Chapter 6: Falna Update and a Big Mistake
(This chapter was uploaded Thursday 8/June/2023 9:00 PM, time zone GMT+3)
('1), ('2), ('3), etc. means that there is some explaining for the thing in the notes at the end of the chapter.
(-------------------------) -> line break
"..." small moment of silence
"Talking"
"He-" Someone was interrupted.
'Thinking'
[Skills' names, chanting and spells' names]
Don't shy from commenting on typos and/or inconsistencies. That and/or suggesting a modification to certain things that didn't make sense to you.
I hope you enjoy reading this chapter.
-------------------
"Henryk, when are you going to take an update?" Hestia was getting worried. Her second child decided to not take a daily update. He did not state his reasons and only said that there is no reason he should update his falna every day.
"I was just about to ask you to do it" Henryk said.
"Wonderful! Now, lay down"
"Aye aye" Henryk laid down with his back bared. Hestia's insignia, her hearth and its fire, were engraved on his back.
With a drop of Hestia's blood, his status flared to life as a light cyan light bubble sprang up. It contained hieroglyphs written in the language of the gods. Hestia watched as the hieroglyphs and the numbers accompanying them changed, going up or down, displaying what he had done from the last update.
"Hmm? Your skills increased by one. Although, this one seems to not do much" Hestia was too shocked to react erratically.
"What does it do?" Henryk was curious. 'Skills don't just appear like that. They aren't supposed to be easy to acquire. This makes me uneasy'
"See for yourself" Hestia quickly printed his status on a status sheet and moved away.
-------------------
(3 days' worth of effort. 5 days before Loki familia's expedition coming to an end)
Name: Henryk Williams
Familia: Hestia Familia
Level: 1
STR: I24 --> I35
END: I19 --> I24
DEX: I13 --> I35
AGI: I10 --> I23
MAG: I0
Magic:
None
Skills:
Advanced Taming:
By weakening a monster, you could feed it a magic stone to tame it.
The monsters you tame become a new species.
Monsters can heal any injury by eating magic stones. Unhampering wounds are still going to form.
Master of monsters:
Although you may be slower than your monsters, you will be able to follow their movements as clear as day.
Orders:
If out of earshot of your monster, only one order could be transmitted at a time. Upon receiving a reply, you could send the next order. Orders could be ignored.
Fake Falna:
Allows the automatic bestowal of falna to your monsters.
Bestowing and updating the fake falna does not require your blood, only levelling up does.
The fake falna can enhance parameters using only magic stones as a catalyst; they replace excellia.
The monsters you tame at least have one non-racial skill and one racial skill. Some of them could have more.
If the monsters have an animal person counterpart, they will get a [humanification] skill to become that counterpart.
Your monsters' levels increase by one after being tamed.
Monsters will acquire the [Abnormal Resistance I] development ability for level two. Any further development ability could be chosen by you.
Monsters' parameters, upon being tamed, for all levels below their shown level are all S999, regardless of the presence of any magic spells, or the lack thereof.
Feeding the monster a magic stone of the same species, it will make them into a variant with a skill appropriate for the variant type or change an already existing skill accordingly.
- Hippogriff: Fey Williams. (Harpy Eagle variant)
- Kobold: Ouros. (German Shepherd variant)
- Kobold: Mont. (Great Dane variant)
- Kobold: Blanc. (Irish Wolfhound variant)
- Kobold: Noland. (Siberian Husky variant)
Walking Orchestra:
You can replay any music or song you heard before for others. You can choose to play the sound with you as the center, or let it play from everywhere around the room equally. The volume is adjustable.
-------------------
"Well, Let's see the contents of that handy skill" Henryk was already devising a plan to use Ouros and the others to farm for monster drops. Fey could just stay with him and get spoiled all day.
"Papa? What was that about a skill?" Fey titled her head in curiosity.
"My adorable daughter, I got a skill that will show me how far did everyone's efforts bring them" Henryk petted her head. It was more of a natural instinct at this point. Henryk always petted her head whenever it was in range if the situation allowed for it.
"HOLY-" Henryk slapped a hand on his own mouth. 'I shouldn't swear near her. It isn't anytime soon I will be teaching her these types of things. I will not corrupt her pure mind'
"What surprised you, papa?" Fey got interested. Not that many things surprised her papa to this extent.
"Lady Hestia, take a look at this" Henryk scratched a few lines of information together and handed it over. He then went and hugged Fey some more.
-------------------
Name: Fey Williams
Variant: Harpy Eagle
Level: 2
STR: I0
END: I0
DEX: I0
AGI: I0
MAG: I0
Abnormal Resistance I
Magic:
None.
Skills:
Xenos:
As a xenos, this monster can think and, under certain conditions, talk like a surface dweller. As a result, they became a variant of their original species.
Keen Eyes:
Your eyes are those of an eagle's. They can see far and sharp. No amount of color disguising can trick them.
Crushing Claws:
Your claw's grip is twice as strong as your parameters suggest.
Soothing Soul:
Sooth those looking at you and ease them to your presence. Bring them peace of mind just by existing.
Divine Feathers:
Those touching your feathers will start accepting you as a person. Even if they do not accept your values and beliefs, they will come to acknowledge you as a person regardless of how you looked.
As your feathers are divine, they can promote natural healing for those in contact with them. That includes yourself. They will mildly hasten the regeneration of mind and the healing of non-lethal wounds.
Size adjusting:
You can change sizes to smaller ones, but only twice as big.
-------------------
Name: Ouros Williams
Variant: German Shepherd
Level: 2
STR: I0
END: I0
DEX: I0
AGI: I0
MAG: I0
Abnormal Resistance I
Magic:
None.
Skills:
Xenos:
As a xenos, this monster can think and, under certain conditions, talk like a surface dweller. The holder of this skill is stronger than normal.
Humanification:
Allows you to take the shape of a chienthrope.
Pack Member:
While in a pack, your attacks are coordinated and are more effective at felling your prey.
Gate Keeper:
If you did not allow the occupants of a room to go outside of it, they would be blocked by a barrier. They can ignore the barrier if they are two levels above yours at least.
Guardian:
You can sense intruders even if sight, hearing and smell are hindered.
Land Ownership:
You can claim an area of land that is not anyone's property.
-------------------
Name: Mont Williams
Variant: Great Dane
Level: 2
STR: I0
END: I0
DEX: I0
AGI: I0
MAG: I0
Abnormal Resistance I
Magic:
None.
Skills:
Xenos:
As a xenos, this monster can think and, under certain conditions, talk like a surface dweller. The holder of this skill is stronger than normal.
Humanification:
Allows you to take the shape of a chienthrope.
Pack Member:
While in a pack, your attacks are coordinated and are more effective at felling your prey.
Responsibility:
While guarding those you recognize as family, your status gets amplified.
Wrench:
No matter how impossible, you can wrench your bladed weapons free.
-------------------
Name: Blanc Williams
Variant: Irish Wolfhound
Level: 2
STR: I0
END: I0
DEX: I0
AGI: I0
MAG: I0
Abnormal Resistance I
Magic:
None.
Skills:
Xenos:
As a xenos, this monster can think and, under certain conditions, talk like a surface dweller. The holder of this skill is stronger than normal.
Humanification:
Allows you to take the shape of a chienthrope.
Pack Member:
While in a pack, your attacks are coordinated and are more effective at felling your prey.
Absolute Hunter:
If you target one living being as prey, and if they were the same size or lower and were of a similar general strength range or weaker, your prey will never see the light of day again.
Armor Rending Axe:
Be it metal plating, chitin, thick hide or any other form of armor, it means nothing to your axe.
-------------------
Name: Noland Williams
Variant: Siberian Husky
Level: 2
STR: I0
END: I0
DEX: I0
AGI: I0
MAG: I0
Abnormal Resistance I
Magic:
None.
Skills:
Xenos:
As a xenos, this monster can think and, under certain conditions, talk like a surface dweller. As a result, they became a variant of their original species.
Humanification:
Allows you to take the shape of a chienthrope. (AN: I almost forgot to add this one for Noland. Poor boy)
Pack Member:
While in a pack, your attacks are coordinated and are more effective at felling your prey.
Gjallarhorn Howl:
Grab a target's attention no matter how far, leaving them in a state of certain vulnerability. The first instance of damage the target receives takes it out of the skill's effect.
Watchtower:
No enemy can escape your sight once caught. All allies know the enemy's location in relation to their position.
Once a day, an ear-piercing howl could be issued to detect any hidden enemy.
-------------------
(AN: He excluded their skills and development abilities for the sake of their privacy. They were written here for you to see)
"Henryk, this is not usual. Monsters shouldn't have status. That skill of yours is really making me uncomfortable" Hestia was uncomfortable with the current state. If monsters have falna, then that is a whole can of worms nobody wanted to open. "AND THEY ARE LEVE-" Henryk sealed her mouth with his palm. Everyone in Orario would have heard her otherwise.
"I know. I won't tell anyone. I will make sure my tames, too, keep the secret" He then smiled at Fey. "Of course, Fey would be a good girl and keep this a secret"
"Papa and Fey's little secret, hehe" She got absorbed in her imagination there.
-------------------
"So, let's get this straight. You want me to make weapons for your monsters, too?" Welf had a rough idea of what Henryk wanted to do.
"According to our contract, you get most drop items they gather"
"Deal" They shook hands.
Ouros will get a gauntlet, a fully metallic spear and a side arm in the form of a large, heavy bowie knife.
Mont will get a pair of hooded katars with serrated blades.
Blanc will get a pair of heavy, very heavy, jagged and sharp-looking pair of medium-sized dual axes.
Noland will get a very sturdy great bow of ~177.8cm (~5' 10" = 70 inches long). It was of the same design as that of the Mongolian recurve bow. Its draw weight is around the 300 pounds mark, with arrows that could be used as impromptu mini spears that were made entirely out of metal. (AN: Relive the trauma of Anor Londo archers) ('1)
They were all going to wear light armor that protects their vitals at least.
Henryk also commissioned an extendable mace and a shield for himself.
Welf would get everything prepared in a few weeks' time ('2).
-------------------
"Can I have a meeting with Sir Ganesha? It is something concerning my tamed monsters" Henryk did not remember what exactly did his friend mean by the terminology "Xenos". He was going to ask Ganesha about them. If he knew anything, it would be a great help. 'It's probably stupid of me to do this. I don't care, though. I need to know what a xenos is. And if it is Sir Ganesha, he is trustworthy'
After getting Ganesha's permission, one of the guards led him to a waiting room and left.
"I, Ganesha, have arrived. Welcome to our familia's home" After only a few minutes, Ganesha showed up. He was as flamboyant and loud as ever. "What brought you here today, young man?"
"Sir Ganesha, I have a very important question for you. If there are any people hearing this, I want you to order them to cover their ears for a bit" Ganesha raised his right hand and formed a fist. He signaled the hidden guards to cover their ears at Henryk's request.
"What's a xenos?" Henryk did not see it, but Ganesha's eyes widened greatly.
'He already knows about the xenos? Now this is getting interesting' Ganesha's smile turned into a wide smile full of excitement. He signaled for the hidden guards to uncover their ears.
"Don't worry, the hidden ones know about the xenos. As for what a xenos is, they are a race of intelligent monsters of various species. But might I ask, how did you know?"
"A skill of mine allows me to see things regarding my monsters. The skill stated the term. And all monsters I tame become one. I told myself that if anyone knew, it should be you, sir"
"Hahahhaha. Young Henryk, what would you do if one of them asked you for help?" 'Now, it is time for the important question'
"Well, all my tamed monsters, up till now, have become xenos. It's a given I will help, if they were good people"
"GOOD, THAT'S VERY GOOD TO HEAR!" Ganesha burst out in boisterous laughter at the good news. Any help was welcome, and this by far is the greatest help they could get. "What do you say about meeting them in person to see for yourself?"
"I wouldn't mind it. I have one condition, to go unannounced. I want to see their true colors"
"Then prepare, for you are going to be escorted to the entrance of their lair by Ganesha's guards" Somehow, Ganesha found another place to stuff his name in.
"Before that, do you have a saddle that fits a hippogriff?"
-------------------
Henryk returned home, if the church could be called that.
"I'm home" Henryk gave a greeting, expecting a reply if someone is here. It was still an hour or two before sunset.
"Welcome back. You are early today?" Hestia herself just returned from her shift. She was not expecting Henryk to be back so soon.
"I decided to proceed with certain things of interest. I came here first to inform you. I will be away for a day on a personal business with my daughter"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOT FEY! I WON'T BE ABLE TO SLEEP THE NIGHT WITHOUT HUGGING HER!!!" Hestia protested against Fey going with him. She would be dealing with a dilemma for the period Henryk is not present.
-------------------
"So, you will be my escort? Who are you again?" Henryk was messing with the escort guard assigned to him on this trek.
"Could you stop that joke?" Hashana looked with dead eyes that were deprived of any feeling. He was as unimpressed as he could get with Henryk's greetings. The problem was that his familia members made the same joke. It got really old, really fast.
"Hahahahaha. I jest, of course. I remember your name, Hashana Dorlia"
Hashana had no words to describe his discomfort. He should have straight up rejected escorting this daredevil. He did not fear the risk of being wrecked by a higher-level adventurer.
"Papa, who is Hashana Dorlia? Fey doesn't remember that name, papa" Fey was not on the same picture as the two men, thus the brutal honesty. She honestly did not know who her papa referred to as "Hashana Dorlia". Poor Hashana.
-------------------
"Papa, when are you going to saddle Fey?" Fey was curious about why she was not saddled yet. She quite liked the idea of giving her papa a ride on her fast legs, or a flight on her back. She wanted to share one of these moments with him.
'I'm to blame for this. I should've never mentioned a saddle near her at all. Now, I feel guilty even if she was the one asking for it. I should've kept my damn mouth shut' "No, sweetie. We will only use this for a few minutes to trick a certain group of people and then remove it"
"Boooo. Fey wanted to share a moment with papa" Fey unknowingly guilt tripped him.
'My conscience is being ripped in two. Which choice should I make? Should I listen to my father-senses? Or should I listen to my papa-senses?' Henryk was having an inner battle, trying his best to keep his conscience intact.
'I wonder if I can take my life after this mission is done?' Hashana was forced to listen to all their sweet conversations without being able to relate. It felt awkward enough to wish for suicide. Now, only if it would not have tarnished Ganesha's name.
"By the way, Hashana, can my daughter eat most, if not all, of the magic stones?" Henryk tried to divert Fey's attention from the subject of the saddle.
"Can Fey eat some snacks, mister?" Thankfully, Fey's attention span is sort of short. She promptly switched her focus towards food.
"You can, girl. Just make sure to not over-indulge in them" Hashana was done with life. He just wanted to move on with this job. They were already on floor 17.
"Papa, look! Another bull!" A wild minotaur appeared.
"Wait, Hashana! Keep this one alive!"
"Why?" Hashana was about to kill the minotaur any moment now.
"I want to tame it" Henryk got a glint in his eyes. It was the glint that appeared in the eyes of someone who had found a treasure.
The minotaur was unsettled by Henryk's gaze. It was not used to lower things to look at it as if it was prey, since it spawned a few days ago that is. Its world was shaken for a moment.
Hashana proceeded to do as told. He weakened the minotaur until it was about to die. Henryk then used some of the magic stones from more than one other minotaur they killed while Fey was busily dining on magic stones.
After about five minotaur stones, it was finally tamed. As with the other monsters Henryk tamed, the minotaur's appearance changed. Its skin turned light gray. As for its fur, it turned bloody red, as if always dyed in fresh blood. The legs changed from what should be in likeness to a human's into cow claws ('3). Its eyes had no irises, they were pure white. The whole image left those who saw it feeling great dread and fear for one's life just being in its presence.
(AN: Think of this, but with red fur and sound horns, no wounds either)
'The lines I will say are a bit too cheesy, but I feel like I have to say them. It feels as if this chance won't come again' Henryk took a really deep breath, and opened his mouth with the most cursed words his tongue will utter for a long while ready. "They are rage, brutal, without mercy. But you... you will be worse. Against all the evil that the dungeon can conjure, all the wickedness that non-intelligent monsters can produce, I will send unto them... only you. Rip and tear... until it is done. Go, Taurus" 'CRINGE! SO FUCKING CRINGE!' Henryk was internally biting his lips awkwardly.
"RIP AND TEAR!!!" Taurus started charging in a random direction, ripping a poor ligerfang in half using his bare hands. He did not acknowledge its blood and viscera and charged in a random direction, probably after the next monster. Taurus did not forget to eat the ligerfang's magic stone before going. His rampage will not end soon.
All this unfolded before the eyes of the trio.
"Umm, did I just unleash some unbelievable evil?" Oh, how poor his decision was. Henryk did not know it at the time, but his words were a mantra for Taurus. He will rip and tear his way brutally through the dungeon. He will shower in the blood, viscera and bits of guts from his torn-apart enemies, devouring their magic stones to go after ever tougher prey non-stop.
"I... don't know. This's probably some weird fever dream or some sorta nightmare. I better reach the end of this nightmare soon, before I go nuts" Hashana was not even sure if this was reality anymore.
-------------------
End of Chapter.
'1:
For archers who may be reading this, draw weight is not an issue here. Noland is a monster after all. Not to mention that the falna broke the limits he may have had if he was not one.
'2:
Welf did prepare a knife from a minotaurs horn in one day, but that was a knife. I guess that he will need more than a week to make everything, considering he also has a life to live outside his forge.
'3:
Cow hooves can be called claws.
"The "toes" of cloven-hoofed (split hoofed) animals, such as cows, goats and sheep, are called claws." according to vetprep . com.