Cait Sith Chapter 16: So… They are Neither Cute nor Hairy

While Tulip and Vargas were setting up the Campsite.

We have been hunting a lot of monsters since we separated from the group setting up the camp. But I have to know if the frequency of our encounters with the monsters is within the norm.

“There’s a lot of prey here meow. Has it always been this many?”

“No Sir Victor. As far as I remember we rarely had encountered this frequent.” (Felix)

“By the way, I thought Mia would be following us meow. Why isn’t she here meow?”

“It’s because of Leon. I think she’s at that age.” (Felix)

“Is that why she moved with the survey team meow?”

“She’s always been competitive with Leon. Well Leon was Father’s disciple so she has always seen him as her rival.” (Felix)

I couldn’t help but chuckle at Mia’s action. She really is someone who tends to stand out. I know she’s looking at me as some older brother or father figure or a hero that saved them. It’s a good thing too since I don’t know if I could return her feelings if her feelings blossomed to something more than admiration.

“Leon has always acted as our big brother. He’s our father’s disciple, so he took us under his wing and continued mentoring us on behalf of our father.” (Felix)

“Well, your father must be happy and proud, meow, that his disciple has mentored his two children into excellent hunters, meow. You’ve all grown quite well.”

Felix gave me a sad chuckle, but it turned into a satisfied grin as he looked at Leon.

“I hope father and mother could see us now. Anyway, we should be meeting the survey team soon.” (Felix)

Leon raised a fist and every hunter stopped.

He then raised his dagger letting it catch the light through the leaves.

Soon leaves above us rustled and we saw Mia. She jumped from the branch and landed softly near Leon.

“Leon, we found the Forest Wolf nest but different monsters are now living there.” (Mia)

“Good job. What do you think they are?” (Leon)

“Based on the tracks they are humanoid and huge. There are also bones outside so they are carnivorous. They could be ogres or hobgoblins.” (Mia)

“Not bad. So did you find all the exits and entrances?” (Leon)

“Yes. There are three of them. The others are preparing firewood and leaves near the entrances to smoke them out.” (Mia)

Leon chuckled and said,

“Well, you’ve even started preparing before we came.” (Leon)

“Of course, I’m my father’s best disciple.” (Mia)

“Okay, okay. So, you all heard that. Let’s split the group into three. Felix, you go to the third entrance and start a huge fire and blow the smoke in so they won’t get out there. Mia do the same in the second entrance. Sir Victor and I will wait in ambush, killing whatever is inside the nests. Got it?” (Leon)

“Yes.” (Hunters)

Then we discussed the plan further and Mia told us the approximate number of monsters in the nest. Once we’re done with the plan. Mia described the entrances and gave us directions. We were now ready to start with the operation

“Okay. Move out.” (Leon)

“Good luck Sir Victor. Please take care of Leon he’s really not that great as he thinks he is. See you later everyone” (Mia)

“Come on Mia. Good luck everyone.” (Felix)

“Sure kid. Everyone be careful. Sir Victor let’s head to the nest.” (Leon)

Everyone quietly left the scouts moving from tree to tree while the others walked on the ground carrying tools and supplies and other paraphernalia. We are planning on thinning at least two nests before we move back to camp. The scouts usually carry very little but they are in charge of detecting enemies and relaying information between teams. I asked Leon to let me join the scouts just as we travel towards the entrance.

Leon knew my range of detecting enemies is superior to theirs so he didn’t argue, but he requested that I join the strike team with him once we’re on site.

“Let’s head towards that flashing light.” (Leon)

“Hmm… It’s too quiet meow.”

“I know. Let’s meet with the survey group and find more about the situation there.” (Leon)

Once we approached the survey team. They relayed the information they have observed until the moment we approached.

We found out that a small squad left from here. Probably a hunting party like ours. So we will be executing the plan before some of their fighting force is away.

“Okay everyone. Send the signal and then we will begin.” (Leon)

One of the scouts, a half-elf, summoned 3 balls of light high above us. The balls of light began to fly in circles. From above I saw two groups of lights doing the same.

“On three.”, Leon said, and the scout nodded, and the balls began to flicker

“Three.”, A ball vanished, and we lit the twigs and leaves creating smoke. While some of the mages with us controlled the smoke making it cover the mouth of the cave. I recited a prayer,

Sancte Michael Archangele,

defende nos in proelio;

contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium.

And the tension in the air was replaced with confidence.

“Two.”, Another ball vanished, and I felt air rushing towards us from inside the hole.

“One.”, the final ball vanished, and you can hear creatures running towards the hole. I recited my final prayer, and our weapons were sheathed with an ethereal glow.

Offer nostras preces in conspectu Altissimi. Ut cito anticipent nos misericordiae Domini. Et apprehendas draconem, serpentem antiquum, qui est diabolus et satanas, ac ligatum mittas in abyssum.

Then an ugly balding creature with greyish dark-green skin appeared. Two tusks are protruding from its wrinkled face. It was bulky and was holding a club. But the most prominent feature it has was its two disproportionately huge feet.

“Go! Kill that troll and the others that will follow!” (Leon)

It was time to kill as many of the trolls and thin their population.

~3^rd Person Perspective~

The Trolls and the hunters collide.

The rumbling growls and thundering roars of the trolls echoed and drowned the battle cries of the hunters from Dao Village.

“ROOOOAAAAARRRR!!!!” (Trolls)

“WAAAAARRRRRGGGG!!!” (Trolls)

But the sound of arrows enchanted with wind attribute ripping through flesh, and fireballs exploding fought against the monsters’ cries.

The agile beastkins used their superior mobility to tear through the thick Troll hides.

The other massive beastkins with bulging muscles swung their maces and shields pushing back the trolls towards the smoke blinding and choking them.

The mages, primarily half-elves, concentrated on directing the smoke towards the trolls and protecting their allies from its effects. Some cast physical enhancement spells to support their fellow hunters.

“Spirits I beseech you! Burn my enemies with your blaze! [Fire Ball]!” (Hunter)

*Booom!!!*

“Spirits heed my plea! Guide my arrows with your speedy wind! [Enchant Wind]!” (Hunter)

*Whoosh!*

“[Shield Bash]!” “[Skullbasher]!” “[Enhance Mobility]!” “[Enhance Strength]!” “[Enhance Defense]!” (Hunters)

Chunks of flesh and blood sprayed across the ground. The ground was painted red, soaked by buckets upon buckets of blood.

But Trolls are known to have quite the formidable endurance and stamina. There is also their almost endless regeneration.

“The attacks are more effective because of the [Scripture] but there are too many of them!” (Hunter)

“Just keep it up!” (Leon)

“Do you think the others are fine?!” (Hunter)

“Concentrate here so we can end it faster and check up on them. [Wide Slash]” (Leon)

“Gaaah! The trolls are coming back! We only have a few moments before they arrive here.” (Hunter)

The Hunters have killed more than half of the trolls from the cave. However, their stamina was being drained faster than they anticipated. The number of enemies was just too much and their constant use of their skills and continuous swing of their weapons are beginning to burden them.

“Spirits I… hah… I beseech you! Burn my enemies… hah… with your blaze! [Fire Ball]!” (Hunter)

*Booom!!!*

“Spirits heed—m-my plea! Guide my arrows with your speedy w-wind! [Enchant Wind]!” (Hunter)

*Whoosh!*

“[Shield Bash]!” “[Skullbasher]!” “[Wide Slash]!” “[Enhance Mobility]!” “[Enhance Strength]!” “[Enhance Defense]!” (Hunters)

Exhaustion was clear on their faces. But the fire in their eyes was far from dying.

“Everyone don’t worry meow! Don’t give up!”

O caelestis medice et comes fidelissime, Sancte Raphael, esto corporis et animae meae medicus, pelle ignorantiae tenebras, mihique in periculosa huius vitae peregrinatione constanter assiste, donec me ad caelestem patriam perducas. Amen.

A gentle breeze and spread from Victor as the center. Like a drop of water on a quiet lake the ripple spread, and each hunter touched by that gentle breeze felt their exhaustion ease. Like a second wind from within blew away all their fatigue. Like time reversing its flow their wounds began to close and heal, their bruises fade and vanish beneath their skin.

“Woah! [Area Heal]! Templars have really strong skills and magic.” (Hunter)

“No, it’s a healing and stamina rejuvenation [Scripture]! It’s different from other healing magic I’ve seen! I am able to absorb mana faster.” (Hunter)

“Look! Even if I’m up here I am still affected.” (Hunter)

“Hey! Don’t waste Sir Victor’s help. Come on!” (Leon)

“I will go on meow on and take on the returning trolls, meow!”

“Got it! Be careful Sir Victor. We’ll follow once we’re done.” (Leon)

The hunters kept subjugating every troll that came out of the hole. Now with renewed strength and fatigue gone. They feel like they could kill these trolls faster.

Leon glanced to where Victor was. But Victor was nowhere in sight.

“Sir Victor is doing a lot of the work! Show him we’re not just some hangers-on! Finish all of them!!!” (Leon)

““YEAH!!!”” (Hunters)

~Victor’s Perspective~

“The trolls are not as cute as I expected, meow.”

*Sigh*

“There are no cute monster’s around, meow.”

I ran away from the mouth of the cave.

I was planning on attacking the Trolls’ hunting party on my own. I noticed that there are a lot of them, and I know the hunters will be overwhelmed. There’s also a dangerous individual among them.

From my observation and [Appraisal] these trolls are Savage Trolls. The ones we defeated were Juveniles and pregnant females. The ones returning are a Troll Commander and Troll Berserkers. They are tougher and deadlier than the ones in the nest.

“[Status Open]!”

Name: Victor              Race: Cait Sith          Sex: Male       Age: 1

Proficiency: None     Title:   Jack-of-All-Trades, Unfortunate Guy, Cat Maniac,

Survivor of Misfortune, Follower of Fluffy, Exorcist,

Demon Slayer, Assassin, Guardian Deity

Class: None

Level: 20

Skill Points: 15

Attributes:

• Strength: B
• Vitality: D
• Endurance: B
• Agility: B
• Dexterity: B
• Intelligence: A
• Magic: A
• Luck: F

Skills

• Passive: [Strength Up Lvl 4] [Stamina Recovery Up Lvl 7] [Physical Damage Resistance Lvl 5] [Poison Resistance Lvl 2] [Fatigue Resistance Lvl 7] [Hunger Resistance Lvl 3] [Intuition Lvl 6] [Meditation Lvl 5] [Enhanced Holy Attack Lvl 3] [Holy Aptitude Lvl 5] [Mana Recovery Lvl 1] [Language Comprehension Lvl 4] [Enhanced Reflex Lvl 4] [Evasion Lvl 2] [Parry Lvl 2] [Enhanced Natural Recovery Lvl 1] [Mana Detection Lvl 4] [Mana Control Lvl 4]
• Active: [Negotiation Lvl 5] [Melee Combat Lvl 5] [Blade Combat Lvl 5] [Cooking Lvl 3] [Grooming Lvl 10] [Stealth Lvl 8] [Intimidation Lvl 2] [Construction Lvl 4] [Crafting Lvl 3] [Riding Lvl 1] [Persevere Lvl 3] [Prayer Lvl 6] [Exorcism Lvl 5] [Barrier Magic Lvl 1] [Life Magic Lvl 2] [Appraisal Lvl 4] [Blade Dance Lvl 2] [Counter Lvl 1] [Assassination Lvl 2] [Holy Magic Lvl 2] [Spatial Magic Lvl 1] [Shadow Magic Lvl 1] [Enchantment Magic Lvl 1]
• Unique: [Hunter’s Blessing] [Enlightened] [Deft Hands] [Jack-of-All-Trades] [Self Status] [Carnivora] [Felinidae Sanguis] [Devotion] [Silky Fur] [Soft Paws] [Guardian]

Special

• Follower of Fluffy

Well, looks like I have new skills points. I don’t think I need [Chantless] for now, so, I should take spirit magic instead, I guess.

So, what’s is this new title and unique skill,

Guardian Deity –         Condition: become a person worshiped by a small territory. [Gifted by Fluffy]

Effect: Grants the skill [Guardian]

Guardian – instinctively lets the Guardian Deity know when his devotees are in danger.

“I should select… Hmm… I feel like I should wait for a bit before meow.”

There’s a new prayer I want to try. I don’t know what effect it would have but my instinct tells me this would be just perfect for my needs. So, I stopped and knelt to the ground and pray.

Princeps gloriosissime caelestis militiae, sancte Michaël Archangele, defende nos in praelio et colluctatione, quae nobis adversus principes et potestates, adversus mundi rectores tenebrarum harum, contra spiritualia nequitiae, in caelestibus.

Deprecare Deum pacis, ut conterat satanam sub pedibus nostris, ne ultra valeat captivos tenere homines, et Ecclesiae nocere. Offer nostras preces in conspectu Altissimi, ut cito anticipent nos misericordiae Domini, et apprehendas draconem, serpentem antiquum, qui est diabolus et satanas, ac ligatum mittas in abyssum, ut non seducat amplius gentes.

After I finished reciting the prayer, I felt a huge amount of mana was being pulled from my body.

Then my vision suddenly changed, I am looking at the troll hunting party from above. Simultaneously, the mana from my body is being refilled and drawn out. Swords of light then start appearing from above the clouds.

I kept track of all the trolls and once I’m sure I know where all of them are… I just let it go.

Suddenly hundreds of swords made of pure light rained down on the Trolls. I can see the trolls looking up in awe and fear. They cannot comprehend what was about to happen.

And in a beat, each troll was skewered to the ground like frogs on a dissecting table.

My vision returned to normal, and I ran towards the trolls.

When I reached the area, I saw something shocking.

“The trolls have been turned to statues made of salt.”

The trolls were pierced multiple times by the swords of light but there were no sights of a wound in the statues.

“[Appraisal]”

Blessed Salt   – A purified salt that purifies anything it touches from miasma. Effective at removing curses and poison. It is also great for cooking and preserving food. Turns [Pure Water] into [Holy Water]. Can be used to create barriers and seals. Soluble in water so keep it in a cool dry place.

                        – Made from high-ranking trolls purified by [Swords of Purifying Light].

“Meow, that’s interesting.”

I should keep them before the others arrive. But,

“A-are those the trolls?!” (Leon)

“Me-meow?”

But just as I was about to clear the area I found Leon standing behind me. I should always keep my guard up, even against presences without malice. I’ve been too distracted.

“They kind-(of)meow turned to salt-meow!”

“I didn’t kn-(ow)meow what happened meow.”

“Leon I pro(mise)meow I’m not going to do this to any(body)meow else, meoooow!”

“Leon?”

When I approached and touched Leon, he just toppled backward.

“You fainted while standing up meow? MEEOOWW?!”