"I still don't like it," Klaw said. "I get that it's better to pit enemies against one another, but it's cowardly."

He put a foot on the giant's skull and ripped out the large maul stuck in its forehead. It made an uncomfortable squelching, cracking noise.

"Don't let that paladin class get to your head," Daggat said. "We're still goblinoids."

He was investigating the mage's cloak. It came to her lower back, but would fit Daggat nicely.

Daggat waved it at Klaw, "Hey, you want to get a head start on fashion training?"

"Fuck off."

The cloak, while covered in blood, was well-made. Black with icy-blue thread that decorated it with snowflakes and icicles. It was ice cold to the touch, and frost collected at the end. He threw it on, and a cold shiver passed through him. The brooch was attached, with three blue gemstones, two of which were glowing faintly.

He found he could activate it, like his spear. He did so, and cold winds spiraled around Daggat, just like they had with the mage. He noted the mana around him turned to frost essence, and one of the gems dimmed. He wasn't sure what he could use it for, but it looked nice, and it draped over his wounded arm nicely.

Klaw purchased Tension Coils for his muscle helix biotrait. Two more levels and he'd have it maxed out. Then he would have to evolve, too. Daggat sneered at the thought. They needed to hurry up and get this job over with. He was falling too far behind.

Feasting on the giant and adventurers produced no additional levels, fortunately.

After looting, they ended up with Daggat's new cloak, two axes, the giant maul, a sword, a suit of armor, and a couple of knick-knacks the mage was carrying. Each was a small, strange item that seeped a different essence. Small totems. Surely, the adventurers had more stuff. But it must have been squirreled away in their inventory. There HAD to be a way to access it. But, they did not know how.

Zuss was sulking, sitting on the giant's corpse. It had nothing of use on it. Her mood seemed to darken the world around her. Literally, her shadow essence was like a cloud of smoke that clung to tight places.

Daggat called out to her, "Hey, Zuss. Did you at least get something useful from your other kill? It wasn't going to help us tear down Rika's walls, either, was it?" He still felt a bit spiteful of the giant's loss. That would have changed everything.

She stood and glanced at him. "Don't forget to eat the goblin corpses." Then she was off.

Daggat sighed; he hadn't forgotten. But without the motivation of experience, it didn't sound very fun. But he was the one with the scavenger. So, he sauntered off towards that battlefield, leaving Klaw to toy with the new hammer. It was as tall as he was, and the head was almost as big as Zuss.

—

Zuss skulked her way back to the half-folk corpse. It still stung, doing something wrong again. She was so sure that was the plan, too. Though rather than spiraling, she let her disappointment grow into spite. HE should have told her. It wasn't Zuss's fault she was so good at killing.

The body was where she had left it. But there was an unexpected creature chewing on its boot.

It was a small, fuzzy, worm-like thing. A larva. One that had adapted to have a coating of brown, spotted fur. She shoo'd it away, and it made a pitiful chattering noise.

Zuss looked around to make sure Daggat hadn't followed, then leaned in, "Sorry, little fella. This kill is mine." She scratched it on the back. It quivered.

She giggled at the unexpected reaction. It reminded her of Birdy's pur. It deserved a snack. She decided to give it a bit of half folk, after her own nibble, of course.

A moment later, she had cut a strip of meat from its scrawny arm and was about to take a bite. Then… she hesitated. Zuss was still mad at Daggat. He would be upset about the loss of experience from this creature… which suited her just fine.

So, as a small act of rebellion, she held out the morsel to the larva. It quivered again, smelling the blood.

"Come on, first ones free," She smiled, remembering the old days when they had control over the gremlin food supply. Then she grimaced, remembering how that ended. The death of her brother, Glut. Her life-changing wound and the subsequent abandonment. All things considered, that wasn't so long ago. About half a year or so.

The larva lurched forward and snagged the meat from her hand while she was distracted by her own thoughts. The strip was almost bigger than it was. Zuss laughed as she watched it frantically chew at the bit of meat.

Then, it swallowed. A flash of white light enveloped it as the creature jumped in levels. Zuss stumbled back as the new creature leapt at her. It was a vicious, somewhat flat rodent of her size. Its long claws were gleaming with metal.

It growled and hissed, then came at her again, thrashing its claws wildly. Zuss lashed out, throwing a shadow knife. It hit, then a force exploded at the impact point. A critical hit.

[You have slain - Razorine, level 5.]

Once she recovered from the shock of the sudden attack, she noticed another notification.

[Feat Achieved: Monster Tamer. Cause: Evolve a non-sapient monster by feeding it. Reward: Skill: Tame]

That was her second feat of the day. Her first, Giant Slayer, was granted by slaying a creature six or more size categories larger than her. It granted her an active skill, a thousand cuts. She had yet to try it, but when active, any attacks made within the next second are nullified, then each attack in the same location combines into one, larger attack. Every strike was weaker than the last, meaning it was only effective against heavy armor. Next giant they encounter, Zuss would have to remember to let Anath take the kill.

Tame allowed her to mark a willing animal as a familiar or a willing level five or lower non-sapient monster as a companion. What that did afterwards, she wasn't entirely sure.

From the scout, she recovered its bandoleer and its boots. The boots were too small for anyone but her, and she didn't wear shoes. But they seemed special. Brown leather with fancy red laces, and they were clean of mud, whereas everything else on the scout was dirty.

They could be sold. So could the bandoleer. It seemed to re-summon the knives after they were used, but she was the only knife user, and her shadow knives were better. She also snagged the razorine corpse. Hunter might be able to make something tasty from it later. The red candy was put in a pocket. She would look at it later.

As she turned to head back to her companions, she felt something. A wind, blowing her towards the south, away from the others. Instinct drew her that way.

A spirit beast. That was the only explanation. She opened her chat system to tell them, then stopped.

Turning in the direction where Klaw and Daggat were, she moved aside the scarf and stuck her tongue out. Then, she chased after the spirit beast's call.

She traveled quickly, only stopping to rest. Soon, Daggat asked where she was. She didn't reply. They could come after her, if they really cared. They could track her easily.

Besides, if she told them about it, then Daggat would want to TALK about it. Reason through who should get the mark. But it was hers. It called to her, and she was the one chasing it. Simple as that.

Though if it did seem bad, she could let him have it. If he came to get her, that was.

She traveled through the day and into the evening. Her focus was on the Spirit Beast, so she did not want anything to slow her. Thus, she stayed in the tree canopy.

As twilight neared, she found it.

It was in the trees, far above the forest floor. A naturally forming, concave bowl open to the sky. Scattered around the place were small, glowing flowers. Fluttering around them were moths, which glowed with the same cool blue light.

At the center of this arena was a goblin. It was speaking to a large mass of heat. She hissed, thinking Daggat had somehow beaten her here. But, no. This was just some other goblin.

The shape it spoke to was only somewhat visible to Zuss. Rather than seeing it directly, she could make out its shape in the heat it produced and the subtle disturbances it made in the mist, which was just beginning to settle over the forest.

It was a bird, a massive bird the size of Hunter. Owl-like, but that was all the details she could make out.

"And what happens if I give up, then?" The goblin said as Zuss skulked forward to listen. This goblin was looking at it; it could see it. Other than that, it didn't have much special about it other than a large, toothy maw for a mouth.

"There is no surrender," the Spirit Beast spoke with a feminine, smooth voice. "If you choose a challenge by combat, then you either succeed or you die."

The goblin gulped, "Right… right. No worries there, then. You got any challenges that are… easier? Not that I can't handle it, of course. It's just, I want to know my options."

"A battle of strength, of wits, of speed… these I have done before. None has bested me in wits, nor in speed."

Zuss took her shadow from a nearby glowing flower cluster and created a shadow rope dart.

The goblin continued, unaware of the skulking hobgoblin, "I… I'll go with combat. Sure, why not?" Zuss threw the dart and missed. The goblin didn't notice. Was he blind? "Ain't never been much of a think- URK!"

Zuss's second attempt chunked into the back of the goblin's skull. It didn't pierce, but it did knock him forward. Zuss was on him an instant later. She inflicted a thousand cuts and stabbed him in the neck repeatedly.

He threw Zuss off of her with surprising strength, then leaped to his feet. "You BITCH! I'm going to- ACK!" His neck exploded in blood when the four stabs combined into a single blow.

[You have slain - Goblin, level 15.]

She kicked him into the branches below and watched his corpse tumble to the ground.

"Oh. That was… unexpected." The Spirit Beast said.

Zuss looked at it, which caused the creature to tilt its head, "Sorry. I wanted the mark. Couldn't chance him winning."

"He wouldn't have won. Do you seek the mark of the moon?"

"I don't know. What does it offer?"

"A bonus to dexterity and will. And an infused biotrait, determined by your nature."

"Infused. What do you mean by that?"

"The biotrait becomes moontouched. Do you have a core? Essence infusion?"

"I am familiar."

"It is like that, but infusing that biotrait with a power unlike your cores. The effects can be quite potent if you can utilize them."

Moon essence… that was one she wasn't familiar with. Daggat likely wasn't either. But, she did like the moon.

Zuss stretched to limber up for an oncoming fight. She was a bit tired now, but not so tired she couldn't fight. "I overheard that you have a test of speed. How does that work?"

"It is a race. From here to the ocean. First to reach the beach is the winner."

"And if I lose?"

"Then I will kill you."

Zuss smirked, "So, if I race you and lose, then it just becomes a fight to the death anyway."

"No. It won't be a fight," the Spirit Beast said it with a finality that made Zuss shiver. "Do you wish trial by speed?"

"No. I'm fast, but I lack the stamina for that race."

"Then what shall you choose, intriguing little hobgoblin?"

Zuss grinned, "I choose trial by combat."

Daggat

True Name: Daggat Soul: Monster

Genseed: gremlin [ 3 Str, 4 Dex, 3 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Regenerating Teeth, Rot Resistance; Tiny Size]

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Genbloom: goblin [ +2 Str, +2 Dex, +2 Con, +1 Int, +1 Wil; Scavenger; Small Size]

Base size: Small [Largest Size: Goblin]

Monster Level: 15

Attributes (0/10)(base growth, +5; Devotion, +1; growth potions, +4): Strength: 11 (Base 8; Class/Genesis +2; Devotion +1) Dexterity: 11 (Base 9; Class/Genesis +2;) Constitution: 11 (Base 8; Class/Genesis +2; Growth +1) Intelligence: 20 (Base 7; Class/Genesis +1; Growth +2; Variant +10) Will: 10 (Base 8, Class/Genesis +1; Growth +1) Charm: 16 (Base 8, Growth +8)

Feats: True Angel - Encounter a true angel. Reward: Skill choice unlocks. Mighty Intellect - Raise Intelligence base to 15. Reward: +1 Skill point. Fledgling Alchemist - Successfully brew an alchemical potion. Reward: Alchemy skill. System Knowledge - Discover the system. Reward: System Aptitude skill. Devotion [Layered feats] - Offer a prayers to Sahrzuel, Ithrenial, Mythraziel, Vaelion, and Zenthaviel. Reward: Experience gain, +2 skill points, +1 random ability, +1 growth point, +1 biotrait. Usurper - Slay a previous or current party leader. Reward: One level in Party Leader. Touch of Death - Perform two of the following: die and return to life, survive an untethered's life - draining attack, or perform the rite of Mihr. Reward: Death sight. Reborn by Fire - Remain immersed in flame for a full day. Reward: Fire Core. Devilishly Charming - Raise charm base to 15. Reward: Party Leader skill. Aura Master - Obtain two different sources of an aura. Reward: Condense Aura Victor - Successfully led a large force against another. Reward: One Skill point. Note: This skill point may only be spent on tactics, logistics, or leadership divine skills. Recursion - Be affected by a recursive effect. Reward: Infinite Limiter.

Skills(1/6)(Mortal Level, 0, Devotion, +2; Mighty Intellect, +1; Skill Potions +2; Victor +1): Alchemy: 1 [Source: Fledgling Alchemist] System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] System Assistant: 2 [Perk: Semi-sentience] SP SPENT = 2 [Synergy]Mind Codex: 1 --Mental Notes: 1 SP SPENT = 1 --Copy Tome: 1 (Natural skill: Literacy) SP SPENT = 1 Party Leader: 2 [Source: Usurper, Devilishly Charming; Perk: Party Loot] Lunge: 1 (Natural skill: Spearmanship) SP SPENT = 1 Condense Aura: 1 [Source: Aura Master] Infinite Limiter

Notable Natural Skills: Literacy: Apprentice Spearmanship: Apprentice Acrobatics: Apprentice

Biotraits (1/15) (Monster Level, +14; Devotion, +1):

Regenisis: Goblin; BP SPENT = 1

Inherited Biotraits: Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Source: Gremlin] Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Scavenger [Source: goblin]

Standard Biotraits: [Synergy]Temperature Resistant Flesh --Fire Resistant Flesh; BP SPENT = 1 --Cold Resistant Flesh; BP SPENT = 1 [Synergy]Beguiling Presence --Hypnotic Gaze [Mutations: Dominating Gaze, Mesmerizing Gaze] BP SPENT = 3 --Hypervocal Cords [Mutations: Beguiling Voice] BP SPENT = 2 [Synergy]Second Sight --Aura Sight [Mutations: Ambient Aura Sense] BP SPENT =2 --Death Sight [Mutations: Death Gaze; Source: Touch of Death] BP SPENT =1 Telekinesis [Mutations: Mind over Matter (Boon), Tactile Telekinesis] BP SPENT =2 Hex Aura BP SPENT =1

Core Biotraits: Core: Fire [Source: Reborn by Fire]

Other: Variant: +10 Intelligence; Enhanced vocabulary Skill potions used: 2/5 Growth potions used: 2/5

Klaw

True Name: Klaw Soul: Mortal/Monster

Genseed: gremlin [ 3 Str, 4 Dex, 3 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Regenerating Teeth, Rot Resistance; Tiny Size] Genbloom: Bugbear [ +3 Str, +1 Dex, +2 Con, +1 Int, +1 Wil; Rough Fur; Small Size]

Base size: Standard [Largest Size: Bugbear; Mighty Strength]

Monster Level: 13 Paladin Level: 6 [+2 Str, +2 Con, +2 Wil; Smite, Righteous Aura]

Attributes (0/6)(base growth, +5; Devotion, +1): Strength: 27 (Base 8, Class/Genesis +5; Growth +6, Ability Boost +2; Belt of Last Stand +1, Muscle Helix +5) Dexterity: 10 (Base 9, Class/Genesis +1) Constitution: 14 (Base 8, Class/Genesis +4; Devotion +1; Belt of Last Stand +1) Intelligence: 8 (Base 7, Class/Genesis +1) Will: 11 (Base 8, Class/Genesis +3) Charm: 8 (Base 8, Class/Genesis +0)

Feats: System Knowledge - Discover the system. Reward: System Aptitude skill. Devotion [Layered feats] - Offer a prayers to Sahrzuel, Ithrenial, Mythraziel, Vaelion, and Zenthaviel. Reward: Experience gain, +2 skill points, +1 random ability, +1 growth point, +1 biotrait. Mighty Strength - Raise Strength base to 15. Reward: Size increase Arsonist - Slay over twenty enemies with one flame. Reward: Flame Affinity skill. Life Eater - Ritualistically eat fifty hearts. Reward: Beast Core Aura Master - Obtain two different sources of an aura. Reward: Condense Aura Recursion - Be affected by a recursive effect. Reward: Infinite Limiter.

Skills(0/7)(Class, +5; Devotion, +2): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] Burst of Strength: 1 (Ability Skill: Strength 5) SP SPENT = 1 Flame Affinity: 1 [Source: Arsonist] Smite: 1 [Source: Paladin] Wind Slash: 2 (Natural Skill: Swordsmanship; Perks: Razor Slash) SP SPENT = 2 Savage Attacks: 1 (Natural Skill: Savagery) SP SPENT = 1 Aura of Protection: 2 [Perk: Righteous Retaliation, ] SP SPENT = 2 Righteous Aura: 1 [Source: Paladin] Condense Aura: 1 [Source: Aura Master] Infinite Limiter

Notable Natural Skills: Savagery: Apprentice Swordsmanship: Apprentice Bodybuilding: Apprentice

Ability Boosts: Strength (+2; Natural Skill: Bodybuilding) SP SPENT = 1

Biotraits (1/14)(Monster Level +11; Devotion +1; Potion +2):

Regenisis: Bugbear; BP SPENT = 1

Inherited Biotraits: Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Source: Gremlin] Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Rough Fur [Mutations: Insulating Fur; Source: Bugbear]

Standard Biotraits: Claws [Mutations: Forged, Retractable, Great; Apex Reached] BP SPENT = 5 [Modifier; Synergy] Dense Body [Mutations: Reflective Leverage (Boon)] --[Modifier] Dense Muscle Fibers BP SPENT = 1 --[Modifier] Dense Bone BP SPENT = 1 --[Modifier] Dense Organs BP SPENT = 1 Cardiovascular Control BP SPENT = 1 Redundant Organs BP SPENT = 1 Muscle Helix (Mutations: Inherited Strength, Tension Coils) BP SPENT = 3

Core Biotraits: Beast Core [Source: Life Eater]

Notable Gear: Belt of Last Stand

Other: Biotrait potions used: 2/5

Zuss

True Name: Zuss Soul: Monster

Genseed: gremlin [ 3 Str, 4 Dex, 3 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Regenerating Teeth, Rot Resistance; Tiny Size] Genbloom: hobgoblin [ +1 Str, +3 Dex, +2 Con, +1 Int, +1 Wil; Nimble Fingers; Small Size]

Base Size: Small [Largest Size: Hobgoblin]

Monster Level: 15

Attributes (0/6) (base growth, +5; Devotion, +1): Strength: 10 (Base 8; Class/Genesis +1; Growth +1) Dexterity: 16 (Base 9; Class/Genesis +3; Growth +4) Constitution: 10 (Base 8; Class/Genesis +2;) Intelligence: 8 (Base 7; Class/Genesis, +1) Will: 10 (Base 8; Class/Genesis +1; Growth +1) Charm: 9 (Base 8; Class/Genesis +0; Devotion, +1)

Feats: System Knowledge - Discover the system. Reward: System Aptitude skill. Devotion [layered feats] - Offer a prayers to Sahrzuel, Ithrenial, Mythraziel, Vaelion, and Zenthaviel. Reward: Experience gain, +2 skill points, +1 random ability, +1 growth point, +1 biotrait. Mighty Alacrity - Raise Dexterity base to 15. Reward: Improved Balance Biotrait. Shadow Born - Remain in complete darkness for a full week. Reward: Shadow Core. Recursion - Be affected by a recursive effect. Reward: Infinite Limiter. Giant Slayer - Slay a monster six or more size categories higher than yourself. Monster Tamer - Evolve a non-sapient monster by feeding it.

Skills(0/3) (Mortal Level +0; Devotion +2, skill potion +1): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] Deep Shadows: 1 (Natural Skill: Stealth) SP SPENT = 1 Path Finding [Type: Climbing]: 1 (Natural Skill: Climb) SP SPENT = 1 Critical Hit A Thousand Cuts [Source: Giant Slayer] Tame [Source: Monster Tamer] Infinite Limiter

Notable Natural Skills: Stealth: Journeyman Climb: Apprentice Rope-weapon: Apprentice Daggers: Apprentice Flow Arts: Apprentice Toss Juggling: Apprentice

Biotraits (0/15) (Monster Level, +14; Devotion, +1):

Inherited biotraits: Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Mutations: Dark Vision, Magnified Vision, Heat Vision; Apex reached; Source: Gremlin] BP SPENT = 4 Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Nimble Hands (below)

Standard Biotraits: [Synergy]Improved Body Control [Mutations: Autonomous Reflex] BP SPENT = 1 --Improved Balance [Source: Mighty Alacrity] --Improved Nerve Conduction BP SPENT = 1 --Improved flexibility BP SPENT = 1 [Synergy]Nimble Hands and Feet [Mutations: Mighty Grip] BP SPENT = 1 --Nimble hands [Source: Hobgoblin] --Prehensile Feet BP SPENT = 1 Cold Resistant Skin BP SPENT = 1 Enhanced Visual Acuity BP SPENT = 1

Core Biotraits: Shadow Core [Source: Shadow Born] Shadow Smith [Mutations: Partial Shade, Swift Shade] BP SPENT = 3 Shadow Step [Mutations: Shadow Surf] BP SPENT = 1

Other: Skill potions used: 1/5

Notable Gear: Blade of a Thousand Screams Knife of the Traveler

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