The First Legendary Beast Master

Chapter 939: Spawns Here Too

The Undead were definitely up to something, that much was clear to anyone who had been offshore in the last few weeks. It didnʼt appear to be about loot, they were still striking at whatever came close to them, not hunting high-value targets.

And it didnʼt appear to be about numbers, as they werenʼt taking excessive numbers of prisoners either.

So, the mystery of their goals faded into the background, and the conversation turned to what could be done about the increasingly high numbers of monster spawns.

While that was a threat that the Golden Dragon Nation had been used to for many years now, it was new to the Dragon Isles, and the nation of Gabil, or the Gabilese Theocracy, as the Dwarves in Bara jokingly called it, was in bad shape.

They were already a low population area, with most of their cities and major roads running along the coast. So, there were many instances where they didnʼt even know there was a problem until the number of monsters got high enough that they started to spread out and threaten villages hundreds of kilometres from their starting point.

At that point, the original portal was long since closed, leaving the monsters behind with no actions to be taken except to minimize the threat.

But while Gabil was mostly a Dwarven nation, there were entire villages of monster species living there as well.

To say that the Ogre villages were less than pleased when insane Ogres showed up and started to attack them without listening to reason would be an understatement. But it also created friction and distrust between the monster villages and the Dwarves that they were used to trading with.

If the vanguard of the convoy wasnʼt someone that the guard personally recognized, they would be on guard against attack, and everyoneʼs first response was to treat them with suspicion, despite having been neighbours for decades or centuries.

Some groups got over it, others took it very personally.

Oddly, the Naga Tribes, who were not known for their hospitality or social nature to begin with, were among those who took it the best. ʼA sane Naga and a crazy Naga look the same from a distanceʼ they had said.

There were some suspicions that a few of the Monster populated villages had used the monster spawns as an excuse to settle old grudges, but so far, nobody had managed to prove anything of the sort.

”So, if we just wander around the inland areas, and stop to talk to the villages, we should be able to find the worst of the problems?” Karl asked as the waitress brought out a skillet full of honey soaked cornbread for them to snack on.

One of the Dwarven locals nodded. ”That would be the easiest way. There are roads, of a sort, connecting them, so itʼs not hard to get from one to another. But where you find damage to the roads, youʼll most likely find a monster spawn.

They seem to have something against all forms of development.”

Karl nodded. ”The monster spawns are known to attack buildings as well. And itʼs not always monsters. I have heard of some that were magical beasts as well, but just as insane as the rest.”

The Dwarves shrugged. ”Itʼs hard to tell unless we actually see them appear. There are plenty of things in the wilderness that can drive the animals insane. Including the Undead.”

Dana chuckled. ”So basically, itʼs hard to tell if the root cause is the spawns, or if there are other creatures driving them insane, so for the most part, the beast attacks get written off as a general threat, and not part of this phenomenon?”

Thomas nodded. ”Exactly. But if you head towards the middle of Gabil, you will find plenty of Trolls and Satyrs living in small villages. Theyʼre easier for most groups to get along with than the north.

The closer that you get to the lake, the more lizard species youʼll find. You have a Naga Queen with you, so it might not be bad, but they arenʼt big on sharing their troubles with outsiders.

They believe that it makes their warriors look weak, and weakness means invasion.

So, if you ask them about trouble, youʼll just be told that there isnʼt any, or that their people have taken care of it already, even when that is clearly not true.

Itʼs a bit of a running headache for their Nationʼs armies, Iʼm told.

But you will also find more dragon clerics there, and you can ask them. To the east, taking up most of the middle of this island, is Sholaha, and itʼs run by the dragonkin. Mostly full of the various monster species, but usually affiliated with one of the dragon gods.”

”I recall that there were tournaments there as well.” Karl noted, and the Dwarves all began to laugh.

”Ah yes, the tournaments. Thatʼs all Totem and Mythic Ranked, for entrance to their dungeons, though. Even if you might be able to win, you donʼt qualify to enter yet.” The Paladin explained with a huff of laughter.

Karl shrugged. ”It sounded tempting, Iʼm not going to lie. But I can wait until I reach Totem Ranked. That shouldnʼt be a problem for me to do in the next year or two.”

Charlie slapped his sons on the back. ”See boys? Thatʼs the sort of attitude you should have. Surpass your old man and make it to Totem Ranked. None of this being satisfied with your power level, even if youʼre happy with your Rank in the Holy Order.”

Tessa gave him a curious look. ”Youʼre paladins by religion and not just by System Class? Thatʼs surprising.”

The four Dwarves all nodded. ”Followers of the great god Thorin, lord of the Mountains. The only remaining Dwarven God, so far as we know. The rest all joined one of the other pantheons, and over the years the Dwarves forgot about them.

But not the Indomitable Lord.

You know, it is said that he once walked beside the World Dragon, back when he was a mere Immortal, before he ascended to Divinity. So, perhaps the Dwarves and the Dragons were destined to be connected.”

Tessa smiled. ”And not just because both dragons and Dwarves like to live in mountains.”