so he made a possibly desperate ploy. During the next few exchanges with the blades he inched slower, not really looking to make any damage, waiting for just the right moment. Feeling himself getting tired, Tom made one last attempt to overpower his small bladed opponent with one grand swing using all the remaining strength he had. This was just what Jacob was waiting for. Rather than deflecting the sword, with the edge of his dagger, he smacked the edge with the flat of the blade. Using the blade of the sword as a runway, Jacob quickly slid the dagger along the sword, and along the hilt. With a howl and a clang Tom dropped the sword and pressed his hands together trying to use his remaining fingers to stem the blood flow from his 4 shortened digits. Knowing his opponent would have no more mercy, Jacob grabbed the sword from the ground and used it to behead its former wielder.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Applying Critical Hit Bonus +200% Total Damage 85
It felt like he woke from a dream when Jacob came back to himself and realized what he had done. He was a [Tracker], soon to be a [Hunter] hopefully, and yet before him lay the still bleeding remains of the first and only 2 humanoid kills he had ever made. He knew if they had gotten the opportunity, the two men before him wouldn¡¯t have hesitated to kill him, and yet the necessity of it made the act no easier. But the deed was done, and his training told him he needed to get as much use out of the corp¡­off of his kill as possible. Luckily both men seemed to be about his size, so he was able to strip them down and wield their armor with little difficulty. He also took the sword belt, adding his own dagger¡¯s sheath to the sword at his hip. He also found a crossbow and a quiver with 10 bolts left on Jeff. So armed, Jacob pulled the remains into the bushes he had been hiding in not long ago and continued his trek back to the campground. While he walked, he distracted himself from the horror of what he had done by trying to determine the reason behind the unusually blank message from when he threw the dagger. Best and only real lead was his status screen, so that¡¯s what he pondered over until he made it back to camp, just as the sun was starting its decline behind a waxing moon.
GENERAL INFORMATION ATTRIBUTES CLASS INFORMATION
NAME: Jacob Ackermann
RACE: Human
SEX: Male
AGE: 17 Years
GUILD:
HP: 110/110 (+0.05/sec)
MP: 25/25 (+0.5/sec)
NAME VALUE
STR 40
DEX 55
AGI 90
END 30
INT 30
WIS 15
PER 25
NAME LEVEL
[TRACKER] (Trainer) 10 MAX Awaiting Qualification
[THUG] (Trainer) 3
[APPRENTICE](Trainer) 1
SKILL INFORMATION
CLASS GENERAL WEAPON SKILLS
BASIC TRACKING 5
SNEAK ATTACK 1
DIRECTION DETECTION 3
HUNTERS TRACKING 4
SOLAR CLOCK 1(MAX)
STEALTH 4
SIMPLE GENERAL MASTERY 2
RANGED GENERAL MASTERY 3
ARCHERY GENERAL MASTERY 3
Chapter 3 - Investigation at the Guild Jacob was stunned. He had no idea what the problem could possibly be. Even after getting a good night sleep to clear his head he still had no idea why his status screen would have blank space. The only thing he could think of was that he was misinterpreting it. Luckily there was a well-known solution to this sort of problem. Just about anyone could go to a guild hall and post a quest, for a minor fee (and the reward of course). Certain quests have requirements on class, level, and/or overall level. To clear these requirements, adventurers of all types can go and get analyzed. A full analysis magically creates a copy of the stats screen at the moment of the casting. Lesser analysis also exists which merely tells the person¡¯s name, race, class(es) and level(s). Any [Wizard], [Sorcerer], or anyone else who has Maxed [Apprentice]s can use the lesser, but for the Full, it requires a Scribe of at least level 5. With a few levels of [Scribe] anyone capable of crafting can make an ¡°Appraisal Scroll¡±. This one time use rod around 6 inches wide is basically a solid piece of paper colored wood that upon activated the white layer spools off with the subject¡¯s status printed on the inside. The ¡°paper¡± crumbles into dust 12 hours after activation. The remainder of the rod now resembles a wooden dowel, which can be recharged, but only by someone who could have created it to begin with. This allows any of the guild halls to check the information on people applying for quests without each of them having a [Scribe] on the payroll. The 20 gold fee for the scroll sets the minimum reward for those quests. Not that anyone capable of filling specific requirement quests would accept rewards any lower than 100 anyway. Unfortunately, with only 25 gold to his name Jacob was going to need to pick up some work there anyways. So, first thing in the morning, Jacob headed over to Hunter¡¯s guild hall. He wasn¡¯t technically a member yet (they only allowed in [Hunter]s thus the name), but as [Hunter] was one of the classes that required [Tracker], he wasn¡¯t the only one who hung around the building. Walking inside the door of the glorified wooden hunting lodge he made his way over to a side bar with a sign reading ¡°QUESTS¡± hanging over it. ¡°Welcome to the Hunter¡¯s Guild Hall¡± drowned the bored man behind the counter not looking up from his book. He was a broad shouldered brunette man covered from head to toe in brown Hide Armor. He was the head of the guild, and it was shifts behind the quest counter that always made him regret that. Most [Hunter]s don¡¯t bother with quests or towns, but prefer to find a spot in the woods and do what [Hunter]s do. Still, as at level 75, he was one of the strongest [Hunter]s in the area, so it was only natural he¡¯d lead the place. He¡¯d rather be hunting of course. Still, there were some benefits to leading. Training the new guys the tricks of the trade was one of them. Which is why he embraced the nickname they had given him rather than destroy the rascals. ¡°Hi Beary! Got anything for me?¡± ¡°Jacob! I thought you were with the crowd that left yesterday¡± Beary said. ¡°Was gonna be, but they left without me. Long story, most of which I¡¯m still trying to figure out. But since I¡¯m obviously not getting that one, I was wanting to cancel the quest and see if you had any others.¡± ¡°You blew it drinking? Guess I should be grateful we still have all of our bars this morning, eh Sparky?¡± Beary said with a wink. ¡°¡­ That was an accident, from a long time ago.¡± Jacob replied responding to his nickname allot colder than Berallow Huntsman had his. But with a name like that and his choice of armor, Jacob had no idea how nobody had come up with it before. Sparky on the other hand was a reminder of a big mistake. About a year ago, the first [Tracker] in months managed to get up to level 10, met the prerequ, and leveled up into a [Hunter]. Jacob, who himself was only level 5 at the time went to celebrate with them. It was the first and last time he had drank any type of alcohol, and nobody warned him how much stronger the dwarf brewed specialty of Obsidiack¡¯s pub was. He remembered the first swallow going down his throat, but that was it for the rest of the night. The way he heard it though, one of his buddies had spilled theirs on the table. Obsidiack had tossed the guy a rag per his ¡°Clean your own damn mess up!¡± policy. A few minutes after the table was no longer covered, the other [Hunter]s started getting on him failing other trainings. Jacob retaliated insisting there were advantages to it, including never needing flint and steel at his campsite due to a few weak spells he knew. Just to show them, Jake casted his [Campfire] spell. While the spell isn¡¯t going to hurt anyone (being incapable of dealing damage on its own), it does light combustibles it encounters a blaze almost instantly... which unfortunately includes ale-soaked rags. On instinct someone flung the burning cloth away from the table. Unfortunately, it landed on the top of an open barrel, which exploded not long after sending burning wood and alcohol in every direction ¡­ including at the other barrels stacked neatly behind the bar. Jacob got lucky nobody died and Obsidiack considered exploding barrels an occupational hazard of letting adventurers in the bar. Regardless, the local law insisted the drinking age of anyone with so much as the [Apprentice] class be raised from 16 to 20, and Jacob was imprisoned until he was back in his right mind. Still, despite legal ramifications being removed, the nickname ¡°Sparky¡± he had amongst the trainees wasn¡¯t as easily removed.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. ¡°Not that long¡±, Beary said smirking knowingly. ¡°But anyway, yeah! I got 2 or 3 Tracker level jobs. One sec¡± he added reaching for a binder on the desk and flipping to the last few pages. ¡°Let¡¯s see, I got a farm with small animals going missing that needs someone to track down the predator responsible, and¡­¡± with a flip of the page ¡°yes, the animal population needs reduced. Current count has 3 Beavers and 4 weasels ranked up to dire in the last week. Think you can handle that?¡± ¡°You can count on me sir!¡± replied the [tracker] with a grin. Some basic hunting is just what he needed to clear his head, and a roaming predator just might push him into being a [Hunter]. ¡°Well Ok then. Come here¡± Beary said leaning over the desk. He placed the tips of his first 2 fingers on Jacob¡¯s forehead. ¡°Quest request! Local 33958 and temp quest 274! Confirm!¡±
QUEST REQUEST RECEIVED
Local Temporary 274: Hunt down and defeat the predator attacking the McFearon¡¯s farm. Confirm?
Local 52987: Reduce local animal population to prevent over crowding and ranking up Weasels 0/10 Dire Weasel 0 / 4 Beaver 0/10 Dire Beaver 0 / 3 Confirm?
¡°All quests confirm!¡± replied Jacob ¡°Cancel quest 00298¡± continued Beary
QUEST CANCELATION
Escort the wagon train Completion 0% Confirm?
¡°Cancelation Confirm¡± replied Jacob. ¡°Alright ¡­ Anything else I can do for you?¡± Beary asked leaning back in his chair again. ¡°Just an appraisal scroll. They¡¯re at the bar, right?¡± ¡°Appraisal? Yeah but what for? You don¡¯t qualify for full membership, do you?¡± ¡°Not yet. I just want proof that I¡¯m just waiting on the prereck.¡± ¡°Alright, but you know nobody can tell you what the prereck is right? The system removes the memory when you approve your new class. You have to find it on your own.¡± ¡°Yeah, I know, but I want to show the guys I maxed [Trapper] anyway.¡± Jacob said with a grin. It wasn¡¯t quite the truth, but he didn¡¯t really need a reason and people have bought scrolls for less of a reason. ¡°Thanks, Beary¡± ¡°No problem Sparky¡± he said with a chuckle finding his page. ¡°Can I help you with something?¡± Asked the male bartender as Jacob approached the bar moments later. ¡°Yeah! Appraisal Scrolls run 20 G right?¡± ¡°Yes Sir!¡± He said pulling the rod from below the bar. ¡°Anything else¡± ¡°Only if the instructions are separate¡± Jacob replied putting the money on the bar. ¡°Nah¡± came the reply with a chuckle, ¡°just hold still¡± he said. ¡°APPRAISE¡± he added placing the first 2 fingers of his right hand on Jacob¡¯s forehead. With a flourish the paper unrolled dropping the brown rod on the ground. Still chuckling the bartender bent to pick it up, looking at the paper his way back up. ¡°Shit, uhm¡­ keep your money. I can¡¯t charge for a defective scroll¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not supposed to leave all this empty space. It looks like it¡¯s leaving stuff out¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s ok¡± Jake replied his heart sinking fast. ¡°I¡¯ll take it anyway¡±. ¡°If you¡¯re sure. But I still won¡¯t charge for it. If that¡¯s it, have a good day! ¡°Yeah, thanks¡± Jake said already heading out the door with his appraisal results in hand. Chapter 4 - Questing Well, with the less than comforting news that he was somehow broken Jacob couldn¡¯t think of anything else to do get back to work. With that in mind, he headed down the road which lead farther out of town and out towards the McFearon¡¯s farm. They had been in their early 20s when the human and his dog eared, wagging tail beastkin bride bought the farm. Mr McFearon had been in his late 40s when his heart gave out, leaving his widow to run the place herself. Now, years later with no family to speak of, and her own age approaching 60 faster than she would admit, the widow McFearon had started putting quests in whenever there was anything she couldn¡¯t handle. She managed the dozen or so cornrows and tended to the chickens, pigs, and cows herself. She even could handle the rabbits she was breeding for food, furs and pets. Unfortunately, she couldn¡¯t handle it when predators broke through her fences to hunt her animals. For that she heads to the guild shops to issue quests. She¡¯s usually ok with the Hunters guild telling her that her quests are [Tracker] level, but this one she wasn¡¯t so sure about. I mean it¡¯s usually just a fox, maybe a family of them. On the rare case, the fox has grown to the dire state. This time however, she had a feeling it was something else. She was never the sort to support the claim beastkins had any animalistic senses, but it still didn¡¯t smell like a fox this time. She was missing 3 half cows, and no she wasn¡¯t referring to 1 and cow and a half cows, 3 cows were split in half (though front, back, left, or right didn¡¯t seem to matter). And what could possibly make those teeth marks anyway? Well, maybe the young man knocking on her door will get lucky and find more than the odd track this time. Jacob didn¡¯t know what to expect when he knocked on the farmhouse door, but he could only hope that any woman he ended up with still looked this attractive when she reached the age of the woman before him. He had no interest in robbing the grave of course, but the beauty was undeniable. Allot of people paid good money to replicate the natural silver streaks that blended nicely into the woman¡¯s golden hair and tail. He had never seen that hair color, and that type of hourglass figure flow together some nicely. The denim overalls and yellow tube top, while questionably age appropriate, never the less worked extremely well for her in a subtle sort of way. Still there was no hiding the wrinkles around the brown eyes, the droop to the once clearly perky ears, nor the mouth who spoke up questioningly. ¡°Can I help you?¡± ¡°Hi there! A¡­are y-you Mrs McFearon? I¡¯m here to investigate some disappearing animals¡± ¡°Oh, yes! The little hunter I asked for! Yes, this way please my dear¡± she added walking past Jacob and leading him around the back of the house. This was where the rabbits and chickens were penned. From the looks of things, they were usually kept in two separate pens, though a look at the broken slabs and planks made it very apparent as to why there were currently rabbits in and around the hen house. ¡°When did this attack happen? I mean I know I went to the guild this morning, but how old are the signs?¡± ¡°It happened this morning at around dawn. You must have just missed me. I¡¯ve only been home about an hour after dropping it off. Was getting ready to do some work on the corn stalks.¡± She answered pointing to the side opposite where they had come. ¡°Well, let me look but whatever did this likely ran the other way towards the forest.¡± Jake said pointing the other direction, ¡°but let me check the area before stirring up anything.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be inside when you know anything¡± the beastkin said heading to another door in the back of the house. With the aged distraction disappearing inside with a flick of her tale and a slam, Jacob went over to abandoned rabbit pen. He soon found the clearest track in the mud. Clearly canine, likely a wolf, but something was off about it. For one absurd moment he considered the widow, but beastkins have humanoid feet, not animalistic. It was approximately the size of a smaller Dire Wolf, and anyway there wasn¡¯t a report of a wolf that strong¡­ or many wolves at all recently now he thought about it. Not for a while now.
Activating Skill: Hunter¡¯s Tracking ¨C Path Detection
With the activation of that one skill, all the tracks in the area were highlighted. Unfortunately, there were hundreds of rabbit tracks of varying sizes all over the place. If for no other reason than to clean up the confusion, Jake continued advancing through the tracking skills.
Target selected Advancing Skill: Hunter¡¯s Tracking ¨C Path Amplification
At an almost unnoticeable rate, Jacob¡¯s Mana started dropping. As the other tracks vanished, the wolf tracks were brought to sharper focus and the others vanished showing just a trail. They started at the corn cobs, jumped the fence, ran around the pen a few times (killing a few rabbits from the blood splatters here and there), before attempting to jump back and falling through the fence leaving the damage. The beast then disappeared into the woods. Even knowing the beast went the other direction, Jake went to the cornrows first. He just couldn¡¯t figure out where the beast had come from. Nothing else was there, except for some boot tracks matching the widows foot size. Unfortunately, there wasn¡¯t much else he could do, and other traces were surely dissipating in the woods, so with a quick knock on the door, and indication that he was following the trail to the woods, he was off.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Jake kept following the path into the woods, where the trail became more hidden, but it seemed to be heading towards some of the hills close by. He could only guess the wolf had a den over there somewhere. He kept going that direction, more following his own intuition than the trail. Still, he kept an eye on it finding a track here, and some grey fur there. Oddly enough, the tracks changed over time. Somehow the weight and track size reduced quickly. If Jacob were to guess, he¡¯d say the wolf went from about 7 feet tall to around 3. What¡¯s more the width between the beast¡¯s shoulders and between his front and rear paws was roughly halved. The paws themselves also shrank drastically. It made no sense at all. If he didn¡¯t know better, he would have sworn the thing he was tracking un-dired, but that was simply impossible. It would be like shoving a butterfly back into its cocoon and changing it back into a caterpillar. De-Evolution simply doesn¡¯t happen. A few hundred yards away from the first hill, the signs of the beast were everywhere. It started getting difficult to tell the tracks he was following from the others in the area. About that time, Jake started hearing a rustle. Whatever it was, it kept a consistent distance, and it was trying not to make noise, but it was clearly following him. Although, Jake supposed, it was more stalking than following. He only hoped that it wasn¡¯t stalking the prey that would be its next meal. But if it was the beast he was tracking, Jake wasn¡¯t sure he could win if the element of surprise had been turned against him. Without even noticing, he started getting faster and faster, at about the same rate his pulse was increasing. Before long it started closing the distance. It was obvious to both parties, that both knew the other was there, and it was quickly becoming a matter of who is going to do more than just run first. Just as the trees were starting to thin out, the beast answered that question. The wolf whose nose easily cleared 6 feet charged out the trees and slammed his head into Jacobs back knocking him into the air and to the ground a foot away, where his forehead smacked on a fist sized rock sticking out of the ground.
-5 HP Collision Damage -15 HP Fall Damage -5 Blunt Force Trauma
As Jake rolled over to face the dire wolf and pushed himself towards the nearest tree behind him, he thought he heard something in his mind. No sound came out, but the voice in his head wasn¡¯t his own. Jake could only assume the large wolf bearing down on him was the source of the ¡°voice¡±. Even so, Jake was dazed from the head banging, and between that and the panic all he could do was wave his hands in front of him trying to scare the beast away. the wolf said, narrowing his eyes on the boys flailing hands, then raising them to his face with a cocked head and confused look ¡°umm¡­ yeah?¡± Jake whimpered trying and failing to figure out what is going on. The wolf replied. Then, before Jake¡¯s eyes, the beast went from Dire Wolf back to a basic silver wolf and sat down apparently getting comfortable. ¡°Some sort of Demonic Dog? T-The color isn¡¯t right for a B-*Swallow*Blink Dog or Winter Wolf, but I¡¯m sure there are others I don¡¯t know¡± It got up to leave and turned back towards the trees. ¡°WAIT!¡± shouted a very confused Jacob, his head starting to clear, but this ¡°conversation¡± making less sense to him by the minute. ¡°Defeat?¡± Jake said reaching towards his sword. said the wolf turning back to Jake. It then leaned back, sitting on just its back legs like a show dog, placing his left leg down by its side and the right one over its head it added It put its legs back down readying to stand.
ATTACKER HAS BEEN DEFEATED QUEST COMPLETED: LOCAL 274 Please return to Guild Hall to claim rewards
¡°Y-Yeah¡± Jake replied barely paying attention. said the wolf standing and turning back towards the trees it added and ran off, leaving a thoroughly mind blown Jacob. He still couldn¡¯t believe that was all it took for the second message to appear, though admittedly, it was not exactly the one he expected.
CLASS PREREQUISITE ACCEPTED!
Track down and Defeat a comparable target single handed in stealth-based combat Training Class: Tracker 10/10 Training Class: Thug 3/2 CLASS UNLOCKED: SCOUT Accept?
Chapter 5 - Time to Learn Some New Things Not much happened to Jacob in the 3 weeks after he became a [Scout]. He joined the Scouts Guild, which shared an office in one of the back rooms of the Hunter¡¯s Guild as the Guild didn¡¯t require much of a presence in this small town. As they were both improved [Trackers] classes the two had a natural overlap, though the quests were often different. In his first 3 weeks, he had made 2 uneventful round trips to the neighboring cities on 3 different quests (1 roundtrip for a store¡¯s restocking, and 2 one-way trips). He still hunted almost daily for the sport of it, but as a Scout, Jake got more from the bonus experience he got was from the successful detecting and tracking the prey rather than the actual kill, with the stealthier creatures (deer, and foxes for example) giving even more experience. With all this travel, Jake realized that the ability to make arrows himself would be a great advantage. Since arrows required feathers, he started looking for signs of avian wildlife. Surprisingly, the reasonable sized snowy owl he managed to track down using a pellet as a starting point, provided him the most bonus experience yet, pushing him the remaining way to level 3. He still had to admit the message that appeared as his last arrow sunk into the bird and it fell was a very welcome surprise
LEVEL UP! SCOUT HAS REACHED LEVEL 3 Attribute Increase: Speed +2 Strength +1 Stealth +1 Skill Increase: Sneak Attack Level 4 New Skill: Rapid Dodge: Increased ability to move out of the way of incoming attacks while in motion
Unfortunately, now that he had the material he would need to craft the arrows, he still needed a teacher. ¡­ well, maybe not ¡°Need¡±, but he didn¡¯t have enough materials to figure out the details of crafting arrows on his own. If he was going to get a teacher, it just made sense to go to the best fletcher around. He just hoped Val had some time to teach him. She did offer occasionally. As he pushed the door of the weapon shop open, he couldn¡¯t help but be afraid what the lessons would cost him. ¡°Jakey! Welcome Ba¡­ What¡¯s with the owl?¡± the elf asked cheerfully approaching the counter. ¡°Hi Val. ¡­ um, well, as you know owls are some of the quietest birds. I was hoping arrows made from their feathers would be just as quiet.¡± Jake said side stepping his primary purpose. ¡°¡­ you want me to make arrows for you with those? I can do that, but it will take me a while¡± ¡°Well, yes and no.¡± ¡°Then what do you want?¡± ¡°I want ¡­ that is I would like it if you¡­ Can you teach me how to make arrows?¡± There was a pause, as Val considered Jake¡¯s request. ¡°You want to learn fletching?¡± ¡°Yes¡± ¡°From me?¡± ¡°Yes¡± ¡°And you want to make arrows from this bird¡¯s feathers?¡± ¡°¡­Yes?¡± ¡°Absolutely not! I can¡¯t let these feathers be wasted on a beginner. This is a beautiful bird, and these feathers are beautiful. I wouldn¡¯t let a 5-year-old finger paint with Masterly crafted oil-based paints for the same reason. No, I won¡¯t teach you with these¡­ However, when we are done, you will be able to use these to make arrows that are as quiet, accurate, and twice as deadly as the bird they grew on.¡± ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! Thank you so much Val! But umm¡­ what¡¯s this going to cost me?¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry about that¡± Val said adjusting herself into a new position which had it been alive would make her lacy blouse beg for mercy while bending over the counter and giving him one of the least innocent grins he¡¯d seen in his entire life ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll figure something out¡± Now it was Jake¡¯s turn to consider the situation. He had strongly suspected for a while that Val had wanted his ¡°help¡± to ¡°craft¡± some half elves, but she had never come out and said anything though despite huge hints. This wasn¡¯t open seduction of course. However, even if he still didn¡¯t know how much, what she wanted to be paid with was glaringly obvious. While he definitely liked, even dreamed about the idea once or twice, he could not after all deny her attractiveness, he hadn¡¯t followed through mostly due to the way she had pursued it. If the ¡­ interaction were to happen, he wanted it to be because they both wanted it to. The idea of it being a payment, was just as bad as giving payment for it. Neither circumstance was acceptable to him. So, he crossed his arms, and attempted to look uninterested despite the blood rushing to his cheeks, and waist. ¡°We¡¯ll see¡± ¡°Indeed, we will.¡± She said with the same grin. She was sure she hadn¡¯t imagined the twitch in the right area making it clear they were both thinking about the same form of payment. ¡°Anyway, I have some things to get ready before your lessons. Come back an hour after dawn. The shop will be closed but knock on the door and we¡¯ll get started. Oh, and you might want to bring some swimwear.¡± ¡°Swimwear?¡± ¡°The river should be plenty warm enough for a swim. If I¡¯m going to teach you how to make arrows, we¡¯re starting at square one, and that requires the river. More precisely a spot where the current slows after a surge. Preferably somewhere we can concentrate. Do you know of a place?¡± ¡°Yeah, I know of a private spot we can go.¡± ¡°Excellent!¡± said Val, her smile widening beyond her control, ¡°Trust your teacher my student. I won¡¯t lead you astray¡±. The result of which put Jake walking through the town shortly after sun up, finishing some jerky, with a small bag over his shoulder with a pair of shorts, some hides from a few beavers stitched together to function as a towel, a pair of waterviewers, as well as his now normal sword. He also had his bow with him, but as his quiver had a mere 5 arrows left he would prefer the sword if they ran into trouble. The rest of Jake¡¯s gear was in his trusty pack on his back. These were basic aquatic gear, which barely even qualified as ¡°magical¡±. It was essentially a pair of lenses with a strap to go around the head with a basic enchantment to allow the wearer to see under water. More expensive versions had additional air bubble feature, but Jake¡¯s never saw the need to spend that kind of coin. With a yawn Jake knocked on Val¡¯s shop door.Stolen novel; please report. ¡°Morning Jakey! Banana?¡± the elf said opening the door fruit first and offering him one ¡°I find a fruit for breakfast to be such a refreshing way to start the day¡± she added sliding the second half of hers into her mouth. ¡°Sure, thanks!¡± Jake replied grabbing it. ¡°Can I come in?¡± ¡°Nope¡±, she said stepping out closing the door behind her, ¡°we start at the river¡±. Jake almost missed the last comment from the oddity of her outfit. She wore Black hiking style boots, and an ankle length red rubber raincoat, which clashed yet at the same time perfectly suited her own pair of blue waterviewers she had around her head, holding her hair back like a headband. The overall effect, despite covering everything but her head, was quite captivating. ¡°Right¡­ After you!¡± Val giggled as she headed to the road. The first of many, continuing every time she noticed him staring at her. Jake didn¡¯t know it, but he was only ¡°caught in the act¡± as it were when she wanted to stare at him a few minutes. Honestly, with the way he keeps attempting to slam on the brakes, even while blushing fiercely, she couldn¡¯t understand why he would come back the next in those brown shorts which appeared roughly a size and a half too small for him judging by the way it accents certain bulges that always seized her attention anyway. While he had a small stomach about him, not only did he have a decent amount of muscle mass, if anything his weight proved his skills, which only made her need to see what other skills he had. She¡¯d heard boney ribs made cuddles uncomfortable anyway. She had never felt this want before, and something primal in her would not let her back down. She would go through with this plan she was going into blind. And she was determined he would be hers. ¡°Ok, we¡¯re here¡± Jake said a few hours into the trip, shaking her out of her internal pep talk. They were in a small clearing in the middle of the woods. The river runs through the clearing, but in this spot the river is wide, but the other side is clearly visible. It¡¯s deep, but not deep enough for diving in to be a good idea, and the current is slow. The thick plant life a small way upriver filters out most of whatever was in the water leaving it nice and clear. It¡¯s a good place to go for a private swim. ¡°It¡¯s Perfect Jakey!¡± she said beaming around. Suddenly nervous beyond what Jake expected, she continued, ¡°Let¡¯s get started then¡± Val said putting her bag down, facing away from her, and kneeling to take off her boots. ¡°What¡¯s going on? What¡¯s a swim got to do with making arrows?¡± Jake asked removing his own shoes. ¡°The heads.¡± Val said swapping legs to start on the second boot ¡°Stone arrow heads are my favorites. Usually you find the ideal stones for the best heads in a river like this. The water has already compressed the stone and removed all the random impurities leaving a smooth blank canvas for anyone who knows how to use them.¡± Val said before standing up and stepping out of boots but still facing away from Jacob his now removed shirt in his hand. He guessed she was getting ready to take a plunge, but he had no idea how right he was, as a moment later the rain coat was pulled apart. ¡°So?¡±, she asked turning around to face him and dropping the rain coat to the ground. ¡°Are you ready for a swim?¡± All Jake could do was stare at the breathtaking view in front of him. Inch by glorious inch he took her in. Her bare feet, her tan bare calves, those strong wide thighs squeezed together as they were couldn¡¯t prevent the dripping liquid betraying how badly she wanted him. He couldn¡¯t see the ass he had admired since the first time he followed it though her shop, but he was sure he would get to do more than see before long. His eyes kept moving over her bare skin over her tanned stomach to her beautiful large breasts hanging free, her hair shining in the noonday sun, and up to her face blushing bright red with a combination of embarrassment and determination. It was obvious she had never done anything this bold before, and the action was out of the affection she had for him. ¡°Oh, Val¡± ¡­ he said drinking her in. walking towards her. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen beauty like yours.¡± He said reaching out to touch her shoulder making her go an even deeper red. She tucked her chin down. How could she lose her nerve now? It was already too late to go back, no time to get nervous now. And no need either as the hand not on her shoulder found her cheek and brought her lips up to meet his. As soon as she realized what was going on she pulled closer and they held each other as their tongues darted into each other¡¯s mouths. She was now pressed up against him and perfectly capable of feeling his hard manhood through his shorts as he gently stroked her ass. She pulled away slightly, following the path of more new desires and knelt before him. Jake was confused as to why she pulled away from what they were both clearly wanting and enjoying, but before he knew what was happening his shorts were around his ankles, and his hard penis was being thrust down her throat. She gaged a little on it, but that only pushed her to go harder and faster. He could feel his seed gathering, but all he could splutter was ¡°Val I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m gonna¡±. She knew all that mattered to her, which was her efforts were about to pay off. Sure enough, moments later her mouth was full of his white cream she desired. There was so much it pushed the source from her mouth spraying her in the face and matting her hair. The look on his face said he couldn¡¯t believe they were doing this together, but she wasn¡¯t done checking things off her list of firsts. Val stood and kissed him once again wrapping her arms around her beloved. Once he returned the embrace however, she revealed her true purpose, as with a slight hop, she slid his rock-hard dick into her begging pussy, wrapping her legs around his waist. They were both so overwhelmed by the new sensations for a moment their kiss broke, and they were just holding each other. It wasn¡¯t long though before Jake naturally began to thrust into her. ¡°No, Wait!¡± Val said her eyes tearing as she felt a seal inside her tear and let him in. ¡°Ok, but gently¡±, and as blood oozed from their union Jake thrust deeper. Val¡¯s winces of pain quickly changed to moans, pushing him to go faster. Ignoring her earlier request to be gentle, she started talking building to a scream at the end, ¡°Yes! More!... Deeper! ¡­ Oh! Harder!.... Faster!... Oh Gods JAKEY! PERFECT!¡± Her arching back and writhing muscles throwing fuel on the fires of passion until with a final great scream of ¡°Oh, JAKEY¡± they climaxed together. Val felt like all her dreams had come true at once as Jake filled her with joy, as well as the precious gift of his seed. As Val slid Jake¡¯s dick out of her and felt some of their combined fluids leaking out for her, she felt like a swim is just what they needed to clean up. They were miles from the town, so staying nude would be no problem. The sweaty, sticky couple waded into the river holding hands. Kissing periodically, they talked while they cleaned each other. After a few minutes and multiple plunges, there was something about the way the water ran off her pointed ears, and down her back and over that ass that got put the glint in Jakes eyes that Val had wanted to see for so long. This time however, she sat him down in the shallows and sat on his lap. She had given him control the first time but wanted it herself for the second¡­ and third times they celebrated their newly deepened relationship. Afterword though, it was all the young man could do to climb out of the river and collapse on its banks. He was so drained he fell asleep soon after, though not before the woman whose affection made him feel so good crawled up behind him and offered her chest as a pillow. Chapter 6 - Beginnings of Self Discovery When the nude couple woke in each other¡¯s arms, they could tell hours had passed. The sun was an hour or two from setting. After a quick discussion, Jake started pitching his tent and Val started gathering firewood. Before long, they had a nice cozy camping spot all set behind the romantic backdrop of the setting sun. Since there was truth to what Val said about the river rocks they did take a nice dip and gathered enough palm sized flat rocks to fill Val¡¯s bag. When they left the river, they got dressed, Jake in his brown shorts from before, Val in a pair of tight white shorts and what she called a tube top, but Jake was sure was a strip of cloth tied around her chest not that he was complaining about the view¡­ as long as they were alone. Apparently, she had brought this ¡°Backup bikini¡± in case she got cold feet and changed her mind before her ¡°big reveal¡±. After a dinner of freshly caught fish, they cuddled up in Jake¡¯s bed roll and comfortably drifted back off to sleep with plans of returning to the town, so the teaching can truly begin, just as the moon started to come out. This den isn¡¯t safe! It¡¯s warm and dark, but the constricting is dangerous. Gotta escape. Too exposed! No cover! Danger everywhere! Run, but where? Water? New threats not much safer. Trees! Trees mean roots! Roots mean holes! Holes mean safety! GO GO GO GO GO!!! What¡¯s that? Predator smell! Can¡¯t stay here! RUN RUN RUN! That¡¯s all Jake knew when he woke the next morning, well that and he was dirty again. Val was nowhere to be seen, and neither was the camp site. But since he could hear the gentle flow of the river he knew he wasn¡¯t far. At least he was clothed this time, in shorts anyway, although a weapon would have been nice. He walked back into the clearing in time to see Val rolling the tent up to put back on his pack. ¡°Oh, thank goodness! You¡¯re back Jake! I knew you would be! Are you alright?¡± ¡°I think so, yeah. What happened last night?¡± ¡°Well you¡­ wait, you don¡¯t know? I thought you might. Oh, but that explains it. Ok, I¡¯ll help you discover it, but first Jake, and this is very important, do you trust me?¡± ¡°After what we did yesterday, you have to ask?¡± ¡°No, not just for a secret. I mean do you trust me completely? Enough to put your life in my hands? Do you trust me?¡± This was more than what Jake was expecting. From their conversation last night, he definitely trusted Val enough to be his mate ¡­ no girlfriend, probably future wife, sure. ¡°Mate¡± was an odd word to come to mind, but it fit. Animals ¡°mated¡±, people had relationships. Either way, yes he wanted to be with her, and her alone. He was in for the long haul, and wanted to tell her so. ¡°Val¡±, he said with a kiss, ¡°I¡¯ve cared about you for a long time. After what happened last night, I think this is likely love. Yeah, I think I love you Val. Yes, I trust you with my life¡± ¡°Oh, Jakey¡±, she said kissing him again as her heart burned with joy, ¡°I¡¯ve loved you for a while. ¡­ Ok, this isn¡¯t going to be easy, but you need to stay calm. OK Jake? I¡¯m going to guide you through this.¡± ¡°Through what? What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Just trust me. Lay down over here by the fire pit. Close your eyes, relax, and do what I say. Ok?¡± ¡°Ok¡± he said following her instructions. ¡°Ok. Deep breathes. Breathe in, breath out. Good. Now I need you to imagine something happening without wondering how or why, just see it in your minds eyes. OK?¡± ¡°Ok but¡± ¡°Shhh, just imagine don¡¯t talk. And eyes shut! That¡¯s very important! Let¡¯s see¡­ where to start¡­ Ah, yes, I need you to relax and imagine your feet stretching. They stretch until they have doubled in length and are about 1 and a half times as wide. OK? Then your legs. Curl them up for me so your knees are by your chest. Then imagine the strength in your legs climbing. Your muscles strengthening to a few times what they were, the muscles bulging with power. That¡¯s it, ahahah! Eyes shut! Now your hands. Your fingers get pulled into your palm and almost vanish completely leaving only claws behind. Now your head shifts so that it¡¯s more natural for you to look up then forward and your ears get longer and longer and longer and move to the top of your head¡­ very good¡­ now finally, your whole body shrinks in size while growing fur all over. ¡­ very good. Very good! You¡¯re a natural!¡± ¡°A natural what? What¡¯s going on?> ¡°Just stay very calm, ok. Don¡¯t even try to talk. Just a little more and ¡­ there¡­ Awe, you¡¯re adorable. Stay quiet and calm, but open your eyes¡± As Jake opened his eyes, it was obvious something had happened. He wasn¡¯t sure why, but the world had changed since they were last open. Things were much bigger, and his neck felt odd¡­ as if both things Val said had taken place! Quickly he looked down at his hands ¡­ and saw paws, and below them the long furry feet of a ¡­ Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. And yet all he heard was a panic squeal of a rodent in distress ¡°STOP STOP STOP! JUST CALM DOWN JAKE! IT¡¯S OK BREATHE JAKEY Breathe!¡± Val shouted at him putting her hand on him to steady him and calm him down, and yet also keeping him from running away. ¡°It¡¯s ok! Yes, you¡¯re a rabbit but you can change back ok!¡± Jake screamed in his head not wondering how she heard him ¡°Relax ¡­ ok? Remember how you got into the rabbit form? Imagine yourself piece by piece becoming human¡­ closing your eyes helps until you get the hang of it! But if you don¡¯t calm down it won¡¯t happen!¡± Jake said despite trembling in fear¡­ he couldn¡¯t even understand why he was so afraid. And in a about 2 minutes he opened his once again human eyes, and looked himself up and down to be sure he was back to normal ¡°What was that? What happened to me?¡± he asked looking over at Val. "Welcome my dear¡± she whispered bending over and kissing him, ¡°welcome to the world of lycanthropes¡±
TRUE RACE REVEALED! RACE: LYCANTHROPE -HARE REVEALING RACIAL BONUSES¡­ REVEALING RACIAL SKILLS¡­ REVEALING RACIAL ATTRIBUTES¡­ RACE REVEAL COMPLETE! CONSULT STATUS SCREEN FOR FULL DETAILS
¡°Lycanthrope? Werehare? I don¡¯t understand. Wait¡­ can you do that too?¡± ¡°Do what? Change? Well yes, but I¡¯m different from you. I¡¯m, well, hang on I¡¯ll show you. Just don¡¯t look while I change ok?¡± Then, a few minutes later, ¡°Ok, I¡¯m ready to show you the true me. Here I am¡± He opened his eyes expecting to see an animal on the ground. Instead what he saw were close to human feet, but they were covered in white fur with padded concealed claws instead of toes. Her legs were longer than they had been, yet they were clearly stronger, and covered with brown red fur. She was now wearing a short bright red mini skirt, which didn¡¯t hide much. Just above her glorious ass sprouted a fox like tail which fell to just below her knees and was covered with fur mostly the same red, but the tip was white. Her bare midriff clearly showed strong abdominal muscles. Her large cleavage was mostly concealed by what was essentially a red sports bra which matched the skirt. Mostly is the word for it since they were emerging from all sides. Her arms, while fur covered were mostly humanoid. Her hands were mostly humanoid as well except white with fur on the back and there seemed to be extendable claws instead of finger nails at the tips. Finally, her head. Her brown hair now was streaked with red. Her chin was all but smoothed out. Her face had a bulge around her wide beaming grin and her black animalistic triangular nose making it a very gentle muzzle. Her previous elven ears were gone, replaced by cat like ears out the top of her head which were also covered by the same red fur topped with white. The combined effect made her appear more beastkin then elf. If anything could make him feel more for her than he did, it was seeing her as this stunning creature. He was at a complete loss for words. All he could do was stare. Fortunately, the hunger he felt showed in his eyes, and the acceptance that went with it made her heart swell. She now knew beyond doubt it was love they both felt, and that their connection was lifelong. The only possible problem being the combative relationship between the rabbit in him and the fox in her. ¡°I¡¯m your werefox my precious little bunny, and you wouldn¡¯t believe how much you have left to learn¡±. Spoiler: Jake''s Status screen
GENERAL INFORMATION ATTRIBUTES CLASS INFORMATION
NAME: Jacob Ackermann
RACE: LYCANTHROPE ¨C HARE
SEX: Male
AGE: 17 Years
GUILD: SCOUTS GUILD
HP: 110/110 (+0.06/sec)
MP: 25/25 (+0.5/sec)
NAME VALUE
STR 45
DEX 61
AGI 100
END 50
INT 30
WIS 15
PER 40
SHP 3
NAME LEVEL
SCOUT 3
RABBIT 2
[TRACKER] (Trainer) 10 MAX
[THUG] (Trainer) 3
[APPRENTICE](Trainer) 1
SKILL INFORMATION
CLASS RACIAL GENERAL WEAPON SKILLS
BASIC TRACKING 5
SNEAK ATTACK 4
DIRECTION DETECTION 3
HUNTERS TRACKING 4
FAST PRECISION 1(MAX)
RAPID DODGE 3
PREY''S ADRENALINE 2
HARE''S AGILITY 2
BEAST EMPATHY 1
BEAST COMPASSION 1
SOLAR CLOCK 1 (MAX)
STEALTH 7
SIMPLE GENERAL MASTERY 3
RANGED GENERAL MASTERY 3
ARCHERY GENERAL MASTERY 3
SWORD GENERAL MASTERY 2
Chapter 7 - Deeper Bonds and Self Discovery Jacob was finding all this a little too hard to process. He wasn¡¯t a human anymore. Lycanthrope ¡­ that wasn¡¯t one of the ¡°awakened¡± humanoid races. That meant he was a monster. But the only time in recent memory he was bitten was before he became a Scout, and monsters couldn¡¯t gain classes. That was theoretically the reason why the racial classes exist. Somehow though, he had both. And he wouldn¡¯t be surprised if Val also did. But beyond having a monster class, and a regular class, was the idea that he was a monster. He wasn¡¯t a human anymore. He had been violated, down to his core and changed in every way possible. And yet, he couldn¡¯t find much of a downside from it. He had the ability now to shrink when he needed stealth. He had more speed at his disposal than he had before. His eyes, ears and nose had never been sharper. There was a chance he might be able to do a beastman form like Val did. I mean she said fox, and the beauty before him was no fox. He even seemed to have a subconscious danger detector, which he still needed to figure out. Val ¡­ Val was like him, and she knew more about this than he did. She did mention teaching him more. She couldn¡¯t have only been thinking about the arrow making they had talked about earlier¡­ though those negotiations were still open now he thought of it. Not that it mattered much anymore. They were in a relationship now. They loved each other. The idea of a family with the elf was much more of a plan now than just an idea, even if only in his mind. But what would the children be? Half elves? Some odd rabbit fox elf cross breed? But that was hardly the point. The point was he had to learn more. ¡°¡­ Hello? Jake? Do you hear me?¡± asked the foxy seductress in front of him ¡°huh?¡± Another giggle. ¡°you¡¯re drooling dear¡­. No, dear doesn¡¯t fit does it. Anyway, I was saying we need to get moving Jakey¡± she said, pausing to kiss his forehead ¡°I know I just changed the world as you know it, but it was unavoidable. You needed to know what you were. As much as I hated to say it, having you so close and running out of control was a potential danger to me.¡± ¡°Wait, was that why you asked me to come out here?¡± ¡°What? Of course not Jake!¡± her pointy ears drooping, ¡°I didn¡¯t even know you were a lycan until you changed in your sleep last night. I went animal form as well and followed you to be sure you were safe. I think I scared you. Looking back though, a fox chasing a rabbit would be terrifying for the rabbit. Sorry. Anyway, when you ran into a hole, and looked like you were getting comfortable I came back here. I slept a few hours then started packing up¡± ¡°Right, well we got the stones, we probably head back to your shop to make the arrows¡±, Jake said pretending everything that had happened made sense hoping it soon would. ¡°As nice as cozying up together in my shop would be Jake, we can¡¯t. Well, not for long anyways. We can head back long enough for me to pack a bag of supplies then we need to leave.¡± ¡°Why? Where are we going? What¡¯s the rush?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a group of people you should meet. They¡¯ll help you, and there are things only they can teach you. They¡¯re about a week¡¯s walk north of town. We¡¯ll grab you an extra quiver of arrows from my shop while we¡¯re there. They should last you until you can make your own.¡± ¡°OK. How much for the¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry about it.¡± she said with a passionate long kiss, ¡°mmmm... what¡¯s mine is yours. Even if we weren¡¯t, after yesterday, we¡¯re paid in full and then some¡­ very full¡± the seductive smirk returning to her face. ¡°Aw¡±, Jake said returning the grin, ¡°I was hoping that was just the first instalment, and I wanted to stay in debt to you for a very long time¡± ¡°Well, you can always make payments in advanced.¡± ¡°From the look of the expanding patch of wet fur on your leg, you¡¯re due for another one¡± ¡°I can¡¯t tell you how much I would like that¡± she said with a regretful yet needy look on her face ¡°but we don¡¯t have time for that right now. We need to head back if we want to make it a safe distance away from the city before nightfall tonight. However,¡­¡± she added with an evil looking grin and a wink, while going back to her bag ¡°since you got me worked up, revenge is only to be expected. Look, but don¡¯t touch.¡± It was only then that Jake noticed something was happening to her. Her face flattened back into its normal features. Her feet reverted to their normal shape, and in a graceful wave up her leg, her red fur disappeared back into her tan flesh, all the while she shrank about 2 inches. This was when the ¡°revenge¡± Val mentioned became obvious. As the retreating fur reached her waist, Jake, whose eye were of course following it up, realized the ass of the beautiful creature changing back into the elf he adored was wider than the elven form. As the hips and ass transformed they narrowed and became too slender to keep her skirt from sliding down, which is just what it did. What¡¯s more her bust and shoulder size also shrank by roughly an inch causing her top to completely fail its task to keep her covered. With a smirk at Jake¡¯s tortured self-restraint, she pulled off the useless garment and dropped it to join the skirt at the nude elf¡¯s feet. If he wasn¡¯t so busy admiring her entire changing body, he¡¯d admire her ability to be completely elven, except she kept the adorable fox ears and tail. Walking around the bag and turning so she was facing away from him she bent over showing off her glorious assets while searching her bag. With an audible yet obviously forced moan, her tail slid back into the bottom of her torso above the displayed ass. This, on top of the leaking lips was too much for Jake, so against her orders, he crawled forward and licked the sweet nectar oozing from the fleshy lips before him. ¡°Oh Jakey¡±, Val said with a real moan this time as Jake used his fingers to explore her farther ¡°I said don¡¯t touch, but I had no ideaaaaa you had such talent¡±. Before either were fully aware of how, Val was on her back using her bag as a pillow beneath her head, her legs wrapped around the neck and back of her lover at her waist. Moving on its own, her arm reached down and after tugging gently on his unused arm to get his attention, led his hand to her breast for a massage. With some of the increasingly familiar arching of her back and a howling moan, she shot a stream of liquid down his throat.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. ¡°Jakey, I need another taste! Please!¡± She begged ¡°Who am I to deny the woman I love¡± he replied. ¡°Help yourself to a second helping at the same time¡±, she gasped in anticipation watching as he removed his shorts to reveal his throbbing erection. She unconsciously licked her lips at the sight and smiled widely as he crawled on top of her. She began to suck and rub with her tongue, as he continued his licking, and feeling her insides. About a minute in, his finger stroked something rough. With a squeal, and sudden pressure on his dick, Val squirted him once again, missing his mouth and covering his left eye and nearly squirting up his nose. Knowing the pleasure he was giving her was enough to send cum down Val¡¯s throat. She slid him from her mouth, and cleaned his member with his tongue, making sure not a drop was wasted. ¡°Oh Jakey¡± the winded elf panted just loud enough for Jake to hear, ¡°all is forgiven¡­ now get inside me!¡± Wiping his face, Jake crawled from his meal for a greater joy, wondering if he could convince her to change before play time was over. Roughly an hour later, a rough loud sweaty hour, the flushed, but dressed couple started their journey back to town holding hands. Val was back wearing her white ¡°outfit¡± under her open coat. Jake meanwhile had equipped himself for the journey ahead, by putting his brown leather armor on over his denim pants and brown shirt, with his dagger back at his thigh and sword at his belt. With a trip through the wilderness, you can¡¯t be too careful. The plan was, Val was going to head to her shop to change and grab her adventuring gear and crafting tools. Jake meanwhile, was going to head for the general store for a few things that would be more convenient to buy than to hunt down. Unfortunately, they were about to run into a flaw in their plan. And just outside of the north side of town, Jake did indeed run into a flaw. Ran into it like a brick wall. Shaking off the momentary daze, Jake looked at the thin air he had just ran into. He reached his hand out and at the same spot, felt something hard resisting him from going any farther. He put his other hand on it and slid it across the invisible barrier. After a few minutes probing, he found it crossed the entire road and judging by the curvature, the dome encompassed the entire town. Val looked at him confused from inside, until something dawned on her. She crossed back over to him, closed her eyes for a second, and then reached out and leaned on the barrier. ¡°I should have known. I¡¯m sorry Jake, but you can¡¯t go into town¡± Val said with a look to Jake. ¡°Sorry why? What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°It¡¯s why the city hasn¡¯t been attacked.¡± ¡°What is?¡± ¡°The city, it has a barrier. Other than the enlightened, you know human elves dwarves and the like, nothing more dangerous than a rabid poodle can get into the city.¡± ¡°But I¡¯m a¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re not a human! Not anymore! And now that your status shows you¡¯re not a human, the barrier won¡¯t let you pass.¡± ¡°But you got in. You can get in right now. How?¡± ¡°A skill, and not an easy one to come across either. It¡¯s from my own bizarre class combination. Unfortunately, I can¡¯t use it on anyone but myself. You¡¯re just going to have to live outside of civilization until we can figure out how to let you back in. Don¡¯t worry though, I can get what we need and meet you back here in a few hours.¡± ¡°Ok ¡­ hurry back!¡± Jake yelled after the woman now jogging towards town. Now Jake was stuck¡­ He couldn¡¯t go into town, and he didn¡¯t know where these friends of Val¡¯s were. All he could think of to do, was to go into the woods and try to not look like he was waiting for someone on the outside of the barrier. He found a large hedge like bush a little way in and pushed his way into it, so he couldn¡¯t be seen. He then tried to see if he could change like Val did. Not into a rabbit, but into a rabbit human combination. He started with his hand. With the little he knew about the transformation, his imagination was the place to start. Unfortunately, he had never seen this new form, so he wasn¡¯t completely sure what to imagine becoming. Well, he knew the fur on his paws were grey, so he started there, and focused on pushing the fur out of his still human left hand. He threw it into reverse a second later when he started shrinking. Ok, maybe start smaller. When Val changed her fingernails changed to the claws of a fox. So, Jake focused on his index finger and tried again. His whole hand shrank, and he changed it back. With a deep breath he tried again focusing harder. This time, slowly, his index finger changed. It looked as if his finger had been stuck in a pencil sharpener, and out of the rounded off tip the tip of a claw emerged, and Jake could feel the rest of it. With only the minimum effort he slid it in and out. One by one, he changed all 5 fingers on his left hand. He then fell onto one knee and started gasping in breaths. It was harder than he thought, but there was some good news.
CONGRATULATIONS! SHAPE CHANGE (SHP) has increased to 4
Call it a partial success, but it was enough for Jake to keep going. First though, he wanted his hand back just to be sure. He made a fist a few times, then started again trying to make it change again. This time, all 5 fingers changed at once, followed by his palm and fur covered the back of his hand before he stopped it, and reverted it back to normal. Then he changed his right hand, and back again. When he tried changing both at once however, it proved too much for him again and he had to stop and revert. By the time Val returned after being gone 2 hours, Jake was able to change up to his shoulders, and his head. ¡°Aw, that nose is so cute the way it wiggles like that¡± she said helping him to stand up and kissing him on said nose. ¡°The way you can lay your ears down on your head, or make then stick straight up is quite the accomplishment for the first day discovering your hybrid form¡± she added scratching behind his large left ear sticking out of his head. ¡°Fanks¡± he slurred ¡°de teef stl nee wok¡± and about a minute later, ¡°Do they always itch when they change?¡± ¡°The teeth? Only until your body gets used to changing sweety¡± she said this time with a peck on his once again human lips, ¡°but for now, stop practicing. We need to go. It¡¯s nearly noon, and we should put some miles behind us before dark.¡± ¡°Yes mam¡± Jake said hoisting his own pack onto his shoulder. ¡°Hang on, need to be sure¡± Val said with a hand on his shoulder. She studied each leg, then the top and bottom of each hand, and finally his entire head before whispering ¡°perfect¡± and slipping her tongue into his mouth for a few seconds. ¡°So, shall we go?¡± ¡°Lead on¡± he replied with a quick spank. He really couldn¡¯t help himself. Now that Val was his alone, he didn¡¯t want to continue the restraint he had before. Not that he wanted to keep humping her every hour or so like ¡­ well like a rabbit, but he would show his appreciation when she looked nice. And the outfit she had on now was definitely a winner in that regards. Above the same hiking boots from earlier, she wore a pair of black jeans, with a light weight royal blue jacket tied around her waist. Topping the lot, was a bright red tank top. Finally, she had tied her beautiful brown hair into a braid. Her simple, yet effective combination of fashion and function made him want her in his arms once again, but they didn¡¯t have time for that now. There were places to go, things to learn, and people to meet. Chapter 8 - Wide Spot in the Road Their trip started out positive, but 3 days in Jake couldn¡¯t have felt worse. His hybrid form was just hands and his head, at least his teeth were small enough to talk. His arrow training was almost as bad. While he was trying to smooth out sticks for the shafts, they all either snap or too warped to function properly. At this rate Val says it¡¯ll be at least a week until he¡¯s ready to start shaping arrowheads. To make things worse, the 2 were hungry constantly. The steady spring rain of the second 2 days had kept any perspective prey deep underground, so they were surviving mostly on the trail rations Val had bought, which wasn¡¯t supposed to last the entire trip. Add in another unexpected transformation their first night on the road and Jake was having a downright miserable time. The mud frosting on the shit cake had to be Val¡¯s obvious disappointment in his lack of progress which drove her mood down as well. What she really wanted, besides Jacob to make some progress, was for the two of them to share a hot meal, a soft bed, and a cleaning session that didn¡¯t come from the clouds. The occasional random monster attacks didn¡¯t help either. Between his werehare paranoia of enemies, and his [Scout] abilities to detect and destroy from a distance, the mostly mindless goblins and hobgoblins were defeated before they were in range of their crude clubs and spears. The ambush from the small squad of kobold archers were harder to defeat as the sneaky reptiloids had gone to lengths to conceal their presence. Fortunately, Val was able to assist thanks to the crossbow Jake gave her. Her apparent bonus sniping damage made him curious about what class besides [Merchant] she may or may not have. The one good thing was that since he was continuously using his bonus scout damage, and werehare paranoia, both [Rabbit] and [Scout] were close to 4. He¡¯d also slowly managed to add his lower legs and feet to his hybrid form. He wasn¡¯t pleased about his hybrid tail, but the additional points of shape change were very nice. Luckily, the storm broke early in the afternoon on the 3rd day and they managed to find a spring fed pond. Best of all, after setting up camp and starting his firewood search, Jake found fresh deer tracks. By the time a clean and dripping Val was walking out of the pond, she was greeted by the smell of fresh venison cooking over a fire. Between the food that was almost done cooking and watching a stream of water trickle from her hair, down her bare chest, around her belly button before falling from her bush, Jake wasn¡¯t sure which sense was making his mouth water more. After they ate, got clean, got dirty, got clean again, he got dressed in the brown shorts and shirt. Val kept insisting he put on the tight shorts under anything else he wore. When he asked, she always just said he¡¯d learn later. Jake suspected Val mostly wanted to be able to keep an eye on a certain lump the shorts covered, but didn¡¯t thoroughly conceal, but if she wanted that she could have just asked. Once dressed, Jake up ended a log to use it as a stool by the fire as he tried again to whittle a stick into an arrow shaft using his backup dagger. Valphine, carrying an armload of freshly laundered clothes, including almost all she brought except the black panties she wore, she¡¯d just cleaned in the pond, walked past on her way to a temporary clothes line. Once she had put them down on a tarp she had left out before hand, Val walked back and asked to inspect the stick. The bark was removed, and it was straight, but it had some spots where the knife had dug too deep and he hadn¡¯t done much with either end. ¡°Well, it¡¯s not a bad mid-way point, but you still need to sand it and trim the ends.¡± she said rolling the rod between her hands before handing it back. ¡°It¡¯s not bad, but ¡­ *sigh* ¡­ you really should have passed this point already. I can see that you have some talent with this, yet your progress is slower than the others and way short of where it should be¡± ¡°Others? What others¡± ¡°You aren¡¯t my first student Jakey. You¡¯re more like my fourth. The only one whose progress was close to this slow was the first, a girl who I was trying to teach fletching. She was a druid, who used her magic to grow the dowels instead of doing most of the shaping. Good thing to, because if it wasn¡¯t for training her, I wouldn¡¯t have unlocked the Mentor skill and been able to¡­¡± she droned off looking without seeing into the fire. ¡°But I didn¡¯t, did I? I was so focused on telling you how I felt and then what you are I must have forgotten.¡± She looked back at him, true remorse sparkling in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Jakey! I¡¯ve wasted your time, and been mad at you for days when it was my fault!¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jake asked getting more confused by the word she uttered. ¡°This¡± she said putting the first and second from her otherwise fisted right hand to his forehead.
Valphine Downfletcher WOULD LIKE TO TEACH YOU A NEW CLASS. NEW CLASS: ApprenticeArtificer(TRAINING) ACCEPT?
¡°Apprentice Artificer?¡± ¡°It¡¯ll give you a handful of abilities you need to make things. Among them being¡± she said with a sigh and a point to the stick in his hands ¡°dowel whittling¡± ¡°Accept new class, Apprentice Artificer¡± said Jake starting to grin.
CONGRATULATIONS ApprenticeArtificer HAS REACHED LEVEL 1 MENTOR: Valphine Downfletcher Attribute Increase: DEXTERITY +1 PERCEPTION +1 New Skill: Hobbyist: Allows easier learning of basic crafting skills Detailed Perception: Increases close perception exposing details Whittling: Crafting skill that allows wood to be smoothed and reshaped Stone Shaping: Crafting skill that allows stones to be smoothed and reshaping Computing Mentor Bonus¡­ Backfilling Experience¡­ CONGRATULATIONS Whittling has increased to Rank 3
Taken aback from the sudden rush of information, Jake looked at what he thought was a dowel in his hand. He now saw what he had done wrong and understood the difference the flaws would have on the final product. With a snap he broke the mutilated stick in half and threw it in the fire. Selecting another candidate from the pile of sticks beside him he went back to work, but this time his hands were steadier than they had been, and every stroke of the blade was sure and precise. Smiling at him with equal parts pride at his determination, and guilt at her earlier blunder, Val went back to hanging the laundry to finish drying. When she was done, she returned to find Jake smoothing his ninth dowel. Scooping one of the others up she rolled it between her fingers, looked down it, and checked the smoothness of the end. The difference between this one and the one that was now ash was astonishing. There was still room for improvement, but his most recent dowels were most definitely useable for arrow shafts. She returned the shaft to the stack, stood behind him and watched over his shoulder as he smoothed the last ridge from his final dowel and put it in the pile. He sat back up with a smile and closed eyes, to release some of the stress that had built up from the repeated failures of the last few days. To his surprise, he suddenly found himself wrapped in arms protruding from under his armpits, and damp warm breasts pressed up against the back of his head and Val¡¯s head resting on his.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. ¡°Forgive me my love¡± she whispered. He moved to look up at her, she looked down at him, and he turned it in to a kiss. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to forgive. An accident was made and corrected¡± he said just loud enough for her to hear, reaching up to put his hand behind her head for a longer kiss. ¡°Well, as much as you deserve a reward,¡± she said pulling away despite not wanting to, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t stop until we¡¯re both exhausted, and you still have work to do.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re right¡± he admitted with a pout and turning to face her, ¡°but when the work is done for the night, you¡¯re putting me to sleep!¡± ¡°I look forward to it!¡± she said squeezing her tits together with a happy combination of a squeal and moan, ¡°But for now¡­¡± she added bending and picking up the rods, ¡°put the knife away. It¡¯s time to make the next piece.¡± With a grin Jake stowed the knife back at his thigh, while he watched Val¡¯s round ass wiggle as above her waste had disappeared in the tent. The way she was moving it made him sure she both knew he was watching and was looking forward to the fun they would have later. No doubt she would appreciate the response it was having on him. Unfortunately, all that would have to wait as one of Jake¡¯s new instincts threw him into overdrive. ¡°Get in, now!¡± He shouted to Val sprinting to his bow and quiver before kneeling, and glaring in the direction he noticed something wrong in. It was little more than a rustle, and a snap of the twig, but to his heightened senses, it may as well be a fog horn. Val quickly summersaulted into the tent before securing the flap. He was glad she would be actively protecting herself. He, on the other hand, couldn¡¯t help but feel more than a little exposed in a clearing with no armor. Nothing he could do about he lamented, shouldering the quiver and notching an arrow. Jake aimed at the bush closest to the approaching noise ready to move shoot and repeat as quickly as possible. Moments later, the wind blew, and the flap of the tent innocently fluttered open. Jake would be concerned if not for what he saw glancing into the tent. In the middle of the tent was Val¡¯s pack standing upright. On top of it aimed right at the door was a fully loaded, if smaller than normal, crossbow. And on the opposite side, mostly concealed, he saw the top of a small fox like head, ears laid back, with red brown hair looking down the lengths of the crossbow and winking at the man she loved when she saw him look. Filing the question about the small hybrid form away with so many others to ask Val when the time is right, Jake refocused his attention on the rustle moving steadily closer. As soon as the massive canine head appeared, Jake started moving towards the woods some 20 feet from it. A few steps in, he fired at the emerging beasts neck
ARROW DAMAGE 35 Critical location: +15% Fast Precision: +20% TOTAL DAMAGE: 47 HP Congratulations! Ranged General Mastery is now 5 Archery Mastery is now 4!
With a snarling bark, the grey dire wolf sprinted over and to Jake¡¯s surprise, clawed at him rather than biting.
Damage from Natural Attack: -15 HP
Trying to ignore his bleeding arm, Jake tried darting back the way he came to get some distance before firing his next shot. Due to his injury however, he only managed a glancing blow for a mere 10 damage. The wolf retaliated by charging flat out, and body slamming Jake into the bushes for a combined 50 and knocking the wind out of him.
Skill Activating: Prey¡¯s Adrenaline
Jake was hurt and scared. For no good reason he could think of, he suddenly started transforming into his grey rabbit form. It was as if something else had taken control of him and was determined to get him out of there. RUN! PREDATOR ATTACK! NO TIME TO WAIT! He had started to run past the tree he had just hit, when the zing of a crossbow bolt being fired caught his attention. Valaphine! She¡¯s trapped in the tent by that thing! He had to go back. The desire to save her made him snap out of whatever had pushed him aside.
Skill Mode Changing: Prey¡¯s Adrenaline ¨C Fight Prey¡¯s Adrenaline is now 4
With a slight speed drop, but maintaining his momentum, Jacob ran around the tree like a grey blur. He watched the second bolt bury itself into the beast¡¯s shoulder as he leapt into the air, did a somersault, and planted both back legs hard into the large wolfs ribs. As the recoil from the kick sent him safely back on the ground, Jake wasn¡¯t sure if he had heard or physically felt some of the wolf¡¯s ribs break on impact. With the message informing him of doing 100 damage with that double kick, he was hardly surprised. The new "Acrobatics" skill was rather nice though. Regardless, the beast on its side was having a difficult time getting up as the third bolt hit its side inches away from the still visible footprint. Without warning, Jake was suddenly scooped up by the middle, in the fangs of a second wolf, this one normal sized, who after biting Jake threw him onto his side on the ground in front of the tent causing Jake¡¯s health to drop to 9, and the flap to slide back over the door behind him. came a familiar deep ¡°voice¡± from the dire wolf on the ground. Jake replied trying to get a better look at his attacker¡¯s head. He stopped soon after a quick look when even moving readjusting himself hurt. Wincing, Jake continued the wolf said turning his head to meet Jake¡¯s approaching gaze. ¡°That would be me¡± Val said emerging from the tent. She was back to her human size, though she stayed in her hybrid form. She was also back in her red outfit and pointing a full sized loaded crossbow at the bleeding dire wolf. ¡°Now, who the hell are you, and why shouldn¡¯t I finish you off?¡± As he spoke he changed. He was human, mid to late 20s by Jake¡¯s guess, with shoulder length black hair, and a few days stubble. His broad shoulders and tight abs were still visible despite the thin ripped black shirt he wore. The matching pants were also torn and frayed in places and stopped about 2 inches above his ankles. The unusual detail was that the backpack, strapped to both his back and around his waist, had blossomed out of his back as the fur receded. Standing while putting a hand to his chest, he would be about an inch taller than Jake, were they both in human form. ¡°After all, it¡¯s up to the elders to teach cubs how things are done. You may call me Wolfe.¡± Chapter 9 - A Chat with a Wolfe Wolfe was not the most subtle or open man, but at the very least he was able to help them. Apparently, Wolfe had recently leveled up into a [MonsterTamer]. As the name indicates, the class is based upon finding and taming monsters and using them to do his will. He had been out in the wilderness to try to find a suitable monster, but due to the closeness to civilization, the best he could find was the silver wolf Gina. They had spent the few days since getting in sync and testing their skills together. They had been in the middle of a game of hide and seek to test her tracking and his stealth until Wolfe caught wind of humanoid scents where they rarely travel. Sending a quick summons to Gina, through the companion link, he ran to discover the source of the disturbance. He didn¡¯t expect it to be the cub who had hunted him down last month, but was pleased at the cub¡¯s growth, and that the grizzly old man wouldn¡¯t be sending him out to check up on him after all. As for the fox who lead him here, well the old man would have to deal with her too. ¡°You two are headed for the den, right? This trail doesn¡¯t lead anywhere else.¡± He asked, mostly to the woman still pointing a bolt at his chest. There didn¡¯t seem to be much threat from her, given that one thought from him and Gina would be having rabbit for supper. Since both had the others scent rather strongly on them, he knew they were at least close. There¡¯s no hiding from his nose. ¡°And exactly why should Hare and I want you 2 to travel with us?¡± Val asked keeping Wolfe in her crosshairs. ¡°Why?¡± He asked incredulously. ¡°Because that grizzly old man knows about bunny boy over there, and if another few days pass without him arriving, I¡¯ll be sent to go track him down and be sure he¡¯s still ok. I¡¯m not some new friend you made that¡¯ll solve all your problems. I assure you, I¡¯m doing this purely out of selfish reasons.¡± Jake asked ¡°The problem Hare, is that the world we live in now, is a world of monsters. Just because he gave us a believable reason doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s the truth or we can trust him! We¡¯ll get in without his escort.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s impossible. Without me, neither of you will get in.¡± Wolfe said bluntly ¡°We¡¯ve added security in the last few months. Certain people who have gotten in shouldn¡¯t have been allowed to enter or leave for that matter.¡± Jake couldn¡¯t help but notice the anger in the scowl Wolfe was giving Va¡­ ¡°Foxy¡±. He had no choice but to go along with her, but he also didn¡¯t think Wolfe wanted them harmed either. If both wolfs had come after them in the initial attack, he would not have stood a chance. ¡°By the way, I know your friend is being careful not to reveal your identities to me, but I¡¯ve already seen you as human¡± he said to the rabbit next to him. ¡°You¡¯re still bleeding from the bite and being thrown. While it won¡¯t fix your HP, reverting to human will stop you from bleeding out at least. ¡­ Assuming she¡¯s ok with you surviving of course.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. ¡°Stop him from what?¡± Val asked looking over to Jake. ¡°Oh my!¡± She said lowering her crossbow to rush to Jake drawing his attention to his side she was staring at. It would appear when he was thrown, something must have been caught in Gina¡¯s teeth ripping a chunk from his fur, muscle, and skin and he had apparently been slowly bleeding out from the beginning of this conversation. He also suddenly noticed his eyes sliding out of focus as he heard the tears and desperation in Val¡¯s voice calling out to him ¡°Change back! Become human again!¡± Obeying her command Jake focused the best he could, and little by little slowly became human again. The mental strain was too much for him however, and once he became fully human he smiled happily if dreamily at Val¡¯s concern easing at his no longer bleeding torso and he lost consciousness. When Jake woke up, he only knew the sun was almost completely set. Without moving his head, he saw that he hadn¡¯t been moved much. He was still in the clearing by the pond. He tried sitting up, but after a moment of trying found a white furry hand on his shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t push yourself Hare¡± Foxy said, which while showing her support, reminded him of the situation. She couldn¡¯t help herself, and taught Jake firsthand what it felt like to make out with the snout of a hybrid. He preferred her elven lips and tongue, but it was still very nice. ¡°but I¡¯m glad ok¡± ¡°I thought you were tighter than friends¡± Wolfe interrupted the pair walking out of the woods with a grin on his face, Gina in tow. ¡°Not that it changes anything. How are you feeling?¡± ¡°Not too bad¡± Jake replied trying again to sit, this time successfully. ¡°How long was I out?¡± ¡°Not even 2 hours.¡± Wolfe answered, wincing as he put his bag down ¡°Nice kick by the way. I¡¯ll be feeling that for a while¡± ¡°Thanks. I got a stitch myself. That wolf of yours has a strong bite. I don¡¯t understand though, we got hurt as animals.¡± ¡°I can answer that sweetie,¡± Foxy interrupted. ¡°The transformation back to human repaired your physical injuries, but you¡¯ll still feel the pain at least until you are back to full hit points, whenever that is. Additionally, don¡¯t expect your transformation to cure things like poisons, curses, sicknesses, or missing an entire limb. It may on a case by case, but don¡¯t depend on it. We are lycanthropes, not immortals. Our race doesn¡¯t protect us or save our lives.¡± ¡°But it does give us some benefits¡± Wolfe added. ¡°Speaking of which, how soon until we¡¯re ready to move?¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be mobile in the morning.¡± Jake said with certainty, wondering how long he¡¯ll be able to play with Foxy ¡°We¡¯ll be a long way away by morning. We can be at the den by tomorrow evening if we leave soon.¡± Wolfe insisted. ¡°That quickly? What, do you have horses ready to ride in a close clearing? Because otherwise we¡¯re looking at another 3 days¡± Jake said exasperated. ¡°Horses?¡± Wolfe replied with a chuckle. ¡°You haven¡¯t been one of us long.¡± ¡°But I have! And he¡¯s right!¡± Foxy insisted. Wolfe shook his head. ¡°No, 3 humans can¡¯t get there that quickly. However, 2 wolfs a fox and a rabbit can without the aid of horses.¡± ¡°We can¡¯t just leave all of our supplies here¡± ¡°Of course not,¡± Wolfe said pulling his bag from his shoulders, and pulling and unfolding a wolf sized harness-bag contraption out of it ¡°but you don¡¯t have to. My bag can fit most of your gear and transforms with me when it¡¯s on my shoulders. The remainder can be carried by Gina by these secure ¡­ umm¡­ well, for lack of a better term¡­ saddlebags.¡± About 2 hours later, the 4 animals were underway. Chapter 10 - Through the Door The trip took longer than normal, and unfortunately, it was entirely Jake¡¯s fault. As the journey reached double digit hours, Jake had gotten physically and mentally tired. As such, his grip on the rabbit instincts slipped, and the urge to flee from the ¡°dangerous predators¡± surrounding him overwhelmed his better judgement. Blessed as the rabbit¡¯s mind was in the ways of tracking, it knew how to avoid most tricks of being hunted. It therefore took the others 3 hours to find him. When they did, he was burrowed under some tree roots fast asleep. It took Val squeezing her animal body down the hole, and gently licking his face while muttering to him to gently wake him up and not startle the rabbit. His heart was still racing at being face to face with a fox, but the human was in control. After a round of apologies, they were back on their way. It was dusk the next day when they finally made it to the location Foxy and Wolfe called the den. Jake had to admit it was well hidden. Despite Wolfe saying they were here, Jake didn¡¯t see anything. They were in a clearing in roughly the middle of a collection of hills. There was a cliff on the side of this particular hill, but it was only roughly a 5 or 6 feet drop off to the ground. To the naked eye, even with Jake¡¯s perception, there was nothing to separate it from at least 3 others that they had already passed. Well, there was one thing. An entirely innocent looking circle, drawn in the dirt, about a yard to the right of the path. Wolfe stopped in his tracks by the circle in the path and turned to face Jake and Foxy. Jake asked. Wolfe answered. said Foxy rolling her eyes, but stepping into the circle Oddly, the circle in the dirt dimly glowed yellow. Without any other provocation Jake could see, Wolfe snapped, punctuating the last word with an actual bark. Gina ran about 2 steps and leapt over Foxy to stand between her and the cliff and glared defensively at her. Foxy asked, but the sarcasm in her voice made Jake even more confused than the wolf who was snarling at her. was Foxy¡¯s reply looking at Jake. <¡­ Fine!> Wolfe growled he said looking back at the smug fox Upon hearing Foxy say this Wolfe glanced at the cliff weighing his options. After a second, he looked back at her with a nod saying then to Jake . Jake joined Foxy in the circle. Again, Wolfe looked away in consideration. Looking to the 2 animals in the circle he continued, ¡°Go where?¡± asked Jake. In response, Wolfe walked straight to the cliff with Gina at his heels. Rather than running into rock however, the pair vanished. With a grin Foxy looked at the cliff closer and said to nobody, . Looking over at Jake, Foxy pressed her head through the solid rock before pulling it out with a grin on her face. she added jumping completely through. Jake, once again completely confused, followed, and once through his jaw dropped. This ¡°hill¡± was really an entrance area, a square stone room. It had couches along the sides, as well as pillows of various sizes in the corners and what looked like a set of shelves with some blankets. The whole area was being lit by lanterns suspended from the middle and corners. On the opposite side from the ¡°cliff face¡± was a stone door. The ¡°cliff¡± behind Jake and Foxy looked like a clear window with a green outline around it. A once again human Wolfe was standing in front of the door, unloading Jake¡¯s and Val¡¯s bags from his and Gina¡¯s ¡°Unfortunately, as it¡¯s this late, those in charge of residency will likely be asleep by now, as is our leader. That being the case, please make yourselves comfortable in here, and I will have food brought for you in the morning. They¡¯ll call through the door first, so feel free to lock it behind me¡± he said gesturing to the latch on the stone door. ¡°Speaking of which,¡± Wolfe stood up and adjusted something Jake couldn¡¯t see on top of the shelves nearest him. Whatever it was, the green outline changed from green to red. Shortly after the ¡°window¡± became a fourth stone wall. Since all their gear had now been removed from his bags, Wolfe removed the harness from Gina and they both left with a quick ¡°Goodnight¡±.Stolen story; please report. said Foxy walking over and pressing a paw on the cushion nearest them before curling up on it. . Jake changed, and stretched a brown, a purple, and a black blanket onto the cushion. Standing, he saw Foxy¡¯s tail whip out of site before the blankets swelled indicating she was transforming. Just as he forced the rather stubborn door into the locked position, something soft hit him on the head. Pulling the ball from where it had landed between his ears, he saw it was the 2 pieces of Foxy¡¯s red suit balled together. His sharp rabbit nose caught a rather distinct smell he had been getting more and more familiar with recently, emanating from the moist patch of the skirt in his hands. Looking back to the blankets, he saw the seductive hybrid lying on her side, her legs straddled, one knee bent in the air with the purple blanket pulled up to armpit level, and just barely down to her hips. The lack of any straps on her shoulders, or fabric over her legs beyond the blankets reach made his shorts feel even tighter than normal. With a grin, she called to Jake ¡°Put those in my bag and come join me?¡±. His own grin spreading across his face Jake put Val¡¯s hybrid form¡¯s clothes in her bag, glanced at her, and decided it was best for his own shorts to join them. Standing up straight, in more ways than one, despite the slight chill in the room, he returned to Val and with a look at his¡­ waist, and a comment of ¡°now that¡¯s what I like to see¡± she lifted the blanket to allow him to join her. Wrapping their arms around each other¡¯s warm naked, if furry bodies they started kissing like they hadn¡¯t been able to in days. After a minute of tongue wrestling, Jake noticed one of Val¡¯s hands had released him. No sooner had he started wondering what she was doing, then a warm grip on his dick answered his question as she started sliding it up and down his hard shaft. Acting on pure instinct, Jake¡¯s hand not under Val¡¯s head moved from the small of her back to her breast and began to rub it. Fueled by her increased efforts stroking him, Jake broke the kiss and without opening his eyes, began to first kiss and then suck on the breast in his hand. ¡°Oh Jakey¡± moaned his aroused mate. Jake could feel her shifting but didn¡¯t know what Val was doing, until he felt her tongue start to gently lick the skin of one of his long ears. Losing any reserve he had left, along with his self-control, Jake took his hand from her breast, and after a quick lick to moisten them, plunged two fingers deep into her waiting dripping pussy. After a moan filled moment rubbing her clit, Jake once again found the rough patch he knew to be her G-spot and started to stroke. ¡°OH, GOD¡¯S Jakey¡± she said ¡°give me your mouth¡± and they once again locked lips, as Jakes hips started to thrust outside of his control. Again, Jake felt her shift but with closed eyes he didn¡¯t know what she was doing, until with a shove he was rolled ontop of her. Sensing her urgency, he gently yet forcefully added the other 2 fingers from his soaked hand into her, receiving an appreciatory moan in exchange. A moment later she let loose a series of moans, and apparently squirted, as his dick was now covered in cum not his own. He noticed her hand was no longer simply jerking him off, but gently pulling it towards her pussy. Opening his eyes and looking at her questioningly, she looked at him, her eyes already losing focus and whispered ¡°please¡±. A squeal of a moan followed the word as Jake replaced his hand with what she truly wanted to be filled, and the powerful hybrid legs made for leaping over things his own sized, thrusted the rock-hard dick completely into her hole. Even if she was in her right mind, she wouldn¡¯t have words for the feeling of his dick slamming into the back wall of her insides. All she could manage was an airy, yet loud ¡°FUCK YES!¡± followed by losing all control of herself, just like her mate. Out of pure instinct Jake moved so he was mostly upright, and her ankles were crossed behind his neck. Every thrust was answered with a gasp from the red beast under him. Soon after, with a massive rush and a moan from both partners, they came together, and Jake slumped against her. When he went to pull out however, he found her legs had moved and were now tight around his waist. Reaching up she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him back down to her panting sweaty face. ¡°I¡¯ve never so much¡­ as touched myself¡­ in this form,¡­ yet for you Jakey,¡± She paused to stick her tongue down his throat, and receive his in kind, ¡°for you my love¡­ I can¡¯t stop cuming.¡± As she paused again to breathe, Jake could feel the truth behind her words warming him back up, hopefully for the next round. ¡°I may have already¡­ given you the innocence¡­ of both of my humanoid forms¡­ but we¡¯re not done yet my love.¡± Val whispered before kissing him again having caught her breath. ¡°Not even close!¡± She then rolled them both over, and now taking the top and the initiative, began riding his hard dick as they both once again surrendered to passion. An unknown time later, they had all but passed out. By the time they were done, they were both covered in sweat with random sticky patches from stray sprays from both participants, and 2 of the blankets were on opposite sides of the room. They themselves were in the middle of the floor. Val had noticed when Wolfe closed the door that it was soundproof and impossible to look through beyond scrying based magic. She hoped she was right, because she had just gifted any spy from the door a full 10 minutes of her bare breasts, with fur covering but completely exposed hard nipples bouncing at a fierce rate as she for the third¡­ or was it fifth ¡­ countless time that night slid up and down the warehare¡¯s cock in a reverse cowgirl style. Even with their animalistic stamina, both lycanthropes were completely drained now that their number of releases had gone well into the double digits, to the point they would have lost count even in their right minds. Together they crawled over to the cushion diagonal to the soaked one they had started on, pulled the blankets over themselves, and the last thought the two had before losing consciousness was hoping they hadn¡¯t completely fucked the night away as they were both desperate for sleep, although Jake also hoped their hosts would excuse the mess they would find the next morning. Chapter 11 - Welcome to the Den ¡°AAARRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!¡± What felt like minutes later, but was actually close to 10 hours, a massive howl rang through the makeshift bedroom making Foxy and Jake sit straight upright. ¡°What is that and how do we make it stop?¡± Jake shouted. ¡°About time you 2 woke up!¡± came Wolfe¡¯s angry voice through the thick door. ¡°Now, would you let me in while your breakfast is still warm?¡± ¡°Umm¡± said Jake looking around at the cum and sweat stained cushion across the generally ¡°used¡± state of the room, ¡°give us a minute¡±. After about 5 minutes hybrid Jake, back in his shorts, unlocked and opened the door to reveal the room. The blankets had been gathered folded and placed on the soiled cushion, which was now sitting by the door. Foxy too was back in her red garb and was zipping up their bags. One whiff of the air made wolf cough slightly and look at the obvious source. Rolling his eyes back to Jake, and with a exasperated sigh Wolfe handed the tray of food he was holding to Jake. He then picked up the blankets and cushions and after informing them he¡¯ll be back in about half an hour he disappeared back out of the door. After 15 minutes, when the couple were done washing down their breakfast of ham, bacon, eggs, toast, and a blend of fruits and berries with juice, they did their best to tidy themselves up before they would be introduced to their hosts. Jake had no idea what he was in for, but a good first impression works wonders. Foxy on the other hand had the expression of Jake¡¯s imagination of what a dwarfling would look like getting ready to explain why they had dulled their father¡¯s best battleax by using it to burst a barrel of his favorite mead over the living room rug. As such, Jake sat back on the sofa, and asked Val over to him, and spoke to her as calmly as possible. ¡°Foxy, you know I love you and that I would do anything for you. But you also were the one who told me I needed these people and the lessons they teach. It doesn¡¯t take a beholder to see that you are terrified to the point a lose/lose is your best-case scenario. Please tell me. What do I not know? Why are you so scared?¡± Foxy¡¯s ears drooped. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what I am expecting. I¡¯m probably more scared than I should be I admit. But you¡¯re right, you should know why since there is a slight chance it¡¯ll negatively affect you.¡± ¡°It was around 6ish years ago I think. I was gathering supplies to craft something, my first longbow I think. Either way, I was gathering supplies when I was attacked by a fox. I used what I could to try and fight it off, but it was all over me. I threw it off a dozen times, each time it came back for more. Eventually, I managed to draw my dagger and deal it a mortal blow. You can imagine my horror when as soon as the mad fox hits the ground it becomes a dead male half-elf with my dagger in his heart. From the little I knew at the time, I pieced together that he was a lycanthrope. Even so, I¡¯ve never been on the best terms with the authorities in my home town and a civilian was clearly lying dead with my weapon in his chest from a blow I had dealt. I ran as fast as I could. I bought gear at the next town over and kept running. Two days later was my first full moon. When I woke up naked in the closet of the room I had rented, my pajamas were in ribbons, and there were scratches covering the floor. I was smart enough to put 2 and 2 together. My race was revealed to me that first day. Because of that, I was able to keep my mind the next few times I transformed, even when I had no idea if I could control it, never mind how. I started looking for any rumor I could find on lycanthropes. Apparently, I was seen, I never learned how or by who, but it doesn¡¯t matter. I got closer, but so did they. I was ¡­ kidnapped, though I guess apprehended also fits, and brought here. I don¡¯t know how, but I can imagine some type of poison was involved. Anyway, when they realized I was had only killed the one who bit me in self-defense, and I was only looking for them so I could learn more about what I was, and could do they were thrilled. A few month later, I knew all I needed to know. When there were rumors of an unknown lycanthrope in a neighboring town, I volunteered to make contact and was sent out. It was supposed to be a 1-month mission, but¡± ¡°But, we don¡¯t hear anything from you in 5 years. To many of us, that alone is enough to label you a traitor to your race. Why didn¡¯t you report in?¡± Wolfe interrupted reopening the door. ¡°I had nothing to report!¡± Foxy snapped back in desperation. ¡°I couldn¡¯t find the warehare! I don¡¯t know where he was hiding or why! All I know is that he¡¯s dead now, and before he died he bit Hare. Fortunately, I had fallen in love with the new lycanthrope, so I was able to bring him here! I am sorry I didn¡¯t shut down the shop you knew I had for 2 weeks a month just to say ¡®I still can¡¯t find him¡¯ repeatedly! I remade my promises in the Zone of Truth that I mean no harm to any of us that doesn¡¯t wish harm against me and that I¡¯ll keep our secrets! What more do you want?¡± ¡°How about the truth!¡± raged Wolfe. ¡°As you yourself said, the fox is the natural predator of the rabbit! You should have had everything needed to find him! Instead, you just ran away! The only reason you came back is because your little boy toy over there got bitten and needs training only we can give! Admit it!¡± ¡°THAT¡¯S ENOUGH!¡± Shouted Jake, over both. ¡°Now look, I admit I don¡¯t know most of what happened, but here are the facts as I see it. Foxy made some mistakes. Exactly what the mistakes are is irrelevant, but she¡¯s sorry she made them. Wolfe is furious, but you didn¡¯t bring us here just to lock us in your entryway. Now, rather than shouting at each other for endless hours, over 5-year-old mistakes, can we move on to whatever it was that¡¯s supposed to happen next?¡± After a small pause and another sigh, Wolfe spoke up, ¡°If it were up to me, you guys would not have gotten this far. Fortunately, I¡¯m not in charge, I¡¯m just security. And you¡¯re right. It¡¯s time to get moving, assuming you are ready.¡± ¡°To talk to someone other than you? Absolutely!¡± Foxy replied lifting her bag as Jake did the same. ¡°Is there another stop, or is it time for Hare to meet the old man?¡± ¡°Not to worry, he¡¯s waiting for us¡± said Wolfe, who looked just as ready to leave Foxy. ¡°After you¡± he added, opening the door behind him, revealing Gina waiting to lead the way. The four some walked through a small chamber to another door behind which was a square chamber. The only thing in the chamber was a staircase going down against the right-hand wall to a landing at the corner before turning the corner and continuing down in a steady spiral into the darkness broken by torches at each landing. Gina was already on the first landing with Foxy behind her when Jake started downward, Wolfe bringing up the rear. After they had gone down about 3 maybe 4 floors by Jake¡¯s estimate they came to the end of the stairs. The stairs ended in a well lite stone floored room similar to the one at the top. Opposite where the stairs joined the floor, was a wide arching doorway, with a pair of thick stone but mostly undecorated stone slab. The only ¡°decoration¡± if it can be called such was a large circle with a diameter roughly the length of Jake¡¯s arm at about head level which was right in the middle. Once all 4 creatures were on the landing, Wolfe reached out and pressed his hand upon the slab on the right below the circle. After a moments pause, the circle glowed cream and revealing it to be an image of the full moon. A line then appeared in the center of the slab, starting at the top and quickly spreading down, bisecting the moon, and continuing down until it reached the floor at which point the line glowed and the slab started to move. Each side of the split slab slid inward like what it truly was, as set of double doors magically sealed against intruders.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Once the doors finished opening, and Jake¡¯s eyes became adjusted to the light beyond, his jaw dropped at what was revealed. There, at the bottom of a stone ramp, hidden yards below the surface, behind strong enchanted stone doors lay a small town under what looked like the glow of the sun. Looking up puzzled, Jake saw what looked like a large glowing orb in a grey-blue ¡°sky¡±. It was obvious this was not really the sun and sky, but the effect on the town was obviously no different. ¡°Come on¡±, said Foxy grinning at the look of awe on Jake¡¯s furry face, pulling him to the stairs. At the bottom however, Wolfe hollered ¡°STOP¡±. In response to Jake¡¯s confused look, and Foxy¡¯s annoyed one, he continued while taking the last few steps down, ¡°The old man insists on seeing all new faces personally. As for you,¡± he added looking to Foxy, ¡°you¡¯ll only be allowed to stay based on his judgement.¡± ¡°Then lead on¡± Foxy said suddenly more somber than Jake¡¯s seen her in a while. He lead them down the main street. Passed a few shops and side streets, until they came to a rather odd area. It was somehow a cross between a city hall and park. The walls and rooms were all open to the extent if a breeze could occur down there it could be felt through the entire area. Each room had at least partial roofs, but on some it was only a frame around the top of the wall. There were various desks and file cabinets mixed in between trees, and bushes. Wolfe lead them through the ¡°hallways¡± until they made it to the center of the room. There, in the middle of the area was a semicircle of trees around a small pond. Sitting there, with his back to the trees, facing the pond with his eyes closed was a man. The fur on his head, and exposed lower legs and lower arms was dark brown, almost black in places. The round ears sticking out from the top of his head, and short snout made it quite clear his animal was a bear. His dark green robes were a little on the tight side in his hybrid state, but they would likely be comfortable in his human form. When they had approached, the robed man somehow sensed them and opened his brown eyes before breaking into a beaming smile. ¡°Wolfe! Glad to see you, and it would appear you found a nice wolf to join you. Wonderful!¡± said the man in a rough yet clear voice. ¡°Foxy? Is that really you after 5 years. Welcome back! I hope you have quite the story to tell. And you¡­ Rabbit? Bunny?¡± ¡°Hare actually¡± Jake clarified. ¡°Ah, Hare! Yes, that certainly works very nicely as a name. Nice to meet you my cub! They call me Grizzly, or Master Bear. I understand you are here to learn about being a lycan.¡± ¡°I absolutely am Mr. Grizzly¡±, Jake answered. ¡°In that case, Wolfe, please begin arrangements for a residency for Hare. First however, I require a private chat with our lady in red. Please wait outside.¡± Grizzly concluded waving Foxy over to him. Wolfe, Gina, and Jake left the room leaving Foxy uncomfortably walking up and sitting cross-legged as well next to Grizzly. Jake had nothing better to do than wait by the door, as the other two walked away. A long time had passed when Grizzly and Foxy came to find Jake, sitting with his back against the wall opposite the door, fast asleep. After Foxy gently woke him, the 3 went to find Wolfe, who was now at one of the desks by what passed for the front door of the mostly open town hall, Gina keeping an eye out from a lying position at his feet. ¡°Made your decision, sir?¡± Wolfe asked. ¡°Yes, I have.¡± Grizzly said with no expression at all. Foxy on the other hand was down in every conceivable way, including her ears drooped, and her furry tail between her legs, she even hung her head throwing her face into shadows. Wolfe couldn¡¯t stop the grin from spreading across his face as her head started bobbing with quiet tears. ¡°Stop filling out that paperwork right now. He won¡¯t be needing it.¡± Wolfe almost laughed with glee as he replied, ¡°You¡¯re not just kicking her out, but both of them?¡± ¡°Of course not, but houses for 1 is different paperwork than paperwork for more than 1¡± Grizzly responded with his own grin as Wolfe¡¯s changed to confusion matching the one on Jake¡¯s face. ¡°Assuming it¡¯s ok with Hare of course. It was Foxy¡¯s idea for you two to live together, but I won¡¯t force you¡± Jake¡¯s confusion, evaporated quickly with those words. He was going to get the training he needed and start a new life with the woman he loved. Speaking of which, her reaction to this news was baffling, until she lifted her head back with a gasp and roared with laughter. ¡°OHAHAHA! YOUR FACE! HAHAHA! Sorry to confuse you Hare, but the look on Wolfe¡¯s face was beyond worth it! I just wish I could keep it together as well as Grizzly did. HAHAHAHAAAA!¡± Foxy added having to lean on Jake just to keep standing. Glad, once again, nobody else had the same view of Foxy he was enjoying, Jake was just curious about what the next step was, which when he brought it up, Grizzly replied by activating his mentor ability with 2 fingers on his forehead, his response to which prompted such a bombardment of messages and information Jake passed out, and woke up the next morning, behind locked doors, unclothed, in a comfortable queen-sized bed in the bare sleeping embrace of Val ¡­ not Foxy. The messages left behind by yesterday¡¯s decision did make it easier to determine what happened.
CONGRATULATIONS LYCANPUP (TRAINER) HAS REACHED LEVEL 1 MENTOR: Gerald ¡°Grizzly¡± Barpalm Attribute Increase: PERCEPTION +2 SHAPE CHANGE +5 ENDURANCE +2 WISDOM +2 NEW SKILL: SHAPE CROSSOVER 1
BACK FILLING MENTOR BONUS¡­ CONGRATULATIONS LYCANPUP IS NOW LEVEL 2 PERCEPTION IS NOW 47 SHAPE CHANGE IS NOW 20 SHAPE CROSSOVER IS NOW RANK 4
APPLYING SKILL PSYNERGY ¡­ HUNTERS TRACKING +4
NEW SKILL ACQUIRED FROM PREREQUISITES: PREREQ: ACQUIRE 5 TRAINER CLASSES ACQUIRE 1 NON TRAINER CLASS REQUIREING MULTIPLE TRAINER CLASSES DIVERSE CORICULUM RANK 1 EFFECT: BLANKET EXPERIENCE BOOST TO ALL TRAINER CLASSES BACK FILLING EXPERIENCE¡­
LYCANPUP IS NOW LEVEL 3 THUG IS NOW LEVEL 5 APPRENTICE IS NOW LEVEL 3 ApprenticeArtificer IS NOW LEVEL 3 TRACKER EXPERIENCE OVERFLOW ¡­ SCOUT IS NOW LEVEL 5
NEW SKILL ACQUIRED FROM PREREQUISITES: PREREQ: ACQUIRE LEVEL 3 IN 5 TRAINER CLASES ACQUIRE 1 NON TRAINER CLASS REQUIREING MULTIPLE TRAINER CLASSES GRADUATION BOUND RANK 1 (MAX) EFFECT: GAIN INSIGHT ON GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASSES YOU ARE WITHIN 1 LEVEL OF DISCLAIMER! YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH OTHERS WHO DO NOT POSSES THE SKILL
Chapter 12– Training Begins Feeling him waking up and look around his unfamiliar environment shook Val just enough to wake her up. With sleep still in her eyes, she looked over to the man she now shares her home with, and smiled wider than she thought possible. She inched up next to him to give him a tighter squeeze. She also hooked her leg around him to get even closer. She couldn¡¯t help the small airy chuckle as she felt his stiffening dick press against her leg in response to the breasts against his chest and a certain dampness on his torso that could only be from her. ¡°Good morning Jakey,¡± she greeted him with a kiss, ¡°Feeling better this morning?¡± ¡°Yeah, sorry. What happened?¡± He replied returning the kiss. ¡°Well, when Master Bear gave the [LycanPup] class to you, it must have triggered something. As soon as you accepted it, your eyes rolled back in your head, and you collapsed. I only barely caught you. Wolfe gave you a chair, and then got back to his paperwork. Not long after he rushed off, and returned shortly after with a key ring holding 2 keys on it. I had just barely pulled you back to your feet, with and arm around my shoulder when you moved your head to me and whispered something like ¡®sorry for being a trouble¡¯. Before I could check if you were awake, you transformed into a rabbit, and fell on your face again. At least it was easier to pick you up now. I brought you here, locking both the front door and the door to the bedroom behind us, and put you down on the bed. When I told you we were home and alone you became human, rolled over so you were face up and started snoring. I got a bite from the kitchen, came back up here, changed myself, stripped us both down for comfort, and joined you in bed. There¡¯s not much else to tell. Any idea what knocked you out?¡± ¡°If I were to guess, I¡¯d say the sudden rush of information. I know when you gave me the [AprenticeArtificer] class I was dazed for a second, and that was nothing compared to what I got with [LycanPup]¡± ¡°Really?¡± She said confused ¡°When he gave it to me, it only had maybe 2 skills. Why¡¯d it give you so much?¡± Jake wasn¡¯t sure how to reply to the questions, so instead he read the screens still in his consciousness to her. She interrupted that such a large attribute change has been known to cause people to lose consciousness. Between that and running through the previous night, it wasn¡¯t much of a surprise. As he continued to read the screens, he noticed that whenever he tried to voice any prerequisites, he instantly needed to clear his throat, or started coughing, sneezing, or bit his tongue. Verbally going down the detour the two decided it was likely similar to how nobody has been able to tell anyone else the prerequisites to classes before. The system that grants levels and abilities simply won¡¯t allow it. Regardless, when he told her the benefits of his new skills, her jaw dropped. ¡°There are skills like that! With Requirements that can be attained so easily?¡± ¡°Well, I can¡¯t tell you the requirements, apparently, but I can tell you, No, it¡¯s not easy¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯ll stop asking then. You can¡¯t tell me anyway. You won¡¯t be able to respond to my questions either, even if I guess. In fact, it¡¯s churning my stomach trying to even formulate a guess, so there¡¯s no point. ¡­ Well, anyway. Welcome to the Lunar Den, or just the den as we call it. While I can¡¯t guarantee everyone is, an overwhelming number are lycanthropes. Lots of people are brought here for training. Many of whom don¡¯t want their true identity known so walk around as either hybrid or animal. All 3 of our forms are treated fairly. Also, almost everyone goes by a nickname that¡¯s an offshoot of their animal.¡± ¡°That explains the whole ¡®Hare¡¯ thing, Foxy¡± he said giving her a look. ¡°Beats ¡®BunnyBoy¡¯ doesn¡¯t it?¡± Val replied with a chuckle. ¡°So, you hit level 5 of [Scout]. What skill did you pick?¡± ¡°Pick?¡± ¡°Oh, right. This would be the first time. Whenever a class hits a 5th level, any level divisible by 5 actually, you get your choice of 1 skill you qualify for. It always is connected to the class, but the options change based on your entire status. The command to see your choices is ¡®Skill Store¡¯ by the way¡± ¡°I see¡­ ¡®Skill Store¡¯¡±
WELCOME TO THE SKILL STORE SKILLS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
SCOUT (1): RAPID STRIKE ¨C GAIN A BOOST TO DAMAGE BASED ON MOVEMENT SPEED DURING THE ATTACK RAPID TARGETING ¨C GAIN A BOOST TO PRECISION BASED ON MOVEMENT SPEED DURING AN ATTACK IMPROVED PRECISION ¨C INCREASES BONUS DAMAGE DUE TO SNEAK ATTACK SKILLS ADRENALINE STRIKE ¨C ENABLES SNEAK ATTACK DAMAGE WHENEVER PREY¡¯S ADRENALINE IS ACTIVE ACROBATIC STRIKE ¨C ENABLES SNEAK ATTACK DAMAGE WHENEVER ATTACK IS PRECEDED BY A FEAT OF GYMNASTICS
¡°Interesting¡± was all Val said when Jake read the options aloud. ¡°Interesting? That¡¯s all you have to say? ¡°Oh? You want my opinion? The skill you choose can determine future skills, classes, even rank up options. It¡¯s is an exceedingly personal decision. And you want my input?¡± ¡°I hadn¡¯t considered the long-term implications of picking the skill, but if I had, I would want it even more. You are my future, so of course I want your opinion on it.¡± ¡°Oh, in that case¡­¡±, she said trying not to reveal how much his words touched her. However, the twitch against her leg made her quite sure the moisture on his had given her away. ¡°In that case, you have the option of a damage boost from movement, 2 accuracy boosts one from moveing, the other from your sneak attack, and 2 new ways to activate sneak attacks. Personally, I¡¯d say it depends on if you plan on doing acrobatics or being dangerous. If neither, do either of the first 2, the rapid ones.¡± ¡°Well, to be honest I was thinking about that Acrobatic strike. I mean that midair summersault kick¡­ I could get used to that, but I¡¯ve only done it once. Prey¡¯s Adrenaline on the other hand, recently that has triggered quite frequently whether I want it to or not. ¡­ I think I¡¯m going to think about it for a while.¡± Jake finally concluded, having gotten nowhere. ¡°Well¡­ now that we decided that, we need to go meet Grizzly, unless¡­ well..¡± she walked her fingers up his chest innocently. ¡°Well what?¡± Jake asked. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know about you, but I can¡¯t seem to get out of bed in the morning. Atleast,¡± Val said before a deep kiss filled with all the passion she could muster, ¡°not without some exercise to wake myself up.¡± ¡°You know, you¡¯re right.¡± Jake said subtly bringing his hand down to rest between her legs. ¡°Especially not¡±, he added gently swiping his second and third finger between her soaking lips scooping some of her sweet cum making her gasp sensually, before he brought it up to his mouth and licked them clean ¡°without breakfast¡± he added sliding under the covers. It was nearly an hour later when the two finally left their new duplex and stepped out onto one of the den¡¯s side street, back in hybrid forms and the standard outfits for them. Speaking of which, Jake had found it remarkably easy to become a full hybrid this morning. Head to toe grey fur, his arms and legs both longer and more muscular, his feet were wider and longer, in fact except for the digits on his hands (he wasn¡¯t sure if the maneuverable bendable apposable digits the last knuckle of which was a claw counted as fingers anymore), everything was thicker and more powerful. He had even managed a proper tail that any grey rabbit would be proud of. All of that, combined with his new stat upgrades and the mornings activity gave his ears extra perk and his step a new spring. Once they got to the main road however, Foxy deliberately turned south, away from City Hall.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. ¡°What happened to Grizzly? Isn¡¯t he the other way?¡± Jake asked confused. ¡°That¡¯s just his office. He isn¡¯t usually there. He¡¯s meeting us this way¡± Foxy said pointing down the road. They kept walking for almost half a mile. After 3 more side streets, the land opened and there were orchards and fields. Eventually, they came to a lake in a meadow. This was the first indication Jake had seen in a while that they were underground. He wasn¡¯t sure what was happening, but there was a circular waterfall in the middle of the lake that appeared to be roughly twice the width of his human hand. He also had no idea how the lake wasn¡¯t constantly in a state of overflow either unless there was a drain of some sort in it. For all Jake knew, it was constantly overflowing. He also couldn¡¯t see where the water came from. Likely there was a natural source of water above that had been magically tapped into. Regardless, there was a good size lake in the meadow. And sitting cross legged wearing red billowing robes from the waist down sat what was almost definitely Grizzly in human form. He was an elf, a few inches shorter than the bear hybrid Jake met yesterday. The bald head explained the presence of only fur on the hybrid. Based on the man¡¯s white physique he was strong, but hardly a body builder. He was clearly in a meditative trance, which was broken only by Foxy¡¯s and Jake¡¯s approach. ¡°Foxy! Hare! Or should I say¡±, he said looking around to be sure they were alone, ¡°Valphine and Jacob. I hope you slept well. You¡¯re going to need your rest for your training.¡± ¡°How¡± Jake began before Grizzly interrupted. ¡°Jake, there are some things you must know about my teaching. When not in lessons, we are equals. But during lessons, I demand your respect. You will refer to me as Master Bear, or simply Master. You will speak when it is requested or when your hand is raised to ask permission. Otherwise you will listen and obey. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Umm¡­ yes Master Bear¡± Jake replied, taken aback by the Monk¡¯s change of tone. ¡°Good. Now then one at a time you may ask your questions. I can¡¯t guarantee an answer at this time. The information may be part of our future lessons. If so you may need to wait for such a time that you can understand it. OK?¡± ¡°OK. Well, I suppose my first question would be how you knew our names¡­ but of course I saw your name when the Mentor skill added the class, so it showed mine as well.¡± Jake reasoned as his master nodded. ¡°Then on to the next. From what you said, it sounded like both of us were to be trained. Am I correct?¡± ¡°I can answer that Jake. Yes, I¡¯ll be training to¡± ¡°but why?¡± ¡°¡­ I¡¯m only level 5 in the [LycanPup] class Jakey.¡± ¡°And as such she still has much to learn. Do you have more, or can we begin?¡± ¡°One more, for now Master. Where did the [LycanPup] skill come from?¡± ¡°Ahhh, a good question, and a fine place to start actually. I was bit when I was about the same age you are now. Don¡¯t ask for details, I can no longer recall. As I had already been trained in the ways of the Monk, I knew how to search for inner truths. I therefore began to meditate on my condition. I searched within myself, until it dawned on me. I was no longer one being. I had become 2. 1 the elf I had always been, but the other was a bear born of the bite. If the two were in conflict I cannot be in balance. In order to stop conflict, I required communication with the beast inside. So do you. This is where we begin. Come. Sit¡± Bear said to his students indicating the grass in front of him. ¡°Sit cross legged as I am, and close your eyes¡±, he continued as they quickly sat and obeyed. ¡°Now be calm. Relax. Put your mind completely at ease. They won¡¯t come to you. You must go to them. Stay relaxed. Open your mind. Imagine yourself sitting calmly in a void. There is nothing around you. Now, think about your animal. Think about where your animals like to be, where they like to go, and what they like to do. Now rebuild the environment around you. Imagine yourself in a place your animal would feel completely at home in. Put yourself where it¡¯s likely to be.¡± Jake thought. He thought of nothing else. He had been a rabbit multiple times. He knew where it liked to be. Its ideal place would be quite similar to where he actually was. Suddenly, Jake was alone in an empty field He was back in his human form yet there was no sign of his armor or clothes. It was clear and sunny. There were a few wild flowers scattered about. There was also some random wild vegetation. There was some carrot and radish tops emerging from the ground, and some lettuce heads here and there. All of them were clearly wild. To the right of him a thin creek ran over a shallow rocky bed. The creek was maybe a foot deep. Too shallow to swim in, but perfect as a water source for an animal. And to his left in the dirt, about the size of his hand, was hole to darkness. ¡°Now,¡± Bear said in little more than a whisper, ¡°allow yourself to be open. Allow yourself to not be alone where you are. Don¡¯t be anxious. Don¡¯t try to force it out. Let your animal come to you. When it does, gently talk to it. And remember, it is not your pet, it is not your prey, it is not your guest and it is not an intruder. It is your equal. It has just as much right to be in your mind, in your landscape as you do. If it doesn¡¯t appear just relax and wait¡± And he did. Jake sat and waited. He watched the field, and the creek. He felt a light breeze against his face and watched the flowers sway in the wind. It was all very peaceful. But nothing happened. Nothing changed besides the wind in the grass. Since this was in his mind, the sun didn¡¯t move so there was no way for Jake to track the passage of time, but it definitely seemed like more than an hour. He didn¡¯t dare leave this imagined world and open his eyes. Not with Grizzly monitoring him. With him here, he had no choice but to do what he wants. He¡¯s trapped. Nothing he could do about it. ¡­ Wait. ¡­ Wait that¡¯s it. That¡¯s why Jake stayed all alone in the field. If the rabbit arrived it would be stuck in the middle of nowhere! Nowhere to go but either back where it is, or to Jake. He had been thinking of where he would like to run into the rabbit. It was ideal for the hunter, and the last place the prey would want to be. Clearly a change of scenery is in order. First thing he did was stretch the ground. He should not have started this close to the rabbit hole. Now there were about 5 yards between him and the hole. Now for a little cover. Along the creek sprouted a handful of bushes. There also grew a bush on the opposite side of the hole. Finally trees sprouted, until Jake and the hole were sitting in the clearing in the middle of a forest. Every tree had roots. Some of the roots emerged from the forest floor. Others went across the ground with ditches under them. There were now plenty of hiding places. Jake did keep the vegetables growing around the edges though. ¡°I¡¯m sorry my friend¡±, Jake said over the creek¡¯s gurgle. ¡°I should have known you would want to be in a place with more cover. There is no reason to fear me. I just want to talk to you¡± Jake kept sitting and waiting. He went to the extent of completely blocking out the outside world. He didn¡¯t even feel the grass on his tail anymore. He only felt the root he was sitting on in the forest in his mind. The voice sounded like it came from everywhere, and yet nowhere. Jake thought he had heard it before but wasn¡¯t quite sure where. ¡°No, no bear. Not here anyways. The only thing here is you and me, and I have no reason or want to hurt you.¡± Jake thought he saw the tip of a pink nose come to the hole. ¡°No tricks¡± Out of the hole popped the head of a grey rabbit with long furry ears, and a curious twitching in his nose. ¡°Well, I wanted to start by saying hi¡± The rabbit emerged from the hole. ¡°Yeah, hi. Look, umm¡­ we¡¯ve been together for a little while now. We will be together for much longer. I just thought it would be nice to talk. Is there anything I can do for you? Anything you want?¡± Hop hop hop. The rabbit was now only a few feet away. ¡°How can I put this¡­ You don¡¯t have a physical form. You are ¡­ You are an alter ego.¡± ¡°So, why did you ask for freedom, when you know I can¡¯t let you go?¡± the rabbit said hopping to about 2 inches away and glaring at Jake. ¡°If you mean in the forest, yes I did. I didn¡¯t know you were real. I thought you were just the instincts calling in my head. The beast I attacked was attacking the woman I love¡± <2 things straight. I am the instinct in your head. And I know about the fox.> ¡°My point being, I didn¡¯t know you were real. I¡¯m sorry. I wouldn¡¯t have openly ignored you if I knew you were real. I have to know you know that.¡± If Jake didn¡¯t know better, it would swear it saw a smirk on the little rabbit¡¯s face. ¡°Deal!¡± Jake said with a smile reaching out towards the rabbit ¡°Do you have a name?¡± the rabbit replied pressing his head to Jake¡¯s outstretched hand. ¡°Pleasure¡¯s all mine¡±
NEW SKILL AQUIRED: SPIRIT GUIDE RANK 1 RABBIT SPIRIT: Flopsy
LEVEL UP! LEVEL UP! LEVEL UP! LEVEL UP! LEVEL UP! LEVEL UP! CONGRATULATIONS! RABBIT IS NOW LEVEL 7! LYCANPUP IS NOW LEVEL 7
Chapter 13 - TIME HOP Jake had to admit, the next few months or so that past was really nice. Master Grizzly taught him allot, and not just how to communicate with Flopsy. He learned how to fight like both a rabbit and a hybrid. After the first session of train fighting in his other forms, he was glad he hadn¡¯t chosen that first [Scout] skill. His new ¡°Acrobatic Strike¡± skill worked wonders no matter the form Jake was in. As there were only a few dozen ¡°people¡± in the den, everyone had to contribute to the survival of the community. As Jake had the necessary skills, he would join the group responsible for making sure there was enough meat to go around, and yet not enough to kill the surrounding ecosystem. Those responsible for the continent in general would come to investigate if there were suddenly no animals in their section of the wilderness. Jake¡¯s group also went for the occasional security matter. He refused to be called a ¡°City Guard¡± though. He would go on localized short-term escort missions, even if the subject didn¡¯t want to be escorted. Wolfe was also in the group and had a similar opinion. As such, the two became friends before too long. Something else also happened before long. As to be expected, Jake got in quite a good number of both spars and actual combat in which he was to use his rabbit form and abilities. As such, his rabbit level grew quickly. Once it hit level 15, ¡°MAX¡± appeared by the class and it stopped leveling. Jake naturally got concerned, until he tried looking at the class section of his Status after activating his ¡°Graduation Bound¡± skill which explained the issue. He did very specifically focused training for almost a month to get his Agility to 105 and his Stealth to 20. At which point, after giving the correct people a fair warning, the command ¡°Evolution Approved¡± caused him to black out. Upon awaking, 3 days later, very few things had changed physically. His natural body hair was darker and slightly thicker, as was the hair on his head, but otherwise there was no difference. At least the experience from the training hadn¡¯t gone to waste. His rabbit level jumped straight to 17. His animal form however changed significantly. To start with was his size. Whereas his normal rabbit form had roughly gotten to a head height of an inch or two over his ankles (on all 4s obviously), his new rabbit form was now 2/3 the way up his shins. The ears continued almost up to his waist. There was also a change to his paws. While it was definitely still an animal, there was and apposable quality to the inner fingers on both front paws. Not to mention the claws on all 4 paws didn¡¯t quite withdraw all the way back into the flesh. He could also move his ¡°thumbs¡± separately as well. He wouldn¡¯t be able to do much with the little stubs, but at least gripping was an option. Finally, the fur was longer, thicker, and rougher than it had been. Finally, his teeth had changed. Whereas before he had the type of flat grinding teeth expected of an herbivore with the exception of the 2 iconic buck teeth, now all his teeth were slightly sharper, and the two extended ones in the middle came together in a point. All of which echoed the screen Jake received upon waking up.
EVOLUTION COMPLETE!
CONGRATULATIONS! RACE CHANGE: LYCANTHROPE -DIRE HARE NEW SKILL AQUIRED, ANIMAL REVERSION SEE STATUS SCREEN FOR ALL CHANGES
Activating the new skill surrounded Jake in a thick fog momentarily, and when it cleared he was back to being a normal rabbit. It took a chunk from his MP, but given what happened, the sacrifice was an acceptable one. Jake also learned a variety of new more trivia information that explained a handful of things to him. For instance, he had learned of a magic enchantment that let bags like Wolfe¡¯s absorb into the lycanthrope when they transformed. Apparently, it was up the to the lycan whether the bag emerged in hybrid as well. Apart from these enchanted items, magical items and weapons were all that transformed with the lycan. The rest either burst when the lycan grew too big or billowed around them as they shrank. The only exception are clothes that were skin tight. Somehow, these were seen as a second skin, and so they merged with the lycan. Unfortunately, only one outfit can merge in at a time, so in cases like Val¡¯s were the human and hybrid wore different sizes, the lycan had to decide which form transformed clothed, and which didn¡¯t. On top of just learning more things about being lycanthrope, Jake picked up a new hobby. That recent boost of experience increased his Arcane knowledge in the form of some extra [Apprentice] levels. Even better, the next time he cast a spell he hit level 5. This confused Jake to no end, because the 2 spells he knew, were still just the 2 his old mentor had given him during the month he thought he would be a wizard. As useful as Spark, and Breeze were, he had heard of other [Apprentice]s shooting lightning and fireworks into the sky. As such, he started to think maybe he shouldn¡¯t wait for the system to provide new spells. So, Jake started trying a few things. Unfortunately, nothing worked until it became winter.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Jake Gina and Wolfe were trying to track down a group of kobolds which tried to use a series of tunnels to break into what they thought was a magic repository. When the group was clearing out the swarm, one had gotten away. Jake used his dire rabbit form and darted after the red lizard as it disappeared into a tunnel the group must have used to get as close as they did. It lead to an underground cavern where Jake finally caught up, and finished off the final kobold. Unfortunately, when Jake made his way back to the surface something was waiting for him, and the next thing he knew Jake was flying quickly through the air in the clutches of a giant raptor, either a Roc or a giant eagle, he couldn¡¯t tell exactly. With a chomp, he used his full strength to sever and go straight thru the ankle carrying him away. The good news is that means Jake was no longer on the menu. The bad was that it left him plunging from above until the ground broke his fall, and from the pain in his entire body probably quite a few bones. He transformed back to human, but just because it mended the bones, doesn¡¯t mean the pain was gone. Infact, it hurt too much to get up, so he couldn¡¯t get back. Rather than freeze to death, Jake had to resort to magic for a fire. Unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t risk more kobolds seeing the smoke and coming to get him. He decided his ideal solution would be to find a way for the fire to be fueled by his mana only. After all, it¡¯s the burning of fuel that produced the smoke, not the fire itself. He started with the spark spell he had used so many times before. He activated the magic, let it flow through him and created the sphere of flame. This time however, rather than sever the flow between him and the now created double hand full of flame on the ground, Jake pushed on the connection. With all the effort he could muster, he pushed the magic from him into the flame. He poured all of his MP into it. When his MP hit 0, the connection broke and every muscle in Jakes body felt both tired and tight. He didn¡¯t like the repercussions of hitting 0 MP, but the result was worth it.
NEW SPELL ACQUIRED: CAMPFIRE ¨C This spell creates a small fire. While the fire will provide heat, light and even cook meals, it will not burn its surroundings for fuel. Instead, during casting, the caster pours additional MP into the spell. The fire will continue to burn until the MP reserve is empty.
Probably because he was the one who cast the spell, Jake was able to tell the Campfire had about 10 hours of charge. Now he had solved the problem of potentially freezing to death, Jake willingly succumbed to the darkness gathering around him. It wasn¡¯t long after, Jake figured out lightning pull, which did exactly what it sounds like and directed where lightning would strike from a thunder cloud. He knew he wasn¡¯t the source of the lightning, he more pulled it from the sky and aimed it at a target. It was extremely limited in that he could only use it when it was stormy, but Jake thought it was the start of something stronger. Jake wasn¡¯t the only one who got stronger over the passing months. Val had taken the time to formally apologize to everyone she had ¡°ran away¡± from. Therefore, within a month of her return, she found herself with a relatively clean slate. As such, she decided to use and expand her crafting talent. As such, she had gotten in touch with a local named Madame Kobra who taught her the additional information she needed to once again grow her completed [ApprenticeArtificer] class, this time into an [Alchemist]. She also got additional practice and was able to expand her range of marketable goods from ammunition to weaponry. She even got permission to take over one of the unused shops, and set up a small forge, and a crafting workshop in the basement. Jake and Master Bear agreed the newly opened ¡°Fox Fang¡± was a good idea, despite distracting her from training. After all, the duplex they shared was not a free gift. They both had to give back to the community. As there was no way selling shoddy craftsmanship could be accepted as a helping the community, Val dedicated a good amount of time to perfecting her weapons both ranged and melee. She had by now heard Jake¡¯s less than enthusiastic evaluations of her non-ammunition work. As such, she left the arrow crafting to him, and focused on other weapons and alchemical creations. She also had a few secret projects she was working on. These were things she wouldn¡¯t even talk to Jake about. She didn¡¯t want to get his hopes up if they didn¡¯t work, or get him too excited so he accidently slips the news before she¡¯s ready to announce. Mostly though, she wanted to see the surprise and pride on his face when she shows him the final product¡­ and hopefully get a reward for a job well done. Unfortunately, her artificer skills were the primary growth she had managed to accomplish. After hours upon hours of meditation, she still had finally managed to tempt her animal side into showing itself, but rather than the talk Jake and Flopsy had, Val¡¯s fox spirit wouldn¡¯t show any more than its eyes blinking out of the darkness. According to Master Bear, she needed to spend more time in her fox form to better understand what the fox was telling her. As a result, many a patron entering her shop had done so to find a fox jumping from a high shelf, or crawling out from under display shelves. Many took it as a marketing gimmick for the Fox Fang, even if they couldn¡¯t quite figure out how it was to raise customers. Regaurdles, since she couldn¡¯t make contact with her animal spirit, and hadn¡¯t been able to leave to fight outside the city, her fox class hadn¡¯t gone up at all. It, and [LYCANPUP] were so far behind the rest of her abilities it was really starting to annoy her. She really needed something to boost her lycan based abilities, or atleast boost her mood. Luckily, her Jakey had something special planned that was bound to cheer her up. Chapter 14– Tightening the Bond It was roughly a week before the anniversary of that first romantic day together. They had known each other for a long time before, and had gotten closer still after, but they both agreed that was the day their relationship changed from just a friendship, so that was the anniversary they decided to celebrate. Jake had been working hard since the last thaw of winter to make everything perfect, and keep things secret from Val. He had traded a full set of his home-made chef knives, and 2 of 3 deer he caught to the best cook in town for them to professionally prepare the 3rd as the main dish of a romantic dinner. He also had a special gift in mind. The gift was a pair of leather arm bands. One band was silver, the other was a darker red, which the town seamstress had informed him was called ¡°carmine¡±. He also hired the seamstress to embroider both with a chain like pattern in a matching gold thread. He had gotten the 2 bands enchanted with 3 special abilities. The first allowed the 2 bands to know the location, and current state of each other¡¯s wearer. The second let the two wearers communicate if they so wished. The third enhancement was the lycanbound enchant which would let the bands be useable no matter the form, whether visible or not. The night of their anniversary arrived. Val still had to tend to the shop all day, but Jake had nothing else pressing to do. He had the matching bands in a box by the table, and the chef arrived and had set up the candle lit dinner table with the food, just in time to sneak out the back door as Val came in the front, and Jake slid into his human form. He hastily pulled on his formal blue pants and shirt over his usual brown shorts, and had sat down when Val in her usual hybrid form came in looking confused. ¡°Jakey? What¡¯s all this?¡± she asked surprised. ¡°Happy Anniversary my love!¡± Jake replied standing and approaching her for an embrace and a kiss. ¡°I have dinner ready for us¡± he added pulling out her chair for her. ¡°Why thank you Jakey¡± she replied pleasantly surprised at the romantic atmosphere, and chivalry the werehare was showing. She had to admit, she had been a little cold to him recently. It wasn¡¯t his fault he was more in sync with his animal than she. There was a rumor that herbivores were easier to connect to than carnivores. She still couldn¡¯t always hold back her jealousy and resentment that he had already ranked up his animal and she was nowhere close despite her years of head start. That was no reason to be withdrawn from him. She forgave him, for the action she recognized was not against her, and for the first time in almost a month, and saw him for the man she knew he was. As such, she couldn¡¯t help but excrete a certain smell she knew his high perception could pick up on. Realizing what she had done made a red patch light up even her elven form¡¯s cheek. Seeing her blush, as well as smelling her seductive scent, made him react ever so slightly in the way she wanted, and made him aware she had forgiven him and that it would probably be a very happy anniversary, and she didn¡¯t even know the final surprise. After they ate the masterfully prepared deer steaks, scalloped potatoes, and red wine which made both their cheeks equally flush, it was time to present his gift. He stood and retrieved the box from beside the table and walked around to where she sat. He unlatched it, and before her widening eyes opened the box. She looked in the box, and saw the bands laid out, and couldn¡¯t stop the tears running down her cheeks. ¡°Oh, Jakey. Do you mean to say, what I think this means?¡± the elf just barely squeeked out. ¡°Yes, my love. Will you marry me?¡± ¡°Absolutely!¡± she said reaching out to him to kiss him before reaching into the box. To his surprise, she grabbed not the red band which would match her, but the silver which would match his rabbit hair and attached it to her right arm. Seeing his confusion, she smiled and added she wanted the piece of him to resemble him. He had spent weeks secretly investigating the ins and outs of lycanthrope and elvish society customs and had come to one conclusion that fit his intentions in both. The connected bands were an accepted lycanthrope symbol for 2 connected people. The decorations of the golden chain were a clear representation of the golden chains elves use to show engagement. He had even combined in some of the customs of the human society in bringing this night together. Even if the elves partially accepted it, the petals around their candle lit bed room were initially a human romance gesture that he thought tonight would be the perfect time for. And as her new fianc¨¦ carried her in, Val had to agree this really completed the mood. Which is why she tightened her arms that had been around his neck and kissed him deeply as he lay her on the bed. She wouldn¡¯t let him pull away and just kept her tongue around his as pushed by the effect of the alcohol, they slid into their passion. She released him, smiled seductively, and continued the kiss as she started unbuttoning his shirt. He in turn stroked and groped her ample bosom, running his thumb along the top edge of her top until finally reaching the clasp in the middle. As the red grab burst releasing the globes beneath, Val in turn reached up and pulled Jake¡¯s shirt off his back. Jake bent over his beloved and began investigating her breast and hard nipples with his tongue. As he pulled off her skirt however, she asked him to wait. His curious glance was met by a smile that changed from hybrid back to elven form. Almost two hours later Val was happily snoring with her head on Jake¡¯s chest and her arm giving his a mostly silent embrace. Jake on the other hand was awake, but just as happily reflecting on the events of the evening. He was pondering over one event in particular. Roughly 30 minutes in, Jake had found himself on top of Val. They were both in their basic humanoid forms. Val was panting heavily in rhythm to Jake¡¯s pounding of her insides. He already felt like he was up against her rear wall, as he dove balls deep into her, but her body language heavily implied she wanted him to get deeper still. Jake could only think of one way to do that, and started sliding into hybrid. It started with a tail and spread down his legs letting his thrusts start slamming the head of the bed into the wall. As the transformation made its way upward, Jake felt himself getting both wider and longer, much to the thrill of his partner whose enjoyment and volume both went way up. What confused him however, was that as the fur spread over his torso changing his sagging tire into a six pack he couldn¡¯t help notice Val¡¯s hole got deeper. Her bush also became closer to fur and slowly spread across her own stomach. Before long, Jake found himself groping and fucking her hybrid form. However, judging by the lack of focus in her eyes, drool starting to leak from the corners of her mouth, not to mention her nipples starting to lactate, she was in no fit state to will her body to do anything, let alone change shape. How did she transform? She came around not long after, after her body had finished its third of many orgasms for the night, and they enjoyed every combination of humanoid and hybrid forms as many times as they wanted before Val finally succumbed to her exhaustion. Oh well, this wasn¡¯t a question Jake could easily answer, and didn¡¯t think the answer would be useful even if he could. The main thing he could do now was relax and try to get some sleep. Unfortunately, every time he tried to clear his mind, he found it occupied by the beautiful elf lying beside him. After a while of slowly rubbing her back, he finally succumbed to the darkness hoping for slumber. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. But Jacob was still a long way from dreaming. He found himself in the middle of a grassy meadow. Off to the left Jake saw what looked like the edge of a forest. Between him and the trees, was a stump that not only looked like a chair, looked like it would be soft if Jake were to sit on it. To the right was a clear pond. Looking down at his still nude form, Jake saw rather than the slight curves of his usual human form, the muscular form of his hybrid body, complete with his stronger leg muscles, and more filled out member, but lacking the silver fur that usually covered this body. "What''s going on? Where am I?" Jake wondered aloud. Good Questions came a familiar voice from inside his head. We¡¯ve never been here, but it seems familiar somehow. I wonder¡­ Without any additional warning, Jake¡¯s stomach started churning. He truly thought he was going to be sick. However, rather than bile raising up from his stomach, ripples started forming on his stomach. Finally, with the feeling of being kicked in the stomach, a large silver rabbit leapt from Jake¡¯s torso sending him stumbling backwards. I thought as much said the rabbit leaping up and sitting on the stump. We¡¯re in some sort of mindscape. ¡°Mindscape?¡± A landscape inside of a mind. Like where we first met. Best name I could think of for it. However, unlike that one, this one doesn¡¯t feel like you. Additionally, despite us being here we can¡¯t change anything here. Are we in someone else¡¯s mind? If so, who? And how? ¡°I don¡¯t know how. If I did, you would too. As for who, the only conclusion that makes sense is if its¡± ¡°Jakey?¡± came a voice from everywhere and nowhere. Jake looked around looking for the source of the voice of his beloved. It could only be her voice, but where was she? Almost as if in response to his confusion, Val¡¯s nude elven form appeared from between 2 trees. That is not to say she turned a corner and emerged from where she was hiding behind a tree, she literally materialized in the gap between the trees. While she was in her elven form, there were some small changes in her. She seemed slightly taller, and slimmer, yet at the same time, her ass and breasts were closer in size to what they were as a hybrid. Infact, unless he was mistaken, they became even more like the hybrid when she saw him looking. While a selfish part of him appreciated it, the part that cares so deeply about Val couldn¡¯t help but be concerned she changed herself to what she thought he liked. ¡°VAL?¡± Flopsy and Jake exclaimed together. ¡°Of course, but what are you doing here? And how are you both an animal and human at once? What¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°You know how Master Bear wanted us to search for out inner animals? This is mine. As for what¡¯s happening, and how we¡¯re here, we have no idea. Do you know where this is?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Val stated walking over to gently pet Flopsy between the ears. Oddly enough, Jake felt it as if he was the rabbit on the stump¡­ although, as it was a part of him, he guessed he shouldn¡¯t be surprised. Still the whole situation confused him. ¡°This is where I go to try to meet mine. It, or I suppose it would be she, has never appeared though. Oh! I know! You did it correctly! You can tell me what I¡¯m doing wrong! Right?¡± Jake took a closer look around. It did indeed look like a place to meet a small woodland creature, at least that¡¯s what Jake thought at first. After all, it looked close to what Jake himself imagined the first time with a few differences, like the longer grass and lack of vegetables. Still he thought he could point her in the right direction. ¡°Well, you¡¯re close, but I think you made the same mistake I did initially. The idea isn¡¯t to think of your ideal place to meet a fox, but the fox¡¯s ideal environment. But wait, before we try to summon it, Flopsy can you get hurt here?¡± Hmm¡­ another good question. I don¡¯t know. He said standing Just in case, I should return to where I belong. With that, and a great leap worthy of a dire hare, Flopsy leapt face first at Jake¡¯s chest and disappeared in another surge of ripples across his chest. After stumbling slightly Jake regained his composure, or atleast what was left of it given he was standing naked in an open field in the mind of his fianc¨¦ and started looking around for ways to make it more animal friendly. Before long they were sharing a bench in a forest clearing. It was very similar to the space Jake and Flopsy first ¡°met¡±, there were no vegetables to be seen. Since Val had pointed out the fox¡¯s natural want for stealth there was plenty of thick grass underfoot and several protruding roots from the surrounding trees. Then, at Jake¡¯s insistence, they sat calmly and quietly hoped and waited. After a few minutes Jake started to worry it would never happen. Val was starting to get bored and fidgety. She clearly didn¡¯t like to just sit and wait, so the meditation wasn¡¯t doing anything. Jake had already whispered at her to calm down and wait patiently 3 times, and was about to do so a 4th when he stopped suddenly, and grinned. He couldn¡¯t tell where it was, but his rabbit instincts were telling him that he was being observed by more than the elf next to him. Giving Val a quick look and a shush, Jake closed his eyes to focus his prey instincts to try to determine where the fox was. Under normal circumstances, the mixed messages from his senses would have been annoying. However, given that he was technically lying in bed with Val and not in the field the fox being there, and yet not there was probably to be expected. Before long though, Jake determined the fox was creeping at them from the direction they were facing, from about 6 feet away. Calmly opening his eye, Jake managed to spot the slight difference in the shadows in the area, confirming the location of the fox. Jake whispered to Val, who nodded, manifested a fish, and kneeled in front of the bench offering the fish in the direction Jake mentioned. Before long a cautious red head poked out of the grass and nosed toward the fish. Val gladly handed it over, and the two halves of the werefox watched each other as the fox ate the fish. When it was done it sat on its hind legs and cocked its head continuing to look at Val. Following his gaze, Jake saw Val nod a few times, almost tear up at one point, and even scowl for a moment, before nodding reluctantly. Jake knew that a mental conversation was going on between the two, and that as a foreign presence he was not in the loop. Now he thought about it, Val didn¡¯t react at all to anything Flopsy said before he vanished, so Val likely didn¡¯t hear him either. Either way, the important thing was Foxy and Val were getting along, and eventually Val even reached out and started petting the ¡°creatures¡± head as the space around them slowly faded to dark until Jake found himself back in his own body, and going to actual sleep. He was glad Val finally made contact with her animal. Almost as glad as he was at the messages in his mind.
NEW SKILLS AQUIRED: SPIRIT BRIDGE MENTOR SENSORY PERCEPTION
CONGRATULATIONS! A PUPIL HAS HIT SKILL LEVEL 3! CONGRATULATIONS! A PUPIL HAS HIT LEVEL 6 IN A CLASS!
CALCULATING MENTOR EXPERIENCE¡­ CONGRATULATIONS! MENTOR IS NOW RANK 2! WEREPUP IS NOW LEVEL 10!
No Upgrade Qualifications Met!