84. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
84. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
Fuck. Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck.
Bruke evolved into an Ogre General!
Okay, what does that even mean?
Let’s say an Orc Patron can beat a Goblin Patron, an Ogre Patron can beat an Orc Patron, and an Ogre General can beat an Ogre Patron. Theoretically, that’s three levels stronger than a baseline tier-three like Peter the Bunny Patron. Add onto that the fact ‘Leadership-type’ evolutions (such as Wolf Lord) are among the strongest in their tier.
In other words, ‘Ogre General’ is a top third-tier existence, if not peak third-tier. And here I am still struggling to beat a Harpy Matron…
“Yesterday, Dura go Fen challenge Bruke! Dura lose… End!”
Other than her story being aggravatingly absent of details, it does paint a clear picture of what happened. An Ogre General is a leader of Ogres, said evolution requiring the defeat of many Ogres. Dura was the last in a long line of Ogres Bruke needed to beat in order to complete his advanced evolution.
In other words, this is my fault.
“This means war…” Suka assesses with a grim expression as her ears fall flat.
“Mmm, yep, many battl’s. Much smash!”
“They’re right,” Gabby says with a deep frown. “Bruke will challenge the Wolf Lord for control of the region soon. It’ll be a blood bath.”
In the past, the Goblinoid and wolves have raided and skirmished back and forth between Ogre Fen and Kennel Hills without a victor being decided. Maybe whole generations have gone by like this. With such a drastic change in Bruke’s power, I can’t help but think this battle will be more decisive. If Bruke commits to killing the Wolf Lord or dying… the chances of them both being slain are slim.
A single dominant third-tier seizing the region would change things significantly. Their peoples’ population would expand out of control. They’d gorge themselves on Fuzzy Field’s mice and bunnies, starving the Harpies on the Mountain, overrun all but the deepest parts of Charlatan Forest, and their raids would spill into neighboring territories like the Human Plains and my hometown.
I think I just instigated an Incursion.
Oh, fuck, this is all my fault!
“Suka, why didn’t the Wolf Lord kill Bruke before he evolved and take control of the region years ago?” I have to ask.
Her tail droops. “I don’t know for sure. I always assumed it was because the losses from wiping out the Ogre Fen would weaken our pack against foreign Incursions. If there’s another reason, the Wolf Lord never explained himself.”
That’s one good reason, at least. I don’t know what monsters lurk beyond the edges of the map, but they can’t be any nicer than the ones I’ve met. I know there are Ursa and Neko in the Dark Woods south of the Human Plains. That’s about it. Maybe the village elders know more?
Alright, I need to come up with a plan, but first, let me finish this task before the golden hour ends.
*Draconic Marks – None*
Kobold Claws
Lizardman Claws
Kobold Scales
Lizardman Scales
Kobold Stature
Lizardman Stature
Kobold Hemipenis
Lizardman Hemipenis
Kobold Inner Heat
Lizardman Inner Spark
With great reluctance, I refund my Hemipenis. Bye-bye buddy, I’ll see you soon.
*Selected Lizardman Scales!*
I don’t notice any change at first. Feeling my arms, tummy, and breasts, I find my scales as soft as ever. It’s not until I poke myself in the gut I realize the difference. It seems Lizardman scales harden in response to piercing and slashing attacks. Fascinating.
Next, I refund Kobold Scales since I selected that mark before golden hour started.
*Selected Kobold Inner Heat!*
Through some clever strategery, I’ve manipulated my Draconic marks to get me a second-tier ability along with a decent first-tier one. Great!
*Forest Marks – None*
Mandragora Photosynthesis
Pitcher Treefolk Photosynthesis
Twisted Treefolk Twisted Apple
Twisted Treefolk Roots
Pitcher Treefolk Vines
Mandragora Plant Growth Magic
Pitcher Treefolk Plant Growth Magic
Twisted Treefolk Bark Skin
Twisted Treefolk Earth Magic
Twisted Treefolk Cock
Pitcher Treefolk Stomach Acid
I see some potential for mark manipulation. First, I refund Twisted Treefolk Earth Magic.
*Selected Pitcher Treefolk Photosynthesis!*
My scales become a significantly deeper shade of green. Then I refund Mandragora Photosynthesis, slightly lightening my scales’ color.
*Selected Twisted Treefolk Earth Magic!*
Excellent work if I do say so myself. I should be less hungry today with tier-two Photosynthesis as long as I get plenty of sun. Spelunking in the caves for hours left me hungrier than I’d have otherwise been today, so I’m thankful Gabby made that roast.
Next up, I see the mark I spent on a Bunny Patron cock (and later unequipped through Paternal Malleability) got refunded by the sunrise.
*Fuzzy Marks – One*
Rodent Nose (Bunny, Mouse, Mole-man)
Rodent Ears (Bunny, Mouse)
Mouse Predator Sense
Rodent Stature (Bunny, Mouse)
Bunny Patron Stature
Bunny Patron Longevity
Bunny Patron Strength
Rodent Tail (Bunny, Mouse, Playmate)
Mouse Balance
Playmate Anal Lube
Rodent Legs (Bunny, Mouse, Playmate)
Bunny Hop
Good Digger
Lucky Rabbit Foot
Bunny Patron Legs
Rodent Cock (Bunny, Mouse, Mole-man)
Bunny Patron Cock
Bunny Stamina
Bunny Patron Stamina
Mole-man Earth Magic
Bunny Patron Earth Magic
Mole-man Claws
Mole-man Summon Shovel
Bunny Patron Summon Carrot
Bunny Playmate Outfit
I refund my mouse tail.
*Selected Bunny Patron Stamina!*
Then I refund Bunny Stamina and hold two marks in reserve. All that changed is a simple advancement of my sexual Stamina.
Continuing on…
*Slime Marks – None*
Slime Constitution
Slime Core
Slime Constitution (Jell, Fuz, Pnk, Lrg, Swm, Red)
Slime Malleability
Slime Malleability (Jell, Fuz, Pnk, Lrg, Swm, Red)
Slime Mutability
Slime Amalgamation
Slime Mutability (Jell, Fuz, Pnk, Lrg, Swm, Red)
Slime Hair / Legs / Arms / Stature
Red Slime Hair / Legs / Arms / Stature
Jellyfish Slime Tentacles
Fuzzy Slime Flesh Shaping
Large Slime Stature
Fuzzy Slime Fur
Pink Slime Restoration
Small Swarm Slime Multitasking
Red Slime Blood Magic
I refund Slime Mutability, otherwise satisfied with my selection.
Proceeding onward, I refund Orc Strength.
*Goblinoid Marks – One*
Goblin Ears
Goblinoid Ears (Apprentice, Hob, Orc)
Goblin Gut
Goblinoid Gut (Apprentice, Hob, Orc)
Goblin Nails
Hobgoblin Nails
Goblin Stature
Hobgoblin Stature
Orc Stature
Orc Strength
Ogre Stature
Ogre Strength
Ogre Toughness
Goblin Cock
Goblinoid Cock (Hob, Orc, Ogre)
Goblin Apprentice Fast Learner
Goblin Apprentice Quick Study
Goblin Apprentice Summon Spectacles
Summon Club (Hobgoblin, Orc, Ogre)
*Hob/Orc/Ogre Cock is available without requirement through Paternal Malleability!*
*Selected Ogre Toughness!*
Another subtle change. I pinch myself to discover the pain is muted even given my enhanced strength. It’ll take a lot more to draw my blood and I can soak damage like Dura. A fantastic addition to my abilities.
Finally, I refund Ogre Stature. It’s too tall for my taste.
Now, I have a Goblinoid mark to pick up Quick Study if I run into any Dark Magic users. If I’m in a tough spot I’ll take Orc Strength for a minor boost or maybe Goblin Gut. Even Ogre Cock would be a clutch choice in certain conditions.
As for my Mer marks, I decide to refund Mermaid Water Magic. As great an addition to my repertoire as it is, I want a little more freedom. Most of my opponents at this stage can deal with my Water Magic + Earth Magic combo. It’s beneficial to have if I lose access to drinking water, but otherwise, I may as well keep that mark in my back pocket.
*Avian Marks – None*
Harpy Sight
Harpy Wings
Bloodwing Air-Dodge
Harpy Tailfeathers
Harpy Matron Form
Harpy Matron Fertility
Harpy Matron Longevity
Harpy Talons
Harpy Lightweight
Harpy Matron Lightweight
Harpy Air Magic
Harpy Matron Air Magic
Lesser Siren Voice
Lesser Siren Enchanting Melody
Lesser Siren Charm Resistance
Bloodwing Blood Magic
Bloodwing Cock
I refund Harpy Air Magic, Harpy Sight, and Bloodwing Blood Magic. Hear me out.
The first-tier Air Magic only adds a little to my power and BBM is redundant with the Slime version. I can’t equip Blood Star without double-strength Blood Magic, but I can make something nearly as good with Flou’s help. If I decide I need to fly somewhere, I’ll be able to get Harpy Wings and Harpy Tailfeathers to get almost the full Harpy flight setup. If instead, I run into a strong enemy, I’ll re-equip BBM.
Flight options enabled!
Lastly, I refund my Wolf Cock, returning me to a smooth feminine mons pubis covered in green scales.
*Canine Marks – One*
Wolf Nose
Wolf Nose (Dire, Cinder)
Wolf Lord’s Nose
Wolf Claws
Wolf Claws (Dire, Cinder)
Wolf Lord’s Claws
Wolf Tail
Wolf Tail (Dire, Cinder)
Wolf Lord’s Tail
Wolf Legs
Wolf Rush
Wolf Legs (Dire, Cinder)
Cinderwolf Rush
Wolf Lord’s Legs
Wolf Jaws
Wolf Jaws (Dire, Cinder)
Wolf Lord’s Jaws
Cinderwolf Ember Magic
Wolf Cock
Wolf Cock (Dire, Cinder)
Wolf Lord’s Cock
*Dire/Cinder Wolf Cock is available without requirement through Paternal Malleability!*
Ooh, very nice! Looks like I need to select Dire or Cinder Wolf Cock at some point to permanently unlock the Wolf Lord’s Cock. That thing is a monster… well, more so than most of my options. I’m not sure Gabby can handle it when I barely managed. She’d be split in two!
Ahem, serious business time.
I refund Wolf Rush. There’s no point in having two Rush abilities, I don’t think. Another moment of contemplation leads me to refund Wolf Nose. As much as I love superhuman senses, I have Partner Tracker now. I may reselect it if I need to cover a lot of ground on foot today, but I so rarely use Wolf Nose when I’m on a mission like yesterday.
With that, I have a wealth of three free Canine marks to do with as I wish throughout the day. Thank you Power Bond and thank you, Suka! Trying to free up enough Canine marks and manipulate them in the morning to go Wolf Legs-->Cinderwolf Legs-->Cinderwolf Rush has been a serious pain in my ass! No more!
“Gabby, water mirror?”
My Goblin wife wields her wooden wang to conjure a few pints of water and flatten the bubble into a flat, partially reflective surface. Smiling to reveal my Webling fangs, I look like a vampiric green lizard girl! A fucking hot vampiric green lizard girl, that is.
*All Marks – Sixty!* |
|
*The Wolf Lord’s Toy | Three Canine Marks!* |
*Harpy Bride | Two Avian Marks!* |
*Mermaid Bride | One Mer Mark!* |
*Married the Goblin Apprentice | Two Goblinoid Marks!* |
*Fishman Slayer | One Mer Mark!* |
*Cancer Conquest | One Mer Mark!* |
*Pacified the Large Pink Jellyfish Slime | Four Slime Marks!* |
*Overcame the Moleman | Two Fuzzy Marks!* |
*Toyed with the Playmate Bunny | Two Fuzzy Marks!* |
*Ogress Layer | Two Goblinoid Marks!* |
*Hobbled the Hobgoblin | One Goblinoid Mark!* |
*Roasted the Twisted Apple Treefolk | Two Forest Marks!* |
*Barbequed the Pitcher Treefolk | One Forest Mark!* |
*Tamed the Cinderwolf | One Canine Mark!* |
*Converted the Small Fuzzy Red Slime Swarm | Three Slime Marks!* |
*Mouse Bride | One Fuzzy Mark!* |
*Trounced the Bunny Patron |
One Fuzzy Mark!* |
*Made the Lesser Siren Sing |
One Avian Mark!* |
*Bloodied the Bloodwing Harpy | One Avian Mark!* |
*Turned the Tables on a Black Widow Webling | Two Darkling Marks!* |
*Unearthed the Webling Burrower | One Darkling Mark!* |
*Kobold Bride | One Draconic Mark!* |
*Slaughtered the Lizardmen | One Draconic Mark* |
*Satisfied the Wicked Weaver Webling | Two Darkling Marks!* |
*Decapitated the Imp | One Profane Mark!* |
*Subdued the Harpy Matron | One Avian Mark!* |
*Male Breeder Marks | Eleven Marks!* |
*Female Breeder Marks | Eight Marks!* |
Shockingly, I managed to nearly double my total mark count again. It felt like a really long day, though, so it shouldn’t come as a big surprise. It’s true that Breeder Marks are playing a large part in the numbers, but I’m proud of what I accomplished given my mission was originally a low-key retrieval.
Who knows, maybe today won’t be too crazy (snerk).
*Pets*
*Loyal Large Pink Jellyfish Slime Core*
*Dedicated Small Fuzzy Red Slime Swarm*
*Subjugated Slime Cores – Two*
Wow, I guess saving Cottontail and Megan had a profound effect on Flou. This does make me wonder what I did to change Olindia’s status besides putting her to work, though. Twenty-four hours ago, she was ‘Lazy;’ isn’t this a big turnaround? Oh, well. Let’s see how they do today.
*Offspring – Eleven* |
|
*Mermaids | Two (Unborn)* |
*Goblins | One (Unborn)* |
*Mandragora |
Three (Unborn)* |
*Fuzzy | Three (Unborn)* |
*Draconic |
Two (Unborn)* |
I’m so excited to see all my cute little babies in nine months! We’re going to have our hands full, LOL!
*Selected Racial Marks – Twenty-eight + One*
Cinderwolf Rush (Power Bond)
Cinderwolf Ember Magic
Harpy Lightweight
Harpy Matron Air Magic
Fishman Summon Spear
Cancer Summon Armor
Orc Stature
Ogress Strength
Ogress Toughness
Goblin Apprentice Fast Learner
Mouse Predator Sense
Lucky Rabbit Foot
Bunny Patron Stamina
Bunny Patron Earth Magic
Slime Core
Jellyfish Slime Constitution
Slime Amalgamation
Pink Slime Restoration
Small Swarm Slime Multitasking
Red Slime Blood Magic
Pitcher Treefolk Photosynthesis
Pitcher Treefolk Vines
Twisted Treefolk Earth Magic
Wicked Weaver Profane Sight
Wicked Weaver Webling Fangs
Wicked Weaver Webling Dark Magic
Lizardman Scales
Kobold Inner Heat
Impish Dark Magic
I don’t know if I can take on a Wolf Lord with this loadout, but I’m confident in facing anything less than that. I’m loaded for bear! Not that I expect to fight any Ursa.
*Selected Breeder Marks – Eighteen*
Paternal Malleability I
Paternal Seminal Control – Volume, Qualities, Spawn Attributes
Paternal Seminal Potency – Sustenance, Lure
Paternal Inheritance I
Partner Tracker
Partner Brand
Power Bond I
Maternal Ovarian Control
Maternity Ward
Maternal Create Womb Seed
Maternal Fetus Protection
Maternal Inheritance I
Maternal Mammary Control and Potency – Pacification, Sustenance, Allure
*Available Marks – Fourteen* |
|
Canine | Three! |
Avian | Three! |
Mer | One! |
Goblinoid | One! |
Slime | One! |
Fuzzy | Two! |
Forest | None! |
Darkling | Two! |
Draconic | None! |
Profane | None! |
Breeder (male) | One! |
Breeder (female) | None! |
Land, sea, or air, I can tackle it! I can even switch modes to some degree by using Slime Malleability to refund a body modification. My options are wide open.
Now, let me think...