Master Of None

Su, Walker, and Midnight took up stealthy stances while moving just enough to easily make out the steam bull herd. They watched them approach one of the small streams of water and start to drink. All three of the chimera core monsters within were doing the very same.

From what Walker could tell, the three chimera cores were trapped in the instincts of the steam bull and would most likely live their lives as a steam bull until they eventually perished leaving behind more eggs. It was also clear that they were not as well liked by the rest of the herd.

While they looked the same minus the additional eyes, it appeared that the herd of actual steam bulls recognized the differences instinctually. They kept some distance at all times whether they understood enough of why they did that.

Regardless, they were still not getting rid of the chimera cores proving that they could not act with enough intelligence to protect their herd from the fact that the chimera cores would eventually take over the herd as a whole. Yet, the trio was still watching since this was not what they were after.

They wanted to see what predators the steam bulls possessed.

When they noticed shifting in some of the grass patches and even in the rocky soil, Midnight sniffed the air. She caught a metallic scent that came only when there was blood in the air, but nothing was bleeding. She nudged Walker to watch the movements in the rocky ground too.

As he focused, he noticed that there was a snake like shape under the rocks. It moved slowly causing the rustling in the grasses to halt. Whatever was hunting the steam bulls had gone under the rocks and the scent of blood was most likely because whatever was using the rocky ground to hide was being cut up by it. Proving that this was not a normal method of hunting but an adapted form of hunting based on the terrain.

This predator was smart, but was also taking risks for its food. Dangerous risks that would make any other prey retreat. However, the steam bulls making the entire area filled with steam made smelling the blood of a predator or really smelling anything nearly impossible. All the steam dampened the scents around them.

When one of the smaller steam bulls made a mistake of moving a few feet from the nearest larger steam bull, the rocks shifted and the creature sprang out revealing itself.

Instead of a snake’s scales, the trio saw fur, gray and more like granite with small specks in it. The body was similar to a serpent’s, but the head was that of a larger feline, the arms clawed and impossible to grasp anything with but perfect for piercing prey.

’Lion snake

This is a unique species of monster that has the dominant traits of a feline and the body form of a serpent. It is a descendant of one of the coiled feline serpents that once served an ancient monster known as the sky swallowing serpent. Due to this, it often chases after prey that is stronger or tougher to fight than normal predators would.

Its claws are adapted to pierce and cause high damage to organs while its fangs are better for tearing out chunks from its prey. While it’s physically weak in terms of defense, it has fairly strong resistances to heat and cold along with most magics.

It is known for being risky and gambling its life in the fight for a single meal, due to this it is highly advised that even the strongest of explorers in its territory make note of its location so that they will not fight it in an ambush setting.

The lion snake will often utilize various hunting methods that most predators would not utilize. It may lack intelligence in the respect that it could develop enough to become a race, but it can use that intelligence to find better ways to hunt. They are a fight first species of monster…’

The three watched as the lion snake killed the small steam bull despite having wounds and clear burns from touching it. Yet, its attack scared the other steam bulls in to rushing away. The only ones that remained were the older and weaker steam bulls that slowly hobbled away. Yet, the three chimera cores also slowly walked away.

”I think the chimera core monsters stayed behind since they have some instincts that they would be the predators and not the lion snake. But they don’t understand and are following the instincts of the steam bull, it just took a moment.” This also presented more evidence that the chimera core monster species could be more and more dangerous if they were not closely watched.

”So we aren’t going to handle them now then, good. I wanted to head back to camp and rest a little.” Su didn’t appear tired but mentally, she should still be feeling the disappointment and future work for those who had disregarded the rules whom she had trained. For any teacher, finding out your lessons were ignored was a harsh hit mentally.

”We could take the long way back, no buffs or anything.” Midnight and Walker both gave Su a slight glance and saw her nod. Sometimes, it was just about not being in the place where the stress gathered. For Su, right now it was better to take the long way.

However, they didn’t have the chance to really consider taking that long way when they heard something roar. It wasn’t quite a dragon’s roar but it was similar to what they might call a dragon’s roar.

”Or we could investigate that.” They all sighed a bit but began to rush toward the sound. It wasn’t hard to catch what they heard though. They had managed to hear the death call of what appeared to be a larger lizard with bark like scales.

’Treant lizard

This is a unique species of treant descended from the treant wyrm. It has a body very similar to the forest lizard since that is the species of monster it derives a bond with while growing from a sprout. It requires the body of a forest lizard to give nutrients to the seeds it grows from. As such, the bodies of the forest lizards will often be found where the seeds of the treant lizard sprout but those who are searching for the bones to use in crafting.

There is a larger amount of water and earth mana consumed by the treant lizard than other forms of treant due to their need for nutrients. They are also much tougher since their scales are formed from very tough bark.

Their lifespan is only ten years and when they perish, they make a very loud call to attract predators that will consume their bodies. This is because they must have their bodies consumed so that the seeds within their bodies will be released to the earth eventually.

They are often dismantled for their scales that would make good carving materials, however, their core wood that forms a false bone structure is also valuable for making advanced forms of staves or wands…’

The relationship with a wyrm in the ancient times made this monster very interesting, but more so were the various monsters leaping toward the fallen body. While the treant lizard seemed to have died naturally, it was the monster’s frenzy that was more interesting.

Green beavers are the most prevalent here. They are consuming the materials and ingesting the mana they need. I have a feeling that events like this are very important for the forest edges to survive. This might even be an instinct for the treant lizard to perish here to help the forest expand even more.”

Walker’s theory was similar to the ideas of other forests where trees would have their flowers fall and carry seeds in the wind to areas outside of the forest they originated in. Therefore those seeds would grow a whole new area in to a forest after many years. In turn causing the growth of the original forest.

”I think it’s important to see the natural cycle of life here. Even the monsters that should be fighting are consuming the treant lizard and ignoring one another.” Su pointed out the different monsters, ignoring the much smaller digging mice and green beavers that they might eat naturally.

”There’s something we can fight.” Midnight stretched as she watched a much larger monster in the distance. It didn’t seem all that interested in the treant lizard. Instead, it was watching the other monsters like it had just found a delightful buffet.

”That, is called a jackal hound, and it’s the leader of an entire pack of smaller jackal hounds.” Walker used his all around appraisal as soon as he could.

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