[#] Today I posted my new original project "Dick the Builder: A Jerk of All Trades", you can check it out on my profile.
[#] As always, Ko-fi subscribers have access to 5 chapters ahead, plans start at 1 dollar.
COMMENTS:
Jetsmillion[questionablequesting]:Not sure what would be the best target to hunt down and bed for this sort of ability: Slime Queen, Alpha Werewolf, or maybe an Amazon Warchief?
AVIP: Maybe something more noble like... vampire, Wight, Pharaoh, Elf or a Valkyrie(Normal or dark).
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[Jason]
The elder dryad, Lorien Wildwood, stands before us, her green hair cascading down her shoulders, her eyes warm and inviting. She's a vision of natural beauty, but my gaze shifts to Tyss. The usually chatty and energetic goblin is uncharacteristically silent, her eyes wide with awe.
"Tyss?" I nudge her gently. "Are you okay?"
Tyss blinks, snapping out of her trance.
"By the Mamono Lord cunt," she murmurs, "It's an elder dryad ."
Lorien smiles, her voice like the rustling of leaves.
"And I have not seen a goblin so reverent in my many years. Welcome, travelers. What brings you to my forest?"
I step forward, offering a respectful nod to Lorien.
"I'm Jason, and these are my companions: Tyss, Kyss, Zyss, Valthora, and Lindana."
Lorien's gaze drifts over each of us, her expression inscrutable.
"A human leading a band of mamono," she observes. "That is so unusual."
I laugh, a nervous edge to the sound.
"Well, I'm not like most humans."
Lorien's stare intensifies, her eyes boring into mine. A shiver runs down my spine, but her smile is maternal, warm.
"I can see that," she says softly. "And what brings you to my forest?"
I shift my weight, uncomfortable under Lorien's intense gaze.
"Well, the thing is... I have a bit of a situation." I rub the back of my neck, heat rising to my cheeks. "I've got a lot of mouths to feed. Mamono mouths, and I'm struggling to keep up with the demand for food."
Lorien's hand flutters to her chest, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Oh, you poor dears," she coos, her voice dripping with sympathy. "Mamono without food? That simply will not do."
Her tone is so overly dramatic it feels forced, but I don't mention it. Instead, I press on, explaining my predicament.
"I was hoping to find some nature-aligned mamono to join me, to help with food production. I need to feed my 'companions', and I can't do it alone."
Lorien's smile is gentle, but there's a hint of something else beneath it.
"Oh, Jason," she says, her voice taking on a maternal quality. "You're such a good human, aren't you? So kind, so caring."
She reaches out, patting my cheek. I resist the urge to flinch. Her touch is warm, but there's a condescension in her voice that I can't ignore.
Lorien's eyes twinkle with amusement as she laughs melodically, then begins to explain.
"Oh, I do have power that could affect crops, and I would love to help you, Jason truly, I would. But I'm afraid I'm already spoken for." She gestures towards the massive tree behind her, its bark twisted into a face, eyes closed as if in peaceful slumber. "My husband and I live within this tree. It is as much a part of me as I am of it."
I blink, taken aback.
"You both live inside the tree?" I ask, incredulous. "Like, literally inside it?"
Lorien nods, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"Yes, Jason. The tree is my home, my sanctuary. It's where I draw my power, and where my husband and I raised our daughter."
I glance at the tree, then back to Lorien.
"Ok... why didn't your husband come out to greet us with you?" I ask, a frown tugging at my brows.
Something in Lorien's demeanor shifts. It's subtle, almost imperceptible, but the air around her changes. The warmth in her eyes cools, and her smile takes on a sharper edge. She's no longer looking at me like I'm a curious child, but like I'm a potential threat.
Lorien's voice drips with sweet venom as she explains, her eyes never leaving mine.
"You see, Jason, my husband is... delicate. He's safer within the tree, where I can protect him."
I open my mouth to protest, but Tyss tugs at my pant leg, a sharp shake of her head silencing me. I frown, unsettled by her sudden fear, Tyss is many things, but never a coward. When I look back at Lorien, her smile is too sweet, her eyes far too sharp. Something isn't right here.
"I see," I say slowly, choosing my words carefully. "And your daughter? Is she... delicate as well?"
Lorien's smile doesn't waver, but there's a tension in her shoulders that wasn't there before.
Lorien's eyes narrow, her voice taking on a serious tone.
"My daughter, Elowen, is unwed," she says, her gaze boring into mine, predatorily. "I would very much like for her to find a suitable partner."
I shift uncomfortably, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.
'Something about this milf dryad feels… off.
Now, with Tyss clutching my pant leg, her grip tightening and her wide eyes filled with fear, I can't shake the feeling that the breathtaking woman before me is far more dangerous than I ever imagined.
It would be unwise to remain under her influence, under her scrutiny. But the truth is, we need her help. Our food supplies won't last forever, not with a platoon of orc mamono training hard at our home.
…
I can't afford to burn bridges, not when there's a chance Lorien could aid us.
I swallow hard and meet Lorien's gaze head-on.
"I'd be delighted to meet your daughter," I say, my voice steady despite the nervous churning in my stomach.
Lorien claps her hands together, a bright laugh bubbling from her lips. The sound is melodic, but there's an edge to it, a sharpness that sets my teeth on edge. Her maternal act is back in full force, her voice dripping with sweet venom as she coos at me.
"Oh, Jason, you're such a dear," she gushes, pinching my cheek. "I just know Elowen will adore you. But first, there's a small favor I'd like to ask of you."
I tense, my guard instantly up. Favors are never just favors, not when it comes to powerful beings like Lorien. But I keep my expression neutral, my voice calm as I ask,
"And what might that be?"
Lorien's smile widens, her eyes gleaming with an intensity that makes me uneasy.
"There's a bit of a... pest problem in my forest," she explains, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Nuisances, really, but they're causing some disturbances. I'd like for you to take care of them for me."
I frown, not liking where this is going.
"What kind of pests are we talking about?" I ask, my voice cautious.
Lorien sighs, her shoulders slumping slightly. The warm smile on her face wavers, revealing a hint of weariness beneath.
"The western part of my forest is suffering from a termite infestation," she explains, her voice tinged with frustration.
I blink, taken aback. Of all the things I expected her to say, 'termite infestation' wasn't even on the list. I glance at my companions, their faces mirroring my confusion.
"Termites?" we echo in unison. "You mean the bug that eats wood?"
Lindana steps forward, her brow furrowed in thought.
"That seems like too pedestrian a problem for a party of adventurers like us," she muses, her voice tinged with skepticism.
Lorien's smile returns, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.
"Ah, but these aren't your ordinary termites," she explains, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "The mamono mana in the region has caused them to grow... beyond their normal size."
Valthora swallows hard, reminding me of her fear of insects, her voice barely above a whisper as she asks,
"How big are we talking?"
"It varies," Says the Dryad. "But most of them are larger than a wolf and smaller than a horse."
I stare at her, my mouth agape. Those aren't termites; those are monsters. I glance at my companions, their faces reflecting my shock. This isn't just a pest problem; this is a full-blown infestation of giant mana-mutated termites.
I turn back to Lorien, my mind racing. This is a job for exterminators, not adventurers. But then again, who better to deal with mana-mutated monsters than a party of mamono and their human leader? I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come.
"Alright," I say, my voice steady despite the nervous churning in my stomach. "We'll take care of your termite problem."
Lorien claps her hands together, a bright laugh bubbling from her lips.
I raise my hand, cutting Lorien off mid-laugh. Her eyes widen in surprise, but I press on, my voice firm.
"However, we've been on the road for some time. We need rest and time to plan before we go rushing into danger."
Lorien's smile doesn't fade, but there's a calculating gleam in her eyes as she studies me. I meet her gaze head-on, not backing down. I need to make it clear that while we're willing to help, we won't be rushed into a potentially deadly situation unprepared.
After a moment, Lorien nods, her smile turning softer, more genuine.
"Of course," she says, her voice like the rustling of leaves. "I wouldn't dream of sending you off to face such peril without proper preparation. Please, make yourselves at home in my forest. Rest, plan, and when you're ready, you can face the termites with renewed vigor."
[Elowen]
The sound of twisting trunks and roots heralds Mother's return. I bow my head instantly, a sign of submission that's become more reflex than conscious thought. Above me, the canopy rustles, Mother's voice cutting through the leaves like a sharp wind.
"Elowen, really," she says in an annoyed tone. "You could at least greet your own mother."
I snap my head up, eyes wide with alarm.
"Sorry m-mother, I-."
"Hush," she cuts me off. "You're an embarrassment, Elowen. But even so, I've found someone for you to marry."
I stare at her, mouth agape.
"Marry? But Mother, I don't even know him. How can I-."
"Ingrate!" Mother's voice thunders, silencing me. "At least now you have some use, helping me rid my forest of those wretched termites from my trees."
Mother moves then, a slow, deliberate walk towards a figure bound and unconscious against a wall. My breath catches as I take in the poor conditions my father is kept. He is blindfolded and gagged, chest rising and falling with steady breaths. Mother circles him, her smile hungry.
"Finally," she murmurs, more to herself than to me. "I'll be rid of my disappointment of a child and can focus on what truly matters… creating a daughter worthy of me."
I huddle in the corner, arms wrapped around my knees, as Mother looms over the unconscious figure of my father. My breath hitches, a silent whimper escaping my lips.
"Please, please, please..." My voice is barely audible, a faint rustle like the leaves above. I cling to a thin shred of hope, the only thing keeping me from crumbling completely. "Please, let this man be kind. Let him save me from this place."
[Jason]
We strike camp quickly on a large, flat rock embedded in the earth, where Lorien granted us permission to build a fire. Around me, the girls move with practiced ease. I glance at Valthora, her brows furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line.
"Hey, Val," I say, keeping my voice low. "You alright?"
She looks at me, then at the others, before leaning in.
"It's just... Lorien," she murmurs. "Did anyone else think she was... off?"
Before I can respond, Tyss hisses, her voice an urgent whisper.
"Shut it, Val!"
Valthora recoils, eyes wide. She stares at Tyss, surprise etched onto her face.
"What's gotten into you, Tyss?" Valthora asks, brow furrowing.
Tyss rolls her eyes, a sarcastic smirk playing on her lips.
"Gee, I don't know. Maybe it's not a great idea to badmouth a Dryad in the middle of her fucking forest?"
Her words make me remember her earlier reaction when we first saw Lorien, her fear, her desperation. I look at Tyss and see the tension in her shoulders, the way her eyes dart from side to side.
"Tyss," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Just how powerful is she?"
Tyss looks at me, her expression grave.
"In her forest," the goblin begins hesitantly, "only a Lilim could rival her raw power."
The girls stare at Tyss, mouths agape. Valthora's eyes widened in disbelief, her voice barely above a whisper.
"That's... that's not possible," she stammers. "No monster besides the lord daughter should have that kind of power."
Tyss shrugs, her expression serious.
"It's true," she insists. "In this forest, Lorien's power is absolute."
An uncomfortable silence falls over the group. I see the fear in their eyes, the tension in their bodies, which makes me break the silence, my voice steady.
"What's a Lilim?" I ask, looking at each of them in turn.
Tyss's eyes widen in disbelief, her mouth agape. She stares at me, incredulous.
"Are you serious?" she asks, her voice a mix of surprise and skepticism.
Before I can respond, Valthora steps between us, her expression grave.
"Information about mamono isn't readily available to the human population, Tyss," she explains, her voice steady. "The Order controls what knowledge is disseminated."
I arch an eyebrow, looking at Valthora. She turns to face me, her expression softening.
"Lilims are the daughters of the Mamono Lord, Jason," she begins, her voice low. "They're incredibly powerful succubi, with beauty that can enslave men with just a glance. Their magic power is immense, rivaling even the strongest monsters. In a fight, almost no man can resist them, and even without magic, their mere presence can arouse men to the point of submission."
She pauses, her eyes meeting mine. I think she wants to make sure I understand the gravity of her words.
"And that leafy bitch is almost as powerful as one," Lindana finished, clearly worried. "At least here."
Tyss nods, her expression grave.
"Listen up, all of you," she says, her voice steady. "If those termites are a threat to Lorien, then we should consider them a serious problem."
"So what should we do?" I ask, worried.
Interestingly, it's Zyss who speaks up.
"What level are you?"
"Good question," I say, bringing up my status window.
[STATUS]
Name: Jason
Class: Hero Lvl 29
HP: 455/455
MP: 220/220
Status:
STRENGTH: 62 (74)
VITALITY: 65 (91)
AGILITY: 54 (64)
INTELLIGENCE: 44
WISDOM: 40
CHARISMA: 52
LUCK: 41
FP: 41
XP: 75%
[STATUS]
"I can see the window!" Zyss says happily.
"Me too," Valthora says curiously.
I glance at the status window, the girls leaning in to get a better look.
"Must be the recent evolution of the system," I murmur, mostly to myself. "And the fact that you're all in my party."
Tyss grins, giving me a playful nudge.
"You're close to leveling up again," she says, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
I nod, a smirk playing on my lips.
"Yeah, and level multiples of ten always give me interesting rewards."
Suddenly, Lindana jumps up, her eyes wide with excitement.
"I volunteer as tribute!" she exclaims, her voice breathless. "I will help you level up, darling!"
A laugh escapes my lips, and I shake my head, grinning at her.
"I appreciate the offer, Lindana," I say, still chuckling. "But there's only one mamono species in my party I haven't slept with ten times yet."
The girls turn to look at Valthora, who stares back, confusion and surprise etched onto her face. She blinks, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
"Wait, what?" she stammers, her eyes wide. "What are you talking about, Jason?"
I meet her gaze, my expression serious.
"When I have sex with a species of mamono ten times, I gain an achievement," I explain. "It grants me bonuses and powers."
Valthora's eyes widen in realization, her mouth forming a small 'o'. She looks at me, then at the other girls, her expression a mix of surprise and disbelief.
"Are you serious?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nod, my expression grave.
Valthora looks down, her eyes fixed on the ground. She's quiet for a moment, lost in thought. Then, she looks up at me, her expression determined.
"Alright," she says, her voice steady. "If that's what it takes to help you grow stronger, then I'm in."
"O yeah, just to help Jason." Say Lidana with a wicked grimm. "There is no other reason."
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E ai gurizada…
[#] IAs I mentioned above, today I posted my new original project, "Dick the Builder: A Jerk of All Trades".
Here is the cover art: [image]
Summoned by a child's sacrifice, construction worker Dick rejects the standard hero classes for a "Iconic Path": The Builder.
Armed with a robust System and the power of instant tool creation, Dick is out to prove that the laws of physics hit harder than any "elite" knight in enchanted armor. Literally dropping enemies from 500-foot ladders.
Now, leading a band of outcast warriors against a tyrannical Empire, Dick must craft, fortify, and level up to survive. In this world, creativity is the ultimate stat, and Dick is ready to build a revolution.
[#] I hope you enjoyed this chapter, if you are interested, my Ko-Fi[avipbr] subscriber has access up to 5 chapters ahead:
Chapter 29 - Hope Food
Chapter 30 - 2 New Species
Chapter 31 - It stretches and hurts
Chapter 32 - Something to remember
Chapter 33 - I love mamonos
[#] You can reach me on X/twitter, @AvipBr