Chapter 8: Rabbit folk
As dawn's first light pierced the darkness of the night, Viru awoke cheerful, his enthusiasm fueled by the progress he'd made and the goals that lay ahead. Glancing at his stats, he noted with satisfaction that he was very close to stage level 4, just 20 percent left. Gathering his eight subordinates, a mix of elite and novice, they broke camp. Viru stowed his portable wooden hut and fences, his thoughts already on expanding his ranks to unlock the dungeon gate and fortify his defenses.
They foraged and hunted through the forest for an hour. Suddenly, Pyra's keen senses detected the distant clamor of battle. Responding swiftly, Viru led his group toward the commotion. After an hour of clearing through the forest, they arrived to find a small village, the humble abodes of the Demi-human rabbit folk, under siege by an onslaught of skeletal warriors. Though individually weak, the skeletons' sheer numbers posed a significant threat to the outnumbered villagers.
Albus's appraisal revealed the rabbit folk's situation: a community of skilled builders but not fighters, overwhelmed and on the brink of defeat. Viru, assessing the dire situation, saw an opportunity not just for conquest but for saving.
It was a very small village with just more than half a dozen houses. The total number of the rabbit folk Demi humans seemed to lay around 30. After observing the situation for a while, Viru thought of the plan and proceeded to commence it. Sidestepping the chaos at the village's perimeter, Viru, along with Pyra and Rex, entered the village from an unguarded point.
Their sudden appearance caught the attention of several rabbit folk. Viru, with his distinctive appearance—black hair, silver eyes touched with gold, and foreign attire—stood out strongly amidst the rural setting.
Pyra with her crimson eyes rested on Viru's shoulder followed by Rex, the humanoid goblin with emerald-coloured skin and a leather skirt attached to his hip. His rusted iron sword hanging in his right hand.
Viru started to explain that he was there to help them.
The village head, a female rabbit folk with a demeanor of worn resilience, stepped forward. Her eyes, sharp and discerning, bore into Viru's, seeking his true intentions.
Viru proposed that he's going to help the villagers defeat this skeleton Horde.
"What do you seek in return for your aid?" The village chief asked directly, her voice steady despite the chaos around them.
Viru met her gaze, his voice calm yet firm.
"I ask that you and your people become my subordinates. In return, I offer protection and a place in a community where everyone is valued. I'm not a tyrant, but a leader looking to build a safe haven for all under my care."
The village head weighed his words, the sounds of battle a brutal backdrop to their negotiation. Behind her, the villagers fought desperately, their situation growing increasingly gruesome.
"You speak of safety and family," she responded, her voice edged with doubts born of their dire circumstances.
"But how can we trust an outsider in these desperate times?"
Viru's reply was sincere, his tone unwavering. "By my actions, you can judge me. Let me help you against these skeletons, and you will see the truth of my words."
Viru wanted to try making subordinates with a peaceful process. Killing monsters to make subordinates was a bit crude to him. Not that he hated that way, but he wanted to try peaceful negotiations first.
In the midst of their conversation, the battle raged on, the clashing of bone against wood echoing through the air. Viru's offer hung between them, a lifeline amidst the chaos of war.
"We agree to your proposal."
The village head, her expression a mix of hope and uncertainty, nodded slowly. It was a decision born of desperation but also of a flicker of trust in this stranger's promise.
As Viru, Pyra, and Rex prepared to join the fray, a newfound determination settled over the village. Together, they would face the skeletal horde, their fate hinging on the strength of their newfound alliance and the veracity of Viru's vow.
As the village chief signaled her assent, Viru wasted no time. He signaled his subordinates – Pyra, Zain, Luther, Rex, and the four goblin warriors – to enter the village. They moved swiftly, a united force ready to confront the skeletal onslaught.
Viru quickly assessed the battlefront, his strategic mind taking in the scene. The rabbit folk were fighting valiantly but haphazardly. He spotted five rabbit archers, their arrows flying true but lacking coordinated targets. The melee fighters, a dozen strong, were bravely engaging the skeletons, but their lack of formation made them vulnerable.
"Archers, aim for the joints!" Viru commanded, his voice cutting through the din of battle. "Melee fighters, form pairs! Don't fight alone!" He began directing the rabbits, turning their scattered efforts into a cohesive defense.
Pyra took to the skies, her keen eyes scouting for weak points in the skeletal ranks. Rex and the goblin warriors, nimble and swift, darted through the battlefield, striking at the skeletons' flanks. Luther, with his formidable strength, became a bulwark at the front, a rhino warrior in his element.
Zain, using his scaly bulk, shielded the rabbit archers, attacking the skeletons and providing them cover to focus their shots. The arrows, now aimed at the skeletons' vulnerable joints as per Viru's command, began to have a greater impact, bones scattering with each precise hit.
Viru himself moved through the battlefield, a conductor orchestrating a symphony of war. He fought alongside the rabbit folk with a stone sword that he found on the battle ground, his actions inspiring confidence. Under his guidance, the rabbit warriors found new strength, their paired tactics effectively countering the skeletal attacks.
The battle raged on for hours, the night air filled with the clash of weapons, and the shouts of the living began. The skeleton numbers dwindled, but they fought with the relentless drive of the undead. Viru and his team, a blend of different races and abilities, fought with unity and purpose, their synergy growing with each passing moment.
Fortunately, Pyra, Zain, Luther, and Rex evolved to the third and final stage of evolution. It was only because of Viru's dungeon influence, they could evolve faster.
After achieving this final stage of evolution, the monsters had enough dexterity and intelligence of a normal human being.
Pyra fought bravely, an embodiment of the fire spirit as she reached the third stage in the early battle. She finally unlocked her fire attribute. Now she could add the fire power to her fierce attacks. This entirely changed the flow of the battle. She grew in size making her look like a harpy eagle with her crimson eyes. She was now half the size of her master. Her appearance resembling a will of fire. Viru rejoiced at the sight of pyra using her burning talons to tear the enemies part. Her attacks revealed that these skeletons were more sensitive to fire and take more damage. Observing this, Viru instructed the archers to to fire flame arrows.
After what felt like hours, the tide of battle finally began to turn. The once-overwhelming number of skeletons had been reduced to a mere fifteen. The rabbit folk, empowered by Viru's leadership and the support of his diverse team, began to sense the possibility of victory.
Viru, though weary, felt a surge of hope. The remaining skeletons, though few, still posed a threat, but he could see the end in sight. His plan was working, and soon, the rabbit village would be safe, its people ready to join his cause. The promise of a new dawn, both literal and metaphorical, hung in the air as they prepared for the final push.
Just as the remnants of the skeletal army began to decrease, a new, more ominous presence materialized behind them. A figure cloaked in darkness, draped in a black hood that flowed to the ground, stood towering at six feet tall. The air around it seemed to thicken with an unsettling aura, a palpable sense of dread that gripped the hearts of Viru and his newfound allies.
As Viru and the others focused their attention on this new enemy, they noticed peculiar details about it. The creature had distinct whiskers framing its face, an unusual feature that added an animalistic quality to its otherwise ghostly appearance. Its eyelids were a deep purple, a stark contrast against the inky fur that adorned its skin, which was marked by striking silver streaks. The combination of features painted a picture of a being not just powerful, but ancient and enigmatic.
The presence of this entity shifted the atmosphere of the battlefield. It was clear that this was no ordinary foe; it exuded a sense of control and hatred, suggesting that it was the control behind the skeletal horde.
Viru, realizing the gravity of the situation, quickly rallied his troops. "Stay alert," he commanded, his voice steady despite the uncertainty churning within him. "This creature is different. We need to adapt our strategy."
The rabbit folk, already weary from the battle, tightened their ranks, their eyes fixed on the dark figure.
Pyra, Rex, Luther, Zain, and the goblins prepared for what might be their toughest fight yet.
Viru knew that understanding this adversary was key to overcoming it.
"Albus, any information on this being?" he asked, hoping the AI could offer insights into their mysterious opponent.
As they braced themselves, the hooded creature began to move, its motions fluid yet unnerving. Viru and his team readied for combat, knowing that the true challenge of the night was just beginning.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone