Cain decides that a full clear can wait for another day, today the only important part is to get a solid upgrade for Nemu. So, with that in mind, they head back towards the area with most of the Cat folk.
There's nothing in the Summon description that says she needs to be a cat, but Cain is getting used to her antics at this point, and a Lizard or Dog type Nemu would be a big change. It's a bit more difficult to find new species now, they cleared the area out pretty well, but they're so close that none of them wants to move on and on for new targets.
"One more form, start looking for a good target." Cain finally calls out two hours later, having just recorded a Jaguar pattern Huntsman.
They reach a clearing with the sound of running water, likely the river that feeds the swamp, and Cain catches sight of cream colored fur. A level 8 Seal Point Miscreant. Just an unruly child. He might actually feel bad about using that one to complete the quest, but they've been here long enough.
[Forms Recorded 250/250]
[Defeat Target to Compete Quest]
This one doesn't seem to have evolved at all, but it says defeat to compete quest. Even Vala doesn't see it as a threat until it attacks, biting her wing. Highly annoyed, she grabs the child, turning it over her knee for a solid spanking.
"Ow, no! Stop you Demon! Okay I'm sorry, please stop, I won't bite anymore." The Felian, a young girl by the voice, cries. It seems the shock of a spanking broke the dungeon's hold on her mind.
[Opponent Defeated: Quest Complete]
[Configuring Epic Companion]
[Complete: Dismiss and Recall to Update]
That's all it took? Well, the way the miscreant ran away covering her bottom she looked pretty defeated. Vala looks refreshed, like she got a chance to release pent up frustration for a change. Hopefully they didn't awaken any strange tendencies by letting her do as she pleases.
Cain sends Nemu away and brings her back, eagerly awaiting the new skill notifications.
[Underworld Luck] Hidden Shared Skill Gained. Survive a killing blow with 1HP. Cool Down 24 hours.
Companion Nemu has gained skill: [Troubadour's Transformation] Disguise skill. Impart any known Beastkin form on self or Party Member. If used on self Caster may choose a fully animalistic transformation.
That's pretty useful. Choosing any known Beastkin form would be great as a disguise skill. Forget stealth, they could hide in plain sight. Great for running errands without getting recognized in Sunnydale.
"What is the fully animalistic transformation? Nemu, can you show us?" Cain asks.
"Of course Master." Nemu smiles and shifts into a cream and black colored house cat before hopping into Cain's arms. Her other half just laughs as the cat climbs up to take a spot on his shoulder, wrapping her tail around his neck.
"We can't use an instrument like that, but all of our other skills should work. You might not want a cat howling in your ear constantly though." She explains.
"So if your form was Lion based you'd be a Lion?" Cain asks.
"Exactly. But don't ask me to turn into a reptile please. They're just icky." Nemu begs from his shoulder.
"You can speak while a cat?"
"Yeah, it surprised me too. I expected a meow. But this works well for me, since you're warm." Nemu says in delight.
"You lazy Felian. Change back and let's get out of here." Cain laughs while Kone stares at Nemu, envisioning all the potential new creatures to cuddle. Cain shouldn't have to worry about having his bed invaded tonight, Nemu will be much too busy. He'll be sure to tell Char too.
They get sidetracked on their way out, a path leading through the swamp catches Cain's attention. Maybe the third territory is the swamp? This certainly looks like the path to a large village or a noble's home. Just like the path to the Mayor's house location, none of the Beastkin come near the roadway. They must have learned about the hunters, so they stay away for fear of being caught.
The village in the swamp looks like a haunted village out of a horror story. Blackened, rotting wood, scattered lanterns for light in the tree covered gloom and a low lying Mist.
Unfortunately for them, both Cain and Kone enjoy horror stories and are not the least bit afraid of making themselves part of this one.
They see a few mostly human type Beastkin again, what the Centaurs called the Beast Lords, but this time aquatic or amphibious looking instead of jungle mammals. That makes things easier on Nemu in particular, she has zero fondness for scaly things, only tolerating the Lamia because they're her fellow summons.
They don't try to surround this village or anything fancy, simply opening their formation up into an Arc with the Dire Bears and Wrath Bringers up front and waiting to be noticed. With the Beastkin sense of smell that doesn't take long, the locals charge them with any and every manner of weapons, some even holding furniture as a club.
The sounds of battle feel strangely muted in the swamp village, the feeling of isolation strong. It's not stopping the rest of the villagers from charging at them in a rage though. It's like the first day they entered this place, the pile of incoming attackers just keeps building. The village is another area full of level 90 and higher denizens, and they're not quite at the point where they can clear them as fast as they appear.
[Level Up]
At this rate, that might change though. Cain has called out the Guild Skill Lesser Golems as Blighted Paladins, his ability doubling the number to thirty six in total, and that seems to be having the desired effect of evening the scales. With the added benefit of a huge amount of additional experience.
Kone's healing seems to have taken on the feeling of this village too, the Druid adapting to her wilderness surroundings seamlessly, and Cain wonders if she unlocked a new skill. The amount per heal seems to have gone up quite a bit too, but they're a bit busy for a chat. Every shot of his Lightning Arrows clears lanes out of the attackers, but more keep coming. Just how many villagers live here anyhow?
At the back he sees a possible reason for this tide of bodies. The boss is a Legendary Creature, Level 100, Called a [Crocolisk General]. It's calling forth more villagers the way Cain does summons. Examining him, his mana bar is starting to get low though, it's time to push forward and prevent him from escaping and recovering.
"Bodyguards will wrap up that General so he can't flee, the rest of you push forward and engage him. That's our Zone Boss, and I want him as a Summon." Cain says. But he's a Legendary, so unless he counts as a Supporter, Cain won't be able to use him yet. Either way, that ability must be captured.
When they get close the General transforms, having no intention of escape. His body turns to that of a twenty meter long Crocodile with long legs and prehensile hands at the front, sporting claws the length of Cain's forearm. The Mayor was a positive pushover compared to this guy, his savage bite is enough to even capture and shake a Wrath Bringer to death. It goes without saying that Cain and Kone are giving him a very wide berth as they clear out the remaining Beastkin.
Lightning flashes over the General's skin from Cain's attacks, having little effect, so he switches to penetration type attacks. His Arrows doing much better and actually applying the Pestilence debuff when they dig deep. This thing has a massive HP pool, and is immune to poison. The [Cripple] effect from the Plague Mages is having the desired effect though, and combined with Nemu slowing him down, the difference in attack rate between him and the group is overwhelming his natural regeneration.
Whatever the General Class is, it's no joke. That reminds Cain, he should be close enough to record it now.
[Form Recorded: Legendary Supporter Crocolisk General] Requires Militant Puppet Lord Class Skill to use. Available from level 100.
[Class Skills now visible]
Finally, he will be able to see what he can choose between at level 100. They're fast approaching level 90, where he will be able to use the Lesser Demon Army skill, but there are two options beyond that visible, but lacking description. The original two options he saw come available are for level 100.
The villagers are cleared out, and the Boss is out of mana and low on health. They slowly tighten the circle around it, careful not to get trapped in the jaws that can kill almost any of the Summons in one hit, until all the Beast Lords can do is flail and struggle as it is hacked apart.
[Zones Cleared 2/3]
[Hidden Quest Available: Free Minded Beastkin] Clear all 3 zones in one attempt.
[Hidden Class Quest Available: Beast Affinity] Druid Only. Upgrade [Animal Companion] to [Beast Companions] skill, Summoning up to 4 [Beast] [Beastkin] or [Animal] type [Guardians] to protect the Caster. Quality increases at Rank 2. Clear all 3 zones to complete Quest.
"That's decides it then, even if I have to sleep here, we're finishing this dungeon." Kone announces, petting her Giant Lynx. Cain isn't sure what counts as a Guardian, but the Dire Bears are one, and they're Greater Golems to him, so the Beastkin she will be able to Summon might actually be very good.
Maybe his isn't the only overpowered Advanced Class. The Druid just needed the chance to unlock a few hidden abilities and take the right skill tree to become an army in her own right.
Still, Puppet Master is simply broken.
R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freew𝒆(b)novel.c(o)m Only