The guard wasn't kidding about the residents of this dungeon. They have surrounded the entrance, red eyed and enraged, dozens of them attacking the Wrath Bringers the second they enter. Cain immediately calls forth the Lamia Scourge Casters and the Poisoned Wasps to push back enough space to let the others enter safely before calling out the two Dark Elven Clerics and the two Lamia Witch Doctors that make up his Supporter summons for the run.
The Beastkin are a few levels higher than Cain, but he's got more than sufficient buffs to put him on par with them and more. Realizing he's wasting chances to add to his summons, he gets to recording them as fast as he can before any of the species and class combinations present die out entirely. Once the area is finally clear, everyone takes a break to catch their breath and Cain checks his notifications.
[Summonable Companion Recorded]
[Summon Lesser Beastkin Companion 18/50]
Lesser Beastkin companion? That sounds a lot like a furry version of Vala. Did the ability that created her enable the creation of other types of companions? There is no way he's leaving without a new companion now.
"The Companion Creation ability that created Vala when I recorded 50 kinds of demons is active again. I'm at 18 out of 50 kinds of Beastkin towards creating another companion." He informs the others.
"Am I being replaced?" Vala asks sadly, hurting his heart to hear.
"No, this will be a Lesser Beastkin Companion, it's worded as an additional spell and not a different form of you." Cain says, making the Demonic twins smile.
"Will they be cuddly?"
"Maybe? The ability seemed to optimize the form based on what it calculated that I needed at the moment. You took the form of a Wrath Demon to give additional healing and a damage buff to the group. I don't know what it will decide we need this time, or what the companion will look like."
"I agree, it had better be cuddly. We've already got smooth and warm right here in Vala's wings." Dimnys laughs.
"We will find out soon, more are incoming."
It's like they've angered the entire dungeon, they just keep attacking, wave after wave of mindlessly enraged Beastkin.
[Summon Lesser Beastkin Companion 49/50]
"Next one will be fifty. But when I record it, the one I pick will likely become an Elite on the level of a dungeon boss. So be prepared and I'll try to pick something that won't be too insane as our opponent." Cain warns the others, still gathered around the entrance of the dungeon.
For a few minutes there are no new types, then a crocodile headed, axe wielding warrior arrives from one side. Perfect, that's the first one of that species they've seen, and it doesn't look like a Healer or spell Caster.
[Summon Lesser Beastkin Companion 50/50]
Kill Quest opponent to finalize creation.
The crocodile type Beastkin swells to 5 meters tall, larger than even the Wrath Bringers, who do not seem happy about that fact. He now shows as elite and not boss quality though, so he only enhanced one stage and facing a boss level opponent last time was Cain's fault for picking an Elite opponent to complete the ability quest.
With a mighty roar the Elite monster slams its axe into the shield of a Wrath Bringer, pulling the huge Demon off balance before having to twist away from the incoming Flaming swords of the party's tanks. Four have broken off to deal with this new opponent, while the others are dealing with the mass of Beastkin that just keeps coming. The Scourge Casters and Kone's bears hit half a dozen with every attack, and multiple area damage abilities are active, but it's just not enough to get ahead of the waves.
The Elite crocodile is not a fan of flaming swords it seems. The creatures skin is scorched and split, blood trickles from dozens of partially cauterized wounds and it is roaring in pain, bringing more forms of crocodile people into the fight.
"We've got to be doing something wrong. They'd have said if the whole fight was just defending the gate." Kone yells over the noise.
She's good a point, this is not at all normal. could it be because of his ability? Probably not, it started before he recorded a single Beastkin. But then what? The buildings around them are tall enough that the Wrath Bringers shouldn't be visible from any significant distance. Could it be that the smell of demons or maybe of a human is drawing them in? There's got to be an answer, but Cain just can't think of a way to find out what it is.
[Opponent Defeated. Quest Complete]
[Configuring Beastkin Companion]
[Configuration Complete. Summon Companion?] Y/N
Two matched figures fade into existence, far more beast than kin, like the vast majority of the opponents they've faced in here. They've got creamy white fur, fading to black at the muzzle and ears, plus on their hands and feet. Their heads are distinctly feline, and their bodies are covered in short creamy fur, with long, fluffy tails ending in a black tip. Seal Point pattern, Cain recalls this set of markings is called.
Their outfits are more fit for a belly dancer than an adventurer, with a short sleeved black silk top that only covers the upper arms to the breasts, stopping right underneath them, tied with a golden clasp. The calf length black skirts are split up both sides and attached to a golden belt, leaving both thighs bare. They're not wearing shoes, but their legs end in padded feline feet.
The effect is unexpected to say the very least, but both immediately take out a lute and start paying a mellow Song that calms the attackers and stops the incoming waves of Beastkin.
"That's a relief. Thank you both, what should we call you?" Cain says, taking the opportunity to pat both heads. Though they've got longer cream colored fur on top of their heads, giving the impression of a bob cut despite the fact they're fully furred, even the shorter fur of their ears is very soft.
"We like to be called Nemu." They both answer, then hiss at each other. "No I am Nemu. You can be something else." One insists.
"We're clones you silly Felian, of course we're both Nemu." the other argues. "How did you two solve this problem?" this is directed at one Vala twin, who has taken a short break to check out the new party member.
"We're the Vala twins." She shrugs and goes back to fighting.
"We can decide later. First, you play a jaunty tune to get things moving while I pacify the Feral Beastkin." The original Nemu instructs. The tune is an enhancement spell, increasing attack speed and dodge rate. The Felian Companions are bards by class, according to Cain's interface. They can use slings or daggers, but their primary role is to buff and debuff. The pacify effect is working very well, only a few opponents are coming at a time and the backlog is almost cleared up.
"So, tell your new friend Nemu something. Why would you bring thirty demons into a dungeon full of Beastkin? They can smell you from miles away." the Felian Bard asks, tilting her head in confusion.
