The way Sam said Ghosthound annoyed Decklan because it was not in a reverent way of speaking It was more a distasteful pronunciation as if Sam would prefer not to say it like that but was only using it thus as a tool against him
But still Sam was technically correct So Decklan just sat on his haunches slowly recovering Ivan ran up to him eyes bulging
What are you doing It’s getting away
Decklan made a helpless gesture This is no longer just our quarry We wait here
Ivan snorted and stomped forward Thorn’s little vine turned to Ivan then back at Decklan Decklan just shrugged
Ivan made it three steps before several thorny vines burst from the ground wrapping his body up in a split second binding his arms to his sides One vine covered with particularly jagged thorns wound its way around Ivan’s neck almost lazy in its motions
The communication vine turned back to Decklan almost in askance Ivan struggled helplessly his strength nothing in comparison to the powerful constricting vines of Thorn Very quickly his face turned red and then purple blood dripping out from 100 small cuts on his body
I would prefer you not kill him He is a capable subordinate Decklan said simultaneously amused and intimidated He had known it was powerful but this
Even if Decklan was prepared could he dodge all of those vines
Thorn’s main vine slid over to Ivan’s suspended body patting him in several places seeming to consider
Then it unceremoniously dumped Ivan on the ground He immediately began gasping for breath scrambling away from the treeline his eyes wide with fear
Meanwhile Thorn was now beckoning Decklan Nervously he followed it deeper into the trees
The path of the Raid Boss was abundantly clear The thing had crashed forward with as much delicacy as a tank About a mile beyond the trees they came upon the remnants of the Tier 2 Raid Boss held bound by dozens of thorny vines As he approached Decklan saw the vines constrict digging deeper into the monster’s flesh several long scratches ripping open even more widely as the thorns dragged across it
But what drew Decklan’s gaze was below the body
As the vines tightened several drips of blood were squeezed out as if the Raid Bosses body was being rung like a wash cloth and fell into the strange toothy maw of Thorn
This was the first and only Decklan hoped time he would see Thorn’s core It was a mass of soft flesh a weird mixture of brown and pink and green a red slimy tentacle slithering up through its rot covered teeth to catch the drops of blood
When he looked at it all Decklan could think of was a strange twisted turnip that had dozens of saggy cancerous growths covering it And from those growths stretched thorny vines sinking into the ground beneath it
The cancer turnip turned and then twisted its toothy maw into an arc in a strange imitation of a smile Then with surprising delicacy the body of the Raid Boss was deposited on the ground in front of Decklan
He tilted his head to the side but then froze The eyelid of the Raid Boss had fluttered weakly It was still alive
All Thorn had wanted was to drink its blood
In a flurry of motion the vines withdrew ripping into the ground in a spray of dirt Thorn invisible almost immediately
Then feeling an odd twinge of pity for the creature Decklan slit the throat of the Raid Boss
Upon hearing Decklan’s report the Council was silent each of its members keeping their thoughts to themselves
So Sam spoke first his brow furrowed How strong do you think this Thorn really is
Decklan shrugged wearily Killing the Tier II Raid Boss had given him a nice boost to his Endurance and Agility but the joy he usually felt from those kills was muted by the sight of Thorn squeezing the body dry for blood
It’s hard to compare Against someone like me or a mage Thorn could bind us and rip us to pieces Against Dozer or Donny It might be more fair The trick would be to avoid getting wrapped up because once that happens In addition while it’s underground it’s almost impossible to detect By the time you realize it’s there it’s too late
But I mean do we really have to worry It’s The Ghosthound’s plant right Daniel said nervously The rest of the table seemed inclined to agree but everyone was slightly intimidated by this show of power by the creature Even if it had been weakened by their squads before hand
Even Sam couldn’t find his usual cheer at such an intact high level corpse
As a general rule humans were more powerful than they had ever been in terms of physical abilities There was even the beginning of documented proof that Intelligence and Wisdom actually increased your mental capabilities although it was starting to appear that Control and Focus had a more direct impact on the non system aspects of life The monsters that had once driven humanity screaming into their cellars was now casually dealt with
But stronger and stronger monsters kept appearing And although this plant was currently friendly it still made them slightly uneasy to have it within the bounds of their village
Ultimately though Regina said slowly gazing at each other person sitting at the table What can we do
No one had an answer so the meeting moved onto other matters
I’d like to make some suggestions in regards to the SP expenditures Daniel said his expression nervous Mrs Hamilton steepled her fingers her expression neutral Regina leaned back in her chair Glendel covered his hand with his mouth and sighed In his heart Glendel knew that Daniel had the best interests of the town as his focus and was deeply regretful that his rash action had caused them to go through a stressful few days
But with that mistake fresh in the minds of everyone else this would not be a receptive audience
Before he began the door to the Council chamber swung smoothly open The dying light of the setting sun illuminated Lyra who for the first time Glendel had seen was wearing a serious expression
I’m heading over to visit Turtle Town She announced If I have the chance is there anything I should ask of their King
There was a long stunned moment of silence
Absolutely not Sam said slamming his fist on the table That crazed man
I’m going to try again Lyra said her smile calm her voice low but for some reason Sam couldn’t yell over it Even Glendel’s ghosts which swirled around him constantly slowed down their focus narrowing on the figure framed in the doorway Listen this time alright
Her whole body began to glow waves of chaotic mana rolling off her to fill the air Her pupils faded replaced by a glowing blue her irises then too until it seemed her whole soul was burning bright shining out through her eyes glowing azure
She was just a veneer of humanity lit from the inside by a vicious tightly controlled power That was really what animated her
I am heading to Turtle Town As a courtesy I came here first Is there anything you want me to say
In Lyra’s deserted home nothing moved But then inexplicably a voice spoke Filling the dimly lit room
This is a chance We must hurry I always detested games but she forced us into this game of chicken Will you find me or will I Become strong enough that your interference won’t matter
If someone had been there to look they would have perhaps seen a dirty skull floating just below the ceiling its gaze fixated on something far to the south
The Ghosthound must die
Chapter 88
Devan and Alana had enough able bodied people to protect the convoy even though they were extremely numerous at least until they left the Newbie Zone around Franksburg so Randidly turned back towards the horde of monsters that was gathering for another monster horde in Franksburg
His hands itched his eyes were red Ever since he had lost his control with Tessa he had felt different
More volatile less calm Suddenly it was abundantly clear how much he was wasting his time Why had he even come here Sure finding Ace and Sydney would be nice but what would it really accomplish It was pointless All of it was pointless