Things have happened. I fell behind in releasing chapters because of school work and then I fell ill again for a long time, causing me to miss school and I had to miss out writing time in order to catch up. By the end of it, I got into a cycle where I would get fired up to write due to my competitive spirit and then when I try to write, I start worrying whether or not I should release because of possible hate comments I could get. I know RRL isn’t like that but it still got under my skin because of the type of person I am. That was why I started expressing myself on another format, live streaming. I realised that this year, the only thing that made me properly happy was reading your comments and seeing your support on my fanfic so I am giving my all to push through my nervousness and give you guys what you deserve. This is the first chapter of many to come, hopefully new and improved. Please continue to support me. *bows*

PS: I am continuing to live stream so if you have any questions or just want to chat, you can watch me on www.twitch.tv/branchingsky and ask them to me live. I have a plan to submit a novel to a publishing company in about five years and stream a lot in the five years up till then. I kind of want being a pro author and live streamer to be my profession so I hope you guys support me. If I do not make it, I will continue writing and streaming but I will have to get a real job. My life is in your hands; for my future and your enjoyment, please comment and help me to improve my work.

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***

Drac’s point of view

***

The Beastman Chief introduced herself as Aydan, meaning ‘from the moon’, while I was being dragged by her, tied up in a cage, naked, with Greeny. As I was being dragged, I could feel every small bump and crack transmitting from the ground, through the metal cage and into me. The effect made me fairly nauseous which worsened the journey to where I could only guess was Aydan’s hut. On the bright side though, I was not going to get eaten and I did get to see the village for what it was.

Most of the buildings seemed to be made of rudimentary materials such as hay, mud, cloth and interwoven branches that all seemed to fit together to give a ‘one with nature’ feel. It definitely fit my assumption of how a Beastman would live: purely focusing on hunting/fighting with only the bare necessities for comfort such as a hay bed or what not. The huts themselves were placed everywhere; from the small ones balanced in trees with networks of wooden bridges connecting them; to the more lavish and better crafted ones the ground. I would assume it represents some sort of hierarchy with scouts and weak fighters at the top, safer from invaders while the strongest would be on the ground.

The occasional child ran up to my cage being dragged and would kick it, curse at me, then run away laughing. The Gosthav tribe would be high up on my ‘to kill list’ if not for the fact they were going to eat the soldier pricks. Still, there were more children around than I had expected which made my journey all the more worse.

Finally, I was dragged in front of the largest hut I could see before being brought inside. A curtain that seemed to act as a door was drawn closed and Aydan sat down in front of me on a cushion.

“What are you?” the Aydan asked. “Other Beastmen might not be able to tell the difference but my nose is particularly keen. While resembling one and wearing their clothes, you are not a human and that slime is not an ordinary one either.”

I have to play it safe here. She could still kill me. I myself should know best that the best trophies aren’t always the ones that are alive.

“I am… It does not matter what I am, rather, what matters is what I can do for you.” I replied.

“Do for me? Boy, what exactly could you do for me? I am after all the one who holds your life in her hands. I would be fairly surprised if you have something of value for me.”

She did not reveal anything to me at that point, keeping all of her thoughts and feelings locked behind her straight face.

“Oh! There is something you could possibly do,” Aydan said enthusiastically before an evil grin, rivalling my own, spread across her face.

I have to say, this is the first time I have been attracted to a member of the opposite sex.

“I will let you go free if you retrieve my ancestor’s necklace from the great dungeon here. She died while exploring and I believe the only person capable of retrieving it would be me. However, I am stuck here governing our village. I highly doubt you are capable of accomplishing such a feat yet you do seem special.”

“Okay but first, can you let me out of this cage and get my things from wherever you took them to?”

Aydan nodded and opened the cage and untied me. I am fairly glad we came to this agreement yet something makes me wonder. They have people here who are easily stronger than Arthur, yet the strongest Beastman is the only one who is powerful enough to retrieve it? Although this will be killing two birds with one stone, I think this dungeon will be a lot more difficult than the last.

Aydan left and returned with two Beastmen holding my gear. After checking that everything was still there, I grabbed it off of them and started getting ready. I am already naked, what is the point of getting ready privately?

After equipping everything, including the gauntlet which readjusted its size, once again, I was led back through the village and into thick foliage. After about five minutes, we reached a door, inscribed with what I could only guess was some sort of ancient writing that looked similar to the markings I saw on the ruins before the labyrinth. Around it was a wall of trees and also vines interwoven to create an archway of green.

“Good luck.”

Aydan patted me on the back with such force that I was lifted off the ground slightly and landed, one foot from where I was standing, on my back side.

“I’m sure you need it,” one Beastman snorted before getting a slap over the head from Aydan.

I got back onto my feet and with scimitar in hand and a shield strapped to the other, I pushed open the door and went through before it closed behind me.

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Author note: I am not adding Drac’s stats to the end of chapters anymore unless some sort of change happens. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter.