Author note: HEY HEY HEY!!!! WHAT IS UP!!?

It has been toooo long since I did a chapter, I have been so swamped with college work it's been ridiculous. But college is over, I only work 4-5 days a week, and I can start writing again. Hopefully properly this time. So yeah, you can stop unfollowing the story now. Please :'(

Anyway, should be releasing a chapter a week, no promises, god knows I'm awful at those.

So on with the chapter, relatively short chapter, especially the first three days, but the title should give you some clues. Oh, it was a fun chapter to write for the most part. :)

I hope you enjoy and it's good to be back!

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~Day 66~

Pain, my whole body is in pain...

Not a pain like I've just been stabbed or something, but an aching pain. Opening my eyes and looking around I could see that my body was completely smothered in blood, by the looks of things both mine and the giant monsters from yesterday.

Well of course I'm in pain, I may heal quickly but I was ridiculously close to dying yesterday, the fact that I was fine last night was probably due to a combination of adrenaline and my skills.

I groaned as I sat up, my body groaning with me. My clothes were half ruined, well it's

not like I don't have enough leather to fix it all, but it's still upsetting.

Alvir sat a few feet away from me chewing on a deer corpse, he must have gone hunting before I woke up, come to think of it, the suns position would imply that it's mid day.

"Alvir." I called out to him. His ears pricked up as he turned to face me, that same stupid-looking blood covered grin on his face. He bounded towards me, his tongue flailing around flinging saliva and blood around. Jumping on me he then proceeded to lick my face with that same blood soaked tongue.

I pushed his face away. "Yuck. Could you please not." I pleaded. Thankfully with a whimper Alvir got off me and ran off back to his meal. Great now all I can smell is spit and blood. With some inaudible grumbling I forced my stiff body to stand and walk over to the nearby river. After making sure nobody was around I stripped of my dirty outfit and jumped in the water. I was hungry, after all the healing takes a lot of energy and I haven't eaten for a while, but I was also covered in filth and that is most important. Besides, Alvir had clearly left half of the deer uneaten, leaving some for me.

As I sank in to the mildly tempered water I let out a long sigh, it wasn't quite as nice as a warm bath, but it still felt nice to sit in fresh, flowing water. In between my breasts floated the necklace Rugtug gave me, warm rays of light causing it to glint.

...

After half an hours bathing I clambered out and over to the deer left over by Alvir who was now sleeping in the shade of a nearby tree. My body felt a lot a better, but I was still starving so I started a small fire and cooked the meat. It wasn't anything extravagant, but it was a meal and was satisfactory at least.

After finishing my meal I looked down at the hastily wrapped around leather I was wearing, first things first I need new leggings, I have my armour to cover my breasts. So I gathered some cloth from the cart and crafted some wearable leggings. Luckily enough it was really only my leggings and leather coat that got ruined.

Finally, with some wearable clothes the sun was already beginning to set, it was still day but not for long. I have one last thing to do here, I need to decided what to do with the hulking body inside the cave. I'm going to take at least some of it's hide, but I can't fit all of it in what little storage I have, so most of it will be left.

As I walked in to the cave I sighed, it's even bigger than I remembered. No point complaining about it though, might as well just get on with it. Feeling slightly ticked of for my own recklessness I began carving the beasts hide off, with the little knife I had it took hours.

...

A bead of sweat rolled down my forehead, it was surprisingly hot considering it was now evening. Anyway, I was finally finished, skinned the whole damn thing. I don't know why, I'm only going to take a full chunk, but somehow, it felt disrespectful to just leave it half done.

Now I need to bury the body I suppose. As I turned around to find something to use as a shovel I stopped in my tracks, remembering something useful I grinned.

With my magic I can create a huge hole in the ground, surely that will make burying this thing that much easier?

Let's test it out. I stepped backwards and face the giant corpse, with a few quick hand gestures and a lot of concentration I created a massive hole about a quarter the size of his body. It was the largest hole I've been able to create yet. One of his giant legs slipped in to the whole and a large chunk of my mana disappeared. I have enough to do it about... Ten more times I think?

So I made enough holes for his body to slip in to completely, then all I had to do was cover the top in more dirt... Hmm, I probably should have gone to get a shovel anyway, huh?

...

"Finally!" I exclaimed as I fell back in to the sleeping bag I had set up. Everything was done, I had begun preparing some of the beasts hide which had been cut in to smaller pieces and hung in the back of the cart. Tonight I'll sleep here again, Alvir looked like he had a relaxing day, there were a few more animal corpses around. Come to think of it, didn't I tell him to only hunt predators? If I look around... Well the only non predator corpse is the deer's. Did he disobey me just so I could eat something good for breakfast, or is there something more sinister going on.

... I need to check at least. I crawled over to the deer corpse, I hadn't actually gotten a good look at it before, I was just too hungry to pay attention. I hesitantly extended my hand over to the body and quickly turned it to face me. Instead of anters the deer had two large horns sticking out of it's head and had a mouth full of sharp teeth. It was a Dread Stag, not a deer. I thought the meat tasted different.

"Thank the God's" I leant backwards and turned to smile at Alvir ushering him over. As he crawled under my arm I stroked his head. "You obeyed me, good boy." I grinned. He panted happily under my arm.

I ended the day with one last yawn and a Grey Wolf lying on my chest, it was a relaxing day.

~Day 67~

It was another day of travelling set for today, I made sure to check the adventurers corpses before packing up and heading out. There wasn't anything that would fit me, but surprisingly I found something that would fit Alvir. A cloth collar of sorts, it must have belonged to a hunters pet. It was dark blue and had a golden threaded rose spreading out from each corner. It was made small enough for a dog or wolf to wear. I wanted Alvir to wear it so that I could easily tell him apart from other Grey Wolves. Although to be honest I think I could just tell on my own.

Other than the scarf I found a few coins and a weapon or two that looked like they could fetch a fair price. I thought there might have been more, but it looks like most of the corpses have already been looted, maybe someone came by whilst the beast was outside drinking out of the river or something?

After I finished looting and fed the horses, I set off. We caught up to the road and carried on down it. There weren't too many creatures about as it appeared to mainly be farm land or just grassland, so I had Alvir with me lying on my legs. It was pleasant for both of us, the weather has somehow stayed consistently great since I began travelling, but I guess it's just the season for it, lucky for me.

The day was beginning to crawl in to night when the road lead in to another forest. It wasn't too dense, and actually looked quite romantic in the setting sun. I could also still see above the treetops, so there wasn't any issue with telling the time either.

We set up camp several hours later relatively deep in to the forest. We passed by several taverns and one or two villages on the way here, but I have yet to see a single building in the actual forest... So to be honest I think it's bandit territory, why else wouldn't people live in such a nice location.

Whilst I was preparing to light my fire, my suspicions were confirmed. Three clear bandits rushed down the road past me on horseback, they were headed north towards where I came from. Are they going to raid farms or something I wonder?

My fire hadn't started yet, I was off the road and they seemed to be in a bit of a rush so they didn't seem to notice me. If they are going to attack people, I should probably go and stop them... However, I've never killed a human on purpose before... Not really, even in my previous life when I struggled against the men that killed me I injured a few, but none died. I mean, I have killed a human, there was that hunter when I was still a Mushling, but that was an accident.

I let out a sigh. Even if I did go after them there's no certainty that I would actually find them, I have no idea which way they're going. I can run quicker than their horses, but that would mean leaving behind my cart and I have no idea how many bandits are in the forest and the chances of them ransacking my stuff.

It pains me, but I don't have any other choice than to just go to bed with the feeling of guilt inside me right now. So... That's what I did, it's going to be a long night.

~Day 68~

It was a groggy morning, just as I thought there was not much sleep to be had. However other than a slow start it was a pretty uneventful day.

I was travelling through the forest for the entire day and I didn't see a single bandit, however there were plenty of monsters lurking in the forest, so I sent Alvir out to hunt today. By the time evening rolled out he was covered in blood as usual and also as usual he was smiling. He had reached [Lvl 93] so he was incredibly close to evolving. The forest had become more dense by now, so I'm guessing we reached near the middle, which is why it's even more surprising we haven't been ambushed or anything, today was the first day I haven't seen another intelligent being.

I was still feeling bad about yesterday, but obviously the guilt had died down. After a warm dinner of soup and a big chunk of meat for the wolf I decided to read a bit more from the notes Samora gave me. Tomorrow I think i'll actually train some, the way it's going I'm not going to level up for a long time.

I guess for tonight I'll just read till I drop.

~Day 69~

I woke with Samoras notes on me, so I really did fall asleep reading them huh.

I made a quick breakfast for me and Alvir and set off without any further distraction. However, after only an hour or so of travelling several horsemen came running past us from behind yelling at me to move and not get in their way.

It was only a brief moment that I got a look at them as they passed, but they were definitely the bandits from the other day, this time however they looked quite panicked. Well they must have been, to pass a wagon without robbing it, they were in a hurry, no doubt.

I won't be able to keep up with them, but that fact that they're still going means that their camp is in this direction.. So if I see it, what should I do? I can't use not knowing where they're going as an excuse... But I really don't want to kill a human.

I carried on forward, deep down hoping I won't see any bandits. Of course, being me that wish didn't come true. After another few hours of travel we came across a side dirt road leading off from the main one, far off I heard the distinct sounds of merry making. Obviously the bandits camp, great.

It doesn't seem too smart though, having your camp so close to the main road? I understand that they don't really have any soldiers to worry about as no patrols large enough to worry about would come down here, but it still seems a little too confident to me.

"Oy, you! Stop yer wagun!" A rough voice called out to me. From in front three rough looking men came out of the thicket, from behind another two men and one woman.

"Great..." I sighed. I stepped off the wagon grabbing Skullcrusher dropping it softly against the floor to try and intimidate them. Alvir walked round from behind me growling at them, hmm he's good at this. I thought he might try and lick their faces knowing him. I could tell that they were at least a little intimidated judging by a few of them taling a few steps back. However the largest of them, and the one that happened to call me out didn't seem the least bit scared. He just grinned, wielding quite a large axe. "Do you really want to do this?" I steeled my gaze towards him.

He nodded. "Ya think yer da first monsta we had ta deal wiv?" He growled. "Besides." He carried on. "Yer a Dryad ain't ya? I always wanted to try a Dryad." He licked his lips chuckling to himself.

"Tch." I clicked my tongue, what a disgusting man... It looks like I don't have a choice... I'm going to have to kill purely on the virtue that I can't let a man like that live, I think... These are rather dark thoughts swirling around my head, huh?

"Get er ladz!" The disgusting bandit yelled.

Without wasting any time I sprinted forward swinging skullcrusher straight in to the face of the closest bandit replacing the head that used to be there with the head of my mace. The other bandits stood shocked for a second until an axe embedded itself in the small of my back. With a grimace of pain I swung around and smacked the bandit away, of course it was the big one. He flew back in to a tree which splintered and fell behind him. He stood back up, almost unfased with a grin on his face.

I noticed a grin spreading across my face too. Great, I'm having fun. "Alvir, take care of them." I motioned towards the other three bandits. A normal Grey Wolf would not be able to kill three bandits single handedly, but a normal Grey Wolf couldn't kill a Dread Stag either. He happily bounded off towards the bandits. I heard the scream of the woman as something was being torn off.

The other bandit on my side of the fight charged at me, without taking my eyes off the big one I grabbed him with my free hand and crushed his neck making his body limp. I threw him off without hesitation. The big bandit grinned. "Yer brutal Dryad." He laughed.

I stared at him. "Scum like you doesn't deserve any less." I growled. He grinned charging at me. Our weapons met in the air, creating sparks and a loud clanging. Our weapons met several other times, clanging and chipping. I pulled back to leap at the man. He prepared himself holding his axe above his head. I swung with all my strength and crushed the man's oddly sturdy axe. The hardy wood splintered in several pieces and the man fell backwards. Standing back up once again unfazed, or so I thought.

He looked at his hands for a second, then sat back down, cross legged. "What are you doing." I raised an eyebrow letting my guard down slightly.

He looked up at me and chuckled. "It's a rule of Kol the honourable, our boss. If one of his lieutenants loses he must lose honourably, no underhanded tactics allowed. I'm a lieutenant, and without my weapon I've lost." He shrugged his shoulders.

What? an 'honourable' bandit? Does such a thing exist. "If your boss is so honourable, why does he steal from the innocent? Why does he let you rape?" I questioned.

"Oh don't forget the slavery, cruelty and pillaging miss." He gave me his evil grin again. "Just because our boss wouldn't do something like that, doesn't mean we won't. He can't control us with only fear. We're bandits, every life we're alive we're risking our lives. Besides, it's a different kind of honour to what you probably know." He kept grinning.

I really don't understand what this bandit was talking about, but I think I want to meet this 'Kol the honourable' if only to knock some sense into him. "I'll give you some advice miss." He looked me in the eye. "Kol is strong, do you think he would command my respect if he weren't?" He winked.

"I wouldn't want it any other way." I replied. "Do you have any last words bandit?" I asked.

He smiled. "Any last words is it?" As I pulled up my mace he closed his eyes. "I wish I could have eaten some elf p*ssy just onc-." His head exploded from the force.

I blinked twice. I didn't mean to give him such a gory death, or interrupt him... But those last words, they uh, they threw me off a bit there.

"Bark!" I turned to see Alvir bounding over to me excitedly, drenched in blood and viscera. He had levelled up to [Lvl 96] and since there was no way we weren't going to say hi to the bandits today he'll probably evolve today. Whilst I was excited by that I had a few more pressing thoughts on my mind. For one do I dare look over to where Alvir came form and the seen the horrifying mangled corpses he left behind? Or do I just think about the fact that I killed three men and feel no guilt or remorse?

In some ways that's a good thing, they were bandits, they were... Well bad people I suppose. So being able to kill them without guilt should surely be a good thing right? However what if I feel the same way about killing innocents? What if I don't feel guilty no matter who I kill? That's what worries me the most.

Anyway, I don't have Ellephwen to talk to about it now so I'll just have to endure it. Still I managed to level twice from that encounter making me [Lvl 40]. If I got that many from just three bandits, how many level ups will I get from a whole camp full of them... Of course that would mean killing them all... No I have to steal myself, these bandits threaten innocent lives everyday, I have the power to fight them, if I leave them then how many more victims would their be because of my insecurities?

So, I set off down the smaller path making sure to hide my wagon out of sight.

...

As I arrived at the camp I didn't quite see what I was expecting. In fact rather than a camp it was more like... A fort? Large wooden walls three times my size with watch towers on every corner and a large metal gate with two guards stationed at it. I would have been seen by the sentries on the wall, but there appeared to be a commotion going on inside as everyone's eyes were focused there. Not very good sentries really, but I guess they are only bandits.

I peaked through a gap in the wooden wall to see what all their attention was on. On a sort of podium in the back of the fort was a quite tall man sitting on a wooden throne. The throne had two wof skulls on either arm rest and had one giant skull on top. I recognised the skull, it belonged to a Grandclaw...

Grandclaws, quite rare monsters and quite terrifying from what I've heard. I've only previously met one person that killed one, the father of the Dwarf family that lived in my village, him and his siblings hunted one once, one of them died, and according to him even the weakest of them had the strength to lift an entire stallion with one hand.

Still, I should focus on what's in front of me for now. I can't really see properly from here, the gaps not too big, but it seems there are at least fifty odd bandits in there including Kol sitting on the throne. Well I don't know if that is this Kol guy for sure, but he is without a doubt the bandit leader. He was wearing a strange made out of wood with small bird bones tied to them, he had dirty blonde hair and a small moustache leading on to a thin beard. Several scars streaked from just under his right chin into the collar around his neck. He looked to be around thirty.

After taking a deep breath I was about to head for the gate until Kol began talking. "So... Why did you make me gather all my men?" He asked in a deep almost suave voice.

Pushed to the front of the crowd was the group of bandits that rode past me earlier. They looked quite panicked. "We... Gone in to tha Barons cave at tha normal time... But there wasn't many fresh bodies.. And, uh.. And instead, there were just a big grave... A big grave with the Baron in it..." The talking bandit couldn't seem to talk properly... Still the description they're giving, it sounds awfully familiar.

"Hmph." Kol snorted. "You expect me to believe that some random farmer or something managed to kill the Baron? Or perhaps you believe that a detachment of soldiers form a city came all the way into the country to take care of him?" He leaned forwards on his throne. "Did you see any soldiers on your way crawling back here?" The bandits had trouble shaking their heads, they looked frozen in place. "Just as I thought." He gestured at the bandits surrounding the group. "Grab them, boil their skin a bit, do something, just punish them I don't really care how." He waved.

The accused bandits desperately struggled. "WAIT! WE- WE HAVE PROOF!"

Kol raised his hand to stop them. "Show me." He ordered.

One of the bandits pushed through the group to grab a heap of... something it was difficult to tell. He ran to the front and threw whatever it was on the ground. Oh... Now that I can see it clearly that is definitely the giant monsters hide... So he was called the Baron... And seems to be, what Kols pet? I shuddered at the thought.

Kol sat back down in his chair after a brief few seconds of just staring at the hide with a blank expression he said "Let them go." Without turning his head. Understanding what this meant some of the bandits showed anger, others showed panic. What exactly was this Baron to them. From his expression you would think that Kol was calm, but then cracks began appearing, on his throne and the floor around him. Flooding outwards from his body which seemed to be emitting a sort of aura...

Am I really going to do this? Fight that man, after I just killed his pet, should I even tell them it was me... If I look at their reactions it would probably scare half of them to the point that they're useless in battle but still...

Before going in I decided to have a look at what else I could see, which was probably a bad idea as it gave me no other choice than to go in. In the corner of the fort stood several cages, with children, women and fit men inside. Next to the cages were several tents, small discrete looking tents, I could see legs just sticking out a few of them. Half of the women and children in the cages were bruised, beaten. Strangle marks around their necks and... Dead eyes. You would have to be more than naive to not know what's happening here. That bandit earlier wasn't lying, Kol the honourable my ar*e.

I gritted my teeth and walked towards the front gate. The two guards noticed my approach and raised their weapons, I used my superior speed to grab both of them before they could fight back. I pulled my arm back and threw one over the wall, then I did the same with the other. A commotion was going on inside. With the help of a nearby tree that I used as leverage I proceeded to clear the wall myself holding Alvir under my arm.

I landed on the other side and let Alvir go who stood at my side growling at the bandits. "And you are?" Kol looked me up and down unfazed by the death of his guards.

"I'm the one that killed your 'Baron' if that hides anything to go by." I looked back at him unbudging.

After hearing that Kol leaned forward in his chair. "The Baron was taken out by another beast was he?" He began smirking. "Tell me beast, do you know how valuable that monster was to our little operation here?" I didn't say anything. "The people that beast killed, the adventurers, the merchants. We Just sneaked in to his little cave whilst he was out hunting or drinking from the river and grab whatever we could." New cracks were forming in the floor around him. "We were becoming rich without even trying." He stared at me, unblinking unchanging. That was what was most unsettling, his anger didn't seem to damage his composure.

He paused taking a deep breath. "So. You won't blame me for ordering my men to slaughter you, beast." A soft smile spread across his face, a smile that was out of place for what he was saying.

Almost every bandit in the fort began roaring with their weapons raised above their heads, they charged towards me. I ordered Alvir to stay around the side of the battle picking a few off when he could, even Alvir couldn't handle so many enemies. I activated Earthen Armour and my Mushroom Shield and sprinted straight into the oncoming wave. As soon as we met I scattered ten of them with my shield, I shoved the shield further into the croud shunting some to the side and others dead. As they thrust none could breach my armour, so I swung Skullcrusher around killing another five.

With a brief glimpse out of the crowd I noticed Alvir, he had lost quite a bit of health, but he was alive and still joyfully holding his own. All of a sudden my armour dissipated and in the short time it was gone I had already been stabbed all over my body. A dozen holes leaked my blood as I winced in pain. As I leaped backwards out of the crowd I saw why. The bandits has several mages, one of which seem to specialise in dispelling; fighting other magics. I could tell from the colour of her staffs stone and, well what just happened.

So I know who to go for first. I jumped in to the air swinging Skullcrusher down to increase my momentum I smashed right in to the mages body. There was a sudden scream, then nothing, the remains were just a mangled corpse and a small crater. Several other bandits around me were disorientated, dead or panicking. I used the opportunity to keep swinging at the crowd knocking whole groups over, bludgeoning and killing. Blood was flying everywhere I could see, mine as well as theirs, my health was falling down slowly and so was Alvirs, but I couldn't stop it was becoming a slight blur and I was aware that I was grinning.

"STOP!" I snapped out of my trance. I looked around me, I was surrounded by bodies, there were only a few bandits left and most cowered from me. Alvir limped over towards me over several beaten and disgusting corpses. "I can't have you continue beast." I looked in the direction of the voice, Kol stood out of his seat brandishing two odd looking swords.They were both as short as machetes but curved. They grew thicker in their middle. "It's clear I underestimated you Beast. I can't exactly be a bandit king if I have no people."

What did he say? "Bandit king? What are you talking about?" My breathing was slightly ragged, but I squeezed out a question.

He slowly walked towards me. "It's a dream of sorts. Becoming the King of Bandits, I thought I was well on the way, but clearly I have far to go if a single Beast can topple my kingdom." He jumped off the podium his throne sat on. "I should have realised really, if you're here it means you not only killed the Baron but also got past lieutenant Reid and the only way you could have done that is if you killed him."

I nodded my head. "He died surprisingly well for scum."

Kol chuckled. "Good, good. He was one of my best lieutenants, if he died like a coward I don't know what I would have done." He took a deep breath. "Well, that's enough chatter." Without another word he disappeared. Wait no. Not disappeared. I can see him. I raised Skull crusher to block him. He was going faster than anything I've seen before, faster than me. His full force clashed against mine as his two swords were just blocked by me. The air around us distorted and the floor broke apart.

"YYAAAAAAARGH!" I pushed back as much as I could. His body was slowly pushed off to the side then flew sideways through the large walls of his fort, he smashed through several trees before a group slowed him down. Without wasting time he leaped back towards me, I brought up Skullcrusher to block his attack again, but he was ready, his two swords came over and under my weapon piercing my face and my stomach. The one in my face plunged through one of my eyes. The pain was horrible, but I could bear it.

I let go of Skullcrusher and used both of my hands to yank out his top sword, then I grabbed his shoulders and head-butted him, the force sent bit of rubble flying away from us, I heard a squelch as a pool of blood formed on his head then he stumbled backwards. Before Skullcrusher even touched the floor I flicked it back up with my foot catching it with my hands and in one swift motion I swung it towards him. However he had already regained his stance, he dodged past my swing and continued to do so for each subsequent swing. He got in several stabs in between each of my attacks. It's was clear that he's faster than me so I backed off. I have the superior strength, but that doesn't matter if I can't get an attack in.

I guess I don't have a choice. I placed Skullcrusher back on my back and stood ready with my fists up. "So you realised your weakness hmm? I'm not sure how heavy that strange weapon of yours must be to slow down someone with your strength. Still, are you really going to use your fists? Against swords?" He smirked.

I smiled and activated earthen armour, but concentrating solely on my fist creating two large gauntlets. I pushed my fists together creating a slight shockwave. "Ohh. I see, this should be interesting." Kol smiled with approval. He once again slipped almost out of my view with his blinding speed. this time, however I was ready for him. As he reached for me, I let him stab me, both weapons went through my torso and my health was getting dangerously low. I lifted both fist and yelled as I swung them down on to his shoulders, he fell down breaking through the ground and impaling on the spike below. I grinned, finally having the chance to set a proper trap. It worked perfectly. I do wonder if this was a little cowardly however? Or is it fine since it's still a weapon of mine. either way I don't think I would be able to win if I didn't do this.

Kol coughed up a whole puddle of blood. "So this is what you had planned beast? Not bad, not bad at all... But..." He raised himself off the spikes and stood in the gaps between them. "Just like you, I'm not so easy to kill." He grinned as blood poured out of several gaping holes in his body. So even humans can get inhuman resistances? I grimaced. "Oh I would definitely be dead if one went through my head or my heart, or even my lungs. Unlike you I'm human, I need those. Well there's a lot of other stuff that I need, but I've got the skills to help put them off killing me." He eyed me up and down from inside the hole. "You seem to be in just as bad shape as me, if not worse. I might as well finish you off."

He leapt out of the hole and aimed a cut at my arm, unable to dodge I threw my fist at him, my other arm was lopped off. He flew backwards from my hit and I collapsed on to one knee from the pain. Grimacing I looked up. He was embedded in the podium of the throne staring at me. "You want to keep going?" He sputtered through blood.

I looked at my non-existent arm with my one working eye. "How about we call this a draw and make a deal." I replied.

He began laughing." A draw? I'm at least in better condition that you beast, this should be my victory."

I nodded my head. "If we kept fighting then you would probably kill me, but you're not stupid. You know I could take you with me." I smiled. "Besides, I'm a very fast healer, this arm? It will be regrown by the morning, can you say the same for that." I pointed with my surviving arm at his right arm.

He looked at it as if only just noticing it, it was twisted and broken from my last punch. He sheepishly turned back to face me. "What deal do you want to make?" He had a weak, but oddly genuine smile on his face.

I tried to force myself to stand, but it was difficult. A limping Alvir rushed over to be my crutch. "I would have thought that was obvious. Let the slaves go, leave and stop being disgusting rapists. Obviously this is a draw, so I can't exactly demand so much. My demands are for you and your people to stop with the slavery and let the slaves you already have go." I paused. "What are your demands?"

He called a few of his men over to pull him out and steady him. "I can accept your demands, I'm not exactly a big fan of owning other humans myself. It really helps my conscience when they're willing to work for me, you know?" He scratched his chin with his working arm. "My demands... Hmm. It's clear that you think slavery is the worst thing we could possibly do. So if we're stopping that could I ask that you never disrupt my operation again. Basically my demand is peace between you and me. How's that sound, Beast?"

I looked him in the eye. "Fine, it's a deal." I forced the words out before collapsing.

as my eyes blurred over I looked at the slaves. One particular boy stood out, with dark thick hair and dark skin. Was stood out the most though, was that he was smiling at me.

~Day 70~

I woke with a start... Also in pain. Ow ow ow ow! This is worse than with the Baron.

Opening my eyes I noticed I was sleeping next to my wagon, I could not see Alvir and for some reason had a bandage wrapped around me. What exactly happened.

"You're awake." I turned to face the voice. It was the dark skinned boy from yesterday. Now that I had a better look at him I could tell he might be a little bit old to be called 'boy'. Probably around fourteen by the looks of him. Old enough to be a warrior in most cases. Anyway, he was handsome, not in the most traditional way, you could tell from his face structure that he was going to have a rough handsome look to him when he was older. He already had a beard peaking through to go along with that. He was surprisingly muscular and must have almost been six foot already. He wore the same slave rags as before, but he had wrapped them around his waist leaving his chest exposed. It was surprisingly scarred, battle or beatings I wonder?

I scratched my head." What happened?" I asked.

He smiled stiffly. "The bandit leader, Kol? He honoured your deal. He even ordered his men to take them to where they found them originally. Then after patching you up they all just left." He had an accent I hadn't heard before.

I remembered what his lieutenant told me. "A different kind of honour, huh?" I then scrunched my brow up. "Then why are you still here?"

"For one, I do not have a home to go back to. Besides which, I wish to ask something of you if I may." He bowed.

I nodded. "You've suffered enough. What can I do?"

He bowed even deeper. "Let me serve you."

I blinked a few times. "Excuse me?"

"Please allow me to serve you. I wish to follow you on your journey." He begged, his head down.

"But, why?" I asked confused.

He looked up slightly this time. "You saved my life, you saved many others. You did something honourable, just and kind. I have been forced to be a thief for the past few years, to find someone worth following with a reason to follow them. It would do honour to me and my deceased ancestors."

This was troubling... I mean, I have been tasked to find companions, but this guys just a kid. Not to mention he sticks out as much as I do thanks to his appearance. "I'm not exactly going on an easy journey."

"I am strong enough to defeat one of Kols lieutenants and thirteen bandits by myself. I was only caught by Kol himself"

Okay.. That's... Surprising for one so young. "Just who are you?" I asked.

He looked up fully this time looking me in the eye. "My name is Verros Ku Ron. I am the last surviving member of the Ron clan."

I sat upright. "Well that explains a lot. You're one of the Mountain Clans?"

His eyes lit up. "You have heard not only of the Mount Clans but of the Ron clan as well?"

I nodded my head. The Mountain Clans. In my previous life they had come to our continent many hundred years prior. No one really knows where from, but most agree that it must be some other continent. As . Apparently they were offered to live in our towns and cities with us. But they refused, our cultures were too different. So they lived in the mountains, often getting in to feuds with Goblin clans, Dwarves and rarely Mountain Elves too. They were mostly warriors though, on average more powerful than the rest of the humans, so they often loved battle.

Although, once again I was confused. "Did you say that you had no home to go to? What did you get banished from your clan or something?" I cocked my head.

His smile turned to confusion. "Had you not heard? Half of the clans were wiped out by Mountain Elves."

Damn, that must have happened whilst I was, uh dead. "I'm sorry to hear that. I haven't exactly seen much of the world recently. I uh, also lost my entire village. So I can understand the feeling somewhat."

He still looked confused, but not quite as sad. "A village of Dryads? I did not know such a thing existed."

"Uh yeah. That would take a lot of time to explain." I smiled at him for a moment. Then I took a deep breath. "Listen, you can come along, but I have to tell you why I'm travelling, where I'm going before you decide. Have you heard of King Lavias?"

He nodded his head, still half bowing. "Yes. I heard the bandits talking about the Queens announcement yesterday."

From his reaction it's not much of a deal for him, or for the bandits. Well, of course, they don't know what Lavias can do. Still I wasn't expecting the Queen to announce it. I mean it was decided that the best course of action was to let the public know. It means any hidden reincarnated people will be more likely to come forward and people should be more vigilant. Of course not to cause utter panic and chaos the peasants were not told the level of danger Lavias represents.

"Well my... Um, Mother is a high ranking member of the 'Great Rurrian Alliance. And she gave me the task of getting stronger for the fight. Also for gathering strong allies to fight with me. The point is the battle will be life threatening, so I plan to tell everyone who plans to join me that."

He nodded. "So can I gather that this Lavias is more dangerous than the Queens speech would imply?"

I crossed my arms. "Enough to destroy half the continent with a single attack."

"By the hammer of Shoda. It does not matter. To die in battle is the greatest honour for a member of the Ron clan." He asserted himself. I'm not sure what 'by the hammer of Shoda' means, but I'm guessing Shoda is either a hero of theirs, or a God, either way I won't press.

"Alright. My task was to find allies, so I'm not going to turn one down. You can call me Ellena." I reached out my arm, but he shook his head.

He stood up and placed one hand over his forehead and over his heart. "I do not believe that you will like this but it is tradition for my people." Pausing for a second he composed himself. "I, Verros Ku Ron, dedicate my heart and mind to Ellena the Dryad. Let it now be known she is my Honourable one."

I stood back stunned until he put his arms back at his sides. "Okay... Please don't tell me you have to call me Honourable one or something?"

He chuckled. " I thought you would not be one for titles. No, I am now your honour-bound servant, I shall call you what you wish to be called."

"Ellena, just called me Ellena." I hurriedly replied. Thank the Gods I wont be called Honourable one. I'm pretty sure I'd been fed up of that after one day.

Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure I forgot something. "Have you seen my Wolf?" I asked.

He sat down."Yes, you don't seem that bothered he's not here?"

I smirked. "Well, I can sense that he's alive at least, and if he's alive he's fine. Where is he?"

"Uh, he's watching the road on the other side of the wagon. He's been like that since he woke up. He's, uh also different than you might remember him." I frowned. Different, in what way could he be differe- Wait, of course! He was so close to evolving last night. I stood up and jogged around the wagon. Sitting on the ground was. Well, I guess it must be Alvir.

His fur was slightly darker, in-between a Grey Wolfs and a Black Wolfs. He had grown about twice the size, almost as large as the Alpha I met in the Dungeon. What was the most different however, was that he now had streaks of red fur all over his body. Around his eyes leading to little tufts of hair sticking out above them almost like eyebrows. Streaks running down his body, and a few on his tail. His eyes were also now red. Finally he seemed to be more muscular and had sharper claws. I decided to look at his stats.

[Name: Alvir]

[Age: 1 year, 83 Days]

[Species: Berserker ,Grey Wolf]

[Height: 5'-6"]

[Sex: Male]

[Title: Packmember]

{Level: 01] +4

[Health 195/195] +113

[Mana: 31/31] +28

[Stamina: 312/312] +226

[Hunger: 142/312] +226

[Attack: 415] +347

[Defence: 128] +88

[Magic Attack: 29] +28

[Magic Defence: 21] +3

[Skills: [Packmember lvl 3] Up! [Pain Resistance lvl 5] Up! [{Wolfs bite lvl 7}] Up! [Bloodhunter Lvl 2] New!]

Wow that's quite an improvement, I guess that answers my question on whether I would have a choice or not. I kind of was expecting this. Something to do with blood or battle. Hmm 'Berserker though' seems as though he chose something I wasn't quite expecting. He has a lot of damage output, but can't take much of a beating. Well, I'm sure he has some speed to make up for it, which I would love to test, but right now I am too tired and we're all too hungry. Alvir saw me and leaped up at me licking my face. I gave him a hug back and patted his head.

Verros came round the corner smiling. Since I didn't get to travel quite as much as I wanted to yesterday I decided that would be best for today. I sat on the front of the wagon whilst our newest member sat in the back making a meal. A very tasty meal made using ingredients that I didn't even know worked together. Needless to say with such tasty meat he immediately earned Alvir's love. After I finished I realised I hadn't checked my stats. The fact was I killed a lot of people yesterday, a fact that I haven't forgot and will try not to. However that means I probably also got up quite a few levels.

[Name: Ellena]

[Age: 69 Days]

[Species: Virga Ferrea, Dryad]

[Height: 7'-3"]

[Sex: Female]

[Title/s: Kin of Ellephwen, Wolfmother.]

{Level: 55] +17

[Health: 5840/5845] + 1789

[Mana: 1444/1450] +492

[Stamina: 5221/5354] + 1512

[Hunger: 5354/5354] + 1512

[Attack: 4836] +1485

[Defence: 6769] + 1871

[Magic Attack: 1538] + 491

[Magic Defence: 2907] + 952

[Skills: [Pain Resistance lvl 10 (Max)] [Poison Resistance lvl 8] [Mind Resistance lvl 2] [Venom Resistance lvl 7] [Night vision lvl 10 (max)] [Amplified Vision lvl 8] Up! [{Mushroom Helmet lvl 55}] Up! [tough stomach lvl 7] [Unarmed Combat Expert lvl 5] Up! [Polearm Journeyman lvl 7] Up! [Demifoot lvl 2] Up! [Warriors Heart lvl 36] Up! [Warriors Will lvl 25] Up! [Warriors Strength lvl 24] Up! [Greater Regeneration lvl 4] Up! [Guardian lvl 8] Up! [Dryads Charm lvl 6] Up! [Skinning lvl 5] Up! [Tanning lvl 3] [Leatherworking lvl 2] [Carving lvl 2] [Earth Magic lvl 5] Up! [{Wolfmother lvl 6}]Up!]

Okay, a lot of improvements there. First off, Demifoot? A step up from Kingsfoot? What does it mean? Somehow Demifoot doesn't sound as good as Kingsfoot, but what do I know?

Still, this really doesn't add up. It's something I've been thinking about on and off for a whole, especially when thinking back to yesterdays battle. With my stats normal bandits shouldn't be able to do anything to me. I mean back when I was a Mushman Guardian I was already stronger than a normal human. So I started to think maybe stats are like skills? More like guidelines and boosts than actual ways of telling strength. Like maybe my stats are telling me that I've got really good defence, and gives me a bigger bonus to that sort of things whilst Alvir has a lot of power. If it were entirely accurate I would be able to kill entire human armies, but I got my a*se practically handed to me by one yesterday.

Of course I do think they do something, I'm always getting stronger, and just like with my skills I feel myself getting more powerful and such. From what I've heard our world is unusual, it's the only one with this system, but no living being truly understands it, not one hundred percent. I'm not exactly a scholar or a massive thinker, I more hit things, but I doubt this hasn't been thought about before. I'll need to find someone who is good with their brain to talk to. God's, why does it seem like I always need Ellephwen.

We arrived on the edge of the forest and decided to camp there. Whilst I was making dinner I got to talk to my new, uh follower Verros. It turns out that when his clan had been destroyed he was lucky enough to be out hunting with his father, when they came back they found their home burnt to the ground. His father saw revenge as something pointless if it just meant they would die and lose their line forever, so he forced Verros to go and find a wife and work whilst he basically went on a suicidal revenge attack on the Elves. Verros is certain his father died, although he has no way to know for sure. Anyway, being a warrior by heart and by nature and being so young he couldn't find proper work. Then he heard about bandits, desperate for food he attacked any bandits he found and took their food and supplies. Unfortunately, being brought up an honourable warrior he couldn't bring himself to take most of it, often spending weeks looking for the original owners living off the scraps that genuinely belonged to the bandits. He told me he started doing so when he wad nine! Nine years old!

So, one day, a few weeks ago in fact he got on the wrong side of Kol and his merry band of scum. Kol defeated and turned him in to a slave. Which is when we met.

In any case, he seems pretty strong, but I want to see just how strong. So tomorrow I'm going to test my two companions strengths. For now though, I really just want to rest my creaking bones...

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Some more author notes: So what do you think? Like where Alvirs going? First impression of new guy? Also I know this is pretty rude considering this is the first chapter I've done in so long, but if someone were willing to leave me an advanced review I would love it. Or any review really. ^_^

Finally I wanted to ask you guys something, I would have done a poll if it were possible, but I don't think you could do a poll for this question?

I just wanted to know what you guys thought the power rankings of the characters are? Like who you think is the strongest characters, the weakest and where do the rest fit inbetween. Obviously there are a lot of characters we haven't even met yet, that I've only mentioned in name. So any characters you want to use you can, whether that's just the members of the Rurrian Alliance, or just humans. Or anyone you can remember.

Obviously this is just my personal interest as usual, it probably won't effect the story at all. I just love power rankings and seeing peoples differing opinions when I read stories. Also obviously I know what the rankings are. A lot of it is also situational, so there's that. If you want to know how accurate you were I would be willing to pm you. But it would be a bit spoiler y so it might ruin it a bit.

Anyway I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I hope you'll carry on enjoying my story!