[Garm] My status screen?
A deafening silence remains unbroken as the confused Garm can only wonder the reason for Reika's sudden request.
[Reika] Yes, I'm trusting you with my son's life for this mission. I need to make sure you can protect him.
Before giving his answer, Garm looks towards Sakyo, as if asking for permission to reveal his status.
[Sakyo] It's ok, Garm. (To be honest, I'm pretty curious myself.)
[Garm] As you wish. [Status Open].
Garm
Age: 14
Element: Earth
Power: 4
Magic: 0
Vitality: 4
Speed: 6
Trick: 5
Titles:
None
Bloodline Ability:
{Matter Absorption}
Skills:
{Cold Resistance}, {Snowstep}, {Beastification}, {Beta's Howl}, {Moonlight Hunter}
Everyone stares at Garm's now revealed status. Reika seems impressed with such high values for the base stats while Sakyo appears more interested in his skills and Bloodline Ability. Garm, on the other hand, looks on in confusion.
[Garm] I-is this right? My status values appear to have decreased.
[Sakyo] Decreased? Is something like that even possible?
[Reika] What part of your status changed from before?
[Garm] The values for my power and trick seem to have each decreased by one. It seems losing my leg has had more lasting effects than I had previously believed.
A somber look covers his face as his hand reaches down to where his knee used to be. In hopes of changing the sullen mood, Sakyo speaks up with curiosity.
[Sakyo] Um, Garm, would you mind telling me about your Bloodline Ability.
Garm releases his leg, his mood still less than ideal, but grateful for the slight change in subject.
[Garm] Yes, Master. As you can see, my Bloodline Ability is called {Matter Absorption}. It allows me to absorb materials through direct physical contact. I can then use the materials I absorb as a thin armor to coat my fur. Depending on the amount of material I absorb, I can keep the coating for longer periods of time.
[Sakyo] Woah, that sound cool. Can you coat your entire body or just your fur?
[Garm] I am only able to coat my fur, but I am able to coat my entire body when I use my {Beastification} skill.
[Sakyo] Let me guess, that skill lets you turn into a full werewolf so you can coat your entire body since it's already covered in fur.
[Garm] Yes, that would be the most accurate way to describe it. However, in this form, I am only able to cover the fur on my arms, tail, and head.
[Sakyo] (His stats really are amazing. He's already at the same level as most of the royal knights. {Cold Resistance}, {Snowstep}, and {Moonlight Hunter}. Looks like he gained these from his childhood in the mountains. Still, his magic stat is zero. I don't have any talent for it, but even I have one value for my magic stat.) How come your magic stat is zero? (Crap, I just blurted that out without thinking.)
[Reika] That's to be expected. Therianthrope demi humans have never been able to use magic for as long as anyone can remember. Most people believe it's because they're originally descended from impure hybrids of humans and demons, so the gods refused to grant them any of their power.
[Garm] It is true, I have never met a therianthrope who was able to use magic before.
[Reika] Alright, everything looks to be in order. Garm, I will trust you with my son's safety. Do not disappoint me.
At her words, Garm bows his head towards not the captain of the royal knights, but a mother worried for her child.
[Garm] Understood, I swear to put Master's life before even my own.
[Sakyo] I'd rather you value your own life a bit more, but thanks.
...
The next day, all of the knights march through an open field to the west of the capital. Dozens of knights ride strong steeds, all led by their captain at the front.
Reika looks forward at a thick forest that lies at the base of the mountains before them. With her trained eyes, she can see multiple people moving cages within the forest. Now aware of the target's location, she turns to face her fellow knights. Seeing the sun setting behind her soldiers, she steels her resolve, preparing for the coming raid.
[Reika] Listen well, my fellow knights! Today, we will free citizens for our kingdom who were wrongly enslaved due to the greed of others! It's time to prove yourselves true knights of the Solareth Kingdom! Now, follow me and prepare for battle!
The knight's cheers for their captain turn to war cries as they charge at the forest. Seeing the charging knights, some of the people within the forest drop the cages they were carrying in order to take up arms.
Though they struggle, the trader's guards are no match for the knight's strength and numbers. Many fall while trying to flee deeper into the forest. Others try to save themselves using the captured slaves as shields. Amidst the chaos, Sakyo and Garm are able to sneak into their underground base of operations.
Clad in black cloaks, they run through a long dirt covered tunnel. Despite running past many guards headed outside to the commotion, the two go unnoticed by anyone. Once they reach an opening with about six armed guards, they take cover behind a few covered crates.
[Sakyo] Nice job getting this far, but how come they didn't notice when we ran right past them.
[Garm] I would imagine the knight's attack is calling most of their attention, but my skill {Moonlight Hunter} may have also contributed to it.
[Sakyo] I see, is that some kind of stealth skill?
[Garm] Yes, using it allows me to erase all signs of my presence in dark spaces. I am grateful that this mission is taking place at night since my skill is most effective at that time.
[Sakyo] Nice, you've got some useful skills for infiltration missions. Now then, you think we can take these guys out before going in further?
[Garm] Of course.
[Sakyo] I'll take the lead. You stay close to the exit and make sure no one escapes.
With that confirmation, the two of them split up. Sakyo unsheathes a short silver sword and slashes at the guard furthest from the exit. As his body falls to the ground, the blood covered blade is met by a copper sword slashing down. Using the force of the slash, Sakyo parries the sword into the ground and uses his weight to break the guard's arm.
After knocking him to the ground, two more guards charge while the other two try making a run for the exit. Throwing his cloak as a distraction, Sakyo sweeps their legs, taking their blades and stabbing their feet. The two guards fall to the ground, their painful screams echoing through the tunnel.
Sakyo can't help but notice how slow the guards movements felt before turning his attention to the two guards who tried running away. However, his worries are put to rest once he sees them unconscious at Garm's feet.
[Garm] Everything is taken care of over here, Master.
[Sakyo] Good, now let's go find the captives.
The two continue their mission, traveling further down the tunnel.
Meanwhile, in the deepest chamber of the tunnel, a tall middle-aged man slams his fist against the wall in frustration., causing the tunnels to tremble under the force of his impact.
[Guard] Please calm down, Sir Raven. These tunnels may collapse under your unmatched power.
[Raven] Why the hell are the royal knights here?! You told me everything was proceeding without any issues!
[Guard] That's what I thought. Our surveillance team didn't notify us about an incoming attack.
Turning towards the exit, Raven begins walking away while grabbing a small bag of gold coins and a standard steel sword.
[Raven] Those useless fools. They must've been captured already. I should've known something was wrong when Mau didn't submit his weekly report yesterday. Tell all those remaining to grab everything they can. We're getting out of here. We can at least grab some of the slaves and escape.
[Guard] Um, that's not all. The captain of the royal knights is leading the attack.
As soon as those word reach his ears, Raven stops right in his tracks.
[Raven] You mean that monster of a woman is here?! Change of plans, forget the slaves. Tell the guards to focus on that monster. If nothing else, those pawns can buy me some time to get everything ready.
[Guard] Yes, sir.
As the guard runs down the tunnel, Raven turns to the back of his chamber. He pulls down the cloth that covered a large cell in the wall. Inside that cell stands a large, ferocious black tiger emitting an ominous aura.
[Raven] Very soon, my dear pet, you will be able to eat your fill.
Back within the tunnels thinner paths, Sakyo and Garm continue running deeper into it depths.
[Garm] (sniff) Master, there appears to be a large group of people up ahead.
[Sakyo] How can you tell?
[Garm] Therianthropes have a very strong sense of smell. There are scents of multiple different people in a large group just ahead of us.
As they approach the scent, multiple bars begin lining the walls. Some are empty, but others hold a small number of enslaved villagers. Two more guards standing in front of the cells try attacking, but they are quickly delt with.
Sakyo grabs a ring with keys off of one of the guards belt. He unlocks the first five cells, each one holing roughly 8-9 young women. Despite the cell doors being open, no one makes a move. They all seem to cautious.
Finally, one young woman with long, messy dirt-brown hair stands in front of everyone. Despite her boney figure, she stands strong and protective of the women behind her.
[Woman] Who are you?