Zuss considered the human village from a distance. Night had fallen, but she could see clearly. As she circled the village, she used her path finding ability to map out various points she could climb the simple wall.

When Daggat returned from his idiotic mission, he gave her a mission of her own. Sneak in unseen and investigate one of the buildings. He had drawn her a simple map, so she was sure she could find it.

The issue was, that they were being watched. Her slipping away wasn't an issue. But, there was a wide field around the village. It was dotted with small fields, some pens with animals, and other human things. She needed a distraction.

So, she was waiting for it. Daggat wasn't the only clever goblinoid. Zuss could scheme just as well. Just, as long as it didn't involve reading.

Soon, her distraction began. With a roar, Hunter attacked. It was a simple sparing match between Hunter and Klaw. Usually nothing of interest, but when Hunter used his torch as a club, it was a spectacle. She noticed each guard's attention being drawn to the fire-wielding ogre and his hairy opponent.

She dashed. Sticking to the shadows as best she could. Traps were strewn about, but she was able to avoid them easily.

When she got to the wall, she hunkered down to as small as she could become, which was quite small, and deepened the shadow. Any who would look straight down at her would only see a dark spot. A dead giveaway for anyone looking for it, but who would look straight down anyway?

After a moment, Zuss was sure no one spotted her. She scampered up the wall, following her path. It would have been a difficult climb for anyone but her. Even Anath would probably destroy the wall. The girl could climb, but she wasn't subtle about it.

At the top, she poked her head over the side. There was no ledge on the other side. Just a sheer drop. But, there were no humans in view. Zuss skittered down the other side of the wall. So far, so good.

Her mission had two objectives. Investigate that room and gather as much information as she could. There weren't many humans out this late. So, she skittered from shack to shack, listening.

That didn't get her anywhere, so instead she climbed atop a building. From there, she saw that most folks were milling in and around the largest building. The warming house. At least, that was what Daggat called it. Unfortunately, it was in clear view of her target. The small building she wanted looked crudely made and was strewn with various trinkets made of bone.

She considered her options. Going in the proper way was not an option. Too easy to be spotted. The roof was made of what looked like grass and branches. She could dig through that.

Satisfied with her decision, she scanned the village again. Zuss noted its similarity to the goblin camp. A central social area, various huts, and homes, and a few storage spaces or specialty locations. Livestock seemed to live among the humans, with chickens and goats trapped in various pens or fences. The biggest difference was this place was neater. More structured and clean.

How different from goblins were these humans, anyway?

Something caught her eye, drawing her attention to the far side of the camp. A handful of humans were heading to one of the finer houses. One made primarily of decent planks. The way they watched over their shoulder was what intrigued her.

She scampered that way. Jumping from roof to roof, or scampering down and back up buildings when needed. Soon, she found herself just outside of the house, hiding in a handy bush. The men had entered through a back door. It was elevated, with a small porch and stairs leading to it.

Zuss skittered to under the porch.

A sharp hissing bark nearly caused her to jump. She wasn't alone. A raccoon was standing tall on its legs. Zuss licked her lips and dove at it.

After a short tussle, she drove her dagger through its jaw, killing it. No experience for a simple animal. But, at least she had a snack.

Straining her ears, she crawled further into the crawlspace.

"… monsters at our doorstep. Disgraceful." A woman said.

"It is a disgrace. Leofric is testing us. He wants an excuse." Another said this one had a deeper voice, a man. She listened closely as she worked at the raccoon's fur with her dagger.

"I don't give a shit what that murderer wants. I say we get rid of them, then him. Right, Desmond?" Said the woman.

"Leofric has gone too far. He wants to bring this community back into the muck of primitive living. The very muck that our fathers worked so hard to elevate this community from." This voice was calmer. Clearly in charge. Zuss removed the leg and took a bite.

"We've got, what, twenty men willing to back us up if things go bad." Said the woman.

"Twenty men won't be enough if that monster bitch is there." Said the man, grimly.

"Good news. She is going on a hunt tomorrow with some of the monsters. Leofric made a mistake." Said the leader. He took a drink from something. "Tomorrow then. If he stops us, then we have our excuse. We will make this the home our fathers would be proud of."

So, they were going to attack them tomorrow. This was prime intelligence. Zuss felt her pride soar. She had missed this. Skulking about and learning everything that's going on. Back in the goblin camp, she had dirt on every gremlin and goblin. She was finally back in her element. Daggat went on and on about books. But this is where real power could be found. In words spoken in the dark.

She finished the raccoon leg and skittered out from under the crawlspace.

Moments later, she was back to jumping from roof to roof. Her small size and advanced agility left not even a rustle when she landed.

Seeing her target, the building Daggat asked her to investigate, and she dropped down to the ground to move to its rear.

As soon as she did, a snore startled her. Instinctively, she rolled under a nearby bench.

A human was on top of it, snoring away. He was asleep. A bottle had rolled out of his hand and rested a few feet away. Zuss snatched it.

She took a swig. It was sickeningly sweet. Too sweet for her. Some sort of mead, perhaps. Then, she carefully peered up at the human. A chubby, red-faced man.

The human was vulnerable. Easy prey. One slice and a nibble, then its experience could be hers. She was tempted. Sorely tempted. But, it wouldn't do to get on the human's bad side tonight.

She let the fool live.

The shack she needed was easy to climb. It was almost designed for it, with how many knobbly branches it was made from. She wasted no time in burrowing through the simple roof and dropping in.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Zuss found several skulls staring at her. Dominating most of the room was a large altar. Atop it was a statue of some sort of beast built from fragments of stone, ivory, bone, and wood. A chaotic mix that looked as though it would fall apart at any moment. What it depicted was more abstract than detailed. It had hints of jaws, claws, horns, and musculature that loomed over Zuss. But its specific form was hard to identify.

Around the altar were over a dozen heads impaled to spikes. One goblin, a few orcs. Some other monster heads she didn't recognize. Most still had flesh, but it was old and leathery. She retrieved her pouch and got to work.

Daggat specifically requested she cut strips from each monster's head. She didn't know why, probably some sort of alchemy thing.

Thin slivers were removed, enough to be used but not enough to be noticed. Zuss felt how air on the back of her neck and froze.

"What are you doing here, hobgoblin?" A deep, growling voice asked. Zuss slowly turned her head to see who had spotted her.

The statue on the altar had transformed. It had similar elements to what it was before. The same bones and stone. But, tissue and flesh had grown between them. Moving them into place. A beast glared down at her. It was like a skinless horse skull with wolf teeth. A torso of thick muscle seemed to grow from the altar. Two powerful arms were tipped in three-fingered hands, each finger was cloven like a goat foot.

The eyes were small, but they had the same deep black void as the questing angel did. Its maw opened to nothing.

Zuss shivered but didn't make any sudden moves.

"Be not afraid, little one. I am but a messenger. Tell me, why come to my altar?"

Zuss took a calming breath, then casually leaned against the wall. "Just looking around. Taking a few skull slices. You know, night stuff."

The beast chuckled. "I have seen nothing but humans grace my altar in the last one hundred years. Only weak monsters are sacrificed here, but I never get to hear of their triumphs."

"Sacrificed? Why?"

"A foolish human notion. Tell me, what has thou slain? Tell me of your victories so I may revel in them."

"I slew a goblin double my level when I was a gremlin. I did battle with a demon and lived. With one blow, I slew a warg. My latest kill was an orc. Cut to pieces with a dagger that inflicts great pain. My career is only beginning, but I will kill more."

The beast laughed. "You are a good little monster. You know what it's about. The hunt."

"Why the interest? Do you have a quest for me?" Zuss asked. The beast growled.

"I am no questing altar. But… yes. A personal request. Four generations ago, I gifted a human with the blessing of Sahrzuel. He is the chosen keeper of this shrine. But, upon taking my gift, he was cast out by the people here. Now, they are soft. Fighting amongst themselves. Humans kill monsters or mortals rarely. Driving them off rather than testing their mettle. It is a disgrace."

"You want me to find him? How old is he?"

"He lives. And he is near. Find him, the myth of these woods. He will help return this society to its proper place. A home for monster hunters."

"And if they hunt me for my trouble?"

"THEN YOU WERE TOO WEAK." It bellowed. "But, you are resourceful. Do this, and I will grant you a single boon."

A terrified gasp pulled Zuss's attention from the beast. An old woman with wild hair stared at her in fear and fury. She glanced back to the altar and found the monster had gone. It was a statue once again.

"DEFILER!" The woman screamed. "MONSTER!"

Zuss rolled under her legs, easily dodging her attempt to catch her.

She scurried outside, where a few humans were approaching out of curiosity. Zuss cursed. She was exposed. As she ran, with a few humans rushing after her shouting, she zig-zagged from shadow to shadow.

Finally, she neared the wall, now only a few humans still looking for her. She threw her knife of the traveler as hard as she could. It soared into the night.

A moment later, she was teleported safely outside of the village walls.

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]

Monster Level: 9

Attributes (0/6): Strength: 10 Dexterity: 16 Constitution: 8 Intelligence: 8 Will: 10 Charm: 9

Feats: Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Devotion [Layered feats] Ability: Mighty Alacrity Act: Shadow Born

Skills(0/2): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] Deep Shadows: 1 Path Finding [Type: Climbing]

Notable Natural Skills: Stealth: Apprentice Climb: Apprentice

Biotraits (0/9): Base size: Small [Source: Hobgoblin] Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Mutations: Dark Vision; Source: Gremlin] Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Improved Body Control [Synergy: Improved Balance + Improved Nerve Conduction + Improved flexibility; Mutations: Autonomous Reflex] Nimble Hands and Feet [Synergy: Nimble hands + Prehensile Feet; Mutations: Mighty Grip] Cold Resistant Skin Enhanced Visual Acuity Shadow Core [Source: Shadow Born] Shadow Smith

Transformations: Drakeheart Form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Smoke Aura Lesser Wings

Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Enhanced Scent Deepen Shadow+, Widen Shadows

Notable Gear: Blade of a Thousand Screams Knife of the Traveler Mana Crystal Set Tiara

Pet: Name: Birdy Genseed: Cat

Attributes: Strength: 2 Dexterity: 4 Constitution: 2 Intelligence: 2 Will: 2 Charm: 3

Biotraits: Lesser Wings

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