So much for having a calm warning. Since Lawrence is busy offline outside of his cafe work today and has completed my projects and essays for this week, I decided to spend the rest of the day finishing my training. After logging back into the game, I informed Lyco about David/Savior's threat against me. But his reaction to it is not to my favor...
<
I sighed as I chewed on a [Roasted Rabbit] piece. <>
<
<
I can hear Lyco groaning again. <
This guy... Then again, I appreciate the support. Might as well accept his help for my sake. <
<
And that's the whisper chat done. I just hope Lyco will be okay in
Since I logged into [Isekai] in the afternoon, I decided to pass the time helping out with a few [Quests] and defeating a bunch of monsters on the way to my next grinding spot. Since there are no guides outside the dungeon portion of the forest, I went into the deeper parts blind with Fenrir's hints guiding me through this monstrous infestation along the way. It was frustrating, but at least those monsters weren't a waste of time considering the [MEXP] they gave me.
Eventually, I reached my destination minutes before nighttime as I took a breather before checking my [Masteries].
As expected, those rabbits, boars, and goblins aren't enough to level up most of them. I don't know what awaits me in this area, but it better be worth the risk to get a big boost in my [Masteries]. Besides, I won't be heading out as a werewolf naked this time...
[A few hours ago...]
[Hey! Welcome to my shop, little cub! Are you here to pick up your clothes?]
I nodded while I entered Mellie's atelier. "Yep. I'm going out to do a little training with my wolf form. And I have a feeling I might tear through my clothes again if I do."
[Then you're in luck!] She took out a folded set of clothes from the counter and handed them to me. [I followed the measurements and abilities Lawrence and Fenrir requested for you. It's not much, but it will be perfect for a fledgling wolf like you.]
Amazing... I quickly take a look at my new clothes' effects out of curiosity.
Whoa... I get this is technically starter equipment for becoming a [Lycan], but this is almost a game breaker in terms of stats. Not only that, all of them are a set, so there should be a set bonus if I equip them all. Who knew a [Lycan] tailor NPC could create such an impressive set of equipment on my first day?
"Fenrir and Lawrence weren't kidding. These are amazing, Mellie!" I quickly take the clothes in glee. "But it would be a shame if I rip it when I transform."
[No need, cub! All of my clothes were made for [Lycanthropes] in mind. Since they're blessed with the spirits of the moon along with a special fabric I've mentioned, it will simply adapt to your wolf form in different forms. So you can transform without removing your clothes first!]
Seriously?! If that's true, I can take advantage of the stat boosts as a wolf, too! That would explain the "special materials" and delays she put out. No wonder they put out this commission for me. And since I don't have the budget to get new equipment, I absolutely can't refuse this offer. "In that case, I can't pass this up. Thanks for your gift, Mellie!"
[It's the least I can do. And about your special commission, I'm still giving it some final touches. If it all goes well, you may have it by tomorrow.]
Just in time. I was about to ask her about it. But thank god, she managed to work on it despite dealing with Fenrir and Lawrence's commission. With this, I'm ready for tomorrow.
But until then, training awaits in the deep for...
[Oh, yes! I almost forgot!]
I almost tripped just as I was about to rush out of the shop. "Come on... Don't ruin the moment like that!"
[Sorry, little cub. But there's one more thing I want to give you.] She ducked down under the counter once more, and after a few seconds, she took out a small box and handed it to me. [It wasn't included in their request. But my wife and I made this for you. Just think of it as our small welcome gift into our pack.]
Gift after gift... I feel like I don't deserve them. But I couldn't say no. I silently accepted the box and opened it...
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Perfect. This is what I can expect for my very first equipment after my ragged starter equipment. The set bonuses might not be much, but it's enough to get me by until [TML] 20 or so. However, what I didn't expect was the special welcome gift the [Lycan] crafting couple gave me.
These gauntlets are a big improvement from my [Wool Bandages] Fenrir gave me. With their imbued [Darkness] element and [SPD] boost, I managed to breeze through the monsters at a rapid pace while moving throughout the forest. Just like my new clothes, I can also wear this in my wolf form. With this, I am fully equipped for any possibilities regardless of my form.
Now all that's left is to mentally prepare myself. While it's not a full moon tonight, transforming voluntarily might be a bit tougher to execute than pressing a button on my skill menu. Taking a deep breath, I focus my mind on my [Inner Wolf]. I can't transform if he's not in the same mindset as me.
[Grrr...]
Yeah, I know how you feel. You're eager to get out again, but I can't hunt more carefully if you go off on your own again. However, if we put our heads together, we might be able to get through without any issues.
[Ruff?]
Don't worry, I won't forget the meat. The real question is what kind of monster we might face here. I hope it's not another [Goblin].
[Ruff! Ruff!]
Right, right... I shouldn't chicken out about this. I'd better get this over with before I change my mind. All I have to do is close my eyes. There's no way I can activate it through normal means, but I did adjust the settings beforehand so I can think freely without being burdened by the [Mind Link's] aftereffects. Although there is one hint Fenrir gave me earlier...
[Don't force the change within you. As long as you accept your [Inner Wolf], you can control the change by being one with the moon.]
Talk about an almost nonsensical jargon. But I wrote those kinds of prose in my early days as a writer. If I'm right, I can simply will it by convincing my wolf and let the change come to me instead of the opposite. Just take a few deep breaths and let my beast take over...
ACK!
This feeling... Most of my normal teeth are turning into fangs in my mouth... Fur starting to grow around my chest... My feet start to change into the bipedal paws of a wolf... Tail bursting out from my spine... These are the same painful sensations I felt from my first transformation. But... It's not as painful as before. I'm still wearing the clothes Mellie gave me, yet I didn't hear any rips as my muscles grew larger. However, the only difficulty I had was my ability to speak. I haven't uttered a single word since my transformation started, but my screams are starting to turn into growls. I can still think as a human, but I'm starting to succumb to the instincts of a wolf.
But that doesn't mean I'm going to resist. I already accepted this new role in this game world, and I'm not backing out now. I just need to let this change continue and keep my consciousness a while longer...
Huh... It's not much, but it will have to do for today. Still... I'm relieved that I can still think. I do feel like I'm a wolf in this form, but I still have the mind of a human, just like in my previous character and RL persona.
"Grrrraaaagghh..."
Oh, right. I can't talk normally in this form. I don't feel like I want to attack anyone, but communicating as a werewolf might be a pain when it comes to party combat. Lawrence is right. I need to master this transformation before I can speak again. Until then, I need other ways to access my menu.
"Activate [Mirror]."
Much to my surprise, a virtual mirror appeared right in front of me. Looks like mental commands do work in [Isekai], too. But anyway, I looked closer and gasped at what I saw. Any remnants of my human self were gone. Instead, I only saw a werewolf with a shiny silver pelt. And rather than seeing the stereotypical werewolf who wore nothing but a pair of torn-off shorts, the werewolf standing in front of me was wearing the same outfit I got from Mellie with the gauntlet grew enough to fit my large clawed hands and the boots changed into some sort of socks or tights wrapped around my upper part of my hind legs. Even my tunic changed into an open jacket that exposes my chest, covered in silver fur.
Now that I look at myself, there are no signs of my past character. Then again, I look more like a monster than a powerful player in the game. Another reason why I'm not showing my wolf face in front of everyone. But enough about my vanity. I have to use this transformation to hasten my grinding session. I'm still trending on unknown waters, so I have to be prepared...
As if on cue, I got my first target. But a powerful force? That's unexpected. I don't know if I can take on an unknown behemoth right now.
What am I talking about?! I transformed into a werewolf for this purpose, right? Why am I chickening out now?! Damn... I'm not the weak Lowry anymore. I need to focus and get my grip together, or else, I won't get to 15 on time!
Okay. Calm down, Lunar. I didn't retain my mind for nothing. All I need to do is close my eyes and let my enhanced senses do the rest. Let them guide me to my desired target for a while and...
[KRAAAAGGGHHH!!!]
Strike back!
"[Scratch Swipe]!"
Without opening my eyes, I swing my arm behind me with a claw swipe. Then, as I open them, I see a humanoid monster with a canine head wearing leather armor and wielding a mace. It doesn't look like another werewolf monster. It does resembles a monster I recognized.
"[Investigate]!"
This [Hunting] skill is already a useful tool in my new character. It helped me learn more about the monster's lore outside of wiki sites. But there's a downside to not seeing their stats yet. Either way, I need to confirm one thing.
As I thought, there's a [Kobold Enforcer] in this forest, too! I encountered them when I was in those torturous [Dungeon Runs] with the Vipers. Thankfully, they managed to ignore me when Savior taunted them. Still, I'm concerned about the flavor text. There's a chance it might not integrate it into their stats. But I'm not gonna f**ed around and find out.
[Kreeeee...]
Heh... It seems like I might have hurt its pride with my counterattack. It doesn't matter... Even if they're stronger than a normal [Kobold], I'm currently a werewolf. So there's no way it can overpower me.
"[Jab]!" I quickly charge towards the monster and throw the said attack at its gut. After that, I use the cooldown time to throw basic punches and kicks to its face. "[Double Jab]!" I then dive down to avoid its mace before throwing two more punches to its chest and jaw, and throwing a few more kicks to its hip.
"Another [Jab]! [Double Jab]! And [Jab] again!"
I keep repeating these thoughts as I continue my barrage of attacks on the enforcer. Thanks to my new body, every punch and kick is much stronger than before, and I didn't break a sweat. And thanks to Fenrir and Lawrence's tutelage, I managed to execute these skills without any issue.
[KREEEGGGHHH!!!]
Though it would be a lot easier if that bastard wouldn't stop swinging its mace near my face! It only took a few hits during my basics until it screeched and tried to bare its fangs at me.
"[Scratch Swipe]!"
I let out my claws to scratch that bastard's muzzle just as the mace hit my left shoulder. Then, I quickly smack it in the face before jabbing it in the gut again.
"And for the final touch..."
I grab the Kobold by the collar and toss it in the air. I charge up my fist and grin as soon as it starts to fall onto the ground.
"[Power Attack]!"
With a burst of energy coming out from my clawed fist, I threw it to its chest and tossed it to the tree nearby with a force similar to a speeding train. And just as it crashed onto its trunk, the monster exploded in [Lapi] and loot.
Amazing... I managed to defeat the monster with my own bare hands. Sure... I did it because of my wolf form. But I managed to beat the monsters that were terrorizing Savior to no end. He kept telling me I'm only good for my eyes and brains, and never my strength. But having both really benefits me a lot. At this rate, I might be able to level up all of my [Masteries] in one night! But one enforcer isn't enough. I know that creep managed to let out a screech loud enough to attract more of them. That's enough to level my [Claw Mastery] up to 15!
As expected... Those kobolds won't know what hit them! I have all the time in the world as long as the sky remains dark and the moon is still bright. I don't care if you're strong or not! Bring it on, you dog-headed bastards!
[GREEEEEGGGH!!!]
[KREEE!!! KREEE]
[KRAAAAAAGGGGHHH!!!]
As soon as I said this, I found myself surrounded by many kobolds of all kinds covering all the exits in the area.
Me and my big mental mouth...