Master Of None

The fire mana moved in deeper and varying waves like wind would across a field. There was a clear difference now, the area felt dangerous itself without monsters. As if the wrong push of fire mana in a current could cause them to be burned and break their resistances. It was definitely a little nerve wracking even though everyone knew they had the strength to resist the flames and fire mana properly.

”There’s another herb I haven’t seen.” This was the third herb that Remey had looked down at and mentioned at the moment. While they had been focused on the things they knew, the area quickly began to change a little here and there.

Instead of just the spiky grasses, small dull red roots were exposed here and there, Remey recognized that these were parts of plants that grew covered in whatever would be on the ground, whether leaves, branches, or soil, there were species of plants that levied covered up so that their weaker points were not exposed.

As she pulled up the root she found, it was clear that there was a thick layer of dead grass almost wrapped around it. ”These are like the mummy roots in the desert, they are named after those undead found in ruins there. But they only grow in piles of dead plants and as they grow the smaller roots pull those dead plants together for protection from violent heat and manas. It also acts as a bark or skin to them so that their moisture doesn’t bleed away. But these must do it because there is weaker fire mana kept within or maybe it is purer, yes, purer fire mana.”

Her analysis could keep going, but Walker focused on Gil and Midnight who were dashing back. It seemed that they had been hiding in some of the grasses and had plenty stuck to them.. However, their expressions told Walker that there were a few threats ahead.

”There are monsters ahead, not small ones and not one type. It seems like they are both eating the same plants and are tolerating one another. But their teeth say that once the plants they want are gone they will begin fighting each other.” This was the best that Gil could guess about them since he knew that neither were the striped lizards they had seen and the monsters were definitely stronger than what should be wandering around.

”I would bet that they came from another part of the elemental plane then. Smaller herds would see this as the perfect place to feed and grow stronger. But if they will be fighting I don’t think we should rush head on in to them.”

”We should see them though, we should identify them with the best appraisals we can so that we can bring that knowledge back.” Making a solid point, Walker and everyone else nodded along with Su.

”Alice, can you make some of your light mana bend spring us and blend us in with the grasses? That way we can use a monster appraisal scroll and I can use my all around appraisal skill.” It wasn’t a song that Alice wished to use often since it took a lot of mana and she had to sing it very softly which was a challenge as well, but she was prepared for it.

Without much hesitation, the soft song began, it was barely audible to Walker and he had the benefit of heightened senses due to his race as it was. He could hear the whispers of what he would say might be, a song about how something could always be around the corner or just out of reach. It was very fitting for a song that would make light mana bend and warp around someone to change their appearance in nature.

This allowed everyone to move carefully forward. Midnight stopped Walker before they passed a larger bush of crimson red grass. She nodded toward a larger clay red rock, but it wasn’t a rock, it was one of the monsters in question.

’Combustion scale

This lizard like species is very dangerous. It is not only able to use the larger weight of its body to fight, it stores unstable fire mana within tis scales. This is to allow them to explode with bursts of fire mana when they collide with a predator or prey. The explosion often causes immediate and high damage or blows back the opponent they are fighting allowing for a safe escape if needed.

While they are hard to hunt due to their explosive nature, their bones hold very stable fire mana. This makes them ideal materials for crafting magic items for new mages. It is considered a rite of passage for the flame tailed fox race.

These monsters often eat young and unstable herbs due to the fact that the fire mana within is perfectly unstable for their scales to grow…’

”The other is there, it’s smaller but it is also dangerous.” The single point ahead from Gil brought the white figure in to picture. It was away from the other combustion scale monsters but there were several nearby.

’White flame badger

This is a violent and self destructive monster. They are known to fight any monster they come across due to the fire mana within their bodies always being on the verge of exploding out. They constantly consume fire mana because their bodies can not hold potent fire mana, they prefer to live in areas with weaker fire mana. ’

There is another species of white fur badgers that live in the earth elemental plane, at one point they existed only in the boundaries between the fire and earth elemental planes.

Due to their potentially violent nature, they are always injured. This does not stop them in fighting more when they can not find food or when they run in to a predator. They are known to even challenge completely unrelated or overwhelmingly powerful monsters if they are crossing paths with them.

They get the name white flame from the burst of potent fire mana that leaves their body all at once.

Their claws are often damaged due to their battles, but if whole claws are gathered by hunting them, they are very valuable as ingredients in fire expelling potions to remove the fire mana from the body…’

”Can we?” Remey looked right at Walker. She wanted to hunt one of the white flame badgers. There was a good potential of making a better or newer fire related potion with the claws. Whatever else could be done with the remaining body could be figured out at a later date. But the potions? Well, Remey couldn’t let that go.

”Midnight, sneak up on one and kill it in one single attack. Don’t give it a chance to release its fire mana. Their skin and defenses are very strong because they come from a species that once had earth affinity. Otherwise, the burst of fire mana would hurt you, even with the buffs.”

The reason that Walker asked Midnight was her assassin like skills. She had the strength of a true dragon champion, she could use many manas, but she had the best skills counting, sneaking, and brutally ending her opponent with her natural physical abilities.

They watched as Midnight used the bushes and grasses to hide in, Alice’s song still covering her and making her black scales become more yellow and dark reds. It was terrifying in a way to realize how well Midnight could sneak even in an environment without dark mana where she would use her shadow wrapping skill and become nearly invisible.

A few moments later, Midnight found the separated white flame badger, it didn’t even notice her as she leaped out and her claws cut in to its neck. Her mouth clamped on the back of her neck effectively severing its head. The tougher defenses didn’t matter to Midnight’s strength and her claws and teeth. They were both sharper than ever with how well taken care of they were.

The nearby monsters noticed though. The white fur badgers began to grunt and hiss showing their distaste and trying to scare her away. The combustion scales were also raising their heads and making themselves appear as if they were double their size.

Midnight didn’t mind the intimidation tactics as she brought the body to the party and Walker stored it away. ”Fighting all of them would tire us out, but I think we can keep moving.” Walker made it clear that he would also be intimidating them. The two different herds of monsters had been playing this game to scare the opponent for a while. It was enough that they were trying to consume the herbs and plants here, but without intimidation, they would start fighting one another.

The fire mana he used exposed them, but also made it appear that they were deadly opponents if they were fought. A much better alternative to fighting every monster ahead of them for the moment.

.…

….

….

Please say no to piracy! Don’t take part in crime! Don’t patronize thieves!

Drop those golden tickets!