No Uncle – A Newborn Chimera
"I'm no uncle. I was born pretty much like you. Probably a chimera conjured up by the World Tree itself."
That explained why this thing was no ordinary beast.
lv100+++
Traits: [Madness], [Ferocity], [Alpha], [Low Intelligence], [Infant], [Crown]...
Its level was stuck at 100. Maybe it was born at max from the start, locked in place. But it was still a baby through and through—growing like a weed by the day. It started out the size of a bull, but after scarfing down a few monsters, it outgrew even Riok. Smaller than my giantified dad, sure, but still massive enough to earn the title.
Was it because it was a chimera mimicking me? Or the low IQ and baby traits? Whatever the reason, its status window was crystal clear.
[Bite lv20], [Roar lv10], [Body Slam lv10], [Branch Extension lv20], [Swift Crawl]...
[Madness], [Terminal]...
High-level skills, but nothing too advanced at a glance. Hard to gauge its real power. It packed a punch, no doubt, but how much? Among the monster horde, there were beasts that could stand toe-to-toe with Akimus or Riok. They didn't challenge the chimera, though—just trailed behind at a distance. Probably just as strong as them.
And in my estimation? That level of strength wouldn't cut it against Gunter. I'd seen what Medusa Mom went through—one hit and she was off to the afterlife. Sure, I was the one who rage-fired that ray at him in fury, but it still scared me a bit.
Slash!
Gunter swung his halberd, slicing through the vines the chimera snake unleashed in one clean sweep. The chimera was fearless. It fired off those branches and charged straight at him.
'Watch out!'
It lunged to swallow him whole.
Boom!
But Gunter leaped high, dodging nimbly. Against a normal snake, that would've worked fine. This one was made of wood, though. Fresh branches erupted from its body, surging toward him.
Splurt—
This time, Gunter couldn't sever them all. A few spears aimed to impale his armor.
Thud-thud-thud-crash!
The force was insane—Gunter went flying like a ragdoll. He twisted midair, gouging a deep furrow into the ground on landing. Dents marred his sturdy plate armor, clear as day.
Oh? This might actually be interesting.
'Go get 'em, Key Snake!'
My bond with the chimera snake was... complicated. I'd failed to dominate it outright. It ignored my commands, wouldn't even chat. But if other monsters growled at me, it shut them down. No escaping on my watch, either.
Anyway. It barreled toward Gunter. His knights moved to join, but—
"Stay back!"
Gunter blocked them. Fearless, he charged us head-on. Then he leaped, swinging that massive halberd arm with brutal force.
I recognized the stance. How could I forget? The strike that beheaded Medusa Mom in one blow. From the glimpse I'd stolen of his status back then—Moon Slash. Had to be that skill.
'Key Snake, run!'
-Man, you're all over the place!
The chimera didn't flee. Couldn't, really. One wrong move, and both our heads were rolling. But in that instant—hundreds of branches exploded from its nape, shielding its front.
Crunch-crunch-crunch!
Gunter's halberd shredded them all, embedding deep into the chimera's face. His eyes bulged—he hadn't expected it to react to his skill. A normal monster? Dead on the spot. But wood-body chimera? Different story. It lunged, smothering him.
Boom!
Dust billowed. Gunter parried the incoming branches with his recovered halberd. And me?
Ray lv1 activated.
I timed my ray perfectly, harassing Gunter. And that's when I noticed something wild: every time I fired, the chimera attacked that direction.
Pew, boom!
Pew, boom!
Once I caught on, I adjusted my aim like a pro. Luring it away from Gunter, back toward the horde. No way we were winning straight-up.
Boom!
Suddenly, the chimera forgot Gunter entirely, chasing my ray like a cat after a laser. Hilarious.
Gunter pulled back his halberd, standing firm. He wasn't alone, and neither were we. With the alpha distracted, the horde surged at him. Did this monster-human look like a tasty snack?
Just as they swarmed—his hair lifted slightly.
'That...!'
I knew it instantly. Heavenly Thunder Command. Not my borrowed lv1 version—the real deal. Lightning crashed from the sky.
Kra-kaboom!
For a split second, even the monster wave froze. Worlds apart in power from mine. Self-targeting skill like that? At full blast, it'd kill the user. Human, not monster—even tougher to tank.
But Gunter? Fine. He held his long halberd aloft with one hand. The bolt struck the blade, swirling blue around it harmlessly—instead of electrocuting him through his gauntlet.
-So that's how you use it.
'Damn gear advantages.'
Gauntlet insulation? Guess I need rubber boots on my tail to wield Heavenly Thunder properly. Even at lv1.
Aura erupted from Gunter's halberd—blue lightning-like glow. He swung at the oncoming monsters.
Kra-kaboom!
Blue thunder fused with aura, incinerating them. How many in one hit? At least twenty—no, thirty went down.
"Fall back! Maintain formation."
Gunter calmly directed his men. Yeah. As expected.
Ray lv1 activated.
Pew—I lured the chimera back into the horde. Blending in with the runners.
'Run awaaay!'
Glancing back—no pursuit from Gunter or his knights. Instead, the old wizards were freaking out.
"Draw it, quick!"
"Incredible beast! A twin-headed snake chimera."
One head's me, huh? They whipped out paper, sketching me and the chimera.
"Done! Check the craftsmanship."
"Whoa. Publication-worthy. Score."
"But twin-heads with one so tiny? Tumor maybe?"
Tumor?!
Then—eye contact with Gunter. He was staring right at me.
'...Next time I see you, you're done, Gunter.'
-Say that to his face, why don't you.
'Can't. I'm a snake.'
Next encounter? His funeral.
* * *
"You alright, Captain?!"
"Fine."
Gunter waved off his worried men. The knights marveled at his unscathed state.
"Didn't look that tough, but hasn't tanked a Moon Slash in ages."
"Killing it here would've blunted the wave. Shame."
"Plenty of chances left."
"...Yeah. To seize them, we move. They're retreating."
The knights geared up fast. Adjusting the monster wave's path was unprecedented—tons more work ahead.
As they prepped and Gunter moved to mount—sharp pain stabbed him. He swallowed rising blood. Internal injuries. Tougher monster than expected. And that little snake—its pitch-black second head had shown clear hostility. Never seen one like that.
Unanswerable riddle.
"Master Al Kandura, Master Is Hen, Master De Zaka."
"Tongue-twister."
"Handle it."
"No worries."
They sprayed monster-repelling scent, set magical traps everywhere. Finally, magus Al Kandura hammered stakes into the ground.
"Hmm, that should do."
"Hurry up, Kandura."
"Hold on, you know I can't mount alone."
Al Kandura struggled onto his horse with De Zaka's help. They galloped after Gunter and the knights. Well-trained warhorses, but still panting from the monsters.
"Easy, easy."
As De Zaka soothed his mount—another explosion behind.
BOOM!
"Whoa, horse! Grab the reins!"
"Shit, startled me."
De Zaka grumbled.
"What? Botched trap?"
"Who do you think I am? Perfect install."
"Then why trigger so soon?"
"Relax. Auto-recharges."
"Good enough."
Some unlucky stray monster barbecued itself. The blasts and corpses would barricade nicely.
* * *
What of those left in Shadow Forest?
So. While the white snake cocooned for evolution. The forest's barrier vanished, World Tree roots rotted, wafting sweet scent. Luring in the slobbering outer monsters.
What became of the white snake's horde?
The wise gorilla got them out. The mind-numbing aroma? They shrugged it off. Not high IQ—just loyalty to their still-alive tamer.
Luckily, they fled into the forest. White snake's dad had dipped early; Hairit Langrei achieved her goal and left. The gnome watcher? Gone too, after confirming Deshunan's death.
But misfortune hit one group hard. Crimson Teeth Great Centipede. One on evolution's cusp. And her babies aboard.
She'd never fully tamed to the white snake. Not unwillingness—necessity. Protecting kids demanded caution.
Now all clear? Time to join the white snake. He didn't mind her; she took a shine to him. Especially the orphaned kids—they adored him. Different species, but family potential.
So she thought.
Demonic essence concentration in the air rises.
Unfruited roots begin to rot.
Foul stench emanates from rotting roots.
Taming eluded her? When she snapped to—it was too late. The great centipede spun dizzily amid monsters. Instinct-driven, scent-drunk, mindless.
"Kkehk."
"Kkeee!"
The kids woke her—Wangnuni and Daegari gnawing her antennae.
Then she realized: only two babies. Her pale worrywart daughter, Kkubugi, gone.
"Kkeaak!"
Panicked, she searched frantically. Nowhere. Horde shifting—swarming as one toward Great Forest's edge.
"Kkegye? Kkee?"
"Kke!"
Daegari pointed with clacking claws: that way.
She bolted after. Desperate-mom mode nullified the scent.
World Tree, protect my daughter. Let Kkubugi live. Oh, white snake would freak. Yell about losing another kid after Wangnuni.
Tears streamed as she rampaged. No luck finding her.
Thankfully—or prayers answered—Kkubugi lived. For now.
Tumbled into the horde's flow, clueless, swept along one direction.
"Kkueooh."
"Grrrng!"
All sorts: lion-likes, elephant-likes, massive giraffe-beasts. Hooves slammed inches from her.
Thud!
"Kkeht!"
Terror gripped Kkubugi. Tumbled from mom's back, lost her instantly. Spotting distant white snake—with big tree snake. All monsters followed him. Her only play: tag along.
"Kkeee!"
Screamed for him, too far. Mom and snake forgot her. Obviously.
Tears dripping, she ran on. Couldn't stop—trampled or eaten by trailing beasts. Exhausted, tried slipping aside multiple times. But flames erupted ahead, horde thickened. No escape. Couldn't catch snake. He faded from view.
"Kkee...."
As tiny pale centipede surrendered—
Kra-kaboom!
Lightning ahead! She knew it—white snake's grilling bolt.
Last gasp: legs screaming, she pushed. Reached the strike site, barely breaking from horde.
"...Kkee?"
No white snake. Just battle scars, scattered scales—his? And...
A gnome corpse, crackling aflame. Draped in ornate tools, gear. Gut hole gushing blood. Face frozen in shock. Never dreamed he'd die here.
Even in despair, he drew eyes. Half-body left. Clean cuts—no blood, guts—like thawed meat sliced. Lower half, right arm gone.
Rifling cautiously, Kkubugi found why. Cloak. Invisible, but cloaking arm and legs.
She tore it free with claws.
"Kke!"
Magic item, snake-uncle's ring style.
Cloak-covered parts turned transparent. Struggling, she donned it fully. Vanished.
"Kkekekke."
Monsters? No fear now. Find mom, snake soon. Hunt solo even.
Other gnome magics ignored—fire spread. Invisible Kkubugi slipped into woods.
Distant future tale. Legend of White Silence—or Assassination Duke—born of tiny misfortune and fortune intertwined.