The last two days had been the sa for him, waking up and leaping from tree to tree in search of delicious moonberries. Then he would transform into his massive glowhorn form and indulge, munching on the berries to his heart’s content. Life was good to him and he didn't need to fight to progress further. However, the landscape had beco more crowded recently. He often spotted groups of people traveling nearby. Most of them were between Level 6 and 9, not too dangerous. He typically acted like the dumb beast they expected, either pretending not to notice them or simply ignoring them while devouring berries. Thalion sotis thought about joining such groups, but in the end he was progressing the fastest this way, and with the form of the shadowstalker, he didn't need to go for safety in numbers. He also didn't need emotional support or sothing like that, as he had spent the first part of his forr life without friends and only himself. His forr group had adapted very well to the new reality; in his mind, most other humans probably didn't manage to stay that calm, and he didn't really want to deal with such people. His dream, after all, was to beco a god and live forever.
A few tis, he had to flee from stronger parties. He would escape their line of sight, transform into a shadowstalker, then climb a tree and watch as their frustrated leader berated the group for their incompetence. The best experience he’d had so far was when a group of four orcs got so angry at each other that, after a round of insults, that they started fighting. The battle grew more brutal by the minute until only one badly wounded orc remained. Thalion almost laughed out loud at the sight. At first, the orc celebrated, loudly cheering his own na. But as the realization of his situation set in and the joy drained from his face, Thalion leaped from the tree and bit off his head, killing him instantly. After a quick feast, Thalion gained three strength from this highly entertaining encounter.
His level had increased rapidly. He was now Level 19 in his human form, with the glowhorn at Level 18 and the shadowstalker at Level 16. He had also permanently gained 25 intelligence from the berries and 3 strength from orc at. As he leveled up, his glowhorn form unlocked a new skill: Tectonic Slam. This skill allowed the creature to slam its massive limbs into the ground, sending shockwaves in all directions that topple enemies and create fissures in the earth. He hadn't had a chance to use it yet, but it sounded promising. He was a bit annoyed that he didn’t get to choose a skill, but what could he do?
In his human form, he got an upgrade to his shapeshift skill:
The user’s body dissolves into a swirling cloud of gray smoke. In the blink of an eye, the smoke condenses and reshapes into the desired form, completing the transformation almost instantaneously.
This was great and made it easier to escape if he was hunted again. The shadowstalker’s bite skill had evolved into Savage Bite, a stronger version of the original.
Today, life was good. He was standing in the middle of a Moon Berry patch, thoroughly enjoying himself...
The night before:
Nestled in a clearing, shielded by towering trees, the camp was a makeshift haven in a world turned hostile. Over 210 survivors had gathered here, drawn by a shared desire for safety and companionship. At the center of the camp, a large bonfire provided warmth and light, serving as a focal point for shared stories, strategies, and dreams of a better future.
The de facto leader of the camp was a grizzled veteran nad Kael, a man of few words but sharp wit. His reputation as a skilled hunter and tracker had earned him the respect of his fellow survivors. Under his guidance, the camp had managed to thrive, establishing a fragile sense of order in the chaos of the wilderness.
A chill was in the air, a stark contrast to the growing tension among the gathered adventurers. The Wanderers, the Misfits, the Renegades, and the Scholars had co together, their shared frustration with the elusive glowhorn a common ground.
The glowhorn had beco a frustrating enigma. They'd encountered it multiple tis, each sighting more infuriating than the last. It was a colossal, erald behemoth, a gluttonous nace ravaging the Moon Berry fields. Oddly, it never fought back. Instead, upon sensing danger, it would flee with an almost comical haste, disappearing into the dense undergrowth. Yet, like a relentless phantom, it always reappeared where the sweetest Moon Berries grew.
"It's like it's taunting us," Kael muttered, his voice laced with frustration. The ranger had been particularly eager to test his skills against such a formidable opponent, but the elusive creature had always managed to slip through his grasp.
Thorwald grunted in agreent. "Smart, blue bastard," he growled, nursing a fresh bruise. Their last encounter had ended with the warrior being sent flying by a mana wave.
Elara, the party's seer, studied the fading light. "Perhaps it's not just about the Moon Berries," she mused, her voice filled with contemplation. "Maybe it's protecting sothing, or soone."
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"Or it's just really hungry," Zog suggested bluntly.
Pixie rolled her eyes. "While that's a possibility, I think we need a more strategic approach. We could use this opportunity to test so new gadgets."
"Or a well-placed arrow," Kael countered, a hint of bitterness in his voice.
Sarah, the alchemist, raised a hand for silence. "We need to focus on the practical. If it's consuming Moon Berries at this rate, I can’t make any more mana potions. We need to act, and we need a plan."
"I don't know why you make things so complicated. That thing is stupid. I got almost within striking distance before it used that skill," Atlas, the hulking berserker from the Renegades, growled, his eyes lighting up with predatory excitent. "We just need more than one group so it can't run away."
"You're absolutely right, Zog," soone agreed. "We need those credits to upgrade our camp when the store opens in two days."
A murmur of assent rippled through the crowd.
"So, who's in for the hunt tomorrow?" Kael asked, his voice cutting through the low hum of conversation.
Over sixteen people around the fire nodded in agreent, their faces illuminated by the flickering flas. They would track down the glowhorn tomorrow and bring it down.
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