The clearing had transformed from a place of desperate survival into a scene of surreal, chaotic carnage. Seth's "advanced farming" plan was working far, too well, and the pack was embracing their new roles with an enthusiasm that was both impressive and deeply unsettling.
A high-pitched, gleeful giggle cut through the snarls and roars. The kitten-boy, whom Gronk had teased just days before, was standing over a webbed-up giant insect, repeatedly jabbing a sharpened stick into its multi-faceted eyes. "Ahahaha! Die! Die! Die!" he chirped, his tiny face splattered with neon-green hemolymph, his innocent eyes sparkling with manic joy.
Nearby, a rabbit-girl known for her gentle nature and skill in weaving herbs was carefully, methodically, carving thin lines into the flank of a paralyzed wolf.
A serene, almost dreamy smile was on her face as she whispered, "Ufufu... does that hurt? Don't worry, it'll be over soon... probably." She then moved to the other flank to continue her "work."
The Elder, the same frail owl-man who had questioned Seth's methods, was now using his gnarled walking staff with shocking vigor. He wasn't just killing a trapped goblin; he was systematically pulverizing its head into the ground with a slow, rhythmic, and relentless thump, thump, thump.
"Filthy...little... vermin..." he grunted with each impact, long after the creature had stopped moving.
Fon, at least, was efficient. Her movements were a blur of precise, lethal strikes, dispatching monsters cleanly. But even she had a fierce, wild light in her yellow eyes that hadn't been there before. Seth watched her with particular interest. Now there's real potential. She's not just strong; she's a natural.
He then spotted the fox-woman, Cil, who was using her spear with incredible finesse, darting in and out of the webs to deliver fatal thrusts to vital points before gracefully retreating.
The symphony of violence was music to Seth's ears, and the system notifications were a beautiful light show.
Catalyst Function: Target (Kitten-Boy) Evolution Progress: +10%! (Kill Participant Bonus!)
Catalyst Function: Target (Rabbit-Girl) Evolution Progress: +15%! (Sadistic Tendency Bonus?!)
Catalyst Function: Target (Elder Owl-Kin) Evolution Progress: +12%! (Latent Rage Unlocked!)
Devour Points (DP) Gained: +25... +18...
A wide, proud grin spread across Seth's face. "YES! THAT'S THE SPIRIT! KEEP GOING! CRUSH THEM ALL! AHAHAHA!"
He laughed uproariously, his manic energy fueling their bloodlust.
A single, clear thought crossed Seth's mind, momentarily piercing his euphoria.
'Uwaa...' he mused, his laughter dying down to a chuckle. 'I might have... overdone it just a little. I think I've created a village of psychopaths.'
The final, gurgling roar of a monster echoed and then faded, leaving behind an eerie silence broken only by the heavy, panting breaths of the pack.
They stood amidst a field of carnage, their fur, clothes, and weapons drenched in a kaleidoscope of monstrous blood—vibrant greens, deep purples, and stark crimson. The air was thick with the metallic scent of it all.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Slow, deliberate applause cut through the silence. Seth stood there, a proud, manic glint in his human-like eyes, a wide grin splitting his face.
"Bravo! Magnificent! You've all exceeded my wildest expectations!" he announced, his voice full of genuine, terrifying pride. "Look at you! Not a single one of you is below 100% evolution progress! You've truly embraced your new nature!"
A small figure tugged at his pants. It was the kitten-boy, his face a mask of dried green blood, his eyes wide with an unsettling, eager light. "Boss Seth? Where did all the monsters go?" he asked, his voice a sweet, innocent contrast to his appearance.
"I'm not satisfied yet... ehehe." He giggled, a high-pitched sound that sent a chill down even Fon's spine.
Another child, a squirrel-girl, calmly licked the blood off her small knife, her tail twitching excitedly. "Let's slaughter some more, Boss! This is fun!"
The rabbit-girl, still holding her blood-stained carving knife, touched her own cheek shyly. "I... I want to hear their screams again. The way they trill when they're scared... it's so... melodic."
Seth looked over his blood-drenched, smiling, psychopathic pack. For a fleeting second, a sane part of his mind whispered, 'I have created a legion of tiny, furry demons.'
But it was immediately drowned out by a surge of possessive, greedy pride.
'They're perfect.'
"Such enthusiasm! It warms my heart!" Seth chuckled, his wolf ears twitching in amusement. "But even the sharpest claws need to be sharpened. You're all ready for the next step. It's time to evolve, to become truly powerful! Now, everyone, go to your huts. I will evolve you, one by one."
The response was instant and unnervingly obedient. The manic giggles and sadistic smiles remained, but they all nodded in unison.
"Yes, Boss Seth!"
"As you command."
"Will it make my claws sharper for cutting?"
Without another word, they turned and filed away, a parade of cheerful, homicidal maniacs covered in gore, heading to their homes to await their upgrades.
Seth rubbed his hands together, his system interface already glowing as he approached the first hut. The assembly line was ready. It was time to mass-produce monsters of his own.