Monster Girls are Apex Predators. Not only are they stronger than their original monster race, but they also have human intelligence and ingenuity. Combined with their ability to control the monsters of their own race, they should logically have controlled the whole world a millennium ago.
Many theorize about why the continent of Dresall remains under Human control after all these years and has yet to fall under Monster Girl control.
The religious and optimists believe that it is due to the protection of our Goddess, Urallias, and if they push us too far, a Hero would rise to annihilate them.
The delusional even think that the Monster Girls are afraid of Human might!
But the truth might be far darker and more cynical.
Our continent is likely a controlled safari, rearing stronger humans... to later serve as husbands for the Monster Girls, especially the strongest, most insatiable of them.
Such behavior was observed in our Wild Monster Girl population, leaving weaker human men and women unharmed while targeting those of sufficient quality, and in an unsaid exchange, culling local monster populations to prevent the destruction of these settlements. That was how many communities still stand to this day.
Perhaps, in an even more cynical view, our very rulers are merely glorified puppets, the selected rearers for our race.
Woe be to mankind...
-An excerpt from a certain realist's research notes.
By the afternoon, the group returned to the town of Silentrock and exchanged their loot for coin at the guild.
The payout for the request was 500 Silver Coins, plus 300 from the materials, and some metal equipment from the Elite Goblins, which sold for approximately 200 more Silver Coins. In total, they roughly earned 1,000 Silver Coins.
And then, there was the loot distribution. Originally, the 4 E-rankers would have 2 shares each, while the 9 F-rankers had 1 share each, but Randall was considered E-rank by them, so they gave him an E-rank share.
In the end, Randall earned 77 Silver Coins on this run, which wasn't that bad. Of course, compared to the risk involved, the pay was garbage. In fact, part of the pay would actually go to repairing their gear!
Many of them were bruised or somewhat injured, including Randall himself, who endured a hail of rocks. While his Shock Absorption ability was potent, it wasn't enough to make him immune.
Luckily, there was a bonus for completing the request. That was discounted healing services. For only 25 Silver Coins, they could get healed by the town priest, which was useful for those with serious injuries. However, those who needed this service essentially had almost no gains. Some would even be in the red. Such was the risk of being an Adventurer.
Luckily, Randall didn't use this service. It wasn't that serious, and he felt that his body was recovering much faster than it used to, perhaps largely due to his new abilities.
He also found that training after this was much more effective.
You have performed a fruitful training session.
Body +0.03
Finesse +0.04
Mind +0.02
Through Progress Through Training, you gained +280 EXP
While the EXP gain was the same, he gained three times his usual gains.
"So I wasn't training as efficiently as I could have... Is it because I endured many hits and had to dodge blows today? So, training is much more effective with a suitable training partner? But who would train with me this seriously?"
While lamenting the lack of suitable training partners, Randall quickly washed himself with some hot water and a towel before heading to eat dinner with the others at the tavern.
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.
.
"And then, we saw him, lunging at those Goblins like a mighty lion! He killed them, left and right, without stopping or slowing down, taking blows like nothing! He then fought a Goblin Elite, single-handedly dispatching it within a few moves, before repeatedly smashing its skull with a looted wooden mace until it was unrecognizable!"
Bothild, putting a leg on her chair, told while holding a cup of booze, her face a bit flushed.
The people in the tavern silently listened, curious, while some looked at the awkward-looking young man who shrank his neck in embarrassment.
"And then, Randall here did the most badass, psychotic, unhinged thing I have ever seen in my life! While covered in blood and gore, he suddenly looked at us, scratched his cheek in embarrassment, and actually had the gall to ask: Is there something on my face? HAHAHA! It was all over his face! Hahaha!" Bothild loudly laughed.
"Hahahaha!" The others in the tavern also laughed aloud.
Unknowingly, they grew to respect Randall more.
Although some of them did keep a slightly wider distance from him... Just a bit...
Randall could only warily smile.
"Randall here has our vouch! If anyone doubts his strength, he has a problem with me!" Leofric spoke out, patting Randall's shoulder.
No one voiced any complaint. At least, in Silentrock, Leofric had some standing, and with several E-rank and F-rankers vouching, there was no need to doubt them.
Randall didn't know which bastard started it, but someone then raised his cup and spoke.
"To Randall the Psycho!"
"To Randall the Psycho!"
"Hahaha!"
"Fuck... This is going to stick, isn't it?" Randall inwardly cursed.
And that was how Randall's nickname switched from Village Idiot to Psycho.
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August 20th, 1774th ME.
Randall woke up with a tightness in his lower half.
Looking down, he saw that he was pitching a tent.
"Goddess, dammit. Since I got those abilities from the Goblins, it got worse..." Randall's eyes twitched in annoyance.
Getting up, he forced it into his pants, got ready, and exited the inn.
Today was an important day... He would be doing his E-rank Promotion Request! He was supposed to hunt a wolf, an E-rank monster, near the East Road, and would be monitored by a D-rank in case of an emergency.
First, he headed to the blacksmith and leather armorer and retrieved his equipment, which he had left the day prior for maintenance and repairs.
After donning everything, he then had a quick breakfast before heading to the guild. After walking to the middle-aged female receptionist, Randall spoke.
"Hello, Livitha. I am here for my E-rank promotion request."
The receptionist, Livitha, warmly smiled at him.
"Ah, Randall! Yes, I was informed. However, your promotion request was changed at the last minute."
"??? Changed?" Randall raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. You will be accompanying a D-rank group to investigate the F-rank hunting zone, the Bat Cave, to the north. You see, an E-rank group went missing for three days, so we are sending a D-rank investigation squad there. As it happens, they could use a few helpers, and they could judge your skills on the go." Livitha explained.
"Okay... where are they?" Randall curiously asked.
"Over there." Livitha pointed to a table.
Randall looked over and saw a group of two men and two women, all middle-aged, sitting at the table, looking back at him.
The first man was tall, bald, and muscular, wearing a sleeveless leather vest. He had a fierce-looking scar over his left eye and appeared like a man of action.
The second man was a robe-wearing magician with glasses and graying hair.
The first woman was an agile-looking rogue or ranger with cold, distant eyes.
As for the second woman, she appeared to be a nun in her early 40s.
"So you're Randall? Come here!" The scarred man motioned, speaking in a no-nonsense tone.
"Yes." Randall nodded and walked over to the table.
The man then spoke.
"I am Wulfgeat, the team leader and a Berserker. This is Oswyn, our Magician. She is Gunnora, our Scoutmaster. And she is Helewis, our Priestess." He said, gesturing at each one.
Each of the professions mentioned was Rare, above the likes of Uncommon Classes like Warrior or Rogue. From what Randall heard, they gain 1.5 Attribute points and 3 AP for each level. Moreover, the effects of their abilities are also doubled. Of course, in exchange, they start at 50 EXP to reach lvl 1.
"Nice to meet you." Randall nodded.
The others lightly nodded back in acknowledgement as Wulfgeat continued to speak.
"I will be brief. A team of 4 E-rankers went missing in the northern F-rank hunting zone, the Bat Cave, on a request to cull some of the E-rank monsters that developed inside. Our task is to find the missing party, or what remains of them, and pacify the threat. You will join us and kill some of the rabble on the way while we assess you. If we encounter something beyond E-rank, you shall fall back and let us handle it. Is that clear?" Wulfgeat asked.
"Clear, sir," Randall replied.
"Good. We set off now."
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.
After walking for approximately 2 hours along the northern road, the group stopped at a sign that read "Bat Cave" and traveled off-road on an unpaved road. After another half an hour, they arrived at their destination.
It was a cliff face with a cave, and a "Bat Cave, F-Rank Hunting Zone" sign above the cave entrance.
"Alright, Randall. You will take the lead and kill the monsters, and we will follow you and watch your back." Wulfgeat said.
"What about the light?" Randall worriedly asked.
"We have it covered. We brought Magic Lamps. You can focus on fighting." Wulfgeat replied.
Sure enough, the others took out handheld lamps.
"Well... alright." Randall nodded.
The group of five then entered the cave. It was chilly and damp, and the floor was a bit slippery. But thanks to his strong legs, Randall was very steady on his feet. From behind him, the four D-rankers had lit Magic Lamps, which gave Randall a clear view.
While walking forward, Randall quickly encountered his first enemy-
An oversized, dog-sized brown Giant Bat with large fangs and even larger leathery wings. It silently glided toward him, without a sound.
Randall drew his short sword with a swift motion before slicing at the bat.
Splat*
"Scree!"
It was a clean hit, cutting one of its arm-wings, forcing it to fall.
As it rolled in pain and screeched, Randall showed no mercy and crushed it under his heel, killing it.
And then, something unexpected happened.
You acquired the Secondary Class: Giant Bat lvl 0(0/10)
You acquired the Giant Bat Ability: Echolocation lvl 0
You acquired the Giant Bat Ability: Silent Flight lvl 0
You acquired the Giant Bat Ability: Strong Jaws lvl 0
Giant Bat +101
Echolocation +4
Silent Flight +5
Strong Jaws +2
Level Up!
Giant Bat lvl 0(0/10) -> lvl 4(0/52)
+4 AP
"Hm? Did I just get some weird abilities? Can I even use them? And shouldn't I have gotten 135 EXP? Why did I only get 101? Was it weaker than the Goblins? Or is it because I got stronger?"
While Randall was thinking this, Wulfgeat spoke.
"Good. Take its core and let's move. You can ignore the other loot."
"Yes." Randall nodded and started dissecting the bat.
Inwardly, however, Randall considered whether to continue pouring everything into Progress Through Slaughter.
"Hm... You know what? Since I got all that boost into sex, I might as well add some to Progress Through Fornication... Until it reaches 100. Who knows? I might actually hit it off with some girl and get a few Human Classes and Abilities."
With that, he poured everything into Progress Through Fornication and extracted the Monster Core.
They continued moving forward, and Randall continued killing more and more monsters inside, including Giant Bats, Slimes (of a higher level), and Giant Rats.
Perhaps it was due to not having any visitors for three days, Randall killed a total of 200 monsters, including 70 bats, 66 slimes, and 64 rats.
Specifically, the slimes gave him a new and neat ability called Regeneration! As the name implied, it allowed his body to regenerate more quickly. And... it also implied that he could potentially regenerate his body, literally, albeit slowly... Not that he planned on testing it.
As for Giant Rats, they had Strong Jaws(A duplicate!?), Strong Immune System(Awesome!), and Acrobatic Movement(Yoink!).
It was then that the silent Scoutmaster spoke.
"I found their tracks."
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Gains:
Giant Bat lvl 0(0/10) -> 24(100/317)
Giant Rat lvl 0(0/10) -> 23(228/301)
Slime lvl 82(420/1,876) -> lvl 82(684/1,876)
Giant Bat Abilities: Echolocation lvl 0 -> 122, Silent Flight lvl 0 -> 122, Strong Jaws lvl 0 -> 66
Giant Rat Abilities: Strong Jaws lvl 0 -> 120, Strong Immune System lvl 0 -> 120, Acrobatic Movement lvl 0 -> 60
Slime Abilities: Digestion lvl 584 -> 585, Shock Absorption lvl 207 -> 209, Regeneration lvl 0 -> 21
Progress Through Fornication lvl 0 -> 47
Body: 24.94 -> 24.97
Finesse: 25.06 -> 25.1
Mind: 25.02 -> 25.04
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Abilities:
Giant Bat Ability - Echolocation lvl 122:
Being nocturnal creatures, Giant Bats have poor eyesight, so they utilize their hearing to see. Their screech can also cause disorientation.
Effects:
Screeching +24.4
Keen Hearing +24.4
Giant Bat Ability - Silent Flight lvl 122:
With their leathery wings, Giant Bats can silently fly. This allows them to avoid detection and capture unsuspecting prey.
Effects:
Stealth +24.4
Flight +24.4
Giant Bat Ability - Strong Jaws lvl 66:
A Giant Bat's jaws are not only robust, but also powerful. This allows them to crush tough shells and hides.
Effects:
Jaw Strength +13.2
Teeth and Jaw Toughness +13.2
Giant Rat Ability - Strong Jaws lvl 120:
Giant Rats have a very strong bite, and could even cut metal with their incisors. It also makes them stronger and fiercer combatants, especially since they usually carry diseases.
Effects:
Jaw Strength +24
Teeth and Jaw Toughness +24
Giant Rat Ability - Strong Immune System lvl 120:
Giant Rats are very healthy, albeit filthy and diseased scavengers. They developed a robust immune system and general health.
Effects:
Overall Health +24
Immune System Efficiency +24
Giant Rat Ability - Acrobatic Movement lvl 60:
Giant Rats are very acrobatic creatures, able to move with surprising skill and agility.
Effects:
Dynamic Movement +12
Acrobatics +12
Slime Ability - Regeneration lvl 21:
Slimes can regenerate as long as their cores, their only vital organs, are not destroyed. It does, however, require sufficient food energy for this.
Effects:
Overall Health +4.2
Body Regeneration +4.2
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Status:
Status:
Name: Randall Welbek
Age: 18
Primary Class: Progressor lvl 25(281/33,343)
Secondary Classes: Slime lvl 82(684/1,876) | Rabbit lvl 57(179/1,022) | Common Goblin lvl 16(135/199) | Elite Goblin lvl 4(0/130) | Giant Bat lvl 24(100/317) | Giant Rat lvl 23(228/301)
AP: 0
Abilities:
Progressor Abilities: Progress Through Training lvl 279, Progress Through Slaughter lvl 134, Progress Through Fornication lvl 47
Slime Abilities: Digestion lvl 585, Shock Absorption lvl 209, Regeneration lvl 21
Rabbit Abilities: Flee lvl 309, Strong Legs lvl 122
Common Goblin: Goblin Virility lvl 65, Goblin Vigor lvl 64, Goblin Stamina lvl 18
Elite Goblin: Elite Goblin Virility lvl 10, Elite Goblin Vigor lvl 10, Elite Goblin Stamina lvl 10, Elite Goblin Leadership lvl 1
Giant Bat: Echolocation lvl 122, Silent Flight lvl 122, Strong Jaws lvl 66
Giant Rat: Strong Jaws lvl 120, Disease Resistance lvl 120, Acrobatic Movement lvl 60
[collapse]
Body: 24.97
Finesse: 25.1
Mind: 25.04
[collapse]