Chapter 26 - A New Player?
Edge of Tretch Forest
A middle aged man stood at the edge staring into the forest with a look of subtle concentration. The man was focused on staring at the forest and only looked away when another figure arrived standing on a cyan colored disk hovering in the air.
The new arrival was obviously female and was dressed in a red fancy gown that while intricate still clung to her curved body with a split on one side to show off her leg. The neckline was only a little plunged and just enough to tease a beholder with the generous cleavage of her large breasts.
Her neck was fair and so was every part of her body that was visible. Only her green eyes were visible as she had a red veil covering the lower part of her face. Her black hair was sleek and shiny and draped to the top of her shapely butt.
Needless to say, even with part of her face covered, the woman was breathtaking and would incur lust in any man. However the middle aged man had nothing but respect in his eyes for that red garbed lady
"Your highness" He bowed towards her
The lady however simply chuckled and shushed him "shh, someone could be listening in. You'll cause a commotion" Even her voice seemed aimed at inciting nefarious thoughts. Even though it was not her intention It had a subtle seductive slur to it.
"My apologies" The man bowed again
The lady waved it off "So, this is it. And you're sure there's an astral beast in this forest"
"I am quite certain. The information was received from a trusted source, also no one in this city should be able to defeat it. Absorbing the astral energy could really help further refine your astral sense"
The mm was once again concentrating on the forest. The lady looked concerned
"Don't strain yourself too much" DM she told him
"It's alright, my lady. Manipulating demon beasts of this level is not really difficult. I have made sure to attack everyone who comes into this forest. There will be no witnesses"
"Any casualties" she asked
"Only the necessary ones. However I do not believe anyone has been killed or fatally injured so far. Although there is a particularly persistent one that has escaped the senses of the beasts"
"Very well then let's get this over with" she said and began to fly towards the forest when...
BOOM!!
...a loud rumbling was emitted from the forest in the direction they had marked as where the salmon lair was.
"Damn it, it's that persistent fellow" The middle aged man was incensed.
...
30 minutes earlier
Hal had found the salmon lair. The lair was a hill cave with it's entrance protects by green astral energy. Hal walked towards it and was surprised to find no runes, he was able to use astral sense to create an opening that he goes through to arrive at the interior.
The moment he was inside he could feel the presccence of the entity, the floor was littered with gold coins but the amount was abysmal and disappointing.
"Ah, I see you made it here" A voice said from the shadows, it sounded male and youthful
"Why? Because of all the demon beasts you have stationed outside?" Hal retorted
"Why would I do that? I dislike those primitive fellows who are simply satisfied with their inferior state" The voice replied in kind
"Oh I don't know" Hal said sarcastically " To protect yourself"
"Protect myself? If I am not brilliant enough to protect myself and must depend on stupid beasts for survival, I would much rather destroy myself" And then the voice paused
"I thought you were the one making the demon beasts act strangely. I mean stranger than usual. They were actually cooperating.
"Even those four lords joined the fray all in an attempt to keep people out of this forest. Someone wanted me for themselves"
'Ah ha, so we finally solved the mystery of the strange behavior of the demon beasts' Hal said to grimiore
'Yes, there seems to be another player. Good thing you made haste or they could have gotten here be for you'
"Just take the gold, it should be enough to prove your hunt" The voice said
"And is this all of your wealth? Hal asked
The voice chuckled "I would be a fool if I kept my fortune littered across the floor. If I ever have to flee how would I take it with me. No I keep it safe at all times"
"And why would you even amass wealth. You cannot make use of it can you?" From the sharp intake of breath Hal knew he had touched a nerve
When the voice spoke next it was with a voice of barely suppressed ire
"Typical of humans. Believing they are the only ones who should hold the power of currency and all beast should not have access to shiny things. So we like Gold, so what?. I want to have it, who are you to ask me what I intend to do with MY WEALTH" the voice snarled and the one who owned the voice floated out of the shadows and Hal's was surprised by it's appearance
The creature was a salmon without a doubt, and it was completely composed of astral energy. It was also about eight inches long and 3 inches tall. Somehow the fish face looked incensed. Hanging from it's sides were two spartial pouches held there by astral energy.
Hal knew they must have been acquired recently, the salmon obviously occasionally left it's lair scouring for ways to easily move it's wealth.
Hal was convinced that there must be a reason for the eccentric nature of astral beast in amassing wealth like humans. Could it be that developing astral sense and harnessing astral energy made them gain human like qualities?. That would explain their ability to talk early and their enhanced reasoning abilities.
Or maybe developing astral sense just made them the way they should have been originally as astral beast always claim.
Hal withdrew attack runes instantly and prepared to go on the offensive when an arrow of congealed astral energy was formed right in front of the salmon and it sped towards him at blinding speed.
Hal's instincts were on hyperdrive as he managed to dodge the arrow.
Astral beasts usually couldn't draw runes but they were able to use astral energy to attack or defend. The attack usually would not be affiliated with any element but was potent all the same.
Humans could use astral energy this way too but as their bodies do not hold astral energy and is not composed of it like astral beasts the strain would be too high causing a lot of pain but very little gain.
"You have made me angry, and now i want you DEAD" salmon said before creating a barrage of astral arrows which he unleashed on Hal like it was judgment day!.