Wolf Pack Invasion

Instead of fear, Richard's eyes gleamed with excitement and greed. In his mind, every beast was a valuable resources for the Nest's development. Wolves meant pelts for clothing and armor, bones that could be fashioned into tools, and even Essence Cores if they were fortunate enough. And the list only grew if he happened to chance upon rare drops.

"It's getting dark," Richard said, glancing at the fading light. The Nest was still bustling with activity. Fays moved about, carrying materials, hammering beams into place, and wove weeds into bundles. Some structures now had roofs made of these woven weeds. It was a temporary solution until more durable materials could be sourced.

Richard's gaze shifted toward the Nest Castle, and he was pleasantly surprised to see its external structure nearly complete, with a roof already in place. Though the surrounding village was devoid of light. They hadn't yet gathered materials to make torches or candles. For now, the dotted lights from the sky were enough to illuminate their way, casting a serene glow over the bustling activity below.

As Richard prepared to leave for the castle with the Queen and the Fays, a sudden, eerie howl echoed through the woods around them. It quickly followed by a chorus of other howls, their chilling timbre piercing the night. Richard planned to tell the Fays to make hunting these wolves their first mission at dawn, but it seemed the wolves had brought the hunt to them. The unsettling noises grew louder as if the pack was drawing closer, each growl and snap of twigs underfoot hinting at an encroaching threat. Richard listened carefully; the wolves' footsteps were everywhere—deliberate, rustling through the dried leaves and brittle branches, almost as though they were intentionally trying to frighten their prey. Around him, the Fays stopped what they were doing, alert and tense. Their eyes scanned the shadowy edges of the forest, and, one by one, they began to close ranks around Richard and Vara, creating a protective circle.

Richard bounced on his toes, craning his neck to catch a glimpse of what was happening beyond the wall of Fays surrounding him. He made several attempts to push his way to the front, but each time, Gartha and Zalis gently but firmly held him back. Frustrated, he gave up and let out a small pout, glancing over at Vara, who stood calmly by his side.

"How many do you think there are?" he asked her, his voice carrying more irritation and impatience than fear.

Vara's gaze was fixed on the forest, her expression as calm and steely as ever. "More than fifty, Master," she replied, her tone unflinching.

Richard clenched his fists, a spark of annoyance flickering in his eyes. "Fifty wolves, huh?" he muttered. The wolves' numbers only fueled his excitement and determination. He could already picture the resources they'd gain if they successfully fended off this pack—pelts, bones, maybe even more Essence Cores if they were lucky.

"Alright, then," he said with a grin, "Let's show these wolves that they've picked the wrong Nest to mess with."

After Richard gave the order, an earth-shaking, deep, guttural growl echoed through the trees like rolling thunder. It started as a low rumble, vibrating through the ground and filling the air with a powerful, primal resonance. As it built up, the roar intensified into a ferocious crescendo, layered with an otherworldly distortion that made it sound both beastly and haunting, as though several creatures were roaring in unison.

Richard felt the trees sway in response to the Roar of the Grimfel. The wolves fell silent, struck with a sudden, paralyzing dread. Afterwards, strong waves of pure energy rippled through the air, sweeping outward in every direction. Then came a series of whimpers from the wolves, followed by panicked growls. The ground beneath him shook as if the very earth trembled with fear. Loud thuds resounded, as if countless heavy objects had fallen from the sky. He could hear trees crashing to the ground, leaves whirling in the air as fierce winds howled, vibrating through the forest. The chaotic sounds continued, each wave of energy hitting with enough force to shake the ground, over and over, for nearly an hour before the forest finally fell silent.

Richard took a deep breath, a mix of frustration and anticipation rising within him. As thrilling as it was, he felt a pang of disappointment at not witnessing the action firsthand. For a kid like him, the thrill of seeing such a display live was irresistible. But for now, he was left to listen, feel, and imagine the havoc that had unfolded beyond his line of sight. He knew the battle has ended as he received the system notification.

System Notification: Victory Over the Bloodhowl Wolf Pack

Beast: 57 Bloodhowl Wolves(Grade D)

Location: Moirai Nest Perimeter

Victory Summary: Moirai has successfully eliminated a pack of hostile wolves threatening the Nest. Over fifty wolves have been neutralized, ensuring safe expansion of the Nest's territory.

Loots Collected:

Wolf Pelts (57): High-quality pelts suitable for crafting clothing or lightweight armor.

Wolf Bones (342): Usable for tool crafting, minor weaponry, and fortifying structures.

Essence Cores (4 - D Grade): Small power cores with potential for enchantment or skill enhancement.

Wolf Fangs (171): Crafting materials with unique properties for talismans or small weapon upgrades.

Special Drops:

Lupine Sinews (10): Rare fibers ideal for strong, flexible bowstrings.

Alpha's Fang (1): A pristine fang with imbued energy; can be used for weapon augmentation or enchantment.

Experience and Growth Gains:

All participating Fays: +67 XP each.

Richard Madwen (Fay Master): +50 XP.

+10% Morale Increase: Fays are inspired by the pack's defeat and energized for upcoming challenges.

Note: An arable land identified in southern territory. Wolves have cleared out, allowing safe farming and development in the area.

As the crowd dispersed, Richard finally saw the aftermath. The ground was strewn with scattered tufts of dark fur and broken branches. Crushed leaves and deep claw marks carved into the soil showed the intensity of the battle. There were no bodies left, as the wolves dispersed into nothing upon death, yet materials were scattered everywhere. Fays diligently gather each piece and bring it to the storage area of the village for future use.

Watching them work, Richard felt helpless seeing everyone so engaged in their task. He wanted to help, but Gartha, his personal guard, gently blocked him, reminding him that it wasn't his duty to pick up materials. Meanwhile, Zalis, the Head Steward, urged him to return to the castle for his safety. Reluctantly, Richard agreed, noticing the faint presence of a powerful aura circling the village. Perhaps it was best to trust Vara and the other Fays to handle the situation and lessen the burden on his people by staying somewhere secure.

The interior of the castle was empty, devoid of any furnishings or decorations. The walls and beams, still fresh with the scent of wood, gave the space an inviting yet raw quality. It felt both nostalgic and exhilarating, a reminder that he was nestled within a forest brimming with wild beasts that could easily threaten his life and the safety of his Nest. The thrill of surviving this ordeal, of growing from each challenge and emerging stronger, made Richard's blood boil with excitement. This was precisely what he had dreamed of experiencing in Permonium. Being in the heart of it all, fully immersed in the dangers and the triumphs, was beyond anything he imagined. Richard loves all of it.

At that moment, Richard heard the unmistakable sounds of fierce combat outside. The sharp whistling of something slicing through the air and the heavy thud of large bodies hitting the ground piqued his curiosity. He felt an urge to rush out and see what was happening, but he knew his place was here, within the castle's protective walls. Realizing he couldn't do much from within, Richard craned his neck, trying to catch any glimpses or further sounds. Eventually, with a resigned sigh, he settled back. 

Richard clenched his fists, determination brewing in his heart. He knew he couldn't rely solely on his Fays forever, staying behind walls while they fought his battles. Tomorrow, he would begin learning the basics—no more standing idle and watching from the sidelines. He hadn't come to Permonium just to observe; he'd come to fight alongside his Fays, to wield a sword and feel the weight of it as he struck down his enemies. The idea of being helpless gnawed at him, but he understood that tonight, there was little he could do. For now, he would accept it and bide his time. There wasn't much for him to do, and the day had been long and draining. Finding a comfortable spot in the still-empty castle, he decided to rest, letting the rhythmic hum of distant battle lull him into a much-needed sleep.

Morning light seeped through the castle's wooden walls, casting soft rays across the empty room. Richard stirred, blinking against the light. Immediately after, he was overwhelmed by a series of notifications.

System Notification: New Fays Have Spawned!

Summon Batch: 2nd Batch

Daily Spawn Summary:

The Nest has experienced a surge in population with the arrival of new Fays, enhancing its strength and diversity.

Total Fays Spawned: 64

Fays Spawned Demography: 

Male: 45

Female: 17

Children (Below Age 15): 2

Grade Distribution:

Green Grade Fays: 34

Blue Grade Fays: 22

Yellow Grade Fays: 8

Notable Special Fays Summoned: (With Fixed Professions)

Faith Norreathem (Blue Grade)

Profession: Alchemist

Description: Eira possesses a deep understanding of natural ingredients, allowing her to craft powerful potions and elixirs. Her skills enhance the health and magical abilities of her fellow Fays.

Toren Norreathem (Yellow Grade)

Profession: Commander

Description: With exceptional combat experience, Toren is well-versed in battlefield tactics. He will lead training sessions and coordinate defenses against potential threats to the Nest.

Lyra Norreathem (Blue Grade)

Profession: Tailor

Description: Lyra specializes in creating armor and clothing for Fays. Her craftsmanship not only improves defense but also boosts the morale of those wearing her creations.

A smile broke from Richard's face. He finally have a commander to lead and train the Fays. He remembered having a tailor and and alchemist. Though, he haven't looked at their general stats yet. Well, he haven't looked at any of his professional Fays stats yet. He'll find time to look at the stats of the Fays given time. With only the demographics, he don't have any idea about the specifics. 

"That's why Fay Master's are overjoyed when a statistician appears in their nest," Richard sighed. "Speaking of appearance, I still don't have a smithy to craft weapons." This time, Richard deeply sighed. 

His nest can't produce weapons. And, it felt like he's still handicapped. Well, having two tailors working with the light type armors are good enough to protect his Fays from heavy injuries. However, he knew the limitations this placed on his Nest's overall offense capability.

Next, Richard proceeded to read the notification regarding the battle last night. And, it sure is a lot.