As the group approached, I could hear the girl's voice again, firm and commanding. "Alright, remember—this is what we're looking for. The Blood Saguist." She held up the drawing once more for everyone to see.
But before she could say anything else, Ruka's voice broke through, his tone casual and almost amused. "Hey, Rika. Like those two right there?" He pointed directly at the two Saguists I had just replanted, the soil around their roots still damp with my blood.
Rika's eyes widened in an instant, her face a mixture of surprise and alarm. "Get ready for battle," she whispered sharply.
Whoa, whoa, isn't that a bit extreme? I thought, biting the inside of my cheek to keep from audibly sighing.
Rika's voice dropped to a tense murmur, her eyes darting around the surrounding forest. "Blood Saguists live off blood. The fact that there are two here, with fresh blood in the soil... That's not a good sign." She motioned for the group to ready their weapons, her own hand hovering near the hilt of her dagger. "Let's just slowly approach, grab them, and leave."
She began to inch forward, her movements cautious and deliberate, her eyes scanning for any signs of danger. The others followed suit, their postures tense, weapons at the ready.
From my hidden position in the shadows, I watched the scene unfold, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes. Do they think I'm some kind of monster lying in wait?
Still, I remained completely still, my spell keeping me hidden as I observed their every move. My blood on the ground had clearly set them on edge, and as much as I wanted to reassure them, I knew I couldn't risk revealing myself just yet.
Rika crouched near the plants, her hand trembling slightly as she reached for the nearest Saguist. The tension was palpable, the forest eerily silent except for the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.
A mischievous grin spread across my face as the thought crossed my mind. Should I play with them a bit? We don't want this to be too easy for them, right?
I began casting Polymorph, the spell weaving through me like second nature, shaping my body into a form I had fought countless times in my old world—a Devil Beast. My skin turned a deep, blood-red hue, my muscles swelling with unnatural strength as two additional arms sprouted from my sides. My head stretched and reshaped, six glowing eyes opening like burning coals, and four rows of razor-sharp teeth lining my monstrous mouth.
Let's see how brave they really are.
Just as Rika's fingers grazed the stem of the second Blood Saguist, a guttural, bone-chilling growl tore through the silence of the forest.
The entire group froze, their heads snapping toward the sound. Rika's hand jerked away from the plant as if it had burned her.
"W-What was that?" Nina stammered, clutching her staff tightly, her wide eyes scanning the trees.
"Stay together!" Rika barked, her voice firm but laced with unease. She drew her dagger, its blade trembling slightly in her grip.
I let out another low growl, louder this time, deliberately stepping on a branch to let the snap echo through the air. Then, with deliberate slowness, I stepped out from the shadows.
Their eyes widened in horror as they took in my towering, monstrous form. At nearly ten feet tall, with my crimson skin gleaming in the faint light and my six glowing eyes boring into them, I was the very image of a nightmare.
"By the gods..." Jack whispered, stumbling back a step.
"Everyone, prepare for battle!" Rika shouted, positioning herself in front of the others like a shield. Her voice was steady, but I could see the fear in her eyes.
I let out a menacing chuckle, the sound echoing unnaturally, as I raised one of my four arms and casually pointed toward the Blood Saguists. "You dare trespass in my territory and steal what is mine?" My voice was deep and distorted, rumbling like thunder.
The group flinched, their terror palpable, but Rika held her ground. "We don't want a fight," she said, her voice sharp and commanding. "We only came for these herbs. We'll take them and leave."
I tilted my monstrous head, pretending to consider her words. Then, with a slow, deliberate step forward, I growled, "If you want them, prove your worth. Show me you deserve to leave my forest alive."
Rika's jaw tightened, and she raised her dagger. "Everyone, get ready. We're not leaving without those herbs."
The tension in the air was electric. I couldn't help but smirk internally. This is going to be fun.
I smile, my face twisting into a wicked grin that stretches unnaturally wide, revealing four rows of razor-sharp teeth. My six glowing eyes narrow, fixed on Ruka as my devilish mouth opens wide. With a guttural growl that rumbles through the forest, I leap at him with terrifying speed, aiming straight for his sword.
They're going to regret not bringing a tanker I think to myself, relishing the chaos I'm about to unleash.
As I descend, claws outstretched, ready to wrench his weapon away, a crackling bolt of lightning strikes me mid-air. The force slams into my chest like a boulder, halting my momentum and throwing me back a few steps. My monstrous form stumbles slightly before straightening, and I let out a low, gravelly chuckle.
I turn my glowing eyes toward Jack, the mage, who stands with his spellbook open, wisps of electricity still sparking from his outstretched hand. His face is pale but determined.
"That tingles," I say, my voice a deep, mocking rumble. "It's not very pleasant."
The group recoils slightly at my words. Ruka tightens his grip on his sword, his knuckles white, while Rika's voice cuts through the tense air like a whip.
"Stay together! Don't let it separate us!" she commands, her tone steady but edged with urgency.
The archer, whose name I still haven't caught, swiftly nocks an arrow and lets it fly. The projectile whistles through the air, aiming for my head. With a casual swipe of my claw, I bat it aside, the arrow splintering into fragments that rain down like falling leaves.
"You'll have to do better than that," I sneer, my grin widening even further. My voice drips with mockery, each word calculated to unsettle them.
Rika crouches slightly, her stance low and ready, while Ruka steps forward, sword raised defensively. Jack's hands glow faintly as he prepares another spell, and Nina, the healer, clutches her staff tightly, her wide eyes darting between her teammates.
I drag my claws across a nearby tree, the screeching sound tearing through the silence, sending shivers down their spines.
"What's wrong?" I ask, my tone laced with sinister amusement. "Isn't this what you came here for? A beast to hunt? Well, here I am."
Their fear and resolve are almost palpable, feeding the thrill coursing through me. I take a deliberate step forward, my massive frame towering over them. This is turning out to be far more entertaining than I had expected.
With a sudden burst of movement, I lunge again, my attack faster this time. The forest seems to hold its breath as they scramble to react, their coordination and courage being pushed to the limit. It's been far too long since I've had such... exhilarating combat partners.