Dreu decided that he needed some fresh air to clear his head. He ordered everyone including Dar to stay outside the room, wanting to not risk any of them to catch degradation should Brornun be awakened. He didn't know if degradation functioned like a disease so he was fearful that being in the same room might also end poorly for them. As he entered the hallway, he noticed the bear cub was playing with Ilveroz and Aggich. As soon as he stepped out, the three companions stopped their play and the bear cub asked him if the direwolf would be fine.
I don’t know.
Dreu didn’t know degradation well enough to claim he had any knowledge so he responded honestly to the bear cub. Ilveroz and Aggich stayed close to the bear cub who lacked a name. Unlike the other demonic creatures, the prompt window didn’t reveal the cub’s name to him. When asked, the cub replied that she didn’t know her name nor did she remember her past. She merely stated that she found herself suddenly in the dark tunnels and, upon hearing the combat, instinctively tried to hide. Then, Dreu showed up and she later woke up in his arms. Dreu made a note to ask Ragellon about what could be happening. First the sorceress showed up and now a random bear cub. Something was happening in the Isonron and he wanted to figure out what.
Let’s all head to the courtyard to get some fresh air. We can then return and check up on Brornun.
In the courtyard, Ilveroz, Aggich and the bear cub resumed their play while the others just enjoyed the peace and quiet. They had all grown accustomed to the destructiveness of the greater demon primate as its impact was limited to the far edges of the city. His worry of the primate destroying the walls was for naught as the walls were far sturdier than he gave them credit. The young man allowed his mind to wander when he kicked himself for forgetting to check the prompt on Brornun. While it was true he couldn’t recall the direwolf, he never once checked the status of his companion. With that, he quickly ran back to the room.
< Lv 3 Lesser Demon Direwolf (Brornun) [Mid-Evolution]:
Evolution:
-This canine creature is capable of evolving once it comes in contact with degradation. Due to how rare degradation is for demonic creatures, evolution is at best rare if not impossible.
-Once this canine creature makes contact with degradation, it enters the stage of [Mid-Evolution]. During [Mid-Evolution], the creature enters a hibernation state where it loses all consciousness. After a set duration, evolution is complete and the creature evolves rapidly into its new form. During [Mid-Evolution], the creature is completely vulnerable and cannot defend itself.
Status:
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+25% attack and defense from veterency.
+15% attack and defense from survival instincts.
-1000% attack and defense from [Mid-Evolution].>
Mid-evolution through degradation?
Dreu didn’t know if this was a good thing or not. He still had many questions regarding the tunnels. They had defeated the velo and the bat abomination but they didn’t touch the hitching post. The post triggered when Ilveroz attacked it and, with Brornun out, they couldn’t afford to see if the post was capable of summoning more powerful foes. He was reluctant in leaving the post alone knowing what it was capable of. The young man also understood that they did a very crude job in sealing off the tunnels so it wasn’t impossible for more underworld creatures to enter the underground systems.
If they make it that far, then there’s nothing stopping them from reaching us.
The thought made Dreu realize that he had no clue on how to escape Isonron. He was told that the artificial city would disappear once its time was up. He made a mental note to check with Ragellon. In the meantime, he watched the direwolf sleeping peacefully on the ground. It wasn’t absurd for Brornun to evolve into an underworld monster given that degradation was the trigger to evolution.
Can we really defeat something stronger than that velo?
Dreu shuddered at the thought a velo was a mere scout as it highlighted the gap in power between humans and underworld creatures. This gap explained why there were those who sought degradation as it wasn’t a tiny boost in power. If the direwolf did become something more terrifying, then he was basically signing all of their death warrants by not killing his companion. As he debated what was the best course of action, Dreu reached for the blade handle.
Can I strike down at a defenseless opponent, even if that opponent is a trusted companion?
He couldn’t bring himself to do something like that nor did he believe his companions could do such a thing. Never once did he view them as mere tools for winning combat. Bayard and the others were his mentors and protectors. Zog and the others were his friends and supports who were there through his highs and lows. Without them, he couldn’t even return to the city during his descent.
“Stay away,” shouted someone in the streets.
Dreu and the others rushed to the streets to find a wounded demonic child. Her right arm was covered in blood while her left hand was raised to fire chaos flames at the attackers. The young man unsheathed his blade upon seeing two velos and an unknown enemy who were unscathed from the child's attacks. Dreu knew that Zog's attacks were considerably stronger than what these demonic children were capable of.
How? Did we trigger something that spawns more enemies? If so, then we are in trouble. And are the barriers now useless?
Without needing orders, Zog already released a wide barrage of chao flames at the enemies. Only the unknown enemy dodged in time and Dreu took advantage of the situation by delivering the finishing blow to the velos whose armor were burning a bright orange.
“Fascinating! I didn’t think there were any strong foes here. Looks like I’ll find some fun after all!”
The remaining foe looked like a much skinnier version of Bayard with jet black armor. It unsheathed its two weapons from scabbards, resulting in the appearance of two crescent moon blades.
